Having a strong desire or impulse to explore and travel the world is known as wanderlust. If you have been bit by the wanderlust bug it is hard to stop travelling and exploring. You enjoy submerging  yourself into different cultures and exploring different parts of the world. You enjoy the thrill of hopping on a plane, train or you love a good road trip! The thought of backpacking excites you and you are always down for an adventure filled new discoveries. Travelling is not for everyone, however if you are a victim of wanderlust the desire to travel never goes away and your countries to visit bucket list is never ending.

Sometimes wanderlust is so real that you want to visit as many places and countries that you can in a short amount of time.  It is every wanderlust sufferer’s dream to visit every country in the world, however that is a lot of countries and let’s face: it traveling can get pretty expensive. A great place to start checking off places on your bucket list is Europe. Every country is close to each other and travel throughout Europe is relatively cheap. With so many options, such as trains, planes or even driving, visiting more than one country is doable. Here are 15 countries people can visit in under 24 hours.

15. Italy

Milan is a metropolis in Italy’s northern region and is known as the global capital of fashion and design. Perfect for visiting at any time during the year, Milan draws in many tourists every year. It is also known for it’s high-end restaurants and shops. It is a perfect place for those who love the fashion industry and those who love the culinary industry. Located in Milan is the Gothic Duamo di Milano cathedral and the Santa Maria Delle Grazie, where Leonardo da Vinci’s mural “The Last Supper” can be found. With many restaurants, shops, museums and attractions, there is something for everyone in this Italian city. You will not be disappointed with the beautiful views of Milan.

14. Switzerland

The capital of Switzerland, Bern offers a wealth of culture, leisure and entertainment. Visit the Old Town of Bern to immerse yourself into the authentic culture of this European country. The Old Town of Bern is surrounded by Aare River making it an enclosed city where everything can be reached by foot. Bern is known for its numerous fountains that add to the beauty of the city. These fountains pay homage to the heroes and past historical events that took place in the city of Bern. Visitors can explore bars, cultural venues, and shops that have been converted from ancient cellars. Take in the beautiful picturesque views and enjoy everything the city has to offer.

13. France

The capital of France, Paris is one of the most visited European cities in the world for couples looking for a romantic getaway. Millions of tourists visit Paris to get a look at the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe and the famous painting of Mona Lisa. Paris is the perfect location to submerge yourself into the culture, fashion and art. The city is well known for its café culture and designer boutiques. With everything is short proximity you can see all the famous landmarks in a short period of time. Grab your wine and baguettes and head to the city of love.

12. Belgium

Indulge in world-class museums and art galleries in Belgium’s capital, Brussels. The heart of Brussels Old Town is one of the best preserved in Europe. It is a small easy-going city and provides a more workday feel than other cities, due to it being an economic and education hub. The city is elegant and unique due to its beautiful architecture and rich gold decoration. No trip is complete to Belgium unless you try their world famous chocolate. Not only is Belgium known for their chocolate, they are also known for their beer as well. Beer and chocolate are two must haves when visiting this European city.

11. Netherlands

Known for its artistic heritage, extravagant canal system and narrow houses, Amsterdam is a popular destination for tourists. Cycling is a huge part of Amsterdam’s identity, there are many bike trails and they even have bike lanes on almost every road. Cyclists must obey designated cycling traffic lights as if they were driving a vehicle on the road. The city is home of the Heineken Brewery, Anne Frank House and the Van Gogh Museum. However, the main attraction in Amsterdam is the Red Light District, where women legally offer their services behind a window or glass door that are usually illuminated with red lights. Rent a bike and explore the beautiful sights of Netherland’s capital.

10. Germany

A reminder of the city’s stormy past, including the Holocaust memorial and the Berlin Wall remains; Berlin is a great city to visit and learn about the country’s history. The city is also known for its art scene and modern landmarks such as the gold-colours, swoop-roofed Berliner Philharmonic, which was built in 1963. Visit one of the liveliest places in Berlin, Alexanderplatz, with shops, movie theatres, restaurants and many other attractions all within walking distance. If you are an art lover, Museum Island is the perfect place to visit as it is home to five different museums. Take a trip to the past and visit Germany.

9. Czech Republic

Situated in the northwest of the country, Prague is one of the largest cities in the Czech Republic. With the rise of low-cost airlines in Europe, Prague has become a popular weekend getaway. This gives tourists enough time to submerge themselves in the culture by visiting many museums and cultural sites as well as try its famous Czech beers and delicious cuisine. The city has beautiful views and magnificent architecture. Walk across the famous 14^th century Charles Bridge and enjoy the picturesque views. Prague welcomes millions of tourists every year and is no longer considered a hidden gem. It is no secret that Prague is a must visit city.

8. Slovakia

The capital of Slovakia, Bratislava is strongly influenced by many different nations and religions and is regarded as a multi-cultural region. It is the political, cultural and economic centre of Slovakia and is the home to many universities, theatres, galleries and other cultural and educational sites. With cheap flights to the country’s capital, there has been a hike in tourism, however due to cultural differences and vandalism, tourism has become an issue for the city. It has a popular location for stag parties. If you are looking for a little bit of everything, Bratislava has you covered.

7. Hungary

Being one of the largest cities in the European Union, Budapest has become a popular spot for travellers. Hungary’s charm lies in the many cultural influences that affected the city during its history. Visit the Budapest History Museum to trace the city’s life Roman times onward. With everything in close vicinity, you can see the city’s main attractions in a short amount of time. The city offers sweeping views and numerous historic and cultural sights. Budapest offers a great relaxing trip as there are many thermal baths, medicinal waters and spas. There are a lot of spa and wellness hotels that offer refreshing massage treatments.

6. Austria

Home to the world’s oldest zoo, Vienna is known for its high quality of life. The city has been ranked one of the most liveable cities and has been named the most prosperous city in the world. Vienna is the number one destination for international congresses and conventions and attracts over eight million tourists a year. Aside from the well known zoo, Vienna is home of over 100 art museums and is a popular site for composers to reside. The city’s famous churches also draw in large audiences every year. Vienna also offers great views and embodied a great European culture.

5. Slovenia

The capital of Slovenia, Ljubljana is the largest city in the country. It is well known for its university population and green landscape. The country’s capital has many museums, including the National Museum of Slovenia, which displayed the historic exhibition and the Museum of Modern Art, which holds 20-century Slovene paintings and sculptures. The river that goes throughout the city divides the old town from its commercial hub. This small city means nothing is too far away. With numerous events taking place throughout the year, there is always something to see and do in the city. Spend some time taking in the sights of this beautiful city.

4. Croatia

Croatia’s northwestern capital, Zagreb is known by its 18^th and 19^th century Austro-Hungarian architecture. Once the city opened up a new airport terminal, the city saw an increase in tourists and it improved the city’s international status. The Upper Tower includes the site of the Gothic, twin-spired Zagred Cathedral and with a colourful tiled roof, the 13^th century St. Mark’s Church. There is a pedestrian-friendly street that has many outdoor cafes lining it. In the Lower Town, you can find many parks, shops, restaurants, bars and museums. The city may not be as popular or well known as other European cities, but it is definitely worth the visit.

3. Serbia

Visit this southeast European country’s capital Belgrade, which is known for its most famous landmark the Beogradska Tvrdava. This fortress is a testament to the city’s importance to the Roman, Byzantine, Ottoman, Serbian and Austrian empires. It is currently also the site of many museums and a park. The city embodies beautiful architecture and great views. Belgrade offers a vibrant nightlife, with many clubs open late. The most notorious nightlife places to visit in the city are  the barges (splav), which are floating river clubs that are spread long the banks of the Sava and Danube Rivers. Get ready for a great night out!

2. Bulgaria

Filled with street art, Bulgaria’s capital, Sofia is a great destination for a low-cost vacation. There are many beautiful churches and monuments to check out. Sofia is a very green capital, therefore if you are looking for a little relaxation there are many nice parks. If you are interested in immersing yourself in the culture, you can pick from the many cafes, take a seat and watch the people walk by. There are also many pubs for you to grab a drink and meet some locals. There are also many free tours, such as a hiking tour, jogging tour, bike tours and even food tours. Everyone loves the word free!

1. Greece

Situated in the heart of Ancient Greece, Athens is a great city to learn about the country’s history. Some areas of the city are pedestrian-only and are filled with cafes, traditional taverns and neoclassical houses. It is not common for the nightlife to remain busy until dawn as Athens offers a great night out. At the Ermou shopping centre, you can find many fashion boutiques mixed in with stores that sell silver and handmade art. There are also many museums and monuments throughout the city that allow you to get a glimpse into the country’s past. Immerse yourself in the Greek culture!