If you’ve decided that you want your next vacation destination to be Europe, then you are only one step on the ladder to working out where to visit. Europe might be a small continent compared to others, but it packs in so much variety into such an accessible region that it can be hard to know where to start with it.
Do you want the history of bohemian Prague or the relaxation of Bilbao? The glamour of Milan or the romance of Paris?
In order to try and help you get started on where to head for in Europe, here are eight of the continents trendiest destinations.
Prague – Czech Republic
Prague is one of the most beautiful cities in the world, which is why its entire historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Whether you want to explore cathedrals and castles, walk through cobbled squares, take a boat down the Vltava River or kiss on Charles Bridge, the Czech capital has something for everyone.
Then there is the nightlife. If you’re looking to party until the early hours of the morning or just sit in a candlelit underground bar with a tasty Czech beer, then Prague is the place for you – there’s a reason it’s known as one of the best drinking and party cities in Europe.
Milan
Long associated with the fashion industry, Milan is one of the most stylish cities in the world, and you can join the fashionistas by spending a day shopping in the Vittorio Emanuele II Gallery and its chic boutiques.
If shopping isn’t your thing, then there is plenty else going on in Milan. The Duomo offers superb views of the whole city, and the Santa Maria Delle Grazie Church is home of Leonardo Da Vinci’s Last Supper, one of the most famous paintings in the world. For sports fans, you could catch one of the city’s two soccer teams at the world-famous San Siro Stadium or why not head to La Scala Theater for a night of high culture? This is Milan, after all.
Bilbao – Spain
Bilbao might just be the most relaxing destination on Earth. The atmosphere is laid back, the people welcoming and with so much beautiful country right on the city’s doorsteps including the Rioja wine region, it remains the ultimate place to visit to unwind.
The evenings are sweet, and you’ll love getting lost in the twisting streets and alleys of the Casco Viejo, Bilbao’s historic center. There are plenty of museums to visit such as the Guggenheim or The Bilbao Fine Arts Museum, and if you want to venture out of the city, you’ll find the Basque region on your doorstep and plenty of charming medieval towns such as Balmaseda and Orduna just a short hop away.
Paris – France
It may be the most romantic city in the world, but France is so much more than the Eiffel Tower and holding hands while walking along the Seine. It is a living, daring city which is getting greener and greener each year and more beautiful to visit as a result.
Take a stroll through its beautiful parks and boulevards, try the cuisine which remains some of the best of the world, visit the city’s world-famous museums and check out its historical sights. You could go to Paris for a week and still not get everything done – and by the time you return for your next visit, the city will have unmistakably changed again.
Amsterdam – The Netherlands
Amsterdam has been attracting visitors for decades because of its open-mindedness and beauty. The Dutch have such a liberal outlook on life, and Amsterdam is the epitome of it – whether it is the city hosting one of the biggest gay pride parades in Europe or the fact that you were able to smoke various types of cannabis - such as indica and sativa which you see more here about - long before it became legal in other parts of the world.
You can visit the house of Anne Frank, take a wander around the cities famous Red-Light District which has become it’s number one tourist attraction and make sure you hire a bike and ride a canal boat for the true Amsterdam experience.
Vienna – Austria
Vienna is a beautiful city at any time of year, but it really comes alive at Christmas. Staging one of the most beautiful Christmas Market’s in Europe, the city shines under its lights and the magic of the season is all around.
It’s a venue full of culture, monuments, palaces, and waltzes and is welcoming for families, couples and solo travelers. If you are in Vienna alone, you won’t be alone for long as pretty soon you’ll find someone who has made the journey there for the same reason as you – the sheer beauty of the Austrian capital.
Hvar – Croatia
Aside from its dream beaches and beautiful Roman cities, Croatia is best known for its islands. There are thousands of them, but the best is one of the biggest – Hvar. Situated a short boat ride from Split, it enjoys crystal clear waters and some of the best beaches in Europe.
You can enjoy a dinner of locally sourced, fresh food washed down with sumptuous local wines and nature lovers will love exploring the lavender fields and the hills that make up the stunning landscape of Hvar. There’s even a fortress and a Franciscan Monastery to visit on one of Europe’s undiscovered gems.
Riga – Latvia
The Latvian capital Riga is a melting point of cultures and architects. You’ve got the dazzling old town with its quaint charm, some brilliant examples still standing of communist architecture and baroque, Art Deco and Renaissance-era buildings still standing. There’s even a massive statue of a monkey wearing a space suit to celebrate the role that primates played in putting man into space.
Riga is home to green parks where you can sit and watch the world go by and, unknown to many; there are also beautiful islands, hills, and beaches a short journey away just waiting to be found.
