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

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Travel + Leisure Editors
Travel + Leisure Editors

Since 1971, Travel + Leisure editors have followed one mission: to inform, inspire, and guide travelers to have deeper, more meaningful experiences. T+L's editors have traveled to countries all over the world, having flown, sailed, road tripped, and taken the train countless miles. They've visited small towns and big cities, hidden gems and popular destinations, beaches and mountains, and everything in between. With a breadth of knowledge about destinations around the globe, air travel, cruises, hotels, food and drinks, outdoor adventure, and more, they are able to take their real-world experience and provide readers with tried-and-tested trip ideas, in-depth intel, and inspiration at every point of a journey.

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Published on October 13, 2016
I lived in Europe for 5 years — these are the places I tell all my friends to visit
Photo: Getty Images/LOOK

This story originally appeared on Thisisinsider.com. I lived in Zurich, Switzerland, for five years growing up, and my family took that time as an opportunity to travel as much as possible. These travels exposed me to new cultures, and left impressions and memories that will stay with me for the rest of my life. From the beaches of southern Portugal to the canals of Amsterdam, here are the spots I consider must-sees.

01 of 10

Morcote, Switzerland

I lived in Europe for 5 years — these are the places I tell all my friends to visit
Getty Images/iStockphoto

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.

02 of 10

Amsterdam

I lived in Europe for 5 years — these are the places I tell all my friends to visit
Getty Images/Lonely Planet Images

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

03 of 10

Church of Peace in Świdnica, Poland

I lived in Europe for 5 years — these are the places I tell all my friends to visit
Hans A Rosbach via Flickr CC BY-SA 2.0

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.

04 of 10

Carcassone, France

I lived in Europe for 5 years — these are the places I tell all my friends to visit
Getty Images

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.

05 of 10

Astronomical Clock in Prague, Czech Republic

I lived in Europe for 5 years — these are the places I tell all my friends to visit
Getty Images/iStockphoto

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.

06 of 10

Appenzell, Switzerland

I lived in Europe for 5 years — these are the places I tell all my friends to visit
Getty Images

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.

07 of 10

Český Krumlov, Czech Republic

I lived in Europe for 5 years — these are the places I tell all my friends to visit
Getty Images/iStockphoto

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.

08 of 10

Demel, Vienna

I lived in Europe for 5 years — these are the places I tell all my friends to visit
Getty Images/LOOK

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.

09 of 10

Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood in St. Petersburg, Russia

I lived in Europe for 5 years — these are the places I tell all my friends to visit
Getty Images

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.

10 of 10

Cinque Terre, Italy

I lived in Europe for 5 years — these are the places I tell all my friends to visit
Getty Images

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.

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