The Best Bits of Europe
Karen Eeuwens
When embarking on a career break or gap year, you may imagine surfing alongside beach bums in Australia, or mixing with exotic locals in Thailand. But, while these faraway destinations are hugely popular, backpackers appear to be equally drawn to Europe as a budget travel destination.
Characterized largely by its rich history and cultural diversity, Europe is a perfect starting-point for first-time travellers, especially those wishing to learn a language or teach English abroad. Here are just some of Europe’s highlights – you are sure to discover plenty of your own!
Must see towns and cities…
Europe is home to some of the most interesting and varied cities in the world. Each has its own distinct charm, so it would be impossible to choose a ‘top three’, but most seasoned travellers will have their own personal favourites. Prague is a popular budget travel destination, due to its low cost of living and wealth of attractions to suit all interests. Prague Castle is the largest medieval fortress in Europe, and a must-see for all visitors. Like something out of a fairytale, the castle looms atop a hill, glowing eerily on many a dark and snowy night. If you don’t mind the trek up to the top, Castle Square provides great views over the city and Golden Lane will take you right back to medieval times with its hodge-podge of brightly coloured miniature stores. To experience some authentic Czech culture, finish off your day with a show at the Black Light Theatre. Here, you will be told a story through mime, puppetry, modern dance and, of course, spectacular light sequences – it will be like nothing you have ever seen before!
If you visit Holland on your travels, make sure you head to Amsterdam where you will be guaranteed a fun-packed trip. The city is renowned for its smoking culture and relaxed attitude to sex. If you want to take advantage of this liberated attitude, you can order a spliff in one of the city’s many smoking cafés and while away the hours with other like-minded travellers. Another popular tourist attraction is the Sexmuseum, where you will find yourself shocked, and probably horrified, by a range of explicit showcases – not for the faint-hearted! There is more to Amsterdam than sex and drugs, though, so make sure you take the time to enjoy the canals and the fantastic Indonesian food. A visit to the Anne Frank museum is a must!
Another European gem is Barcelona. It is known as Spain’s ‘second city’ but there is nothing second-rate about it. As you’ll see for yourself when you wander through the Gothic Quarter, stumbling upon secluded courtyards and forgotten antiques, or the Ramblas, where street mimes line the pavement and artists clamour to sell you their wares. Take in a flamenco show at one of the city’s many bars, pick delicately at tapas by the waterfront, admire Gaudí’s surrealist architecture, or wander around the Parc Güell where you will feel as if you have actually entered the surrealist’s mind. Finish off with a visit to the Museu de Xocolata (Chocolate Museum), where you can view replicas of some of the city’s most famous sights made entirely out of chocolate, and enjoy a mug of what is possibly the best hot chocolate in the world!
National festivals…
Travellers in Europe will have the chance to experience a range of wild and wonderful festivals throughout the year. In Germany, July is the month of the Berlin Love Parade, which involves over a million ravers taking to the streets of Germany’s capital and dancing away a whole weekend, to the sound of pounding techno music! The tradition started in 1989, when a local DJ gathered together a hundred friends, and set up a rave to celebrate his birthday. Four months later the Berlin Wall came down and the Love Parade was adopted as a tradition to celebrate peace, love and the future. The authorities have been trying to ban the parade ever since its inception, but sponsors have kept it going for nearly 20 years. If intoxicated crowds and banging tunes are right up your street, then this is the festival for you – but it’s probably best avoided if you have to get up for work on the Monday morning!
Another German favourite is the Munich Oktoberfest, which takes place in autumn, and is attended by more people than any other festival in Europe. This jolly celebration dates back to the early 19th Century, when all the residents of Munich were invited to the fields outside the German city to celebrate a royal wedding. These days, people from all over the world come to congregate within an array of brightly decorated beer halls. Amid the music and laughter, the crowds are able to enjoy litre mugs of beer accompanied by roasted meats and other culinary delights. The festival goes on for 16 days so don’t be surprised if, by the end of it, you feel a little worse for wear!
One festival that definitely shouldn’t be missed is the Notting Hill Carnival in London. It takes place every August, and is led by members of London’s Caribbean population as a celebration of multi-cultural diversity in Britain. The street parades consist of spectacular floats and ‘mas’ (masquerade) bands, who dance through the streets to authentic Caribbean music styles, sporting outrageous – and usually highly revealing – costumes. The tradition is strongly linked to the Trinidad Carnival and, if you’re lucky enough to see the sun, you can almost imagine you’re in the Caribbean.
Archaeological sites…
As well as boasting an exciting party culture, each European country has its own unique heritage, which can be experienced first-hand by visiting a wide range of archaeological sites. One of the most famous is the Acropolis in Athens, a must-see for backpackers travelling through Greece. Situated atop a hill, known as the ‘Sacred Rock’, some of the ruins date as far back as the Neolithic period. The most important of these monuments is a marble temple, known as the Parthenon, which was dedicated to the patron goddess of Athens. Though partly destroyed in a siege during the 15th century, the monument still stands today, a striking reminder of Ancient Greek civilization.
While you are there, you might as well hop over to Italy, where the Colosseum remains one of the most spectacular legacies of Ancient Rome. It opened in 80 A.D in a ceremony lasting 100 days. This culminated in a real sea battle, in which the entire arena was filled with water! The Romans were great theatre-goers and used the Colosseum for spectacles such as chariot races and gladiator fights. Today, though falling into ruin, this impressive structure still leaves tourists awe-struck by its sheer size and beauty.
If you are spending your gap year in England don’t worry, you won’t be missing out! Britain is home to an abundance of historical sites, including Stonehenge, which dates from prehistoric times. This ancient stone circle was formed in three stages, over thousands of years, and involved more than thirty million hours of labour. Nobody knows the original function of the Stonehenge, but speculations include human sacrifice and astronomy. Stonehenge has been at the centre of many druidic ceremonies, especially during the 19th Century. Today, this incredible creation still attracts 800,000 visitors a year and remains one of Britain’s most fascinating spiritual sites.
Natural wonders…
Not only is Europe home to a wide range of historical wonders, it also boasts areas of sublime natural beauty. For those of you pining for the lovely English countryside, the English Lake District is a destination not to be missed. For hundreds of years, the Lakes have provided inspiration to countless writers and poets and, walking among the peaceful green dales and idyllic lakes, it is easy to see why. This is the perfect retreat for frazzled travellers who need to get away from it all, and anyone who enjoys the great outdoors.
Another area of spectacular beauty is the Azores Islands, off the coast of Portugal. Anyone travelling in this area should make a stop in this stunning Archipelago, which consists of nine emerald-green isles. The air is so pure here that the colours of vegetation and flowers become even more magnificent – you will feel as if you have woken up in paradise! Activities include whale-watching, diving, and sailing tours – but you may prefer to explore the volcanic craters of the islands, or just relax and enjoy being at one with nature.
For a once-in-a-lifetime experience, adventurous travellers should head to the northern tip of Norway in February, where they can behold the Northern Lights, one of the most amazing natural phenomena in the world. On clear nights, coloured lights can be seen flickering across the dark sky, like fireworks. In ancient times, children were told to hide from the lights, as it was believed that the coloured flames would reach down from the sky and cut off their heads! Many people also believed the lights to be a message from God or an omen that disaster was heading their way. These days, scientific explanations have put an end to these myths, but it doesn’t make the lights any less spectacular.
Stunning beaches…
At the end of all that sightseeing, even the most adventurous traveller will feel in need of some relaxation. Where better to do it than the Mediterranean, which boasts some of Europe’s most magnificent beaches. Egremnoi Beach, on the Greek Island of Lefkada, provides travellers with pristine white sands, crystal clear waters and a beautifully scenic location. The thousand steps down to the beach deter the huge crowds, but it’s worth the effort to get a bit of peace and quiet.
If you want to travel further afield, Sunny Beach in Bulgaria is a popular destination. The fine sand and warm waters make this an ideal beach for sunbathing and paddling, while the huge variety of sports on offer will keep more adventurous types occupied. Water sports include surfing, kayaking, water-skiing and banana boats, while the surrounding sand dunes and forests provide an ideal setting for hiking and horse riding.
Salinas Beach in Ibiza offers the best of both worlds. Lined with bars and amenities, the beach caters for a wealthier clientele and offers soft sand, clear waters and a good stretch of coastline. If you get bored of the drinking and tanning, the beach is surrounded by pine trees and situated beside a Wildlife Conservation Area, which offers some good nature trails. The beach can get crowded at peak season so is best visited during the early summer months.
As you can see, Europe has it all, from stunning scenery to fascinating history and culture. Whether you are planning to work abroad, travel independently, or simply immerse yourself in a foreign culture, Europe is the perfect place to start your adventure!
