Why I Love Traveling to Europe: A Travel Advisor’s Take on History, Culture, Food & Everyday Life

Dan Meister - Travel Advisor in Copenhagen

Why I Love Traveling to Europe (And Keep Going Back)
If you’re dreaming about story-packed streets, jaw-dropping architecture, legendary art and fresh, flavor-forward meals that put your neighborhood takeout to shame, Europe is tough to beat. As a travel advisor and group travel specialist, it’s the destination I return to again and again—and the one I never get tired of planning showing clients up close and personal. 

My personal started my Europe story right after college with an extended solo backpacking trip, long before the Berlin Wall came down. Watching the sun rise above the blue Mediterranean Sea on a Greek Island and set into dark night sky in the Scottish Highlands on a completely different continent flipped a switch in me—and I’ve been chasing that feeling ever since.

Over the years, I’ve crossed the continent by foot, train, bus, car, ferry and ship, watching it evolve and open up: the breakup of the USSR, the expansion of the European Union, the euro, open borders, and massive leaps in communication and transportation. Traveling to Europe has never been easier, yet the reasons I fell in love with it—deep history, rich culture, old world charm, incredible food and vivid everyday life—are still front and center.


At the same time, I’m deeply rooted in the United States — this is home. I recently reached a personal milestone by visiting all 50 states, and that journey only made me appreciate it more. I love the everyday ease of life here living in a modern house with my car parked in the driveway, 200 + channels on cable tv, the chance to be near friends and family, the friendliness of Americans along the freedoms and opportunities we enjoy.  And honestly, tailgating at a college football game on a crisp Saturday in the Fall is my personal nirvana.  

But when it comes to pure travel joy? Europe has my heart. Here’s why...

---

​A Buffet of Countries: If you crave variety, Europe delivers—with 50+ distinct nations packed onto one continent, each with its own flavor, culture and personality.

​The proximity and diversity is a traveler's dream. 


​

---

European History: Walking Through Millennia, Not Just Centuries
America’s story stretches back a few hundred years. Impressive, absolutely—but in Europe, you’re brushing up against thousands of years of history almost everywhere you go.

In a single day, you might stand in a Roman amphitheater, wander into a medieval cathedral, cross a Renaissance piazza and end up in a sleek contemporary designed hotel—all within the same city limits. The streets, bridges, city walls and churches aren’t just “old”; they’re pieces of a living timeline.

That’s one of the biggest reasons I love traveling to Europe: you don’t just read about history or see exhibits in a museum, you literally walk through it.

---

European Architecture: Castles, Palaces & Cathedrals at Every Turn
If architecture makes you happy, Europe is your playground. Think storybook castles perched on hillsides, glittering royal palaces and cathedrals so massive they reshape the skyline.

You can lose yourself in tiny villages with half-timbered houses, wander along canals lined with pastel townhouses and stone bridges, or slip into ornate Baroque churches layered with frescoes and gold leaf. Even everyday buildings—train stations, apartment blocks, corner cafes—often come wrapped in beautiful facades and carved details.

Every country, and honestly every region, has its own visual personality. That’s part of the fun of multi-country Europe itineraries: as you cross a border, the scenery, architecture and mood shift, and you feel it right away.

---

European Art:
​A Giant, Open-Air Gallery of Masterpieces
Europe is basically one enormous art gallery with no real walls. From Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci to Monet, Van Gogh and Picasso, many of the world’s most famous artists created their masterpieces here.

You can see them in headline museums like the Louvre, the Uffizi or the Rijksmuseum—but the real magic is how art spills into everyday life. You’ll find frescoes in tiny churches, sculptures in public squares, mosaics in metro stations and street art brightening old industrial neighborhoods.

Maybe you stumble on a tiny chapel on a back road in Ireland, discover a hidden courtyard on the Amalfi Coast, or turn a corner and find a mural you didn’t expect. Whether you can name every artist or just know that something moves you, Europe’s art has a way of making travel feel richer and more alive.

​

---

European Culture & Everyday Life: Walkable Cities and Real Connection
Beyond the famous sights, what keeps pulling me back is everyday European life. So many cities and towns are built on a human scale—walkable, compact and buzzing with local rhythm.

People walk to the bakery, linger at cafes, shop at neighborhood markets, claim a spot in the town square and spend real time outside with friends and family. Many neighborhoods feel like small villages inside the city, each with its own favorite bars, shops and pace. You also see fewer ads shouting at you from every surface, which feels surprisingly calming.

A few snapshots that stick with me:

• Copenhagen: There are famously more bikes than cars. Commuting by bike, in any weather, is just how life works.
• Italy: The "Passeggiata"--a slow, social evening stroll with no agenda beyond connection and pleasure—is an art form.
• Finland: The locals are proud to say there are more saunas than cars, which tells you everything about how seriously they take wellbeing and relaxation.

In many parts of Europe, life is measured more in time spent with people than in things acquired. Cities are dotted with plazas, pedestrian zones, playgrounds and markets that invite you to slow your pace. Those tiny rituals—coffee breaks, siestas, evening walks, chatting with the baker—often end up being the memories my clients treasure most.

​

---

Dan Meister on the Eurostar connecting London and Paris

Transportation: Trains, Ferries & Easy Connections
Another huge reason I love planning trips to Europe is how effortless it can be to get around. Once you’re there, the continent is remarkably connected.

Travelers have access to:

• High-speed trains linking major cities in just a few hours.
• Regional trains and buses reaching smaller towns and countryside corners.
• Ferries and small ships that hop between islands and coastal towns (and sometimes across borders).
• Efficient public transit—subways, trams and light rail—across most large cities.
• The highway network is extensive and well maintained for self-drive vacations.  

This is what makes multi-country Europe itineraries so appealing. You can truly wake up in one country and sit down to lunch in another—and it feels relaxed, not exhausting.

​

---

Dan Meister Dining in Paris

European Cuisine:
​A Continental Feast
Let’s talk about one of the most delicious reasons to visit Europe: the food and drink. For such a compact part of the world, the variety is incredible and the recipes and preparation have been perfected over time.

Just a few favorites:

• Greece: Fresh fish, grilled octopus, bright salads and simple seaside tavernas.
• Italy: Handmade pasta, wood-fired pizza, creamy gelato and deeply local wines.
• France: Pâté, mussels, buttery pastries and long, lingering dinners in Parisian-style bistros accompanied by a wonderful red wine from Bordeaux.
• United Kingdom: Classic fish and chips, cozy pub fare, hand pulled draft beer and a modern dining scene that’s far more creative than many expect.

But the magic isn’t only in the “big” meals—it’s in the daily rituals. Grabbing an espresso at the bar, picking up fresh bread from the neighborhood bakery, wandering open-air markets filled with seasonal produce, cheese, olives and regional specialties.

Personally, I have a soft spot for pubs and beer gardens. There’s nothing quite like sitting in the town square looking up at the castle across the river with a cold local beer.

As a travel planner, I love weaving in food tours, hands-on cooking classes and wine, beer and whiskey tastings. These experiences are relaxed, fun and full of local flavor—literally and figuratively.

​

---

Vienna Christmas Market

European Festivals:
​Europe’s Big, Unforgettable Events

Europe is packed with world-class festivals that are worth planning a whole trip around. A few of my favorites:

• Oktoberfest – Munich, Germany (September): The world’s biggest beer festival, with giant tents, music, Bavarian food and nonstop good cheer.
• Edinburgh Festivals & Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo – Scotland (August): The city becomes one huge stage, with the world’s largest arts festival and dramatic evening performances at Edinburgh Castle.
• Holy Week (Semana Santa) – Seville, Spain (Easter): Emotional processions, ornate floats and music fill the streets during this powerful spiritual celebration.
• Tulip Season – The Netherlands (April-May): Fields, gardens and parks burst into color with millions of blooming tulips.
• Christmas Markets – Across Europe (late November–December): Especially magical in Germany and Austria, with twinkling lights, handmade gifts, mulled wine and cozy holiday treats.

​

---

Heritage Trips to Europe: Tracing Your Family Story
For many Americans, the family story begins on European soil. Take Ireland: more than 30 million Americans claim Irish roots, while fewer than 7 million people live on the island today.

Designing heritage trips is one of my favorite parts of what I do. The ancient cathedrals, castles, town squares, graveyards, schools and family homes are often still standing. Once we know the villages or regions your family came from, we can shape your itinerary so you can walk the same streets, stand in the same churches and feel that deep connection between past and present.

​

Traveling to Europe Has Never Been Easier
Another reason I’m so hooked on planning trips to Europe: getting there and getting around keeps getting easier.

• Currency: Many countries use the euro, so you’re not constantly juggling different currencies.
• No Border Checks: Within the Schengen Area, there are no routine border checks, which makes crossing countries remarkably simple.
• We speak the same language:  Although it is always polite and best manners to try to learn the local language, English is the bridge language for Europeans and is widely spoken in cities and popular travel areas, which takes a lot of pressure off first-time visitors.
• Technology—e-tickets, translation apps, online maps, local transit apps and contactless payments—smooths out the logistics.
• Easier Flights:  There are now many daily nonstop flights from the U.S. to major European hubs, so you can often fly straight to where you need to be.

When I think back to my early backpacking days, I’m amazed at how much more streamlined it is now. You still get the full depth of culture and history, just with fewer hassles.

Why This Matters for My Clients when planning a trip to Europe?
All of this—layered history, striking architecture, everyday culture, easy transportation, incredible food and overall accessibility—is why I love traveling to Europe personally. It’s also why I’m so passionate about helping clients plan their own European adventures, whether it’s a milestone celebration, a small group journey, a multi-generational family trip or a fully custom, hand-crafted itinerary.
​

---

In Summary:
Europe offers endless possibilities, but it doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. With thoughtful planning, you can see the major highlights and experience the unscripted everyday moments that make travel feel truly magical and memorable.

If you’re thinking about planning a trip to Europe—and you’d like guidance from someone who has walked the cobblestones, ridden the trains and “researched” the gelato more times than he can count—I’d be honored to help you design a custom Europe itinerary you’ll never forget.

"Don't be late until it's too late, step out the door and start moving as amazing experiences are waiting just for you" - Dan Meister - Travel Coach

---

More Information:

• Contact Us
• About US