If you're anything like me, you're always daydreaming about that next adventure - whether it be back packing through the Peruvian Andes, scuba diving the Great Barrier Reef, or eating your way through Italy. Here are some places you need to see, in case those daydreams lead your adventuring to Europe!
The Swiss Alps
These mountains feature breathtaking views as well as plenty of outdoor adventure. City hoping can get a bit repetitive, so break up your European adventure with some time soaking in the great outdoors. Cities nestled in the Swiss Alps, like Interlaken, feature excursions like skydiving, canyoning, hiking, and hang gliding. Don't forget to stop for some fondue after a long day.
The Amalfi Coast
To be honest, all of Italy is absolutely wonderful. You could spend months exploring and enjoying this one country, with gems like the Italian Alps, the Tuscan wineries, and the historic Rome. But if you are looking for a place to relax and soak in beauty, then the Amalfi Coast is the way to go. This coast line features picturesque towns with white beaches broken up by immense cliffs and small coves. Get away to the island of Capri and take a small boat into the tiny "blue grotto," a watery cave you enter through a tiny hole in the side of a cliff, only to find electric blue waters lighting up the darkness.
Paris
Amid the great cities of Europe, Paris stands apart with a character all its own. The food is exquisite, from the macaroons at Laduree to the sweet and savory crepes served up by street venders. The culture is uniquely beautiful, from the architecture of the city, to the art of the Louvre. The people and the language both carry an elegance that leaves you utterly charmed. If you have to choose one city, I would say Paris is the way to go. For a more authentic experience, skip the hotel and rent a flat on Airbnb. And be sure you give yourself enough time to enjoy the city with leisure, lest you miss out on truly experiencing Parisian life.
Giethoorn, The Netherlands
Known as "the city with no roads," this town seems like a place come to life from a fairy tale. Nestled in a remote region of the Netherlands, northeast of Amsterdam, Giethoorn is unique village that has truly embraced the Dutch way by eliminating roads within the town in favor of a water way navigated by small boats. Visitors can rent a boat for one or two hours and explore the water way, which is lined with flowers and cottages with thatched roofs.
The Cliffs of Moher
The Cliffs of Moher is the kind of natural wonder that leaves you in awe at the beauty and power of nature. These cliffs, located on the western coast of Ireland, are the perfect place to visit for the contemplative soul. Grab a sweater and a wind breaker, and spend a couple hours hiking along the edge, listening to the crash of the waves, and looking out at the ocean. But don't get too close. Every so often a careless tourist falls off the edge.
Wherever your wanderings may take you, at the end of the day, it's not so much about the place as it is the people. Every place holds the opportunity for adventure with good friends by your side. So for all my fellow adventurous souls, here's to cheap plane tickets, breathtaking adventure, and most importantly forever friends to laugh with you through it all.
