GUEST POST BY KRITIKA PANASE
A Schengen visa is your key to touring all through Europe. A visa like this can be compared to a golden ticket that can give the holder more freedom to travel to their favourite countries in Europe without worrying about visa complications. To those unfamiliar with the Schengen visa term, it is simply a visa that permits its holder to visit 26 different countries throughout Europe on the same visa. All 26 of these countries have signed and adhered to the Schengen Agreement of 14 June 1985 which enables them to use a single visa. However, the traveller must choose their destinations to visit in Europe before applying for a Schengen visa. If you are keen on travelling to Europe and pondering which destinations to choose, check out our top 5 selections that are a must visit in Europe.
In the heart of Europe, Switzerland enchants its visitors with refreshing lakes, rolling meadows, stunning alpine terrains and snow-capped peaks. On a Swiss journey, the cozy townships and countryside, scattered throughout the foothills of the majestic mountains of Matterhorn and Jungfrau or flanked along the shorelines of clear lakes of Lucerne, Brienz and Lugano, are the best escapes from the daily grinds of life. Known for its mountain sceneries, a Swiss winter holiday in charming chalets, either trying out winter sport adventures or enjoying strolls in quaint places sampling cheese and chocolates, are on every Swiss vacationer’s wishlist. The cities are equally enchanting, yet what really makes the journey splendid is the scenic funicular trams and rail journeys that offer breathtaking views of the picturesque Swiss countryside.
There is a famous French quote that goes something like this ‘Add three more letters to Paris and it is paradise’. There is no way that one can miss visiting France in Europe since Paris is an unmissable destination. That being said, France is not just about Paris. Look beyond the French capital city and you would find the wine regions of Bordeaux, Burgundy and Champagne, the riviera of Côte d’Azur and the alpine region of Mont Blanc with beautiful towns of Chamonix, Grenoble and Chambery. Each region offers a unique French flair and experiences fused with enriching cultures and gastronomy that would be etched in your mind for a long time.
Known for its Mediterranean coastlines and Italian cuisine, Italy is a gem of a place to live the finest version of your life. You can look forward to experiencing the local culture and delicious cuisine made from local fresh produces, which will be a welcome detox from the worldly rushes of life. The Eternal City – Rome will leave you speechless with the works of some of the finest architects and sculptors of the Renaissance Era. The artistic inspiration of Florence will inspire you more, while the romance of Venice will capture your heart with its elegant canal-side hotels and serenading gondolas. The captivating scenery of the Amalfi coast will tempt you to cancel your return journey to your home country and stay awhile in this idyllic seaside town. The wine regions of Tuscany are also incredibly scenic and should not be missed when in Italy.
Continuously ranked as one of the happiest destinations to live, Norway is an amalgam of gorgeous fjords, glaciers, and rugged mountains. It is also quite famous for its Nordic culture, folklore and highly eco-friendly lifestyle. The lower pollution rate makes it one of the popular places on the planet to clearly view the enchanting phenomenon – Northern Lights or the Aurora Borealis and also experience the Midnight Sun due to its strategic position on the planet. Make sure to squeeze in a trip to this exotic land before you apply for a Schengen visa, as the scenery is magnificent and the experience is unforgettable.
Iceland is another extraordinary destination in Europe that can be accessed via a Schengen visa. In Europe, the usually popular travel destinations tend to overshadow Iceland’s exceptional qualities. As a result of its uncanny mix of glacial mountains and lakes, hot springs, and volcanic terrain, this destination was always referred to as the land of fire and ice. Moreover, this destination boasts gorgeous beaches with black sand and pebbles. If you love a good outdoor adventure, then Iceland is your dream destination. It is also one of the best places to enjoy long self-driven tours. If you’re lucky, you will get a chance to spot a humpback, killer whale or blue whale in its gorgeous seawaters.
These are places we recommend you to visit for a beautiful experience in Europe. Don’t forget to tag us when you do!
Feature image by Domenico Paolella from Pexels
Other images free from the web
About the Author
Kritika is a travel blogger and loves writing about her travel stories. She
also likes adventure sports and has tried bungee jumping, paragliding and
kayaking. In her spare time, she enjoys playing basketball, sketching, and
trying out new cuisines.
This blog post is part of the blog challenge
‘Blogaberry Dazzle’
hosted by
Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla
in collaboration with
VoxBox and Journery Matters.
43 Comments
Let’s hope we can actually begin international travel once again soon! A nice summary post!
Thanks, Noor!
Nice to know about “SCHENGEN VISA “
All of these are beautiful locations worth a visit and the best part it that all of them could be covered under one Schengen visa. I have so many of these places in my bucket list, wish one day I would be comfortable to travel again
All the best, Gunjan!
Wow! This post has brought back the yearning to travel! Norway, Iceland and Italy would top my list…. hopefully… someday …will visit these beautiful places.
Schengen Visa… that’s interesting, wasnt aware of that! Thanks for this informative and ‘beautiful’ post!
Pleasure is mine, Shilpa!
If I ever get to travel to Europe I am definitely visiting Switzerland and Iceland. They are on top of my list. But I can easily skip France and Italy because they seem too touristy and that is what I don’t like. Thanks for sharing about the Schengen visa.
Yeah that’s why the unique places are mentioned for France and Italy, not the commonly visited ones.
Very detailed insightful post about the Europe tour. It was only last to last year when we were planning for Europe trip first time I came to know about Schengen Visa and its numerous added benefits through my cousin. Indeed one of the dreams on my bucket list.
You are right buddy, I have been to all these countries Schengen visa apart from island during my work stint with Ikea of Sweden. You have thoroughly included all vital information
My brother has visited Europe many times due to office work and I had heard a lot about these amazing places from him. would love to visit europe someday with my family. this guest post has made me so curious to visit this amazing country.
Visiting Europe has been on my bucket list since ever. Hope I can get to visit soon.
I wasn’t knowing about such visa. Never visited Europe but will surely go and visit all these places if get a sponsor…hahaha
Hahaha! Same pinch!
My favorite place to visit is Norway to experience the mightnight sun. This is must visit place.
The place is beautiful!
Europe is always on my bucket list and I am very excited to visit all of the countries that fall under Schengen visa. Though I need to know more about the visa process and how I can get the visa easily. Venice and Iceland are my dream country to visit asap. Loved this post.
Europe is lovely, Pamela. Click the link to the Visa website in my blog, and you will see how to go about it.
Tempting post. All places are enchanting.
Europe is on my bucket list got a very long time but due to our visa restrictions, we couldn’t go there. Hopefully some day we will. Fingers crossed.
These 5 places are must visit while in Europe. I haven’t been there yet. Hoping to visit them soon.
Schengen visa sounds definitely exciting. I’ve been waiting to go on a trip and this definitely does give me the travel vibes and these destinations are on my bucket list.
Lovely photos! I love reading such posts, even though I may never visit these places.
Why?
I was just giving it a cursory read when that photo of Iceland caught my eye. I’ve always wondered what it’d be like living in such a place. I too plan to visit parts of EU In the coming year and this post should be really handy.
Thanks for the detailed list, I am yet to cover Iceland, planning to take my child too there
Wow, that’s cool, Suhasini!
Switzerland and France are in top of my travel list… don’t know when? But definitely one day will visit these two beautiful places. Lovely blog Cindy ❤️
Thank you, Smita!
All these places, especially Italy, are ones I want to visit. We did only Spain on our visa.
Definitely bookmarking this, Cindy. It has so long since we have been on a vacation. Schengen visa works great but it can be a bit hectic too. Actually, we were planning to get one on our next vacation.
Waiting for this pandemic to end so that we can start travelling. We were planning to take a Schengen visa next time and this will be really useful. Thank you for sharing it.
The Schengen Visa is every traveller’s dream for sure. Good to know your top 5 places to explore.
These are such beautiful places to visit. I haven’t visited any of these and now I am feeling like I am missing out on so much. Definitely making the bucket list – this one!!
Switzerland is in my bucket list 🙂 Wish to be there some time .
Nice post dear.
Thanks Ghazala!
All these places, especially Paris are on my bucket list since long. It’s really good to know that these beautiful places can be explored when one is on Schengen visa. Thanks for sharing.
You are welcome, Shreemayee!
These are such beautiful places to cover when one is on SCHENGEN VISA. I’m still waiting for the day(;) but will surely share the list with my brother who is currently in Europe.
I have been only to Paris. The rest are on my bucket list. Especially seeing the northern lights. Someday sometime maybe I will go. Thanks for sharing this amazing guest post, Cindy. I started travelling only at 50 so there is a lot to catch up.
Oh, all the best! Make the most of it, HArjeet!
Beautiful places to.visit, just reading about it has awakened the traveler in me once again. And Watching the Midnight Sun in Norway is definitely only travel bucket list.