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Europe Travel Blog

Looking for the best place to go in Europe? From our extensive travel in Europe, we’ve seen the good and the bad, the beautiful and the ugly. Our Europe Travel Blog tells you where all the bests of Europe can be found, and hopefully will give you some ideas on where you want to travel on this amazing continent.


Even though Europe is one of the smallest continents area-wise, it is arguably one of the most diverse places in the world. Jim and I are so lucky to have lived here for more than 20 years, which has given us the opportunity to visit every country. Some of them we’ve been to numerous times, and some we’ve only been to once.

Now, just because we have been to them, doesn’t mean that we’ve seen it all. We like to explore more than just the capital city, because oftentimes the rest of the country is so different. In every country, there are dialects, regional foods, unique experiences, a variety of landscapes, and so much more than what one city can possibly offer.

Here’s the themes we’ve come up with. Find what you’re most interested in and click to jump to that list, or just read them all. We guarantee you won’t have heard of some of these, and yet, they are well worth visiting.

Best Time to Travel to Europe
Places that Embody the Spirit of Traveling in Europe
Most Romantic Places in Europe
Best Outdoor Experiences
The Most Fun and Unique Experiences
Best Cooking Lessons
Best Places to Learn History
Best Place to Take the Kids
Best Road Trips
The Best Places for Great Photos
The Most Underrated Places in Europe

Tulip time, tulip season in the Netherlands is the time to visit. Train and flower fields.

When is the Best Time to Travel to Europe?

It doesn’t really matter when you can get vacation, there is someplace great for every season. The majority of visitors come to Europe in summer, and for the most part the weather is probably the most agreeable during July and August.

However, the crowds are larger during these times as well. We’ve tried to uncover the best places to go in each season. Click on the season below to find out what to do when.

What is Your Favorite Country in Europe?

I have heard this question so many times. It’s impossible to answer, but we have come up with some places that we enjoy for one reason or another. There are certainly places or areas that immediately pop into our heads as a perfect example.

We’ve tried to list a few ideas here. Please remember that this document is constantly changing as we find and explore new places, and it is our opinion only. We’d love to hear if you agree or disagree and where you would recommend people go.

Bridge over Seine River at Sunset in Paris. France.
Bridge over Seine River at Sunset in Paris, France.

Places that Embody the Spirit of Traveling in Europe

Paris, France
Barcelona, Spain
Berlin, Germany
Prague, Czech Republic
Budapest, Hungary
Monaco
Copenhagen, Denmark
Salzburg, Austria
Jersey
Istanbul, Turkey

Taking a ferry past one of the five towns in Cinque Terre, Italy.
Taking a ferry past one of the five towns in Cinque Terre, Italy

Most Romantic Places in Europe

Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany
Cinque Terre, Italy
Telc, Czech Republic
Alsace, France
Visiting the Spa, Hungary
Bergen, Norway
Lago di Braies, Italy
Cappodocia, Turkey
Mosel River Cruise, Germany
Blue Lagoon, Iceland
Monastery of Guadalupe, Spain

Puffins are everywhere on Skellig Michael, and it's only one of the reasons you would want to go. Ireland.
Puffins are everywhere on Skellig Michael, and it’s only one of the reasons you would want to go, Ireland.

The Best Outdoor Activities in Europe

Volksmarching and Hiking Through Europe
Skellig Michael, Ireland
Lake Bled, Slovenia
Riding Bikes in a National Park, Netherlands
Climbing the Rock Labyrinth, Germany
4 Wheeling and Skeet Shooting, Scotland
Sledding for Miles, Switzerland
Hiking in Selva Val Gardena, Italy
Punting in Cambridge, England
Bastei Bridge, Germany
Lulea, Sweden
Sailing and Fishing in Stockholm, Sweden
Winter walking in Kreuzberg, Germany

Every spring, hundreds of rose petals are harvested to make beauty products. This is the drying part of the process. Burdur, Turkey.
Every spring, hundreds of rose petals are harvested to make beauty products. This is the drying part of the process. Burdur, Turkey.

The Most Fun and Unique Experiences to Do in Europe

Eurail Train Trip Through Eastern Europe
Watching the Cows Take a Boat Home, Germany
Picking Grapes on a Vineyard Tour, Germany
Boating through Giethoorn, Netherlands
Building our Own Swiss Army Knife, Switzerland
Gondola Training, Italy
Tulip and Flower Parade, Netherlands
Camel Wrestling, Turkey
Sheep Dog Training, England
Making and Painting Marzipan, Estonia
Buying Polish Pottery At the Factories
Helping with the Rose Harvest, Turkey
Ride of the Kings Festival in Vlcnov, Czechia
Milking Sheep in Eastern Turkey
Gruyere Cheese, Switzerland

Bratwurst and salad on plate.
One of the most fun times we’ve had is learning how to make the traditional Nuremberger Bratwurst. Germany

The Best Cooking Lessons in Europe

Croissants, Paris, France
Khinkali, Georgia
Turkish Borek, Turkey
Bratwurst, Germany
Chicken Paprikash, Budapest, Hungary

A town split in two during the Cold War, sometimes called Little Berlin. Modlaureuth, Germany.
A town split in two during the Cold War, sometimes called Little Berlin. Modlaureuth, Germany

The Best Places to Learn History in Europe

Vatican City
Archaeological Site of Olympia, Greece
Krakow, Poland
Berlin, Germany
Tempelhof, Berlin, Germany
Normandy, France
Dachau, Germany
Berchtesgaden, Germany
Modlaureuth, Germany
Nuremberg, Germany
Krakow, Poland
Flossenberg Concentration Camp, Germany

On the Children's Railway in Budapest, only the kids are in charge, Hungary.
Only kids are in charge of the Children’s Railway in Budapest, Hungary.

Best Places to Take Kids in Europe

Playmobil Park, Germany
Carnival Museum, France
Riding the Train Run by Kids, Hungary
Mespelbrunn Castle, Germany
Tesla Museum, Serbia
Making A Chocolate Bar, Berlin
Visiting Harry Potter at the Warner Bros. Studio, England
German Christmas Markets
Wieliczha Mine, Poland
Odense, Denmark
Lucca, Italy
Hallein Slat Mines, Austria
Searching for Gnomes, Wroclaw, Poland

Military Road between Tbilisi and the Russian border. Republic of Georgia.
Military Road between Tbilisi and the Russian border, Republic of Georgia.

Best European Road Trips

Dolomite Road Trip, Italy
Peloponnese Road Trip, Greece

Scotland Road Trip
Military Highway, Republic of Georgia
Armenia
Transfagarasan Hwy., Romania
Iceland
Albania Road Trip
Athens to Thessaloniki- Essential Greek Road Trip
Serra de Tramantuna, Spain
The Glossglockner Hwy in Austria

Pro Tip: If you are thinking of renting a car to road trip in Europe, check out our International Road Trip Planner for some great tips.

Sunset through the valley of Meteora, Greece.
Sunset through the valley of Meteora, Greece.

Where To Take the Best Photos in Europe

Meteora, Greece
Kinderdijk, Netherlands
Venice, Italy
Giant’s Causeway, Northern Ireland
Mont St. Michel, France

Underrated Places in Europe that are Definitely Worth a Visit

Kosovo
Graz, Austria
Malmo, Sweden
Tallinn, Estonia
Budapest, Hungary

Author Bio: Corinne Vail is a travel photographer, food lover, and a perpetual traveler who has been travel writing for over 14 years. For many years she lived overseas in Germany, Japan, Turkey, South Korea, and the Netherlands teaching the children of the US. military. She’s visited over 90 countries, and she’s not stopping anytime soon.

Hiking Trails
Best Time