As international travel restrictions continue to be lifted, next year promises to bring plenty of opportunities for adventure. Despite the ever-changing nature of travel over recent years, the desire to be immersed in different cultures, landscapes, and experiences is more prominent than ever before. Here are five of the top European destinations to visit with your group in 2023!
Lisbon, Portugal
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Lisbon is the capital and largest city of Portugal with a population of approximately 550,000 with 3 million living in its metropolitan area. With original settlements dating as far back as the 8th century B.C., Lisbon and Portugal underwent Roman and Muslim rule before Portugal finally emerged as an independent state in the 17th century. Modern Lisbon is a delightful combination of newer 20th-century buildings and older architectural styles dating back to its imperial heyday dominated by white stucco walls and red-tiled roofs with many cobblestone streets still in existence.
Things To Do:
- Lisbon City Tour – Explore the city where you will encounter famous landmarks and attractions such as the Belém Tower, an intriguing structure originally built as a fortress to guard the entrance to Lisbon’s harbor, the Jerónimos Monastery, a fabulous example of the Manueline style and one of Lisbon’s most impressive landmarks, the Memorial to the Discoveries, the National Coach Museum, and more!
- Évora & Azeitão – Visit the beautiful town of Évora, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore the old town’s center. Admire the Roman Temple, the Bones Chapel, the Évora University and the Évora Market, all of them within Évora’s medieval walls.
- São Jorge Castle – Visit the São Jorge Castle, a Moorish-style fortress with wonderful views overlooking the city, the ruins of the Gothic Carmo Convent mostly destroyed by the 1755 earthquake or the Ajuda Palace, a magnificent neo-classical structure built for the royal family who never occupied it due to their exile to Brazil after the Napoleonic invasions.
Barcelona, Spain
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Barcelona is the historic and exciting capital of Catalonia province and Spain‟s most cosmopolitan city. Located on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea adjacent to the Costa Brava’s many miles of beaches, Barcelona consists of several intriguing areas of interest, each with its own personality and characteristics.
Things To Do:
- Barcelona City Tour – View some of the city’s most important sites, including Montjuic Mountain’s Olympic facilities from the 1992 summer games. Continue on to Barri Gotic in the city’s center for a walking tour of the main sights including the Cathedral and Placa del Rei. Explore the La Rambla pedestrian boulevard where you will find shops, restaurants, and cafés.
- “Modernista” Tour – Visit Antoni Gaudi’s fabulous La Sagrada Familia and many other Modernista landmarks designed by the renowned architect, including the sprawling Park Guell, Casa Batlló, Casa Mila and several incongruous structures on the city block known as La Manzana de la Discordia.
- Barcelona Beaches – Take a swim or relax at one of Barcelona’s many famous beaches such as Blanes Beach, Calella Beach, or Costa Del Maresme.
Amsterdam, Netherlands
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Holland’s history blends a fascinating tale of commerce and culture. The nation was a wealthy and powerful seafaring and trading empire in its 17th century heyday. This was complemented by its great artistic heritage featuring such famous names as Rembrandt and Van Gogh. Modern Holland has 16 million people and is still an influential and economically significant player on the world stage.
Things To Do:
- Canal Cruise – Enjoy a Boat Tour of Amsterdam’s canals starting from the Centraal Station where you will radiate out past many of the city’s engaging attractions and charming neighborhoods.
- Anne Frank House – Visit Amsterdam’s most compelling attraction, the Anne Frank House, home of the young Jewish girl who kept the famous diary during World War II while she and her family were hidden from the Germans.
- Kinderdijk Windmills – Travel to one of the most famous Dutch tourist sites, the Kinderdijk Windmills, dating back to the 18th century and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997. This collection of 19 windmills is the largest concentration of old windmills in the Netherlands.
Rome, Italy
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The Roman Empire was one of the most important economic, political and cultural forces in the history of western civilization. Rome is known as the “Eternal City” for its timeless character transcending all historical periods dating back to the city’s founding, possibly as far back as 753 BC. Larger-than-life landmarks from pre-Christian times stand side-by-side with more recent edifices that are “only” a few centuries old and modern 20th-century buildings alike. In short, Rome is one of the most compelling destinations anywhere in the world for the traveler looking for an unparalleled historical and culturally enriching experience.
Things To Do:
- Colosseum – Visit the Roman Colosseum, one of the world’s most iconic and recognizable ancient buildings. Walk among the remains of this amphitheater which was originally completed in 80 AD as a site for fights between gladiators and other public events.
- Palatine Hill & Roman Forum – Not far from the Colosseum, you can explore Palatine Hill, the most famous of Rome’s “Seven Hills” and site of the earliest Roman settlements. From here you can take in great views of the Roman Forum, a plaza that was the center of Roman public life for centuries, and Nero’s Circus Maximus, where a Roman chariot racing stadium once stood.
- Vatican Museums – Tour the Vatican, the world’s smallest country, with a visit to the Vatican Museums, among the world’s greatest art museums and home to the largest art collection in Europe with over 65,000 masterpieces.
Paris, France
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Paris is one of the world’s greatest cities and perhaps the most cosmopolitan and elegant world capital. French civilization is often thought of as defining the very concept of western culture. With an unending number of fascinating and beautiful sights to see, your stay in Paris will surely be one of the most-treasured experiences of your lifetime !
Things To Do:
- Eiffel Tower – Visit the Eiffel Tower, one of the most-visited monuments in the world. Built in 1889 for the World’s Fair, it rises to a height of 1050 ft.
- Arc de Triomphe – Stop by the Arc de Triomphe, commissioned by Napoleon in 1806 to honor French military victories. From the top of the Arch, you can admire each of the twelve avenues that lead to the monument.
- Louvre Art Museum – Tour the Louvre Art Museum, perhaps the world’s greatest museum. The unending displays of works of breathtaking beauty and magnificence will astound you. The world’s most famous painting, Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa, resides here among works by some of the world’s most renowned artists – da Vinci, Raphael, Titian, El Greco, Velazquez, Rembrandt, Rubens, De la Croix, and many others.
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