Things to Do
Experiences in every country
Landmarks are the anchors, but the moments travellers remember most are often experiences: a boat ride at dusk, a concert, a long walk. Here is at least one standout activity for every country on the route.
France
Cruise the Seine in Paris, watch the Eiffel Tower sparkle after dark, walk the ramparts of Mont Saint-Michel and stroll the seafront promenade in Nice on the French Riviera.
Italy
Glide along Venice's canals by gondola or vaporetto, spend a morning with Renaissance art in Florence, take a boat along the Amalfi Coast and see the Colosseum at opening time.
Spain
Graze on tapas in Madrid, watch flamenco in Seville, step inside the Sagrada Família in Barcelona and slow down on the Costa del Sol.
Greece
Climb the Acropolis early, watch sunset over Santorini's caldera, beach-hop on Mykonos and hike gorges on Crete.
Switzerland
Ride mountain railways from Interlaken or Lucerne into the Swiss Alps, try tandem paragliding and take a lake steamer on Lake Geneva.
Austria
Attend a classical concert in Vienna, tour Schönbrunn Palace, walk Hallstatt's lakeshore at dawn and ride the cable car above Innsbruck.
Portugal
Ride Lisbon's trams, taste port in Porto's riverside cellars, explore Sintra's palaces, walk Algarve cliff paths and hike Madeira's levadas.
Netherlands
Cycle Amsterdam's canals, see the Rijksmuseum, visit Keukenhof in spring, explore Giethoorn by boat and admire Rotterdam's architecture.
Norway
Cruise the fjords from Bergen, chase the northern lights in Tromsø, hike the Lofoten Islands and browse Oslo's museums.
Croatia
Walk Dubrovnik's city walls, follow Plitvice's boardwalks, sail from Hvar and explore Diocletian's Palace in Split.
Food
Dishes worth travelling for
Eating well in Europe rarely means spending a lot. Markets, bakeries and neighbourhood restaurants away from the main squares often offer the most honest cooking. As a rule, menus printed in many languages with photos near major sights signal convenience rather than quality.
- France: buttery croissants, regional cheeses, bistro classics, socca in Nice and the famously fluffy omelettes of Mont Saint-Michel.
- Italy: carbonara and cacio e pepe in Rome, bistecca alla fiorentina in Florence, cicchetti bar snacks in Venice, lemons and limoncello on the Amalfi Coast, and gelato everywhere.
- Spain: tapas and jamón ibérico, churros con chocolate in Madrid, salmorejo in Andalusia and paella, which originates in Valencia.
- Greece: souvlaki, moussaka, Greek salad, fresh seafood on the islands and dakos on Crete.
- Switzerland: cheese fondue and raclette, best enjoyed after a day in the mountains.
- Austria: Wiener Schnitzel, apple strudel and Sachertorte in a Viennese coffee house.
- Portugal: pastel de nata custard tarts, bacalhau salt cod and the hearty francesinha sandwich in Porto.
- Netherlands: stroopwafels, raw herring from street stands, poffertjes and bitterballen.
- Norway: salmon, creamy fish soup, brunost brown cheese and dried cod in Lofoten.
- Croatia: grilled fish, black risotto and peka, meat or octopus slow-cooked under a bell-shaped lid.
Hotels
Where to stay, and how to choose
Location matters more than star ratings in European cities. A modest hotel within walking distance of the old town often beats a grander one that needs a daily commute. These neighbourhoods are popular, central bases for first-time visitors:
- Paris: Le Marais for character, Saint-Germain for classic Left Bank charm.
- Rome: Monti for a central, local feel; Trastevere for evenings out.
- Barcelona: Eixample for wide streets and Gaudí buildings; the Gothic Quarter for atmosphere.
- Amsterdam: the Jordaan and the canal ring.
- Lisbon: Baixa and Chiado for convenience, Alfama for old-town views.
Accommodation types compared
| Type | Best for | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boutique hotel | Couples, short city breaks | Character, central locations | Small rooms in old buildings |
| Chain hotel | Business travel, predictability | Consistent standards, loyalty perks | Can feel generic |
| Apartment | Families, longer stays | Kitchen, space, local feel | Self check-in, cleaning fees, local rules |
| Hostel | Solo and budget travellers | Low cost, social | Shared spaces, less privacy |
| Historic stays | Special occasions | Spain's Paradores and Portugal's Pousadas occupy castles and monasteries | Often outside city centres |
| Rural and nature stays | Hikers, slow travel | Farm stays, mountain huts, Lofoten's rorbuer fishing cabins | A car is often needed |
Booking tips: many European cities add a nightly tourist tax, sometimes paid on arrival. Compare flexible and non-refundable rates, check lift access in older buildings, and book early for summer on the islands and for Christmas market season in Vienna and Salzburg.