There’s no shortage of reasons as to why traveling through Europe should be one of your top vacation priorities. It’s a place where the historical and the modern seem to coexist happily together, and home to some of the world’s most renowned architecture, museums, monuments, and parks. Furthermore, travel by train in Europe is fast and affordable, making it possible for you to plan a multi-city itinerary.
While you’re there, be sure to hit up the highlights in these cities:
London
There’s plenty of history and tradition to experience during your stay in London. You won’t want to miss your opportunity to see the city’s most celebrated buildings, which include Westminster Abbey, The Houses of Parliament, Buckingham Palace, and St. Paul’s Cathedral. Take a stroll through the tranquil St. James Park or enjoy the commotion of Covent Garden. Finish off your visit with a ride on the London Eye after sunset
Paris
Paris is known for its beautiful edifices and monuments, all of which are increasingly more charming by nightfall. Fall in love with Paris in person by paying a visit to the Notre Dame Cathedral, climbing the Eiffel Tower, and discovering monuments like the Triumphal Arch on foot. You can also visit the Latin Quarter for a stroll through Sorbonne’s campus or the picturesque Luxembourg Gardens. Make sure to take advantage of the city’s free museums—including the Paris History Museum, Modern Art Museum, and Fine Art Museum—for some wonderful exhibits.
Calais
Spend a day across the channel and get to know Calais. Here, you’ll find a charming Flemish-style town hall and Rodin’s bronze Six Burghers masterpiece sculpture. You can also visit a number of important museums, including Le Blockhause d’Eperlecques and the War Museum.
Lille
The first thing you should do during a visit to Lille is to experience the hustle and bustle of the city’s central hub, Place Charles de Gaulle. While you’re there, you can also pay a visit to the Museum of Fine Arts or the Hospital Museums for some impressive—and informative—exhibits.
Brussels
Start your visit to Brussels by exploring the landmarks in Old Town—the Grand Place, the Town Hall, the Manneken Pis, and St. Nicolas. Then, it’s time to enjoy the views from the Atomium and explore the sphere’s many expositions. At the base of the Atomium, do a quick tour of Mini Europe, where you’ll pass by 350 iconic European edifices in miniature form. You also won’t want to miss your opportunity to visit the Chocolate Museum (and buy some sweets afterward), or grab a locally-made brew at Delirium Café.
Koln
The most famous landmark in this German city is the towering Koln Cathedral, which is even more stunning by nightfall. While you’re there, you should also make stops at the town hall, the Groß St. Martin church, the Mikveh Jewish ritual bath, and the two Ludwig museums.
Aachen
Spend a quiet day walking around the streets of Aachen to admire its brightly-colored buildings and its pedestrian-only shopping streets. Take in the splendor of the Aachen Cathedral and the town hall, and make sure to leave some time to visit one of the city’s famous spas.
Amsterdam
First, get an unbeatable view of the city on a boat tour along Amsterdam’s main canals. Then head to Museum Square to check out Amsterdam’s top museums—Rijksmuseum (Holland’s National Museum), the Van Gogh Musuem, and Stedelijk Museum (Amsterdam City Museum). You’ll also want to spend some time relaxing in the beautiful Vondelpark. If you have some spare time, rent a bike and enjoy a cruise around the city.
