Bucket List Experiences You Didn't Know You Could Have in Europe

Spend the Night in a Palace or Castle

Did you know that several royal palaces, castles, and former keeps have been accommodating guests from all over the world?

You can fully immerse yourself in a setting that only the nobility got to experience in the past centuries.

Pick the full upscale suite in the Schönbrunn palace in Vienna, or dabble in medieval European live at the Castello Malaspina di Fosdinovo in Tuscany, Italy. Palaces, castles and forts, each offer a different period experience worth exploring.

Take off in a small plane over the Alps

Imagine touring the alps in a small private plane with a dedicated pilot who acts as a guide too.

We have tackled this little adventure and can only recommend this thrilling experience.

You can hop on a short 30-minute tour or a prolonged cross-country tour; there is something for everyone.

Ride a century old mountain cogwheel train

Hop on a cogwheel train and enjoy a relaxed scenic tour in the Alps. This experience is suitable for all age groups, and the end station takes you to a panoramic viewpoint.

Here are some of the most iconic cogwheel rides in Europe:

• Schafbergbahn in St. Wolfgang, Austria — This is the famed Sound of Music movie cog-wheel train.
• Wengeneralpbahn in Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland — The longest continues cogwheel railroad that can take you to the Jungfraujoch, the top of Switzerland.
• Achenseebahn — The oldest steam cog ride, taking you across the Austrian Alps to the Achen Lake.

Have fun in the oldest amusement parks in the World

Amusement parks have a long tradition in Europe. One of the first established theme parks is the Dyrehavsbakken (aka Bakken) in Copenhagen and the Wurstelprater (aka Prater) in Vienna.

Both follow a very nostalgic, old-world-charm, theme, which adds to the whole atmosphere, and they are completely free to access. They follow a pay-per-ride model, with rides being run by individual ride owners.

The experience is out of this world and nothing like you'd see in an organized theme park. Besides, queues are almost non-existent!

Take part in ancient winter processions

The natives across Europe have never stopped celebrating age-old pagan rituals, and many have mixed them up with Christian beliefs over the centuries.

These practices usually take place in December and January and serve to ward off evil and to start the year cleansed, presented with a lot of luck.

This includes celebrations such as “the dance of the bear in Romania,” the Perchten Rauhnächte rituals and Krampus parades in Austria, and the Silvesterklausen in Appenzell in Switzerland.

See wild bears

Throughout Europe, bears are rarely seen in the wild. In fact, they were nearly eradicated throughout the continent.

Yet, Romania has long been known to call the wild brown bear a friend, and they have created protected areas for the animal to roam freely.

In other words, you can drive through the forest and observe bears in Romania relaxing on the side of the road. Keep common-sense safety in mind, and this can be an interesting experience.

Hike between two or three countries

Due to a complex history, mountainous regions, and plenty of rivers, borders have been drawn to create several smaller countries in Europe.

If you are going on a hike in one of the mountain ranges, you will be able to cross into another country. Numerous day hiking routes or prolonged trekking tours can even involve 3 countries at a time.

Soak in an ancient natural hot-spring

At the heart of the old Etruscan territory in Tuscany, you will come across a unique natural hot spring.

Saturnia, as it is known, was the Romans's favorite soaking spot. The sulfur rich waters have been known since ancient times as therapeutic.

The hot spring is accessible for free to the public, and it's definitely one of the unique places that we have come across on our travels across Europe.

Take part in a traditional falconry performance

Watch a skilled falconer demonstrate hawks and falcons in precision at a historical castle in Europe.

Several forts and castles organize special shows, and as a curious visitor, you get to see the birds up close and in action. It's an unforgettable experience, and especially kids and bird enthusiasts enjoy every minute of the show.

We have visited two falconry shows over the years, one at the Riegersburg castle and the other at castle Hohenwerfen. Both are located in Austria.

Forage with Locals

If you love food, nature walks, and meeting new people, then joining a foraging tour might just be your thing. All over Europe, depending on the region, you will come across specialized foraging tours.

That might be a berry foraging tour in Scandinavia, a herb witch taking you on a forest walk or a truffle hunting expedition in Italy.

Just keep in mind, before tracking down fun foraging tours online, that most tours take place in the summer and autumn months.

Jump aboard a hot air balloon

If flying over the Alps sounds too action-packed, how about a relaxed balloon ride instead?

Most tourist places across Europe offer balloon tours, but I recommend aiming for a balloon tour in the mountainous regions, such as the Alps, Carpathians, or Pyrenees mountain ranges.

Just picture the sunrise falling on white peaks; it's a priceless experience to add to your bucket list!

Sleep in a wooden cabin overlooking a fjord or lake

Wake up to calm waters and fresh mountain air right outside your window. A wooden cabin by a fjord or lake makes it easy to forget the world.

The silence is real. Just birds, water, and the crackle of a fire. It's simple living, and that's what makes it perfect.

Sit on the porch, sip something warm, and watch the mist float by. You'll wonder why you don't live like this all the time.

Visit a town where every building is painted like a giant fresco

Yep, such places exist, and they include several villages and towns in Southern Germany.

Every house is intricately decorated with thin layers of a limestone-based paint. This art form is also known as Lüftlmalerei.

The most famous places are Mittenwald, Garmisch-Partenkirchen and Oberammergau, where every building will leave you blown away and mesmerized.

Meditate at a stone circle or stone alignment

Stone circles are ever so present in Europe. In fact, they are scattered all over Europe.

The most famous of them all is Stonehenge on the British Isle. Carnac in Brittany, France, is probably the largest stone alignment, but these are not the only ones that you can visit.

Ride horseback through vineyards or lavender fields

It's not some movie moment, but it does feel special. You're up on a horse trotting past vineyards or blooming lavender with the sun warming your back. Tuscany looks different when you're not rushing.

The horses are steady and used to beginners. You just follow the path, smell the earth and plants around you, and take in the quiet views. It's slow in the best way.

There's time to look, breathe, and just be in it. Maybe you stop for a tasting or a chat with the guide. Either way, it's the kind of afternoon you remember.

Immerse yourself in a sauna ritual

Going to the sauna is part of the European culture, and this is something you shouldn't miss on a visit to the old continent if you are new to the thermal sauna experience.

Saunas are omnipresent in all Nordic countries, Russia, and the German countries. They follow special rules, and these are all nude-only saunas.

Our German Sauna Etiquette post will help you navigate this new world with ease so that you can enjoy your first sauna experience to the fullest.

Stay at a countryside inn where breakfast is homemade by the owner

Have you ever dreamed of waking up surrounded by lavender fields and vineyards?

Well, in Italy you can book a room in an agriturismo, which is a bed and breakfast service offered by farmers. Other such services exist across Southern Europe and the Balkans, but Italy is the king of this nifty tourist experience.

The rooms are cozy and aesthetically pleasing, the owners are welcoming and serve up breakfast and food from their production. I mean, what more do we need in life?

Visit Europe's largest Synagogue

If you ever wondered what it's like in a Jewish temple, you will be pleased to know that you can visit some of the most stunning synagogues in Budapest, Hungary.

It's an eye-opening experience, and you get to immerse yourself in a culture that is usually closed off to the rest of the world. I can recommend a visit to the Dohány Synagogue and the Rumbach Street Synagogue.

Please look at the Synagogue dos and don't before your visit to avoid any faux pas.

Experience how the Romans lived

Walk in the footsteps of the Romans and visit one of the countless Roman sites across Europe.

Explore a Salt Mine

Once upon a time, salt was the primary currency in Europe. Throughout the Iron Age, salt was used as a barter currency, and several salt mines from that period are still active today.

The most famous salt mines are found in Hallstatt, Austria, where the Hallstatt culture ruled. Here you can take part in an interactive tour through the mines, complete with a guide, gear, and a wooden slide.

The most stunning salt mines we visited are located in Romania and Poland. These are vast, depleted salt mines turned into underground theme parks, and they are nothing like you'll ever see!

Cruise the Danube

The Danube River traverses the majority of European countries, and a voyage along this river offers a glimpse of some of the most significant locations in the continent.

The river travels between 10 countries, including Germany, Austria, Hungary, Romania, Ukraine, Moldova, Serbia, Croatia, Bulgaria, Slovakia.

From vineyards to Belle Époque cities and national parks, you can pick between several types of Danube cruises. Start in Southern Germany and take the cruise all the way to Romania, where the river flows into the legendary Black Sea.

Take part in a scenic train ride experience

Iconic train rides are still fun and a must if you love the idea of old-world aesthetics or stunning natural landscapes.

Most are definitely pricey, but well worth every cent if you consider the extra services offered and the uniqueness of the route.

These are Europe's most sought after train route experiences that you should add to your bucket list:

• Oriental Express — The classic pan-European luxury train trip, either between Paris and Venice or the full-fledged trip from Paris to Istanbul.
• Bernina Express — Crossing the stunning Swiss Bernina Pass to Italy. Tip: you get the same experience and better seats if you book the much cheaper regular train instead of the busy glass dome wagon.
• Jacobite Steam Train — Made famous by Harry Potter, this train route takes you across the green Scottish Highlands.

Watch a seasonal livestock parade through the center of town

It is known as transhumance when livestock is moved to different grazing areas.

Cattle are taken to higher, juicier mountain pastures in June, and they remain there for the rest of the summer. In late summer, in September, when the temperatures are starting to dip, the animals get to come back home.

The coming home of the cattle is a traditional parade, and the animals are richly decorated and walk with humans side by side back down into the valleys.

There they are greeted by natives and visitors, and this unique spectacle, known as Almabtrieb, is always accompanied by music, local street food, and drink.