Europe might be relatively tiny; being just one quarter the size of Asia, one third the size of Africa, but for cultural diversity and places of interest to see it can’t be beaten, as a vacation destination to explore. From the vibrant multi-cultural city of London to the historic beauty of Venice and the monuments of the great ancient civilisation of Greece, it’s almost impossible to choose just ten destinations in Europe to visit, but we’ve tried! Here is a brief guide to ten of the top places to visit in Europe:
1. Amsterdam, Holland
One of the most beautiful and welcoming cities in the world, Amsterdam, is the perfect place to visit if you are a lover of art and culture. The Dutch capital boasts with some of the finest art museums in the world, where you can see the works of Rembrandt and Van Gogh, and you can stroll amongst the many canals, ride a popular in Amsterdam bicycle and enjoy contemplating beautifully maintained buildings of the city.
2. Rome, Italy
Visit the city that built an empire and you won’t be disappointed. The city of Rome was, of course, the centre of one of the greatest empires the world has ever known and buildings like the Coliseum and the Pantheon still stand as testaments to that mighty empire today. Take a detour of the main attractions and you will also find beautiful and surprisingly quiet cobbled alleyways, fine restaurants and cute cosy squares to visit. You can also visit the smallest country in the world, The Vatican, and see the home of the Catholic Church.
3. Paris, France
One of the most inspiring cities in the world and home to romance and sophistication is the capital city of Paris. The city is the home to the biggest concentration of works of art in the world, as well as to many well-known attractions like the Eiffel Tower, the Notre Dame de Paris and the Champs-Élysées. But, as well as the well-known attractions, there is also the simple pleasure of sitting outside of one of the many bistros and cafés, watching the Parisian world go by, and Paris is still one of the most popular destinations for romantic getaways.
4. Florence, Italy
The whole city of Florence is like one big open air museum and art gallery. The centre of the Renaissance, one of the most exciting periods in the history of European history, Florence is filled with beautiful architecture and sculptures throughout the city and it is a home to the world famous Uffizi Gallery, where you can see masterpieces by Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, Michelangelo and many of the other great names in classical art.
5. London, England
London is the biggest and richest city in Europe. An incredible mix of some of the best shopping centers, restaurants and entertainment in the world, rubbing shoulders with the historical sights of Buckingham Palace, The Tower of London and Tower Bridge. London is a buzzing, thriving city that has something for everyone’s taste.
6. Athens, Greece
Visiting the birthplace of democracy itself is a must for any visitor to Europe. There are many ancient buildings and artefacts of the Greek empire to be found in Athens, though don’t expect it all to be filled with only ancient monuments, as Athens is also a busy and modern metropolis. The most famous of its ancient monuments is probably the Acropolis, and you can also view a stunning collection of ancient Greek artefacts at the Acropolis Museum.
7. Istanbul, Turkey
Istanbul is the cultural centre of Turkey and is the city, where many cultures meet. The city is a fascinating mixture of ancient Roman and Greek influences, as well as where Europe meets the Middle East. Istanbul is a rare opportunity to see the history of many of the worlds great civilizations and religions, side by side, in one city.
8. Venice, Italy
Once, the richest city on the planet, Venice is one of the very few cities in the world that can truly be called unique. It’s a city that people fall in love with its romantic gondola trips down the canals, its wonderful architecture and world famous landmarks like St. Mark’s Square, the city is often said to be like a living fairy-tale.
9. Barcelona, Spain
The city of Barcelona is the embodiment of contemporary Europe. It is a city that knows the value of its past, but, at the same time, it embraces the multi-cultural world of today with enthusiasm. The city was home to the artists Picasso and there is a museum dedicated to his works and, in a more modern twist, Barcelona was the inspiration behind the unique collaboration between rock legend, Freddie Mercury and Opera Diva, Montserrat Caballé, in the song that summed up the intriguing mix of the old and the new that is Barcelona.
10. Lisbon, Portugal
Not a natural, perhaps, on the list of well-known destinations in Europe, Lisbon is situated, literally on the edge of the continent of Europe and that is what has made centuries of travellers from the city wonder: what is out there? It was the people of the city of Lisbon, who started the whole idea of globalisation with maritime explorers like Prince Henry the Navigator. You can discover the story of these earliest of explorers throughout the city of Lisbon, as well as get a glimpse of Europe’s most scenic capital city.
What are the top places that you visited or would like to visit in Europe?
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