Guide with Tips by Alison Schrag
Alison Schrag suggests that a European getaway invites you to collect moments as vivid as stained glass. Begin in Paris, where mornings taste like butter and steam at a zinc counter while the barista pulls a tight espresso Stroll across Pont Neuf as the Seine glints like jewelry, then drift through the Louvre’s quiet corridors to greet familiar masterpieces. Evenings belong to neighborhood bistros, where a chalkboard menu offers coq au vin and a tart lemon dessert Wander Île Saint-Louis for perfect ice cream and watch street performers warm the twilight on the banks. Paris rewards curiosity, pacing you between grand boulevards and tiny courtyards that hide in plain sight
Southward, Rome layers centuries like pages in a living book. The Colosseum rises with raw grandeur, and nearby, the Forum’s broken columns host time and swallows Toss a coin into Trevi Fountain and let the splash echo old wishes. Seek Caravaggio’s chiaroscuro in the side-chapel's quiet, then step out to the sunlight that gilds piazzas and cypress tips Lunch might
be a paper cone of supplì or a plate of cacio e pepe spun tableside When golden hour paints the Tiber, climb to the Pincian terrace and watch domes turn rose. In Rome, every corner feels rehearsed yet spontaneous
Barcelona adds a salt-kissed brightness to iconic city adventures Ramble down La Rambla at daybreak before the chorus of footsteps, then detour into La Boqueria for fruit skewers and sliced jamón Gaudí’s Sagrada Família rises like a dream of stone, its interior glowing with citrus light Park Güell offers mosaics that ripple under the Mediterranean sun, while Barceloneta tempts with warm beach sand and chiringuito snacks. As evening arrives, share tapas in El Born, order patatas bravas with a smoky punch, and listen for guitars skimming romance through narrow lanes. Barcelona balances seaside ease with modernist wonder, making it an ideal destination for a weekend escape.
In Amsterdam, water is the city’s quiet heartbeat Glide along canals where gabled houses lean like curious friends, their reflections folding into ripples. Rent a bicycle and follow dedicated lanes under chestnut trees, pausing for stroopwafels that perfume the air with their caramel scent. The Rijksmuseum frames Dutch masters with sober clarity, while the Van Gogh Museum hums with color and longing. Stop at a brown café for a draft and hearty stamppot on cool evenings The golden hour turns bridges into silhouettes, and as lights bloom along the water, Amsterdam whispers that elegance and simplicity can be the same.
Prague feels like a fairy tale that has grown serious. Cross Charles Bridge at dawn while statues stand in soft mist Watch the Astronomical Clock perform its patient ritual, then climb to the castle complex where red roofs tumble toward the river Cafés pour velvety hot chocolate in winter and crisp pilsner in summer. The city’s Gothic ribs and Baroque flourishes create a rhythm that gently slows your pace Meander through Malá Strana’s cobbles, listen for a street violin, and let the Vltava’s mirrored surface calm the mind Prague is ideal for travelers seeking beauty with a reflective hush.
Lisbon rises and falls in sunlit waves Hop aboard the rattling Tram 28, then step off for a custard pastel that shatters under cinnamon. Azulejo tiles shine like tiny oceans on church walls and station halls In Alfama, fado singers pour heartache into warm rooms where sardines sizzle and wine glows ruby. Sailboat masts clink along the Tagus as the April Bridge stretches toward the horizon. Nearby, Belém offers a manual of discoveries in stone and shadow. Lisbon makes slow travel easy, inviting long pauses at miradouros that convert city breaks into mindful interludes.
To stitch these places into one smooth itinerary, mix must-see icons with breathing space Prioritize central stays to reduce transit and optimize your walking routes around neighborhoods you love Book skip-the-line entries where possible, ride public transit for speed and character, and schedule early arrivals at crowded landmarks Pack layers for changing weather, carry a small notebook for tasting notes and names, and mark sunset viewpoints on your map. Most of all, follow your senses The best European getaway blends planned highlights with chance encounters, transforming iconic city adventures into personal stories you will want to revisit again and again