I Lived in Europe for 5 Years — These Are the Places I Tell All My Friends to Visit

Morcote is located on the shores of Lake Lugano, in the Italian part of Switzerland. It has the best of both worlds: Italian charm and Swiss cleanliness.

Besides Amsterdam's obvious tourist draws — legal marijuana and the Red Light District — its canals are incredibly picturesque and a great way to see the city

The Church of Peace in Świdnica, Poland, is one of three 17th-century wooden Evangelical churches built in Southwestern Poland. The magnificent interior is stunning.

The medieval town of Carcassone in France — complete with a castle and Gothic Cathedral — is still fortified, meaning it's completely surrounded by two lines of walls.

Located in the old town square in Prague, this 600-year-old astronomical clock features a procession of apostles, a skeleton ringing a bell, and a golden rooster among other characters in a performance that occurs every hour on the hour.

If you're looking for traditional Switzerland — rolling hills, painted chalets, cow bells, and goats — Appenzell is your answer. Natives of the town still sometimes wear traditional dress and follow customs that are centuries old.

Located in the Czech Republic on the banks of the Vltava River, Český Krumlov dates back to the 13th century, and its architecture has remained intact since.

Vienna's Demel will give you a glimpse into the city's café society. Enjoy your treat in the back seating area where you can watch the bakers hard at work.

Located at the site of the 1881 assassination attempt on Alexander II, the colorful Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood in St. Petersburg, Russia, boasts an interior covered in mosaics.

Although it's not the hidden gem it used to be, Cinque Terre, Italy, with its narrow winding roads, pastel homes, and amazing views of the Italian Riviera, is still well worth a trip.