30 Things We Only See In Europe
By Aaron Love
10 months ago
Medieval Castles
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The landscapes of many European cities and countries offer some of the most majestic castles you'll ever come across. And for those history geeks out there each individual castle will be able to tell a story from the bygone era. Why not explore and take a trip through time?Cobblestone Streets
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The historic towns of Europe also tend to offer these glorious cobblestone streets too. Every time you walk on these streets you're pretty much stepping on a real life history book, just imagine the hundreds of millions of people who have walked where you would be standing on that day. It's a uniquely European experience across all countries.Sidewalk Cafes
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Café culture in Europe is completely different to anywhere else in the world and in many of the central European countries you'll come across these sidewalk variations. Whether you'll be sipping espresso in Italy or destroying a tapas in Spain there's something for everyone here.Trams
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Okay, yes, there are obviously trams elsewhere around the world, not just in Europe, but these vintage inspired vehicles are still a popular mode of transport for many in some of the large cities. Places like Lisbon, Amsterdam and even Manchester in the UK have widespread Tram routes.Double-Decker Buses
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Let's be honest, when you hear the phrase 'Double-Decker Buses' the only thing that really comes to people's minds would be the large and iconic red ones that travel through London. They travel throughout the entire city and even in the touristy locations you'll be able to find some open-top buses too.Gothic Cathedrals
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I've already mentioned that Europe has some amazing castles, but something that could perhaps be even greater than that are the gothic cathedrals. The Notre-Dame in Paris and the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona are two of the most mesmerizing and intricate buildings you'll ever see.Roman Ruins
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The Roman Empire, as you probably learned at some point during your education was one of the most powerful of all time. For that reason, you can find many roman ruins throughout numerous countries across Europe; they offer you the chance to walk in the footsteps of some of the most famous people in history.Gondolas
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If you haven't been to Venice before you might have never come across an authentic gondola in real life. But this city that was built on water pretty much rely on the gondola's to help navigate and drift along which is pretty much an experience you won't find anywhere else on earth.Alpine Villages
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One of the most amazing things that Europe has to offer is glorious mountain ranges like the Alps or the Pyrenees. Nestled amongst many of the mountain ranges you might be able to find some crazy alpine villages where people actually spend their entire daily lives.Christmas Markets
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As the holiday season begins to approach European cities often transform in to some of the most enchanting winter wonderlands. And if you're lucky you might even be able to attend one of the markets during periods of snowfall. Yes we have them here in the US but they're just better over there!Dutch Windmills
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Another country specific thing you might find within Europe are these iconic windmills located within the country of the Netherlands. The elegant structures are very much a testament to the engineering in the country and they even help to control the water level around them.Vineyards
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I know there are some vineyards here in the US, but if you want to come across some real and authentic ones then Europe is the place to go. Europe boasts some of the most well-renowned regions of wines and the rolling vineyards you see above are just one of many glorious areas.Geothermal Hot Springs
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Again, you'll find some geothermal springs elsewhere across the world, but the ones here in Europe, in countries like Iceland and Hungary are some of the best you'll find. You can pretty much relax in these baths whilst taking in the beautiful scenery that they're surrounded by.Tulip Fields
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Of course you'll find some field of flowers like tulips across the world, but these glorious fields filled with colourful tulips in the Netherlands are an absolutely breathtaking spectacle, particularly during the period of spring when the vibrant colours can stretch even further than your eyes can reach.Norwegian Fjords
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Norway is one of the most beautiful countries within Europe and as with the other Scandinavian places it's very naturally mesmerizing. The fjords in the country offer towering cliffs which plunge into some of the most crystal clear waters you'll ever come across. It might be too cold to take a dip though.Narrow Alleyways
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Exploring the residential areas of gorgeous cities in Europe can really throw up some surprises. Alleyways are often places that we all try to avoid but many cities in the continent actually have some of the most cosy and winding passages that might just lead you somewhere great.Public Squares
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Public squares are often the heart of many European cities and each one tends to have their own unique character. If you're in places like Barcelona or Milan you might even find a new square or plaza every couple of streets! They often host some markets or cultural events during busy periods.Chateaux
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There are many great buildings that you have to keep an eye on when you're visiting Europe and when you're in France you need to check out some of the Chateaux's. These are often architectural wonders that are surrounded by luscious gardens and grand showings of history.Mountain Railways
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I've already mentioned that Europe is filled with glorious mountain ranges and some of the best ways to travel these places is via the mountain railways. These trains offer some of the most breath-taking views of the alpine landscapes; book yourself a ticket on the Swiss Glacier Express.Medieval Walled Cities
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Medieval castles have already been mentioned, but some of the things that still stand in Europe are entire cities that are walled off. Places like Dubrovnik in Croatia and Carcassonne in France can actually transport you back to a time when it was necessary for cities to be protected from the outside.Art Nouveau Architecture
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Europe is very much a treasure trove of glorious architecture and if you visit cities like Prague in Czechia and Brussels in Belgium you'll see this specific architecture variety. Art Nouveau is characterized by the flowing lines, elegant facades and ironwork to create a beautiful sight across the city.Renaissance Palaces
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When you think of Renaissance palaces across Europe the most popular would probably be the Palace of Versailles in France, but there are actually hundreds more across France, Italy and the surrounding countries. They really reflects the cultural influence of the period in which they were built.The Doner Kebab
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The Doner kebab isn't necessarily a gourmet food choice, but it is definitely one of the most popular street foods across the entirety of Europe. Although it originates in Turkey you'll find them on streets across the whole continent and features a thin sliced meat that's served in a pita with fresh veg and sauces.Baked Beans
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We all have that weird relationship with baked beans, they're not great are they? But over in Europe, particularly across the pond in the UK, they love putting these little beans on their breakfast! It really is a staple within the British Breakfast scene and I think it should be kept that way!Blackcurrant Flavoured Food
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Strangely, over in Europe, blackcurrant flavoured items are extremely popular, whether that be cordial drinks or kids drinks to sweets and even yogurts. They add a little tartness to the flavour of foods and you'll pretty much find this flavour in every single European country in some form or another.Narrow Car Lanes
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European cities are known for their narrow and winding streets, this is likely as a result of them being developed or settled before the invention of the car. Without practice they can be quite difficult to navigate and they might require some skill and patience. It's all part of that European driving experience.Euro Currency
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Of the 27 countries that make up the European Union, 19 of them use the official currency of the continent, the Euro. This makes it quite the common sight if you're visiting especially thanks to it's quite distinctive banknotes and this can make travelling the continent quite easy when it comes to travel.Numerous Other Currencies
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Despite the use of the Euro being pretty widespread in Europe, some countries still prefer to use their own national currencies instead. For example the UK use the Great British Pound and the Swiss us the Swiss Franc. It's not too complicated but this can make travelling more awkward.Different Power Adaptors
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Europe has some specific electrical outlets and plug types that are a little bit different than those anywhere in the world. If you're travelling to this part of the world then you'll want to make sure you have a travel adaptor to make sure you can charge your devices whilst away.Good Cheese
