In Europe, I would recommend the following cities and the many other places you could go to roughly an hour from there:
This beautiful Austrian city which was made famous in the movie "The Sound of Music" was a delight to visit. It was also there that I visited my favourite palace to date which is the Hellbrunn Palace famous for its Trick Fountains, massive gardens and the location for the pavilion where the song "I am 16 going on 17" was sung.
Get out:
Hallstatt
One of the most beautiful places I have been to in 104 countries, this UNESCO little town along the lake surrounded by mountains is also home to the oldest salt mine in the world - another reason to visit it.
Eisriesenwelt (World of the Ice Giants)
Just outside of Salzburg, you get the opportunity to visit the largest ice cave in the world! It was an eye-opening experience for me and one I would recommend.
Second pick:
SAN SEBASTIAN
Undoubtedly Spain has many amazing cities you have to visit (I do love Andalucia - Ronda is still on my list) however there is a reason why San Sebastian was voted European Capital of Culture in 2016. If you are a foodie, this Basque city will be a delight - tapas, cheesecake (Bar La Vina) and the many Michelin starred restaurants you can choose from. You have the mountains, the beaches and favourites shops in the old town to explore.
Get out:
Biarritz
If you are a surfer, you would have heard of Biarritz. A seaside town in France just north of San Sebastian, it is another place you must-visit when in the area.
Third pick:
DUBROVNIK
This famous Croatian seaside UNESCO city does not need anymore introduction. Made famous by Game of Thrones, you want to lose yourself along the city walls within the old towns and soak in the sun.
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Get out:
Kotor
Kotor in Montenegro is a stunning UNESCO town not far south of Dubrovnik. Kotor Bay is the deepest natural fjord-like bay in the Mediterranean Sea.
Mostar
The Old Bridge (Stari Most) is a UNESCO World Heritage site and the icon of Mostar - undoubtedly my favourite place in Bosnia. The bridge was originally built by the Turks in 1566, destroyed in 1993 (war), and rebuilt in 2004. At 21m high, one can pay to see a member of the Mostar Diving Club dive off the bridge into the river below.
In 2009, I did a roadtrip across 9 countries in 9 days in the Balkans. That was when I visited Kotor for the first time, Dubrovnik and Kotor for the second time.
Fourth pick:
Zurich is an incredibly beautiful city. On a clear day, you can see the Alps as you stroll down the streets heading towards the Lake. If you love desserts, please stop by Sprüngli at Paradeplatz on Bahnhofstrasse famed for the Luxembürgerli (macarons) and delicious desserts. For the best chocolates, go to Läderach. Cafe Schober in the old town has arguably the best hot chocolate (for 10chf) and my favourite thing to get for breakfast has to be the chocolate croissant (Schoggigipfel) from Buchmann Bäckerei (underground in the main train station or basement of Jelmoli mall).
Get out:
InterlakenThe adventure capital of Switzerland, this little town in the Alps between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz offers much for everyone. For those looking for the adrenaline rush, why not try canyoning, rafting, paragliding, skydiving, kayaking, paddle boarding and more? You should most certainly go up some mountains such as Schilthorn (the James Bond mountain) and visit Lauterbrunnen and the unique glacial Trümmelbach Falls.
Syazwani Baumgartner, Traveled to 105 countries and counting
EUROPEEvery traveller's dream destination. Although everyone has a different list of favourites, here are some of the picks that I feel capture the best essence of Europe.
Florence Italy City
Florence is the marriage of romance and art. It houses many masterpieces of architecture. Visit the place and indulge in the art and music scene of the destination and be one with Italy. Do try the cuisine here as Italian cuisine is considered one of the finest ones. There are lots of nightclubs and pubs that can be enjoyed in the destination and hence makes it the picture-perfect destination. Treat your soul to its sparkling beauty and you'll be proud of planning this trip.
This place is mainly known for it's preserved medieval architecture. A compact city in Switzerland, it sits amid snow-capped mountains on Lake Lucerne. Lucerne is considered as the gateway to central Switzerland. Thanks to it's attractions, souvenirs, beautiful lakeside settlement and nearby excursion mountains, the town is a destination for many travel groups and individuals on their journey through central Switzerland.
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Salzburg is an Austrian city on the border of Germany, with views of the Eastern Alps. The rich history, musical roots, magnificent architecture and vibrant culture is what that makes Salzburg one of the top travel destinations in the world. The word Salzburg means "salt castle", referring to its massive fortress and the white gold that is derived from the mountains in the South. The city was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997.
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Barcelona, the cosmopolitan capital of Spain's Catalonia region, is known for its art and architecture. It is one of the best places to witness the decadent culture. One of the most beautiful seaside towns, Barcelona inspires imagination and that artist in you. The city is a major cultural center with remarkable history. For a visitor, the main attraction tends to be in the city center, particularly around the Ramblas.
Vienna, Austria's capital, lies in the country's east on the Danube River. Its artistic and intellectual legacy was shaped by residents including Mozart, Beethoven and Sigmund Freud. It is defined as the center for 3 C's - culture, coffee and classical music. Dotted with museums, palaces and churches, the city has proved itself as an ideal example of brilliant architecture. A wine tasting tour in Vienna is a must.
London, the capital of England and the United Kingdom, is a 21st-century city with history stretching back to Roman times. Ranging from literary, bohemian, classic, sports to music - London has all, thanks to its cosmopolitan self. The city has always represented itself as the center of power, European culture, literature and some of the renowned architectural marvels. Topping the list of any tourism in the world, the city is always a coveted destination for those who are interested in its arts, culture, literature and history.
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Paris, France's capital, is a major European city and a global center for art, fashion, gastronomy and culture. Known as the 'city of lights', this place never sleeps. Millions of visitors flock to the French capital every year to enjoy the culture and the buzz. It's the perfect place for a romantic break, for those who enjoy a good meal with a great bottle of wine, for art and museum lovers, history buffs and shopaholics.
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Rome, Italy's capital, is a sprawling, cosmopolitan city with nearly 3,000 years of globally influential art, architecture and culture on display. Rome is a place which will never fail to amaze you. The history of Rome spans fascinating two and a half thousand years and has left an imprint on many a modern day culture. The iconic sight of the Colosseum, and the Vatican Museums are among the world's 50 most visited tourist attractions.
Prague Czech Republic
Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic, is a magical city stuffed with amazing architecture, museums and art and intellectual pursuits. Considered as one among the cheapest cities to travel in Europe, it offers great panorama for photography enthusiasts. It's a historic town and a perfect destination for weekend break. People who visit Prague compare it to Paris in terms of beauty and culture.
Amsterdam is the Netherlands' capital, known for its artistic heritage, elaborate canal system and narrow houses. Amsterdam tourism is more than just magnificent architecture, the destination has the perfect recipe for fun. Although the city is easy to navigate both by foot or public transport, cycling is key to the city's character as there are numerous bike paths. The city is famed for its neat, clean and organized cycle paths as it is one of the best ways to travel round the city.
Budapest! It offers you the culinary delights that Paris offers, it offers you the night life that Berlin offers, it offers you the cultural experience that Vienna offers, it offers you history lessons that Rome offers. All these without burning a hole in your pocket!
It is a city that has a soul of its own and you fall in love with Budapest. The amazing thing is that, Budapest unlike Paris, Berlin, London Rome, etc. loves you back and loves everyone equally.
Food and drinks!The food is delicious ranging from chicken paprikash to beef goulash, from quince cheese to dobos cake, and you have to give it to the Hungarians for carbonating vodka to give us bubbly vodka and having the thought to prepare palinkas from pears and cherries instead of just regular jam.
Budapest has clubs that no other European city has; the ruin clubs. Any other city would have razed abandoned world war era buildings to make way for malls. Budapest uses them as clubs and bars that are brimming with people every night. In a ruin club, Thursday is the new Friday.
History and culture!For a city that was established a millennium ago, It has everything to offer a history buff from oppressing monarchies to revolutions, from Nazi invasion to communism. Budapest offers you a rich cultural experience through all the museums, galleries and opera houses.
So, what is/are your best city/cities in Europe?
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