Every Bucket List European Experience You Can't Afford To Miss

Friday, January 15, 2016 - 08:07

It seems that travelling around Europe is often on the top of most people's bucket lists nowadays. With so many different countries and cities to visit, there are countless activities to participate in and places to see - but most have EXHAUSTING waitlists, and the unsavvy traveller who rocks up thinking they'll slip right to the front is in for a rude awakening (unless you're on a planned Busabout trip, which books everything for you.)

So with the help of our mates at Flight Centre we compiled all the bucket list activities you need to plan in advance before you land in Europe.

Spending New Years Eve in Edinburgh, Scotland for Hogmanay

We’ve all had that one New Years Eve that can never be topped. But ringing in the New Year in Edinburgh, Scotland will exceed your new years expectations because it is NEK LEVEL FUN. The Scottish know how to party in style and hold their annual Hogmanay street party in the centre of the city where hundreds of thousands of people come from around the world to ring in the New Year together. You can also catch major Scottish and British acts like Twin Atlantic and Lily Allen playing on stages scattered around the city. It’s best to buy tickets several months in advance as tickets for the street party and street gigs sell out instantly.

A photo posted by Yoshi Tsugiyama (@y_tsugiyama) on Jan 5, 2016 at 2:16pm PST

Snag tickets to a major music festival like Glastonbury and Tomorrowland

European music festivals like Glasto, Tomorrowland and Ultra Croatia are absolutely legendary and you’re bound to have the time of your life camping out and listening to the best in the music industry play a set. These are highly sought after tickets and are known to sell out in just minutes. So make sure your WiFi connection is strong, that you have registered on their official websites if necessary, and pounce on those ticketing websites the minute they go on sale.

A photo posted by ceksm (@ceksm) on Jan 6, 2016 at 9:19pm PST

Visit the absolutely breath-taking La Sagrada Familia

When travelling around Europe it’s inevitable that you’ll come across and visit more churches than you’d ever thought you’d see in your lifetime. However, La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona will hands down be the most amazing church/piece of architecture you’ll ever see in your life, and will have you wondering “how the hell did they build that?!” If you’re dying to go inside after seeing what it looks like on the outside, then try and grab a ticket well before your visit to avoid waiting in the hours-long queue.

A photo posted by Ercia 🔮 (@erciaaa) on Jan 6, 2016 at 4:17pm PST

Book ahead and skip the queue at the Vatican and il Duomo

Italy is known for its rich culture and history, and a visit to major attractions like the Vatican in Rome and the il Duomo in Florence are often on the top of the bucket list for most travellers. To avoid the insanely long queues (you will be waiting for hours on end), pre-book tour tickets that will grant you instant access to these major sites.

A photo posted by Dianne van Giersbergen (@diannevangiersbergen) on Jan 4, 2016 at 4:48am PST

Go on a hiking tour of the Cinque Terre

The Cinque Terre is one of the most stunning areas in Italy, and tourists and locals love to take a hike around this coastal World Heritage site to see its amazing ocean views. Booking a hiking tour will allow you to witness the lush greenery and provide you with an easy way to get around the five villages in the area. Since the Cinque Terre is particularly popular in Eurosummer, try and buy tickets ASAP.

A photo posted by Sam J (@callicles) on Jan 5, 2016 at 10:43am PST

Watch the world’s best battle it out at Wimbledon

Catch some of the best tennis players in the world battle it out for the title of Wimbledon champion. Since it’s the most famous tennis tournament in the world, getting tickets won’t be easy, or cheap, so get in early. To sweeten the deal, you will most definitely catch a celebrity sitting amongst the crowd, especially in the Finals.

A photo posted by Wimbledon (@wimbledon) on Jul 12, 2015 at 7:41am PDT

Have a stein of beer at Oktoberfest

Get your lederhosen ready because being amongst the Oktoberfest celebrations is a must-do if you’re in Munich in September (not October, contrary to popular belief). To ensure that you’ll have optimal good times book your travel and accommodation well in advance to make sure you don’t miss out.

A photo posted by World On A Whim (@worldonawhimblog) on Jan 5, 2016 at 11:13pm PST

Get on a boat for King’s Day in Amsterdam

Join the locals in Amsterdam who get fully decked out in orange attire for their national King’s Day holiday street parties. Alternatively, try hopping on one of the many boats that’ll have DJs and bands playing on them. Make sure you plan and book all your travel needs in advance since Amsterdam will be filled with people coming to join the festivities.

A photo posted by @titiasheila on Apr 30, 2015 at 1:01pm PDT

Stay at the ICEHOTEL in Sweden

You may have gone for a drink in one of the ice bars in Australia, but they have nothing on the original ICEHOTEL in Sweden. Made of natural ice and snow from one of Europe’s last wild rivers, booking a night here will be an experience that you’ll never forget. The catch? Rooms fill out months in advance.

A photo posted by Shawn Bajaj (@shawnbajaj) on Jan 4, 2016 at 3:50pm PST

Visit your favourite TV and movie sites with the Game of Thrones Walking Tour or Harry Potter Studio Tour

If you’re a massive Game of Thrones fan, try to grab a spot for the Game of Thrones walking tour in Dubrovnik, Croatia which will allow you to make all your wildest fictional dreams come true when visiting the King’s Landing. Alternatively, book your spot for the Harry Potter Studio Tour in London where you’ll be able to see all the sets, costumes and props used by your fave wizard.

A photo posted by Akrati Fulwadhya Pacheriwala (@akrati) on Aug 25, 2015 at 9:00am PDT

Experience Yacht Week in Croatia

Secure your spot on a yacht for the iconic Yacht Week in Croatia and you will have the time of your life. Nothing is better than partying, tanning and sailing around the Mediterranean for seven days straight on a boat with some of your best mates and a whole bunch of new friends. Book early to avoid any jacked up prices that will inevitably result from last minute booking.