EUROPE TRAVEL GUIDE

TOP EUROPE

★ Europe's only monkeys, the Barbary macaques of Gibraltar, Gibraltar
★ Sintra's palaces and castles, Portugal
★ London, United Kingdom
★ 10th century Rila Monastery, Bulgaria
★ 2200 m / 7217 ft Ushguli community, the highest village in Europe
★ 15th, 16th and 17th century wooden churches of Southern Lesser, Poland
★ Venice's historic center, Italy
★ Istanbul crossroad to Asia, Turkey
★ Paris - City of Light, France
★ Transylvania Dracula's birthplace in Sighisoara, Romania
★ 3454 m / 11332 ft Top of Europe train station in Jungfraujoch, Switzerland
★ 18th century Suomenlinna Sea Fortress in Helsinki, Finland
★ Amalfi Coast, Italy
★ Barcelona, Spain
★ Saint Petersburg, Russia

INSPIRING PLACES TO VISIT IN EUROPE

1- VISIT LISBON, PORTUGUESE REPUBLIC

Visit Lisbon in Portugal - Europe Travel Guide

Lisbon is a special place that makes part of my list of unique cities in the world. One of the most beautiful places to visit in Lisbon is the Downtown area, also called "Baixa". There is no doubt in my mind that this is one of my favorite neighborhoods in Lisbon. Every corner of this city, where I was born, reveals much beauty and authenticity.

Being a mix of history, entertainment and culture, Lisbon is definitely a destination not to be missed. It is, at the same time, a cosmopolitan city and a small town, if you consider all the different neighbourhoods where picturesque little cafés welcome both the everyday friend and the occasional tourist. Monuments and places to visit in Lisbon are the "Jerónimos" Monastery, the "Belém" Tower, the St. George Castle, the Calouste Gulbenkian Museum, the "Parque das Nações", the Berardo Museum, the "Madre de Deus" Convent, the "São Roque" Church, the Ancient Art Museum and the Alfama neighborhood. Don’t just pick a few. Visit them all.

2- VISIT VENICE, ITALIAN REPUBLIC

Visit Venice, Italian Republic

Venice needs no introduction anywhere in the world. A whole city built on a lagoon. Canals, big and small, instead of streets and avenues. Marble palaces full of splendid beauty and hiding romantic secrets through centuries. Relaxing days and spirited nights. Bohemia. Serene gondolas where cuddling happens. A Carnival like no other.

A visit to Venice demands time to absorb all the emotions it conveys. But also means going to the magnificent Saint Mark’s Basilica and Saint Mark’s Square, inhabited by violin players and pigeons. Don’t go home without checking out the Doge Palace, the Grand Canal, the Rialto Bridge, the Bridge of Sighs, the church "Santa Maria della Salute”,… Oh, and don’t forget the islands too.

3- VISIT LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM

Visit London, United Kingdom

Here’s a city where we could spend weeks, or months, just visiting. And never get enough. Talk about cosmopolitan! Whatever tastes you may have, London is your city. Whether you’re looking for the past or wishing to enjoy the lively mixed atmosphere in here, London is your city.

The museums in London are world-class: British Museum, Tate Modern, Victoria & Albert Museum, Museum of Science, Natural History Museum,… London’s landmarks are more than famous: Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, St Paul’s Cathedral, the Tower of London,… I could write a whole text full of dots… Even before I got to write about the huge beautiful and peaceful parks in the middle of the city, the mythical music venues, the charismatic areas of Camden Town or the South Bank,...

4- VISIT AMSTERDAM, KINGDOM OF THE NETHERLANDS

Visit Amsterdam, Kingdom of the Netherlands

Canals, Coffee Shops, the Red Light District, bikes. This is what you immediately think of when you think of Amsterdam. Well, they’re there. But there is much more to remember after you leave the city. It is relatively small in size, but extremely rich in every term due to the liberal culture that offers the acceptance of the other, whoever he may be. That includes, of course, visitors. You will feel welcome.

The canals, and the picturesque streets near them, are the highlights of Amsterdam. Together with the many cafés where you can sit down to enjoy a brief break in your life. But you will also be interested in seeing the Anne Frank Huis, the Van Gogh Museum and the Rijksmuseum. To name just a few.

5- VISIT BERLIN, FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY

Berlin is quite a surprise. Despite being a big city, it somehow has a slow speed, all quiet and peaceful. Berlin is a beautiful blend of history and modern architecture. The reconstruction of much of the buildings was a necessity after the bombings during WW2. And, yes, if you’re wondering, you can still see parts of the Berlim Wall, partially taken down in 1989.

Being Germany’s most cosmopolitan city, a visit to Berlin is all about taking in the variety that its immigrants brought, but still looking for the grandeur of the magnificent monuments and remarkable landmarks: the "Reichstag", the Berlin Television Tower, the "Charlottenburg" Palace, the Museum Island, the Berlin Wall Memorial, the "Potsdamer Platz" and the famous Brandenburg Gate. The enormous central park, Tiergarten, invites us for a walk when our legs get tired of exploring the city.

6- VISIT BRUSSELS, KINGDOM OF BELGIUM

Visit Brussels, Kingdom of Belgium

Belgium’s capital is not one of those cities whose name immediately puts images in our heads. But then you start remembering the famous Belgian chocolates, the comic books tradition, the fact that it has the European Union's headquarters.

As soon as you arrive to Brussels, go check out the ornate baroque and gothic guild houses in the Grand Place, one of the most beautiful squares in the whole world. Wow! The architecture in some parts of the city is really interesting, with organic Art Nouveau facades and medieval buildings. Some of the many must-visit places in Brussels are the Town Hall, The Royal Palace, Mannekin Pis (a small statue of a little boy peeing!), the Galeries St Hubert, the Cathedral of Saints Michel and Gudule, the (square) Place du Petit Sablon, Rue de Bouchers, Magritte Museum, The Museum of Musical Instruments, Museum Horta, The Belgian Center for Comic Strip Art. Buy a few different types of chocolates to boost your energy as you explore the city. You will need it.

7- VISIT BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND

Visit Belfast , Northern Ireland

No more news of fights between Christians and Protestants to keep visitors away from Belfast these days. No more military on the streets shooting against the people. Or news of the IRA blowing another bomb in London in the name of independency for Northern Ireland. That’s long gone. Belfast is now free to show all its charm.

The city center has plenty of elegant Victorian buildings to keep your camera clicking. The Cathedral quarter, from Ann Street to Donegall Street is the most lively part of the city, for shoppers and strollers. The arts (music, theater and visual arts) are also big in Belfast. And we could go on: Queen’s University, the Botanic Gardens, the magnificent views over Belfast’s natural harbor from Cave Hill, Crumlin Road Gaol (a former working prison),… Need any more reasons to come? Ok, you also have the pubs.

8- VISIT VALLETTA, REPUBLIC OF MALTA

Visit Valletta, Republic of Malta

Malta is a small country in the Mediterranean composed by only three islands: Malta, Gozo and Comino. Valletta is the capital. You’ve guessed it: a very small capital. It was ruled by a few different peoples throughout the years, like the Phoenicians, Greeks, Carthaginians, Romans, Byzantines, Arabs. But as it sits now, the city was built by the Knights of St John of Jerusalem in the 16th and 17th centuries in a well-thought innovative structure, a "city built by gentlemen for gentlemen”.

Again, this is a tiny capital you you compare it to others in Europe. But this is a great part of the charm it bears. The other part can be well understood if you consider that UNESCO considers Valletta a World Heritage Site and names it "one of the most concentrated historic areas in the world”. This means that there is no point in referring some of its monuments. It has 320 in an area measuring 600m / 2000ft by 1000m / 3280ft. Don’t bother looking for them all. Just enjoy.

9- VISIT LVIV, UKRAINE

Visit Lviv in Ukraine - Europe Travel Guide

Lviv is a fascinating place, one of those where there is an aura that makes you fall in love. The lovely and delightful architecture is authentically Central European, the least Soviet in the whole of Ukraine. Like everything else in this proud city, recognized by UNESCO as being a World Heritage site.

Walking around in the quaint cobbled streets is the perfect way to create your own memories from the historic old and very lively city center. There is plenty to do in Lviv, a city where I chose to live during six months. Just because. When you come, hit many bars and pubs, visit several museums, enjoy the parks and markets. The highlights of monuments and places to visit in Lviv are the Rynok Square, the Lviv Opera House, the Virmenska Street, the Palace of Counts Potockis, the Chapel of the Boim Family, the Dominican Church, the Bernardine Monastery, the Italian Courtyard, the High Castle Park and the Lychakiv Cemetery.

10- VISIT ZHIBIANI VILLAGE IN USHGULI, UPER SVANETI GEORGIA

Visit Zhibiani village in Ushguli, Uper Svaneti Georgia

In the Upper Svaneti region of Georgia, the mountain landscape acts as the set for medieval villages with tower houses. These small villages on the mountain slopes of the Upper Svaneti are part of UNESCO’s World Heritage list because of their ecclesiastical architecture and arts of medieval origin, so well maintained until today.

The village of Zhibiani in Ushguli community has preserved more than 200 medieval buildings, including churches, castles and tower houses. The towers frequently have three to five floors, all getting narrower as we look up. They have been used to live in but also as defence posts against the invaders who pestered the area. Maybe they were looking for the unbelievable mountain views…

11- VISIT SEVILLE, KINGDOM OF SPAIN

Visit Seville in Spain - Europe Travel Guide

Seville is an ancient city located in southern Spain. Exotic and with very beautiful architecture, it is one of the most interesting cities in this part of Europe. Supposedly created 3000 years ago by the Greek god Hercules, so says the legend, Seville is all about history and pride in being Andalusian. The city really has a soul, anywhere we put our eyes on. Or our ears, if we think about Flamenco being sung and danced in traditional taverns.

Through the Guadalquivir River, the riches brought by the “Conquistadores” got to Seville and were partially used to build a monumental city which, until today, is an excellent example of the Arabic influence in the Iberian Peninsula. Monuments and places to visit in Seville are the Seville Cathedral, the Giralda Tower, the Real Alcazar of Seville, the "Plaza de España", the Archaeological Museum, the "Casa de Pilatos", the Church of El Salvador, the "Barrio Santa Cruz", the "Torre del Oro" and the "Ayuntamiento" City Hall building. Come to the "Feria de Abril" (April Fair) and during “Semana Santa” (Holy Week) and discover the culture of this part of Spain.

12- VISIT KIEV, UKRAINE

Visit Kiev, Ukraine

Kiev, the proud capital city of Ukraine, sits on the Dnieper River, in the north central part of the country. Being one of the oldest cities in Eastern Europe, it had its share of peoples leaving their marks since as early as the 5th century, when it was probably a commercial center. Ones after the others came the Khazars, the Varangians (Vikings), the Mongols, the Russian Empire.

People in Kiev are nice. And talkative. They will be thrilled to show you the way to and talk about the highlights of places to see and in visit in Kiev: St. Sophia Cathedral, St. Michael’s Monastery, Holodomor Memorial Museum, the UNESCO-inscribed monastery Kiev Pecherska Lavra, St. Andrew's Church, Andrew's Descent (one of Kiev’s oldest streets, linking the upper town with the lower town), St. Volodymyr’s Cathedral, National Museum of Ukraine History, National Museum of Chernobyl, the Art Nouveau building House of Chimaeras (in the historic Lypky quarter). Head to Kiev!

13- VISIT KRAKOW, REPUBLIC OF POLAND

Krakow is undoubtedly the most famous city in Poland. It was founded in the seventh century and has been one of the most important urban centers in the country since that time. Another reason for being different from all other major cities in Poland is the fact that no other one survived World War II without being damaged. This means beautiful old monuments. Which means the Historic Center of Krakow was an easy entry on the UNESCO World Heritage list.

The Old Town of Krakow (Stare Miasto) is, like pretty much everything else of interest in the city, on the north bank of the River Wisla. There are plenty of places to discover among the sea of young people in Krakow: the Barbican Fortification, the "Basilica of Santa Maria" and the Church of St. Peter and St. Paul. Wawel Castle is a great place to get to know about the history of Poland from the home of its kings and Church.

14- VISIT POSITANO, ITALIAN REPUBLIC

Visit Positano, Italian Republic

Positano is, most probably, THE most charming town in the whole Amalfi Coast. Looking at it from afar already gives you a clue of what you are about to see: a fashionable Italian town where the landscape of the Mediterranean Sea and the mountain combine beautifully with the inclined streets.

Even though many tourists visit Positano in high season, this place always retains a certain magic. After (or before) enjoying the sun on the beach, go culture-hunting visiting the roman ruins near the Church of Santa Maria Assunta, which can be seen from every corner of town.

15- VISIT STONEHENGE, UNITED KINGDOM

Visit Stonehenge, United Kingdom

If you haven’t heard about Stonehenge, it is fair to say that you have been sleeping during your whole life. This massive megalithic sanctuary of circles and menhirs built in a pattern is, still today, a mystery. What exactly were our ancestors thinking in prehistoric times? What did they use Stonehenge for? Ritual sacrifices, sun-worship, astronomical calculator?

One thing is certain. Such enormous rocks could not have been brought here from quarries nearer than 260km / 160mi. Every attempt to mimic this task has failed. You can take a shot at it… Or just walk around the circle to admire it and try to solve all the enigmas.

16- VISIT DUBLIN, REPUBLIC OF IRELAND

Visit Dublin, Republic of Ireland

Dublin, the capital of Ireland, is a dynamic “small” city on the shores of Dublin Bay. Although the city is older than that, Viking stays included, its rich past started in the 9th century and saw its splendor in the 18th century, the time when it was the most beautiful Georgian city in the whole British Empire.

Today, Dublin is a multicultural place. But tradition is still what it used to be when it relates to pubs. Even if you don’t drink alcohol, don’t miss the experience of relaxing a little bit in the evening surrounded by happy Dubliners. Hitting the historic buildings and other interest areas again turns into a pleasant little walk because they are pretty much found in a relatively compact area. Don’t miss Trinity College, Grafton Street (the city’s main shopping street), the National Museum and the National Gallery, Temple Bar, Dublin Castle, St Patrick’s Church and Christ Church, O’Connell Street, the Dublin Writers Museum, the Hugh Lane Municipal Art Gallery, the Old Jameson Distillery. If you like green areas in cities, check out Phoenix Park.

17- VISIT GIANT'S CAUSEWAY, NORTHERN IRELAND

Visit Giant's Causeway, Northern Ireland

On the fringe of the Antrim plateau, in the northern sea coast of Northern Ireland, the Giant’s Causeway is so huge that stories of gigantic creatures were easy to come up with throughout the years. In reality, they are constituted by about 40,000 black basalt columns that seem even bigger when you are next to them. Or on them.

The origins of the Giant’s Causeway have been getting clearer as geological studies are made. They seem to have been the work of volcanic activity about 50/60 million years ago, during the Tertiary. You can find out everything about this in the visitor center. But you can also imagine the giants going up and down their “stairs”…

18- VISIT LINDAU, FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY

Visit Lindau, Federal Republic of Germany

Lindau is a Bavarian town on an island on the eastern side of Lake Constance (Bodensee, in German), facing Pfander mountain. Located where Switzerland, Germany and Austria come together, Lindau welcomes people looking for the views, rest or walks in the nature or in its medieval town center.

In the South of Germany, this is the most popular tourist destination. People want to enjoy the beautiful gardens, the architecture and the many outdoor activities they can get themselves involved into. Camping included.

19- VISIT GRUNDARFJORDUR, ICELAND

Visit Grundarfjordur, Iceland

Grundarfjordur is a village in the north of the Snaefellsnes peninsula in the west of Iceland, between a mountain range and the sea. This is actually one of the oldest settlements in Iceland. The history of the island is closely linked to this region’s incredible landscape, with waterfalls, austere mountains and their ice-capped peaks, volcanoes and lava fields. From Grundarfjordur came the sagas, one of the oldest literary traditions in Western Europe, composed in the 10th and 11th centuries. They tell stories of migration and settlement on the land having a strong, and many times opposing, dialogue between the old Norse mythology and Christianity.

Grundarfjordur is more than your typical Icelandic fishing community. It is a beautiful place which also offers us tourists quietness but plenty of activities like birdwatching, whale watching, hiking in the fjord, elves’ sighting...

20- VISIT CHISINAU, REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA

Visit Chisinau, Republic of Moldova

Chisinau, historically also known as Kishinev (its Russian name between 1944 and 1990), sits in the middle of the Republic of Moldova, on the river Bic, and is the country’s capital and largest city. It is not the most beautiful city I have visited, since WWII and a 1940 earthquake destroyed much of the building, but it does have its own soul.

It is still a vibrant place where good food and drinking, as well as culture venues and a few monuments, can keep us occupied for a while. Cathedral Park is a nice green area in the center of Chinisau to take a walk and discover the city’s main church, Nativity Cathedral, and the 1841 Triumph Arch. Also worth a visit are The Holly Gates, the bronze statue dedicated to Stephen the Great, the National Museum of Ethnography and Natural History.

21- VISIT DARMSTADT, FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY

Visit Darmstadt, Federal Republic of Germany

Darmstadt is only 35km / 22mi from Frankfurt. But is it worth the trip on the comfortable S-Bahn train to get there? Yes! The main reason for heading to the city is appreciating the German version of Art Nouveau, called “Jugendstil”, owed to Grand Duke Ernst Ludwig (1868–1937), “father” of the Mathildenhöhe artistic colony before World War I. Darmstadt is also known as “Wissenschaftsstadt”, City of Science, because of its scientific institutions, universities, The European Space Operations Centre (ESOC) and the GSI Centre for Heavy Ion Research (the chemical element Darmstadtium was discovered here).

Being a small city, Darmstadt is perfect to walk around and admire its architecture and a few museums: Mathildenhoehe, the Wedding Tower (Hochzeitsturm), State Theatre and Opera House, Park Rosenhöhe,… Slow down in the city center, especially in Luisenplatz, the Castle and the Market Square.

22- VISIT TIRASPOL, PRIDNESTROVIAN MOLDAVIAN REPUBLIC

Visit Tiraspol, Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic

Officially the second largest city in Moldova, Tiraspol is also the “capital” of unrecognized Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic (Transnistria). Tranquility is queen in this city. Everything is thoroughly well taken care: streets, gardens, parks. Like the Soviet Union had never ended. Or like you had entered a time machine back to those days.

With your Soviet focal point well determined, check out the statue of Alexander Suvorov in the central square and the one of Vladimir Lenin in front of the Transnistrian Government building. A Soviet T-34 tank on the opposite side of that central square commemorates the Soviet victory in World War II. Tiraspol is a strange place. This alone is enough reason for me to visit it.

23- VISIT BUCHAREST, ROMANIA

Visit Bucharest, Romania

Bucharest is Romania’s capital, a city of both congregation and division. The EU meets the Balkans and the Middle East. Capitalism meets Communism. Modern meets the old. This mixture ends up bringing together a city that loves life altogether.

The Palace of Parliament is surely the most well-known building in Bucharest, a gigantic testimony of the eighties, time when the Communist dictatorship of Nicolae Ceausescu dictated the (poor) lives of Romania’s citizens. This construction is so massive that it is the biggest parliament building in the world, currently also housing the National Museum of Contemporary Art. Other landmarks of Bucharest include the Arcul de Triumf (The Triumphal Arch), the Memorial of Rebirth (to commemorate the overthrown of Communism and the victims of the Romanian Revolution of 1989), the Romanian Athenaeum, the InterContinental Bucharest hotel, the Museum of the Romanian Peasant,… On top of these there are the beautiful 17th and 18th century Orthodox churches and interesting art nouveau villas.

24- VISIT SAN MARINO, MOST SERENE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO

Visit San Marino, Most Serene Republic of San Marino

San Marino is, we might say, a place of superlatives: one of the smallest countries in the world (the 5th); the oldest surviving sovereign state in the world; the oldest republic in the world (since around the year 300); one of the world’s highest GDPs; the lowest unemployment rate of all the European countries. So, is San Marino a completely strange place? No! In fact, it looks and sounds like Italy, the same Italy that surrounds it.

Unlike the kingdoms of Genoa and Venice, San Marino’s autonomy survived Italian conquest for centuries. And politics in the last decades. I guess its small size helped the country to be left alone. The Città di San Marino, its capital (a UNESCO World Heritage site) is a medieval settlement built on the hills of Monte Titano, making the views probably the absolute best in San Marino. Other points of interest are the ramparts and medieval-style buildings of the citadel above Borgomaggiore and Giovanni Michelucci’s modernist church. Strolling around is really nice. If you’re interested in one more country souvenir, get your passport stamped for just €5 at the border.

25- VISIT STEG, PRINCIPALITY OF LIECHTENSTEIN

Visit Steg, Principality of Liechtenstein

At 1300m / 4300ft above sea level, on the tiny country of Liechtenstein and close to Austria, Steg is an extremely tranquil village where nature seems to call for us. The village itself is somewhat unique, since it’s built in two circles around a central meadow and divided by the main road do Malbun.

However, most people don’t stay in the village. They go hiking in the mountain, climbing or even skiing (especially Nordic skiing). If you’re not attracted by any of these activities, just shove off stress while breathing Steg’s fresh air.

26- VISIT BANSKA STIAVNICA, SLOVAK REPUBLIC

Visit Banska Stiavnica, Slovak Republic

Banska Stiavnica is a well-preserved medieval town in central Slovakia. One of the characteristics that makes it unique is that it was built in the middle of a huge caldera left after the collapse of an ancient volcano.

It is really nice to visit this town, considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its historical value, a mining center which grew into an elegant town of Renaissance palaces, 16th century churches, small castles and squares. The green surrounding landscape is also very beautiful.