I’m a 90s kid who grew up watching DDLJ. I’m sure all my fellow Indians know what that sentence means. DDLJ introduced travelling across Europe and finding love while on the road. DDLJ and many other movies, Instagram have ignited my wanderlust and excitement to explore this vast continent. So here’s my Europe travel bucket list.

I’ve categorized my Europe bucket list according to the countries for convenience. I’ve crossed a few items off the Europe bucket list. But I still have a long way to go.

RUSSIA

I’ve always been curious about Russia. It’s always described as something mysterious and cold. But when I travelled to this amazing country, I was surprised. It’s nothing like the Hollywood movies portray. I fell in love with Russia during my short voyage. Russia holds a special place in my heart.

• Walk around the Red Square.
• Ride the metro to all the exquisite metro stations in Moscow.
• Take a picture at St. Basil’s cathedral.
• Watch a ballet show.
• Tour the metros stations in St. Petersburg.
• Enjoy the city view from the top of St Isaac’s cathedral.
• Marvel at the vastness of Lake Baikal.
• Go on a trip to Kazan.
• Travel back in time to the dark chapter in Russian history at the Gulag museum in Moscow.
• Explore Peterhof Palace in St Petersburg.
• Travel to the Curonian spit in Kaliningrad.
• Join a food tour and enjoy traditional Russian gastronomy.
• Thoroughly explore the city of Moscow.
• Tour St. Petersburg.
• Ride the Trans-Siberian railway.

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ITALY

I’ve spent hours dreaming about exploring the Tuscany landscape and spending a few days at a vineyard. Recently the spectacular views while hiking the Cinque Terre were what renewed my interest in Italy.

• Hike the Cinque Terre.
• Stay at a vineyard in Tuscany.
• Visit a vineyard.
• Climb the Leaning Tower of Pisa.
• Stay in Venice.
• Enjoy a gondola ride in Venice.
• Drive along the Amalfi coast.
• Make a wish at Trevi fountain.
• Go shopping in Milan.
• Go on a food tour.
• Admire the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel.
• Click instagrammable pictures at the Colosseum.
• Walk around the ruins of Pompeii.
• Hike to the top of Mount Vesuvius.
• Take a trip to Verona and visit Juliet’s balcony.
• Eat lots of gelatos.
• Admire the art displayed in the Uffizi Gallery.
• Take a day trip to San Gimignano.
• Relax at the beaches of Capri.
• Take a boat ride around to the Blue Grotto in Capri.
• Go on a guided tour to explore the underground tunnels.

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TURKEY

I’ve read hundreds of blog posts about sailing in a hot air balloon above Cappadocia. Seeing on the beautiful photos and the colourful hot air balloons have ignited my wanderlust. The Turkish gastronomy captured my taste buds and I can’t wait to sample all the sweets and street foods.

• Spend a week in Cappadocia.
• Ride a hot air balloon in Cappadocia.
• Relax on the beaches of a Fethiye.
• Visit the Hagia Sofia.
• Shop my way through the many markets of Istanbul.
• Watch the Whirling Dervishes.
• Travel to the thermal pool terraces at Pamukkale.
• See the fallen heads of giant statues at Mount Nemrut National Park.
• Join a food tour in Istanbul.
• Enjoy a cup of tea at a cafe.
• Join an Istanbul guided walking tour.

SWITZERLAND

Like any typical Indian girl, I grew up watching DDLJ. So it’s a given that I would want to visit Switzerland and drive around the country in a red convertible. And the adventure sports at Interlaken are the icing on the cake.

• Undertake the different adventures Interlaken has to offer.
  • Paragliding
  • Skydiving
• Visit Jungfraujoch.
• Go on a road trip across Switzerland.
• Cruise down the Rhine river.
• Ride the Euro rail across Switzerland.
• See the Rhine falls from up close.
• Ride the Glacier express.

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FRANCE

I’ve explored all of France’s tourist’s attractions- the Eiffel Tower and so on. It’s time to explore the road less travelled. I want to go on a gastronomy tour.

• Enjoy the view from the top of the Eiffel tower.
• Visit the Mont Saint-Michel during high tide and low tide.
• Appreciate art at Louvre.
• Walk along the banks of Seine.
• Relax and enjoy a cup of coffee at one of the many cafes.
• Hike the Cliffs of Etretat.
• Wander the lavender fields in Provence.
• Take a road trip to the French Riviera.
• Enjoy a luxury stay in the French Riviera.
• Climb the dune of Pilat and be awes by the stunning views.
• Join a gastronomy tour in Lyon.
• Stay at a French Chateau.
• Visit the French vineyards.

GREECE

Who can say no to relaxing on sandy beaches and swimming in emerald, sky blue and turquoise waters? Not me. This is reason enough to visit Greece.

• See the shipwreck at Zaykantos island.
• Explore the city of Athens.
• Hike the Dragon lakes in Epirus.
• Climb to the top of Mount Olympus.
• Take a cliche picture at Santorini.
• Explore the underground Melissani lake in Kefaloni.
• Bungee jumping at Corinth canal.
• Visit Mykonos island.
• Go island hopping.
• Volunteer to help sea turtles, dolphins and other creatures in Kos.
• Visit the monastery atop the mountain at Meteora.
• Sample a variety of Greek desserts.
• Try cliff jumping.

SCANDINAVIA

(Denmark, Norway, Finland, Sweden, Greenland)

Apart from witnessing the spectacular Northern Lights, the thunderous waterfalls, the distinctive hotels attracted me to this region. I have a long list of hotels I plan on staying at during my travels.

• Visit Santa’s house at the North pole in Lapland.
• Go swimming in the Arctic.
• Gaze at the Northern lights.
• Stay at an ice hotel.
• Ride a dog and reindeer-drawn sledges.
• Drive along the wild Atlantic road.
• Stay in a glass igloo.
• Ride the Flam railway in Norway.
• Hike up to the Pulpit Rock.
• Go waterfall hunting across Iceland.
• Ride a hot air balloon over Lapland.
• Go whale watching in Greenland.
• Hike my way through icy blue glacier caves.
• Enjoy the view from Troll’s tongue.
• Drive across the Lofoten Islands.
• Spot polar bears while cruising Svalbard, Norway.
• Take the iconic picture standing on the Kjeragbolten.
• Stay at the Treehouse hotel in Sweden.
• Enjoy a relaxing swim at the blue lagoon.
• Visit the diamond beach.
• Ride a snowmobile.
• Find the buried lighthouse in Denmark.
• Take a cliche picture at Nyhavn.

GERMANY

During my journey to Europe, I spent little time here. But this little time was memorable. I still have a lot of places to visit and travel to around Germany.

• Explore and discover the Black forest.
• Join the celebrations during Oktoberfest.
• Visit the Cologne cathedral.
• Wander and shop at the Christmas markets.
• See the Berlin wall.
• Drive down the Autobahn without a speed limit.
• Tour the Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria.
• Experience the Pumpkin festival.
• Visit the BMW museum in Munich.
• Walk across the Krämerbrücke bridge in Erfurt.
• Photo at the large Cuckoo clock.

SPAIN

Since the Bollywood movie “Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara” released, Spain has become a top travel destination among Indian travellers. Who wouldn’t want to go on a road trip with friends across Spain? I certainly do.

• Take a road trip across Spain.
• Attend the Tomatina festival in Buñol.
• Join in the celebrations during the San Fermin festival.
• Relax at the beaches in Ibiza.
• Join a Barcelona city walking tour.
• Zipline from Spain to Portugal.
• Join a walking tour in Madrid.

THE NETHERLANDS

I would like to return to Amsterdam and discover a different side of the city. Apart from the tulips at Keukenhof, the Netherlands has a lot to offer. I want to explore it all.

• Take a canal cruise in Amsterdam.
• Cycle along the canals.
• See the colourful tulips at Keukenhof.
• Take a day trip to Zaanse Schans.
• Visit the water town of Giethoorn.
• Discover Anne Frank’s house.

UK AND IRELAND

Since I grew up in the countryside, I’m always travelling to and exploring the countrysides of other countries. Elizabeth and Victorian novels have made me curious about travelling to England’s countryside. Ireland has picture-postcard views I don’t want to miss. Several books and movies set in these 2 countries have ignited my wanderlust.

• Visit the 7 sisters cliffs.
• Watch the guard changing ceremony at Buckingham Palace.
• See the Stonehenge.
• Enjoy views from the London Eye.
• Walk across the Tower bridge.
• See the Buckingham Palace.
• Visit the Cliffs of Moher.
• Photo at the Dark Hedges.
• Explore Windsor castle.
• Drive to Dingle Peninsula.
• Go on a road trip across England.
• See the fairy pools at the Isle of Skye.
• Walk across the carrick-a-rede rope bridge.
• See the Giant’s causeway.
• Drive down the NC 500.
• Test my driving skills at Silverstone ( F1 racing circuit).
• Zip Line at 100 mph over the mountains in Wales.
• Explore Dublin city.
• Celebrate St. Patrick’s day in Ireland.
• Explore the Westminster Abbey.
• Walk among the bluebells in Micheldever woods.
• Hike the Scottish highlands.
• Travel to Jurrasic coast.
• Visit the Clifton bridge in Bristol.
• Explore the Cotswolds.

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AUSTRIA

• Stay in and explore the village of Hallstatt.
• Visit the Swarovski crystal world museum.
• Tour the vineyards along South Styrian wine road.
• Explore and discover the various palaces and museums in Austria.
• Go paragliding from the top of the Untersberg.
• Sip coffee at a traditional cafe.
• Walk across the skywalk at Dachstein Glacier.
• Eat breakfast on top of a mountain while watching the sunrise.
• Spend the night in an alpine hut.

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CROATIA

The stunning Plitvice lakes and the ancient town of Dubrovnik are reason enough for travelling to Croatia.

• Go Ziplining in the Cetina Canyon.
• Glamping in Bojan.
• Explore the blue cave in Bisevo.
• Go swimming on the beaches on the island of Hvar.
• Join a Zagreb city walking tour.
• Swim in the Krka waterfalls.
• Discover the Diocletian palace in Split.
• Join a walking tour around Split.
• Walk on the European Great Wall of China, the wall of Ston.
• Photograph and admire the Plitvice lakes.
• Walk around the historic town of Dubrovnik.

BELGIUM

My first Belgium trip was quite rushed. I couldn’t tour Belgium as I would have preferred. I will return to explore the country to my heart’s content.

• Eat lots of Belgian waffles.
• Sample the wide variety of Belgian chocolates.
• Try the Belgian fries.
• See the statue of Manneken Pis.
• Tour the Grand Palace of Brussels.
• Walk around mini Europe.
• See the Atomium.
• Travel to Dinant.
• Discover the Comic book route in Brussels.
• See the blue forest in Halle.
• Visit the reading between the lines.
• See the battlefields of Flanders.

SLOVENIA

While researching I couldn’t find many travel blogs on Slovenia. That’s what appeals to me the most about Slovenia. Either a few people have travelled here or it’s not interesting to write about. Whatever the case, I plan on finding out. I have a feeling crossing off items off this section of my Europe bucket list is going to be a thrilling adventure.

• See the gorgeous Lake Bled.
• Walk along the Vintgar Gorge.
• Explore the capital city of Ljubljana.
• Explore the Soca river valley.
• Eat cream cake.
• Go paragliding over the Vipava valley.
• Visit the Predjama Castle.
• Discover the coastal town of Piran.

CZECH REPUBLIC

• Explore the city of Prague.
• Sample street food in the Old Town Square of Prague.
• Visit the 12 UNESCO World Heritage sites.
• Enjoy stunning views from St Nicholas church.
• See the famous astronomical clock.
• Watch the sunset from Charles bridge.
• Tour the various castles in the Czech Republic.

POLAND

• Join a Krakow old town walking tour.
• Travel to and explore Warsaw.
• Visit the Auschwitz concentration camp.
• Go swimming in Zakrzówek lake.
• Hunt for miniature dwarf statues in Wroclaw.
• Join a Polish food tour.

My Europe travel bucket list doesn’t end here. I am regularly crossing off items or adding new ones to my list. Let me know about your Europe bucket list. Maybe there’s something on your list that I would like to add to mine.

Hope this ignited your wanderlust because

The impulse to travel is one of the hopeful symptoms of life.

AGNES REPPLIER