Over the past couple of years, I’ve been diligently working towards the aim of visiting every country in Europe. That means two things: I’ve been visiting a lot of places I never thought I would, finding some surprising gems along the way. And secondly, I’ve been abandoning other places that have been higher on my list, because they’re in countries I’ve already visited.
In fairness, many of my recent trips have included something high on my list (Transnistria in Moldova, with Lake Como on the way home; the metro station art in Stockholm on my way to Finland). But I do feel like a few dedicated trips I’ve been meaning to plan for years have been put on the backburner.
I don’t think I’ll ever decide whether Europe is my favourite continent (I mean, Asia exists, and not much will ever beat the scenery in North America for me), but it’s certainly up there with its diverse cultures, history and, like North America, beautiful scenery.
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And there is so much I want to see and do. From the mountains of Switzerland to the incredible lakes of Slovenia, I’m not sure I’ll ever run out of things to do. I’ve especially been so focused on city breaks recently that virtually everything on my list is nature-based, but even then, I could tell you a thousand cities I haven’t been to. But I’m also not feeling a burning desire to visit many of them.
Either way, I’m lucky to be in such close proximity that short breaks are possible and cheap.
And I’ve now caught up with writing about all my Europe travels, so it’s time to start looking ahead to the future. So without further ado, here are ten regions of Europe that I’d love to explore more of.
Northern Italy & Tuscany
I’ve said before that I’ve planned at least four week-long trips to Italy in my head. Two of those are the lakes in northern Italy, and the Florence-Pisa-Cinque Terre triangle. So not only am I starting this list with cities that I just said I have no burning desire to visit, but I’m also cheating a bit because it’s kind of two areas.
Last year, I managed to get a taster of Lake Como and absolutely loved it, so I’m hoping to get back at some point with Ash, and also go to Lake Garda.
I also keep checking flights to Pisa, because it’s ridiculous that I still haven’t been to Florence. Beyond that, I’d love to see the cathedral in Siena, and take a walk through the five famous towns along the coast to the north – the Cinque Terre. I’d probably sneak in a visit back to Bologna too, as it’s only about half an hour from Florence, just for some dinner!
Italy is one of my favourite countries, but there is so much to explore!
Read more: Milan & Lake Como: Two Days In Northern Italy
Switzerland
Next on my list is the first country I ever visited!
I’ve been planning to go back for a while (I’ve only been to Basel since that first trip, which is not the side of Switzerland I want to see), but with everything else going on in our lives, I’ve been very much priced out – until now. We’re hoping to do a proper Swiss rail trip later this year, incorporating one of my final European countries, Liechtenstein. This might be my only big trip abroad this year!
We’re still in the planning stages, but the main place on my list is Lauterbrunnen. I’m also hoping to make Zermatt work, with the Glacier Express and then the Bernina Express. Not a cheap trip, that’s for sure.
Read more: #tbt: My First Ever Trip Abroad To Switzerland
Andalusia, Spain
When I first visited Seville back in 2017, I didn’t love Spain. Even with just one day in Seville, that all changed.
Spain might not be my favourite country, but Seville is one of my favourite cities, so I’d love to see more of the region. With Granada and Cordoba nearby, and even Malaga and Cadiz within reach, it’s an easy trip to explore several different places. It’s actually one of our most popular multi-centre trips that we sell at work, so I have to be honest: seeing so many of our clients do this trip only makes me more keen to do it!
Read more: A Day In Beautiful Seville, Spain
The Balkans
Back in 2019, I did a tour of the Balkans which was incredible. But it served as a solid introduction to the region; it definitely wasn’t comprehensive. So as a scouting mission, it worked well because there are a few places I’d love to re-visit and explore more of!
Firstly, Bosnia & Herzegovina. We had a few hours in Mostar, and it’s somewhere I could have easily spent a couple of days. I also loved Sarajevo, but the weather was awful so I didn’t get to go up to the abandoned bobsleigh track. So that’s two places I want to re-visit straight off. I found the parts of Bosnia we drove through absolutely beautiful too, and I’d also love to see the Kravica waterfalls.
Next, Montenegro. We only really visited Kotor and Budva, and did not have much time in Kotor. Plus there’s a whole national park to explore (and more than one, at that). It’s just an incredible country.
And finally, Croatia. Out of this entire, beautiful country, I’ve only visited Dubrovnik! I’d love to do a north-to-south trip at some point.
The main reason I’m shoving all these into one section is that it’s so easy to visit all three countries on one trip.
Read more about Bosnia: Mostar: The Gem Of Bosnia
Or Croatia: Surviving Dubrovnik – And Falling In Love With It
Or how about Montenegro? Hiking & Heating Up In Kotor, Montenegro
Slovenia
You might argue that Slovenia is also a Balkan country. For me it feels separate, despite being part of former Yugoslavia.
It’s also, already, one of my favourite countries in Europe! I’ve only been to Ljubljana and Lake Bled, but that was enough to make me want to see more and spend a proper holiday there rather than just a long weekend break or, as we did, three days as part of a longer trip.
I’d also go back in the summer, although March was an incredible time to visit due to all the snow on the mountains. Summer would be totally different experience.
The Julian Alps are calling to me, along with Predjama Castle which is in a cave, and Lake Bohinj. Not to mention Vintgar Gorge, which we narrowly missed as it wasn’t open for the season yet.
Read more: Slovenia: Loving Ljubljana & Visiting Lake Bled In March
Algarve, Portugal
I spent three weeks on the Algarve along the southern coast of Portugal, so you might be surprised that this is on here. I was volunteering in a hostel in Faro, so I had limited time off to see everything, but in that time I made it over to Lagos for a day, which I loved, and I also went to a couple of the best beaches near Lagoa.
All it’s done is made me want to go back. Plus Ash has never been, so this is high on the list for a sunny holiday. Places on the list: Tavira (not sure how I missed that one considering how close it is to Faro!), the Benagil caves, and more time in Lagos.
Read more: Exploring The Best Beaches On The Algarve
Bavaria & the Romantic Road, Germany
Somewhere else that has been calling to me is southern Germany. I’ve been to Munich, but never ventured out to see the famous Neuschwanstein Castle, nor the surrounding lakes and mountains that could rival Switzerland or Austria.
And after a trip to Colmar in France, I would LOVE to do some of the “Romantic Road” in Germany, with equally gorgeous towns like Rothenburg ob der Tauber. On that note, I’d definitely spend some more time in Alsace.
But there’s somewhere else I’d also spend more time in France…
Read more: #tbt: A Day Trip To The German Christmas Markets
The French Riviera
Now this one came as a surprise – after our quick trip to Nice last year, which we only visited as a springboard to Monaco, we fell a little bit in love with the region and realised how much more we’d like to see there. So this is definitely on the cards for a future trip.
At the top of my list is Eze, a mountaintop village that I was hoping to squeeze in while we were there, which came highly recommended from a colleague. Antibes, Menton and Villefranche-sur-Mer all look lovely too; again, recommendations from colleagues who work in travel!
Read more: Nice Is, Indeed, Nice: The Gateway To The French Riviera
Iceland in summer
I’ve been to Iceland twice, but both times have been in the winter – I want a summer experience! There are lots of things I’d like to do, including driving at least as far as Stokksnes on the south coast (maybe an unpopular opinion amongst people who want to visit Iceland, but I’m not bothered at all about doing the whole ring road). I really want to snorkel between the tectonic plates. And I still haven’t been up to the top of the church in Reykjavik for that iconic view!
Don’t get me wrong, the winter trips have been amazing. Exploring an ice cave is one of the all-time highlights of my travels. But now it’s time to embrace what the summer has to offer, too.
I’m not sure why this is so low down on the list actually, because it’s one we’re likely to re-visit sooner rather than later!
Read more: The Land Of Fire & Ice: A Five Day Iceland Itinerary
Norway
I LOVED our trip to Norway! It was the perfect introduction, taking in Oslo, Bergen, Eidfjord, Gudvangen and Flam. But now I just want more.
I’d still consider going there on a cruise – sailing through the fjords is just a dream. It’s also a good way to visit places like Alesund and Olden, without figuring out how to get there by land.
Then there’s the Lofoten islands, which require a little more planning but look spectacular. With Norway being one of the priciest countries we’ve ever been to, this is one that we probably won’t get back to for a while, unless we end up doing a cruise with my folks, which was looking like a plan for a while.
Read more: The Perfect One Week Norway Itinerary For First-Timers
So basically, that’s at least a decade of travel planning just for Europe.
What I like about my travel lists now is none of them have a sense of urgency. Japan was the final trip on my bucket list; now the world is my oyster.
There’s also a good mix of relaxing holidays and trips that require lots of planning and a great pay-off.
And it’s half the reason for the mad trips I’ve done. I whizzed through places to get a taster and decide where I wanted to go back to. And here’s the verdict; the culmination of my endeavours, which will keep me going for a long time.
Read some of my favourite Europe posts here:
⭐ Three Days In Fairytale Budapest, One Of My Favourite Cities
⭐ Hiking & Heating Up In Kotor, Montenegro
⭐ Loving Lisbon: A Perfect 3 Day Itinerary
⭐ A Getaway In Gorgeous Gdansk: Gates, Museums & Christmas Markets
⭐ A Photo Tour Of Colmar, France’s Fairytale Town
⭐ A Day Wandering Beautiful Vienna
Discover more from An Orcadian Abroad
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Great list! Similarly, I had a brief visit (2-3 hours) in Slovenia, specifically Ljubljana, during a bus transfer on my way to Venice from Zagreb. I hope to see more of the country, and particularly to make it to Lake Bled! It’s awesome you’re visiting every country in Europe; I think I’ve visited all but maybe 10 of them, and I can’t wait to see what you get up to in the last few countries you visit! Thanks for sharing, Clazz 🙂
Lake Bled is amaaazing! Slovenia is such an underrated country. I loved Ljubljana so much. I could see myself spending an extended amount of time there if I could work remotely!
Thanks Rebecca – most of the remaining ones won’t be any time soon…!
Lots of places on your list are on mine, also. I can highly recommend the Cinque Terre (also see Porto Venere by boat, just down the coast), Sienna, Florence (although I’m not as gaga over Florence as everyone else seems to be) and taking the Bernina Express. Any plans to revisit other continents?
Oooh we have JUST booked Switzerland and I’ve made our seat reservation on the Bernina Express!
No immediate plans as we have a lot of family & friend things going on this year so only have a week left to take off work (a bit different to last year!!) which is now Switzerland. I’m not sure what next year will bring but I would love to return to Thailand, Vietnam and Canada some time soon.
I love how your list reflects a balance between ticking off new places and revisiting those that left an impression! I totally get the allure of places like the Balkans and Slovenia – they’re so rich in history and natural beauty. The idea of going back to places you’ve visited before, but diving deeper into their culture, is so exciting. And I totally agree about Iceland in summer – it’s a whole different vibe! I can’t wait to see where your travels take you next. You’re giving me some serious wanderlust!
I’d love to visit Switzerland and to explore more of Norway. I’m quite familiar with both Tuscany and the French riviera, many, many work trips there but I plan to take my kids there one day. I recommend you visit Istria region in Croatia.
I’ve heard Istria is great! I haven’t researched Croatia all that much, to be honest. The French Riviera seems great for kids – we met a friend in Nice who had taken their son and they were having a great time.
Switzerland is now booked!! Not until October because we are so busy this summer, but I wanted to get accommodation booked while reasonably priced places are still available, plus get seats booked on the panoramic trains! Very excited (and silently crying at the idea of my bank balance come October…).
Great!I’d love to go on panoramic trains and visit Lindt center
Haha I haven’t figured out if we’ll have time to do the Lindt tour but I at least want to pop into the shop! (We are flying in and out of Zurich.)
You need to book it in advance, it’s tough to get tickets on the spot. My friend was there recently so he told me that
Thanks for the heads up! Yeah I was looking on the site before and it’s sold out for the next two weeks. Will figure it out closer to the time. 😊
So many places, so little time, is how I always feel when it comes to choosing where to go next! I’d recommend shoulder season for the Cinque Terre to avoid the crowds. We visited in late September (combining it with Pisa and a day trip to Lucca), and the trails between the villages were still open, the weather was decent and there weren’t so many people. It is a beautiful area. I also have a lot of love for Alsace, as it’s where I spent my year abroad (Colmar).
Thanks – to be fair, shoulder season is my preferred time for ANY destination, really. I rarely travel in the height of summer. Ah Colmar is so lovely!
I wish I still had that luxury. The closest I get to it these days is early July before the English school holidays start 😂 It’s the one downside of teaching for me – I’m usually too tired to go away for a weekend during term time, and it’s often too expensive to go away for long during school holidays!