Europe Tour Packages

1. Things To Know Before Visiting Europe
2. Europe At A Glance
3. Top Reasons To Visit Europe
4. 5 Most Visited Countries In Europe By Indians
5. 5 Least Visited Countries In Europe You Must Visit
6. 5 Budget Destinations To Visit From India
7. Things To Remember When Travelling To Europe
8. Best Time To Visit Europe From India
9. Things To Do In Europe
10. 5 Most Visited Cities In Europe
11. What To Buy In Europe?

• Most visited European country by Indians – Switzerland
• Most visited European city by Indians – Paris
• Cheapest country to visit in Europe – Albania
• Cheapest time to visit Europe – November to March
• Most visited tourist attraction in Europe – The Hofburg Palace

• Pack light – European airlines are notorious for hidden charge
• Pay in local currency – it’s cheaper than paying in rupees or dollars
• Tipping isn’t common in Europe – it’s appreciated, but not necessary as in the US
• Book tickets for sightseeing attractions online and ahead of time to avoid queue
• Souvenirs – perfumes (Italy), Haribo gummies (Germany), Royal family merch (UK), chocolate (Belgium)

• It has the maximum number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the world – 503
• Italy has the most number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the world – 59
• Most visited country in the world – France
• Top 3 most visited tourist attractions in the world in Europe – La Sagrada, The Colosseum, and Anne Frank House.
• Things to do in Europe – Summer activities – Take a canal tour in Venice, travel the Golden Pass Line in Switzerland, go tapas bar hopping in Spain, and take the open-roof double-decker bus ride in London. Winter activities – watch the Northern Lights, husky sledging in Nordic countries, skiing in the Swiss Alps, and visit the Christmas markets across Europe.
• Cities you must visit – Paris, London, Rome, Florence, Istanbul, Barcelona, Venice, Edinburgh, Crete, and Athens.
• Things you must buy as souvenirs – cuckoo clocks, cowbells, Swiss chocolates, Royal Family memorabilia, handcrafted souvenirs like keychains, bracelets, cheeses, etc.

Helsinki is Mecca for lovers of Modernist architecture. Some of the contemporary designs include the Saynatsalo Town Hall, the Kiasma Museum, and the minimalist Helsinki Cathedral.

Athens is famous for its Greek buildings, notably the Acropolis, the Parthenon, and the Temple of Hephaestus.

With its sausages and ham, cheese, wine, and desserts, and a rich bread culture, Europe is heaven for foodies. While European cuisine may have common ingredients, it doesn’t mean the food is the same everywhere. When in the UK, you cannot miss their fish and chips or their chicken tikka masala. The French are revered for their patisseries, boulangeries, cafes, bistros, and brasseries. Italian food is so much more than pasta, pizza, and gelato. If the Germans are known for their sausages and beer, the Spaniards are famous for their tapas and pintxos. Not to mention the varieties of cheeses you’ll find – from the English cheddar to the French camembert and the Italian Parmigiano Reggiano.

Alcohol is an integral part of European culture, with different regions enjoying different alcoholic beverages. The English love their gin and whiskey, Scotts love their scotch, the Germans and Belgians love their beer, Russians prefer vodka, while the French and Italians love their wine.

While the cities have their charm, the quaint European countryside makes tourists fall in love with the continent. You can drive through the Mediterranean, Adriatic, and Aegean coastline to explore beautiful islands and towns like Santorini, Capri, Mykonos, Dubrovnik, Lisbon, and Valencia. Or trek through beautiful mountain ranges like the Alps, Carpathian mountains, and the Urals. Tuscany in Italy is famous for its rolling hills, vineyards, charming villages, and picturesque views. Nordic countries like Iceland and Finland are famous for Northern Lights, while England is famous for its beautiful forests, and the Netherlands for its tulip farms.

The Isle of Skye in Scotland looks magical with its breathtaking landscape and isolated beaches. The rolling hills of Cotswold, the Scottish Highlands, the scenic Snowdonia National Park in Wales, the Mont Blanc region in France, the iconic Etretat cliffs in Normandy, the lavender fields of Provence, the beautiful Lake Geneva and the mesmerising Zermatt and Lucerne.

Food and farmers’ markets are the centrepiece of European culture. But not all of them are about food; some are flea and antique markets, and some are Christmas markets. The Edinburgh Farmers’ Market is famous for artisanal bread, organic vegetables, rich cheeses, etc. The Pigtown Festival in Limerick is famous for cookery demos, food tours, and foraging walks. Similarly, the Beaune and Chagny regions are famous for markets selling Charolais beef, truffles, Dijon mustard, and famous wines like Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

Some famous Christmas markets include Leipzig, Dresdner Striezelmarkt, Berlin, and Trier in Germany. Some famous farmers’ markets in Milan include Bologna, Tuscany, Lake Como, and Verona.

The Marche d’Aligre flea market in Paris is the best place to find old treasures, including books, jewellery, tea sets, cookware, and cutlery. The Borough Market in London has been around for 1000 years, selling bread, oysters, cheese, sausage rolls, and spices.

Castles and palaces are commonplace across Europe. Some of these castles are as old as the Middle Ages. Similarly, the palaces provided a lavish retreat to the royal families looking for a diversion from mundane life. France alone has over 45,000 castles. But it’s no match to Wales, which has more per square mile than anywhere in the world. Some famous castles in Europe include – the Dublin Castle in Ireland, the Conwy Castle in Wales, the Corfe Castle in Dorset, the Bled Castle in Slovenia, and the Chateau de Doue la Fontaine in France.

As for palaces, your trip to Europe is incomplete without a trip to Buckingham Palace in London and the Palace of Versailles in France. Other famous palaces include the Alhambra in Spain and the Windsor Castle in Berkshire, England.

Europe is home to over 500,000 religious buildings that are now part of Europe’s heritage. These cathedrals and basilicas are famous for their awe-inspiring architecture, paintings, sculptures, and artefacts. Some churches are wooden, some are modern, and some have been converted into hotels.

The Notre Dame is famous for its stained glass windows, La Sagrada in Barcelona is famous for its architecture, the Aachen Cathedral is famous for its stained glass, and the most famous St Peter’s Basilica, renowned for Michelangelo’s paintings in its dome. The Sistine Chapel is perhaps the most famous of all churches for its overwhelming artworks – from Michaelangelo’s frescos to the altarpieces by Caravaggio.

Every Europe tour package includes visiting some of Europe’s famous landmarks. This includes Big Ben and Trafalgar Square in London; the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre in Paris; the Trevi Fountain and the Pantheon in Rome; the Leaning Tower in Pisa, Italy; the Brandenburg Gate and the Holocaust Memorial in Berlin, Germany.

Some of the other attractions in Europe include Disneyworld in Paris, the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam, the Madurodam miniature park in The Hague, Netherlands, the Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque in Istanbul, and the Prado Museum in Madrid.

Europe has always been a dream destination for Indians, irrespective of whether they’re looking for a romantic getaway, a full-filled family vacation, or a solo backpacking trip. Here are some countries Indians love to visit, especially if they’re travelling to Europe for the first time.

Thanks to Bollywood movies, Switzerland has always been the ultimate holiday destination for aspirational Indians. Having grown up watching our cinema stars woo their heroines in the snowcapped peaks of the Swiss Alps, Indians have had a long-standing love affair with the country. An estimated 300 Indian movies are shot, or at least partially shot in Switzerland.

In fact, you’ll often find Indian tourists recreating epic scenes from movies shot here. Millions of Indians who have grown up watching Shahrukh Khan romance Kajol in Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge during the 90s visit the very same spots, recreating those scenes.

Some of the commonly visited destinations like the Bernese Oberland area, including Interlaken, Wengen, Grindelwald, etc., have acknowledged this through statues, posters, and cutout figures. Jungfrau Railways even has named one of their trains the Yash Chopra Train, considering the late director’s impact on Swiss tourism.

France was one of the most visited Schengen states in 2022, thanks to its reputation for being one of the most romantic countries in the world. Indians have grown up with the idea of romancing amidst the backdrop of the Eiffel Tower. The astonishing natural sites, centuries-old cathedrals and castles, high-profile beaches, and beautiful countryside make it a must-visit destination for Indians.

From the cafes and bistros in Paris to vineyards in Loire Valley to world-famous ski resorts in the French Alps and turquoise waters and dramatic cliffs in Brittany, there’s so much to explore and admire in France.

The food is equally exquisite, with fresh and organic vegetables, fruits, cheeses, and meat. French charcuterie is world-famous for its collection of salted and smoked meats. Lyon is a must-visit for gourmands thanks to its huge number of Michelin-starred restaurants. And if you’ve always dreamt of sampling decadent southern French cooking, visit Toulouse to try their fabled foie gras, goose, duck, wild game meat, and the famous Toulouse sausages.

Turkey is a popular vacation destination for Indians for a variety of reasons. Last year alone, a record 2.3 million tourists visited the country. Besides exploring the beautiful landscapes along the Aegen and Mediterranean Coasts, Indians are attracted to the country’s architecture, cuisine, culture, and artwork. With it’s modern buildings, world-class infrastructure, and luxury hotels, Turkey offers Indians all that they’re looking for in Western European countries, but cost much less.

Istanbul is definitely one of the most visited cities with famous tourist attractions like the Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, and the Topkapi Palace Museum. Not to forget the 550-year-old Grand Bazaar that sells Turkish artefacts like ceramics, Turkish lamps, evil eye figurines, spices, and antiques.

Turkish food is equally interesting, with desserts ranging from baklava and Turkish delight to kebabs and yummy mezes.

Thanks to movies like Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, Indians have taken to Spain in a big way. The movie covered some of Spain’s finest spots, including Seville, Pamplona, Valencia, Barcelona, and Costa Brava. At GT Holidays, we even arrange Europe tour packages featuring Spain around August to allow Indians to attend the La Tomatina Festival, held annually in Bunol.

Some of the other Spanish attractions include experiencing flamenco dancing in Seville, going tapas hopping in Madrid, and soaking up authentic Spanish life in Alajar. With over 50 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Spain has so much to offer to art and architecture lovers.

Spain is also a culinary lover’s delight with its selection of cheeses, sausages, and tapas recipes. When in Spain, you must try their paella, gazpacho, and the world-famous jamon. Don’t forget to end every meal with some churros.

Indians and Italians share a cultural similarity in terms of how they are direct, unabashed, and place their family over everything else. Like Italians, Indians, too, are proud of their cuisine. People visit Rome not only to explore the different monuments, but Indian Catholics consider the Vatican City to be the holiest place.

Another popular city that’s etched in the minds of Indian tourists is Venice. We’ve always dreamt of taking a romantic ride on a Venetian gondola on the city’s iconic canals. Florence, the capital of the Tuscany Region, is famous for its art collections, including the Uffizi Gallery, home to great Italian artworks from Giotto, Botticelli, and Michelangelo. The entire city is an open air museum with art and culture reflected in every corner of the city.

But most importantly, Italy is heaven for food lovers. And Italian food isn’t only about pizza and pasta. In fact, Roman pizza is very different from the Neopolitan pizza. And both of these are very different from Sicilian pizza. You’ll need more than a lifetime to try the 600+ varieties of pasta in the country.

I know we’ve missed Great Britain, but, with Indians being the single largest ethnic minority in the UK, it’s practically another home for Indians.

This is one of the only two double-landlocked countries in the world loved for its beautiful landscape with the Alps in the background. Tourists visit the country during winter to relax in the Malbun ski resort. There are a few architectural marvels that attract tourists, viz., castles, palaces, and cathedrals that are centuries old and very strong.

The Republic of Macedonia receives less than 351,000 visitors yearly who come to explore the country’s beautiful lakes, beaches, lakes, and medieval architecture. Macedonia is landlocked, but you can fly directly with flights from major cities like Mumbai, New Delhi, and Bengaluru.

The country’s famous Ohrid Lake is the deepest and oldest lake in Europe and is believed to be over 4 million years old. The lake is home to over 300 endemic species. The city surrounding the lake is named after it and is home to Europe’s first university.

You must visit the many monasteries in the country, especially those of St Bogodorica Prechista, St Georgij Pobedonosec, and St Jovan Bigorski, which supposedly have pieces of the cross where Jesus was crucified.

The tiny Faroe Islands comprise 18 remote islands within Denmark and welcome less than a million tourists annually. The country does not have many tourists because they don’t want them. The island is closed to general tourists once a year, except for volunteers who come for minor and major repairs like building gates and ladders and making the place safer for locals.

People are attracted to the island because of its beautiful landscape, including its undulating mountains, cliffs, placid lakes, and dramatic waterfalls. It’s the perfect place for adventure activities like hiking and kayaking. It’s also the ideal place to admire the thousands of Atlantic puffins that breed and nest along the clifftops.

The Faroe Islands are also the best place to sample authentic Nordic food. With more sheep than humans, it’s natural that mutton is a popular meat. Given that you are surrounded by sea, fish is a good choice. Shellfish, sea urchins, mussels, etc., are menu staples. Don’t miss to treat yourself at Koks, the island’s Michelin-star restaurant that serves a 17-course menu, which includes langoustine rolls, sea urchins tossed with pickled parsley stems, and fermented lamb intestines.

Not all European countries are expensive; you can enjoy the stunning landscapes and rich culture without spending thousands of dollars. We’ve listed some for you below.

This Slavic country is a hidden gem with an incredible history and beautiful mountains. If you’ve grown up on fairytales that describe massive castles and windy valleys, Slovakia (not to be misunderstood for Slovenia) is a must-visit destination with over 180 castles and over than 400 chateaux. The villages here have maintained their authenticity; some are even categorised as UNESCO-protected. No wonder these villages were termed the most colourful destinations in Europe. Last but not least, Slovak food is rich and exciting.

Tickets to Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia, are cheap, with ticket prices averaging around INR 25,000 from Chennai. Food, accommodation, and transport costs average around INR 6,000 per day.

At GT Holidays, you can choose exclusive Slovakia tour packages or customise your Europe tour packages to include Slovakia in the itinerary.

The Land of Dracula, Romania, is home to picturesque castles and citadels scattered across the Transylvanian landscape. Romania is also home to wooden churches, historic monasteries, and museums, highlighting the country’s rich history. The country is home to beautiful natural wonders unspoilt by tourism. You must visit the Carpathian mountains to admire the country’s wildlife, including wolves, deer, badgers, and bison. The Danube Delta is equally rich and a birdwatcher’s paradise.

Tickets to Bucharest, the capital of Romania, are cheap, with prices averaging around INR 35,000 from Chennai. Food, accommodation, and transport costs average around INR 6,000 per day.

At GT Holidays, you can choose exclusive Romania tour packages or customise your Europe tour packages to include Romania in the itinerary.

With beautiful parks and other natural attractions, historic towns, and a great party scene, the Czech Republic is a must-see destination if you are looking for budget Europe tour packages. The country was once an important trade centre during the Middle Ages, thanks to its strategic location. Prague, the country’s capital city, is full of beautiful buildings in different architectural styles, ranging from Baroque to Gothic and Renaissance. Don’t forget that Czech beer is the best in the world. And it is definitely very affordable.

Tickets to Prague from Chennai cost around INR 35,000. Food, accommodation, and transport expenses average around INR 10,000 per day.

At GT Holidays, you can choose our exclusive Czech Republic tour packages or customize your Europe tour packages to include the Czech Republic in the itinerary.

This beautiful but sparsely populated Balkan country doesn’t feature much on the list of mainstream tourism. But it has so much to offer to people looking to enjoy unspoilt nature. Croatia is a tourism magnet, from gorgeous beaches to hidden coves and picturesque towns. You can spend your evening lounging on the Zlatni Rat beach or revisit some of Game of Thrones places. It’s also a great place to sample some great wine growing in the islands of Dalmatia. It is also home to the 1700-year-old Diocletian Palace, built by Roman Emperor Diocletian as his retirement home.

Tickets to Split, the capital city of Croatia, average around INR 50,000. Food, accommodation, and transport costs average at around INR 12,000 per day.

At GT Holidays, you can choose our exclusive Croatia tour packages or customize your European tour packages to include the country on our itinerary.

If you want to experience the best of Europe without worrying about the long queues in major tourist attractions, head to Bulgaria. This beautiful country has it all – Alpine mountains, lush forests, ski resorts, a rich culture, and above all, scrumptious food. The lakes are clear and picturesque enough for a boat cruise. When in Bulgaria, don’t miss the rose festival, where you can explore the ancient tradition of rose-picking, which is processed into the highly sought-after Bulgarian essential oil. There are plenty of ancient UNESCO World Heritage Sites as well.

Air tickets to Sofia, the capital city of Bulgaria, average at around INR 35,000. Food, accommodation, and transport costs average around INR 10,000 per day.

At GT Holidays, you can either choose our exclusive Bulgaria tour packages or customize your Europe tour packages to include the country in our itinerary.

As for what to pack, you can carry a cocktail dress for a fancy dinner, a few t-shirts and cotton pants that match your style, and innerwear. You’ll also need dark-coloured jeans which you can wear to lighten your suitcase. And depending on the weather, you’ll need a light or heavy jacket.

Some other essentials you’ll need include – OTC medicines for fever, cold, etc., prescription medications (along with the prescription), a water bottle, and a travel adapter. And don’t forget a school ID for children – you’ll be surprised by the discounts offered to school children at major tourist attractions.

Thanks to the world returning to normalcy post Covid and travel becoming more affordable, tourist destinations everywhere are more crowded than ever. Unless you book entry tickets ahead of time, getting into major world-famous tourist attractions is impossible. This is true even if you have a city pass that allows access to the tourist attractions and don’t have a timed reservation. Some of the must-book-ahead places include the Eiffel Tower, Louvre and the Catacombs in Paris, The Anne Frank House and Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, the Uffizi and Michela’gelo’s David in Florence, the Colosseum, Vatican Museums, and the Sistine Chapel in Rome.

While you can marvel at La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona from afar, you’ll need timed reservations to get inside the cathedral. In London, it’s advisable to pre-book tickets to The London Eye and Buckingham Palace tour.

While vegan and vegetarian food is the buzzword in major cities like London and Berlin, it’s uncommon in other European cities. While the menu may say vegetarian, it may not explicitly fall into the vegetarian category as we Indians would define it. For instance, Italian servers may not understand your concept of meat-free food and may recommend dishes with seafood.  

 The French are a different ballgame altogether – you’ll find chefs pickier than the diners and wouldn’t like to modify recipes to suit a vegetarian palate. I suggest you learn the local names of vegetables as there would be plenty of options on the menu that don’t have meat but aren’t promoted as vegetarian. 

It’s easy to lose focus on your budget when you’re in the thick of things. Besides budgeting for accommodation, transport, rail passes, flights, etc., we suggest you set a daily budget for local delicacies, souvenirs, etc. Withdraw money in bulk from ATMs to avoid multiple withdrawal charges. Pay in local currency wherever possible to avoid banks levying arbitrary exchange rates.

Europe is a year-round destination, but certain months are better than others, depending on what you want to explore and experience. If you’re a first-time traveller looking to soak in the major tourist attractions like the Eiffel Tower and Big Ben, consider booking a Europe tour package from March to October, as the weather is pleasant. But if your itinerary includes skiing on the snow-covered Alps, book a package in the winter months. Similarly, if experiencing the Northern Lights is on your bucket list, book a winter package.

If you’d rather skip the queue, we suggest you plan to visit Europe during winter. Besides avoiding the crowd, you can enjoy the Christmas markets, buying handicrafts, artisan ornaments, and seasonal delicacies like hot spiced wine.

Here’s a rundown of what you can enjoy according to the weather.

November to March is off-season, with December to February being the peak winter season. It’s the perfect season to explore Europe if you are budget-conscious and wary of the long queues at the sights. You can walk right in at these tourist spots without buying advanced tickets. The museums provide a cosy warmth, but outdoor sights require you to be better prepared with several layers of clothing and a good waterproof coat. Countries like Italy, Spain, and Portugal can be humid during summer but mild and pleasant during winter.

Remember, days are short, and it gets dark by 5 pm. You must plan your activities ahead.

Of course, Switzerland is perfect for winters with its ski resorts like St Moritz, Zermatt, and Grindelwald. Christmas is an altogether different experience in Europe with Christmas markets, festive décor, and carollers.

March to June is shoulder season and a smart choice for travel. The weather is good, and most tourist attractions are crowded because of schools in Europe during this time. But make sure you don’t travel when it’s spring for US schools.

Some of the best places to explore during spring include Stavanger, Dublin, Porto, and Croatia. It’s also festival time in Europe during Spring. Don’t miss the Istanbul Tulip Festival from April to May and the Seville Annual Fair post-Easter. Dublin celebrates St Patrick’s Festival, while France celebrates the famous Cannes Film Festival.

This is peak season in Europe, with the maximum number of tourists travelling to the continent from June to August. France, Germany, Croatia, Spain, Italy, Greece, etc., are some of the busiest countries during this season. The weather is warm, the days are longer, and there are plenty of festivals held across Europe.

But there are a few downsides to summer travel as well. For one, expect long queues everywhere – the crowd is so overwhelming that you’ll have to pre-book tickets to major tourist attractions like the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower. And since it is peak season, flight tickets and hotel accommodation are expensive. Some festivals you mustn’t miss during this time include the La Tomatina in Spain and the Bastille Day celebrations in France.

Autumn is shoulder season in Europe and one of the best times to experience Europe. The landscape looks magical, with leaves changing from green to yellow and orange. It’s also the time to enjoy some spectacular festivals like the Oktoberfest in Germany and the Nuit Blanche in France.

Flight tickets cost less in November but could be chilly for Indians. Another advantage of travelling in November is that tourist attractions aren’t as crowded. Besides plenty of warm clothing, carry an umbrella and a waterproof jacket.

While those days are long past, women get together for an occasional luxury treat with friends and family. There are elaborate etiquette rules that are still followed – from holding the cup properly to even stirring the tea. Some of the best places to enjoy high tea in London include The Ritz, The Savoy, and The Beaumont.

Tascas or Spannish-style bar restaurants famously serve tapas or hors d’oeuvres served with alcohol. These snacks can sometimes be meals in themselves, with unique dishes like boiled octopus sprinkled with salt, squid served in its own ink, marinated mussels, goat cheese, and even angulas or tiny baby eels. The general rule is to have one tapa for one drink and then move on to the next tasca. This isn’t a proper sit-down affair but an on-the-go bar crawl. The best cities for a tapas crawl include Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, and Bilbao.

The tradition of Hammams or Turkish baths dates back to the 15th century and was once enjoyed by Ottoman royalty. Today, you can enjoy the same hammam experience in Turkey, where you’ll get a soapy massage and a scrub down in a hot room called hararet. After the massage, you can move on to the cooling room to relax and stay as long as you want before the final show or chat with friends in the hot room. Some of the best places for a Hamman bath in Istanbul include the Haseki Hurrem Sultan Hamami, Cagaloglu Hamami, and the many luxurious hammams in hotels like Radisson Blu, Four Seasons, and The Bosphorus Istanbul.

Europe may have once been a faraway land, but with better economic prospects, many upwardly mobile Indians are looking to experience the famous cities they’ve only read about in books. Some of the most visited European cities include:

Paris has always remained a dream destination for people from around the world. The world’s most romantic city boasts iconic monuments, museums, centuries-old churches, exclusively landscaped gardens, picturesque cafes, and scrumptious food. Some of the city’s attractions include The Eiffel, The Louvre, Notre Dame, the Palace of Versailles, Disneyland, and Musee d’Orsay.

London has a strong and influential Indian diaspora, with entire suburbs filled with Indians. Perhaps due to a colonial hangover, we have always been fascinated by London. The city has iconic buildings, world-class museums, and the world-famous Buckingham Palace. Some of the city’s attractions include Big Ben, Trafalgar Square, The Natural History Museum, Westminster Abbey, and Hyde Park.

This is the third-most visited city in Europe thanks to the multiple buildings, cathedrals, museums, and many Roman sites. The entire city is like an open-air museum where every little corner has a story. Some of the city’s attractions include The Colosseum, Sistine Chapel, Trevi Fountain, St Peter’s Basilica, Pantheon, and Spanish Steps.

The capital of the Catalonia region, Barcelona, is a beautiful city with a rich cultural legacy and breathtaking architecture. Barcelona is also famous for its food, including paella, patatas, Jamon Iberico, and cava. Some of the city’s attractions include La Sagrada Familia, Barcelona City History Museum, and Casa Battlo.

This is one of the most beautiful cities in Switzerland, home to hundreds of art galleries, museums, and colourful buildings. It is also home to world-class restaurants and the birthplace of the iconic cheese fondue. It’s also a great place for shopping, especially in Bahnhofstrasse. Some of the city’s attractions include Lake Zurich, the Opera House, and the Swiss National Museum.

While fridge magnets and fancy pepper shakers are good souvenirs, you might want to make some efforts to buy gifts for loved ones and family members. Some of the common return gifts you can buy include:

• Belgium – Lace
• Austria – Swaroski crystals
• England – Fine China, tea, royal family merch, Harry Potter merch
• France – Cheese, essential oils, perfumes
• Germany – Birkenstock sandals, cuckoo clocks, wooden toys
• Switzerland – cuckoo clocks, chocolate, cowbells, Swiss army knife
• Spain – Flamenco-related souvenirs, pottery, Jamon, cheese, saffron
• Italy – Murano glass, leather goods, cheese, perfume, branded accessories
• Turkey – Baklava, Turkish coffee, Turkish towels, Turkish bedsheets
• Czech Republic – Crystal, Bohemian glass, jewellery, porcelain