Europe

It’s no secret it’s super expensive to eat out in Copenhagen. So, we thought it was necessary to list some of our favourite cafés, so you can spend your dollar (or krone) wisely and avoid food regret on your travels. You’re welcome.

Scrap Ibizia, you’re staying in Belle Époque royalty.

Remember the days when we could all plan European holidays with wild abandon? When a simple Google search for Cinque Terre would fill you with excitement and wanderlust rather than dread and disappointment? 

Sure, we’ve had to put the idea of international travel on the backburner, and while we might be waiting a while longer yet, we can’t live our life in limbo forever. It’s time to make tentative plans to cross the pond by adding to your must-see, must-do and must-stay lists—if you’re struggling for inspiration, get started with Sweden’s Mirrorcube treetop hotel.

You’d be kidding yourself if you said you weren’t interested in seeing the Aurora Borealis in all its magnificence. There are several ways to realise that dream, but one of the easiest, and more pleasant, is to book yourself in at one of the completely transparent Buubble Hotels in Iceland.

Just in case you needed another listing saved in your Airbnb wishlist, a private island is now for rent in Italy, and if you can round up 16 mates, it’ll only set you back about $77AUD per night, per person.

A weekend in Westeros anyone?

If you Google it, the official happiest city in the world is Helsinki, but Copenhagen is hungry for that accolade, so hungry that they’ve just opened the first happiness museum, aptly named The Happiness Museum.

Jump on this hop-on-hop-off bus tour, taking you through 18 countries in 70 days.

Well played Paris, well played.

It’s hard to believe, but Iceland wasn’t always every influencer’s dream destination.

If you, like us, have spent hours scrolling through old holiday pics wondering when you’ll have your next big adventure, then listen up we have big—scratch that—huge news for you. 

Island life if the best kind of life but there are only so many times you can go to the Greek islands before you realise there’s more to life than lamb gyros on the beach. Hard to believe but true, we promise. 

We have a big, no, huge love for Italy. And we’ve been devastated for the way COVID-19 has affected the country and in particular their once thriving tourism. Sunning ourselves on their stunning beaches, sipping spritzes and smashing bowls of pasta are on the top of everyone’s bucket list, and while we can’t make it there right now with overseas travel being banned and all, when restrictions do lift, Sicily is calling your name.

We’re all dreaming of a holiday right now, and once international travel is opened back up you’ll be needing a destination that ticks all your wanderlust boxes on a post-corona budget. Add these amazing countries to your itinerary and make those hard-saved dollars really count. 

COVID-19 is quite literally taking over the world and if you’re one of the hundreds of thousands who had planned to travel in the next little while, you’re most likely re-thinking or are being forced to postpone your trip. 

Slow Travel is one of the hottest travel trends for 2020 and a leisurely road trip is one of the best ways to do exactly that. This is your year to take your time, take it all in and give yourself a moment to just be simply immersed in your surroundings.

The only thing that can make crystal clear waters and kilometres of holiday sand that much better, is being able to nab that perfect chill spot all for yourself. With tourists flocking to European beaches in droves from as early as April, it can make finding your perfect place on the shore just that little bit more challenging, but that’s where we come in.

In 2019, the Global Peace Index ranked Denmark as the fifth safest country on the planet—only pipped to the post by Iceland, New Zealand, Portugal and Austria. Add to that (mostly English-speaking) locals that go out of their way to help visitors, and attractions that positively demand being done on your own—all combined, it’s fair to say that there few other European destinations more conducive to solo travel. It’s all happening in the Danish capital, Copenhagen, where bikes, boats and big nights out await those travelling on their own.

The Danish are kind of like the French-just as effortlessly stylish but with more colour, weirder accents and blonde hair of course. Shopping around Copenhagen’s cobbled streets is the easiest way we can think of to achieving that level of cool.

The roaring twenties 2.0 are here and if this is the decade you’re looking for a truly life changing experience, then the Camino de Santiago is one for the bucket list. Known as one of the most famous walks in the world, and with routes from 120 kilometres to a whopping 1,000 kilometres, you're guaranteed to find the perfect walk for you. 

Famed for its architecture, historic marinas, and most recently as the host city for Eurovision 2020, Rotterdam deserves a spot on your holiday itinerary. Located in the province of South Holland, just 40 minutes by train from the centre of Amsterdam, this Dutch city makes for an ideal day trip, although we won’t blame you if you decide to stay a little longer. 

Truth time, the Netherlands is home to so much more than just Amsterdam. Don’t get it twisted, Amsterdam is one of the best cities to visit in Europe, but there’s something magical about those small town vibes. Each are bursting with their own share of history, stunning (and grammable) sights and seriously good beer—priorities—so we’ve rounded up four Dutch towns that are well worth a visit the next time you’re in The Netherlands.

The Dutch might be famous for their canals, windmills and the odd tulip or two, but there's a whole lot more to Netherlands that just that. It's actually home to 450kms of renowned oastline, which means beach towns and beach bars a plenty. Now, anyone who has spent a decent amount of time in the Netherlands knows that if the suns out you better do like all good Dutchies and find yourself a terrace stat, margarita in hand.

What if we told you there’s more to Munich than just Oktoberfest? Mind blowing, right? Don’t get us wrong: there’s plenty to do in Munich if you’re here for the beers, but it would be remiss to leave Munich off your itinerary if you think you’ve done Germany because you’ve seen Berlin.

With remarkable architecture at every turn and some of the world’s best food and drink on every block, it’s no wonder that Barcelona is one of Spain’s most popular tourist destinations. Arrive hungry and ready to tick of some serious sight-seeing, because here’s everything you need to do while you’re in the vibrant city of Barcelona.

Yes you read that headline right, there is a festival that combines epic live music sets with pasta masterclasses and wine tastings—heaven is a place on earth, it’s true. Say hello to FLASH, a three-day sun-soaked festival serving up amazing beats and Tuscan eats in a truly breath-taking setting. 

Seeing as forest bathing is our new favourite wellness activity, we thought we better find a way to incorporate it into our travel plans for 2020. From tropical rainforests to 1000 year old trees, here are 10 of the world’s most incredible forests that are ready for you to bask in their glory.

If you’re currently living in a state of denial post Euro Summer and itching to add a few more stamps to your passport, but your wallet is giving you nothing, it’s probably time we introduced you to Mostar. Never heard of it? We don’t blame you. Mostar sits in the Euro summer’s path less travelled in Bosnia. Even better, it’s an easy bus ride from the crowded beaches of Croatia. 

If you’ve ever found yourself in Bali during school holidays or hoiking your suitcase up 100-year-old staircases in Europe during a heatwave, you’ve probably learned that choosing where to travel is just as important as deciding when to go.

Welcome to one of the largest islands in the Mediterranean‒and one of the most beautiful. Sardinia, sitting pretty off the coast of Italy, to the north of Tunisia and just South of the French island of Corsica, is a literal oasis combining a stunning desert landscape with every shade of blue.

From the Summer Olympic Games to cultural extravaganzas and hot hotel openings, there are dozens of reasons to plan a holiday for 2020. Here are the cities and countries to add to your travel itinerary in the New Year. 

Welcome to Bruges, one of Europe’s most grammable medieval cities and the good looking capital of West Flanders. Sitting pretty in Belgium’s northwest, complete with picturesque canals, winding cobblestones and ancient brick bridges, it won’t take long to find your perfect backdrop and discover why it’s considered one of the most beautiful places in Europe.

Belgrade might appear gritty and a bit rundown at first but, on closer inspection, you’ll find beautiful historic buildings, a buzzing cafe scene and nightlife that can keep up with the best of them; it’s not everywhere that you get to party until sunrise in a floating bar. Whether you’re taking a solo trip to Belgrade to soak up the culture and history or you’re looking to make friends to dance the nights away with, you’ll find plenty to love about Belgrade.

Nestled in a valley, divided by a glistening river and surrounded by rolling hills is about as ‘grammable as a city can get, and when you combine these knockout views with centuries of history and the lure of ancient architecture, it will come as no surprise that Prague draws travellers from across the globe. Coined the 30-minute city, the compact capital of the Czech Republic is the ideal locale to experience a whole lot of amazing even if you're running on very limited time. 

Never heard of Ljubljana? It’s okay we’re not here to judge, just to make you look cool for your friends. Thanks to its rich history and culinary prowess, Slovenia’s capital city, Ljubljana (pronounced loob-ly-ana) is the perfect under the radar European city to lose yourself in.

The Hungarian capital has to be one of the most beautiful cities in Europe—a statement we don’t make lightly. On the River Danube and backdropped by the Buda Hills, it’s at once grand and full of history, yet forward-thinking and edgy with some of the coolest creative haunts on the continent. Whether you’re exploring Buda (on the west bank of the Danube) or Pest (on the east), you’ll discover cosmopolitan and cultural attractions at every turn. Read on for everything you need to know—the sights, the spas, the restaurants, hotels and bars—when planning your inaugural trip to Budapest.

There’s nothing better than a good waterfall with the thundering flow of water, dramatic rock faces and bright blue foamy water. Whether you want to admire one from afar, swim below one or climb down one, there’s sure to be a waterfall for you not too far away. While it’s a hard list to narrow down, we’ve found 10 of the best waterfalls in the world, from the world-famous to the lesser-known gems.

There are few places left off the beaten path. Anywhere you want to jet set, it’s just a hop, skip and Insta search away. Enter Azerbaijan. Azer…wha? Yep, that’s right, it’s the country you’ve never heard of. Well, that is unless you are a diehard Eurovision fan or follow the Formula 1.

If you’re feeling a little uninspired by the likes of a sweaty Christmas in Australia, then you’ll want to read this. We’ve compiled this list of the best Christmas markets from across the globe and if this doesn’t get rid of your inner Grinch, then nothing will. That’s right, we’re talking legit winter wonderlands filled with snow, lights, mulled wine and carols. 

Many visitors to Greece touch down in the capital and head straight to an island. But there are plenty of reasons to linger in Athens, not in the least the atmospheric—and history packed—neighbourhoods that surround the Acropolis. Here’s our guide on where to eat, drink and shop when you’ve navigated the queues at the city’s hilltop citadel.  

We all know that eating like a local is key to a good holiday, but why limit yourself to a single restaurant at each meal when you can taste everything under the sun if you get your timing right. Whether you want something tried and true like pizza and chocolate or you’re after something a little wilder, there’s a food festival somewhere in the world for you. 

This Croatian town is the perfect place for your next European getaway.

Add This Hidden Beach Town To Your Bucket List STAT!

For a city the size of what some might consider a small town, Amsterdam has more than its fair share of quality watering holes perfect for your next holiday tipple. Whether you’re after natural wines, beers, spirits or you just came for the view, we’ve rounded up the best bars guaranteed to have you feeling (and drinking) like a local. So, leave the red light district to the tourists, these are the best bars to hit up the next time you find yourself in Amsterdam, proost!

Five and a half metres under the icy seas of Norway's North Atlantic ocean lies a restaurant that's making waves across the world.

No partner? No problem. Greece is an amazing place to explore on your own, appealing to sun worshippers, adventure seekers and history buffs in equal measure. Like any country, it pays to have your wits about you when you’re on your own—hey, when you’re with company as well. Here are the top eight reasons why you should consider enjoying this postcard-perfect slice of the Med, solo. 

While most tourists touch down in Athens and head straight to an island, there are plenty of reasons to linger in the Greek capital beyond the Acropolis. And many of said reasons have to do with wine and ouzo. Read on for the city’s top places to while away an evening, or a day, or both!

Sushi trains are cool and all but packing a conveyor belt with different varieties of cheese and you’re scoring genius status in our books. If cheese is your thing, you’ll want to go ahead and book yourself a flight to London stat because The Cheese Bar is making all of our dairy-filled dreams come true. 

​Anyone who has been to Switzerland will confirm two things: it is breathtakingly beautiful and, at times, breathtakingly expensive. While the former makes up for the latter, one way to curb your expenditure is by sticking to one region for a few days.

​Sometimes it’s nice to give up the gas guzzler for a big city holiday, but if you’re the kind who likes to explore beyond the beaten path, there’s no better way to do it than with your own set of wheels. From one day spins to month-long hauls, it’s time to fire up the playlist because these are the best road trips in the world.

Experiencing the local cuisine is usually the number one priority for us when on holiday, and there’s no better place to do it than at a local market. Whether you’re after ready-made deliciousness to dig into on the spot or you want to check out the local produce from the area, here are the best food markets around the world.

If you’re planning on heading to Europe in October, we highly recommend you make a pitstop in London, more specifically the Harry Potter Warner Bros studio tour. For just three special nights, brave witches, wizards and muggles are invited for an exclusive, after-hours evening of magic.

Combining grunge and glamour comes easy in Berlin, a city with a ubiquitous history, famous nightlife and cutting-edge art scene. There’s much to explore in this goblet of good things. Getting outside the usual haunts of tourist-drawing neighbourhoods like Mitte, Kreuzberg or Friedrichshain will reward by way of boutique hotels and B&B’s, hip bars and cafes and, to top it off, a taste of regular Berliner life. 

Want in on the hottest trend in travel right now? Two words: Southern Italy. Filled with must-see locales and ancient cliff top towns, not to mention some of the best food you’ll ever wrapped your laughing gear around, we’ve found one Italian town that’s guaranteed to rival those Santorini sunsets.

If you’re looking for one of the most EXTRA holiday experiences around, we think we’ve found it. Floating along the Lule River in Swedish Lapland lies the Arctic Bath, set to be a truly one-of-a-kind venue to lay your head.

The 50km stretch of coast between Salerno and Sorrento, better known as Italy’s Amalfi Coast, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site for good reason. From cliffside towns, colourful fishing villages and bright beachside umbrellas to anxiety-inducing narrow clifftop roads and limoncello for days, there’s a lot to love about the Amalfi Coast.

Sitting pretty in the heel of the boot that is Italy, Puglia is famous for its incredible beaches, dramatic landscapes, UNESCO sites and of course, the world-class food. It’s fast becoming a hotspot among travellers, so we’d recommend getting there soon before the crowds start taking over.

 Portugal's capital city is fast becoming a go-to destination for wanderlusters. 

Game of Thrones fans better book their tickets to Banbridge, Ireland, because a Game of Thrones studio tour is coming to Northern Ireland in 2020.

If a run-of-the-mill Airbnb just doesn’t cut it for you, we’ve got just the ticket; how does a night in the Louvre sound?

Busabout is on the hunt for six travel hungry content creators to undertake the job of a lifetime. That’s right, you could be getting paid to travel around Europe, Asia or the USA.

If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to be inside a painting, you can now see for yourself at Van Gogh, la nuit étoilée. This amazing exhibit at Paris’ own digital art centre, L’Atelier des Lumières, allows you to walk among Van Gogh’s artwork and experience them in a whole new way.

Heads up team, this is your culture bucket list the next time you’re in town for tea with the queen.

2019’s Tomorrowland seems like something out of a dream, but this mind-blowing EDM experience is not just a fantasy.

There’s so much more than legalised weed and live, ahem, entertainment when it comes to the many reasons why Amsterdam should be on everyone’s European hit list. Coined as one of the most beautiful cities in the world, and with more canals than Venice, the city’s postcard architecture, cobblestone streets and pancake houses (if you see a sign with “pannekoek” run don’t walk) all add to its charm. 

We’ve created a list of our favourite rooftop bars and restaurants for you to climb up to. You’ll get insane cityscape views while dancing 'til late above the bustling city. Kodak moment? Check.

Wales is the neglected middle child of the UK. Everyone’s heard of it, but it’s all too often overlooked in favour of its bigger English and Scottish siblings. But you’d be a fool to ignore this crazy beautiful part of Britain. 

London is a funny place divided into very distinct boroughs. Lucky for those who visit, each borough holds its own lifestyle and mix of communities, but it’s hard to know where to stay. Which is why we’ve singled out four neighbourhoods you absolutely have to check out when you’re in London, and what to do when you’re there. Here’s your hit list for London.

London can be expensive. Like crazy expensive.

Each year a group of carefully curated artists from all over the world descend on Jukkasjärvi in Sweden to create the snow and ice wonderland that is ICEHOTEL.

Few cities so pleasantly surprise as Düsseldorf, with its rollicking nightlife, boundary-pushing architecture and world-class art and fashion scenes well and truly defying its reputation for docility. While the city can appear all-business (the North-Rhine Westphalian capital is one of Germany’s wealthiest thanks to thriving banking and telecom industries), one night spent in a local brewpub will blow those assumptions out of the water.

Tucked away in Finnish Lapland, the Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort is home to some of the most magical igloos and chalets, transforming it into the ideal winter wonderland meets glamping staycation. Think snow-covered wilderness and a trail of quaint igloos with glass roofs, so the only view that you have in bed is the whimsical dance of the aurora borealis. 

Oh London, you sunny-one-minute, freezing-the-next, confusing centre of all things wonderful. Getting lost in England’s capital is a joy because you’re never really lost. And doing it on your own can be tough when it’s full of mates sinking pints and swapping stories in the pub. But fear not, friend, travelling alone in London is easier than you’d think. Once you’ve mastered the public transport system, it’s all smooth sailing. If not for a few delays. Don’t panic, it’s part of the fun! Here’s how to do London on your own, because you’re the best date anyone could want, right?

The Ritz-Carlton Paris is now home to the world’s first Chanel spa, and it’s basically like walking into a high-end Chanel store which has been transformed into a breathtakingly glamourous spa at the two-storey Ritz Club. Think exquisite facials, scrubs, wraps and makeovers using high-end Chanel skincare and make-up products. They also offer a signature Chanel massage, which is essentially a therapeutic guilty pleasure designed to awaken all your senses.  Just take our money.

These are the best day trips to take on your next London holiday.

As said by Michael Embry, “You don’t have to look far to find treasures, you discover them every time you visit a library." And here at The Urban List, we couldn’t agree more. The appreciation for libraries and all they do for us is so real. We thought it fitting to round up all the most beautiful libraries because not only are they awesome, they’re just nice to look at.

Permission to dust off your passport and book a well-earned trip to Malta.

These are the best markets in London so you can live like a local.

Oh yes, the magical rumours are true and we’re here to deliver and confirm the good news (albeit without the true messenger Hedwig): there’s an actual cruise ship boasting all things Harry Potter. Did your inner wizarding kid just scream a little inside or in our case, a lot? Thought so.

Calling all foodie travellers. We’re here to give you a few local secrets on how to best eat your way around Italy’s most famous island - Sicily. 

If you’re all about living the high life, Marrakech is the place for you.

Australian cities have copped their fair share of big ol’ storms in the past couple of months, from the dumping of rain in Victoria in late November, to the superstorm that Sydney didn’t actually cop this week—weather just keeps getting crazier and crazier.

Crack open your diary and make room for one of these epic trips in 2018

Another Kiwi in London, hey? You either did it, or you’re thinking about doing it. If you’re in the latter camp: don’t think - do. If you’re in the former, then I hope you’re reading this on the tube, surrounded by a nose-picking banker and a dude that thought it was a good idea to bring his bike onboard, and it gives you a sufficient LOL, or at least a head nod.

Yup, that’s right—a hotel made totally and completely out of ice.

Looking for an exotic getaway that ticks all the boxes? And by boxes we mean great food, great fun and (of course), great Instagram fodder…

If you’ve never visited London, I can (sort of) understand how this megatropolis of often questionable weather, cramped streets packed with confused tourists and angry commuters, a weird tube system and a nation of obsessed tea drinkers might not be your first choice of holiday location. Well, I'm here to tell you that you couldn't be more wrong.

Paris has a lot to boast about. Not content to be home to the Mona Lisa, the Eiffel Tower and the original Chanel boutique, there’s also exceptional fromage, wine, nutella crepes and more striped Breton T-shirts than you can throw an artisan baguette at.

I’m sure you knew this, but just in case you need reminding, Amsterdam is the greatest city in the whole damn world. Grab your bags, your can-do attitude, and don’t bloody worry about being tired. You can sleep later.