Europe’s Hotspots: What to See vs. Skip
A trip to Europe can be the best time of your life, providing you with more memories than can fit into a photo album. Cruising the canals in Venice, wandering through old castles in Germany and sun bathing on the beaches in Spain are just a few of the millions of experiences Europe has to offer.
But when cursed with a tight schedule, deciding which tourist hotspots are must-sees and which ones might end up being total letdowns can be a daunting decision to make. Here is a list of just a few of Europe’s sights that can be considered tourist gold mines—and a few that may end up being complete disappointments.
SEE LIST:
St. Peter’s Basilica (Vatican City, Italy)
St. Peter’s Basilica is a must-see while in Rome. The best time to visit is in the early morning—this means before 8 a.m.! Not only does waking up early help visitors completely avoid the insanely long line that usually plagues this church during the day, it also affords visitors with the gift of seeing the morning’s first rays of light stream in through the giant windows and onto the altar.
Brandenburg Gate (Berlin, Germany)
As one of the world’s most famous landmarks, the Brandenburg Gate stands firm in Berlin as both a symbol of division and unification, oppression and freedom. The best way to approach the gate is by walking down the boulevard “Unter den Linden,” a street named after its rows of beautiful linden trees.
Eiffel Tower (Paris, France)
In the City of Light, it is next to impossible to go anywhere without catching a glimpse of this famous tower. Though Paris is a playground of beautiful buildings and historic sights, one thing not to miss is the Eiffel Tower. The Eiffel Tower is the icon of Paris, and though many Parisians may consider it to be an eye-sore, its beauty is undeniable, especially at night when it sparkles with its more than 20,000 lights.
SKIP LIST:
Leaning Tower of Pisa (Pisa, Italy)
You’ve likely seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa on TV or in photos. In this case, it might be better to keep it that way. The tower is located in an open square packed with tourists next to a cathedral that, when compared to other cathedrals in Europe, is not all that spectacular. If you’re in Italy, time would be better spent in nearby Tuscany.
Spanish Steps (Rome, Italy)
In a city that has more beauty and history to offer the traveler than the whole of the U.S., there is no time to waste, especially if on a tight schedule. The Spanish Steps can be a pretty sight. Unfortunately, tourists rarely get a chance to see that. The steps are always covered in locals chatting with their friends or tourists buying cheap knockoff handbags from vendors. Instead, why not head over to the Trevi Fountain? Did you know, throwing a coin into the fountain guarantees your return to Rome?
Stonehenge (England)
Stonehenge has a certain appeal to visitors. Maybe it’s the mystery surrounding the stones or the history of how they got there, but countless tourists make the trek every year just to walk around a path that circles the ruins. Stonehenge is located in an open field in the middle of nowhere and tourists are forbidden from approaching or touching the stones, unless of course they buy a personal guided tour. Stonehenge by itself is boring. Instead, head over to London. There is no shortage of entertainment there.
What’s your favorite place to visit in Europe?
Photo Credits: Courtesy of Nicole Pothier
