London, UK
London is mercurial and endlessly fascinating. You could spend a lifetime getting to know it, then realize the city has gone and changed again. Stretching back from the mighty River Thames, its lush parks and historic districts are crammed with extraordinary sights – from royal palaces and towering cathedrals to remarkable museums and galleries. Add some of the world’s top theaters, restaurants, sports venues and shops, and you’ll be very reluctant to leave.
Travelers who want to dive deeper into London will be rewarded by exploring its varied and characterful neighborhoods, taking in the cool clubs of Shoreditch or the picturesque streets of Notting Hill. With more time, tack on a day trip to explore nature in the New Forest, admire the Roman ruins of Bath, or soak up the creativity of Brighton.
Venice, Italy
A bright winter’s day, with crisp sunshine and far fewer tourists around, is the perfect time to lap up Venice‘s unique and magical atmosphere. Ditch your map and wander the shadowy back lanes of Dorsoduro while imagining secret assignations and whispered conspiracies at every turn. Then visit two of Venice’s top galleries, the Gallerie dell’Accademia and the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, which house works by many giants of Italian and European art.In recent years, Venice has struggled under the pressures of mass tourism, and visitors should brush up on how to be mindful while traveling in this gorgeous but fragile city. A new entry fee for day-trippers may inspire people to stay longer, which is one way to get a deeper understanding of this incredible city
Prague, Czechia
The capital of Czechia (formerly Czech Republic), Prague is one of Europe’s most alluring and dynamic cities. For all its modern verve, some parts of town have hardly changed since medieval times. Cobbled cul-de-sacs twist and turn, framed by teetering townhouses, baroque buildings and graceful bridges.
If castles are your thing, Prague has an absolute beauty: a 1000-year-old fortress covering around 7 hectares (17 acres) – the world’s largest ancient castle complex. The Old Town is where you’ll find many of the city’s quintessential attractions, but you’ll be rewarded for exploring other intriguing neighborhoods – which also happen to be where you’ll find many of the city’s best restaurants
Berlin, Germany
Nearly 35 years since the fall of the Berlin Wall, it’s hard to believe that this most cosmopolitan of cities once marked one of the key frontiers in the Cold War. But reminders of Berlin‘s divided past remain. Whether you’re passing the Brandenburg Gate, gazing at graffiti-covered sections of the old Berlin Wall at East Side Gallery or studying the exhibits at the DDR Museum, it’s an essential part of understanding the forces that have shaped Germany’s capital. From the past to the future – be sure to soak up the city’s amazing modern touches, like its iconic club culture, unique independent shops and cool neighborhoods.
Rome, Italy
From the crumbling Colosseum to the ancient Forum and the timeless Via Appia Antica, few sights are more evocative than the ruins of ancient Rome. Two thousand years ago, this city was the center of the greatest empire of the ancient world, where gladiators battled and emperors lived in unimaginable luxury. Nowadays, its ancient sites have a haunting mystery; as you walk the cobbled paths, you can almost sense the ghosts in the air.
But don’t miss the city’s contemporary side. Shop for hip handbags or handmade jewelry in Rome’s coolest independent boutiques. Rub shoulders with locals over aperitivo (pre-meal drinks) at trendy bars or check out the street art in neighborhoods such as Ostiense and San Lorenzo. In a city that’s been around for thousands of years, there are always plenty of new treasures to find.
Vienna, Austria
The monumentally graceful Hofburg palace whisks you back to the age of empires in Vienna. You can marvel at the treasury’s imperial crowns, the equine ballet of the Spanish Riding School and chandelier-lit apartments once occupied by Emperor Franz Joseph I and Empress Elisabeth. The palace, a legacy of the 640-year-long Habsburg Empire, is rivaled in grandeur only by the 1441-room Schloss Schönbrunn, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the baroque Schloss Belvedere, both set in exquisite gardens.
Budapest, Hungary
Along both sides of the romantic Danube River, with the Buda Hills to the west and the start of the Great Plain to the east, Budapest is perhaps the most beautiful city in Eastern Europe. Parks brim with attractions, the architecture is second to none, museums are filled with treasures, pleasure boats sail up and down the scenic Danube Bend, Baroque and Turkish-era thermal baths billow steam and the city’s nightlife throbs till dawn.
Lisbon, Portugal
The district of Alfama, with its labyrinthine alleyways, hidden courtyards and curving, shadow-filled lanes, is a magical place to lose all sense of direction and delve into Lisbon‘s soul. On the journey, you’ll pass breadbox-sized grocers, brilliantly tiled buildings and views of steeply pitched rooftops leading down to the glittering Tagus River. Pause at cozy taverns filled with easygoing chatter, with the scent of chargrilled sardines and the mournful rhythms of fado drifting in the breeze, and toast the city with a glass of Portugal’s famous port wine.
