Europe

Through Sept. 30, 2012, visitors to the Palace of Holyroodhouse (Canongate, Edinburgh, Scotland; phone [0131] 556 5100), at the east end of the Royal Mile in Edinburgh, can combine their tour of the residence with a half-hour “Garden History Tour,” including ruins of a 12th-century abbey and the site where the Queen’s Garden Party takes place.

The guided walk runs hourly, with the last tour starting at 5 p.m. Combined residence/garden tour tickets cost £12.80 (near $20) adult, £11.65 senior or £7.85 child (6-16); under 5 is free.

In April, a judge upheld a new law in the Netherlands that effectively ends the selling of marijuana to tourists. Coffee shop owners now will be allowed to sell cannabis only to registered members (2,000 maximum per shop) with valid local addresses and identification.

The ban went into effect on May 1 in three southern provinces and will apply nationwide by the end of 2012. Lawyers for the 700-plus coffee shops affected say that if they lose their next appeal, they’ll take it to the European Court of Human Rights.

Liverpool, England, was a “day call only” port for cruise ships until March 2012, when it received permission to be a “turnaround” port, where ships can begin and end their cruises. A new terminal is being built, and in May the port welcomed its first ship on a “turnaround” cruise. The facility expects to handle 17 turnarounds and 24 day calls in 2013, with visits from lines such as Celebrity, Fred. Olsen and Hapag-Lloyd.

Eight countries that applied to join the Eurozone and use the euro as their currency will have to wait. The European Central Bank reported in May that Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Sweden have not yet met the criteria required to change their currencies. Each country will officially continue to use its national currency.

In the Cloth Hall on Market Square in Ypres, Belgium, the In Flanders Fields Museum (Lakenhallen, Grote Markt 34B, Ieper 8900, Belgium; phone +32 [0] 57 239 220) reopened on June 11, 2012. It is 50% larger, with interactive exhibits telling stories of WWI survivors, plus over 500 objects and documents. The building’s bell tower is open for battlefield views. €8 ($10). Add €2 for a bell tower visit.

Since 2005 in Madrid, the Museo del Traje, or Costume Museum (Avenida Juan de Herrera, 2, Madrid, 28040, Spain; phone +34 91 550 47 00), has displayed items from its collection of over 160,000 costumes, drawings and accessories.

From medieval garb to contemporary fashions, the museum has sections devoted to historic attire, religious clothing, jewelry and Spanish fashion houses. Open 9:30 a.m.-7 p.m. Tues.-Sat. and 10-3 Sun. €3 ($4).

Going to Europe is exciting, but it can be stressful, too. By arranging a few things while you’re still at home, you’ll greatly increase your chances of having a smooth, enjoyable European vacation.

8 days / 7 nights, Dec. 18-25, 2012. Highlights: Kraków Christmas market / learn to make pierogi / torch-lit sleigh ride / Wieliczka Salt Mine / ornament-making workshop / Christmas market in Warsaw / join a Polish family for Wigilia, the Christmas Eve feast and vigil / Christmas Eve midnight carol service. Land, $3,095. Single supp., $495. MIR Corporation (Seattle, WA; 800/424-7289)

9 days / 8 nights, Dec. 15-23, 2012. Highlights: Heidelberg / medieval Rothenburg / 180 stalls of crafts and food at Nuremburg Christmas market / castles Schwangau and Neuschwantstein / “Sound of Music” sights in Salzburg / Dachau / Munich Christmas markets. $3,529 with air from most US cities. Land only, $2,289. Single supp., $420. David McGuffin’s Exploring Europe (Middleburg, FL; 800/570-1351).