by Bar de Ness

Created on: October 27, 2010   Last Updated: December 30, 2010

Europe is a melting pot of unique countries all of which are a testament to civilization. Each offers culture, advancement of learning, excellent cuisine, visually stunning sights and sounds, overpowering aromas, and outstanding architecture and scenery. 

The European nations offer scintillating experiences and embraces them with individual identity and warm civility. Regarded as the seat of human learning, Europe has shaped and developed the world today. Europeans are sophisticated, informed, stylish and very liberal.

They are also very modest.

The biggest question for a first time traveller to this richly diverse continent is where to begin, and what are the essential stops?

In no particular order here is a flying visit. Let's begin from the eastern Atlantic seaboard across from North America. We could begin from Asia where east meets west in Turkey, or enter from Russia encompassing the old Soviet bloc countries of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, or we could venture from North Africa south of the Mediterranean. We could even enter from the Arctic circle, embracing Iceland. However, lets begin with the Irish coast, the first eastern Atlantic land mass, and besides, its always wise to begin with the Irish.

From there, just a short journey, brings us to the United Kingdom (once known by the Roman Empire as Britannia, a hostile land populated by barbarians and regarded as her last frontier), a nation comprised of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Great Britain consists of England, Scotland and Wales. The Republic of Ireland (Eire) shares a border with Northern Ireland, and is the UK's nearest European neighbour.

Across the English Channel lies mainland Europe. Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg (known as the Benelux countries), France, Germany, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Austria, Switzerland, Andorra, Monaco, the Czech Republic, Poland, Slovenia, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Bosnia and Greece. East of the UK across the North Sea lies the Scandinavian countries of Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Finland.

Those countries which are in the European Union use the same currency (the Euro) and almost all drive on the right-hand side of the road.  They have their own language, and they pride themselves on their own culture. The European Union is an economic and political entity only. Nothing more. If it has a value then it was honed by hundreds of years of conflict with lessons learned. Each country within it has its own identity.

The cities of these countries are renown, and laced with art and culture. Most of them at some point have influenced world history. All of them have something unique to offer.

How can anyone choose which is an essential stop? London, Dublin, Edinburgh, Paris, Lyon, Rome, Venice, Florence, Berlin, Amsterdam, Milan, Madrid, Barcelona, Lisbon, Athens, Stockholm, Seville, Vienna, Prague, Budapest, Warsaw, Istanbul - the list is endless and create endless joy.

The fact is that they are all essential stops, and each is accessible to each other. Stick a pin blindfolded on a map of Europe. Follow that, plan a route, venture forth, and have an adventure.

If you get lost, then consider yourself lucky, for to lose yourself in Europe is an experience that many have often dreamed.

The "Grand Tour of Europe" has always been regarded as the height of enlightened sophistication for the past 250 years. It is still attainable. But today pins are cheap, and if you have the time, then stick them abundantly.

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