EUROPA 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 a top destination for tourists from all over the world. Paris is home to some of the world’s most famous attractions, including the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, Notre Dame Cathedral, the Champs-Elysées, and the Center Pompidou.
There are several museums in Paris, the most famous being the Musée National du Louvre, which is a must see. Don’t forget to look for Leonardo da Vinci’s wonderful Mona Lisa painting in the Louvre! The Seine River, which is located right in front of the Eifel Tower, is the most well-known river in Paris. Take the river cruise and see the amazing view of the city that is spectacularly illuminated at night. Several lunch and dinner cruises are also offered. There are several picturesque towns throughout France. If time permits, a nice road trip with a few pit stops would be worth adding to the itinerary.
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 boat 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 fantastic restaurants serving delicious food. There are a number of 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). the Colosseum, an elliptical amphitheater; The Pantheon, an ancient temple; The Vatican Museums are some of the top 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 dining); 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 have a brilliant collection of art. Madrid highlights include the Golden Triangle, where most of the art museums are located; Prado Museum, Royal Palace and Plaza Mayor. Aside from having a strong Spanish culture, it also has a thriving nightlife and has many pubs, clubs that will blow your mind. While in Spain try as many tapas as you can. Tapas are a mini meal made from various Spanish delicacies (such as fried egg, French fries, Manchego cheese and many more).
Barcelona – This city is a center for art and design and has several art galleries. Here you will find many modern sculptures, monuments and brilliant buildings designed by artists such as Antonio Gaudí and Joseph Puig. Barcelona’s beaches are a major tourist attraction and are almost always crowded due to the year-round sunny weather, but they are still beautiful and a perfect place for leisure. Barcelona is also famous for its psychedelic architecture, museums, Spanish cuisine, concerts and festivals. Here you will find many buskers, jugglers, dancers and street performers. Las Ramblas, the Gothic Quarter and Barceloneta are must-sees.
Germany:
Germany is becoming more and more a trendy tourist destination worldwide. These are some of the best places to see in Germany.
Berlin, the capital city, is located in the east of 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, the Brandenburg Gate, Alexanderplatz, Potsdamerplatz and The Berliner Dom are the main places to see in Berlin.
While Berlin gives you a taste of German history and culture, Munich is more of a fun and experimental city. You will find many bars, opera houses and a busy city life. Bavaria, which looks like a fairy tale 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 be worn out by the unpredictability of its weather. If you are in London, you should be prepared for rain at any time of the year. Weather aside, 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 showcasing exceptional works of art. Trafalgar Square is one of the main tourist attractions and has some places of interest such as 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, which houses the spectacular crown jewels, and Buckingham Palace, which is the residence of the Queen, are must-sees. If you are a fan of musicals and theater, you must see some of London’s musicals and Broadway shows. You can get discount tickets for matinee 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 go on a romantic holiday with your partner, Europe has something for everyone. Give yourself the experience of your life!
