Europe has long been a continent to inspire romanticism and fantasy; from stealing a kiss under the Eiffel Tower, to sailing freely throughout the Greek Islands, and eating your body weight in Spanish tapas, there’s no continent on earth quite like it.

A continent that stretches from Turkey to Portugal, and then north up to Iceland, Europe is full of ancient wonders, medieval structures, mouthwatering menus, modern cities, fairy-tale landscapes, and Mediterranean beaches.

It’s also a massive smorgasbord of culture.

There’s much to love about this region, and in fact, when we think about it, there’s never a day when we’re not in love with Europe!

4 Reasons We’re Always in Love With Europe

Living History

The cities in Europe are really, really old. Some of them date back to over 2,000 years, and this is especially the case if you visit places like Rome (ie, the Colosseum, built in 70 AD).

History comes alive throughout Europe, and heritage listed monuments / sites are well preserved throughout the continent – each country is proud of their history and heritage, and it’s here you’ll be able to visit some of the oldest sites in human history.

You can walk up to the Acropolis as Socrates did, or stand within the walls of the Tower of London, where Queens of England were beheaded and still buried to this day. You can visit the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, a 200+ year work in progress, or climb the towers of the 1436 Florence Duomo.

It’s quite incredible to immerse yourself in so much rich history!

Please respect the history of Europe as you travel. Ie, don’t engrave your name in the Colosseum, or destroy or deface a structure that has been standing for thousands of years. I’s equally as important to respect local customs, and wear the appropriate attire when visiting sacred sites.

It’s very easy to fall in love with Europe, and you would need multiple lifetimes to see everything on offer (ie there are 900 historic churches in Rome alone!). If want to stay in Europe long-term an Irish citizenship application is typically thought of as the easiest to obtain.

Tasty Treats

When it comes to food, Europe offers a distinctly diverse culinary scene; this has always been the case, and always will be! And of course, the way to most travelers’ hearts is through their stomachs!

Europe is one of the world’s most delicious food meccas; a patchwork of 40+ compulsively individual countries, nations here take deep pride in their gastronomy and culinary heritage, and are fiercely proud of their regional food offerings.

This Michelin-starred continent is not only famous for its gourmet scene, but also mouth-watering street foods. From savory foods like schnitzels and goulash to sweet dishes like waffles and pastries, Europe will satisfy any and all food cravings.

And there’s something for every palate.

For a well rounded sampling of European food, head to Italy for pasta and pizza (specifically Naples for pizza), Brussels for desserts like waffles, France for anything French (Crepes anyone?!), and Budapest for Goulash.

You’ll find authentic Greek food like Dolmadakia, Souvlaki, and Kefalotyri in Athens, Florentine steak paired with a fine Chianti wine in Florence, and of course we haven’t even yet mentioned the many variations of authentic coffee!

Europe is full of tasty treats, and the food alone is reason to love the continent!

Never-Ending Hidden Gems

There’s definitely a well trodden path in Europe, from the likes of London, Paris and Rome which draw millions of tourists. But with 51 independent countries, there are also a never ending range of hidden gems.

Even in destinations that dominate world tourism, like London, Paris (click here for Paris hidden gems), and Rome, away from the grandiose of commercialism and mass media slavery, there are still unique and unusual attractions to discover.

Beyond the grandoise palaces and boulevards, and behind the museums and historic facades, are cobbled backstreets with many lesser-known things to do. You’re never too far away from something new in Europe, and we’re so in love with this charm!

For those willing to venture outside the cities, authentic small villages await you, where you can truly feel as though you’ve stumbled upon something undiscovered (renting a car in Europe is a great way to explore off the beaten path).

Of our favorites, and one of the prettiest towns in Northern France, Riquewihr is a fortified village with 15th century half-timbered homes that look as though they belong on a postcard. Metz is equally as beautiful.

There’s Never a Bad Time to Go

The ultimate reason we’re always in love with Europe is that there truly is never a bad time to go! Summer is peak season in most of Europe, with glorious sunshine and long days which make it perfect for enjoying the vibrancy of the culture outdoors.

Though come winter, ski resorts and snow fields open up, and if you’re planning on hitting the slopes in winter, Europe is home to some of the World’s most iconic ski resorts.

Winter is also a wonderful time to experience Europe, as countries are transformed into magical lands with fairylights strung up throughout cities, public ice skating rinks set up in front of towering Gothic churches, and snow fall blanketing the landscape of historic castles.

Things are cheap in winter (since it’s off peak season), and you can seek an authentic experience without competing with crowds of other tourists. The Christmas markets in Europe are also a once in a lifetime experience!

Destinations within the Mediterranean though, offer great weather all year round (ie the Greek Islands, Sicily, Croatia). So if you’re wondering when is the best time to visit Europe, the answer is all year!

Why do you love Europe?