Europe, perhaps, doesn’t even need an introduction. How do you befittingly describe enjoying a gelato near the Eiffel Tower, or walking through the ruins of Pompeii feeling your hair stand up on your skin, or rowing down the canals of Venice with a loved one by your side, or going crazy at the Tomatina festival in Spain or lying on your back and watching the Northern Lights in Norway, or a day reminiscing the Holocaust at German concentration camps, or enjoying some fine whisky in Scotland and some fine wine in France.
You have either been here or you haven’t. You either did that or you didn’t. The only way to know Europe is to be there, in all of its countries, doing all of the things, experiencing its diverse cultures, monuments, history, languages and people first hand. Unfortunately, there isn’t enough time in anyone's life and the ideal Europe itinerary starts from the best and rarest experiences that will at least scratch the tip of the iceberg.
Europe is simply too big, in size, sights, cultures, experiences and things to do, to fit in one itinerary or one introduction.
Getting Around in Europe
Europe has an unbelievably smooth rail network. Eurail offers several national passes and special fares that make train travel the cheapest and most hassle-free mode of travel between countries. To explore the best of what Europe tourism has to offer, renting cars, cycling and hitching rides (a paid privilege) are popular options.
Most Parisians walk or use a Vélib bicycle when they want to travel locally. The metro and RER train system is also an inexpensive and fast way of going anywhere and everywhere within the city. Day passes are available from $14 onwards and a single ticket costs $2.
Three Days In Paris
1. Explore millions of art pieces, including the Mona Lisa, at the world's most visited museum, the Louvre. Put this on your Europe itinerary.
2. Watch grand cabaret and burlesque performances at the exotic Lido Show.
3. Let loose at the Walt Disney Studio Park at Disneyland Paris. This is one of the most popular things to do in Europe.
4. Wander on the Rue Mouffetard. Shop at the outdoor market and when you are tired, sit at a cafe and watch people go by.
5. Marvel in the glory of the extravagant Palace of Versailles – a short train ride away from Paris.
Best Rated Places to Stay in Paris
1. New Orient Hotel – Rs 10,000
2. George Washington – Rs 4,000
3. Apartment in Paris – Rs 3,000
Best Rated Places to Eat in Paris
1. Epicure – A three Michelin star holder, this restaurant serves incredibly flavourful culinary experience.
2. Paris Picnic – A unique place that offers delectable picnic baskets that can be eaten in house or taken away to a spot of your choice.
The rail system is the best means of getting around in Switzerland. Local trains take you to all major tourist attractions. Otherwise there are also Swiss buses and cars on rent.
Two Days in Switzerland
1. Take a picturesque train journey to the highest station, Jungfraujoch, at 3,454 meters, for a breathtaking panoramic view of pearly white mountains and glaciers.
2. Tour the gorgeous Ice Palace, full of glittering ice sculptures, located 15 metres under the surface of a glacier. You can't miss this in your Europe itinerary.
3. Put on your gear and ski down the beautiful Bernese Oberland Mountains in Interlaken.
4. Take a scenic ride on the world's first revolving gondola, Rotair, towards the summit of Titlis.
5. Stroll through the 14th-century Kapellbrücke on the Reuss River in the Old Town, Lucerne.
Best Rated Places to Stay in Switzerland
1. Hirschen, Interlaken – Rs 7000
2. Three-bedroom Airbnb, Interlaken – Rs 10,000
3. Hotel Ibis Budget, Lucerne – Rs 5600
Best Rated Places to Eat in Switzerland
1. STERN Luzern – Enjoy a delicious European meal here at the heart of Lucerne.
2. Husi Bierhaus – The best pub in Interlaken with the juiciest burgers and the most delicious beers.
Train, plane and car are the three best ways of moving around in Italy. Renting a car will be cost-effective if you are a big group and you plan on stopping at several places. Sometimes, budget flights from one point to another will be cheaper than a car. The reliable train network can also be a fast way of commuting to see all the places to visit in Europe.
Two Days In Italy
1. Take a slow-moving ride on a Vaporetto in Venice – make sure this is one of the things to do in Europe.
2. Try a different flavour of gelato every day. Every Europe itinerary has to have a stop at a gelato parlour.
3. Admire the intrinsic architecture of the Colosseum in Rome.
4. Bask in the magnificence that is the St. Peter’s Basilica, in Vatican City.
2. Park Hotel Villaferrata – Rs 3,300
3. An Airbnb Apartment for two – Rs 6024
Best Rated Places to Eat in Italy
1. Likeat – With fresh ingredients and toppings, this place serves the best sandwiches and paninis in Rome.
2. Gusto Giusto – Try their fillet steak, pastas and creme brulee. You won't want to stop eating.
ÖBB is Austria's main rail provider and runs a countrywide train network. Take an ÖBB train almost anywhere in the country. And when you can't, catch a Postbus. Reasonably-priced day passes are available.
Two Days In Austria
1. Take a walking tower in Old Town, Innsbruck and enjoy the beautiful architecture visible in the house-fronts, doorways and windows. This town is one of the most colourful places to visit in Europe.
Credit: Ian Aberle
2. Shop for some glittering jewels at the Swarovski Crystal Shop in Innsbruck. This has to be one of the things to do in Europe.
Best Rated Places to Stay in Innsbruck
1. Hilton Innsbruck – Rs 6,200
2. Hotel Goldene Krone Innsbruck – Rs 5,800
3. Airbnb Apartment for two – Rs 3414
Best Rated Places to Eat in Innsbruck
1. Breakfast Club – A cozy and fun place in downtown Innsbruck for delicious coffee and a whimsical breakfast menu.
2. Gasthof Weisses Rossl – This is the place to get your fill of the schnitzel. Put this on your Europe itinerary.
Day 10: Munich, Germany
Using the Munich subway is perhaps the best way of getting around in this city. It'll also save you from using a car – as parking is expensive and difficult to find here.
Places to Visit in Europe: Munich, Germany
1. Pack a food basket and some beer and eat at a picnic table at a Beer Garden.
Credit: দেবর্ষি রায়
2. Get transported to your favourite fairy tale in Neuschwanstein Castle, Bavaria. Europe tourism can't get any more scenic than this.
Credit: Markus Jaschke
3. Delight in the sight of the freshest fruits, vegetables, meats and breads at Viktualienmarkt.
2. Hotel Laimer Hof – Rs 9,000
3. Jedermann Hotel – Rs 5,121
Best Rated Places to Eat in Munich
1. Vinpasa – If you like being looked after and flavourful Italian food, this is the place for you.
2. Broeding – Enjoy a traditional German meal at this perfect location – put it on the things to do in Europe.
Go on. Don't keep waiting. Go live your European dream.
All hotel prices are approximate and are on a per day basis. They were last updated on 19th January 2016.
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