Things to Do in Europe

Raphael's Rooms (Stanze di Raffaello) are four interconnected halls inside the Vatican Museums, each decorated with sumptuous frescoes by painter Raphael (1483–1520). These High Renaissance masterpieces are second in fame and beauty only to Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel in the whole of the enormous Vatican collection.

The frescoes adorning Raphael’s Rooms were originally commissioned by Pope Julius II in the early 1500s; Pope Leo X continued the commission after Julius' death in 1513 and, when Raphael died just seven years later, artists from his studio completed the frescoes.

The Vatican Museums, home to the Raphael Rooms, are the most visited attraction in Rome, so booking a guided tour with skip-the-line access in advance is a must. Tickets to the Vatican Museums include entry to Raphael’s Rooms. A small-group tour offering early-morning access before the museums are open to the general public is an excellent way to enjoy Raphael's works in relative peace. Many Vatican tours include Raphael's Rooms, the Sistine Chapel, and other highlights of the Vatican Museums—along with St. Peter’s Basilica and St. Peter’s Square. 

The Vatican Museums complex is in Vatican City. The nearest metro station is Ottaviano along line A, about a 5-minute walk away.

The Vatican is busiest in summer, when skip-the-line tickets or a private tour guide are recommended. Though the museums are less crowded during winter, they can still fill up around midday, so join a private tour in the early morning or late afternoon to avoid the crowds. The museum’s opening hours apply to Raphael’s Rooms.

The Room of the Segnatura (Stanza della Segnatura) was the first to be decorated and contains Raphael's most famous painting, The School of Athens. The other rooms, also decorated with scenes inspired by both religious and political history, are known as The Room of Constantine (Stanza di Costantino), Heliodorus (Stanza di Eliodoro), and Fire in the Borgo (Stanza dell'Incendio del Borgo). 

Did you know that Canarians founded San Antonio, Texas? Indeed, they did,and the majority of them were from the island of Lanzarote. This park, situated in Puerto del Carmen, pays homage to that history, but not with a museum, and instead via some Wild West fun and entertainment made possible by its zoo, water attractions, and, of course, cowboy-style good times.

But first, those animals: the park is home to a range of creatures, including sea lions, bison, pumas, armadillos, snakes, turtles, and a flock of exotic birds - among other critters. You can learn more about many of these animals during one of the various shows, which feature birds or sea lions, or during close-encounter experiences. Then, of course, there’s the water park element, including a splash pool and water games. Finally, for those looking to get in touch with their Country Western-meets-Canarian side, there’s a twice-weekly, celebration-filled cowboy show during which you can dine on BBQ, down unending drinks, and get involved in some old-fashioned country line dancing.

Located in the heart of Calvados, just a few kilometers from the Channel, stands the Ranville War Cemetery. It contains a majority of British soldiers of the 6th Airborne Division (and also Canadian and German soldiers) that were killed during early stages of the Battle of Normandy in the Second World War. In fact, Ranville was the first village to be liberated by the Allies on the morning of June 6, 1944 – more commonly known as D-Day. Indeed, the village was secured by British and Canadian troops, landed nearby by parachute and glider on a mission to secure the bridge over the Caen Canal. This wasn’t achieved easily, though, as the skies were quite windy on that meaningful day and the area was, in reality, much larger than what had been expected. 

Ranville War Cemetery is located by the ancient Ranville Chapel, a graded 10th-century building. It is laid out in a typical French garden design, with immaculately kept landscapes and manicured grounds. Within the cemetery stands a Cross of Sacrifice (designed by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, it is the archetypal British war memorial), an octagonal-shaped, elongated Latin cross with Celtic dimensions carved out of white Portland stone. Ranville War Cemetery contains 2,560 burials, including the grave of Lieutenant Den Brotheridge, considered to be the first Allied death on D-Day. 

On April 26 1986, Reactor No 4 of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine exploded, releasing tons of extremely harmful radioactive chemicals into the air. The explosion contaminated dozens of European countries, and elevated radiation levels were also recorded as far away as Canada and the United States.

The town closest to the explosion was Pripyat, situated just a few kilometers away. The residents were forced to evacuate (a little too late) and over the years it has been suggested that thousands of deaths were caused as a result of the explosion. Many more have been left with illnesses brought on by the radioactive chemicals.

The long-term 30-kilometer exclusion zone is still in place today, and Reactor No 4 can only be accessed as part of a short-term organized tour. Most tours include knowledgeable guides and a visit to the ‘ghost town’ of Pripyat, with its abandoned buildings and eerily decaying amusement park.

Backed by the rolling foothills of the Serra de Montejunto in the Estremadura/Lisboa wine-producing region, the history of the Quinta do Gradil wine estate dates right back to 1492, when it was mentioned in royal documents. By the 18th century it was thriving in the hands of the Marquis of Pombal, who led the rebuilding of Lisbon after the devastating earthquake of 1755 and who also established the Douro as the first official wine-growing region in the world. Today the estate is owned by the wealthy wine-expert Luís Vieira, who produces six top-quality white, rosé and red wines. Sitting among 220 hectares, half of which are planted with the vines of 12 grape varieties – including Syrah, Sauvignon Blanc and Viognier – the park also includes peach and pear orchards as well as pine and eucalyptus forest; at its heart sits a low-slung, butter-colored 18th-century palace surrounded by modern-day cellars, storage and tasting rooms. Scattered across the grounds are an historic chapel, an aqueduct, mill and granary; as well as tours, tastings, the chance to buy wines and a acclaimed restaurant overlooking the neat ranks of vines, the Quinta do Gradil also offers horseback riding and bird watching.

Running over a distance of 7 miles (11.3 kilometers) between Ravenglass and Dalegarth stations in the valley of Eskdale, the La'al Ratty — as the locals call it in old Cumbrian dialect — is a fascinating minimum-gauge heritage railway train in the heart of Cumbria. The journey to Ravenglass, the only coastal village in the Lake District National Park, takes roughly 40 minutes, a scenic ride if there ever was one; the train goes through the hills and across the estuary along the foot of the spectacular Scafell range, England’s highest mountains. 

Vastly popular with tourists now, the train initially opened in 1875 to transport hematite iron ore from mines in the Boot vicinity and eventually starting carrying granite, good, produce and even passengers. It wasn’t until the mid-1960s that local railway enthusiasts realized the full touristic potential of the railway line and started building locomotives to accommodate the rapidly growing numbers of visitors to the Lake District. Today, the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway carries over 120,000 passengers each year.

The particularity of this railway line, outside its spectacular scenery, is its historical steam engines, some of which date back to the late 1800s.

One of the many elegant palaces of Sintra, just outside of Lisbon, Queluz Palace dates back to the 18th century and is considered an excellent example of Portugal’s Rococo architecture. Its sprawling gardens, fountains, and statues have earned it its nickname as the Versailles of Portugal.

Built as a summer retreat for Prince D. Pedro of Bragança, it later served as the official residence of the royal family following a fire that destroyed the Ajuda Palace in Lisbon. Today it hosts state events, as well as classic music concerts in the summer months. The ornate Throne Room is a highlight for many, with mirror-lined walls and glass chandeliers overhead. The Royal Bedroom has walls lined with murals of Don Quixote and an impressively domed ceiling. The palace gardens and tiled canal, with water flowing to the many lakes, are impressive enough to warrant their own visit.

The Quiraing is a hiking trail on the Isle of Skye in northern Scotland. The trail is a loop covering a distance of about 4.2 miles. It passes through spectacular Scottish landscapes and is part of the Trotternish Ridge. This ridge was formed by a massive landslip, which created cliffs, plateaus, and rock pinnacles. If you enjoy taking pictures, bring your camera to capture the scenery you'll see along the way. You'll be able to see the water as well as the many strange and beautiful land formations in the area.

The path starts through steep grassy slopes, and crosses rock gorges and streams. Parts of the trail are covered in loose gravel. Along the way, you will pass large rock formations, climb over rock walls, and walk near the edges of cliffs. It is a fairly difficult trail, and it is not recommended in bad weather due to visibility and trail conditions.

At 138 meters (452 feet), Radio City Tower is a prominent feature of the Liverpool skyline, and its observation platform provides aerial views of the city and beyond. Built in 1969, the tower began life as St. John’s Beacon—a ventilation shaft topped with a revolving restaurant—and is now a regional communications tower.

 

Admire views of this centrally located landmark as you sightsee in the city, or opt to ascend to the 121-meter (400-foot) gallery to gain an overview of Liverpool; advanced booking is available. Once you’re on the platform, you can speak with informative guides, peek in at live radio shows, or simply absorb panoramas as you gaze out over Merseyside, looking for far-off Blackpool and perhaps even distant Snowdonia.

 

Entry to the tower is on Houghton Street, just a few minutes from both Liverpool Central and Liverpool Lime Street stations, as well as the Queen Square bus stop. St. John’s Shopping Centre on Lime Street has parking spaces with a per-hour charge.

Clear weather brings the best views, with visibility stretching as far as North Wales on particularly good days. Otherwise, head up just before sunset during the darker months to see the distant sights, and then enjoy the atmospheric descent of dusk over a wintry Liverpool.

 

Technically, Liverpool’s tallest building is the 140-meter (459-foot) West Tower, which has a fine-dining restaurant on its 34th floor. However, Radio City Tower has a 10-meter antenna on its roof, taking the structure to 148 meters (453 feet) and pushing it just higher than its skyscraping competitor, depending on your perspective!

With its striking neoclassical dome looming over the neighboring Bodleian Library, the Radcliffe Camera (or Radcliffe Room in Latin) is one of Oxford’s most iconic sights and one of the most photographed of all the university buildings. Funded by Royal physician John Radcliffe and designed by architect James Gibbs, the "Rad Cam" was completed in 1749 and was originally used as the university’s principal science library.

Today the Radcliffe Camera is part of the Bodleian Library complex and houses two reading rooms and an underground library, where about 600,000 English and history books are available for browsing. The interior of building is closed to the public except with guided tours, but the dramatic circular façade still draws crowds of daily visitors with its three tiers of Headington and Burford stone elaborately decorated and encircled with Corinthian columns.

Just as its name implies, Rainbow Magic Land is a fantasy world of color and magic — a theme park for families to explore, located just outside of Rome. With more than thirty attractions and ten different shows, there is plenty to see and do, from roller coaster rides to live entertainment. Areas are themed with castles, fairies, Vikings, wizards, and other enchanted characters, some of which are from popular cartoons shown in Europe. Sections of the park are inspired by the Italian Rainbow Group for children with animated characters such as Winx fairies, Monster Allergy, and Huntik PopPixie.

There are also many restaurant, shopping, and entertainment options throughout. Seasonally the options expand, as ice, water, and firework shows are added. The park is partly powered by solar energy.  At over 600,000 square meters in size, there are plenty of adventures to be had!

Stretching more than 12 hectares (30 acres) along the banks of the Garonne River, Quinconces Square (Place des Quinconces) is Bordeaux’s largest square. Comprising a vast esplanade flanked by tree-lined walkways and fronted by the grand Monument to the Girondins, it’s among the most important sites of the city’s UNESCO-listed historic center.

No sightseeing tour of Bordeaux would be complete without a stop at Quinconces Square. Located a short stroll from the Golden Triangle, Place de la Comédie, and Rue Sainte-Catherine, it’s also a strategic starting point for a walking tour. There are plenty of other ways to get around; you can join a Bordeaux Segway tour, cycle the city on an electric bike, or enjoy a self-guided tour by electric car. 

Quinconces Square, located between Quai Louis XVIII and Place Tourny in central Bordeaux, is within walking distance of many central attractions. A number of bus routes and tram lines (B and C) pass by the square, and there’s a large car park at the northern end of the square.

The most atmospheric time to visit Quinconces Square is during its many seasonal events and festivals. There’s something happening almost every weekend, including a summer funfair, a large Christmas market, sporting events, and arts and crafts fairs.

The Monument to the Girondins, located at the western end of Quinconces Square, was built to honor the Girondists who were executed during the French Revolution. Today it’s a striking sight to behold, with bronze horses and warriors surrounding a central column, all crowned with a statue of liberty. Other monuments of interest include statues dedicated to the Bordeaux philosophers Montaigne and Montesquieu, as well as rostral columns that symbolize the city’s maritime and commercial prowess. 

Built between 1211 and 1225, this medieval fortress was originally constructed from wood and erected to protect Transylvanian villages from outside invasions. The impressive structure was later transformed into a stone dwelling where locals sought refuge from outsiders. 

Visitors can tour the grounds, which include two courts, several forts and a gallery, as well as a courtyard, school and chapel. The citadel is also home to the feudal art museum, where weapons, tools, stamps and local crafts are on display.

Quirinale Palace (Palazzo del Quirinale), the official residence of the president of the Italian Republic, sits on Quirinal Hill, the highest of Rome’s historic seven hills. Formerly a royal residence, the palace has dozens of sumptuous, art-filled halls around a stately central courtyard and a beautiful garden with expansive views over Rome.

Pope Gregory XIII built the Quirinale Palace in the late 1500s as a summer residence. It was home to dozens of popes for over three centuries before becoming the first residence of the royal House of Savoy, and finally the residence of Italy’s president of the republic in 1947. Its monumental staircase, grand Salone dei Corazzieri, and Cappella Paolina even caught the eye of Napoleon, who was defeated before he could make the palace his own.

Palace visits are only by guided tour on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday; booking in advance is imperative, as spaces are limited. To view the Renaissance palace from the outside, join a walking, e-bike, or Vespa tour that includes Rome’s highlights such as the Quirinale Palace, Colosseum, Trevi Fountain, and the Vatican. For a unique experience, opt for an evening tour of Rome to see the palace beautifully lit.

The Quirinale Palace is located on Via del Quirinale at Piazza del Quirinale. Take metro line A to Repubblica–Teatro Opera station or metro line B to Cavour station.

The palace is closed on Monday and Thursday. Plan to visit on a Sunday, when you can also see the Changing of the Guard.

The palace’s current site was once home to Roman temples and, later, baths built by Constantine. The hill was known as the Salita di Montecavallo (Horse Hill) for centuries, named for ancient statues that portrayed Castor and Pollux in the act of taming their horses that once sat here.

Tiny Ravello, an idyllic village along the Amalfi Coast, has a long history and vibrant cultural life. Founded by Romans in the sixth century, this picturesque clifftop town is today a haven for travelers drawn to its views, villas, and gardens. Home to Villa Rufolo, which has hosted luminaries from Richard Wagner to Jacqueline Kennedy, and Villa Cimbrone, known for its panoramic views, Ravello is an elegant respite from the crowds along the coast. 

Ravello is one of the few towns along the Amalfi Coast not set at sea level, so it must be reached by climbing a steep road up the cliffside. Given the heavy traffic that plagues the Amalfi Coast in summer, consider booking a Ravello tour and leave the hassle of navigating to a professional driver. The town has a number of historic villas and churches that are best appreciated with a tour guide, so join an all-day Amalfi Coast tour or shore excursion from Naples, Sorrento, or Salerno that includes Ravello. You can also take private tours to Pompeii, Mt. Vesuvius (Mount Vesuvius), and other destinations in the surrounding region of Campania from here.

Ravello sits on the clifftop above the historic maritime republic of Amalfi and can only be reached by car or bus. No train line runs along the Amalfi Coast, so you must take the coastal bus from Salerno or Sorrento; alternatively, you can take the train from Rome or Naples to Sorrento, and then transfer to the bus. Ferries also run from Sorrento to Amalfi, where you can catch the bus to Ravello. Guided tours usually include round-trip transportation.

The Amalfi Coast is crowded in summer, while during winter, smaller villages like Ravello close up shop. The best times of the year to visit are spring and fall, when sights and restaurants are open but the crowds are smaller. If visiting between March and November, check out the calendar for the Ravello Concert Society's annual season of chamber music concerts.

The annual Ravello Festival is among Italy’s finest festivals and celebrates the music of one of Ravello’s greatest fans, German composer Richard Wagner. He was inspired by the architecture of Villa Rufolo when he stayed in Ravello in 1880.

Palazzo Querini Stampalia is one of Venice’s few noble palaces open to the public. Here you can tour the 18th-century ducal apartments as well as view the extensive collection of fine art—including works by Giovanni Bellini, Pietro Longhi, and Tiepolo—at the Fondazione Querini Stampalia (Querini Stampalia Foundation).

La Fondazione Querini Stampalia was created by Count Giovanni—the last of the Venetian Querini Stampalia family—as a cultural center; today it houses a library and art collection, the original apartments, and exhibition areas for concerts and events. Architect Carlo Scarpa reworked the ground floor and garden in the 1960s, and Mario Botta completed a later renovation and expansion were completed in the 1990s. But the palazzo dates from the 16th century and the ornate stuccos, Meissen porcelain, and fine tapestries of the original noble apartments remain. 

A stop at the Querini Stampalia Foundation is a highlight of any Venice walking tour that combines quieter, lesser-known sights with skip-the-line tickets to A-list attractions like St. Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace.

Entrance to Querini Stampalia Palace is on Campo Santa Maria Formosa, Castello 5252, a short walk from Piazza San Marco and the Rialto or San Zaccaria vaporetto (water bus) stops.

Venice is one of the most visited cities in Italy, so less famous sights like the Querini Stampalia Foundation are a welcome respite from the summer crowds. The foundation holds regular events, so check their program calendar to experience a workshop, classical concert, or temporary art exhibition.

The Querini Stampalia Foundation’s library has a collection of over 350,000 historical and modern pieces, with a reading room of about 32,000 books, more than 350 magazines and journals, and 20 local, national, and international newspapers. Count Giovanni wanted the citizens of Venice to have access to culture, so he stipulated that the library be open on Sunday, on holidays, and late into the evening. The library is free for visitors aged 16 and up.

The landscape around the zoo is beautiful and worth a visit in itself. The trail around the park is around 1.5 miles (2.5 km) and cold in winter, so dress appropriately.