Guide 03 · Things to do & food
Experiences that go beyond the checklist, plus the dishes, drinks and dining habits that make each country taste different.
01 Things to do
The best memories often come from doing rather than seeing. Mix one headline experience per day with unstructured time to wander.
Venice, Italy
A gondola ride is a splurge worth doing once, ideally through quieter side canals. For the Grand Canal itself, the public vaporetto water bus gives a similar panorama for far less. Venice charges an access fee to day-trippers on certain dates, so check the city's official site before visiting.
Amsterdam
Take a canal cruise, then rent a bike — but learn local cycling etiquette first.
Tromsø, Norway
Guided trips drive away from city lights and cloud. Allow several nights for the best chance.
Seville, Spain
Small intimate venues often feel more authentic than large dinner shows.
Dubrovnik, Croatia
Go early or late: the walls offer little shade and fill up when cruise passengers arrive.
Vienna & Salzburg
Book concerts or opera through official venue websites; Salzburg is Mozart's birthplace.
| Activity | Where | Effort | Cost level | Best season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alpine hiking | Interlaken, Swiss Alps, Innsbruck | Moderate–high | Medium | June–September |
| Historic tram rides | Lisbon | Low | Low | Year-round |
| Port wine cellar tours | Porto | Low | Medium | Year-round |
| Tulip gardens | Keukenhof | Low | Medium | Mid-March to mid-May |
| Island-hopping | Split, Hvar, Dalmatian Coast; Santorini, Mykonos | Low | Medium | May–September |
| Fjord cruise | Bergen, Norwegian Fjords | Low | High | May–September |
| Skiing and snowboarding | Innsbruck, Swiss Alps | High | High | December–April |
| Palace and gardens | Schönbrunn Palace, Sintra | Low | Medium | Spring–autumn |
02 Food
Eating well in Europe is less about famous restaurants and more about timing and habits. Spaniards typically lunch around 2pm and dine after 9pm; Austrians linger over coffee and cake; Italians rarely order cappuccino after a meal. In many Italian restaurants a small cover charge (coperto) appears on the bill, and in France service is usually included in menu prices, so tipping is simply rounding up for good service.
For value, look for fixed-price lunch menus, markets and bakeries. Tourist menus with photos next to major landmarks are rarely the best choice — walking two or three streets away usually pays off.
| Country | Must-try | Where it shines | Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| France | Croissants, coq au vin, crêpes, the fluffy omelette of Mont Saint-Michel | Paris bistros; seafood on the French Riviera | Set lunch menus are often the best value |
| Italy | Carbonara, cacio e pepe, cicchetti, bistecca alla fiorentina, limoncello | Rome, Venice, Florence, Amalfi Coast | A cover charge on the bill is normal |
| Spain | Tapas, jamón ibérico, churros with chocolate, salmorejo, sardine espetos | Madrid, Seville, Barcelona, Costa del Sol | Dinner often starts after 9pm |
| Greece | Souvlaki, moussaka, Greek salad, Cretan dakos, Santorini fava | Athens tavernas, Crete | Order several plates to share |
| Switzerland | Fondue, raclette, rösti, Zürcher Geschnetzeltes | Zurich, Lucerne, alpine restaurants | Supermarket picnics help control costs |
| Austria | Wiener Schnitzel, Sachertorte, apple strudel, Kaiserschmarrn | Vienna coffee houses, Salzburg, Innsbruck | Lingering over coffee is part of the culture |
| Portugal | Pastel de nata, bacalhau, grilled sardines, francesinha, Madeira wine | Lisbon, Porto, Algarve, Madeira | Bread and olives placed on the table may be charged if eaten |
| Netherlands | Stroopwafels, bitterballen, raw herring, poffertjes | Amsterdam, Rotterdam's Markthal | Street stalls are ideal for herring |
| Norway | Salmon, fish soup, brunost (brown cheese), stockfish | Bergen fish market, Lofoten Islands | Lunch specials are cheaper than dinner |
| Croatia | Black risotto, peka, pašticada, Dalmatian prosciutto | Split, Dubrovnik, Hvar | Peka often needs ordering in advance |
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