5 Unforgettable Summer Experiences In Europe That Belong On Your Bucket List
Dreaming of Aperol spritzes, sun-soaked coastlines, and endless summer evenings? Europe is calling — but skip the same-old city breaks and tourist-packed spots. This year, make it one to remember with experiences that go beyond the guidebook. Think soaking in Iceland's steamy volcanic hot springs, road-tripping Italy's coast by Vespa, or sleeping under the midnight sun in a glass igloo. Whether you're after adventure, chill vibes, or jaw-dropping views, these five bucket-list moments will turn your European summer holiday into something truly unforgettable. Because if you're going all that way, it should be a trip worth talking about.
Here Are 5 Incredible Summer Experiences In Europe:
1. Swim In Iceland's Secret Lagoon At Midnight
Skip the overhyped Blue Lagoon and head to its lesser-known sibling, the Secret Lagoon in Fluair, about 90 minutes from Reykjavik. This natural hot spring is Iceland's oldest public pool, dating back to 1891, and it still bubbles with geothermal warmth all year round. The real magic? Summer means near 24-hour daylight in Iceland, so you can float in the steamy water late into the night while the sun hovers just above the horizon. No crowds, no rush — just nature doing its thing. Plus, it's much cheaper and far more relaxed than its flashier cousin.
Best time to go: June to early August
2. Party Under The Stars At A Croatian Island Festival
Croatia's summer festivals are nothing short of legendary. The best way to do it? Head to Pag Island for Hideout Festival (held in late June) or hop over to Hvar for more glamorous, boat-party vibes. These aren't your average beach raves — we're talking open-air stages, DJs like Peggy Gou and Honey Dijon, and sunrises that'll ruin you for club nights back home. Hvar in particular has carved a niche for itself among the yacht set, with swanky cocktail bars and chic beach clubs like Hula Hula and Carpe Diem. But there are quieter corners too, if you need a break from the bass.
Best time to go: Late June to early July
3. Sleep In A Treehouse In The French Alps
For a total switch-off, head to the Alpine forests of France and book a night (or three) in a treehouse. Places like Les Cabanes Entre Terre et Ciel near Annecy offer fully equipped cabins perched in the treetops, complete with private terraces and, yes, hot tubs. By day, go hiking or paddleboarding on Lake Annecy. At night, stargaze with a glass of Savoie wine while owls hoot in the distance. It's rustic without being roughing it — the perfect balance of nature and comfort.
Best time to go: June to September
4. Ride The Glacier Express Through The Swiss Alps
Europe isn't short on scenic train rides, but the Glacier Express in Switzerland might just top them all. Connecting Zermatt and St. Moritz, this eight-hour journey cuts through alpine valleys, crosses 291 bridges, and climbs mountain passes you'd never reach by car. What makes it bucket list-worthy? Panoramic windows, first-class dining service, and views of the Matterhorn that genuinely live up to the hype. It's peaceful, pristine, and the exact kind of slow travel that makes you fall in love with the journey — not just the destination.
Best time to go: July or August for green hills and clear skies.
5. Chase The Sunset On Italy's Amalfi Coast By Vespa
If you've seen the Amalfi Coast from a coach window, you haven't really seen it. Rent a Vespa and feel the sea breeze as you ride through the winding coastal roads from Positano to Ravello. It's a classic Italian summer scene, complete with lemon groves, cliffside villages, and panoramic views at every turn. Stop for a scoop of lemon gelato in Amalfi, visit the stunning Villa Cimbrone gardens in Ravello, or just pull over wherever the view demands it (which is often). You'll be hard-pressed to find a more scenic stretch of road anywhere in Europe.
Best time to go: May to mid-June or September to avoid peak traffic
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Pink Villa
3 hours ago
- Pink Villa
Thirst trap alert: Ananya Panday flaunts her hourglass figure in bikini during Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri shoot, PICS
Ananya Panday is turning up the summer heat with her latest social media dump that shows the actress flaunting her figure in a bikini. The pictures are truly sizzling and one cannot take their eyes off her. As she enjoys a day off in Croatia amid her busy shooting schedule of Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri, her latest snapshots have taken the internet by storm. Taking to her Instagram handle, the Kesari Chapter 2 actress treated netizens with a series of candid photos. The first slide shows her striking a pose in a tiny pink bikini. Then follows a frame that features her posing candidly alongside her hair stylist. In one of the pictures, Ananya is seen relaxing on a beach and soaking up the sun by relishing an ice cream and indulging in a book. Take a look at the post here: Embracing the European summer, the Student Of The Year 2 actress can't resist but enjoys the water, making the most of her beach day. Celebrating the pride month, Ananya also posted a photo of a tote that displayed two men embracing each other. The last slide of her photo dump is a signboard that reads 'Vila Nepos.' She writes, 'A day off in sunny sunny Croatia,' in the caption. As soon as Panday treated fans with her bikini clad photos, fans showered much love in the comment section. One of the users commented saying, 'Golden girl and golden energy.' Another one remarked, 'You killed this time. You are looking so hotttt Ananya Wow.' Further, actress' mother, Bhavana Pandey also reacted to the post. For the unversed, the Kho Gaye Hum Kahan actress is in Croatia, filming for her upcoming movie Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri. Bankrolled by Karan Johar and others, the movie stars Kartik Aaryan as the male lead. Under the direction of Sameer Vidwans, the first look of the film is already out. While Kartik is named Ray, Panday will be playing the role of Rumi in the forthcoming romantic comedy drama. Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri is slated to hit the theatres on 13 February, 2026, marking Valentine's Day.
Indian Express
4 hours ago
- Indian Express
‘I learnt to choose what drives me in University of Sheffield'
— Shreyas Mottur Venugopal My interest in studying abroad started around four years before I began applying, when I saw my older brother go through the process. He was researching for a suitable degree in Computer Science, and I watched as he balanced his International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma along with SAT prep. He applied to both American and European universities. Watching him work with such dedication and focus left a strong impression on me. I completed Classes 6 to 10 at a school in Bengaluru, where I also completed my International GCSEs (IGCSEs). However, since the school only offered the International Baccalaureate for Classes 11 and 12 — and I wished to pursue the International A-levels — I transferred to Head Start Educational Academy in Bengaluru, Karnataka, for my final two years of school. There, I followed the International AS and A-level curriculum. My subjects included Pure Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry at both AS and A-levels, along with Biology at the AS level only. As I was completing my Class 10 studies, I found that the IB diploma and US universities promoted a broader range of studies, including streams like humanities and arts. While interesting, I was far more keen on diving into STEM streams and engineering, and so decided to forgo IB, the SATs, and US universities to instead focus on European-based universities and the A-levels. Ultimately, I applied to places in the UK and the Netherlands. Since there was no language barrier in the UK and the opportunity to graduate in four years with a degree in Mechanical Engineering convinced me to finally accept an offer from the UK. UK universities were relatively simple as all applications could be carried out through UCAS. TU Delft and TU Eindhoven had their own portals for application, and it was a smooth process that required a personal statement for UCAS and a similar essay for the Dutch universities. Along with my AS-level results, I also needed predicted grades, which my school teachers were nice enough to write up and submit for me. I applied for the International Undergraduate Merit Scholarship at Sheffield, which at the time provided a 50 per cent fee waiver on the tuition fees, which greatly helped in funding my studies. The application itself only required me to answer two questions: 'Who are you, and what inspired you to study your chosen subject, and why have you chosen The University of Sheffield?' and 'What are your future ambitions after your degree, and how will your qualifications help you achieve this?' I found that the courses in the UK focus a lot more on understanding and applying theories and equations that we learn, rather than being able to recite them word perfect in an exam. As someone who really enjoys the science behind the engineering work, I found this style of exams much more interesting and useful long term compared to the more traditional CBSE exams in India. In addition, I found a big emphasis on group assignments and coursework, likely a chance to make students with more experience creating lab reports or design work that would actually be done more in industry. Finally, I also found that the UK education system was focused much less on doing 'perfect' or beating the other students in the class. Iin India, the most competitive exams force students to be certain to get every mark they can (and getting a 97% would move you back several thousand rankings compared to a 99%. Meanwhile, in the UK, the goal is simply to obtain a 70% overall. I found that this made exams less stressful and it gave me a chance to improve my grade by focusing on modules that I was good at, bringing up the average from modules that I was less suited to. I really enjoyed working with friends and other engineers on various projects and competitions, each with varying levels of playful interaction. One of the standouts was the Siemens Digitally Designed Stories Challenge. This took place in the Digital Innovation Zone (DIZ) at the University of Sheffield which is a cutting-edge facility developed in partnership with Siemens. It serves as a 'living lab' to accelerate digitalisation for students and to help advance our digital skills. I spent my first few days in the UK with my mother, who helped me settle into my accommodation. What struck me most was how quiet everything was. There was much less noise than I was used to, and loads of green space everywhere. We spent that week wandering around campus, sorting out registration, checking out local shops, and visiting what I later learned was called the Moor (which I initially thought was some sort of town square). I did run into a hiccup with registration. Something hadn't gone through, so I had to visit student support last-minute to get access to my email and timetable just in time for lectures. One nice moment I remember clearly was taking the tram for the first time. A very friendly conductor explained the ticket system to us and even suggested we visit a nearby mall while we had the day. It was one of those small, kind gestures that really stuck with me. After my mother left and I started settling in properly, I got along well with one of my flat mates, a student from Sri Lanka. As an icebreaker, we decided to cook chicken curry together. It was a bit of a disaster (burnt onions, way too spicy), but we had a good laugh and ended up going to the gym together a few times after that, before our schedules got too busy. I really enjoyed how walkable the city was. The parks, sidewalks, and trams made it easy to explore.I'd often head out just to walk around, take photos in random parks, or hop on a tram just to see where it went. During freshers' week, I met quite a few students and professors who were incredibly open and enthusiastic. It was freeing in a way: sleeping when I wanted, going for a walk at 7pm just because I felt like it, and stopping to take photos with no real agenda. It made me feel like I'd landed in the right place. Mostly, I found that Sheffield is on the cheaper end for cities in the UK, and with the scholarship I can usually keep up with the cost of living. I also work for the university part-time for open days — usually a 6–8-hour shift on a Saturday around 3 times a semester. It's not the most money, but it gives me a bit extra that I can justify spending on myself (for new shoes, a camping trip etc.). I also enjoy the work itself, talking to prospective students and their parents by showing them around, sharing why I love engineering, and helping them see if it might be the right fit. It's especially rewarding when someone clicks with it. I also think parents find it reassuring to hear how my messy start worked out, it gives them some peace of mind that their kids will be alright too. Studying abroad gave me the space to actually figure out what I wanted to do with my life. Back home, I'd study and do what I was supposed to because my parents told me to. It was just the routine. But after coming here, they gave me the freedom to decide how I wanted to spend my time. That shift was honestly a bit scary at first. Without someone checking in or guiding me, I had to take responsibility for the decisions I made, even when they went wrong. But over time, that helped me become more confident. Now, I am much more willing to try new things, even if I mess it up. I have realised that even if I make a bad call, I can usually find a way to fix it. And every time I face something I'm a bit afraid of, it becomes slightly less intimidating the next time around. It also changed how I approach motivation. I don't try to force myself to be great at everything anymore. If I enjoy a module, I'll go all in, give it my full attention, dive deep into the concepts, and try to properly understand what's going on. But if I don't connect with it, I'll do what's needed to pass, and I'm okay with that. It's not about being lazy, it's about choosing where to put my time and energy. That mindset has carried over outside university too. I've started spending my weekends hiking because I genuinely enjoy it. I dropped badminton because it didn't excite me anymore, and picked up running instead. I couldn't run 5k in school without struggling, but since coming here, I've finished multiple half-marathons. And I know I wouldn't have done any of that if I hadn't learnt to follow what actually drives me. (This letter is part of a series by The Indian Express where we bring to you the experiences of students at different foreign universities. From scholarships and loans to food and cultural experiences — students tell us how life is different in those countries and things they are learning other than academics) Mridusmita Deka covers education and has worked with the Careers360 previously. She is an alumnus of Gauhati University and Dibrugarh University. ... Read More
The Hindu
6 hours ago
- The Hindu
Casamigo in Thiruvananthapuram serves a blend of international flavours in a cosy bistro setting
The wicker basket of toasted bread and butter placed on a table covered with a green plaid tablecloth at Casamigo transports you to an Italian supper setting. Resembling a European bakery, the bistro, located at Ambalathumukku in Pettah, Thiruvananthapuram, reveals a cosy interior with warm hues illuminated by lanterns. An abundance of imitation plants and flowers adorn the ceiling, while desserts gaze intently at the entrance through a misty glass case at the counter. 'It took us around a year to set this up,' says owner Anusha Ann Antony, who worked in the aviation sector in Africa with her husband earlier. 'I was in Africa for 10 years, but I didn't feel like I fit into my job there. I was idle for a bit and then started baking for my friends and neighbours — a mixed crowd of Lebanese, French, American, and Europeans. They motivated me to start baking as a business, and I did that there for seven years,' says Anusha, who recently moved to Thiruvananthapuram from Bengaluru after her stint in Africa. 'When I got here, I wanted to do something more than baking cakes. I wanted to bring in the taste of my travels to the table,' says Anusha, attempting to showcase fusion food, combining elements of Asian, French, Italian and African cooking. At Casamigo, cuisines blend seamlessly, from the sweet and spicy wings to fly to stewper boeuf (a version of French beef stew). Wings to fly is a rendition of the classic wings tossed into a wok with a sticky, sweet and spicy sauce, generously coated with chopped shallots, scallions, chilli flakes and so on. The baked wings are tossed into the sauce which is rich in aroma. It is a great start to a meal at ₹180. While the name stewper boeuf might sound foreign, the flavours share similarities with the Kerala-style beef stew. The marbled meat is braised for six hours in the oven with mushrooms and Italian herbs. It is generously seasoned with powdered pepper and peppercorns. The beef fat from the braising, creates a rich gravy. It is pure bliss to scrape off the gravy with a piece of buttered bread, and a small piece of tender meat with a soft, fat lining. It is priced at ₹340 and is available with buttered bread and rice. Amigos spaghetti is a bowl of Italian pasta served with an array of luncheon meats and a fried egg. The long and thin pasta is tossed in a butter-based sauce and garnished with chilli oil, which breaks the richness of the butter. While tomatoes are used in the sauce, it steers clear of being the typical red-sauce pasta dish. The flavours of oregano and other Italian herbs sing through this pasta dish at ₹290. Their menu also includes dishes such as amigos chicken, a plate of shredded slow-cooked chicken flavoured with African spices and Italian herbs. It is served with porotta or rumali roti and is available at ₹280. Belly belly bake (₹240), a baked and stuffed bell pepper dish, and paneer blanche (₹250) with mushroom gravy are available for vegetarians. Desserts at Casamigo have gained social media attention since their opening in April. Their strawberry cheesecake with an Oreo biscuit base can be suggested for people who like their desserts, a little less sweet. The strawberry jam on top adds tartness to the dish while the crumb and cream cheese contribute to sweetness. However, this dessert was on the slightly heavier side and could be served in a smaller portion. Blush milk cake from Casamigo is the star of the dessert menu. This rendition of a tres leches cake with rose milk is the perfect ending to a meal. The soft, spongy, moist cake soaks in the fragrant rose and saffron milk, which oozes out on a tender touch of the spoon. Topped with a white chocolate mousse, each bite is a contrasting sensation of textures — light, moist sponge with a slightly heavier but smooth mousse, dry rose petals and a few nuts too. It is inevitable to pour rose milk into the plate until you run out of cake and all you can do is drink it directly and count the calories. The dish is available at ₹180.
