Which Western European country to pick?

Are you sitting at home in desperate need of a vacation? but no idea where you want to go? Fear not. I will walk you through 5 different European countries and why each of them is worth a visit. Not just because of their capitals, which is where most of us end up going when we do a quick get away from home for a long weekend… But because of what it has to offer its tourists.

France

France is a magnificent country of fables and history.  France is famous for their luxurious tasty cuisine and delicious wine that has inspired many to gasp in satisfaction. But France is so much more. It is the country artists have been in love with since late 1800. Everyone who wanted to be anyone had to go to France. Picasso, Hemingway, Fitzgerald, Stein you name them, they’ve been there. Monet spent a lifetime perfecting impressionism in the Gardens of Givenchy, and they are still beautiful and when you visit you want to do as Monet and just take in all the exquisite beauty nature offers. It is simple, it is perfect. France is home to breathtaking nature, quaint mountain villages, bright flowering fields of lavender and sunflowers, local hospitality and cheese. There is so much to explore. Start your car and spent the summer in the countryside, by the sea or in the wine-districts. You will love it all.

Monet's Gardens

Paris

Paris

Italy

Do you love cathedrals, churches, basilisks and other extraordinary examples of ancient architecture when it was most beautiful?  Where else in Europe can you find and follow the last 4000 years of history and see how our ancestors became what we are today. Italy has been a great center of power for thousands of years, first being the center of the world in the Roman empire and later becoming the religious center for the biggest religion in the world. But not only this, Italy has contributed to Western civilization, producing some of the world’s greatest thinkers, writers, saints, and artists through time. Read Dan Brown's books and go explore Florence, Venice or Rome for a trip down an exciting piece of history. Go to Napoli and get the best Margarita in the world or visit Sicily and fall in love with the fishermen's' life. Italy is the blend of old and new mixed with great art, and a gastronomy that everyone on this planet seems to enjoy eating. What else awaits you in Italy? Italian liquor, wine, amazing coffee, and great hospitality.

Venice

Venice

Vatican

United Kingdom

Did Harry Potter inspire you to experience England too, or are you more into the Downton Abby scene? England has it all. Old castles and homes to some of the many lords or just old big houses to families that once were. Countryside England has lots of charm and authentic atmosphere. The pubs are an excellent way of meeting locals and getting the vibe of what is important to the British.  Don’t just stay in London. London is buzzing and filled with amazing sights what everyone should experience but outside is where the real England is. Visit Cambridge and be amazed at the majestic university that has educated some of the brightest people of all time. Go for high tea in the gardens in the small cities, visit the pubs and have a shepherds pie and a pint and if you want an experience out of the ordinary and spend a night at one of the grand country mansions and grim fortified castles, that has been transformed into inns and hotels. While you are here don’t miss out on the history ranging from prehistoric Stonehenge to Regency Bath, and all the way to Geordie Shore.

Cambridge

Cambridge

Watford

London

Portugal

Piercing nature and humble and friendly people makes up the coastline and small country located on the western side of mainland Europe called the Iberian peninsula. This country has so much soul and coziness. Down every lane is another cute door and down every alley an adventure just awaits.
Portuguese cuisine is diverse, and it is cheap. Two other popular fish recipes are grilled sardines and caldeirada. The wine and alcohol also come at very affordable rates. Lagos is one of the coastal cities and is famous for seafood and snails. They are somewhat of a local delicacy and a must try in the south of Portugal. Lagos is also where you find the beautiful cliff beaches where some people do cliff jumping and others just chill on one of the many secret beaches between the cliffs. One of my favorite activities to engage in, in Portugal, is looking at doors, they have the most unique and quaint looking doors. So why don’t you open a door and experience Portugal?

Lagos

Lagos

Lisboa

Spain

When you think of Spain you think of tomato festivals, running with bulls, flamenco dancers, and small, white hillside villages. Spain is considered an exotic country in Europe.
Once you travel through this country you will find that every province is an entirely new country. The people hardly understand each other when they don’t come from the same region. What they all have in common is a long history of trade, colonization, pride, and glory. This has produced amazing cathedrals, basilisks and fortresses you must visit no matter what region you choose. The inhabitants are known for their relaxed lifestyle vibrant nightlife, and world-famous folklore and festivities. Spain is the third country in the world with the most World Heritage Sites. (After Italy and China) Currently, there should be 44 so all you have to do is start planning your trip. Among many cities worth visiting are Spain's pulsating capital Madrid, the splendid coastal city of Barcelona and if you are a bit of a daredevil join the hundred of thousands guests who joins the famous "Running of the Bulls" at Pamplona.


* All photos are private and taken by me.