Has anyone asked you where you’ll travel after the pandemic? What did you say? Was your minded flooded with a surge of destinations around the world, that you replied with “there’s so many, I’m not sure where I’ll go first.”
If you’re anything like me, you’ve been eagerly waiting for a vaccine to be found, life to resume and destinations to safely reopen. While international travel isn’t a smart option in 2020, we can allow ourselves to be inspired and escape the tough reality of here and now, by daydreaming of what’s to come after the pandemic. And planning to visit the best places in Europe after the pandemic, OBVIOUSLY.
Because if there’s anything we’ve learnt from 2020, it’s this: put your holiday needs first because you never know what’s around the corner. Enjoy this virtual plane ticket around Europe!
Piran, Slovenia
Let’s start by getting to know Slovenia a bit better — the country has a unique style and attitude: it runs as efficiently as Germany but has the laid-back attitude of Italy.
Piran is the jewel of the 50km stretch of Slovenian coast, nestled in the Gulf of Trieste on the northern edge of the diamond-shaped Istrian peninsula. Its postcard-perfect views remain relatively undiscovered by tourists, so don’t expect vast crowds.
Succumb to its beckoning narrow alleys, picturesque Venetian palaces and its pretty heart — Tartini Square. Be sure to devote a day to its modern, diverse neighbour Koper.
The short but sweet Slovenian coastline offers emerald waters, chill bars, endless waterspouts and plunging cliffs. East of Piran, following a coastline of craggy beaches, sits Izola. It’s got a scruffier, fisherman’s feel. To the south is Portorož, the riviera resort, with its grand seafront promenade full of jetties, along with several 1980s-style hotels and casinos.
Berlin, Germany
Berlin is the rough diamond of Germany with its melting-pot of great nightlife and music, thriving art scene, and edgy graffiti on every corner. Stop to absorb the historic relics dotted all over the city before getting ready for hitting its clubs and artisy bars. If all that wasn’t enough, the fall of the Berlin Wall in ’89 and its liberal approach to just about everything, puts Berlin on the map as one of Europe’s coolest destinations.
A city where serious history meets seriously cool culture.
I’ve been twice and honestly guys, don’t go in winter. It’s ridiculously cold and gets dark early, so make sure you go between May – September to get the most out of your visit.
Florence, Italy
Florence, the cradle of the Renaissance, quintessentially romantic, is one of my favourite cities for heart-melting views. No visit to Florence is complete without strolling along the banks of the River Arno and stopping to admire the pretty shops that line the Ponte Vecchio. Meaning “old bridge” in Italian, this is the oldest bridge in the city and stands as a testament to Florence’s rustic, elegant and romantic beauty.
With frescoes by Giotto and Ghirlandaio, canvases by Botticelli and Bronzino, and sculptures by Michelangelo and Giambologna, there’s so much exquisite art and architecture within its ancient walls that it’s easy to become overwhelmed.
Delphi, Greece
Escape the popular and tourist-dense cities of Athens and Pompeii in place of Delphi. Beautiful and off-the-beaten-track.
According to Greek mythology, Zeus sent two eagles flying in opposite directions across the sky and vowed that wherever their paths crossed would be the crowned the centre of the world. Legend has it that the birds met over Delphi, seated on the slopes of Parnassós.
Lose yourself in this legendary place by meandering through the Temple of Apollo, quenching your thirst at Castallian Mountain Spring and stopping for lunch to feast your eyes on the Amfissa’s famed olive groves.
Venice, Italy
Home to shimmering glass sculptures, twisting canals, carnival marks and a royal blue gondolas, Venice seems tailor-made to delight the souls of passing lovers. While the city captivates tourists with its aesthetic lust, the centuries-old bridges (400+) that support them is evidence of its everlasting amore.
The gondolas plying the busy Grand Canal and intimate waterways of Venice are the backdrops to some of the most iconic images in the world. They stand as symbols of history, tradition and romance in the floating city. As one of the most dreamed-about experiences for travellers, be sure to indulge in a harmonious gondola ride but beware they’re pricey.
Unmask the secrets of Casanova’s city with your beloved in Venice.
Cappadocia, Turkey
Cappadocia is one of the most jaw-droppingly beautiful geological phenomenons in the world. The landscape is peppered with hundreds of oddly-shaped rocky pinnacles, soaring coned pillars and carved valleys, making this place one of the most mesmerising cities that will go beyond your wildest dreams. This place will not only get you out quarantine fatigue, it’ll transport you into a fantasy fiction novel.
And what better way to see it, than from a Turkish hot air balloon?
Imagine floating over this crazy, sherbet-coloured wonderland, with your lover in-hand, camera in the other.
From the air or below ground, during the day or at night, Cappadocia is simply spectacular.
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Amsterdam, you have water without being deprived of land.
Characterised by its elaborate canal system, blooming tulip fields, windmill-dotted landscapes and miles of cycling routes, Amsterdam is a stylish yet bohemian city.
From cosy cafe’s to traditional Dutch joints, Amsterdam’s “9 Little Streets” are big on personality. Known in Dutch as “9 Straatjes”, these adorable streets constitute a lively and contemporary neighbourhood, abounding with an array of luxury brands to organic-based start-ups. Thanks to its diminutive size and myriad of mind-blowing museums, Amsterdam is reckoned to have more culture per capita than any other city on Earth.
Pretty leaf-lined waterways, criss-crossed with curvy little bridges, edged with cobblestone streets and leaning gabled houses serve as a picturesque photo opportunity.
Sevilla, Spain
A city of legends and myths, the city of Don Juan and the opera Carmen, Sevilla is characterised by hundreds of charming corners that allure you with splashes of raunchy reds and daring yellows. The streets of Sevilla are the epitome of a treasured postcard, a little worn around the edges but still charming. With its wide-open piazzas, meandering streets and weathered Moorish buildings, it’s become an irresistible mecca for visitors.
While Plaza de España tells a story of grandeur, the azulejos mosaics depict history-defining moments in towns and Provinces across Spain.
Book some plane tickets, toss some clothes into a case, take your sweetheart by the hand, and prepare for a dreamy Sevillian retreat.
Welcome to Piran/Berlin/Florence/Delphi/Venice/Cappadocia/Amsterdam/Sevilla!
I hope you’ve enjoyed your journey, we’ll be landing soon. Ensure your safety belts are fastened, seats are in the upright position, and once it’s safe, the doors will be opened so you can start your travels. 😉
