Tickets Are Cheap(er): Go to Monaco! Or Spain!
Monaco
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For the first time in, well, forever, tickets to Europe have dropped. Average prices have gone down 3 percent this summer, about $50 less than a year ago. This, coupled with the euro’s steep decline in value, makes now the perfect time to visit. Inspired by this turn of events, Houstonia’s spring interns got together to share their must-see European destinations. Click here, here and here and check back at Wanderlust for more of their recommendations.
Monaco
Monaco is home to some of the world's most elegant hotels, restaurants and resorts. It looks like something out of a children’s picture book, replete with exquisite architecture, endless attractions and an incomparable beach front. After dining at the beautiful Cote Hardin in Hotel de Paris, visit the Monte Carlo Grand Prix, whose twisted roads and tight corners racecars have been speeding around since 1929. Then, take a step away from the hustle and bustle of the city and visit the Princess Grace Rose Garden, where you can while away an afternoon wandering the palm and olive trees and rows of budding roses.
There’s no reason to not answer to the beckoning calls of España. Bring your walking shoes, and prepare to not sleep for several days, because Spain is truly the country that never sleeps. If you only visit one city, try Barcelona. Located in Catalonia, a region that has its own culture and language, the city is packed with Spanish culture and history. Many of beloved artist Antoni Gaudí’s works line the streets here—be sure to marvel at La Pedrera, one of Guadí’s residential buildings and an exemplary representation of his interpretation of the Art Nouveau movement. After enjoying a bocadillo for lunch, make sure to step away from the city and trek to the Montañas de Montserrat. The unique saw-like structure—hence, “montserrat”—is what makes this national park an absolute must-see.
