I’ve spent the better part of the last decade chasing waterfalls in Iceland, hiking through alpine meadows in Switzerland, and slipping away to green oases just outside Europe’s busiest cities. With 38 countries under my belt here, I’ve learned that the continent isn’t just castles and cathedrals…it’s also wild coastlines, dramatic mountains, and national parks that feel a world away from the buzz of daily life.

What I love most is when a city blends the best of both worlds: cobblestone streets and centuries-old architecture just a stone’s throw from hiking trails, beaches, or quiet forests. In an age where everyone seems glued to screens, these places remind me to slow down, breathe deeper, and reconnect with something real.