Europe. What do you think when you hear that word? The Old Continent? The history? The civilization? Traveling around Europe can gather you more knowledge about different cultures, by visiting all the different sights, like mountains, spas, rivers or cities. In this article, we will introduce four major cities perfect for exploring historical places and other interesting things.
London
Even before legendary Clash leader Joe Strummer sang London Calling in 1979, London had become the capital of the punk movement, which was at the time opposing the conservative structure in the Empire. Many young people came to the UK to taste that new revolution which is mainstream in the present day. However, London offers much more than punk.
There are many museums to dive into, and you would need a few days to visit all the exhibitions if you were so inclined. There are also numerous parks, like Hyde, St James, Kensington or Green in the center of the city, with beautiful grass to sit on and observe nature. Seeing London from a ship on the Thames, tasting food from all over the world and visiting some of the football stadiums could be also added to your schedule.
Rome
Rome is the city of seven hills. No, you will not meet Russell Crowe there. Well, maybe you will, but it will be on a movie set. The capital of the former Roman Empire is filled with many historical sites though. The most popular one is the Colosseum, where you will not see gladiator games with Russell Crowe, but you can still imagine them.
Vatican City is a state in Rome itself, ruled by the Pope, and his seat is St Peter’s Basilica, which is the largest church in the world. You should also visit the Spanish steps between two famous squares and the Trevi Fountain where you can toss coins in and make a wish. When it comes to the Italian cuisine, it is recommended to avoid expensive restaurants in the center and visit some in the suburbs.
Prague
Prague is known as the Golden City, as we all call it. The capital of the Czech Republic is a true jewel in Central Europe. You can explore plenty of history, from the Middle Ages, across the Habsburg period and the time behind the Iron Curtain. It is the most popular destination in the former Eastern Bloc.
The first must-see sight is Prague Castle, which is one the largest castles in the world. A beautiful view of the other side of the Vltava river and its many towers, a few hundred of them, can also be seen from here. You can cross to the other side on Charles bridge. Its construction began in 1317 and it was finished in 1402.
Besides the rich history and many historical sites, Prague, and the Czech Republic, in general, is famous for its beer. Excellent and affordable beer. There is a beer festival every year during May. About seventy different kinds of beer are offered to the visitors. To make the most of your visit, make sure to turn to some local help.
Barcelona
Who do you think of first when you hear the word – Barcelona? Is it Christopher Columbus, Antonio Gaudi or Lionel Messi? These three men are the symbols of Barcelona and its famous brands in history, art, and football.
One of the many places where ships started their journey to the New World from was the port of Barcelona. The huge monument of Christopher Columbus standing in the port and observing the seaside of Costa Brava is a spectacular sight.
The Sagrada Familia is a unique church, a masterpiece designed by Antonio Gaudi. It is still unfinished, but it is the number one sight to be visited, even in all of Spain. Another Gaudi masterpiece is Park Guell, located on Carmel hill. Picturesque paths and its big terrace are the most recognizable landmarks. Both the Sagrada Familia and Park Guell are on the UNESCO heritage list. For football fans, we recommend visiting Camp Nou, FC Barcelona’s stadium, with a capacity of about 100 thousand people.
No matter where you choose to go to these gorgeous cities, we are sure you will have yourself a splendid time.
