Ultimate 5 Day Iceland Road Trip Itinerary | 37 Best Places to Visit and Things to Do in Iceland | Top 37 Photography Locations in Iceland
Europe Travel Blog Shirshendu Sengupta Europe Travel Blog Shirshendu Sengupta

Ultimate 5 Day Iceland Road Trip Itinerary | 37 Best Places to Visit and Things to Do in Iceland | Top 37 Photography Locations in Iceland

Uniquely situated on the rift between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates at the junction of the Atlantic and Arctic Oceans, the island nation of Iceland is aptly dubbed as the ‘Land of Fire and Ice,’ due to the presence of some of Europe’s largest glaciers and most active volcanoes at the same time. Iceland is a country with dramatic diversity in climate and geography ranging from volcanoes, lava fields, mountains, glaciers, ice caves, waterfalls, rivers, lakes, hot springs, and black beaches. And due to its vicinity to the North Pole, it’s also an iconic destination to chase the Northern Lights. All of these together, create an enchanting otherworldly ambiance that cannot be expressed in words but has to be experienced in person. And probably that’s the reason why Iceland has been the backdrop of several Hollywood and Bollywood movies and TV Series like Starwars, Tomb Raider, Die Another Day, Batman Begins, Thor: The Dark World, Interstellar, Fast and Furious 8, Game of Thrones, Vikings, and Katla to name a few!

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The Perfect 9 Days in Switzerland Itinerary | Ultimate 9 Day Switzerland Road Trip Itinerary | Complete Travel Guide to Best Places to Visit and Top Must See Tourist Attractions of Switzerland
Europe Travel Blog Shirshendu Sengupta Europe Travel Blog Shirshendu Sengupta

The Perfect 9 Days in Switzerland Itinerary | Ultimate 9 Day Switzerland Road Trip Itinerary | Complete Travel Guide to Best Places to Visit and Top Must See Tourist Attractions of Switzerland

To me, Switzerland is all about mountains, lakes, waterfalls, alpine villages, and historic towns. So you need to choose an itinerary combining one or two of each of the above to experience the beauty of Switzerland in its entirety. Also, having too many of each of these may be overkill and turn out to be a very expensive Swiss drama. So, in our itinerary, we chose the best of each of the above to ensure we capture the true essence of Switzerland in our hearts forever, while keeping the itinerary cost-effective.

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8 Best Christmas Markets in France | 8 Top Destinations to Visit in France at Christmas | 8 Must See French Towns to Spend a Magical Christmas
Europe Travel Blog Shirshendu Sengupta Europe Travel Blog Shirshendu Sengupta

8 Best Christmas Markets in France | 8 Top Destinations to Visit in France at Christmas | 8 Must See French Towns to Spend a Magical Christmas

With an age-old tradition dating back to the 14th century, France is one of those countries in Europe, where celebrating Christmas with zest and fervor is deeply rooted within its national culture. And since the concept of the world's first ever Christmas Tree originated from here, France has as much right to the title of ‘The Home of Christmas’ as the North Pole. Owing to the diverse geography running from the French Alps to the Mediterranean, France follows different Christmas customs in different regions. But there is one thing in common - the Christmas Markets!

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Ultimate 5 Day Road Trip Guide to Visiting the Best Lavender Fields of Provence, France | Itinerary, Lavender Route Map, Tips and Tricks
Europe Travel Blog Shirshendu Sengupta Europe Travel Blog Shirshendu Sengupta

Ultimate 5 Day Road Trip Guide to Visiting the Best Lavender Fields of Provence, France | Itinerary, Lavender Route Map, Tips and Tricks

The lavender fields in Provence are among the most well-known in the world. Every year between mid-June and mid-August, when the Provence lavender fields begin to take on their distinctive purple tint, and the countryside gets inundated by their sight and scent, it reminds us that even when life is about to come to a standstill at the whim of the sun's powerful rays, the earth can still ripen, that there can be joy amidst misery. And that, my friends, is not a sight to be missed! Today I’m going to take you along with me on a ride across the best lavender fields of Provence. Let the journey begin!

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Hallerbos | Belgium’s Fairytale Bluebell Forest | The Magical Blue Forest in Halle, Belgium
Europe Travel Blog Shirshendu Sengupta Europe Travel Blog Shirshendu Sengupta

Hallerbos | Belgium’s Fairytale Bluebell Forest | The Magical Blue Forest in Halle, Belgium

From late April through May, millions of bluebells blanket the Hallerbos, also known as the ‘Blue Forest’ of Belgium, located in the municipality of Halle, 20 km south of Brussels. As far as the eye can see, a flowering carpet brushes up against the slender beech trees in the 1,360-acre forests' unearthly transformation. Visitors can meander the twisting roads while keeping an eye out for deer and rabbits that wander through the lush, emerald woodlands. Though bluebells are not uncommon in Europe, especially in its oldest woods, the Hallerbos is exceptional due to the quantity and quality of its bloom.

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5 Most Beautiful Towns and Villages to Visit in Lake Como
Europe Travel Blog Shirshendu Sengupta Europe Travel Blog Shirshendu Sengupta

5 Most Beautiful Towns and Villages to Visit in Lake Como

The inverted letter ‘Y’ shaped (or ‘lambda’ for science students) lake of Como (also known as Lario) is a gorgeous glacial lake in the Lombardy region of Italy, 50 km north of Milan. After Lake Garda and Lake Maggiore, it is the third-largest lake in Italy with a surface area of 146 sq. km. With a depth of 425 m, it is the fifth-deepest lake in Europe. Home to picturesque villages, elegant villas, luscious green mountains, and sparkling blue shores, Lake Como is a place where gleaming red Ferraris glide through little lakeside towns and aristocrats, royals, and celebs vacation in neoclassical villas. Here the 2006 Bond film ‘Casino Royale’ was partly shot and many of the opulent lakeside hotels are priced like 007 properties. Hollywood star George Clooney is known to spend the summer months at his 25-room Villa Oleandra in Laglio on Lake Como.

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Ultimate San Marino Day Trip Itinerary | 10 Best Places to Visit and Things To Do in San Marino in One Day | Top 10 Tourist Attractions to Visit in San Marino on a Day Trip
Europe Travel Blog Shirshendu Sengupta Europe Travel Blog Shirshendu Sengupta

Ultimate San Marino Day Trip Itinerary | 10 Best Places to Visit and Things To Do in San Marino in One Day | Top 10 Tourist Attractions to Visit in San Marino on a Day Trip

The Republic of San Marino situated on the slopes of Mount Titano 657 meters (2,156 feet) above sea level, northeast to the Apennine Mountains, is a European microstate landlocked by Italy on all sides, offering breathtaking views of the Adriatic coast. With a population of 33,562 and a land area of just over 61 sq. km, it is the third-smallest independent country in Europe after Vatican City and Monaco, the fifth-smallest country in the world, and until the independence of Nauru (1968), the smallest republic in the world.

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17 Best Places to Visit and Things To Do in Florence and Pisa | Top 17 Must See Tourist Attractions in Florence and Pisa, Tuscany, Italy
Europe Travel Blog Shirshendu Sengupta Europe Travel Blog Shirshendu Sengupta

17 Best Places to Visit and Things To Do in Florence and Pisa | Top 17 Must See Tourist Attractions in Florence and Pisa, Tuscany, Italy

Tuscany is renowned for its exquisite scenery, magnificent art, architecture, and extraordinary charm. However, Florence is the only location in Tuscany where all four of these characteristics come together seamlessly to create a majestic, charming, and utterly unique city. Florence is known for the vast political and economic influence it held during the Medici dynasty and for providing a platform for world-renowned personalities like Michelangelo, Brunelleschi, Leonardo da Vinci, Dante, Galileo, Marconi, Botticelli, and Machiavelli, to name a few.

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Ultimate Photography Location Guide to Tuscany | Top 37 Instagram Photo Spots in Tuscany | 37 Best Places to Visit in Tuscany, Italy
Europe Travel Blog Shirshendu Sengupta Europe Travel Blog Shirshendu Sengupta

Ultimate Photography Location Guide to Tuscany | Top 37 Instagram Photo Spots in Tuscany | 37 Best Places to Visit in Tuscany, Italy

Tuscany in central Italy is not only one of the most well-known regions of the country, but it's also unquestionably one of the most picturesque travel destinations in all of Europe. A few of the attractions that make a trip to Tuscany unforgettable include the fascinating hilly landscapes, pine forests, cypress avenues, rolling hilltop vineyards, golden yellow fields, olive groves, idyllic medieval villages, an immeasurable wealth of art treasures, authentic cuisines, and locally brewed wines. In addition, it is regarded as one of the most significant Renaissance cultural landscapes, having numerous sites and attractions on the UNESCO World Heritage List. No wonder photographers from all over the world come to Tuscany to shoot the best photos of their lifetimes!

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Complete Guide to Visiting Leonardo da Vinci’s ‘The Last Supper’ at Santa Maria Delle Grazie Church in Milan, Italy | Everything You Need to Know to Visit ‘The Last Supper’ | Info, Tips, and Tricks
Europe Travel Blog Shirshendu Sengupta Europe Travel Blog Shirshendu Sengupta

Complete Guide to Visiting Leonardo da Vinci’s ‘The Last Supper’ at Santa Maria Delle Grazie Church in Milan, Italy | Everything You Need to Know to Visit ‘The Last Supper’ | Info, Tips, and Tricks

‘The Last Supper’ by Leonardo da Vinci (Cenacolo Vinciano in Italian) is one of the most well-known paintings in the entire world. This piece of art was commissioned by Ludovico Sforza, Duke of Milan, and created by Da Vinci between 1494 and 1498, depicting Jesus and his disciples having their final meal, on an interior wall of the Santa Maria Delle Grazie church, a UNESCO World Heritage site, in Milan, Italy.

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One Day in Milan Itinerary | 9 Best Places to Visit and Things to Do in Milan in One Day | Top 9 Must See Tourist Attractions in Milan on a Day Trip
Europe Travel Blog Shirshendu Sengupta Europe Travel Blog Shirshendu Sengupta

One Day in Milan Itinerary | 9 Best Places to Visit and Things to Do in Milan in One Day | Top 9 Must See Tourist Attractions in Milan on a Day Trip

Milan is the capital of the Lombardy region in northern Italy and the second most populous city in Italy after Rome. It is the most prosperous manufacturing, commercial, financial, and cultural hub in Italy where life is fast-paced, money does the talking, creativity is a major business, and fashion is an art form!

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The Christmas Markets of Stockholm | Top 5 Things to See and Do during Christmas in Stockholm | 5 Best Places to Visit during Christmas in Stockholm, Sweden
Europe Travel Blog Shirshendu Sengupta Europe Travel Blog Shirshendu Sengupta

The Christmas Markets of Stockholm | Top 5 Things to See and Do during Christmas in Stockholm | 5 Best Places to Visit during Christmas in Stockholm, Sweden

Christmas in Stockholm is a time of coziness, shimmering lighting, copious amounts of food and drink, and a few unique traditions ranging from solemn to hilarious. Stockholm's Christmas markets await exploration, with a million Christmas lights adorning the streets and a chill in the air filled with seasonal cheer.

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The Christmas Markets of Helsinki | Top 6 Things to See and Do during Christmas in Helsinki | 6 Best Places to Visit during Christmas in Helsinki, Finland
Europe Travel Blog Shirshendu Sengupta Europe Travel Blog Shirshendu Sengupta

The Christmas Markets of Helsinki | Top 6 Things to See and Do during Christmas in Helsinki | 6 Best Places to Visit during Christmas in Helsinki, Finland

While the sun may be reluctant to rise as winter settles in on Helsinki, the aroma of mulled wine, or glögi, and shop window decorations warm the heart as the holiday season approaches. People take advantage of pikkujoulu, or "little Christmas," when they celebrate in pubs and restaurants, because Christmas is normally a quiet family affair. Despite the fact that the temperature drops below minus 10 degrees Celsius at this time of the year, the atmosphere still remains one of warm conviviality. Even when the temperature drops, shops and restaurants gleam with a warm glow, and Finnish structures are known for their ability to withstand the worst frost. When you add carol concerts in churches to the mix, it's hard to believe Helsinki wasn't built for the sole purpose of celebrating Christmas.

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The Christmas Markets of Tallinn | Top 7 Things to See and Do during Christmas in Tallinn | 7 Best Places to Visit during Christmas in Tallinn, Estonia
Europe Travel Blog Shirshendu Sengupta Europe Travel Blog Shirshendu Sengupta

The Christmas Markets of Tallinn | Top 7 Things to See and Do during Christmas in Tallinn | 7 Best Places to Visit during Christmas in Tallinn, Estonia

Tallinn's medieval Old Town takes on a particularly romantic look in the winter, when a new dusting of snow covers its rooftops and candles cast a flickering glow across its cobblestone alleyways. Tallinn is at its most enchanting during the winter, despite the dark nights. From ice skating on the Old Town's outdoor rink to sipping mulled wine on the ancient Town Hall square at one of Europe's best Christmas Markets, it's a true winter wonderland!

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The Christmas Markets of Riga | Top 7 Things to See and Do during Christmas in Riga | 7 Best Places to Visit during Christmas in Riga, Latvia
Europe Travel Blog Shirshendu Sengupta Europe Travel Blog Shirshendu Sengupta

The Christmas Markets of Riga | Top 7 Things to See and Do during Christmas in Riga | 7 Best Places to Visit during Christmas in Riga, Latvia

With a strong pagan and Christian streak, Latvians commemorate Christmas (or the Winter Solstice) with zest and fervor. And since the world's very first ever Christmas Tree was put up in Riga back in 1510, Latvia has as much right to the title of ‘The Home of Christmas’ as the North Pole. At Riga, even if it's not a white Christmas, you can easily enter the seasonal spirit by simply following the aroma of gingerbread and mulled red wine and charming stalls selling hand-knitted shawls, mittens, socks, fragrant candle lights, artisanal spoons, and other woodwork in the Christmas Markets in the center of the Old Town. And don't forget to give yourself some rest from shopping with authentic delicacies like grey peas and bacon, best on a chilling winter day.

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The Christmas Markets of Vilnius | Top 7 Things to See and Do during Christmas in Vilnius | 7 Best Places to Visit during Christmas in Vilnius, Lithuania
Europe Travel Blog Shirshendu Sengupta Europe Travel Blog Shirshendu Sengupta

The Christmas Markets of Vilnius | Top 7 Things to See and Do during Christmas in Vilnius | 7 Best Places to Visit during Christmas in Vilnius, Lithuania

December in Vilnius is a unique time as Christmas and New Year draw closer and bring the associated festivities. Vilnius got extremely popular when ‘The Guardian’ listed Vilnius’ Christmas Tree amongst the most gorgeous ones globally in 2015. Its appeal increased with the Christmas Trees of 2016 and 2017. In 2019 when we visited, Vilnius set up a 27 meters (around 90 feet) high metal Christmas Tree made with 600+ branches and over 5 km of lighting themed on the Queen of Chess (ranked as finest Christmas Tree in Europe that year), surrounded by stalls offering well-crafted distinct handmade products, a wide variety of dining establishments open till midnight and youth choirs shouting Christmas carols all around. Certainly, Vilnius is a must-visit Christmas location.

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15 Best Iconic Murals of Berlin Wall East Side Gallery | Top 15 Most Famous Graffiti and Street Art of Berlin Wall Memorial
Europe Travel Blog Shirshendu Sengupta Europe Travel Blog Shirshendu Sengupta

15 Best Iconic Murals of Berlin Wall East Side Gallery | Top 15 Most Famous Graffiti and Street Art of Berlin Wall Memorial

For over three decades, Berlin, the present capital of Germany, was a divided city, with a wall running through its center. The Berlin Wall divided the city into East and West Berlin from August 13, 1961, until November 9, 1989. Today, the East Side Gallery, the Berlin Wall Memorial in Bernauer Strasse, the Berlin-Hohenschönhausen Memorial, a former Stasi remand jail, and the green Mauerpark are all places where you can find traces of the Wall, its remains, and memorial sites, with The East Side Gallery, formerly a part of the original Berlin Wall being the most famous one. Today I’m going to take you along with me on a journey across the 15 most iconic murals of the Berlin Wall East Side Gallery. Let the journey begin!

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