A fairytale land of rich culture and remarkable history, Europe is an architectural gem famous for its multi-cultural diversity, amazing man-made creations, breathtaking landscapes, lip-smacking cuisines and finally, the pieces of the puzzle that come together to make this great big continent, the beautiful European countries. One of the most sought-after destinations for travellers around the world, Europe is a fantasy turned into reality! The continent itself is so huge that it is divided into 4 main regions by the UN Geoscheme for Europe - Western, Eastern, Northern and Southern Europe. There are as many as 50 countries that are divided into these regions based on their location in the continent.
Though it has around 50 countries, we list out 5 of the most beautiful, magical countries in Europe which should be on your travel list!
1.) Italy - Made in Italy
"Italy, and the spring and first love all together should suffice to make the gloomiest person happy" - Bertrand Russell
Italy is a stunning blend of charming cities, delectable cuisines and a rich ancient history. Famous for its art, architecture and picture perfect spots, Italy is one of the most beautiful countries in Europe. Italy is home to the Roman Empire and birthplace of architectural styles like classical Roman, Renaissance, Baroque and Neoclassical. This picturesque place has also produced some of the finest artists that the world has ever seen, like Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Caravaggio, Raphael, Titian, Giorgione and Donatello who with their masterpieces have changed the way we look at art! While the art and architecture in Italy is world-class, Italian cuisine, on the other hand, has influenced the food culture around the world. Fine living and fine dining is what the Italians live by! Italy is famous amongst art and architectural lovers and one of the best places to visit for honeymoon.
Best time to visit:
With diverse geography and climate, Italy is always a good idea. The weather dramatically changes throughout the year. With long coastlines and majestic mountain ranges, the temperature changes according to the place you go. But the months between April to June and mid-September to October are deemed to be the best to visit Italy. The temperature is pleasant and the tourist influx is low as well. July to September marks the peak season in Italy with the country teeming with visitors from all over the world.
Best places to visit:
Florence, Rome, Milan, Venice, Tuscany, Amalfi Coast, Naples and Sicily are some of the most beautiful places that you can visit in Italy. All these places offer the best of Italy on a platter! So when are you packing your bags and travelling to the architectural heaven on earth!
2.) France - Rendez vous en France (Let's Meet in France)
"A bad day in Paris is still better than a good day anywhere else!"
Surrounded by turquoise blue water on three sides and by the majestic Alps on the fourth side, France is the land of cheese, wine and all things nice! With iconic landscapes, rich ancient history, savoury cuisine, luxurious architecture, magnificent châteaus and the snowy Alps, France is 'parfait' (perfect). One of the world’s top destinations, France is very famous for its cuisine. “In France, cooking is a serious art form and a national sport,” said Julia Child, the famous American chef, about the French and their love for cooking. The French cuisine is lauded all over the world and the country has the highest number of Michelin starred restaurants. Specialities of the French cuisine include croissants, brie cheese and jambon (local hams). France is home to some of the most expensive vintage wines in the world like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Tempranillo and Chardonnay. It also produces 400 different types of cheese including the oldest French cheese Roquefort, Camembert and Brie de Meaux!
Best time to visit:
The weather in France varies from region to region and hence, the best time to visit largely depends on the place to visit. However, the months between April to mid-October are deemed to be the best time to visit France and is the ideal time for spring and summer activities. The months from December to March mark the ski season. If you are a winter sports enthusiast, plan your trip accordingly. Between the last week of June and the first week of August, you can witness stunning lavender fields in full bloom in Provence.
Best places to visit:
Whenever we talk about France, Paris is the first destination that comes to mind, France is more than just Paris. A land of magnificent châteaus, long shoreline, snowy Alps, and romantic destinations, France is full of surprises. Only in France, will you find white sandy dunes surrounded by the turquoise blue sea on one side and lush green forest on the other side! France is full of unimaginably beautiful places. Places like Provence, Bordeaux, Burgundy, Nice, Cote d’Azur, Cannes, Monaco, Normandy, Corsica, Brittany, Lyon, Marseille and Toulouse must be on your list along with Paris heading it.
With world-class art, architecture and cuisine, and incredible destinations to discover, France is one of the most beautiful and romantic destinations in Europe.
3.) Greece - All Time Classic
"It takes a lifetime to discover Greece, but it only takes an instant to fall in love with her" - Henry Miller
One of the oldest civilizations, Greece is famous all over the world because of its mythology, its writers and philosophers like Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Euclid, Pythagoras, Archimedes, Hippocrates, Herodotus, etc, who contributed greatly in various fields. The world is still fascinated with the stories of Greek Mythology. Democracy originated from this beautiful land and the first Olympic games were held in Greece in the year 776 B.C. Today Greece welcomes you with ancient ruins, whitewashed villages, sunny beaches, romantic sunsets, lofty peaks, lakes, forests, majestic landscapes, cultural delights and a vibrant nightlife. One of Europe’s prime destination, Greece is shrouded by mountains on one side and the emerald Aegean Sea on the other side. The southernmost country of the Balkan peninsula, Greece has everything from lazy beaches to heart-pumping adventure sports. Wander around on the cobbled footpaths or hike into volcanoes, catch a sight of dolphins or sea turtles while you sail away on the Aegean Sea. You can cycle through the lush green forests, sea-dive and wonder at the marvels of the sea or kite-surf on the turquoise waters!
Best time to visit:
The weather in Greece is as they say, ‘ano kato’ (upside-down). It can go from warm to outright very cold. The best months to visit Greece are during the months of mid-April to mid-June. The weather is warm and pleasant enough for water sports as well as adventure sports. You can plan your trip during the months of September and mid-October if you plan to visit Greece during the autumn season. The months from December to March are the coldest making it the off-season for tourists. April is the best month to visit Greece as wildflowers bloom amidst green landscapes making it a photographer’s paradise.
Best places to visit:
Greece is the southernmost country in the Balkan peninsula and is surrounded by mountains on one side and the Aegean Sea on the other. Athens, Ancient Delphi, Meteora, Mykonos, Rhodes, Corfu, Crete, Santorini, Nafplio and Thessaloniki are some of the places that should not be missed during your trip to the land of Spartans!
4.) Croatia - Full of life
"When you want to lift your spirits sky high, you have to come to Croatia!"
Postcard-perfect coastal towns, mesmerizing beaches, sparkling sapphire waters, river canyons, waterfalls, picturesque lakes and rugged mountains. Welcome to Croatia! Situated between the Balkans and Central Europe, Croatia is one of Europe’s sunniest spots and one of the most mesmerizing places you will ever visit. With ancient walled towns, Roman ruins, rich cultural legacy, white beaches and glittering waters, Croatia is home to some of the most magical landscapes in the world. Spend your days lounging lazily on the long sandy beaches or snorkel among shipwrecks in awe! You can enjoy activities like diving, kayaking, windsurfing and sailing. For the more adventurous ones, activities like rock climbing, rafting, and zip-lining are also available in this lazy-land! Croatia is home to one of the world’s finest amphitheatres, and a purveyor of top quality olive oil, black and white truffles, and wine.
Best time to visit:
The months of May, June, September and October are the best months to visit Croatia. It is the shoulder-season with pleasant sunny days ideal for swimming and sunbathing with no crowds. It is also the perfect time for outdoor activities like hiking, mountain biking, rafting and sea-kayaking. The period between July and August is the peak season in Croatia, where you will witness a high influx of tourists, steep rise in hotel prices but on the other hand, these months also see vibrant nightlife and open-air cultural events. The off-season is during the months of November – April. The weather is chilly and unpredictable.
Best places to visit:
Krka National Park, Zagreb, Dubrovnik, Korcula, Pula, Zadar, Rovinj, Split and Mljet are some of the places in Croatia that should be on your list to visit. Croatia is also home to one of the quirkiest museums in the world – The Museum of Broken Relationships! This museum is dedicated to failed love relationships and its exhibits include personal objects left behind from a former lover with a short description of it. Make sure you pay a visit to this museum in Zagreb!
5.) Germany - Simply Inspiring
"Selbst der längste Weg beginnt mit dem ersten Schritt" (Even the longest journeys begin with the first step)
Alpine mountains, vast forests and beautiful river valleys, Germany is a treat to the eyes! With romantic palaces, big cities, epic landscapes, winding roads and a cultural kaleidoscope of art museums and a colourful nightlife, Germany will never fail to astound you with its beauty. The country, where medieval meets contemporary, is famous for its Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque architecture, its history and the very famous Oktoberfest! The country which gave us the very grim chapters of Hitler and the Holocaust is the same country which introduced the world to printing presses and MP3 technology! Germany is the birthplace of many eminent personalities like Martin Luther, Albert Einstein, Karl Marx, Goeth, the Beethoven and the Brothers Grimm. Germany is home to Roman amphitheatres, medieval castles, old cathedrals and grand palaces as well as the Bavarian Alps, the Black Forest and the Mosel Valley.
Best time to visit:
The months from March to June and September to October are the best months to visit Germany. The weather is pleasantly warm and beautiful for you to go around Germany and visit all its jewels. The months from November to February are off-season in Germany. The winters here are cold and long. Plan your trip in October to enjoy the Oktoberfest in Germany!
Best places to visit:
Berlin, Dresden, Cologne, Munich, Regensburg, The Mosel Valley, Neuschwanstein, Rogen Island and Lubeck are some of the places that you shouldn’t miss in Germany. The Neuschwanstein Castle is a fairytale castle built by a king as his fantasy castle. This castle went on to become an inspiration behind Walt Disney’s Sleeping Beauty Castle in Disneyland and later featured in the official Walt Disney Pictures logo!
Besides these 5 countries, there are the usual staples of the European continent that have to be a part of your travel bucket list. Countries such as the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Netherlands, Austria, Belgium and Spain make up for an incredible experience that you can take advantage of when you visit Europe for the first time! One visit to this incredible continent is enough to make you realize that this is indeed the place where your dreams come true; when you are done with the staples, head out to the Eastern and Northern end of the continent to find scenic wonders such as Scandinavia, The Balkans, Mediterranean countries and the biggest country in the world, Russia. Truly, Europe is one of the most beautiful and inviting continents on Earth with the best of everything on its platter!
So, when are you hopping off to this magical destination to live your fairytale dream?
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