The Ten Best Sights in Europe

chillibreeze writer — Dipti Rath

Need an editable PowerPoint map of Europe

Over the past ten years, Europe has become a favourite destination especially for Indians. And why not? Europe boasts of amazing architecture, magnificent museums, and breathtaking scenic beauty. Movies have made some of the places familiar, but experiencing them first hand has a charm of its own. Let’s explore the 10 most popular destinations in Europe.

London with its royal heritage, and its castles, palaces, and towers, makes for a dream destination. Its streets bring to life pages from Sherlock Holmes, while the Lords cricket ground and Wimbledon remind us of days spent before the television screen. While taking a walk along the Thames, watch the tower bridge with its still functioning drawbridge. A 30-minute ride on the London eye, will give you a fantastic view of many famous landmarks like the Big Ben, the clock tower in front of the House of Parliament.

The Buckingham palace, the royal residence, is a spectacular sight with the dramatic ceremony of the ‘Changing of the Guard’. While the Westminster Abbey is significant for being the coronation site for British monarchs, the Tower of London shows off the crown jewels. On a visit to the Windsor Castle, the queen’s ancestral home or atop the stairs of St. Paul’s Cathedral, one pauses to take in the grandeur. At Madam Tussaud’s Waxwork Museum, wax replicas of celebrities including some of our own, like Amitabh Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai, and Shahrukh Khan make for a lot of Kodak moments.

Paris, the ‘city of lights,’ illuminates the hearts of wandering travelers with its myriad hues. Be it fashion, art or culture, it has its own special ambience. Its famous museum, The Louvre, possess timeless masterpieces like the Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo. Among its beautiful churches, the Notre Dame deserves special mention for the spectacular interiors and equally interesting gothic architecture. Also worth a visit is the Basilique du Sacre-Coeur with its beautiful mosaic work, and Saint Chapelle for its stained glass windows.

The iconic monument, the Eiffel Tower, looms large on the Parisian skyline. A major shopping area is the Champs-Elysees, touted as the most beautiful avenue in the world. It connects with the Place de la Concorde, the largest square in the city, and the Arc de Triomphe, an edifice built to honour those who fought for France.

Rome holds up its head because of ancient architectural wonders and the beauty that’s just about everywhere, whether in its basilicas or museums or in the streets. The prominent Vatican Museums, St.Peter’s Basilica (the largest church in the world), and the Sistine Chapel are the places you visit first to get a feel of what Rome is all about.

One of the seven wonders, the Colosseum, is an amphitheatre once used as a stadium for gladiator combats. Another striking ancient monument, the Pantheon, is recognised by its huge dome and the outstanding marble decorations. The Roman Forum is an amazing ancient site, which is an inspiration both to artists and architects; so are the ruins of Roman public baths – the Baths of Caracalla.

Michelangelo’s city, Florence, is as ancient and beautiful as his works of art. In this picturesque city of Italy, on the banks of the Arno River, art lurks at every corner with an array of exquisite signature masterpieces. In the museums of Accademia and Bargello you get to witness works of Michelangelo {‘David’, unfinished ‘Slaves’}, Donatello and Leonardo da Vinci. Visit Santa Maria del Fiore or the Duomo the holy city centre, and St John’s Baptistery, an imposing octagonal structure with famous bronze doors. The endearing old bridge Ponte Vecchio bridges the sense of time with shops still standing on stilts on its edges. The Palazzo Vecchio, the Pitti palace, and the Boboli Gardens have a very significant presence on the map of the city, being part of the Medici family, one of the most influential in Florence.

The city of bridges, Venice, is a congregation of islands in the Adriatic Sea. Its beautiful landscape defies the imagination, and is probably the ultimate romantic vacation. Imagine appreciating the spectacular scenery while taking a gondola ride down its canals. Ponte di Rialto, the landmark bridge across the Grand Canal, is a busy commercial city centre, providing a marvelous view of the Grand Canal. Venice is full of museums. You have the Ca’d’Oro, a palace- turned- museum; the Ca’Rezzonico, housing 18th century art and artifacts, and the Peggy Guggenheim Museum which houses a private collection of masterpieces by Picasso, Dali, and Miro.

On your way to the famous St. Mark’s Basilica, you pass by Piazza San Marco, known also as St. Mark’s Square, which is surrounded by cafes and boutiques. The Palazzo Ducale or the Doge’s Palace is a beautiful pink and white marble castle, a classic representation of gothic architecture. Behind this is The Bridge of Sighs which connects the palace with its prisons and the execution site.

Barcelona, with its vast beaches, mountain ranges, and a Mediterranean climate, ensures entertainment galore for a free- spirited soul in search of the perfect getaway. One has to see Gaudi’s (the city’s internationally renowned architect) captivating buildings for their design and skillful execution. You can get a slice of modernista architecture at the Golden Square or Él Quadrat d’ Or. The La Rambla and El Raval avenues with their flurry of locals, give you an idea about the local culture and lifestyle. The Olympic Village, Vila Olimpica, is situated near the Port of Barcelona. The Barride la Rebera district has the famous church, Santa Maria Del Mar, and the museum, Museu Picasso.

Madrid boasts an artistic tableau and a rich culture to satiate the wanderlust of any traveler. Here under the stars, dance to the gyrations of the flamenco stars or simply chill out in the city’s hotspots. The most notable museums here are the Paseo Del Prado (housing works by Velasquez, and El Greco), Queen Sofia Arts Centre (for art pieces by Picasso, Solana), and Thyssen-Bornemisza (private art collections of Renoir and Durer). The opulent royal palace, Palacio Real, and the Retiro Park which used to be the royal gardens, present a wonderful sightseeing experience. There is another beautiful garden, Campo Del Moro or The Moor’s Field, with the elegant Fountain of Shells in the middle.

Prague is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, and has an old world charm that is definitely going to take your breath away. The Old Town Square situated between the picture perfect Charles Bridge over the Vltava River and the Wenceslas Square have some gothic and baroque-styled churches. In front of the Square you have the medieval astronomical clock, another favorite with the visitors. Mala Strana the lesser town of Prague is famous for its baroque architecture. You should definitely visit the Prague Castle which is the largest in the world, and is host to some famous churches, basilicas, palaces and gardens.

Athens, the bustling capital city of Greece, is a canvas of rich classical heritage with a timeless beauty. Its magic and mystique lies in its legends rooted in the ancient civilisation. The iconic Acropolis, with the panathenaic temple, the Parthenon, atop its large holy rock is the most visited place. On the steep slopes of the Acropolis, the village, Plaka, makes a pretty picture with its houses made of marble and its striking Church House.

All major office and commercial establishments lie around the largest square, Syntagma, in front of the parliament building. The Temple of Poseidon at Sounion is one of the most important and best - preserved sanctuaries – a must see. There are some other noteworthy attractions like the marble gateway, Hadrian’s Arch, the octagonal Tower of the Winds, and the ancient Agora ruins.

Switzerland, famous for its snowcapped Alps and the lesser-known Jura Mountains, attracts mountaineers and tourists alike. It is nature’s paradise for sure. Lake Geneva on the Rhone River is a tourist’s favorite because of the Chateau de Chillon, the oval shaped castle in the centre, and secondly, for the mesmerising views of the Alps and the Jura mountains that it presents. Then there is Swissminiatur, an open-air museum in Lugano, with tiny replicas of famous Swiss buildings, the Alps, the railway system, etc.

You have to make time for the Augusta Raurica, the Roman ruins, and the Mystery Parks at Interlaken which have fun activities for all age groups. Equally fascinating are the chocolates, cheese, cuckoo clocks, and of course, the watches and the Swiss knives which you can bring back as souvenirs.

Each of these destinations has lots more to offer, and it may not be always possible to see all of it in one go. So, by the time you come back, probably you will have another list of yet- to- be- seen places for your next trip.

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