Not sure on where to travel on vacation? Here are our ‘Top 10 European Cities’ that you should consider when traveling to Europe.
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London
As one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, London was sure to be on this list. Historical landmarks such as Buckingham Palace and the Tower of London offer an insight into the history of this great city and are a must-see for tourists.
If you’re interested in culture then London is fantastic for both museums and art galleries. World famous destinations such as the British Museum, Tate Modern and the National Gallery offer a wide range of exhibitions and displays that are available for art enthusiasts travelling from all across the globe. Also, most of these museums are free and therefore are available to travelers on a budget.
For those with sporting interests, London hosts Premier League football matches across the city as well as the prestigious Wimbledon Tennis Championships that take place annually, which is attended by the world’s most elite tennis stars.
London offers the complete package for anyone that wishes to plan a European vacation. The huge selection of restaurants and endless variety of shops available, only add to the attraction of the city.
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Paris
Commonly referred to as the city of love, Paris is especially popular with couples looking to enjoy a romantic trip to Europe. Sights such as the Eiffel tower and the Arc de Triomphe are some of the most famous monuments in Europe and are very popular with visitors travelling from abroad.
Paris is often seen as a center for the world of art. Art museums across the city include the Louvre, which is home to the Leonardo da Vinci masterpiece The Mona Lisa, as well as boasting other magnificent galleries such as Musee d’Orsay and the Centre Georges Pompidou.
Both sports and cycling enthusiasts can take the opportunity to visit Paris for the finale of the tour de France, the spectacle always provides visitors with memories of the highly popular endurance race.
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Rome
The eternal city is truly an essential part of any European trip. Rome boasts historical sites from the Roman Empire, such as the Colosseum and the Pantheon that offer a fantastic insight into what civilization was like during that time period. Rome tour packages are available including public transport and entry to popular tourist attractions, this offers a cost effective way of visiting the city.
Italians are famous for their love of cuisine and citizens of Rome are certainly no exception. Restaurants and bars in Rome offer a wide range of traditional dishes and often can be purchased at a reasonable price. Be prepared though, in Italian culture meals are seen as a social event and are not to be rushed.
Rome’s undeniable influence in architecture can be seen all over the city with magnificent churches and buildings on every street. Located within Rome is Vatican City, the small independent state that is home to the Pope. This attracts millions of people every year to view sites such as St. Peter’s Basilica and the Sistine Chapel.
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Barcelona
Barcelona is well known as a city that has something for everyone. Located in the Catalan region of Spain and famed for its style, looks and energy, Barcelona is a tourist favorite. Travelers from abroad are highly expected to visit the magnificent Sagrada Familia church that started construction in 1882 and is still being built to this day.
Home to the current UEFA Champions League side F.C Barcelona, a Camp Nou stadium tour is recommended for visitors even without a sporting interest in order to witness the resounding success the team has seen both in the past and the present. Catalonians are very passionate people and this can truly be seen during a game.
After a busy period of touring around Europe’s wonderful cities, take a day to relax at one of the many Barcelona beaches that lie on the Mediterranean Sea and take advantage of the regions warm climate.
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Amsterdam
Located in The Netherlands, the city of Amsterdam is a very appealing prospect to tourists due to its compact nature and relaxed culture.
Strong artistic links exist within the city due to famous artists such as Vincent Van Gogh and Rembrandt living here. Their work can be seen in one of the many museums and a trip to the Rijksmuseum is a must for anyone visiting Amsterdam. Also, the Anne Frank Museum is a favorite for all tourists due to the horrifying events that happened there during the Second World War.
Fancy a break? Visit one of the many café shops located in the city or take one of the famous picturesque Amsterdam canal cruise tours to see Amsterdam by boat.
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Istanbul
Located on the Bosporus strait, Istanbul is commonly known as the gateway between Europe and Asia. The location of this city is one of the reasons why it is known as one of the great cities in the world.
A trip to the old quarter offers an array of Turkish culture with magnificent buildings such as the Hagia Sophia, which is now open as a museum for tourists to stand in awe of the structure and explore the history of the building.
In order to get a taste of what life really is like in the region it is worth paying a visit to the Grand Bazaar. This is one of the world’s oldest and largest covered markets and hosts over 3,000 shops.
For a chance to see the European influenced side of the city, make sure you visit some of the Beyoğlu restaurants, hotels and bars.
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Reykjavik
Unlike any of the other cities on this list, it is the surrounding area of the golden circle that is of particular interest to travelers. Iceland is a volcanic island that boasts an extraordinary landscape of waterfalls, glaciers and volcanos.
Take an Iceland tour and take in all the fascinating views that are available, during your tour you may also be lucky enough to see the Northern Lights. Even without a tour of the island, don’t be expecting the area around Reykjavik to be tame, as some of the most picturesque sites are located only a short distance away from the capital.
After exploring the island, be sure to visit the famous Blue Lagoon Spa and indulge in the geothermal pools and natural beauty treatments that are available thanks to the island’s volcanic location.
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Florence
Florence is famed for its artistic history and its rich culture due to Michelangelo and Botticelli living in the area as well as the city hosting the Leonardo da Vinci Museum, which shows models and designs made by the great Italian polymath.
Throughout the city there are many quirky shops and quaint cafes for visitors to enjoy themselves. The region itself is very popular due to the fantastic range of quality wines and Italian cuisine that is offered.
The city contains a wide selection of famous architecture and offers sites such as the gothic styled Florence Cathedral (Duomo) and the Basilica of Santa Maria Novella, which are definitely worth visiting.
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Budapest
Split by the river Danube, the beautiful city of Budapest consists of the historic Buda and the increasingly modern Pest side of town, hence ensuring something for everyone.
Take a trip to the Turkish baths such as Széchenyi and bathe in the healing waters at one of the largest public baths in Europe. This is sure to keep you relaxed during your trip and is an essential part of visiting Hungary.
Although prices have been continuously rising, Budapest is still a very inexpensive option compared to many of the cities in Western Europe. Great deals can be found in the hotels across the region; also food and drink come with respectable prices, even in the more luxurious districts.
For the best sights in the city, walk to Castle Hill to witness the best views of magnificent buildings such as the Hungarian Parliament Building. Whether you’re interested in Opera, nightlife or historic architecture, you are sure to have an enjoyable visit to the Budapest.
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Prague
Despite being the capital of the Czech Republic, Prague is a city that many people around the world might not necessarily be aware of. The historical gothic city displays some of the finest buildings in the area, with the Old Town Square attracting tourists to the heart of the city to relax, take in the sights and to sample some of the world famous Czech beers.
A trip to the Charles Bridge offers views over the city’s medieval landmarks and the stunning Prague Castle, which is believed to date back to the ninth century and is a symbol of gothic architecture in the area.
Prague is a historic city that is full of culture and is recommended to tourists who would like to explore Europe further, alongside this you can benefit from the more affordable prices that the city has to offer.
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Cheap European data bundles are becoming more popular for travelers due to their ability to dramatically reduce European roaming charges. This service allows one SIM card to be used across the continent at a fraction of the price, an essential item for anyone looking to share pictures or keep in contact with family, friends and colleagues when traveling in Europe.
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