Unmissable experiences in Europe for your travel bucket list

Europe has an abundance of fine architecture, historic landmarks, celebrated traditions and picturesque scenery. But among these sights and encounters, there are a handful that inspire a different level of wanderlust. Some offer epic adventures filled with excitement and discovery, while others bring understated yet unforgettable moments of beauty and romance. 

Keep reading for seven bucket-list experiences you’ll want to embrace at least once in your lifetime. 

Fall in love with Paris at the Eiffel Tower

The guidebooks weren’t exaggerating: Paris is every bit as enchanting as it’s purported to be – with elegant streets, cosy cafés, artsy neighbourhoods and world-class culture. And no Parisian landmark is more iconic than the Eiffel Tower, a feat of engineering that has taken on a romance of its own. Climb to the top to see the streets below extend out like spokes on a wheel, settle down for a picnic beneath the structure on the lawns of the Parc du Champ de Mars or board a Seine River cruise and glide past the tower as it shimmers at night. However you experience the Eiffel Tower, you’ll be swept up in its magic. 

Tour Rome’s iconic landmarks on a Vespa

The Italian capital effortlessly blends Classical wonder, Renaissance beauty and modern vibrance; no two visits need ever be alike. Of course, there’s a slick, speedy way to take in the Eternal City’s most impressive landmarks all in one go, and that’s in the sidecar of a Vespa . This classic vehicle is a symbol of postwar youth and energy, and riding one feels quintessentially Italian. As you live out your Roman Holiday fantasies, you’ll take in unmissable sights like the Trevi Fountain, Pantheon and Colosseum, and wind through characteristic neighbourhoods like Trastevere. Regular pit stops to refuel on gelato are recommended.

Bask in the natural beauty of the Swiss Alps

With its snow-capped mountains, lush valleys, shimmering lakes and storybook villages, the Swiss Alps may well be the definition of “idyllic escape”. Yet for an area of such pristine, secluded beauty, Switzerland’s alpine region is remarkably well connected. Enchanting mountain resort towns like Interlaken and Zermatt can be reached by train from Zurich in under three hours, providing effortless access to a host of outdoor adventures and cultural experiences, from hiking to fondue tasting. If you’re here purely for the scenery, the slow-moving Glacier Express allows you to take it in at your utmost leisure.

Bike around Amsterdam’s cultural hotspots

Touring a location on two wheels can be either exhilarating or gentle, providing a breezy overview or an in-depth study – the choice is entirely yours. And if there’s one city in Europe more synonymous with a cycling holiday than any other, it’s Amsterdam. In addition to quaint canals, romantic arched bridges and wonderfully wonky buildings, the Dutch capital boasts more than 250 miles of smooth, flat bike lanes, making it easy to explore in your own way, at your own pace. Whether you join a bespoke tour or go it alone, you’ll feel right at home as you pedal around Amsterdam’s historic centre or its trendy Jordaan district.  

Soak up Bavarian history at Neuschwanstein Castle

Europe’s most recognisable castle – often referred to as “the Disney castle” – is fully deserving of its iconic status. Designed by the eccentric and reclusive Ludwig II of Bavaria in the late 1800s to resemble something from a Medieval romance, Neuschwanstein Castle is a vision of Gothic Revival architecture. With the city of Munich as your base, immerse yourself in the charms of Bavaria, from the city’s medieval streets to its traditional beer gardens, and weave in a day trip to this towering mountain hideaway. Visit Neuschwanstein in spring to see it amid beautiful blooms, or plan an autumn trip to admire it against a warm, rustic backdrop. 

Uncover the mysteries of Scotland’s Loch Ness

The Scottish Highlands possess an otherworldly beauty that must be seen to be believed. While you could visit just about anywhere in the region and be met with captivating landscapes and fascinating historical sites, Loch Ness offers something more: a mystique that draws travellers instinctively to it. Get your imagination fired up with a boat tour across this immense lake, then switch to foot or wheels to explore nearby natural wonders like the Falls of Foyers, evocative ruins like Urquhart Castle, and cosy pubs like The Wee Bar. The city of Inverness will serve as your gateway to this alluring region.

Relive the golden age of travel on a Tuscan rail journey 

No experience captures Europe’s genteel allure like a luxury train ride. There are several grand journeys to choose from, but the newest may be the most covetable. La Dolce Vita Orient Express revives the glamour of 1960s Italy, inviting passengers to relax, dine and revel in sumptuous carriages inspired by mid-century Italian design, while taking in the country’s most dazzling landscapes. The train’s inaugural route, Tastes of Tuscan Vineyards, is an overnight tour of Italy’s wine country, departing from Rome and arriving in Montalcino, a charming Tuscan town surrounded by renowned vineyards. Slow travel at its finest.