Barely didst I closeth mine own eyes, Yond I beganeth to wond’r.
‘Bout cities so lovely, so quite quaint, Shining in raineth and thund’r.
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 beautiful European cities.
Follow this guide that will help you cover the most beautiful European cities in 2 days each. Here, have a look.
1. Florence, Italy: The birthplace of the Renaissance
It is barely possible to visit Florence and be swoon 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 feast on.
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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 huge 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
Suggested Read: 10 Tourist Places In Italy
As for the day 2, be sure not to miss:
- An art tour of Museo Nazionale del Bargello, Piazza della Signoria, and Museo dell’Opera del Duomo
- Fabulous pastas and pizzas at Yellow Bar
- Another design tour; this time covering Brunelleschi’s design at the San Lorenzo Church, Biblioteca Medicea Laurenzianalibrary, and Basilica of Santa Maria Novella
- One last round of Italian drinks at the Art Bar and one last meal at the innovative Io that serves an inventive range of seafood and meat dishes
Suggested Read: Best Things To Do In Italy That Are Truly Exclusive
2. Salzburg, Austria: The stage of the world
What would Salzburg have been if not the birthplace of the music-maestro W.A Mozart? My answer to this is simple. It is one of the most beautiful cities Europe; possibly, even in the whole of the world. The fact that it is so culturally interesting and a major center of art & music only makes it all the more important from tourism perspective.
Here’s our recommended list of the must-try things on day 1 of your Salzburg tour:
- A healthy hike in the city; covering 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-age fortress Hohensalzburg
- A delicious lunch of tafelspitz, boiled beef, fried potatoes, & spinach at St Peter Stiftskeller restaurant near Hohensalzburg
- Shopping for traditional Salzburger attire – including, of course, lederhosen – at Jahn-Markl at Residenzplatz
- A tour of the city attractions on bicycles or Movelo electric scooters that are available for rent
- Boozing at Augustiner Brau at 7 Lindenhofstrasse
- A delectable meal of schweinekotelett, roasted pork, dumplings, & cabbage in the chestnut tree-shaded gardens of Tardis-like Die Weisse
Suggested Read: 10 Finest Hotels In Austria
If day 1 was so exciting, why should day 2 be any different!
Include the following in your travel itinerary for the second day of the Salzburg trip:
- The morning mass at the Franciscan church at 5 Franziskanergasse that has Romanesque origins
- A scrumptious brunch at the acclaimed 32 Mönchsberg near Salzburg’s Museum of Modern Art
- A cultural afternoon tour of Museum of Modern Art, Panorama Museum, and Mozart’s birthplace – 9 Getreidegasse
- A stroll in the Mirabell Gardens
- Something sweet from the Sacher Café and Paul Fürst that sell the finest cakes and chocolates
Suggested Read: In Pictures: Austria’s Most Beautiful Spots
3. Bern, Switzerland: The Swiss capital
Switzerland is regarded by many as the most beautiful nation. And Bern, its political capital, is no exception. Complementing the scenic beauty are architectural marvels, museums, churches, and cafés. And if this is not enough, the city is also known for its book-cafés, cliff-rails, chocolates, wines, and even beer.
Make the most of your first day by not missing out the following:
- Breathtaking panoramas from the terrace of the Bundeshaus (Parliament Building)
- A hike from Bundeshaus to Zytglogge via Kirchenfeldbrücke, Nydeggbrücke, Gerechtigkeitsgasse, Samson Fountain, and Einstein-Haus in Kramgasse; a place where Albert Einstein lived for 2 years
- City’s best coffee with sandwiches and rolls for lunch at Adriano’s at Theaterplatz 2
- Shopping at the Stauffacher Bookshop (with Café Littéraire on 2nd floor) and the Spitalgasse 2 that provides sweet treats by the chocolatier Läderach
- Free bike ride of 4 hours (2 for e-bikes) under the Bern Rollt scheme
- Beer and Swiss wines at the Loetschberg gastro-pub in Zeughausgasse
- Dine with the locals at Loetschberg; savoring the delicious Käseschnitte (melted cheese, sausage, and salad)
Suggested Read: 14 Spectacular Switzerland Tourist Attractions
Day 2 can be just as spectacular if you don’t miss:
- Funicular (cliff-rail) from Talstation Gurtenbahn to the top of Gurten
- Hike in the park atop Gurten hill
- A top-notch brunch at Bellevue Palace Hotel at Kochergasse 3 with a view of the Alps
- 360° view of the city from top of the tower at the elegant Münster church
- Cultural tour of Bern Historical Museum at Helvetiaplatz and Zentrum Paul Klee art museum at Fruchtland
- Dinner of chateaubriand with béarnaise sauce at Kornhauskeller
Suggested Read: Top 20 Things To Do In Switzerland On Your Europe Holiday!
4. Paris, France: The love-capital of the world
Everyone loves Paris; for its fabulous attractions, quirky neighborhoods, and gourmet spots. One might argue that even a week is not enough to cover the best of Paris. But what if there were just 2 days in hand and a whole city to cover! Don’t fret. We’ve got this covered; or at least the following section would. Have a look!
Here’s your checklist for day 1 of your weekend trip to Paris:
- Breakfast of pastries, brioches (sweet pastry roll), and other breakfast 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 Eiffel Tower
- Dinner at one of the Eiffel Tower restaurants
Suggested Read: 31 Picture-Perfect Places To Visit In Paris
Leave day 2 for trying some underrated things:
- Buttery morning treats 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 pork roasted with honey at La Quincambosse
- Stroll at the arty Montmartre; covering Sacre Coeur Basilica, Place du Tertre, Le Moulin de la Galette, and Le Bateau Lavoir
- Dinner and cabaret at the Moulin Rouge
Suggested Read: 15 Most Engrossing Things To Do In Paris
Have you decided which city do you wish to visit next? And why just settle for one when you can include multiple cities in your Europe tour packages! Ain’t that right, fellas?
Further Read: Most Popular Euro Trips To Plan 2022 Ultimate Escape
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Kushal is a communication strategist, with 5+ years of experience in creating communication for diverse industries. His passion for helping the readers comes from his prior experience of running a travel agency with his dad. And he does that by addressing the actual travelers’ pain points in his blogs. And his work at TravelTriangle has also earned him multiple invites to speak about travel blogging at conferences & seminars. When he is not creating marketing strategies or content, he can be found reading about Harry Potter, DC, Marvel, or other anime. Find him on other social media channels here:
