Reading Time: 5 minutes The Best Countries to Visit During a European Holiday Season
This is a contributed post by Ellie Jo on Travel.
Europe is one of the most popular travel destinations in the world. Whether you are looking for a romantic getaway, an adventure with friends, or to experience new cultures and cuisines, Europe has something for everyone. However, some countries offer more than others during this time of year. Our list of the best countries to visit during a European holiday season!
Spain
If you love the sun and beautiful beaches, then be sure to visit Spain. With an average of 320 sunny days a year and warm temperatures, this is the perfect destination for those who want to escape the cold winter weather. Barcelona is one of Europe’s most popular cities. Barcelona offers some fantastic sights such as Gaudi’s iconic church Sagrada Familia and Park Guell. On the other hand, the Costa Del Sol is considered one of Spain’s premier beach destinations. Costa Del Sol is complete with luxurious resorts, yacht marinas, unspoiled countryside, and excellent golf courses.
France
France offers many amazing things to do and discover year-round, but it’s the most popular northern region during winter. The French Alps is one of Europe’s top ski destinations accommodating over 600 resorts for skiing, snowboarding, and much more. The area has something for everyone with various landscapes, from pretty villages surrounded by stunning mountains to charming cities offering culture and art or picturesque towns. In addition, you can indulge in shopping, fine food, and wine-tasting tours accessible via high-speed TGV train lines. If winter sports aren’t your thing, take advantage of the milder weather in Provence, the sunniest place in France. There you can explore lavender fields or spend time relaxing on white sandy beaches.
Italy
There’s no better way to experience Italy than by visiting Rome and experiencing its ancient sites and impressive architecture. The city is packed with things to do and see. For example the Colosseum, Pantheon, Vatican City, and Trevi Fountain, all of which hold history within them. For those who love nature, you can visit Positano on the Amalfi Coast, which offers beautiful views of the Mediterranean Sea. Florence is a must-visit for art lovers. In Florence you will find works from Michelangelo, Botticelli, and Da Vinci at the Uffizi Gallery. The cities of Venice and Milan offer a more modern take on Italian culture, with their trendy boutiques and bars serving up a fantastic foodie scene.
Scotland
Scotland is the perfect place to visit if you love history, whisky, or both. Edinburgh is home to historic castles and picturesque lochs that are sure to take your breath away. You can also find some of the most famous whiskies in the world here at distilleries such as The Glenlivet, which offers tours and tastings. These Scottish holiday destinations are also an excellent spot for shopping. This is thanks to its iconic buildings designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh. There’s plenty to do outside these cities with many amazing things to see and experience. Examples include the Isle of Skye, which offers mountainous landscapes, rocky coastlines, and endless caves.
Sweden
Also consider Sweden. Sweden is an excellent place to visit during the winter. Sweden offers a lot of fun activities such as ice skating or going on a husky safari. Northern Sweden has plenty of things to do outside, with various places offering activities that range from skiing and boarding, cycling through forests and bike trails with bikes for 300 lb man , dog-sledding tours, wildlife watching, glacier walking, and much more. The country itself is known for being one of Europe’s safest, so you can relax knowing that you will be well-taken care of too.
Denmark
Denmark is a beautiful place to visit all year round. But winter is perhaps the best time as there are plenty of fun things to do, such as visiting the city of Aarhus and exploring its trendy shops and boutiques and lively bars and cafes. In addition, you can head to The Aquarium, which features 50 displays filled with turtles, sharks, tropical fish, and much more Additionally, Copenhagen offers a world-class shopping experience at its famous Stroget street and excellent restaurants serving traditional Danish cuisine.
The Netherlands
The Netherlands is a great place to visit for culture and art lovers. You can see stunning masterpieces from Rembrandt at the Rijksmuseum Amsterdam or the Van Gogh Museum, depicting van Gogh’s paintings. In addition, there are plenty of things to explore for those who love nature. Examples include its coastline, where you will find amazing beaches, lakes, dunes, and even islands that you can enjoy by boat or bike! There are also quaint cities that offer charming architecture. Ghent is one of them and Utrecht, which has a unique canal system.
Belgium
Belgium is a great place to visit all year round thanks to its mild climate. If you can travel during the colder months, it’s worth doing so as there will be a more fantastic selection of things to do. For example, see how chocolate is made at one of Belgium’s many chocolate factories or take a tour of Bruges, which offers stunning architecture and medieval history. Meanwhile, Brussels is home to fantastic museums such as The Comic Strip Centre, which houses artwork from comic book characters from Tintin and Thorgal. The city itself has plenty of bars and restaurants where you can try out traditional Belgian cuisine too!
Germany
Germany is a great place to visit all year round thanks to its mild climate. Home to some of Europe’s most famous cities, such as Berlin, with its iconic architecture and fascinating history, Munich offers a range of museums filled with fantastic artwork and culture. Frankfurt for shopping fanatics is a must-see destination. When you’re not busy sightseeing, why not relax at one of the many spas. Or take a boat trip on one of Germany’s magnificent lakes. Germany also has various festivals throughout the year, so this is the destination for you if you love celebrations!
There are so many beautiful places to visit in Europe, and each one has its own unique personality and style. Of course, the best time to travel depends on what you want to see and do, but the winter months tend to be cheaper, quieter, and warmer, which means that there will be fewer crowds!
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Erin is the mother of identical twin girls and their slightly older brother. She is a domestic engineer, and previously had a career leading customer service teams for a major HVAC company. Cleaning without harsh chemicals, and cooking easy and usually healthy meals are part of Erin's daily life. She volunteers with youth leaders, and genuinely wants to help others win. Erin has a degree in Communications, with a focus on Broadcast Journalism.