Best Cultural Travel Destinations in Europe

At the heart of Europe's cultural travel destinations is Paris and London - two cities with incomparable depth and vitality. In Paris, you'll want to see the Louvre. Works of art such as the Mona Lisa and Venus De Milo are surrounded by the world's largest and most varied collection of painting, sculpture, and decorative objects from the pre-twentieth century era. Of course, the Eiffel Tower is a must see, as is the Notre Dame Cathedral. Both incredible works of beauty and architecture, no cultural tour of Paris would be complete with out them.

To Parisians, the Centre Georges Pompidou and its surrounding neighborhood is considered the cultural heart of Paris. This cultural center and modern art museum were built in 1977, so they don't have a lot of history backing them up, but they are still a Paris must-visit.

In London, your cultural travel experience must include Buckingham Palace, the British Museum and Trafalgar Square. All echoing England's vibrant history, these are destinations that are revered by every British citizen.

Interesting additions to your tour of London can include the Tower of London and the Houses of Parliament with Big Ben. From a purely architectural standpoint, these are all places you should visit while in London.

London, like Paris is full of theaters, museums and galleries, along with places to eat traditional French or British fare. After visiting the can't-miss attractions, be sure to wander off the beaten path to get a taste of the nightlife, entertainment and the exceptional food.

Traveling a bit eastward into Europe, you'll find Berlin and Prague, both cities that have retained their old-world charm, while witnessing some historic changes in their home countries. Food, music, art, architecture and entertainment are waiting to be discovered here.

In Berlin, you'll find the historic Brandenburger Gate, which is one of Berlin's most photographed landmarks. The gate, which is really a very ornate and beautiful "building", was built as a customs post and was part of the Berlin Wall. During the entire Communist rule, the gate stayed locked. The Spandau Citadel is an ancient fortress that is surrounded by a moat. It is the oldest non-religious building in Berlin and can be viewed by guided tour. You'll learn much about Berlin's history visiting this beautiful structure.

Other Berlin cultural attractions that you will want to see include the Oraienburger Strasse 28-30, which is a busy area full of trendy cafes, eateries and bars, and is very popular with native Berliners, and the Unter den Linden, a long avenue that is planted with gigantic linden trees from as far back as the 17th century, eaturing postwar architecture, and some prewar restored architecture, plus the German State Opera and the German Historical Museum.

Turning to Prague, you'll find Gothic architecture, parks, museums, opera houses and concert halls. Most people who visit Prague make a point to see the Astronomical Clock, which was built as part of the Old Town Hall. While the clock chimes, wooden figures of Christ and his Apostles appear above the clock face, as a figure of a skeleton chimes the hours. The clock also shows the movement of the sun and moon through each of the signs of the zodiac.

Prague's Old Town Square is a cultural center for spending a leisurely afternoon surrounded by beautiful historical buildings and architecture. The Theater of the Estates is one of the main cultural attractions in Prague, and is the place where Mozart premiered his famous opera, "Don Giovanni". The Prague Castle Complex is a grouping of several museums that will take a day to explore.

All the beauty and color of Spain comes together in Barcelona where tourist destinations like the Sagrada Familia attracts more than two million visitors a year. This mammoth temple has been under construction since 1882 and still isn't finished. The architecture is the type that you either love or hate - either way it's a must-see.

The Picasso Museum in Barcelona has Picasso's works arranged chronologically, so that visitors can view in person the evolution of this great artist's development and style over time. Spanish Village is a small village that replicates the historical style of villages from all over Spain. Special craft shops and workshops offer an in person view of traditional Spanish goods being made.

A world famous zoo and aquarium, along with several museums and some very odd and interesting examples of architecture round out a satisfying tour of Barcelona.

Moving on to Rome brings us to a rewarding close to the rich cultural beauty of Europe. This ancient city offers more to see and do than just about any place on the planet. Be sure to visit the Colosseum, the Catacombs and the Pantheon, all relics from far ancient times. The Centrale Montemartini is a former electrical power plant that now displays Roman sculptures and mosaics. And the Via Appia Antica is an old Appian Way lined with tombs and archeological sites.

Parks, gardens and museums also grace the city of Rome and even though you couldn't possibly visit each one, an effort should be made to see as much of this city as possible without exhausting yourself!