The European continent has plenty to offer, so plan your next trip with this bucket list of famous landmarks, beautiful destinations, and the best places to visit…
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Gawp at Gaudí’s Barcelona, Spain
The whole of Barcelona is a work of art, thanks to the incredible architecture by Antoni Gaudí – the likes of Casa Vicens, Parc Güell, and La Pedrera. La Sagrada Familia might still be under construction, but it will no doubt be the most spectacular church you’ve ever set foot in. It’s set to be completed sometime in 2026, which marks 100 years since Gaudí passed away. But scaffolding aside, it’s still well worth the trip – plus it’s set in one of Europe’s most beautiful cities, with beaches and tapas galore.
Road trip through Scotland
Where will the open road take you? Scotland is one of the best UK spots for a road trip: you could venture up into the highlands, catch the ferry between far-flung islands in the Hebrides, or simply scoot into the countryside on day trips from Glasgow or Edinburgh. For unimaginable vistas, we’d recommend visiting the Isle of Skye.
Explore the Acropolis in Athens, Greece
Towering over the city of Athens, the Acropolis dates back to 4BC – the days of ancient Greece. The rocky citadel is topped with the ruins of several impressive monuments, including the iconic Parthenon temple, which boasts incredible views back towards the city.
Take a horse and cart through Krakow, Poland
The classiest way to navigate the cobbles of Krakow? By horse and cart – that’s how locals have been getting around the city for centuries.
Go to a German Christmas market
It simply isn’t Christmas until you’ve spent a dark December weekend eating hot pork rolls and gingerbread, washed down with more mulled wines than you care to remember!
Explore beautiful Bruges
Bruges was made for lazy, indulgent city breaks – it’s the kind of place where you can cruise on pretty canals, get lost in picture-perfect cobbled lanes, then feast on moules frites and Belgian beer for lunch.
Overlook Paris from the Eiffel Tower
Yes, it’s a huge cliché, but if you haven’t been to the top of the Eiffel Tower we suggest you book a ticket pronto. When you’re looking out over the Seine, your gaze skimming across the rooftops of Paris and up to Montmartre, the romance of the City of Light is undeniable.
Devour a genuine Cornish ice cream
What could be better than hanging out on a Cornwall beach, with a genuine Cornish ice cream in hand? You’ll never look at a Cornetto the same way again. Discover Falmouth, where stunning spa hotel St Michaels Falmouth offers a near beachfront retreat. Or visit wide, sandy Watergate Bay – one of Cornwall’s best beaches – where the Watergate Bay Hotel overlooks the stunning ocean.
Climb a Welsh peak
Whether you choose the coastal peaks of Pembrokeshire, the rolling Brecon Beacons, or the challenging peaks of the Black Mountains, nothing puts a spring in your step quite like a ramble in Wales’s hills.
Take a river cruise on the Rhine
If you’ve always wanted to see the likes of Strasbourg and Cologne, get yourself on a river cruise along the romantic Rhine. This stunning river traverses Germany, France, and Switzerland and has some of the finest European countryside scenery with small, quaint towns along its banks. Riviera Travel’s eight day epic from Cologne to Basel is the ideal way to see it.
See Rome’s ancient treasures, Italy
The Sistine Chapel, the Colosseum, the Forum, Trevi Fountain, Villa d’Este… of all Europe’s amazing city break destinations, Italy’s capital surely has the longest ‘must-see’ list of incredible European landmarks. Not to mention all that gelato. Prepare for an unforgettable city break if you’re planning a trip to Rome, and don’t miss out on gorging on pasta like a pro in its many quaint trattoria.
See Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate
Since the end of the Cold War, the Brandenburg Gate has symbolised unity in Germany – it commemorates the reunification of East and West Germany in 1989, when it was finally opened as a border crossing between the divided states. Today, this monument of peace and tolerance is just as important – and moving – as ever.
Tour Holland’s tulip gardens
It’s utterly incredible to see acres of tulips, daffodils and hyacinths in full bloom – and the gardens of Holland and Belgium in spring are some of the most stunning in the world.
Hop along the Giant’s Causeway, Northern Ireland
Looking more like a bizarre obstacle course than a natural stretch of coastline, the 40,000 interlocking stone columns of Giant’s Causeway are a striking sight to behold. They were created millions of years ago by a volcanic eruption – not, sadly, by giants – and they are a highlight on any tour of the Northern Irish coast.
Learn to cook in Tuscany, Italy
Sure, you can feast on the rich pasta dishes, parmigiana bakes and juicy steaks that Tuscany is famed for, but why not go one step further and learn how to cook them yourself? Enjoy vineyard visits for wine tastings, a day feasting in Florence, and fabulous cooking demos on a trip to Tuscany and you’ll come back an expert in Italian cuisine. This walking tour with Riviera Travel explores the stunning Tuscan hills just for solo travellers.
Splash out in Venice
Everyone knows that Venice is one of the best places to visit in Europe – but don’t let the crowds or price tags put you off. Visit ‘off season’ (September to February, avoiding Christmas and school holidays) for the best chance of enjoying Saint Mark’s Basilica, the Doge’s Palace and the Grand Canal in (relative) solitude.
By Features Writer Marike Watson
