Europe is a continent filled with history, culture and adventure. Whether you’re looking to explore ruins, hike mountains or sip wine on the beach, Europe has something for everyone.
But there are some unique attractions that make a world-class tourist destination even more special.
What some might call “Once in a Lifetime.”
What are the Best European ‘Once in a Lifetime’ Experiences?
Read along to find out!
Tour CERN’s Large Hadron Collider
Geneva, Switzerland
In the realms of particle accelerators, the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) is like a Ferrari. It is the only one of its kind in the world, has more than seven miles of tunnel underground, and can accelerate particles to 99.999999% of light speed in its 27km long ring.
The LHC is also a massive scientific experiment that operates on an unprecedented scale: when operating at full power, it generates an amount of energy that’s equivalent to 20 million households – all just so scientists can study subatomic particles.
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Ride the World’s Only International & Time Zone Spanning Zip Line
Sanlúcar de Guadiana, Spain & Alcoutim, Portugal
The small town of Sanlúcar de Guadiana gives international travelers a unique transportation method to reach their next destination: zip line.
In the space of a few minutes, the thrilling air based river crossing starts in Sanlúcar de Guadiana, crosses the Guardiana River, and ends in Alcoutim Portugal.
The sponsoring company, Limite Zero, also prides itself taking visitors “forward in time” due to the fact that both Spain and Portugal are in different time zones.
Stay Overnight in the Same Rooms as Historic Celebrities at the Guinness Family Castle
Cong, Ireland
The experience of staying overnight in a castle is an experience that will “make” a trip, however staying in the famous 800 year old Ashford Castle is truly once in a lifetime!
Join historic guests such as Mary Queen of Scots, King George V, Princess Grace, Brad Pitt, and President Ronald Regan. Even the author Oscar Wilde spent much of his childhood in the neighboring area.
There are 30 estate activities, elevated beyond standard five star luxury. Guests have the opportunity to participate in falconry school, clay shooting, archery, horse riding, and fishing in addition to standard spa & golf amenities.
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Attend the Lucrative White Turf Event
St. Moritz Lake, Switzerland
The White Turf event is a must-see if you’re looking for something a bit different than the usual tourist attractions. It’s organized by the International League for Equestrian Sports (ILES), and it takes place at St. Moritz Lake in Switzerland during December, January and February.
The event consists of four competitions: dressage, show jumping, reining and stadium jumping. Each competition runs from December to February over several days; most events are about 20 minutes long so you can see many in one day if you have time!
Toss a Coin into the Fontana di Trevi
Rome, Italy
This fountain is located in the Piazza di Trevi, Rome, and has remained famous for hundreds of years because of its location at the intersection of Rome’s three most important historic roads.
Tossing a coin in the fountain, using the correct method, is said to make the following wishes come true:
- It will bring you back to Rome again, someday.
- It will allow you to find love or romance while in Rome.
- It will allow you to marry an Italian.
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Ski Downtown
Copenhagen, Denmark
If you’ve ever had the desire to shorten your work to ski commute, Copenhagen is the city for you!
The futuristic CopenHill, designed by Bjarke Ingels, is a ski slope in the heart of Copenhagen. Bring your skis / snowboard or rent them at the slope!
Watch a Live Opera at Vienna’s Legendary State Opera House
Vienna, Austria
Opera, typically takes place in a theatre, is performed by large casts, and often featuring a live orchestra.
The Vienna State Opera House is considered one of the most important houses in the world because, it has the largest repertoire of composers and shows since its creation.
If you want to have a unique, historic experience, there’s no better place than Vienna’s legendary State Opera House!
Conclusion
There are so many incredible things to do and see around Europe! We hope you enjoyed our list of some of the best once-in-a-lifetime experiences around the continent. If there are any other amazing things that we didn’t include on this list, let us know and we will add them for future readers!
