Things to Do in Europe

Located on Crete’s northern coast and framed by a backdrop of looming mountains, the history port city of Chania is one of the island’s most picturesque destinations. Chania’s Old Town is its greatest draw, with its labyrinth of cobblestone lanes, scenic seafront promenade, and beautifully preserved Venetian, Turkish, and Jewish quarters. 

The best way to explore Chania Old Town is on foot; take a guided walking tour to admire the historic architecture and immerse yourself in local life. For a more personalized experience, opt for a small-group or private tour. Or, combine a sightseeing excursion with a food and wine tasting tour, and sample Mediterranean specialties such as mezedes (appetizers) and raki (a traditional drink). 

Chania is located on Crete’s northern coast, just west of Heraklion. A ferry runs daily between Chania and the Piraeus port in Athens. You can also travel by plane and arrive at Chania International Airport, located nine miles from the city center. 

Summer is the most popular time to visit, and the city can get crowded during this time. Visiting during low season means fewer crowds and the possibility of cheaper prices, but many attractions and restaurants close during the winter months. 

Bars and restaurants line the waterfront alongside attractions such as the bubble-shaped Mosque of Hassan Pasha and the Venetian Great Arsenal with its brightly painted replica Minoan boat, built for the Athens Olympics in 2004. The district is surrounded by remnants of old Venetian fortifications, and a maze of narrow streets stretch inland from the Venetian harbour, filled with handicraft shops, cafés, and historic holy sites such as the striking Etz Hayyim Synagogue. Nearby, 1821 Square (Platia 1821) is the main hub of Chania Old Town, home to the Greek Orthodox chapel of St Nicholas (Agios Nikolaos), as well as a number of bars and restaurants that spring to life in the evening hours. 

Ever wanted to see bottlenose dolphins feed and play in the wild? Chanonry Point is just the spot. A narrow peninsula in Scotland’s Moray Firth, dolphins can be spotted here throughout the year. In summer though, you’ll often see dolphins come right up to the shore as they chase the salmon that come and go in the rivers Ness and Beauly. 

 

The best spot for dolphin spotting at Chanonry Point is on the pebble beach behind the lighthouse, or at the path near the car park entrance. Try to come around incoming tide, which is an hour or two after low tide. Why? This is when the dolphins love to fish and play in the strong currents. While you’re here, keep a look out for porpoises and grey seals too. And between May and October, you may even see Minke whales. 

 

You can also take boat trips out on the water from Cromarty and Avoch, just along the coast. In nearby North Kessock, between June and September, the Dolphin and Seal Centre is another great place to look out for dolphins. 

As the biggest and busiest airport in France and one of Europe’s most important international transport hubs, Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) is visited by just about every traveler to Paris. 

Passengers flying into or out of Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport have a number of different transport options available, but pre-booking an arrival or departure transfer ensures a hassle-free start or end to your trip. Transfers are available by private vehicle or shared shuttle, linking the airport to central Paris hotels, Disneyland Paris, and Orly (ORY) International Airport.

Charles de Gaulle is located in Roissy, about 16 miles (25 kilometers) northeast of Paris, and is connected to the capital by the RER B train and the Roissybus. The fastest way to get into Paris is the RER train, which takes about 30 minutes, while taxis or private transfers can take up to an hour in busy periods.

Flights run from Charles de Gaulle daily at most hours of the day and night, and passengers are recommended to arrive at least two to three hours before their flight departure, depending on their destination. Be sure to leave extra time if flying during busy times, when lines for check-in, security, and passport control can take over an hour, or if flying from Terminal 2 which, as the largest terminal, can take extra time to navigate. 

The ceremony begins with the New Guard marching from Wellington Barracks to Buckingham Palace with a marching band, while the mounted Horse Guards Parade leaves from the Hyde Park barracks and crosses The Mall to St. James' Place. The official guard change then takes place in the palace forecourt. Some London walking tours include a timed stop at the palace to see the event, while other tours combine a viewing with a visit to the Tower of London or a whirl on the London Eye.

The procession begins at Wellington Barracks and continues on to Buckingham Palace in central London. The nearest tube stations are St. James Park, Green Park, and Victoria.

To get a good view, it's best to arrive early—as early as 9:30am for a good view in the summer months. Some tours are timed specifically for the ceremony, guaranteeing the best viewpoints and insight from an expert tour guide. Note that the ceremony may be canceled in bad weather.

Travelers can pair the show with stops at Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, and Windsor Castle, or even with afternoon tea, a classic London experience. The nearby Tower of London also has an entertaining guards tour that complements Buckingham's Changing of the Guard ceremony.

Home to the best-selling champagne in France, the Champagnerie Mercier ranks as one of Champagne’s most popular champagne houses and the iconic family brand has been producing quality bubbly since 1858. The historic cellars in Epernay opened their doors in 1869 and tours now offer visitors the chance to not only sample the legendary champagne but to learn about the years of tradition and innovation that have shaped the champagne making process.

Descending via a panoramic lift and stepping on board a mini train, visitors explore the labyrinth of 47 tunnels that house the champagne cellars, an impressive 18-kilometers of chalk caves burrowing 30-meters beneath the ground and embellished with artwork by sculptor Gustave Navlet. Additional highlights of a visit include viewing the Mercier Cask, the world's largest wine cask, and of course, visiting the tasting room, where guests can sample various champagne blends and vintages, available to purchase at the on-site shop.

Originally built in 1635, Château d'Auvers-Sur-Oise is the gorgeous castle where Vincent Van Gogh famously spent the last 70 days of life. Consequently, the site now features a fascinating exhibit dedicated to Impressionism and works to immerse visitors in 19th-century Parisian life.

At the time of construction, the château featured a splendid Louis XIII facade, along with lavish Tivoli-inspired gardens with numerous fountains and orangeries. While the façade still exists today, the rest of the castle was significantly renovated in 1662 to make it inherently French and considerably larger, with two new pavilions. Nowadays, the castle is entirely dedicated to impressionists and features exciting highlights, including holograms of household painters like Renoir and Monet, an interpretation center with interactive terminals and even a simulated steam train whizzing through Haussmann-era Paris.

Revered by Catholics as the site of several visions of the Virgin Mary in 1830, Paris' Chapel of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal is an important place of prayer and pilgrimage for Catholics from all over the world. The church was consecrated as the Chapel of the Daughters of Charity on Aug. 6, 1815, and then dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

In 1830, a woman named Zoe joined the convent and soon changed her name to Catherine. Shortly after joining, she claimed to have seen the Virgin Mary seated in a chair by the altar steps. A few months later, the Virgin Mary was said to have appeared near a painting of St Joseph to show Catherine the design for what would become the Miraculous Medal. The medal was eventually made and sold throughout the world and is said to have brought protection, cures and other miracles to those who have worn it. 

Opened in spring 2016, Chaplin’s World in Corsier-Sur-Vevey, Switzerland, is the first museum dedicated to the life of actor Charlie Chaplin. Set in a neoclassical mansion where Chaplin lived for some 25 years, the museum features many of the home’s original furnishings, as well as family photographs, personal belongings, mementos and more than 30 wax figures of individuals who crossed paths with Chaplin or who were inspired by his work.

Chaplin’s World also includes a separate, Hollywood-style studio where visitors can immerse themselves in the world of silent film and try out the art of pantomime. The studio also includes recreated sets from some of Chaplin’s most famous movies. The surrounding park is also open to the public and offers panoramic views of Lake Geneva and the Swiss Alps.

The oldest covered bridge in Europe, Chapel Bridge (Kapellbrucke) has spanned the river Reuss in Lucerne since the Middle Ages. Decorated with paintings along the interior, it is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Switzerland.

 

Measuring 670 feet (204 meters), Chapel Bridge was first constructed around 1367 as part of Lucerne’s fortified city walls. At one end sits an octagonal stone tower used at times as a dungeon and a treasury vault, and at the other, St. Peter’s Chapel, for which the bridge is named. As one of the city’s most famous landmarks, it’s a stopping point on many guided tours of Lucerne.

 

A fire in 1993 severely damaged the bridge, and many of the more than 100 17th-century painted panels were destroyed—25 were saved. Since then, the bridge has been fully restored and paintings that were in storage were brought out to replace those damaged. Some burned panels remain as a reminder of the fire.

 

 

Chapel Bridge is located in the center of Lucerne on the Reuss river. The city’s main railway station is a short walk away, and the bridge is accessible on foot and as part of a walking tour of the city.

 

A public thoroughfare, the bridge is open 24 hours a day year-round. The bridge is popular with tourists and can get very busy in the summer months.

 

Carved into a rock face above a small pond in Lucerne city center, the Lion Monument is a memorial and must-visit for many tourists coming to Lucerne. Created in the 1820s, the statue of a dying lion is dedicated to members of the Swiss Guard at the French royal court who were murdered during the French Revolution.

Soaring dramatically over Annecy’s intact Old Town and set atop a rocky promontory, the medieval castle is a fine display of Savoyard defensive architecture as it was the princely residence of the Counts of Geneva between the 13th and 17th centuries; it was later on abandoned and served a military barracks until the end of World War II. Imagine yourself as a brave 14th century knight and try to identify the primitive keep, the gates, and the cellar rooms. Like many other fortresses elsewhere in Europe, the castle was considerably extended and given several upgrades throughout the centuries, both in terms of style and defensive purposes. The furniture, artworks, and accessories nowadays found inside the otherwise bare yet fascinating exhibition area are testament to these changes, and perfectly complemented by sections on contemporary Savoyard art and Lake Annecy’s eventful history.

Perhaps one of France’s most breathtaking castles, this beautiful grey stone structure appears to be floating on the placid waters of the Indre River. Built between 1518 and 1527, Chateau d’Azay le Rideau was once considered the premier example of French renaissance architecture. In 1905 it became a designated historical monument and later, the castle was included in the Loire Valley UNESCO World Heritage site. 

After taking in the impressive exterior, travelers can explore the rich interior, which is comprised of old-world drawing rooms, apartments, a kitchen and bedrooms decorated in 19th-century style. In addition to being a stunning example of French architecture and history, Chateau d’Azay le Rideau is also home to a large collection of artwork.

Tucked behind the façade of the former Venetian church of St Francis, Chania’s Archaeological Museum can be visited as part of an electric Trikke tour of its charming Old Town. Displays cover the periods from Neolithic and Minoan to late Roman times, and exhibit treasures found during excavations around the town and across western Crete.

The collections are elegantly displayed under the soaring vaulted ceiling of the church’s nave and include models of ships, clay seals, battered Classical statuary and a bust of Emperor Hadrian. Highlights are a bird-shaped Minoan drinking vessel dating from 3000-2300 BC; gold discs from a Neolithic burial site, thought to be from the 9th century BC; an almost-complete mosaic of Dionysos and Ariadne, which was uncovered during building work in Chania and dates from the 3rd century AD; and a charming clutch of carved animals. The Mitsotakis Collection, donated to the museum in 2000, is also on display and encompasses Minoan pottery and jewelry.

The Turkish Fountain in the courtyard outside the museum originally stood in Eleftherios Venizelos Square down by Chania’s Venetian harbour.

Forming a grand walkway between Prague Old Town, and the Lesser Town and Castle District, the 15th-century Charles Bridge (Karluv Most) is one of the city’s most striking landmarks. The magnificent Gothic bridge features 16 stone arches, two watchtowers, and 30 blackened baroque statues depicting various saints.

Most Prague tours make a stop at the Charles Bridge; although it’s easy to visit independently, tour guides will provide detailed explanations about the statues, which each has its own story. If you’re still craving more information, visit the Charles Bridge Museum on the east bank. Prague river cruises depart from the foot of the Charles Bridge on both sides of the river. 

The Charles Bridge links the Old Town and Lesser Town over the Vltava River; it’s about a 10-minute walk from Old Town Square or a 15-minute walk from Wenceslas Square. The closest metro station is Staroměstská (Line A) on the east bank of the river, but numerous trams also run along the riverside and stop near the bridge. 

It’s almost impossible to avoid the crowds along the Charles Bridge, especially in peak season (July and August), so your best bet is to visit early in the morning or late in the evening. If you’re hoping to capture a dramatic photograph of the bridge, arrive around sunrise, when the lighting is perfect and the views tend to be crowd-free. 

The Charles Bridge is ideally situated near Prague’s UNESCO-listed historic center. Start your walking tour in the Old Town, where you can watch the hourly display of the Astronomical Clock, stroll around the historic Jewish Quarter, and admire the Tyn Cathedral. Then cross the Charles Bridge into the Lesser Town and stop at the John Lennon Wall before climbing Castle Hill to visit St. Vitus Cathedral and take in the views from Prague Castle.

Built in the 17th century, the vast star-shaped Charles Fort was designed to guard Kinsale Harbour. The site of fierce fighting during the 1690 Williamite War, Charles Fort was ceded by the British during the War of Independence in 1921, only to be extensively damaged during the Irish Civil War. The fort is now a designated National Monument.

 

Though much of the site is in ruins, Charles Fort has been partially restored and is still a fascinating place to explore. Visit the exhibition center, housed in the former commander's quarters, where displays illuminate the history of the site. Then, wander around the exterior walls, admiring the views overlooking the harbor, town, and the River Brandon.

 

The fort can be explored independently, as part of a guided hourlong tour, or as a part of various day tours, which typically leave from Cork city and combine a visit to Kinsale with other west County Cork highlights, such as Timoleague Abbey and the scenic coastline of the Old Head of Kinsale.

 

 

Charles Fort is just southeast of Kinsale, about a 30-minute drive south of Cork. The most scenic way to get here from Kinsale is along the Scilly Walk, a picturesque coastal route signposted from Kinsale town. Local Link Cork bus service 253 also connects Kinsale to Charles Fort.

 

The fort is open year-round, though some facilities, such as the tearoom, have limited opening hours outside the summer months. As much of the fort is exposed and its views are a big part of the site's appeal, it's best to visit on a clear, dry day if possible.

 

Just across the harbor from Charles Fort sits another star-shaped fort, James Fort. Built between 1602 and 1607, James Fort was also tasked with guarding Kinsale Harbor and it saw much action during the Williamite War. Though it's less impressive and has undergone less restoration than Charles Fort, James Fort is nevertheless a fascinating site, and offers excellent views of Charles Fort across the water.

Looking at the stately red brick mansion of Chartwell, with its gabled roofs and vast gardens overlooking a swimming lake, it’s easy to imagine it as the residence of someone important, and few British politicians are as revered as Sir Winston Churchill. The legendary Prime Minister lived at the country estate with his family from 1924 until his death and today its interiors have been preserved in his honor. 

As well as strolling through the immaculate rose garden, learning about the estate’s history at the Visitor Centre or stopping for tea at the onsite café, visitors can admire the house’s lavish décor, explore Churchill’s studio, where more than 100 of his paintings are on display, and peek at Churchill’s personal belongings and books. 

With its somber neoclassical façade framed by rows of white rose bushes and capped with a striking green dome, the Chapelle Expiatoire has a timeless elegance befitting its origins. The little-visited landmark is one of Paris’ most significant chapels – built in 1826 to mark the location of the former Madeleine Cemetery, where King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette were originally buried after their untimely executions during the French Revolution. 

The iconic royals are now buried at the Saint Denis Basilica, but the chapel stands as a poignant reminder of the victims of the French Revolution, commissioned by King Louis XVIII to honor his brother and sister-in-law. The work of architect Pierre-Léonard Fontaine, the Chapelle Expiatoire is renowned for its unique architecture and elaborate interiors, which include white marble sculptures of the King and Queen, and an exquisite altar that marks the exact site of Louis XVI’s burial.

To experience the majesty of Germany’s Hohenzollern Dynasty, visit Berlin’s Charlottenburg Palace (Schloss Charlottenburg). Built in the 17th century as a royal summer residence, the palace combines rococo and baroque decor and architecture, while the grounds feature a formal garden modeled after the Gardens of Versailles, a belvedere building showcasing German porcelain, a theater, and a mausoleum of royal marble tombs. Aside from palace tours, the site’s evening concerts are the main draw.

The palace interior offers an extravaganza of opulence—in the Old Palace, you’ll find the Oak Gallery, King Friedrich I’s bedchamber, the royal apartments of Queen Louise, the Oval Hall, and the Porcelain Cabinet, while the New Wing (Neuer Flugel), added by Friederich the Great, features the Golden Gallery (Goldene Galerie) ballroom and the Silver Vault’s collection of tableware. The Charlottenburg Palace Park is also open to the public and famous for its tree-lined gardens, the Belvedere tea house with its extensive porcelain collection, and the neoclassical mausoleum, housing Queen Louise.

Various palace sites require various fees, but all-encompassing palace tickets are available. The palace is seen from afar on most Berlin city sightseeing tours, but you can get a closer look by purchasing tickets to explore the interior independently or visiting the Grosse Orangery for an evening concert featuring classical performances from the Berlin Residence Orchestra (Berliner Residenz Orchester) dressed in baroque costumes. Book a concert with a 3-course dinner for the full experience, and opt for VIP tickets to receive a glass of sparkling wine at intermission.

Charlottenburg Palace is in inner-city west Berlin. From Alexanderplatz, take the S5 or S7 on the S-Bahn rail system to Zoologischer Garten, then switch to the U12 and get off at Sophie-Charlotte-Platz, the closest public transit stop. From there, it is a 15-minute walk to the palace.

The palace is open 10am to 5pm November through March and until 6pm April through October; it is closed on Mondays. During the holidays, the palace houses a Christmas market with stalls offering arts, crafts, and traditional sweets. Winter also brings special holiday concerts for Christmas, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day. The outdoor gardens make an excellent place to stroll and picnic during summer.

Charles Square is a city square located in the New Town of Prague. It was created by Charles IV in 1348 when the New Town was first built, and was the largest town square across medieval Europe. At approximately 70,000 square-meters, even today it’s one of the largest city squares in the world, and certainly the largest in Prague.

Formerly known as Cattle Market, the square was named after its founder in the 18th century, around the same time its central section was turned into a park. This park covers most of the square and is a popular place for locals and visitors to come and relax. It features seven sculptures and a Baroque fountain. 

Among the oldest buildings on the square are the New Town Hall and the 16th century Faust House. Other notable buildings include the Baroque Jesuit Church of Saint Ignatius and the neo-Renaissance Czech Technical University building.