London
There are so many wonderful places in Europe to visit that we simply couldn’t list them all. These four cities are amazing starting points and all have access to the incredible countryside around them.
This year has sadly involved a distinct lack of traveling for most of us. Many of us are itching to get away and have vacations once again, and one of the most desirable locations has to be Europe. There is so much variety and excitement on the European continent and so many incredible places to visit. Whether you’ve traveled to Europe before or are hoping to make your first trip, this handy guide will give you a few great locations you might want to add to your travel list.
About Europe & getting there
Europe is a vast and diverse continent that lies on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean to the United States. It has an area of over 10 million km2. There is so much to see that you could easily place your finger on a map of the European continent in a totally random place and there would be something great there to visit. To get to mainland Europe from the East Coast of the USA takes anywhere between 7 and 12 hours, depending on your destination. Most of the destinations we are going to discuss today lie within the 7-9 hour flight range.
London, England
London is the capital of England, part of the United Kingdom. This is the only destination on our travel list that doesn’t lie in mainland Europe. The UK is a small separate collection of islands slightly closer to the US than the mainland. London has the 3rd highest population in Western Europe with approximately 9.3 million inhabitants. It is rich with history, having been first established way back in the year AD47 as Londinium by the Roman Empire. In London, you will find Royal history, palaces, art galleries, and of course the famous West-End theaters. London is also rich with historical pubs, some of which are still standing after 3-500 years! If you want to drink some pints in a historical pub after some amazing sightseeing, London may be the place for you. From London, you can use the UK’s extensive road and rail networks to get to just about anywhere else you like in a matter of hours. Within an hour you can visit the coastal towns of Kent, Robin Hood’s New Forest, or the Royal Windsor Castle.
Paris, France
A short hop from London over the English Channel you will find France. A few hundred kilometers inland you will find the capital city: Paris. Known as ‘The City of Love’, Paris boasts a rich history of art and culture to rival London’s. It is, in fact, slightly more populous than London, sitting at around 11 million inhabitants – 20% of the entire French population. The first inhabitants of the Paris region date back to the 3rd Century BC, and once again it was a Roman settlement very early on, this time around 52 BC. It very quickly became the political, religious, and cultural capital of France, boasting theaters, grand buildings, artists, and royals. Paris contains wonderful art galleries, theaters, museums, and, of course, religious buildings. A top tourist spot has to be Notre Dame, one of the grandest cathedrals in all of Europe. Paris is also known for its food and wine, so if you’re in the mood for love, food, and culture, this is the place for you.
Barcelona, Spain
Barcelona is a city in the Catalan region of Spain, laying on the northeastern coast of the country. Here you will find amazing markets, miles of sandy beaches, and incredibly rich history. Again, fantastic cultural and religious buildings dominate the skyline (see la Sagrada Familia) while pubs and bars stay open until the early hours. Barcelona has an incredible mix of people, cultures, and things to do. We cannot recommend it highly enough. As one of the must-see European cities Barcelona is included in most European tour packages.
Image by Walkerssk from Pixabay / Caption: Barcelona
Rome, Italy
Our final stop on our quick tour of Europe is Rome. As you can probably imagine due to the Romans settling almost everywhere else on our list, Rome is the oldest city we’re going to discuss. In fact, it has been a human settlement for almost three thousand years – since 752 BC! It’s not surprising, then, to discover that Rome is all about the rich history. Theaters, ancient buildings, and towering religious structures dominate Rome. Here, you will also find incredible Italian cuisine and some of the best wines in the country. For a laid back, historical getaway, Rome is the destination for you.
There are so many wonderful places in Europe to visit that we simply couldn’t list them all. These four cities are amazing starting points and all have access to the incredible countryside around them. Once travel is back on the menu, we recommend visiting as much of Europe as you can.
Main image by David Mark from Pixabay
