When I was studying abroad last semester, I had a list brimming with destinations to visit in Europe. It was unrealistic to think I could go to all twenty-something in my short time there, but I managed to get a lot done. Whether you’re studying abroad this fall or are traveling to Europe this summer, you should definitely have a set plan of what cities you want to explore. Here are my recommendations, based on my favorite places I’ve been to:
Cue Billy Joel’s “Vienna.” This city is probably one of the cleanest, happiest places I’ve been to (and that’s saying a lot, as my family frequently goes to Disney World). Though I was younger when I visited, I remember Vienna being such a vibrant city. There wasn’t as much hustle and bustle as other major cities, like NYC or London, and I appreciated that. Everyone took their time with what they did, making Vienna as a whole feel very relaxed. Not to mention, the pastries here were amazing. When you’re in Austria, you’re required to get apple strudel. Sorry, I don’t make the rules. Nothing hits quite the same as a warm piece of strudel with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top. I will admit, however, that schnitzel wasn’t my favorite. That could just be my weird taste buds talking; try it yourself and see how you like it!
If you’re looking for a day trip, I recommend heading to Salzburg for a Sound of Music tour. My parents are both Sound of Music fanatics and dragged my sister and I along with them. Though I went begrudgingly, I ended up loving it. You get to see so many filming locations from the movie, like the fountain the Von Trapps danced around and Mirabell Garden. I also suggest going to the Schönbrunn Palace. Oddly enough, they had the best pretzels there.
Truly, you can’t go wrong with anywhere in Italy. Of all the countries in Europe, Italy is definitely one of the most memorable ones for me. I spent a lot of time both in Rome and in Venice, though in separate years. I went to Venice when I was a bit younger and I’m itching to go back. Everything about it is beautiful, from the buildings to the people and pasta. But what’s best about Venice is its accessibility. You can take water taxis to surrounding areas, like Burano and Murano. If you end up visiting Murano, you should definitely watch a glass blowing demonstration. I remember being fascinated by the process.
If you’re into museums and cathedrals, there’s no shortage of them in Venice. I went to Doge’s Palace and was blown away by its ornate frescos. I also remember going to the Guggenheim Museum; as a fan of art museums, I loved it. It being right on the water only enhanced its beauty. And of course, you can’t go to Venice without going on a gondola ride!
While it’s up for debate whether or not England is a part of Europe, I’m going to say it is. Since we’re counting England on this list of European countries, I’m going to include Oxford as a travel destination. Sure, Oxford is small. I wouldn’t recommend staying more than a few nights there—maybe head there for a long weekend. Regardless, Oxford is one of my favorite places in the world. I can’t tell you exactly why I love it so much, but for the sake of this article, I’ll try to articulate my thoughts. Having been born and raised on the Harry Potter series, I love the dark academia aesthetic. Oxford is the closest place we have to Hogwarts. As a matter of fact, some scenes in the Harry Potter movies were shot there!
If I had my way, I would redo college at the University of Oxford. Not saying that I would get in, but I can dream. Aside from the gorgeous campus, I love the area surrounding it. There’s dozens of bookstores to roam around for hours and hours, as well as charming small businesses. If you’re looking for something to eat, I highly recommend stopping in Vaults and Gardens. Located on (or should I say, under) the University of Oxford’s campus, Vaults and Gardens has been around since 1320. Don’t worry, the food is fresh! Their fruit scones with clotted cream and raspberry jam are to die for.
Now that we’re talking about England, let me gush about Notting Hill. No, I don’t mean the movie with Julia Roberts. I’m referring to the actual place in London. Like Oxford, Notting Hill is only a small fraction of England, so you can’t really spend more than a few days there. When I was studying abroad in London, I kept finding myself returning to Notting Hill. If you’re into hot girl walks like I am, this is the perfect place to do them in. The residential areas are stunning: imagine rows and rows of pastel townhouses, all with brightly-colored doors. Think of the house from the Paddington movies. That was where Paddington’s family lived!
Notting Hill is where shopaholics (such as myself) thrive. There are shops as far as the eye can see, from the Notting Hill Bookshop (highly recommend—the staff is so friendly!) to vintage clothing stores. If you’re in need of a snack, you’ve come to the right place. One of the best things I’ve eaten in London (and in Europe/the UK in general) is a cheesecake bun from Buns From Home. Just look at it in the picture above. Is your mouth watering yet? If not, let me tempt you further. Notting Hill has a scone bar (Cheeky Scone) with a unique, rotating menu. There’s also countless food stalls at the Portobello Market on weekends. I honestly find the market to be overwhelming (expect there to be TONS of people), but it’s worth going to once or twice!
Obviously, I have to add Paris to the list of must-visit destinations in Europe. I realize that Paris isn’t for everyone. If I’m not mistaken, there’s a phrase (Paris syndrome?) used for people who feel like Paris doesn’t live up to their expectations. Fortunately for me, I was never struck with Paris syndrome. I fell in love with the City of Love, which I guess is why it got its name. Yes, some areas are crowded/touristy, but that’s to be expected at any popular site in Europe. I fully owned my status as a tourist and did all the typical American in Paris things, like eat croissants for every meal and freak out when I saw the Eiffel Tour. I have no shame in doing this, but my friends and I also went to Disneyland Paris. I know some highly “cultured” people are probably rolling their eyes behind their screens. I don’t care—we had a great time!
I’ve said this in a previous post, but the real reason to go to Paris is for its museums. Petit Palais remains a favorite art museum, not only in Paris but in the entirety of Europe (and the world!). Petit Palais had everything, including Matisses and Monets, and was architecturally breathtaking. La Musée de l’Orangerie was a close second, followed by the Louvre.
I recognize that I’m immensely privileged to have had the opportunity to travel to Europe. Travel is unnecessarily expensive, and though I worked hard to save up my money, my parents were kind enough to lend their support. If the opportunity ever presents itself to go abroad, don’t hesitate to do so. The world is waiting for you!
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