Europe boasts a wealth of attractions, rich cultural heritage and magnificent views from the Atlantic Coast to the snowy French Alps. Travelling around Europe and visiting some of its epic destinations is an adventure like no other. Whether you’re chasing the sun in Spain or hiking through the Scottish Highlands, Europe’s allure knows no bounds.
With so many things competing for your attention, it can be overwhelming trying to decide what to do during your visit. Here are five of our top recommendations of things you must try in Europe:
1.Explore the mountains
Take yourself to extraordinary heights and explore the wonders of the world from the top of a mountain! Europe is home to hundreds of breath-taking mountains from the snowy slopes of the Alps to the thick wooded forests of the Mournes in Northern Ireland. If you’re feeling brave and you aren’t afraid of heights, you might enjoy climbing The Matterhorn in Switzerland. Standing at 4,478m, The Matterhorn attracts hikers far and wide to its sharp peak. It’s a challenging climb to say the least, so you better come prepared!
If you want a helping hand, you can hire a guide for around £1,270 which includes an overnight stay in the Hornli Hut and a lift pass. If that’s a little out of your price range, you could test your nerve climbing the highest mountain in Wales instead. You probably won’t need a personal guide to climb Snowdon, but a lot of people prefer to invest in a two-day training weekend to help them prepare for the climb.
2.Hit the Hippodrome Casino
If you’re visiting London, prioritise a visit to the famous Hippodrome Casino. This mesmerising casino boasts a stunning 325-seat theatre, a delicious steakhouse and a lively casino. Play everything from Blackjack to Baccarat and everyone’s favourite, Roulette. Casual gamers and seasoned gamblers are welcome here, so whether you’re new or you’ve been countless times before, the Hippodrome Casino is open to all. Although, the quality of the facilities and the class of the clientele will mean you don’t want to look out of place when you’re at the tables, it’s best to get a grip of the game and play online roulette before you’re visit, just to be on the safe side.
The building was designed by renowned architect, Frank Matcham andit’s the UK’s largest international-style casino, always bursting with life and excitement.There are four floors of gaming fun and evenan award-winning restaurant,the classic design of the building and the authentic “casino feel” of the interior has made it a popular destination with both residents of London and visitors of the area. In London, there are plenty of venues to cater for all occasions including comedy shows from Comedy Carnival and musical gigs.
3.Walk through ancient cities
Europe is steeped in rich history and is home to countless ancient cities that still stand today. In Greece, you can pack your bags and head to the ancient city of Athens, which is at least 5000 years old. You can stroll through the city’s ageing streets and explore crumbling structures including the ruins of the Temple of Olympian Zeus and the Roman era Agora. Athens is known for its Greek mythology and almost magical nature, which is well worth a visit if you’re looking for a little bit of enchantment during your visit.
Another ancient city that’s worth mentioning is the famous Pompeii, which met a sizzling fate when it was destroyed by the volcanic eruption of Mount Vesuvius in the 1st century AD. Stroll through the streets and explore what’s left of the city, where archaeologists are still unearthing remnants of a bygone era.
4.Soak up the culture
Who doesn’t love an enjoyable trip to the museum when travelling? Europe is home to hundreds of splendid museums, but one of the most popular is the Louvre Museum in Paris, France. This museum has become a central landmark of the city and holds over 38,000 artefacts from prehistory right up until the 21st century.
You can take a guided tour of the museum, each one covering a different theme depending on what you would rather focus you visit on when you arrive. The price of a guided tour is around €12, which is fairly reasonable since you’ll receive a mammoth amount of information in such a short space of time.
5.Shop till you drop
Milan is home to plenty of designer boutiques and is often referred to as the “fashion capital of the world”. There are hundreds of shops and large shopping centres throughout the city, so it’s important to know which ones you want to hit prior to your visit. If you’re looking for designer fashion labels and want to enjoy the finer things in life, the Brian & Barry Building is for you. With 12 stories, this shopping temple boasts everything from high-class designer stores to gourmet restaurants and panoramic views from the terrace on the top floor.
If you’re exploring Milan in more detail and have some time to spare, head to the “golden triangle” which connects the Via Sant’Andrea, Viadella Spiga and the Via Montenapoleone, which is something of a fashionista’s dream shopping spot. And even if you can’t afford to splash out on a Louis Vuitton handbag or Chanel fragrance, it doesn’t hurt to do some window shopping during your visit. While you’re here, you can also relax and unwind at a luxurious spa named the “QC Termemilano”, which features three warm pools surrounded by the stone walls of ancient Roman ruins and a jacuzzi waterfall. What more could you want?