Travel Notes: Taking On Europe In Style

If you have not yet been to Europe, it’ is most likely on your bucket list of must-visit destinations. Europe seems to be such an exotic array of interesting cultures and languages. 

There are so many countries and so many cities to visit. Fitting them all in can be quite challenging, but here are a few pointers on the cities you absolutely must visit and why.

The sights, smells and tastes of Europe can really fill your senses with passion and excitement, whichever country or city you are in. If you are starting from Boston, you might want to plan your trip as little hops across the Mediterranean countries. 

Of course, no trip to Europe would be complete without taking in London first. 
London is a great gateway to the rest of Europe’s fine cities.

While in London, you must see the Queen’s official home, Buckingham Palace. 

This extraordinary building in the center of the city is guarded by the cutest guys in uniform you have ever seen! 
Try and time your visit for the Changing of the Guard parade, and you will be in for a treat. 

Take a photo standing next to one of these guys – they’re not allowed to smile or talk, but see if you can get them to react.

From Waterloo train station, your next stop is under the English Channel and into France for Paris. This is the most romantic city in the world. 

Visit the Eiffel Tower after dark and imagine you are in a big romantic movie. Of course, you’ll have to find someone to have a little romance with to make it most memorable. 

Food in France is incredible. All the best gourmet restaurants are close together here, so you should have no trouble sampling some France’s finest delicacies.

Head South now, into Spain. Take a plane or a train into Barcelona. The food is unparalleled, with an endless array of choices. Tapas bars and restaurants serving the finest Catalonian food are everywhere, and all reasonably priced. 

The architecture in Barcelona is something special too, listed as World Heritage sites. As an art lover, you cannot be in a better place. Picasso’s museum is in the city, and modern art is celebrated in every corner of the city. 

Stay the night cheaper than any other city by looking for Barcelona hotel deals online. Then sample the extraordinary night life from bars and clubs to pubs and late night restaurants.

Time to take a boat across the Mediterranean. It is only a short sail back to France for lunch in Marseille. This beautiful mediterranean city is most famed for its bouillabaisse. This is a two-course French meal specialty. 

Fish soup is served followed by the same fish as a main course. The flavors are exquisite, and it is prepared in a way you will never get bored with. 

Alternatively, sample some North African dishes without crossing the Mediterranean 
at one of the port restaurants like La Khahena

Now get your shopping heels ready. It’s time to head to Italy! Choose between Milan inland or Rome near the coast for outstanding Italian fashion. Rome is home to the most incredible architecture you will ever see. The Colosseum, Pantheon and St Peters at The Vatican, are all places you can easily reach to see. 

In Milan, new technologies are evident everywhere, and it really is the hub for design and fashion. If you are looking for the extraordinary in Italy, visit Venice, the romantic city on the water. Take a gondola ride and take in the opera for the ultimate in Italian culture.

Seeing ancient Greece is to see the very beginning of European culture. Fly across to Athens and enjoy the quieter pace of life of the Greeks. Since the  2004 Olympics, Athens has become one of the best tourist destinations in Europe. 

Everything is clean in the streets and parks, and the locals truly appreciate tourists. An ultra-modern metro and all signs in perfect English make everything around the city easy to find and navigate.. Athens is home to the pillars of Western history. 

Here you can find the Acropolis and the Temple of Olympian Zeus. Be sure to stop at the National Archaeological Museum to learn more about the ancient Greeks and the incredible society that was once here.

The Greeks have an amazing diet, and foods that you will probably struggle to find at home. Lamb is a favorite here, and it is cooked in such a way, the meat just falls off the bone. It is soft and juicy, and worth ruining your diet for! There are plenty of lovely places to stay as well. Choose from hotels, self-catering apartments or chalets. Other stops you may want to take in during your visit here include Limassol in Cyprus and Istanbul in Turkey.

Visiting so many parts of Europe can be a challenge to organize. There are European train tickets that will take you all over Europe and last a month. This form of travel may be too slow if you are looking to travel right the way across Europe. 

You could choose instead to fly to each country. One of the best ways to take in lots of European countries at once is to take a Cruise. American liners like the Royal Caribbean fleet offer luxurious accommodation and all our favorite things from home as we travel. 

They often provide lovely tours of the cities you can stop at. Tours include City explorations, shopping trips, archaeological visits, and fun days out at theme parks. You really can try something different in every country.

If you don’t feel like getting off the ship, there is so much to do onboard too, and fine dining that is world-renowned. Having a tour means you are accompanied by someone who really knows the area and can tell you everything you want to know about the local culture. 

It also means you are safe, especially if you want to take on Europe on your own. Europe is a place you will probably want to explore again and again, so take your time to get to know each country.