A Grand Tour of European cities

Do you want to see the grandest cities in Europe but don't have much time? Based on the map of the Euro 2020 football championship, we propose a tour of eleven European cities that are no further apart than three hours by plane. But, of course, you can take environmentally friendly routes by train too!

Fresh air, walks and outside activities are all the theme for this year. Walking along the Southbank will give you the most wonderful views of the river and historic buildings of London, as well as a long line of fabulous eateries and bars to stop when your legs have had enough. Pass by museums, skate parks, studios, and, of course, live street entertainment as you get a real feel for London life and people.

Image: David Henderson / Unsplash

If the weather is good, a cheap and impressive destination is Hyde Park. The largest of the four royal parks, it's the best in London. Among the gems inside are the must-see Serpentine and The Long Water lakes.

Although there are hundreds and hundreds of things to do in London, we're going to stick to the traditional Borough Market. The city's most important food market is an enclave with history, tradition, and a taste of yesteryear that has retained its 20th-century charm.

Are you in for a little magic in London? Besides the obvious landmarks like Tower Bridge and Big Ben, there's a curious place called 'The Making of Harry Potter.' You can visit the studios where the eight films of the saga were shot. With authentic sets, original objects, and special effects for all audiences, it's not a bad idea to change the magic of London for the magic of cinema.

When visiting Munich for the first time, the first place to see is the city's main square, Marienplatz. Without leaving the square, you can also see the Old Town Hall, St. Mary's Column, and the Fischbrunnen Fountain.

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Amongst other gems, there is the spectacular Gothic building of the New Town Hall (Neues Rathaus) where every day, on three occasions, the 'Cooper Dance' is performed. Brightly dressed dancers jig along to music whilst swinging huge bits of trees around. Very entertaining.

In one of the most important urban parks in the world, you can witness everything from classical to modern architecture. In the Englischer Garten you can enjoy more than 80 km (50 miles) of walking, jogging, and cycling. You also get a spectacular view of the city from the Monopteros and can even go surfing in the 'wave' zone in the Eisbach River.

Bring the day's sightseeing to a close at the beautiful church of Saint Peter, the oldest in the city. Apart from its obvious charm, the most impressive thing about it is its tower, which you can reach after climbing the 300 steps that you will remember climbing the day after! But it's worth it for the panoramic view of the city.

While you're in the capital of Italy, you can't miss the Colosseum, located in the heart of its historic center. The Roman amphitheater is undoubtedly the symbol of the city and the largest in the world, with a capacity of 50,000 people; at least, before the pandemic.

Not far from the Colosseum you have the Piazza Navona, one of the most spectacular squares you can visit in the world. As well as seeing the three fountains: Dei Quattro Fiumi, Del Nettuno, and Del Moro, take the opportunity to have an artisan gelato that will completely change your opinion of any other ice cream you have ever tasted. Ask for the price beforehand, to avoid shock.

Obviously, when in Rome, you must visit the Vatican. The smallest country in the world is beyond belief: the historical, cultural, and architectural value means it is one of the most visited places in Rome and in the world. Curiously, despite being in Italy, the Vatican Guard only admits Swiss candidates who are Catholic and under oath of fidelity to the Pope. A tradition that will be five centuries old in 2027.

Well, one must, at some point, take a break from tourism. So save some time to buy some clothes in one of the world's fashion capitals. In this city, you have two options: either the Via del Corso (affordable brands such as Zara or Mango) or the Via Condotti (exclusive brands such as Gucci, Armani, or Versace).

Explore one of the most beautiful and welcoming cities in Europe. Stop off for a bit longer in the Jordaan district, Amsterdam's most bohemian, lively and fun neighborhood. There, you'll find all kinds of shops, street performances, and a real urban good vibe.

And, of course, you can't mention Amsterdam without talking about tulips and flowers (the cliché is real!). You can visit the Bloemen-market, the most famous flower market in the city.

Image: Alice Dietrich / Unsplash

Perhaps you are still not sure about where to stay? Why don't you try looking for a place on one of Amsterdam's houseboats? You get a real sense of Amsterdam life and it will truly be a visit to remember. If you prefer to sleep on dry land, by all means, do so; but be sure to visit the House Boat Museum at some point.

Once again we find ourselves in an unmissable Old Town. Meandering pedestrian streets, mixed with areas that hold a touch of magic and an atmosphere that brings a smile to your face for no apparent reason. In a normal era, coronavirus aside, there is always movement, life, music, and places to have a cool drink. The heart of the city.

Not too far from the Old Town, yet still within reach of the sounds of the hustle and bustle of pedestrians, you'll find the beautiful Victoriei Avenue, Revolution Square, and University Square. You'll be amazed by the strange combination of luxurious and eye-catching buildings juxtaposed against the older blocks.

If you see any church in Bucharest - and you will see many - don't be put off by their exposed brick and humble appearance. Take a closer look, because it may just surprise you. Two of the most spectacular are the Orthodox churches of Stavropoleos and Sfantul Anton.

Simply a recommendation: save the Cismigiu Gardens for last. Why? Because you won't see anything more beautiful in the city and this will be the last memory you will take away with you. A fairytale park where you can lose yourself in its seas of flowers, clocks, and nature. No park will ever look the same after a stroll through the Cismigiu Gardens.

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Built in the 17th century, the Nyhavn or New Harbor is the entrance where merchants came to the city by sea. Sailors (and the brothels they visited) dominated it for decades, but today it is a tourist site like few others. It is said that this harbor inspired Hans Christian Andersen in many of his fairy tales.

Obviously, it is unforgivable to leave Copenhagen without visiting The Little Mermaid. Created by the sculptor Edvard Eriksen at the beginning of the 20th century, it is surprising to many that the sculpture is only one meter (3'2 ft) tall, as it looks bigger in photos. Its location, on a rock next to the harbor, is perfect. When you've had your photo taken, take a few more at the Kastellet Fortress or the Gefion Fountain.

To finish in Copenhagen, please be sure to visit the free city of Christiania. A self-governing city considered independent from Denmark. Its history dates back to 1971 when parents took over the site for their children to play. Gradually it evolved from a place of leisure to a place that broke with the country. Today, about a thousand people live in Christiania. If you go, try some vegetarian food.

When visiting Seville in summer, beware of the heat. In fact, if you have a flexible schedule, try and visit this beautiful city in Spring or Fall. However, in any case, go see it! It's one of the most beautiful cities in Spain and - arguably - in Europe.

In Seville, you will see the Real Alcázar, a majestic palace in which numerous architectural styles are combined in tremendous harmony. A place to visit without haste, savor every corner, and take hundreds of photos.

Romantics say that couples who enter the Plaza de España are setting their wedding date when they leave. The Plaza is, undoubtedly, one of the most romantic, idyllic, and beautiful places in Seville. Built almost a century ago to house the Spanish pavilion at the 1929 Ibero-American Exhibition, it is still the best place to declare your love to someone.

And once the date of the wedding is set, it doesn't hurt to look at Seville Cathedral as a possible site for the ceremony. It is the third largest temple in the world and one of the largest Gothic cathedrals on the planet. There are five interior naves, each one more beautiful than the last, with an endless combination of decorative and architectural design.

If you get to Glasgow, visit George Square in the heart of the city. This square honors King George III and is home to architecture, sculpture, history, cafes, greenery, and, incidentally, Glasgow's famous City Hall, a world-recognized architectural landmark.

From George Square, we move on to Glasgow Cathedral, located on a hill in the East End district. It is easily one of the city's most famous tourist landmarks. This Gothic cathedral was built between the 12th and 13th centuries and is absolutely overwhelming. Admission is free and its stained glass windows and crypt will leave you speechless.

Finally, you can visit the Necropolis. This small but majestic Victorian cemetery is also on top of the hill, very close to the Cathedral. Around 3,500 tombs, each one more spectacular than the next, will give you a silent welcome and show you the best panoramic views of Glasgow.

When in Budapest, don't miss a visit to the Parliament building. Far from the seriousness it may seem, it is a wonderful building of expensive dimensions which stretch further than you can imagine. In fact, it is the largest building in Hungary and the second largest parliament in the world. It was completed way back in 1902.

If you want a bit of history, the memorial Shoes on the banks of the Danube make for a perfect to stop and take pause. They are a monument in honor of the Jews who lost their lives in Hungary during World War II. The shoes commemorate the cruel way in which their lives were taken. It is estimated that 20,000 Jews died between December 1944 and January 1945.

There is no better way to say goodbye to Budapest than a simple walk across the Chain Bridge. The city's most recognisable bridge, it is the first bridge to link Buda and Pest, making it a symbol of the city's unity. Its construction was supported financially by Count Esteban Széchenyi, who paid for it out of his own pocket after having to wait a week to cross to attend his father's funeral because the Danube was frozen.

Yes, Azerbaijan is within three hours of (at least some part of) Europe, and thus you could include it in your Grand Tour. The city has a beautiful old town. We're talking about narrow streets that intertwine in a labyrinthine-like maze.

The best thing to do in Baku? Let yourself get carried away, enjoy everything you see, and appreciate some of the structures dating back to the 12th century. You can also visit the UNESCO site of the Palace of Shaki Khans.

And from the historic area of Baku, we move on to an incredible example of contemporary architecture, the Heydar Aliyev Centre. Designed by architect Zaha Hadid, this space will leave you gaping in awe, both inside and out. And when you've finished your visit, you can grab a bite to eat in the spectacular park that surrounds the centre. Nothing like a picnic next to the Heydar Aliyev Centre. A photo that will definitely get you the likes on Instagram!

If you have time, make sure you rent a car and drive an hour southwest of Baku. There you'll find the spectacular Gobustan National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Cave art, petroglyphs, and paintings date back to the 12th century BC. And while you're there, just a few miles away, you'll find the largest area of mud volcanoes in the world: 16,000 square kilometers (6,200 square miles) with more than 300 volcanoes.

At the moment, it is not considered safe for non-Russian tourists to visit the country due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine and its subsequent diplomatic and economic conflicts with many other countries. Before the war, we would easily refer to St Petersburg as a must-see. It's a city with a little more than three centuries of history and a 'European' feel to it.

The Hermitage in St Petersburg is one of the best museums in the world. Part of the museum is housed in the Winter Palace, the former residence of the tsars. You could set aside at least three hours to see this must-see art gallery in its entirety. It is extensive and pretty impressive. When not going to Russia, you can take an online tour as well.

St. Isaac's Cathedral, officially known as St. Isaac of Dalmatia, would also be a must-see in case you go to Russia. It took 40 years to build (from 1818 to 1858) and has one of the largest domes in the world. In 1931 it was converted into a museum and it has astonished visitors ever since.