Over the last few years, I’ve spent a lot of time in Italy and France- and I loved every second of it. The beauty of Europe is barely able to put in words. If you’re planning a trip to Europe, I definitely recommend these cities. If you’re not planning a trip, you should! It is truly life-changing and you’d be surprised how often European references come up in everyday life.

1. Paris

This city speaks for itself- without a doubt, if you’re traveling to Europe, you need to visit Paris. The Parisian life is contagious, with the people and the atmosphere. The beautiful buildings will make you feel like you’re in a movie the entire time and the cafes are exactly how they seem. The Louvre, the Eiffel Tower, and the River Seine are all amazing to visit. I recommend a boat cruise along the River Seine, it has the best view of the Eiffel Tower by far.

2. Florence

This city is a personal favorite of mine. The city feel, yet keeping the Italian vibes preserves the city’s beautiful uniqueness. The view of the Ponte Vecchio and the Duomo give the city a personality. The food is fantastic and hearing the beautiful Italian language in passing makes Florence even more amazing. The streets are filled with people and shopping is a must.

3. Nice

The beauty of this city is undescribable. The purely blue oceans and the rock beaches make for picture perfect days. The incredible view of the French coast while parasailing (highly recommended) is seared into my brain forever. The weather is nearly always perfect (for those who enjoy hot summer days). Definitely invest in a private beach club for the day, you’re going to want to avoid lying and walking on the large rocks.

4. Cannes

Famous for their film festival, the city of Cannes is right out of a movie scene. The city is filled with shops and great places to eat. The view from the beach is beautiful and the weather is just as perfect as Nice’s. The water is not as pure blue, though, since the beaches are sand- but that’s a plus in itself because you don’t have to walk on the huge rocks.

5. Venice

The famous city of Venice lives up to the talk. The city’s awesome setup in the lagoon makes it very different from any other European city. Venice keeps the jaw dropping Italian city feel and adds its own spin on it. The gelato is a must and definitely go to a glass blowing workshop- the jewelry is gorgeous and watching how it’s made is even better.