The Gen XY Lifestyle

Top Five Places To Visit In Europe

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Plan a getaway to some of Europe’s best for your coming year-end holiday.

Europe is an all-encompassing destination that is perfect for phenomenal sceneries and gastronomical indulgences. This is not forgetting the vast recreational activities and top-notch shopping sites available. So mark out your calendars and book your tickets for a trip to Europe this coming holiday! Here are some recommended places.

Santorini, Greece

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Known for its affordability, safety and lack of crowds, you can expect to find a bit of everything in Greece such as old harbour towns, archaeology, fine dining establishments and hiking. If you’re interested in sight-seeing, Santorini offers one of the most picturesque scenery in Greece.

Well loved for its cliff-hanging villages, Venetian castles and legendary sunsets, the scenery at Santorini is definitely one of its kind. One of the more popular villages to visit is Oia, which boasts numerous white-washed houses and winding steps overlooking the turquoise sea. Tourists can appreciate the unique architecture, witness a stunning sunset view and grab some wine at the plethora of bars available there.

When you’re at Santorini, be sure to drop by its beaches, especially the popular ones like Perissa, Kamari for its black sand and Red Beach for its red sand and cliffs. End your night with a romantic dinner alongside a breathtaking view on the rim of the caldera, which stands more than a thousand feet above sea level.

Florence, Italy

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When planning a trip to Europe, Florence is a must-visit for heritage-lovers with its rich history and art. Known as one of the world’s greatest artistic capitals, get in touch with your sophisticated side by visiting one of Florence’s oldest and most famous museums- the Uffizi Gallery. Bask in the heart of renaissance as you appreciate enormous Italian paintings by famous artists like Boticelli.

Drop by Florence’s famous square – Piazza della Signoria for more artwork and look out for a copy of Michelangelo’s ‘David’ sculpture. Another must-see attraction is Florence’s main cathedral at the Duomo, which dates from the late 13th century and has its interiors covered by the famous painting ‘The Last Judgement’.

Besides getting your hands on the variety of designer goods available, head over to Santa Croce for a taste of good authentic Tuscan food which includes hearty pastas and some of the best authentic gelatos.

Aberdeen, Scotland

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There’s no better way to unwind on vacation than playing a good game of golf at “The Home of Golf” itself. Scotland boasts over hundreds of golfing challenges and with a great variety of golf trails to select from, this is a place perfect for avid golfers.  The city of Aberdeen offers a variety of easily accessible golf courses like the Royal Aberdeen Golf Course at Balgownie Links and three golf courses at Hazlehead Park.

Another attraction to look out for in Aberdeen is the Malt Whisky Trail at Grampian Highlands. Tourists are allowed to witness the secrets behind the art of whisky creation and enjoy fascinating behind-the-scenes tours of its many unique distilleries which include The Balvenie Distillery and Glenfiddich Distillery.

If you’d like to catch a glimpse of Scotland’s dramatic landscape, embark on Aberdeen’s castle trail and uncover the history of kings and queens, battles and romance behind its 17 famous castles. Some of these castles include Drum Castle, Castle Fraser and Dunnottar Castle.

La Gruyère, Switzerland

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Break away from the hustle and bustle of city life with a quiet getaway to La Gruyère in the Fribourg region of Switzerland. Take a slow boat ride along one of Switzerland’s prettiest artificial lake – Lake Gruyère, or have a picnic at the Isle of Ogoz which features castle ruins and a chapel.

Known for producing one of the finest chocolates in the world, chocolate-lovers are in for a treat with a visit to La Gruyère’s famous chocolate factory – Maison Cailler (Nestlé) at the village of Broc. Discover the process of chocolate manufacturing and end off your tour with tastings of Cailler’s delicious main products.

Do not miss out on another of its culinary highlights – cheese. Being the birthplace of cheese fondue and the popular Gruyère AOP cheese, a visit to ‘La Maison du Gruyère (The House of Gruyère)’ will be quite an experience as you watch cheese makers at work. Sample authentic Gruyère AOP specialties at the restaurant, and even take home some of these unique cheese products.

Besides the stunning scenery and selection of rich foods available, complete your trip with some retail therapy from a selection of Swiss luxury watch brands like Tissot, Rolex, TAG Heuer, Hublot and Longines.

Paris, France

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Offering one of the most appealing tourist attractions in Europe is Paris. With the iconic Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame Cathedral and Musée du Louvre, Paris is a must-visit when travelling to Europe.

Known as the ‘City of Lights’, Paris got its name from its iconic 1,063-feet-tall Eiffel Tower. Plan your visit to the tower at night and watch it illuminate the city below. For a glimpse of French gothic architecture, visit the Notre Dame Cathedral which features many historical artifacts including gargoyles and its notable 17th century organ. Don’t forget to drop by one of Paris’ many art galleries as well such as the Musée du Louvre and browse its collection of over 400,000 items of art and historical objects including famous works like the Mona Lisa.

When in France, be sure to leave room for a larger appetite to savour French cuisine at its best. Select from a range of delectable croissants, fromage, macarons from Ladurée, steak frites as well as escargots and pair your meal with a classic French wine of  your choice.

 

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