Bucket list: 30 places in Europe you must see before you die
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Var, Provence, France
From the aquamarine waters of the Gorges du Verdon, to what our expert Anthony Peregrine describes as the “soul-stirring” sight of lavender fields, the Var is the most beautiful part of
- and there's some serious competition for that title. Clusters of stone houses form tiny villages hidden between the weft and warp of winding roads in the Haut-Var, where you can expect good food, better scenery, fewer crowds and a taste of the real Provençal life.
Gaudí’s Barcelona, Spain
The Sagrada Família cathedral, begun at the end of the 19th century, remains unfinished, but its forests of detailed pillars are still spectacular. Palau Güell is a “
”, according to Sally Davies, Telegraph Travel’s
expert. The architecture of Antoni Gaudí punctuates the streets and boulevards of the Catalan capital, the jester-like mosaics and surreal bulging lines of his work recognisable at each turn. Park Güell was based on the English idea of the “garden city”, with gatehouses inspired by Hansel and Gretel, and the much-photographed snaking bench a real draw. Entry to the park costs €8 – if you want Gaudi for free, wander through the city streets to find La Pedrera, Casa Vicens, and Casa Batlló, all buildings that can be admired for free from without.
Sistine Chapel, Italy
Michelangelo’s masterpiece among masterpieces is this chapel within the Apostolic Palace in Rome. A fresco painting of The Last Judgement covers the entire wall behind the altar, while the ceiling, 40 m (131 ft) long by 13 m (43 ft) wide, features nine Biblical stories. Tilt your head up to admire his work, and thank your lucky stars you didn’t have to hold the position to paint it yourself. Follow our
– it is often packed to the rafters – dress code, and opening times.
Acropolis, Greece
There’s a good reason some three million people visit the Acropolis in
every year. The “sacred rock” dates from the 5th century BC, and the Parthenon, its most famous temple, supported by 46 Doric columns, is considered to be the most influential buildings in classical architecture. Jane Foster, Telegraph Travel’s Athens expert, advises
, “when it is at its most magnificent, bathed in golden floodlighting.”
Pamukkale, Turkey
Terry Richardson, Telegraph Travel’s
expert, says the site “hangs like the petrified cascade of a mighty waterfall, from the rim of a steep valley side in Turkey’s picturesque southwest”. These surreal travertine steps on the edge of the Anatolian plateau sit alongside the ruins of the ancient city of Hierapolis, and are easily accessible for everyday travellers. Follow his
to avoid the crowds – Pamukkale is Turkey’s most visited attraction.
Back to bottling my Grenache
