If you’ve never been to Europe, you’re missing out on some fantastic experiences. Europe is a collection of countries packed with history, culture, and fantastic scenery, and you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to deciding where to go. Every country in Europe could cater for all possible interests without having to travel outside its borders, but some places are particularly blessed in certain regards. Here’s a quick checklist of the European hotspots and some of the cheapest places to visit in Europe.

Nightlife

If you want the best selection of bars, clubs, restaurants, and entertainments, any of the European cities will have a good range, but Spain and Portugal offer some of the premier nightlife experiences. Europeans themselves all flock to Madrid, Barcelona, and the coastal resorts like the Costa Del Sol for a party. For the highest of high-class nightlife, head over to Monaco. Monte Carlo isn’t just famous for its staging of the Formula One Grand Prix; it’s also home to Europe’s elite citizens, and thus has the facilities to match.

History

It’s hard to beat Italy and Greece when it comes to historical monuments and magnificent architecture. Rome is celebrated the world over for landmarks like the Colosseum, where gladiators did battle two thousand years ago; the Trevi fountain, and the Sistine Chapel, with its famous ceiling painted by Michelangelo. Vatican city is a fascinating country within a country, and just strolling around the streets of Rome is like wandering back through time, because there are so many historical buildings on offer to explore and experience.

Greece is more than a match for Italy, having a similarly illustrious history to Rome. The Parthenon and the Greek amphitheatres are just a few examples of the many monuments you can visit, and the Greek Islands provide even more fascinating ancient historical buildings.

Beaches

Europe has an extensive coastline, and a wide variety of shore-based activities to enjoy. If you want to go scuba diving or snorkelling, the Spanish, French, and Italian coasts in Southern Europe offer some of the best views and the warmest seas. The South of France has some of the most famous beaches for sunbathing and relaxation, although Spain would argue its beaches are just as good!

Scenery

Europe is blessed with some breathtaking scenery covering a diverse range of different landscapes. From the forests of Bavaria, the picturesque green valleys of France, and the magnificent mountain ranges of the Alps and Pyrenees, to the eerie Icelandic rock formations, untouched wilderness of Bulgaria, and the endless Russian Steppes, there’s something for everyone!

Wildlife

You could argue that wildlife is one area in which Europe disappoints compared to Asian countries. There aren’t any exotic creatures like tigers and elephants roaming around; bears and wolves in the more remote areas perhaps, but the main appeal of Europe for nature lovers is in the world of plant life and birdwatching.

Wait, There’s One More…

You may have noticed that the UK hasn’t been mentioned yet in this article, and that’s because it has something of everything! Nightlife in London and the other big cities, historic buildings and ancient monuments like Avebury and Stonehenge, extensive and varied coastline, and a little bit of everything as far as scenery and landscape are concerned. If you can’t settle on which other European countries to visit, the UK probably has the best blend of everything.

Conclusion

You could fill several shelves of books extolling the many virtues of European countries, so if your interest has been aroused, check out all the information available online to find out more about where you want to go. A European vacation may not be cheap, unless you can find a particularly good travel deal, but is well worth the expenditure.

If money is an issue and is holding you back from fulfilling your dreams, think of your European trip as an investment in your future; an experience that will enrich your life beyond measure. You don’t want to get into debt spending on your European vacation, but if you’re lacking funds or have poor credit, check out what deals are available for you, such as bad credit installment loans, or interest-free purchase cards.

If you’re feeling enthusiastic about heading over to Europe, it’s best to avoid the winter months, as many areas are severely affected by the weather. Summer will be busier, but better weather is more likely. Or you could opt for spring or autumn, and take a risk on having good weather but there were fewer tourists around. There’s a great deal to be said for heading off to Europe on vacation, so why not ring the changes and put Europe at the top of your list!