Opulent palaces and massive monuments commemorating bloody battles and majestic emperors are scattered throughout the land amidst modern marvels where visitors can see the wonders of 21st Century technology.

If you've never been on a Western European tour there are certain sites you should try to visit. It is impossible to list all of the marvels of Europe in this one small article but we can give you a few suggestions to spice up your Western European tour. Everyone's tastes are different, of course, but these five sites should be at the top of everyone's list because they have no equal anywhere else in the world.

1. The Louvre: Home to Davinci's famous "Mona Lisa", the Louvre is an art museum like no other in the world. The works of all the masters are here and just stepping foot on the floor of the Louvre is considered a dream come true for many aspiring artists. A definite don't miss for any Western European tour.

2. St. Peter's Basilica: A very close second to the Louvre, St. Peter's Basilica is the largest church in the smallest country in the world. Originally built by Emperor Constantine in 324 AD, the Basilica was rebuilt in the 16th Century and stands today as the world's centerpiece of Christianity. It is a true work of art and as meaningful to artists and historians as it is to Christians.

3. The Brandenburg Gate: Completed in 1791 after being commissioned by the Prussian King Frederick William II, the Brandenburg Gate has been a piece of German and European history for over two centuries. In 1989, it was the site of Ronald Reagan's famous "Bring down that Wall" speech appealing for the removal of the Berlin Wall.

4. Casino de Monte Carlo: Built in 1863, the Casino de Monte Carlo is definitely not a Las Vegas casino. It is the original gaming casino and where roulette first became a gentleman's game of chance. Definitely stop here on any European tour and see the casino that inspired the Ian Fleming James Bond classic "Casino Royale".

5. Lake Geneva: The largest inland lake in Western Europe, Lake Geneva is one of the more beautiful sites you will ever see. Surrounded by the Alps and bordered by Germany, Switzerland, and France, Lake Geneva completes any Western European tour with a reminder that Nature still creates that which man cannot duplicate.