Scarcely did I close my eyes, that I began to marvel.
About cities so charming, so quite picturesque, Shining in rain and thunder.
There’s something about the beauty of Europe that couldn’t keep even the likes of Keats and Wordsworth to go overboard in glorifying the same. Nor could it help battles from being fought; all in quest of associating with its name. And here you are, dear readers, hoping to capture it all in some snaps. While it might not be possible to cover all the beauties in one go, it’s not too difficult to capture the best, one at a time, by spending a weekend in most captivating European cities.
Follow this guide that will help you cover the most captivating European cities in 2 days each. Here, have a look.
1. Florence, Italy: The birthplace of the Renaissance
It is scarcely possible to visit Florence and be enchanted by its beauty. The land, often called the cradle of Renaissance, tends to seduce the tourists by the grandeur of its cathedral dome, the beauty of the Michelangelo structures, and the tastes of its gourmet Tuscan cuisine. And should you get a chance to spend a weekend in Florence, the capital of the Tuscany district has enough world-class-art offerings to indulge in.
Here’s what day 1 of your Florence tour should include:
- A morning tour of Galleria degli Uffizi, which houses unique artworks and masterpieces from the Renaissance period, and the 13th-century Basilica of Santa Croce, where eminent personalities like Michelangelo, Galileo, Machiavelli, Foscolo, Gentile, and Rossini were buried
- A lunch at the Il Pizzaiuolo, which is the best pizzeria of Florence and serves a wide variety of Neapolitan pizzas
- A walk along the centuries-old jewelry shops on the Ponte Vecchio in Oltrarno bridge and the numerous museums & Giardino di Boboli garden at the famed Palazzo Pitti
- Italian drinks (Aperitivo) at the trendy Slowly bar and some traditional Tuscan food at the old-fashioned Oliviero restaurant
Regarding the second day, make sure not to miss:
- An art tour of Bargello National Museum, Signoria Square, and Duomo Opera Museum
- Delightful pastas and pizzas at Yellow Bar
- Another design tour; this time exploring Brunelleschi’s architecture at the San Lorenzo Church, Medicean Laurentian Library, and Santa Maria Novella Basilica
- One final round of Italian beverages at the Art Bar and one last meal at the innovative Io restaurant that offers a creative variety of seafood and meat dishes
2. Salzburg, Austria: The world’s stage
What would Salzburg have been if not the birthplace of the music maestro W.A Mozart? My response to this is simple. It is one of the most exquisite cities Europe; perhaps, even in the entire world. The fact that it is so culturally fascinating and a prominent hub of art & music only amplifies its significance from a tourism standpoint.
Below is our suggested list of the must-try activities on the first day of your Salzburg excursion:
- A invigorating hike within the city; encompassing popular attractions; such as St. Sebastian’s Cemetery in Neustadt, love padlocks on the Makartsteg bridge, shopping street of Getreidegasse, food market of Universitätsplatz, Baroque cathedral in Residenzplatz, and medieval fortress Hohensalzburg
- A delectable lunch of tafelspitz, boiled beef, fried potatoes, & spinach at St Peter Stiftskeller restaurant near Hohensalzburg
- A visit to the iconic Zytglogge clock tower
- Exploring the historical BearPark to see the famous Bern bears
- Discovering the magnificent Bern Cathedral with its stunning medieval architecture
- Taking a leisurely stroll along the beautiful Aare River
- Indulging in some retail therapy at the upscale Europaplatz shopping area
- A visit to the fascinating Federal Palace of Switzerland to learn about the country’s political system
- Exploring the renowned Natural History Museum with its vast collection of exhibits
- Taking a guided tour of the Rose Garden to enjoy panoramic views of the city
- Sampling delicious Swiss chocolates at the famous Kung Fuhrer Chocolatier
- Ending the day with a relaxing boat ride on the serene Thun Lake
- A visit to the world-famous Colosseum, an ancient amphitheater that is truly awe-inspiring
- Exploring the ancient ruins of the Roman Forum to get a glimpse into the city’s rich past
- Taking a stroll through the charming streets of Trastevere, known for its bohemian atmosphere and vibrant nightlife
- Indulging in some retail therapy at the upscale Via Condotti, home to numerous luxury brands
- Relishing authentic Italian cuisine at a traditional trattoria in the Campo de’ Fiori neighborhood
- A visit to the renowned Vatican Museums to marvel at masterpieces by artists like Michelangelo and Raphael
- Exploring the breathtaking Sistine Chapel with its iconic ceiling frescoes
- Taking a stroll through the lush gardens of Villa Borghese, one of Rome’s most stunning parks
- Sampling delicious gelato at the famous Giolitti gelateria
- Ending the day with a leisurely walk along the Tiber River to enjoy stunning views of the city
- Stunning vistas from the terrace of the Bundeshaus (Parliament Building)
- A trek from Bundeshaus to Zytglogge via Kirchenfeldbrücke, Nydeggbrücke, Gerechtigkeitsgasse, Samson Fountain, and Einstein-Haus in Kramgasse; a place where Albert Einstein resided for 2 years
- The city’s finest coffee with sandwiches and rolls for lunch at Adriano’s located at Theaterplatz 2
- Shopping at the Stauffacher Bookshop (with Café Littéraire on 2nd floor) and Spitalgasse 2 offering delectable treats by the chocolatier Läderach
- Complimentary bike ride of 4 hours (2 for e-bikes) under the Bern Rollt scheme
- Beer and Swiss wines at the Loetschberg gastro-pub situated in Zeughausgasse
- Dine with the locals at Loetschberg; relishing the delightful Käseschnitte (melted cheese, sausage, and salad)
- Funicular (cliff-rail) from Talstation Gurtenbahn to the summit of Gurten
- Hike in the park atop Gurten hill
- A top-notch brunch at Bellevue Palace Hotel on Kochergasse 3 with a view of the Alps
- 360° view of the city from the apex of the tower at the elegant Münster church
- Cultural tour of the Bern Historical Museum at Helvetiaplatz and Zentrum Paul Klee art museum at Fruchtland
- Dinner of chateaubriand with béarnaise sauce at Kornhauskeller
- Breakfast of pastries, brioches (sweet dough roll), and other morning fare at Le Mouffetard
- Walking tour of Place Monge, Place de la Contrescarpe, & Arenes de Lutece in Rue Mouffetard neighborhood
- Tour of the Latin Quarter that includes neoclassical-styled mausoleum called Pantheon, Sorbonne University area, Luxemburg Gardens, and National Medieval Museum
- Lunch at the famous Le Balzar brasserie
- Classic monument tour covering Notre-Dame Cathedral, Louvre, Arc du Triomphe, and the famous Eiffel Tower
- Dinner at one of the Eiffel Tower restaurants
- Buttery morning delicacies for breakfast at Aux Delices de Manon
- Marais Walking Tour; covering medieval Hôtel de Sens, Stravinsky Fountain at Beaubourg, and National Museum of Modern Art at Centre Pompidou
- Lunch of quiches, salads, or honey-roasted pork at La Quincambosse
- Stroll in the artistic neighborhood of Montmartre; covering Sacre Coeur Basilica, Place du Tertre, Le Moulin de la Galette, and Le Bateau Lavoir
- Supper and variety show at the Moulin Rouge
On your second day in Bern, make sure to include the following in your itinerary:
4. Rome, Italy: The Eternal City
Rome, the capital city of Italy, is a treasure trove of history, culture, and art. With its iconic landmarks, ancient ruins, picturesque squares, and delectable cuisine, Rome offers a truly immersive experience.
Make the most of Day 1 in Rome with the following suggestions:
On Day 2, make sure to include the following in your Rome itinerary:
Day 2 can be equally as stunning if you don’t overlook:
4. Paris, France: The romance capital of the world
Here’s your checklist for day 1 of your weekend trip to Paris:
Leave day 2 for experiencing some underrated things:
Have you made up your mind about which city you want to visit next? And why settle for just one when you can incorporate multiple cities in your Europe vacation packages! Isn’t that right, folks?
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