Europe: Romance, Road Trips & Milestones Across the Continent
Your Guide to the Old Continent
Europe is where our story truly began. Our first real adventure together took us through Scotland and England, followed by Cyprus, where we got engaged at Aphrodite’s Rock. We celebrated that milestone in Paris, then set off on a road trip across multiple European countries. After time away, we returned to Europe in 2022 to explore more of the continent, deepening our connection to its cities, culture, and history. This page brings together our personal experiences, destinations, and practical insights from travels that shaped everything that followed.
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Highlights from Our Journey
A visual snapshot of the places, culture, and experiences that shaped our travels across Europe.
Country Guides
Essential travel tips, practical planning, and real experiences from the road.
Check out our comprehensive Country Guides with all you need to know before you go, including our latest posts, must-see places, interesting facts, and key information about health & safety, transport, local customs, cuisine, connectivity, visa information, useful links, and much more!
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Interesting Facts
Here Are 15 Interesting Facts About Europe. Some May Just Surprise You!
1. Vatican City is the Smallest Country in the World: This independent city-state covers just 0.44 square kilometers and is the spiritual center of the Catholic Church.
2. French Fries Were Actually Invented in Belgium: Despite their name, fries originated in Belgium, where they remain a popular street food often enjoyed with mayonnaise.
3. Iceland Has No Mosquitoes: Thanks to its unique climate and geography, Iceland is one of the few places on Earth without mosquitoes.
4. The Netherlands Has More Bicycles Than People: Cycling is deeply embedded in Dutch culture, with over 22 million bikes for a population of around 17 million.
5. Europe Is Home to over 200 Languages: With about 750 million people across 50 countries, Europe’s linguistic diversity is vast and vibrant.
6. Europe Produces 75% of the World’s Potatoes: The continent’s climate and soil make it ideal for potato cultivation, a staple food across many nations.
7. Barcelona’s Sagrada Familia Has Been Under Construction for Over 140 Years: Set to be completed around 2026, this iconic basilica’s build time surpasses that of the ancient Egyptian pyramids.
8. Denmark Has Over 7,000 Government-Approved Baby Names: However, certain names like Jakobp, Ashleiy, Anus, Monkey, and Pluto are banned.
9. Wales Is Home to one of the Longest Place Names in the World: Llanfairpwllgwyngyll is a famously long village name, challenging even locals to pronounce.
10. In Switzerland, Certain Activities Are Illegal on Sundays: Mowing lawns, hanging laundry, and washing cars on Sundays are prohibited to preserve peace and quiet.
11. Europe Was Named After a Phoenician Princess: The continent’s name comes from Europa, a figure in Greek mythology who was abducted by Zeus.
12. Clinking Glasses to Toast Is Banned in Hungary: This tradition is forbidden due to historical tensions after the 1848 war with Austria, where Austrians celebrated their victory by clinking glasses.
13. Bulgaria has the Oldest Country Name in Europe: Dating back to 681 AD, Bulgaria’s name is the oldest still in use on the continent. San Marino is Europe’s oldest country, founded in 301 AD.
14. Eleven European Countries Still Have Monarchies: These include the UK, Spain, Sweden, Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway, Monaco, Luxembourg, Liechtenstein, and Andorra.
15. The Czech Republic has the Most Castles in Europe: With a total of 932 castles, it holds the record for the highest number of castles on the continent.
Travel Resources
We rely on a set of trusted tools for transport, connectivity, insurance, and bookings while traveling full-time and living location-independent.
Over our many years of full-time travel, we've booked countless accommodations, flights, and activities while also navigating the world of earning online.
These are the tools we rely on to plan and book our adventures, and now, you can too!
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions we get asked about Europe
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Jenn & Leon at Closer Lives
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