The Vacation You've Been Dreaming of: 20 of the Best Destinations in Europe
Budapest, Hungary
Hungary’s capital has crept into the limelight in recent years and for good reason. You’ll find plenty of art, culture and nightlife in Budapest at a fraction of the price of big Western European cities. For a glimpse into the city’s rich history, visit Buda Castle and the various museums that surround it.
Take a river cruise down the Danube and enjoy sites like the Hungarian Parliament building or the Budapest Opera House. Shop and dine along the more modernized Pest side’s waterfront before relaxing at one of the city’s thermal baths. Spa parties are all the rave here, as are pub crawls between the city’s unique “ruin bars” located in the Jewish Quarter.
Prague, Czech Republic
A relic from the medieval age, Prague has an impressive number of landmarks for such a small city. Prague Castle dates back to the ninth century and features a sprawling complex filled with churches, galleries and palaces. Split by the Vltava River, the two sides of the city are connected by the iconic Charles Bridge, which features statues of Catholic saints.
Most of the nightlife and tourist activity happens in the historic Old Town area, where you’ll find the famed Astronomical Clock. However, as the city has a large American and British expat population, you’ll find their influence amid quirky restaurants like a James Dean-themed diner and The Beatles-themed John Lennon Pub.
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Barcelona, Spain
Enchanting Barcelona will seduce you with its Gothic architecture, seaside charm and late-night tapas scene. Famous artists such as Picasso and Miró came here and were inspired by the city, particularly the buildings created by master architect, Antoni Gaudi, which are now classified as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Art museums dedicated to the aforementioned artists can be found in Barcelona along with history museums, flower markets and theaters along its main tourist street, La Rambla. When you tire of exploring the narrow alleyways and palm tree-lined avenues, you can bask in the sun on the man-made beaches near the yacht-filled Port Olímpic.
