The place to expertise a tradition shock in Europe

Exploring European locations could be a thrilling option to encounter a tradition shock (and by shock we imply essentially the most nice of surprises). From the colourful, medieval streets of France to the romantic cobblestone alleys of Italy, there are numerous cities, cities and villages in Europe that proudly have fun their cultural heritage and traditions.

A cultural vacation affords you a step-back in time. An opportunity to immerse your self in age-old life far faraway from your personal. A novel holiday to pattern native delicacies, study a local tongue, revive music and dance born from legendary eras, and expertise picturesque locations in beautiful pure environments.  

You’ll discovered tradition round each nook in Europe, each in widespread vacationer hotspots and in locations slightly extra ‘off the crushed observe‘.

Right here’s our decide of a few of the greatest cultural hotspots in Europe: 

Brittany, France

Breton heritage encompasses the tradition, traditions and authentic language of Brittany, a area in north-west France with its personal distinctive historical past.

By way of centuries of affect from Celtic tribes and European migrations, Brittany has fostered a culturally various and distinctive id which is well known by locals and vacationers to this present day.

While on a tenting vacation in Brittany, you’ll possible expertise native festivals, music and dance kinds corresponding to bagad (pipe and drum bands), people tales and legends, artwork (together with Celtic cross carvings), handmade lace and embroidery strategies generally known as paysannes brodeuses (peasant embroiderers).

Uncover conventional kinds of cooking handed down by generations – oh, and try to get your arms on a tanker of chouchen (Breton’s personal native mead), it’s scrumptious!

Should you’re visiting in August, you can purchase a ticket to Interceltique de Lorient, an area pageant of music, dance and video games celebrating cultures from Brittany and past.

>> Taking the household? Right here’s 10 superb issues to do in Brittany with youngsters<<

Andalusia, Spain

Andalusia is a area of Spain with a wealthy and various tradition that has been influenced by each its Mediterranean and Moorish previous. From flamenco dancing and bullfighting to conventional meals, Andalusia’s tradition is steeped in centuries-old historical past and traditions and a must-see for these in search of a really genuine vacation. 

The structure of the realm is a particular mixture of kinds current within the area, notably distinctive designs developed below Moorish occupation. You’ll see archways, intricate tilework, domes, and ornate detailing which have lasted a whole bunch of years.

You merely can’t go to Andalusia with out sampling the native delicacies, with mouth-watering native faves like tortilla de patata (potato omelette), boquerones en vinagre (marinated anchovies), espinacas con garbanzos (chickpea spinach casserole) served in eating places, bars and street-food vans. 

Andalucia’s rural landscapes are diversified and exquisite too, greatest explored by foot and excellent for these in search of open-air lodging in pure environment. Hike the magical Mount Mulhacen or go to the Sierra de Grazalema Pure Park and its surrounding conventional villages. 

>> Check out this close by tenting and glamping village within the coronary heart of the Doñana Nationwide Park, Andalusia <<

Trentino-Alto Adige, Italy

Trentino-Alto Adige is an unbiased area in northern Italy that encompasses a number of distinct cultures and boasts out-of-this-world pure environment, specifically the Dolomite mountain vary. 

Austria dominated the area for hundreds of years, leaving a German language imprint in its Northern areas and rendering it bilingual. That’s proper, German-speaking Italians! How’s that for a tradition shock?!

This space is blessed with a lengthy historical past of distinctive cultural customs, a lot derived from its sturdy ties to the pure Dolomitic panorama, in addition to its native meals, conventional sporting occasions and classical music.

Conventional meals in Trentino-Alto Adige is characterised by an abundance of regionally grown produce, like apples, grapes, olives and honey. Road meals is extensively out there throughout this area – you will discover conventional mountain fare like polenta rolls, spicy sausages and recent ravioli with ricotta cheese.

The realm likes to have fun age-old festivals. Some of the widespread occasions is the Palio della Val di Fiemme, the place locals compete in opposition to one another on horseback.

In distinction to the area’s wealthy historical past, Trentino-Alto Adige is maybe greatest recognized at this time for its out of doors winter sports activities, particularly snowboarding and alpine mountain biking, with a few of the greatest terrain in Europe for an adrenaline-hit.

>> Planning a motorhome roadtrip? Uncover extra of Italy’s hotspots <<

Ljubljana, Slovenia

Because the story goes, Greek legendary hero Jason, collectively together with his Argonauts, based Ljubljana. The notorious band of thieves had in some way stolen King Aetes’ golden fleece, earlier than slaying a dragon in an almighty battle and setting sail throughout Lake Ljubljanica.

(So, preserve your eyes peeled for dragons, dotted across the metropolis on flags, monuments and vibrant, conventional buildings!)

Ljubljana, the cultural centre of Slovenia, has been occupied below many rulers over the centuries: the Romans, Veneti and Slavs to call a number of, every placing a singular stamp on the approach to life and structure of the capital metropolis – and the pleasant locals listed below are proud to preserve traditions alive.

You possibly can go to the Nationwide Museum for an immersive whistle-stop tour of the realm’s wealthy historical past, or be part of a guided strolling tour. 

Music and motion is tremendous necessary right here too. And the power is vibrant! Every single day, you’ll uncover cultural gems of yesteryear and might immerse your self in a world of folklore singing and conventional Slovenian dances within the metropolis streets, theatres, orchestral halls and different venues about city. 

The juxtaposition of latest and previous right here is thrilling, in reality the procuring, riverside cafes, eating places and meals markets are definitely worth the journey alone!

>> This open-air eco resort just isn’t removed from the town, however tucked away in rural paradise <<

Basque Nation, France & Spain

Escape to the Basque Nation, an autonomous land steeped with historical past, house to one of many oldest languages in Europe and, in our humble opinion, one in all essentially the most stunning locations in France.

Positioned between the luxurious Pyrenees mountain vary and Navarre, the area has been influenced by its geographical isolation and maritime heritage. It’s recognized for its distinctive delicacies (Basque tapas) and sturdy sense of id, which has made the area a well-liked vacationer vacation spot.

For out of doors adventurers in search of tradition, the cities of Bilbao, San Sebastián and Vitoria-Gasteiz simply throughout the Spanish border are made for you. Right here you possibly can lose your self within the space’s historical past with spectacular views alongside the coast. And, in fact, a well-planned hike by the mountains for a day or extra is the factor to do on this area the place many individuals begin their trek on  the Camino de Santiago.

Dwell your greatest Basque life and check out your hand at people dancing, portray, stone sculpting and wooden carving for an unforgettable expertise – or bask (pun supposed) within the area’s thriving fashionable artwork scene. 

Oh, and Grotte de Sare Caves Nature Reserve is certainly value a go to! It affords a singular expertise of prehistoric wonders displayed in intricate rock formations, accompanied by mild exhibits projected on the partitions.

>> Have a look at this close by, family-friendly open-air campsite, with picket chalets, tenting pitches and heated swimming swimming pools <<

Unhealthy Kissingen, Germany

The cultural sub-region of Bavaria, Unhealthy Kissingen is a fascinating spa city that has been attracting guests from all over the world because the 18th century. And why?

Properly, the areas is an eclectic celebration of sizzling springs, mineral baths, spa buildings, historic websites and serene pure landscapes, good for open-air leisure and wellness therapies. 

The water right here is famed for its ‘medicinal worth’, licensed as wealthy in minerals and containing therapeutic properties, and so many a Bavarian king has frequented the city to top-up on its goodness! Ensure you come armed with a reusable water bottle to drink like royalty! 

There are many cultural establishments to be found in Unhealthy Kissingen, celebrating necessary actions in time just like the artwork nouveau and Baroque durations. Take a look at the Regentenbau live performance corridor and Kurgarten, the city’s bountiful spa backyard for a step again in time. 

The native delicacies affords an genuine style of Germanic culture, attempt Schmarrn pancakes, thick Fränkischer sausages and tart, spiced wine which could be loved alongside the riverside or at one of many native eateries or taverns (and particularly round Christmas market season!)

>> Take a look at this contemporary resort in Bavaria boasting beautiful views from each sort of lodging <<

Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, France

For a cultural whirlwind inside breathtaking environment, Southern France’s beautiful Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur should be part of your bucket record! 

The distinctive mixture of century-old rule between the traditional Egyptians, Greeks and Romans (intertwined with more moderen influences from southern Italy and North Africa) means the realm boasts a culturally expressive mix of artwork, delicacies, music and structure. 

The area is house to many proudly preserved, UNESCO World Heritage Websites: the Vauban army fortifications in Villefranche sur Mer, the Abbey Church at Le Thoronet and the Hospices de Beaune to call however a number of. Every function reminders of Provençal historical past over the ages. 

And, for those who’re a music lover, musette (conventional people music) is engrained right here. So, don’t be shocked to search out your self concerned in an area pageant or randomly changing into viewers to a busking opera singer right here. 

You possibly can’t ignore the picturesque and various landscapes surrounding the cobbled streets of cities and villages right here. Spend a lot of time open air, traversing coastlines, mountainous areas, river valleys, castles and the famously aromatic lavender fields of Provence. 

No journey can be full with out savouring a few of Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur’s native wines (a few of the greatest on this planet we’d say!). Pattern rosés, whites and reds with aromas that trace at candy spices like nutmeg, licorice and cinnamon, greatest loved with some regionally sourced Provençal delicacies. 

>> This beach-side, family-fun resort is ideal for locating the realm – and has a water park too! <<

Dubrovnik, Croatia

If the Recreation of Thrones hype hasn’t satisfied you to go to the historical cultural capital of Dubrovnik already, perhaps we are going to. Really, there’s little convincing wanted for those who’re in search of a spot with an unmistakable cultural id, sacred historic buildings, libertarian landmarks, a sub-tropical local weather and jaw-dropping coastlines. 

Historians consider the town to be as previous because the seventh Century, across the 12 months 614, first based by the Greeks, however there are many conflicting tales – and we love that there’s nonetheless an aura right here. What we do know is that the realm has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Web site, which brings with it a number of cultural choices hardly ever present in one place. 

A stroll across the well-known metropolis partitions feels such as you’re in film. You’ll get a birdseye view of the previous city’s 14th Century Baroque and Gothic model achitecture corresponding to Rector’s Place, Onofrio’s Fountain and Fraciscan monestry. 

Oh and take a selfie with terracotta-tiled rooftops and crystal clear waters of the Adriatic Sea because the backdrop – it’s undoubtedly a #nofilterneeded picture opp!

Uncover a vibrant artwork and music scene in Dubrovnik too. You would possibly catch a efficiency by the native symphony orchestra within the previous city sq., or marvel at impressed artwork from native artists at the Museum of Trendy Artwork. 

Whereas we don’t have open-air lodging close to Dubrovnik proper now, you need to mix a metropolis go to with an extended keep within the open air elsewhere in beautiful Croatia – discover all our campsites in Croatia right here.

Staying at a campsite or resort within the open-air is a good way to expertise cultural locations in Europe.

Check out our various vary of lodging and add a contact extra uniqueness to your cultural getaway.  

Often requested questions