Europe is a perennial favorite for travelers of just about every persuasion. Chock-full of history, culture, fantastic cuisines, gorgeous architecture, idyllic villages, vibrant cities, and so many different ways to get around (by train, plane, bus, boat, or car), you could easily spend months on end (actually years) exploring this magical corner of the world.

Here, we share 11 essential experiences in Europe that we think deserve a place on every well-traveled adventurer’s list. They offer the best in experiential travel, and we invite you to consider one of these little adventures for your next journey to someplace beautiful and inviting. And while this list isn’t exhaustive by any means, we hope it inspires you to look at Europe in a fresh, exciting way. Keep reading to discover your essential European experience!

1. Encounter the Magic of Paris

There are countless reasons to experience Paris: the art, the history, the shopping, the food, the patisseries, the architecture… Each of these alone would make Paris worthy of a visit. But put them all together, and wow! Paris truly delivers an embarrassment of delicious, culturally-vibrant, fascinating experiences for virtually every type of traveler.

From touring centuries-old cathedrals and dining in some of the best tucked-away restaurants to taking in world-class art or enjoying the tranquility of expertly manicured gardens, Paris offers it all. There’s so much to see and do that it can actually be quite overwhelming. Working with a travel professional will help you tailor your journey to the sights and sounds you’ll love best so you can make the most of your time in the City of Light.

Note: If you have Celiac disease or a gluten intolerance, in Paris, even you may be able to indulge in one of the delectable pastries that France is so famous for. As someone with Celiac disease, I was able to enjoy the most delicious pastries in Paris at more than one dedicated gluten-free patisserie! For more on managing Celiac disease, in particular, while traveling, check out our Tips for Traveling With Celiac Disease.

2. Visit Italy a Second Time

Picture perfect Portofino, yet another destination worthy of a visit, whether on your first trip or on a repeat visit to Italy

Exploring Italy for a second time—or any country, for that matter—offers a wonderfully different perspective, and we highly recommend this experience for your travel portfolio. Go beyond Rome, Florence, and Venice. The possibilities are endless. Here is just a handful of ideas:

Naples is the birthplace of pizza and home to what I’m convinced is the best gluten-free pizza on the planet. Full stop.
Anyplace with great espresso. Truly. Nothing beats Italian espresso.
Padua, a fantastic alternative to overtouristed Venice, is a delightful university town. Classy, cultured, and full of old bridges and tranquil waterways, it inspired Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew and The Merchant of Venice—and not much has changed in that regard!
Alto Adige, a region in northeast Italy, feels completely unlike anywhere else in Italy. You’ll think you’re in the Swiss or Austrian Alps! It even has its own local language, Ladin, which is spoken by about 20,000 people. Be sure to sample the hearty fare, perfect for the area’s cold mountain winters, like bread and cheese dumplings and speck, a soft, smoky prosciutto you won’t soon forget.
Civita di Bagnoregio is a gorgeous Italian hill town that, thanks to its topography, maintains much of its old-world charm. From 12th-century Romanesque arches to smooth cobblestones dating to the Middle Ages, you’ll feel like you’ve stepped back in time.

For more inspiration on your next journey to Italy, check out our recent post, Why Italy Calls My “Name,” to discover the many reasons why Italy holds such a special place in my heart.

3. Explore Norway’s Fjords and Coastline

For all of Europe’s renowned scenery—the Cliffs of Dover, the Swiss Alps, the Greek Isles, the Black Forest—not many sights can compete with the fjords and coastline of Norway. This jewel-like stretch of northern Europe is worth an extended visit all its own. The majestic fjords, glassy waters, and beautiful mountains are a sight to behold.

A view of the majestic Geirangerfjord in Norway

Coastal Norway has plenty to offer travelers beyond just the exquisite scenery. Its rich viking history, delicious (and fresh!) Nordic cuisine, and colorful towns and villages offer much to enjoy. The UNESCO listed harbor district, Bryggen, is one of the oldest ports in Northern Europe, and a visit there will make you feel like you’ve stepped back into the 12th century.

If you travel to coastal Norway between September and March, especially to points farther north, there’s a good chance you’ll be treated to some breathtaking views of the northern lights (or the aurora borealis).

Read all about our favorite spots to see the incredible dark sky views in 3 Destinations for the Northern Lights and Beyond.

4. Visit a Greek Island (or Two or Three…)

It’s not an overstatement to say you could easily meander your way through the Greek Islands without the slightest inclination of leaving. The incredible depth and breadth of its history, the spectacular food, the warm people, and the exquisite views are worth an extended visit. There’s certainly plenty to see in mainland Greece, but we especially love the easygoing way of life on the Greek Islands.

Explore a 500-year-old monastery. Immerse your senses in the mezze dining culture. Charter a private yacht. Stroll through a world-class archaeological museum. Hike through a spectacularly dramatic gorge. The options are endless.

If you’d like to explore Greece at a slower pace and away from some of the crowds of the mainland cities, the Greek Islands might just be the perfect place for you.

For more inspiration, Here Are 5 Reasons You’ll Love Traveling to Greece.

5. Sail the Mediterranean on a Luxury Small Ship Cruise

Mediterranean cruises are on many travelers’ lists of essential experiences. But what you may not have considered is the particular appeal of small ship cruising. On smaller ships, travelers are able to travel to smaller, less-crowded, more interesting ports. And you’re often given the opportunity to linger there that you might not have on a larger ship.

While Italy and Greece certainly come to mind, some of our favorite itineraries include ports of call across north Africa, Croatia, Spain, Turkey, Montenegro, Monaco, France, and Portugal. Enjoy first-class dining, spacious suites with incredible views (and private verandas), exclusive excursions and on-shore experiences, expertly-guided tours, tranquil spa treatments, and more.

The Gothic Quarter in Barcelona, a city I have spent time “lingering in.” Barcelona is also easily accessed on many Mediterranean voyages.

With Mediterranean luxury cruises, the itinerary is everything. I can sort through the many itineraries available to you and provide guidance on which cruise would be best suited to your travel tastes and preferences. Because truly, all Mediterranean cruises are not created equal. And you deserve the best fit for you. No exceptions.

6. Linger for at Least a Week in One City

While it’s tempting to fill your itinerary with as many destinations as possible (this is Europe, after all!), consider spending a week or more in a single city. It’s a truly unique and refreshing experience, and we think you’ll love it, too.

I have spent a good amount of time in Barcelona, Paris, and London. Cities like these simply take on a different feel when you’re not trying to rush to every place you can within three or four days. Before you know it, you might even start to feel like you’re a local! Frequent your favorite coffee shop. Meander along some side roads. Discover under-the-radar shops and restaurants that only locals really know about. Stroll through neighborhoods that your average tourist ordinarily wouldn’t see. Start each morning with a walk in a favorite park or town square.

You can stay in the city and experience it to its fullest, and if you really want to, you can always head out on a day trip. For instance, from London, you can easily take day trips to Oxford, Cambridge, and more.

Staying put while traveling sounds counterintuitive, but once you’ve tried it, you’ll see what a delightfully fresh perspective it affords!

7. Embark on a River Cruise

While a traditional mega-vessel cruise may not be your style, we absolutely love River cruising. It’s one of our favorite journey styles and deserves a place in your travel portfolio.

Here are a few perks to river cruising:

Ships are small and intimate. Expect no more than 100-200 guests depending on your itinerary and destination.
It feels like staying in an intimate 5-star hotel with your transportation and experiences wrapped up into one seamless journey.
The warm staff onboard make you feel like you’ve discovered your home away from home.
The food is fantastic, with locally-sourced menus, as well as excellent beer and wine pairings.
You’ll travel alongside like-minded travelers with a passion for immersive travel experiences (and contrary to popular belief, river cruising is not limited to older clients).
Nothing quite compares to the truly localized, immersive, and expertly-guided experiences river cruises offer.

Two river cruising destinations not to miss include the Rhine and the Danube.

The Rhine

Winding through some of the most picturesque scenery in all of Europe, the Rhine River extends from the Swiss canton of Graubünden in the Swiss Alps and flows in a mostly northerly direction through Germany’s Rhineland and the Netherlands before finally emptying into the North Sea.

Experience the old-world charm of vibrant villages, medieval churches and castles, centuries-old family-run vineyards, and the fabulous food and winemaking tradition of the Alsace region. This region has inspired countless great poets, painters, and composers, including Beethoven and Byron. If you’re a Romantic who loves historic and picturesque travel experiences, we know you’ll love it, too!

The Danube

Europe’s second-longest river, the Danube, flows from the Black Forest into the Black Sea, winding through some of the most historic and inspiring destinations in Europe. Depending on the itinerary, you may be exploring a combination of Germany, Austria, Slovakia, and Hungary along this stunning river.

Enjoy an immersive walking tour of Passau (in Germany’s Bavarian region), a scenic riverside bike ride, and delicious local refreshments. Discover Central Europe’s fascinating Jewish heritage, revel in the rich history of music and art, and marvel at the incredible architecture all along the way.

Whatever your travel style and preferences, there’s a European river cruise adventure waiting for you. As with Mediterranean cruising, there are many cruise lines and itineraries to choose from; I can help match your travel style to the cruise line and itinerary that fits you best.

For an in-depth look at why we absolutely adore river cruising, check out our blog post: What to Know About River Cruising.

8. Enjoy a Slice of Europe in Switzerland

Pilatus, one of the many mountain experiences in Switzerland

For a truly unique experience of Europe, consider a trip to Switzerland. This stunning mountainous country, famous for its Alps, numerous lakes, and charming villages, offers travelers the chance to experience an intersection of several different cultures in one beautiful location. Switzerland has four official languages: Italian, German, French, and Romansh.

While exploring this delightful mix of cultures and languages, you’ll also be surrounded by some fascinating juxtapositions of the traditional versus modern. Sleek, cosmopolitan cities alongside quaint alpine villages. Michelin star gourmet restaurants and hearty, rustic meals appropriate to the cold mountain winters. Traditional chalets full of history in one town and chic, luxurious boutique hotels in the next.

And have we mentioned the food? Fine wines (only about 2% of which is exported), delectable cheeses, world-class chocolate. (And that’s just the beginning.) Need we say more?

For more reasons why we adore Switzerland (and you will, too!), check out this recent post: Embrace Exquisite Natural Beauty & Beyond in Switzerland.

9. Head East

Many travelers focus their European adventures on Western and Central Europe, but Eastern Europe is very distinct and absolutely worth a visit all its own.

Tallinn in Estonia, a wonderful gem in Europe

Of course, there is Prague. And there’s Budapest (which you may visit while on the Danube). But we suggest going well beyond Prague and Budapest. Think Poland, the Baltics (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania), and even Russia. St. Petersburg is spectacular!

(Tip: If small ship luxury cruises appeal to you, it’s also worth noting that many Baltic cruises include these regions, so you can explore them by land or by sea.)

Eastern Europe offers travelers a chance to discover the rich religious, cultural, gastronomic, and architectural traditions of destinations unique to the region. Music lovers will appreciate the important traditions of folk music being kept alive today. History and political science buffs will be fascinated by the complex histories of many of these countries, several of which used to be under Communist rule.

If you think you’ve “seen Europe,” you may want to revisit some destinations farther east. There’s plenty to delight and surprise you here!

10. Savor the Magnificent Iberian Peninsula

The Iberian Peninsula is famous for its extraordinary food, music, and dance. Savor all the sights, sounds, and flavors of this vibrant corner of the world. Encompassing all of Spain and Portugal, the region is known for its rich history under both Muslim and Christian rule.

From the Alhambra, an ornate Moorish palace in Granada, to the Sagrada Família, architect Antoni Gaudí's expansive, lavishly designed church in Barcelona, the architecture alone is worth a visit to the Iberian Peninsula.

Lovers of the arts will appreciate the many opportunities to take in Spain’s vibrant flamenco traditions, including song, dance, instrumental (mostly guitar) performances. This rich art form has its origins with the Andalusian Roma (Gypsies) of southern Spain, and it remains an important part of the Peninsula’s culture to this day.

In Portugal, be sure to experience fado, a musical genre with origins in 1820s Lisbon. The mournful, melancholy form of music is often associated with pubs, cafes, and restaurants, and you can catch fado performances today while you savor some delicious Portuguese food and drink.

For a gastronomic experience to remember, be sure to tuck into some Jamón ibérico (Iberian ham). It’s the world’s most expensive ham for good reason. Once you’ve tasted it, you’ll never want to settle for anything less. And don’t miss the pastéis de nata, traditional Portuguese pastries that can best be described as a sort of custardy egg tart, subtly scented with lemon, cinnamon, and vanilla.

For a truly unique experience, consider a jaunt to the Azores, an archipelago off the coast of Portugal, about 870 miles west of Lisbon. These stunning islands of adventure are best known for whale and dolphin watching, but there are countless ways to enjoy the islands’ white sand beaches, vineyards, geysers, volcanic lakes, and more.

One stop not to miss while you’re in the region is Andalusia, located in the south of the Iberian peninsula. You’ll feel like you’ve stepped straight into a fairytale. Learn more about this lovely destination here: A Dazzling Sensory Adventure Awaits You in Andalusia.

11. Experience Life Along the Adriatic

While you may get to experience a portion of the Adriatic on a luxury Mediterranean cruise, this region really is worth a standalone visit. It’s a popular spot for European holiday-makers. The pebbled beaches are a treat for the kid in all of us, and the summer weather is consistently lovely.

In addition to Croatia, pictured here, Slovenia and Montenegro are among the destinations worthy of time along the Adriatic

Croatia is making a name for itself as a fabulous destination for travelers who enjoy a Mediterranean experience but don’t love the crowds. Hugging the Adriatic Sea, Croatia boasts the stunning Dalmatian coast, as well as Istria, an idyllic peninsula (shared with Italy and Slovenia, actually). Istria is home to gorgeous architecture, rolling vineyards, and even Venice-like Rovinj which is situated on a hill and surrounded by water.

Slovenia and Montenegro are also worth a visit. It seems wherever you go here, it seems there’s no end to the delightful old towns, the jaw-dropping natural beauty, and the vibrant culture.

Essential Europe Awaits

While we’ve assembled 11 of our favorite European experiences here, 11 really is too small a number! There’s so much more to mention: the Lapland region of Scandinavia, the U.K., other destinations for viewing the northern lights… the list could go on and on. But these 11 offer something for just about everyone, and we think they deserve a place in your travel portfolio.

For even more inspiration on the many incredible travel experiences available to you in Europe, be sure to check out our recent post: If You Love Europe, You’ll Love These 5 Fresh Destinations.

Start Dreaming Today

Now is a wonderful time to begin dreaming about your next experiential travel adventure, whether to Europe or some other magical place. 2022 is right around the corner, so it’s not too early to start planning. Get in touch today, and let’s make your travel dreams a reality!

If you’re interested in learning more about travel to Europe, reach out to schedule your complimentary consultation here. You deserve a truly magnificent adventure to look forward to.

And for more travel insights and inspiration, join the Wandermust Journeys Travel Community. Your free subscription gives you access to periodic electronic communication from us, including our e-magazine.

Let the dreaming start today. Your next adventure awaits!