by Isabelle Esteves

Created on: October 03, 2008   Last Updated: November 16, 2011

Europe is  not referred to as the "Old Country" for no reason. History and culture will surround you not matter where you decide to travel.  Many people dream of  traveling  to Europe and certainly Europe has everything that any traveler could want. Whether you drive, take the fast train or fly, visiting  Europe is only a few hours away.

Traveling to England is the most culturally comfortable for Americans with no new language to learn but the nuances are so different that it will feel and sound foreign. From the Tower of London to Stonehenge,  the history is deep but familiar. The English pub is a tradition that is easily acquired and a ploughman's lunch or bangers and mash are traditional fare that won't be hard to get used to.

From Rome to Venice,  if you decide to travel to  Italy,  you will be surrounded by ancient history, religious history and modern history. Florence offers the two "Davids", Assisi has St. Francis and Pisa has its Leaning Tower. Indulging in pasta, cappuccino and tiramisu will have your taste buds singing and just walking through the streets of Pompeii brings the past very much to life.

If you love tapas and want to eat them where they are a national traditional,  traveling to Spain is a must. The Prado, in Madrid offers world class art, Barcelona has the architecture of Gaudi and Seville is steeped in Moorish history.

Deciding on European travel means leaving your preconceived notions at home. It's a big world out there and Europe is a vital part of it. No matter what your preferences, traveling in  France offers a chance to share in a multitude of cultural and dining experiences. From the Cote d'Azur to the streets of Montmarte it is all a wonderful adventure. The French enjoy food more than most and dining is always a experience.

History in Europe is as old as the world and learning about the great empires will make traveling to Greece a must. The Parthenon, the Acropolis and the sparkling aqua colored sea make this a must see destination.

Modern history requires that you travel to Germany. Visiting the World War II sites will help to assure that this will never happen again. More recently,  Berlin saw it's dividing wall come down signaling the downfall of Communism in Europe.

Europe offers the traveler a variety of cultural, historical and dining experiences all in a compact package. In one day you could have crepes for breakfast in France, gnocchi in Italy for lunch and paella in Spain for dinner. Whatever your travel preferences may be, you will find a destination in Europe to make your travel dreams come true.

Learn more about this author, Isabelle Esteves.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.