EUROPE Part II: Traveler’s Paradise!

France:

Paris – Paris, often referred to as the ‘City of Lights’, is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful and romantic cities in history, making it the top destination for tourists from all over the world. Paris is home to some of the world’s most famous attractions, such as the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, Notre Dame Cathedral, the Champs-Elysees, and the Pompidou Center.

There are several museums in Paris, the most famous being the Louvre National Museum, which is a must see. Don’t forget to look for Leonardo da Vinci’s wonderful painting of Mona Lisa in the Louvre! The River Seine, located just across the Eifel Tower, is the best-known river in Paris. Take the river cruise and see the breathtaking view of the city that is spectacularly illuminated at night. Several lunch and dinner cruises are also offered. There are several picturesque villages throughout France. A nice road trip with a few pit stops would be worth adding to the itinerary, weather permitting.

Italy:

Venice – Better known as the land of gondolas and canals, the magical city of Venice, located in northern Italy, is truly unique. It is the only European city that has its entire transport system built on water. The absence of vehicles makes it completely free of traffic and allows long and quiet walks. In fact, the entire city can be covered on foot in an hour. The gondola is a traditional Venetian ship and is one of the biggest tourist attractions here.

Gondola cruises and city tours are exciting, fun, and a must-try for all romantics. Venice has some great restaurants serving delicious food. There are several famous palaces, serene churches, and museums that are known for their distinctive architecture and valuable art.

Rome – This capital city of Italy is all about history, ancient architecture, culture, food, wine, and fashion (haute couture). Colosseum, an elliptical amphitheater; The Pantheon, an ancient temple; The Vatican Museums are some of the main places to visit in Rome. The intricate work and magnanimous architecture of these monuments will tell you that Rome was definitely not built in a day.

Other places to visit in Italy include Florence (known for its simplistic beauty); Tuscany (known for its incredible scenery, world-renowned art, wines, and food); and Milan (the fashion capital of the world).

Spain:

Madrid: the capital of Spain is located in the heart of the country and is a very vibrant city. It is characterized by great monuments and museums, which boast a brilliant collection of art. Madrid’s highlights include the Golden Triangle, where most of the art museums are located; Prado Museum, Royal Palace and Plaza Mayor. Besides having a strong Spanish culture, it also has a thriving nightlife and has many pubs and clubs that will amaze you to no end. While in Spain, try as many tapas as you can. Tapas is a mini meal made from various Spanish delicacies (such as fried egg, French fries, Manchego cheese, and many, many more).

Barcelona: This city is a center for art and design and has several art galleries. Here you will find a wealth of modern sculptures, monuments and brilliant buildings designed by artists such as Antonio Gaudi and Joseph Puig. Barcelona’s beaches are major tourist attractions and are almost always crowded due to the sunny weather throughout the year, but they are beautiful nonetheless and the perfect place for leisure. Barcelona is also famous for its psychedelic architecture, museums, Spanish cuisine, concerts, and festivals. Here you will find many street musicians, jugglers, dancers, and sidewalk performers. Las Ramblas, the Gothic Quarter and Barceloneta are must-sees.

Germany:

Germany is increasingly becoming a fashionable tourist destination worldwide. Here are some of the best places to see in Germany.

Berlin, the capital city, is located in eastern Germany and gives you the perfect feel for Jewish culture. It is popular for its music, art, lively nightlife, orchestras, theaters, palaces, and museums. The Berlin Wall Museum, Brandenburg Gate, Alexanderplatz, Potsdamerplatz, and The Berliner Dom are the top places to see in Berlin.

While Berlin offers you a taste of German history and culture, Munich is more of a fun and experience-filled city. You will find many bars, opera houses and a lively city life. Bavaria, which looks like a fairytale setting with all its castles, and Lübeck, a picturesque medieval city, are other places worth seeing in Germany.

United Kingdom:

London – Anyone who has lived in London will swear by the unpredictability of its weather. If you are in London, you must be prepared for the rain at any time of the year. Aside from the weather, London has everything to qualify as a world-class destination. In the words of Dr. Samuel Johnson: “When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life, because in London there is everything that life can afford.”

Tate Modern and Tate Britain are national art galleries displaying exceptional works of art. Trafalgar Square is one of the main tourist attractions and has some interesting places like the National Gallery, St. Martin’s Church, and Nelson’s Column. The House of Parliament and Big Ben are within walking distance of Trafalgar Square. The British Museum, the National History Museum, the Science Museum, Horniman, Madame Tussauds and the Museum of London are some of the major museums in London. The Tower of London, home to the spectacular Crown Jewels, and Buckingham Palace, which is the Queen’s residence, are must-sees. If you are a fan of musicals and theater, you must see some of the London musicals and Broadway shows. You can get discounted tickets to morning shows. Take a boat ride on the River Thames or try the evening city cruise. Seeing the city skyline at night is a magical experience.

Whether you want to go backpacking with friends or you want to go on a romantic vacation with your partner, Europe has something for everyone. Give yourself the experience of your life!