On a warm evening, far too warm for the liking of this Brit accustomed to the harshness of Scottish winters, I struck up conversation with a couple outside a bar in Big Spring, Texas. It was a very pleasant bar indeed. Tiny inside, with almost all the seats outside to soak up the Texan heat. Across the courtyard, a Western tribute act was performing a set in front of an old Union Pacific railcar.
My new friends seemed somewhat surprised to find a wayward Englishman in their local bar, which is, I suppose, understandable. A couple of pints later, we knew everything there was to know about one another, and I’d been invited for a round of golf the next morning, too embarrassed to admit that, despite living in Scotland, I don’t know an eagle from a birdie.
What this has to do with visiting Europe, you may well ask. With golf plans in play, the couple were ecstatic to tell me all about their daughter and her upcoming trip to Europe. Naturally, the trip to Europe meant going she was going to London, Paris and Rome. “Where else is there to go?” I was asked with a look of perplexion as I tried not to roll my eyes so hard they may fall out.
London, Paris and Rome are bucket list destinations for a reason. I won’t try to dispute that. But please, I beg of you, don’t visit them and claim to have seen Europe. With a few simple additions to your Euro-trip, you’ll experience cultures and histories you never knew existed.
Don’t Stick to Capital Cities
When I finally got to see Times Square and the Statue of Liberty for the first time, I was filled with an immense sense of satisfaction. If you’ve been longing to tick off Buckingham Palace, the Eiffel Tower and the Colosseum, you’re not going to pass up the chance to visit London, Paris and Rome when you reach Europe.
But once you’ve seen them, always allow yourself a few extra days to get out of the capital before moving on to your next country. I know you want to get around as many European countries as you can, but I promise, you’ll thank yourself for it.
England outside of London
In England, thanks to the UK’s compact size, you can explore so much by simply taking day trips from London. Head down to the South Coast and visit the stunning cliffs at Beachy Head, admire dramatic Corfe Castle or soak up Brighton’s vibrant nightlife. You could even hop on a ferry to the Isle of Wight and be back in London in time for dinner.
For countryside charm, take a day trip to the Cotswolds or meander your way through Kent, the so-called Garden of England, to see Leeds Castle and Canterbury Cathedral. Head north to historic York, or west across the border to Wales for a day of hiking in the Wye Valley or soaking up culture in Cardiff. In reality, the possibilities are endless.
France beyond Paris
My favourite escape from Paris is to take a drive up the Seine Valley to Giverny for a visit to Monet’s Garden, stopping at the Palace of Versailles along the way. If wartime history is your thing, head north to the Somme, the site of one of the bloodiest battles of the First World War. If you have time to cross into Belgium, Ypres and Flanders are well worth a visit, albeit a sombre one.
Journeying to the south of France, the vineyards of Champagne are a must if you’re as much a fan of wine as I am. If you head west, you’ll hit the Alps, or keep going south to the coast. The Côte d’Azur is as beautiful as you imagined, but to get off the well-trodden tourist trail, swap Cannes for Sainte-Agnes.
The Italy you don’t see in Rome
Italy changes massively as you move from north to south. It’s a great country for road-tripping, and working your way down from Venice and Milan to Puglia or Sicily is the best way to see it, in my opinion.
Puglia will always be my favourite region. Tucked away on the heel of Italy’s boot, the Trulli houses in Alberobello are a must-see. Further north, Cinque Terre is beauty personified, and if you’re up there visiting Venice and Milan, don’t ignore Bologna. If you’re looking for somewhere closer to Rome, Naples and Pompeii are unmissable.
Don’t Ignore the Less Visited Countries
Scandinavia
Although well known, many first-time visitors to Europe skip Scandinavia. Almost a mini continent of its own, Europe’s far north deserves your time. Denmark, Sweden and Norway (with Finland and, less often, Iceland sometimes included) share a deep-rooted heritage.
Once home to Viking warriors, modern Scandinavia is tech-savvy, impeccably clean and often dubbed the happiest place on earth. Its capitals are brimming with history, the coastlines are beyond beautiful, and the rugged interior is marked by snow-capped peaks and mountain lakes. If you make it right to the top, expect 24-hour sunshine in summer, and all-day darkness in winter.
Eastern europe
To the east of Winston Churchill’s metaphoric Iron Curtain, much of Eastern Europe was part of (or attached to) Soviet Russia. Their influence isn’t hard to see. But Eastern Europe was different long before the dawn of communism; centuries earlier, Europe was divided by religion.
Poland is a great starting point for exploring the east. Kick off on the Baltic coast; Hanseatic Gdansk is fascinating. Work south through Warsaw to Krakow before crossing to the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary.
The balkans
It’s only in the last couple of decades that the Balkan countries have come onto the radar of even European travellers. Mainly comprising the former Yugoslav states, this corner of southern Europe couldn’t be more different from the rest.
Croatia and Montenegro are the places to go to soak up some rays by the beach, but if you’re seeking cultural immersion, Bosnia should be top of your list. War-torn and besieged in the not-so-distant past, Sarajevo is the epitome of the phrase “a melting pot of cultures”. Across the border in Serbia, gritty Belgrade has plenty of stories to tell; disputed Kosovo is beyond fascinating.
Be Prepared to Come Back for More
One mistake many tourists make is thinking they can see Europe on one trip and trying to cram too much in. Whilst you could theoretically visit all 50 US states in one go, it’s not something most people would attempt. This is the same in Europe.
The best way to see all of Europe is to break it down into regions. Group countries together in a way that makes sense: the UK & Ireland are a natural pair, as are Spain & Portugal and Greece & Türkiye. France goes well with Italy and Switzerland, and Belgium, The Netherlands and Germany fit together perfectly. If you have time for a longer visit, tackle Europe one region at a time.
