18 Oct Travel Bucket List: 5 Places in Europe You Simply Must See
Europe is the second smallest continent in the world, but, as you know, size is not everything. From wonderful natural landscapes to hip cities and historic monuments, in Europe, you can find it all. This is why we are sharing a list of places you simply must see in your lifetime, and after you are done with this article, you will want to immediately pack your bags and book your flight.
You might recognize some of these places because you have seen them on TV, in magazines and movies, but no matter how many times you have seen them on camera, the only way to really appreciate them is to see them in person. So, continue reading and be ready to lose your breath at least a couple of times.
Gaudi’s Barcelona, Spain
The Sagrada Familia cathedral has never been finished, but its forests of extremely detailed pillars are a spectacular site. The architecture of Antoni Gaudi has left a mark on the boulevards and streets of this Catalan capital, mosaics and the surreal lines of his work are easily recognizable at every corner.
Park Guell, a fantastic town house was based on the English idea of a “garden city” and it has gatehouses inspired by Hansel and Gretel. Also, do not miss the very popular snaking bench. You will have to pay eight euros to enter the park, but if you want to see Gaudi’s work for free, just go through the city streets and find Casa Vicens, La Pedrera, and Casa Batllo; they are all buildings that can be admired free of charge.
Sistine Chapel, Italy
Among all Michelangelo’s masterpieces, this is something that is definitely worth of your attention. This chapel can be found within the Apostolic Palace in Rome. A fresco painting of The Last Judgement covers the entire wall that is behind the altar, and the ceiling is 40 meters long and 13 meters wide and features nine Biblical stories.
You simply need to tilt your head up to admire this masterpiece and be thankful that you did not have to hold your head in that position to paint the fresco yourself.
Italy has a lot of other things to offer, so besides taking the tour of the Sistine Chapel, make sure to check out other tours and holidays in Italy. You will not regret it.
Acropolis, Greece
There is a damn good reason why three million people visit the Acropolis in Athens each and every year. The “sacred rock” dates back to the fifth century BC, and its most famous temple, Parthenon, is supported by 46 Doric columns and is considered to be one of the most influential buildings in classical architecture.
We advise you to walk below the Acropolis at night, because at that time of day, the Acropolis looks magnificent when bathed in golden floodlighting.
Aya Sofya, Istanbul, Turkey
Originally, this was a church first, then it was transformed into a mosque (Ottoman Era), and is currently a museum. Even though it has lost its religious status, a call for prayer can be heard, several times a day, and inside, you will find Byzantine mosaics and verses from the Koran, written in special calligraphy, meant to emphasize the beauty of the Arabic language.
You will also find the food there and prayer niches, which are typical places of worship. The Aya Sofya is truly one of the greatest architectural wonders in world history, and visiting it will have a profound effect on your life.
Var, Provence, France
The Var is one of the most beautiful parts in Provence. From beautiful waters of Gorges du Verdon, to the breathtaking view of fields of lavender, rows of small stone houses create wonderful villages hidden between the roads in the Haut-Var, where you can find excellent food, an even better scenery and not that many people. Get a taste of the Provencal life.
These are just some of the places in Europe you simply must see in your lifetime. There are many more that deserve your attention, but we have selected these because we believe that they will captivate you and simply take your breath away. So, what are you waiting for, pack your bags! Europe awaits!
