Holidays are the best time to relax, rejuvenate, read, and travel. Seeing new places changes the way you relate to the world and others around you. Your summer holiday calls for taking that much-needed break from work, playing water sports, experiencing sea-side cuisine, driving down meadows and hillsides, trekking, skiing, or simply walking down the roads of an unknown city.

Below we have listed ten such exotic summer holiday travel destinations in the Europe for you to make memories in places you might have not visited before.

Sicily, Italy

Sicily is the largest island in the Mediterranean, and its beautiful landscapes are just a part of the travelling experience. Flanked by Norman Churches, Greek Temples, and Baroque Palazzos, the island has numerous ancient structures. As a tourist destination, Sicily is host to exotic contemporary drinking and eating and is an excellent shopping destination. The island is known for the production of citrus fruits and fantastic wine. The weather remains nice throughout the year, making this destination one of the most desirable locations for a summer holiday.

Reykjavik, Iceland

Popularly known as the land of glaciers, Iceland offers some of the most dramatic landscapes in the world. Beautiful snow-capped mountains and rainbow-arched waterfalls adorn the capital city. You can also witness the Vatnajokull, the largest glacier in Europe, in Iceland. In Reykjavik, you can find rivers, catch fish, watch birds, or climb mountains. Lush green valleys and numerous peninsulas adorn the region. Also, Hekla Volcano, located in Southern Iceland, is one of the major summer holiday tourist destinations.

Zurich and Geneva, Switzerland

The land of watches and chocolates needs no formal introduction about being the ideal locale for a summer holiday. The high life in Switzerland calls for viewing of the snow-capped Alps, riding cable cars up to the peaks of mountains, skiing on St. Moritz, cruising on the magnificent crystalline lakes and sipping Swiss wine. The urban life of Zurich and Geneva offers you glamorous resort towns where you give into exotic spas, restaurants serving you delectable pots of fondue and upscale boutiques offering you world-class designer apparel.

Patara, Turkey

Patara is not only the longest beach in Turkey but is also the most beautiful of all. The white sands, warm shallows and surfable waves make it an ideal beach destination for families. This region in the southern western part of Turkey is flanked by the remains of its Roman past. Coupled with the exotic weather and the delectable Ottoman cuisine, Patara should be on your vacation list this summer.

Wales, UK

Wales is a land of plunging coastlines and magnificent medieval castles, and even today, it anchors on its conventional Celtic culture and makes for an exemplary summer holiday destination. The country is a reflection of old Britain and exhibits similar rural landscapes to those of its neighbours, Ireland and Scotland. It is said that there are three million people and ten million sheep in Wales. The countryside offers a magical drive alongside the valleys and mountains, and a large part of the country’s landscape is still left untouched. While the Welsh culture is experiencing a renaissance with the locals popularising its culinary traditions, the tourism industry has been on the rise for some time.

Madrid, Spain

The Spanish know how to live their lives to the fullest and guarantee the same to their visitors. This beautiful European country is a wonderful association of hillside villages, art museums, erstwhile high-rise cathedrals and cafe-lined plazas, making it an ideal summer holiday spot for high-life lovers. Madrid’s insistence on enjoying life every day calls for exploring the inventive local cuisine, strolling in the parks, shaking a leg with the flamenco dancers or simply partying until dawn. The little pockets of varied local culture and its varied landscape across the coast to the Pyrenees are worth experiencing. Madrid is home to the famous Prado Museum.

Cannes, France

First brought into the limelight by the fashion magnet Coco Chanel, Cannes has carved a niche for itself as a film and fashion hub. The people living in this French city maintain that ‘Life is a festival’, and the city attracts a large number of tourists in summer owing to its magnificent beaches, exotic seafood, and drinks. De la Boca and Plages du Midi are Cannes’ most famous public beaches.

Nantes, France

Also, in France, Nantes boasts an exquisite past, having been the historical capital of the erstwhile Duke of Brittany. This young and vibrant metropolitan city is a unique example of medieval French art and architecture, flanked by fortresses, quarters, and cathedrals. If you are an art and history lover, Nantes should be on your ”must-visit list of cities.

Brussels and Antwerp, Belgium

Tucked away into the European continent is the diminutive country of Belgium. Also known as the administrative centre of Europe, this little country exudes a multicultural atmosphere where abbeys and medieval cities are still found. The country has preserved the battlegrounds of the World Wars, which exude an aura of nostalgia. Brussels and Antwerp are perhaps the only cities where globalization has seeped in, although both differ widely in their character. While Brussels is flanked by Art Deco buildings and grand squares, Antwerp is more of a shopping destination flanked by numerous high-fashion boutiques and designer stores. Antwerp is also host to plentiful diamond stores.

Corfu, Greece

When you think about Greece, you imagine the white-washed houses along the clear blue water bodies and the sweet sun. Studded with the remains of Greek temples, Byzantine Churches and Venetian forts, Corfu is a stunning representation of Greece as a whole. The town exudes an eponymous charm while the surrounding villages, such as Kassiopi, transport you back to ancient times. Head to the shore of the Canal D’Amour to soak yourself in mineral mud and enjoy the experience of natural spa therapy.

Europe is home to some of the most beautiful countries and cities in the world, although last-minute summer holiday planning can make your trip much more expensive. You could conduct thorough research on the web about the destinations you would like to visit and make your arrangements well in advance to take advantage of the best offers and discounts.