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Advice on where to go and what to see for first-time visitors to Europe.

With so many countries and cultures, it can be difficult to know where to begin while exploring the huge continent of Europe. Whether you want to experience Europe's many cultural and culinary scenes or just want to spend time in nature, this first-time travel guide to Europe is made to help you make decisions about where to go and what to do depending on your interests and inspirations.

Although the first-time traveler is the target audience for this beginner's guide to Europe, anyone can use the trip preparation advice, even those who have visited the continent quite a bit. (Of course, even though we have covered as much of the region as possible, we have omitted several transcontinental countries that are in both Europe and Asia, as well as a few places that are now unsafe to travel.) Here are some things to consider before visiting Europe.

1.        France: Best for Wine Lovers

Explore the Champagne region by sipping "la vie en rosé," or bubbles.

Although excellent wine may be found all over Europe, from Barbaresco in Italy to Riesling in Germany, France is the leader in viticulture. The wine regions of France make it easy to organise a whole trip around them. A Champagne-tasting tour in the Champagne region is a great way to start your trip. After that, you can travel to Bordeaux, the French wine capital, where you can attend La Cité du Vin to learn about wine history. After that, travel south to Provence for a wine tasting before continuing on to glamorous Monaco, a little country renowned for its opulent casinos.

2.        Romania: Best for Vampire Hunters

Follow on Dracula's footsteps throughout Transylvania and beyond.

Romania is a serious challenger for castle tourism, even though the British Isles are great for strongholds. For vampire fans who enjoy castles, they should go straight to Romania's Transylvania, where Bram Stoker got the idea for his Dracula character, based on the fabled Vlad the Impaler. The most apparent choice is Bran Castle, commonly known as Dracula's Castle, Vlad's purported home, but many Romanian castle tours also stop at Poenari Castle (Cetatea Poenari) and Peles Castle.

3.        Italy: Best for Food Lovers

Stow away your craving for Parmigiano, prosciutto, and pasta.

The best food in Europe can be found in Italy, the landlocked nations of San Marino, and Vatican City (shh … don't tell the French). It's easy to spend an entire holiday eating Italian cuisine (though the art and architecture are also very amazing), and this gastronomically (and culturally) rich country deserves a place on any beginner's itinerary for Europe. After you've had enough, you can travel south to Malta, an island nation close by that is well-known for its magnificent sea caves and mediaeval cities.

4.        Austria and Poland: Best for History Lovers

Learn about Europe's past to better understand its present.

To be honest, history enthusiasts will love all of Europe, but those who are interested in the past will find Austria and Poland to be especially interesting. Whether you prefer to spend your days exploring the mediaeval alleyways of Salzburg's Old Town, the birthplace of Amadeus Mozart, or learning about the lavish lives of the Hapsburgs at Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna, Austria is a major hub for cultural tourism.

Poland's historic sites range from the mediaeval Old Town of Krakow, which is designated by UNESCO, to more horrific locations like the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum, a must-visit for anybody interested in World War II history.

5.        Belgium and Germany: Best for Beer Lovers

Prepare to sample some of the world's finest brews by grabbing your stein.

Travellers who enjoy beer should make time to visit both Belgium and Germany. No matter when you arrive, you can get a sense of the enjoyment at the city's Beer and Oktoberfest Museum. Munich's most famous event is the yearly Oktoberfest celebration at Theresienwiese.

Try some of the regional specialities in Belgium, like a dark "dubbel" or sour-and-fruity lambic, or stay with the tried-and-true by going to the Stella Artois Brewery in Brussels. The Bruges Beer Museum, Duvelorium, the Brussels Beer Project, and the De Halve Maan Brewery are further must-sees for beer enthusiasts. Visit Luxembourg for a bottle of Battin lager, the little country's native beer, after your trip to Belgium.

6.        UK and Ireland: Best for Castles Explorers

Castles abound in Britain and Ireland, ranging from imperial homes to mediaeval fortresses.

From urban castles like Edinburgh Castle in Scotland and Dublin Castle in the Irish capital to coastal castles like Dunguaire Castle and Eilean Donan Castle on a loch island in the Scottish Highlands, there is no shortage of things to do in the UK and Ireland if you have a fondness for castles. Naturally, England is home to many castles of its own, such as Windsor Castle, which is still in use as a royal palace. Wales is also abundant of mediaeval castles, such as Caernarfon Castle, Pembroke Castle, Conwy Castle, and Caerphilly Castle, both of which have a lot of storybook charm.

7.        Scandinavia and Switzerland: Best for Natural Wonders

From fjords to mountains, these locations offer an abundance of natural playgrounds.

For those who enjoy the great outdoors, Scandinavia is a paradise (but make sure to pack accordingly). Trek to Hardangerfjord or kayak through the Tromso Fjords in Norway, or travel up to Lapland in Finland for an arctic experience. If you're interested in the sea, you may go birdwatching in Denmark's UNESCO-listed Wadden Sea National Park or take a boat trip to Sweden's Southern Gothenburg Archipelago.

If mountains are more your style, visit Switzerland (as well as landlocked Liechtenstein), where you may hike in the summer and ski in the winter against the stunning Swiss Alps.

8.        The Iberian Peninsula: Best for Beach Lovers

In southwestern Europe, take a dip in the sea and enjoy the sun.

The Iberian Peninsula, with its miles of sandy shores and temperatures ranging from pleasant to hot, is the only place in Europe where sun worshippers need seek no farther. Beach enthusiasts enjoy Portugal and Spain (as well as the British Overseas Territory of Gibraltar), which makes them popular summer destinations for tourists from further north. Although the mainland has numerous beautiful beaches, many people choose island living, spending their summers on Madeira and the Azores in Portugal or the Balearic Islands of Mallorca and Ibiza in Spain.

9.        The Batlic States and Slovakia: Best for Peace and Calmness Lovers

Explore these beautiful seaside nations off the usual route.

Avoiding crowds is a major component of many of the most important travel tips for Europe, and with good reason—sharing space with other tourists detracts greatly from the experience. Thankfully, there are many locations that don't receive as many tourists like Barcelona and Venice.

Plan a vacation to the Baltic states of Estonia, Lithuania, and Latvia if you want to experience regions of Europe that many tourists never get to see. There, you'll discover equal parts dynamic towns, mediaeval castles, and unspoiled forests. Slovakia, in Central Europe, offers a similar laid-back attitude without the throngs of the neighbouring Czech Republic, if the Baltics are too far away.

10.    Iceland, Hungary and the Czech Republic: Best for Hot Springs

Take a dip in a geothermal spring to relieve your stress.

The healing properties of mineral-rich hot waters have long been praised. The feeling of soaking in a hot spring is immensely peaceful and healing, even if you don't have any illnesses. With a variety of expansive, well-developed hot spring complexes, including the Secret Lagoon in the Golden Circle region and the Blue Lagoon in Reykjavik, Iceland is one of the top hot spring attractions.

The Czech Republic and Hungary are other great options, especially if you travel to Karlovy Vary, a Czech spa town with more than a dozen places to soak, or Budapest, which is home to stunning spas like the Széchenyi Thermal Baths.

11.    The Netherlands: Best for Cycling Lovers

Explore the flat terrain of this cyclist's paradise by renting a bicycle.

The Netherlands is the ideal destination for those who would rather travel on two wheels as opposed to four. With its vast network of bike lanes, Amsterdam is a cyclist's dream come true, offering a safe and environmentally responsible substitute for driving a car. The best part is that you won't have to bring your own bicycle. Renting a bike and going out alone or going on a Netherlands bike tour that takes you through Amsterdam and the Dutch countryside is simple.

12.    Greece and Cyprus: Best for Archaeology Lovers

Discover the history of Helleny in these sunny locations.

While there are archaeological treasures all around Europe, especially in areas that the Romans controlled, Greece is the destination for those who enjoy antiquities. It's simple to spend a whole Greek vacation immersed in the past, from the Acropolis in Athens to the archaeological site at Delphi.

Another amazing location for archaeology enthusiasts is the island of Cyprus, which is home to amazing monuments like the sea-facing Tombs of the Kings, which are thought to have been built as early as the third century BC, and the UNESCO-listed Paphos Archaeological Park, which features exquisitely preserved floor mosaics.

13.    The Balkans: Best for Road-Trip Lovers

For a once-in-a-lifetime road adventure, rent a car or take a tour.

Think about doing a do-it-yourself road trip throughout the Balkans if you enjoy driving. This area is renowned for its diverse culture, Austro-Hungarian and Ottoman buildings, tiered waterfalls, gorgeous coastlines, and breathtaking mountain vistas.

Starting in Slovenia and travelling through Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro is one option. on southeast through Kosovo to Albania, then on to North Macedonia and Bulgaria, concluding your journey in Serbia. Consider basing yourself in Croatia and making day visits to nearby nations if that seems excessive or if you don't drive.