Travelling to Europe is a rich and rewarding experience. There is such a wealth of history and culture throughout Europe that you will never get bored or run out of places to visit. Here are some of the highlights of top European holiday or travel locations to visit.
Berlin
Famous for the Berlin Wall which separated east and West Germany, its demise has liberated a city which has long been known for its cultural and bohemian character. Today Berlin boasts some of Europe’s best art galleries and museums located in the UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE protected area known as Museum Island; museum; and the strong architecture of the Brandenburg Gate and the Reichstag. But you can’t go to Berlin without having your photo taken alongside the remnants of the Berlin Wall. The Berlin Wall Memorial visitor centre and chapel comprise a surviving section of the wall and watchtower, which allow visitors to get a real feel for the reality of the border facilities during the cold war.
Paris
With it’s stunning architecture, work class museums and galleries, and unique shops, cafes and restaurants, Paris is high on the list of any European itinerary. Visit the Eiffel Tower for great views over the city of Paris; take a boat trip along the Seine; visit the imposing cathedral of Notre Dame; soak up the artistic history and culture of the Louvre or the Pompidou centre. Visitors can top off the cultural experience with a Parisian lunch in one of the bistros in the the wonderful Monmartre area, before exploring the church and views from the Sacre-Coeur.
Venice
Perhaps the most romantic city in Europe, Venice is a fairytale destination where the city’s main monuments are linked by canals navigated by water taxis and gondolas. There is a lovely atmosphere in Venice as you soak up it’s heritage and character. Highlights in the city include St Mark’s Square and Basilica, Doge’s Palace and Rialto Bridge. All vidsitors should take a gondola ride along the Grand Canal and enjoy one of the quality ice creams from one of Venice’s famous gelatarias.
Barcelona
No list of Europe’s best places to visit would be complete without this Spanish city. It is one of Europe’s must-see destinations thanks in major way to the stunning Gaudi architecture seen throughout the city including Parc Guell and the Segrada Familia. Then there is the wonderful art of Jean Miro and other Spanish modern artists to explore. The old Cathrdal should not be missed, nor should the Ramblas – a pedestrianised shopping precinct which features an army of buskers, street performers and artists of all kinds. Barcelona is blessed with a natural topography, sandwiched between the mountain and the sea so it is possible to get fine bird’s eye views from Montjuic or take a strong or a swim at a sandy beach close to the city
Athens
The city of Athens in Greece has plenty of ancient Greek architecture to explore including the Parthenon. This ruin is located on the Acropolis on a hill that overlooks Athens. The temple was built to honor the goddess Athena Parthenos, the patron of Athens. At the bottom of the hill is the brand New Acroplis Museum which has five floors filled with over 4,000 artefacts and antiquities. Permanent exhibitions here include the Parthenon Frieze, Athena statue, Color the Peplos Kore, Parthenon Gallery and Athena Nike. Other notable tourist attractions in Athens include Syntagma Square, famous for the changing of the guards by the Evzones in front of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, as well as the Temple of Zeus and Ancient Agora. Visitors hungry for a bite to eat after all the sightseeing should stop off at Plaka – a street lines with authentic Greek cafes.
Rome
Rome is a busting city filled with historic monments, churches and fountains. There are museums and palaces which feature Renaissance art and architecture, and the Basilica of St. Peters and the Vatican, heart of the Catholic world, are located in Rome. It’s a gorgeous place to visit with many highlights including the Spanish Steps, The Trevi Fountain and the Colosseum which is the largest and most famous amphitheater in the Roman world. When in Rome, eat as the Romans do and sample the fantastic Italisn food on offer such as pizza, pasta and ravioli.
This is just a small selection of the best places to visit in Europe. Youcould travel for years and only really Scrape the surface. There’s Amsterdam, Lisbon, Madrid, Vienna, Florence, Salzburg – the list is endless. For further European travel inspiration see Visit Europe.
