Cultural itineraries in recent years have been increasingly popular with the public, partly because they offer something more than simply relaxing on a beach, partly also because given the many possibilities, a cultural trip is an opportunity for a holiday far away from the crowds.
In today’s article we propose 5 possible itineraries between the classic and the original that can serve as suggestions for your next trip.
Destination 1: Barcelona, from the Middle Ages to Gaudì
The city of Barcelona offers a vibrant cultural scene, starting from its medieval-era Gothic Quarter, bearing witness to its long history. Walking through the narrow paved alleys you are constantly surprised by the almost sudden appearance of typically medieval churches and squares.
The Cathedral of Barcelona, protagonist of the novel by the Spanish writer Ildefonso Falcones, is the jewel in the crown of this wonder within a wonder.
But Barcelona is not just the Middle Ages. Given its position on the sea, the city has always enjoyed the fortunes that maritime trade gave to strategic places, making it an economic, social and cultural center, which still persists today. Of the contemporary era, the work of Antoni Gaudì cannot fail to be mentioned, who left several examples of his architectural genius as a gift to the city. Casa Batlò. Casa Milà, Parc Güell and of course the Sagrada Familia are all monuments resulting from his creative genius that are worth a visit.
Destination 2: Berlin, not just the Cold War
The German capital is obviously famous for its wall and the symbolic role it played during the Cold War. The division in two, between East and West, was the emblem of the division into the two blocks.
Many of the remains from this period can still be visited, kept as a warning for future generations. But Berlin existed before and exists after its wall.
Some of the buildings in the historic center date back to the period before the creation of the wall, along the street known as Unter den Linden, (lit. under the lime trees). Also in the area, the museums of the so-called Museum Island are certainly worth a visit, among which the Pergamon Museum stands out, where finds of absolute archaeological value are housed, including the Ishtar Gate, one of the entrance gates to ancient Babylon.
Modern Berlin, on the other hand, offers an entire neighborhood, Kreuzberg, where since the fall of the wall several young contemporary artists have settled, who either in small installations or in galleries or even through murals, have found fertile ground here to express themselves.
Destination 3: Egypt, a timeless classic
It is one of the cradles of civilization, and perhaps for this reason it continues to fascinate tens of thousands of visitors every year.
Far from being a banal choice, a trip to Egypt, even for those who have already been there, is always a new discovery. The pyramids of Giza, the Sphinx, the temples of Luxor and Karnak, and the cruise on the Nile River to discover the Valley of the Kings and Abu Simbel are classics for ancient history enthusiasts who never stop telling and exciting.
We can then conclude with the Grand Egyptian Museum, which represents the largest exhibition space in the world dedicated to a single civilization, where you will find unique finds such as Tutankhamun’s sarcophagus, with its very rich pictorial decoration; or the giant statue of Ramses II.
Destination 4: Venetian Crete
The island of Crete is known as the birthplace of what was probably one of the first great European civilizations, the Cretan one. Less known is its Venetian part, which flourished during the golden years of the Serenissima Republic of Venice.
Venice and the important role that the island of Crete played in its dominion of the trade routes of the Mediterranean Sea are responsible for the Venetian jewels of Heraklion’s fortifications, such as the Koules fortress.
Other traces of the important influence that Venice had on Crete can be visited throughout the historic center of another city on the island: Rethymno.
And the port of Chania, the westernmost city on the island of Crete, is also Venetian.
Destination 5: From Vienna to Budapest, via the Austro-Hungarian Empire
We close our proposals for 2025 with an itinerary through southern Europe, to admire the elegance of what was one of the last empires. The imperial architecture of Vienna, with for example the Hofburg and the Schönbrunn, testify to the great power achieved by the Habsburg court. But not to be missed in Vienna are also the historic cafés and the opera, which give an idea of how vibrant life under the Habsburgs was from a social and cultural point of view.
From Vienna you can then continue to Bratislava, along the Danube. The city is less well known and undoubtedly of lesser importance, but this does not mean it was neglected by imperial architects and deserves to be visited, before arriving at the other jewel in the crown: Budapest.
Budapest offers a unique fusion of Austro-Hungarian and Ottoman elements. The seat of the Hungarian Parliament, Buda Castle and the historic spa are undoubtedly worth visiting.
Another cultural aspect should not be underestimated: the festivals. This part of Europe is famous for having a tradition of festivals and cultural events celebrating local traditions, be they those of the Habsburgs or one of the other numerous and influential ethnic groups that have formed the culture of the place.
It may be worth keeping an eye on the calendar to time your trip to coincide with one of these festivals, so you can appreciate not only the architecture, but also the intangible legacies of the different cultures that make this area of particular interest .
