Things to Do in Europe

Known as the longest river in France, the Loire winds past epic medieval castles, breathtaking French countryside and vast vineyards famous for their sparkling whites and bold reds. Travelers who float down this scenic stretch (which was officially recognized by UNESCO in 2000) will find diverse wildlife, temperate climates and a wide variety of plant and tree species along the idyllic shores. 

The river loops through 12 departments of France and streams past quiet towns and lively cities, making it an ideal route for visitors looking to explore the Loire Valley. History lovers architectural buffs will find more than 1,000 chateaux sprinkled along the river’s edge and nature enthusiasts can comb through the Foret d’Orleans, largest forest in France, which sits at the center of the Loire region. 

As huge as Loch Ness is, its vast size is not the reason for its global fame, nor is it the magnificent surrounding scenery. The real reason visitors flock to this Scottish body of water is to spot the elusive Loch Ness Monster. Rumors about Nessie have flown since an Irish monk first caught sight of something unusual swimming around the lake’s inky waters back in the seventh century. Today. travelers still cruise around the loch in hopes of catching sight of the mysterious aquatic monster.

Loch Ness is most often visited during day trips from Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Aberdeen that incorporate other Highlands attractions such as Urquhart Castle, Stirling Castle, Caledonian Canal, Glencoe, Rannoch Moor, Cairngorms National Park, and even Ben Nevis, Britain’s highest mountain. Shorter half-day trips, which typically include boat tours on the lake, typically depart from Inverness, while cruise-ship passengers can take shore excursions from Invergordon. Motorized boat trips are the most common way for visitors to scour Nessie’s lair, though it’s also possible to paddle a canoe or kayak out on the loch, or even take a self-guided cycling trip.

 

 

Loch Ness stretches between Inverness and Fort Augustus, and is one of many such lakes located along the Great Glen. Tours from Inverness, Edinburgh, and Glasgow typically include round-trip transportation to cruise departure points such as Clansman Harbour, Dochgarroch, and Tomnahurich Bridge.  

Boat trips around Loch Ness run year-round, though they are weather-dependent. During summer, the main A82 thoroughfare between Fort William and Inverness sees a lot of traffic and sightseeing cruises often sell out, so be sure to buy tickets in advance.

 

For the best chances of glimpsing the fabled Loch Ness Monster, choose a boat that is fitted with special onboard sonar systems to ensure Nessie doesn’t swim by unnoticed. If you are worried the sound of a motor may disturb Nessie, opt for a canoe or kayak tour instead. And if you’d rather stay away from the water altogether, the high lakeside perch where the ruins of Urquhart Castle lie makes for a great viewing spot, with uninterrupted lake panoramas.

Using projections and special effects, this immersive exhibition focuses on the ecology of Loch Ness and the mysterious monster that supposedly swims its waters. Curious visitors find out about the lake habitat and the likelihood of a monster surviving here, as well as learning about previous monster hunts, research missions, and hoaxes. 

The Loch Ness Centre and Exhibition is spread across seven themed areas, each offering high-tech multimedia presentations focusing on Scotland’s most storied loch. Visitors can review the evidence regarding Nessie’s existence with exhibits that help separate fact from fiction. Organized tours from Inverness often combine a visit to the Loch Ness Centre and Exhibition with a cruise on the lake itself, and—on some tours—a trip to the ruins of Urquhart Castle, an atmospheric medieval fortress set on the banks of Loch Ness.  

The Loch Ness Centre and Exhibition is located in Drumnadrochit, 14.5 miles (23 kilometers) south of Inverness. Public transport (bus lines 17,19, 119, and 919) connect Inverness to Drumnadrochit, but departures can be infrequent at times. The easiest way for car-free travelers to go is by organized tour. 

The center is open year-round, and is at its quietest first thing in the morning and at last entry. For visitors who want to combine a trip to the center with a cruise on Loch Ness, note that some operators only offer boat cruises between Easter and October. 

At the center, visitors can learn all about the important Nessie sightings and research expeditions that have taken place over the years. Among the most famous monster hunt expeditions was that involving the tiny Machan submarine in the 1970s (the submarine is on show here at the center) and Operation Deepscan in 1987, which utilized cutting-edge sonar equipment to trawl the vast loch. 

Lobkowicz Palace, built in the mid-16th century for Czech nobleman Jaroslav of Pernštejn, is the only privately owned building in the sprawling Prague Castle complex. The aristocratic Lobkowicz family took over the palace through a dynastic marriage in 1603, eventually lost it under the communist rule of the Czech Republic following World War II, and regained control only recently, in 2002.

A masterpiece of Baroque architecture, Lobkowicz Palace, which stands next to the Royal Palace, houses the Lobkowicz family’s private art collection, the largest in the Czech Republic and one of the finest in the city. The highlights, which are displayed in 22 ornate apartments, include works by Pieter Brueghel the Elder, Cranach, Velázquez, Canaletto, and Rubens. The collection also includes one of Central Europe’s finest libraries of rare books and a musical archive that includes scores by Mozart, Beethoven, and Gluck. Suits of medieval armor compete for attention with remarkable 16th-century lutes and early 18th-century silver trumpets, as well as a superb cache of 17th-century porcelain and decorative arts.  

Your options for visiting Lobkowicz Palace run the gamut from audio tours that provide an overview of the site’s history to private guided tours that offer the flexibility to customize the focus on whatever you’re most interested in seeing. 

 

Lobkowicz Palace is located next to the Institute of Noblewomen in the Rosenberg Palace. There are several tram stops nearby, including Kralovsky letohradek, Prazsky hrad, and Pohorelec, as well as the Malostranska and Hradcanska Metro stations.

 

Lobkowicz Palace is open every day from morning through early evening. Summer brings very large numbers of tourists to Prague; in spring, the weather is pleasant and things are generally less crowded. 

The palace is known for its classical concerts, held every day at 1pm beneath the ornate 17th-century painted fresco in the elegant Baroque Concert Hall. The hall only holds 100 people, so book in advance. You can buy a combination ticket for the museum and concert, or book a tour that includes both.

Descending via rope ladder from the Laxardalshraun lava field, the first that hits you upon entering Lofthellir cave is the temperature, which plummets to around 0°C, but the freezing microclimate and enveloping darkness only add to the experience.  Formed over 3,500 years ago from solidified lava, Lofthellir has earned a reputation as one of Iceland’s most famous caves, home to the country’s most impressive collection of natural ice formations. 

The lava tube stretches for 370 meters and visitors can explore the honeycomb of underground chambers by torchlight, sliding down the icy slopes and scrabbling through ice columns. The thrilling climb is all part of the adventure but the undeniable highlight is the magnificent scenery – glittering walls of ice, frozen stalactites and stalagmites, and gigantic ice sculptures carved out over thousands of years.

Llandudno is the largest seaside resort town in Wales. The town continues to embrace its Victorian and Edwardian elegance along with its modern day characteristics. There are two beaches, the North Shore and the West Shore, where you can enjoy swimming, sunbathing, and other water activities. The Victorian Llandudno Pier, with its gorgeous sea views, is lined with retro stores, arcades, Punch and Judy stalls, shops selling traditional Welsh gifts, and ice cream shops.

The Great Orme, an impressive coastal landmark with nature reserve status, sits more than 650 feet above the sea. You can reach the summit on foot or by using the tramway. Visitors can also explore Conwy Castle, which was built for King Edward I at the end of the 13th century and is full of medieval history. If you're interested in more history, the Llandudno Museum delves into the heritage of the town and its evolution from an industrial town to a popular beach resort. There's also a zoo, a theater, a golf course, nature reserves, and plenty of hotels and restaurants. 

At first glance, Llandaff looks like any other Welsh village, with its gabled brick houses, cluster of shops and traditional pubs, but visit after dark and the tranquil suburb transforms into an eerie medieval township, where ancient ghosts and Celtic spirits lurk around every corner.  

Llandaff has long been famous for its Cathedral, one of Britain’s oldest Christian sites, which dates back to as early as the 6th century, but more recently the village has become notorious as the setting for Cardiff’s award-winning ghost walks. Infamous as one of Wales’ most haunted locations, brave visitors touring Llandaff can discover the legends of the mysterious White Lady who haunts the nearby woods, a faceless ghost that stalks locals and ominous sightings in the cathedral cemetery. Tours are held at night by torchlight, so prepare to be scared. 

Perhaps you may be familiar with Lladró and its porcelain figurines. The fragile pieces typically depict people, and especially women, who are often pensive or frozen in artistic motion. The internationally famous works of art originate from the Valencian suburb of Tavernes Blanques, and have been handmade there since the business got started by the Lladró family in 1953.

While their beauty alone might be enough to satisfy your curiosity, you can also learn more about their history at the Lladró Museum. There, you can explore many facets of the brand’s past as you view a chronological display of noteworthy pieces that are no longer being made. A portion of the museum also consists of a private collection of paintings that is considered one of the most notable in Spain. The pieces span different artistic eras, and are the work of a variety of artists, ranging from El Greco to Zurburán and Valencia-native Sorolla. 

Probably the highlight of a trip to the Lladró Museum, however, is a visit to the factory, where you can gain new appreciation for the intricate handiwork that goes into each figurine. Observing the artisans work on real projects — whether creating molds, painting faces, or piecing everything together — will bring new meaning and value to the impressive finished product.

Straddling both the Scottish Highlands and the Lowlands, this island-studded loch boasts the largest surface area of any of Scotland’s lakes. It’s also one of its most famous, thanks in no small part to a well-known Scottish folk song that speaks of its “bonnie banks.” The lake’s mirror-clear waters reflect the crags and peaks that rear up around it, most notably the 3,195-foot (974-meter) Ben Lomond on its eastern shore, whose summit offers views of both Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park.

 

Loch Lomond is commonly visited on day tours from Glasgow, Edinburgh, and the cruise port of Greenock, with many tours and day trips also stopping in nearby destinations such as Oban, Inveraray, Loch Ness, Loch Awe, Stirling Castle, and the William Wallace Monument. While you can drive, walk, or cycle around the loch’s shores, it’s most rewarding to go out on the water itself. Rent kayaks or canoes, or book tickets on a cruise from Tarbet to see the wild scenery of the north shores of the loch. 

With its southern tip just 25 miles (40 kilometers) northwest of Glasgow, Loch Lomond is an easily accessible wilderness. The main access points are Balloch on the south shore and Luss on the west shore. From Glasgow Queen Street, ScotRail runs a direct, 50-minute train service to Balloch and another route to Arrochar and Tarbet, about a 15-minute walk from Tarbet. Driving to Balloch takes just 35 minutes from Glasgow and about 90 minutes from Edinburgh. Tour typically include round-trip transport from Glasgow and Edinburgh.

 

Loch Lomond has year-round appeal. Spring is wildflower season, autumn brings fantastic fall foliage, and winter promises snow-dusted mountain vistas. Despite seeing the most visitors, summer is probably the best option weather-wise. The vast size of the lake and the national park means the area rarely feels crowded.

 

Loch Lomond features more than 30 islands. Among the largest of them is Inchmurrin, home to the ruins of the 14th-century Lennox Castle. North of Inchmurrin is Inchcailloch, an easily accessible island with a 13th-century church and several attractive woodland walking trails.

In a corner square of Florence, Loggia dei Lanzi is an open-air museum containing some of the world’s greatest works of art. Known most for its collection of Renaissance art statues, which many consider to be masterpieces, it contains works such as Cellini’s Perseus, Giambologna’s Rape of the Sabine Women, and an ancient Roman statue of Menelaus that used to be part of the Ponte Vecchio.

Originally intended to be a space for public ceremonies, construction on the area began in 1376. It was designed in a late Gothic style, a predecessor to the emerging Renaissance style. It is named for the Swiss personal guards (‘lanzi’) of emperor Cosimo I, who were once encamped here.

The loggia opens to the street under three wide arches, seamlessly integrating with the rest of the city. The arches are supported by Corinthian capital, creating a canopy over the sculptures. It remains completely free and open to the public. 

Discover a symbol of Liverpool and gain insight into the city’s history with a visit to the National Heritage-listed Liverpool Cathedral. As the largest religious building in Britain, the Anglican cathedral boasts neo-Gothic architecture, distinctive artwork, and a 328-feet (100-meter) tower that provides sweeping views across River Mersey.

 

To fully appreciate Giles Gilbert Scott’s famous design, visitors can opt to ascend the bell tower for panoramic vistas or simply explore the peaceful interior, looking out for installations by notable artists, including Tracey Emin. If you’re tight for time, some tours offer a city overview package that includes the cathedral along with other top attractions. For brave souls, other tours offer after-hours insight into some of the city’s spookiest spots, including the cathedral graveyard.

 

 

Liverpool Cathedral is just under a mile (1.3 kilometers) from Liverpool Lime Street. The walk from the city center is about 30 minutes. Bus routes 82 and 86 serve the cathedral, taking around 15 minutes from Liverpool One Bus Station. Some tours offer hop-on hop-off bus services, stopping near the cathedral.

 

The cathedral is an active place of worship, and therefore visitor access is restricted during services. Interested members of the public are welcome to join the congregation for the service; otherwise, it’s best to avoid Sunday morning visits.

 

Liverpool Cathedral’s architect, Giles Gilbert Scott, also designed the UK’s famous red telephone boxes, as well as London’s Battersea Power Station, among other notable landmarks. His work mixed modernism with Gothic features and created well-known structures out of otherwise functional buildings, all of which are still well worth a visit.

Just 600 meters (1 kilometer) from Dubrovnik, the car-free island of Lokrum makes a peaceful escape from the city. At its center is a medieval Benedictine monastery complex that’s surrounded by botanical gardens planted with exotic trees, flowers, and bushes. Picturesque swimming spots abound on the island’s rocky shoreline.

Just 10 minutes by boat from Dubrovnik, Lokrum Island is an easy day trip from Croatia’s Adriatic Coast. While some visitors take the ferry from Dubrovnik’s Old Harbour and explore the island independently, others go as part of guided tours. Sea kayaking and snorkeling tours often circle the island, as do jet-skiing tours. Yacht and speedboat cruises departing from Dubrovnik will often sail around the island’s scenic shoreline. 

April through November, ferries depart regularly from Dubrovnik’s Old Harbour and dock at Portoc Bay in Lokrum. The journey takes 10 to 15 minutes. It’s also possible to get to the island by private charter boats or by kayak.

Lokrum Island is accessible from April through November, weather-permitting. July is the driest and sunniest month, making it an excellent time to visit. Lokrum tends to be more humid in the afternoon than in the morning, so plan more strenuous activities, such as hiking, for earlier in the day. 

A designated nature reserve, Lokrum features many tree-shaded walking paths. One highlight of the island is the star-shaped Fort Royal, which was constructed by the French in the early 19th century. Today the fort offers wonderful views of Dubrovnik and the town of Cavtat to the south. And be sure to check out the Dead Sea, a salt lake with calm, sheltered waters suitable for children and less-confident swimmers. 

Often nicknamed the Glory Crater, the 80-meter wide and 30-meter deep Lochnagar Crater was created by a mine detonation executed by the 179th Tunneling Company Royal Engineers on the first day of the now-infamous Battle of the Somme at precisely 7:28 a.m. The mine itself consisted of 27 tons of explosives and was planted by Welsh miners in a secret tunnel between the English/French and German fronts in La Boisselle. The men had to work in a discreet yet highly effective manner, using bayonets with spliced handles for silence and working barefoot on a floor covered with sandbags. Spoil was passed hand-by-hand in sandbags and stored along the side of the tunnel. It would eventually be used to tamp the charge during the detonation. The men excavated the passageway at a rate of about 46 centimeters per day, eventually reaching 1,017 feet (310 meters) long, 2.5 feet (0.75 meters) wide and 4.5 feet (1.4 meters) high—unbeknownst to the German troops.

The crater has been preserved as a memorial ever since the end of the war, with a special service held at 7:28 a.m. on the first of every July, kick-starting the yearly Battle of the Somme commemorations. Visitors should know that Lochnagar Crater is the only remaining war-era crater that is open to the public and that the crater was named after Lochnagar Street, the trench from which the gallery was originally driven. 

Lobos Island (Wolf Island) is named after the “sea wolves” (monk seals) that used to live here. Now a protected nature reserve, the small, rocky island is home to wildlife—from birds to sharks—beaches, hiking paths, a visitor center, and, at the northern tip, the lonely Punta Martiño Lighthouse.

Located a short boat ride from Fuerteventura, Lobos Island is a popular day trip destination for Canary Islands visitors. Prebook round-trip ferry tickets or a water taxi and spend the day exploring the island independently, or opt for a guided experience. 

Catamarans, yachts, or glass-bottomed boat cruises often include an onboard meal; some anchor offshore at Concha Beach so participants can snorkel, swim, fish, kayak, and try stand-up paddleboarding. Longer cruises combine a trip to Lobos Island with a visit to Lanzarote, Fuerteventura’s northern neighbor.

Lobos Island is just 1 mile (2 kilometers) north of Fuerteventura. Ferries depart from Corralejo on the north coast of Fuerteventura several times a day. Water taxis also depart from Corralejo. The journey typically takes around 15 minutes. 

Boats depart for Lobos Island year-round. Between November and May, the weather—though fine for hiking—can be variable and  too cold for sunbathing at times. July and August are the warmest and busiest months; even then, though, Lobos Island remains peaceful and uncrowded. 

Hiking is one of Lobos Island’s main draws. There are several paths—all have signs indicating the listed attractions. For a short walk, take a 10-minute stroll from the wharf to La Concha Beach (Playa de la Caldera). If you want to go farther, follow the path north toward the lighthouse; look out for the Caldera Mountain (Montaña de la Caldera), which, at more than 394 feet (120 meters), is the tallest point on the island.

Lochranza Castle is a medieval castle on the Isle of Arran in southwestern Scotland. It sits on a narrow strip of land that juts out into Loch Ranza, and even though it is in ruins, it is still a fascinating castle to visit. Originally the castle was an old hall house built in the 1200s, but in the late 1500s it was incorporated into a newer tower house. The older castle had its main entrance one level up from the ground level. It was accessed by wooden stairs that could be removed if the castle was under attack. When the castle was rebuilt, the entrance was moved to the ground level. 

Lochranza Castle was most likely owned by the MacSween family at one time, though ownership changed around the time of its reconstruction. When the tower house was built, the tower stood five stories tall. Today it is possible to access the ground level at the north and south ends of the castle as well as parts of the upper level.

Though often confused with its grandiose neighbor Tower Bridge, London Bridge is, in reality, more functional than fancy. It does, however, have a long history, with its first iteration having been erected by the Romans way back in AD 50. No visible trace remains of the original bridge, nor of the handful of structures that replaced it, including the one that became the subject of that famous nursery rhyme. Though the current 1970s-built concrete version is not quite as eye-catching, the views it offers of Tower Bridge are hard to top.

Many visitors to the British capital see the bridge during London tours, whether on a guided evening cycling excursion, a cruise down the River Thames, or while traveling via hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus. Some travelers also traverse the famous bridge on a walking tour or on their way to the London Bridge Experience and the London Tombs. The London Bridge Experience, situated within the still-standing vaults of the old 19th-century bridge, brings visitors on an interactive tour through time, with costumed actors enacting episodes from the bridge’s two-millennia-long history, while the London Tombs takes travelers to a former plague pit to relive some gruesome incidents from centuries past.

London Bridge is well-connected. Take the tube to Monument station (via the District or Circle line) at the north end of the bridge or to London Bridge station (via the Northern or Jubilee line) at the south end. London Bridge also serves as a rail station, with routes running across greater London and beyond.

 

Avoid visiting during the morning and evening rush hours, when commuting city workers crowd the sidewalks. Mid-mornings and mid-afternoons are quieter.

 

Perhaps the most famous story associated with this icon is one of mistaken identity. In the 1960s, the rapidly deteriorating 1831-built London Bridge was purchased for a tidy sum by American businessman Robert P. McCulloch, who—according to rumor—believed he had purchased the much more magnificent Tower Bridge. Either way, McCulloch had the last laugh, relocating the 19th-century bridge to Arizona’s Lake Havasu, where it’s now a major tourist draw.

The Livorno cruise port, a busy shipping terminal set on the Tuscan coast, serves as a gateway to this famous Italian region and its capital city of Florence. With few attractions of its own, the port city of Livorno is primarily a jumping-off point to explore the Tuscan cities and countryside.

Travelers docking at the Livorno cruise port generally head out on full-day shore excursions that include transportation and guided tours of some of the most famous cities in Tuscany, including the Renaissance capital of Florence, home to the Uffizi Gallery and Michelangelo’s David; Pisa and its famous Leaning Tower; and the small medieval towns of Siena and San Gimignano. Other popular excursions explore the Chianti wine region and the picturesque hilltop villages in the Tuscan countryside.

Large cruise ships moor at a busy shipping dock, so travelers are not permitted to walk around the area. Shore excursion tours generally include port pickup and dropoff, but shuttle buses are also available to take visitors from the port of Livorno to Piazza Grande in the city center. From here, you can grab a taxi or take a five-minute ride on bus No. 1 to the train station and then head to Florence and Pisa. 

 

Most of the largest cruise lines stop at the Livorno cruise port. Italian is the most widely spoken language, though English is also understood in Florence and other large Tuscan cities. The local currency is the euro.