European Travel Goals
People travel for various reasons. Some travel because they yearn for something exciting. Some travel because they want to get immersed in another culture. Some travel because they crave new experiences and challenges where they can grow and reconnect relationships with family members or friends. Some travel because they want to rediscover themselves. While some travel simply because they want to promote their blog sites.
Whatever people’s reasons are for traveling, it cannot be denied that traveling as part of everybody’s life goals, whether for a short-term goal or for a long-term one. In this article, get inspired as we list down our European travel goals if you plan to visit the continent filled with rich history, magnificent architecture, sumptuous delicacies, and amazing people. Check them out below!
What to Expect in Europe
If you have already traveled in amazing Asia or explored the stunning North Americas, it is high time for you to marvel the beauty that the continent of Europe has in store for you.
For some, when they think of Europe, the word “expensive” would automatically come to mind. While indeed that there are some places that are too pricey, but trust us, it’s all worth it in the end.
Here are some of the things you can expect when you would already be traveling in Europe:
1. Living History
What can you expect from a continent that saw numerous civilizations dating back to thousands of years? Then your simple answer is buildings (i.e. churches, castles, towers, government structures) and statues all built from cement and wood, created with such stunning and intricate detail filled with stories of conquest and religion.
2. Food
Of course, the food. Europe is where the hamburger, pasta, pizza and ice cream were born. European cuisine is not only limited to those four popular dishes as you may have also heard of the schnitzel, moussaka, goulash, Irish stew, bicos, bacalhau, paella and sunday roast. The food is definitely one of the best things to look forward to when traveling in Europe.
3. Jaw-dropping attractions
This continent does not fall short in making your jaws drop because whether you are walking in the streets of Paris, or travelling to the grasslands of Scotland, you are in for a lot of surprises and enchantment. Europe will never fail you.
4. Art, science and culture
Europe is also home to legendary artists, scientists, poets, and religious figures such as Leonardo da Vinci, Michaelangelo, Homer, William Shakespeare, Victor Hugo, the Brothers Grimm, Aristotle, Archimedes, Galileo Galilei, Isaac Newton, Albert Einstein, Charles Darwin, Martin Luther and Erasmus, to name a few. These are just some of the notable Europeans who have made great contributions to the architecture, literature and inventions we still use and marvel today.
5. Phenomenal shopping experience
If you have set aside a budget for some shopping, then you are in for some shopping adventure in Europe! The continent is also home to some of the world-renowned fashion brands like Gucci, Prada, Lacoste, Armani, and Burberry. If you are on a tight budget, don’t worry because local vendors also sell quality and affordable items ranging from the freshest food to elaborate tailor-made clothes and accessories. Visiting during winter? You are in for a treat as Europe has some of the most magical Christmas Markets you’ll ever encounter in your lifetime (i.e. Birmingham’s Frankfurt Christmas Market, Nuremberg’s Christkindlesmarkt, Berlin’s Gendarmenmarkt, etc.).
Travel Goals: 8 Places to Never Miss in Europe
The destinations below are a combination of both popular and under-the-radar tourist spots you should never miss when visiting the continent. Some locations might be part of your family or friends’ respective bucket lists, or maybe you have seen them in popular travel blogs or promotions on various social media platforms. Check them out:
1. Santorini (Greece)
Looking for a romantic getaway? Look no further and take a trip to this island with a growing reputation as one of the top wedding destinations in the world. Santorini is an island in the southern Aegean Sea known to have pristine clear waters and a massive, active volcano just beside it. Santorini is also known for its beautiful villages and magnificent sunset. If you are with your significant other, the island probably offers one of the world’s best romantic experiences.
2. Paris (France)
What’s a European trip without visiting the famous Eiffel Tower? If you are planning to go on a romantic getaway (aside from Santorini), go to Paris, also dubbed as the “city of love and romance”, and set a date with your special someone at the top of the Eiffel Tower. While in France, don’t forget to visit magnificent architectural structures such as the Notre-Dame de Paris, the Louvre, Arc de Triomphe, and the Musee de’Orsay. A french vacation is incomplete without going on a gastronomical adventure as well. Paris may have been tagged as the “city of love and romance”, but France in general is considered as the food capital of the world. Fois Gras, truffles, crepes, french toast, brie cheese, walnuts; the French certainly have it all.
3. Barcelona (Spain)
If there’s a destination in Europe you certainly don’t want to miss out, it’s definitely Barcelona. See the largest unfinished Roman Catholic church, the Sagrada Familia in all of its glory. It may be unfinished, but it is a marvel to behold. Spain is also home to various tourist destinations such as the Alhambra and Generalife Gardens in Granada, Prado in Madrid, Costa del Sol Beaches in Malaga, and the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao; but nothing compares to hermosa Barcelona. In Barcelona, you can also find the colorful Park Guell, the narrow alleys of Barri Gotic, and beautiful Barceloneta and Nova Icaria beaches where both local and foreign tourists come to party.
4. London (England)
Keep calm and carry on. Ever heard of that phrase? It perfectly represents the country where the greatest monarchs ruled and continue to rule up to this day: Elizabeth I, Elizabeth II, Richard I (Richard the Lionheart), William I, Henry V, Henry VII, and Victoria.
Its capital, London, is home of the British Museum, Tower of London, the Big Ben, the Buckingham Palace, the London Bridge, and of course, the London Eye. You can also shop until you drop in Westfield Stratford, Europe’s largest urban shopping center and purchase goods at London’s iconic department stores Harrods or Selfridges. If you’re a sports fan, London also showcases a number of athletic spots as they recently hosted the 2012 Summer Olympics.
5. Piran (Slovenia)
Have you ever been to a place that you feel as though you have stepped right into a picturesque postcard? If you have never experienced that in your life, then visit Piran in Slovenia. Piran is a town that sits at the tip of a narrow peninsula in the coast of Slovenia and is surrounded by the gorgeous Adriatic sea. Piran is also home of the famous Giuseppe Tartini, one of the greatest violin players of all time. You can also find his statue in Piran’s main square (fun fact: he was born in a house just a few steps away from the square).
6. Meteora (Greece)
If you want to see an unusual attraction in the heart of Europe, visit Meteora. It is a rock formation (which coincidentally, looks like a meteor) found in central Greece and is also named as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Meteora also houses six monasteries built right on top of the rock formation.
7. Venice (Italy)
Rounding up our list of the must-see destinations in Europe is Venice in Italy. You may take a religious trip to the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican, relieve the history of the gladiators in the Collosseum (Rome), lean your head in the Leaning Tower of Pisa, visit David in the Galleria dell’Accademia in Florence, or go on a food trip in Tuscany, you must never forget to make a stop at one of the world’s most beautiful cities– Venice. Take a trip down the Grand Canal, ride the gandola with your significant other, slurp on some delicious gelato, feast on fresh Venetian seafood, and slip on a mask and join the Carnevale. Venice is not only a place for romantics, but also a destination for you to immerse yourself on rich Venetian and Italian culture.
Europe is just one of the possible places you can include in your travel goals. Before turning down the idea of traveling to this breathtaking continent because of the steep prices, why don’t you just ignore the expenses and go for it. The worth of the memories you are going to make in this continent would not equal, and would even surpass, anything you will ever do in your life.
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