City trips are of course great fun, but sometimes you just want something different. Enjoy a moment in a beautiful nature reserve. You really don’t have to travel to Canada or the United States for this. No, Europe itself also has countless impressive nature reserves. A nature trip in Europe is relatively cheap and easy to do in, for example, a long weekend. Below are seven beautiful nature trips in Europe!
1. Stavanger, Norway
Stavanger is located in southwestern Norway on the coast. Here you will find the Pulpit Rock , a gigantic cliff from which you have a breathtaking view over the Stavanger fjords. From the 604 meter high peak you can look out for miles in front of you. There are no fences or railings here, so you really feel like you’re on top of the world!
2. Cornwall, United Kingdom
Believe it or not, the weather is (almost) always nice in Cornwall. Unlike the rest of England, there is a subtropical climate here. This is due to the warm Gulf Stream in which this area is located. Temperatures here are rarely below freezing and you will find the most beautiful (exotic) flora and fauna here. In some places you can even find palm trees. You will also find beautiful beaches here, which resemble the Spanish Costa Brava. The advantage is that this area is (fortunately) a lot less touristy!
3. Park Plitvici, Croatia
The Plitvici National Park in inland Croatia is incredibly beautiful. In this park you will find 16 turquoise blue lakes. These lakes are located at different heights, which makes for an impressive sight. This park is best known for its many waterfalls and has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1979. You will find no less than 90 waterfalls here, the highest is about 80 meters high! Furthermore, this park consists of several forests, where wild animals can still run their course undisturbed. You can spot boars, bears, deer, wolves and even lynx here! Are you a real bird lover? No fewer than 140 different bird species live here.
4. The Scottish Highlands, Scotland
The Scottish Highlands, in English ‘The Scottish Highlands’, are definitely worth a visit. This unique landscape consists of towering mountains, vast forests, endless grasslands and deep lochs. You really have the feeling here that you are in another world. This wondrous area has been used in the past as the setting for several Hollywood movies.
5. The Azores, Portugal
This volcanic island archipelago is located in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean and should definitely not be missing from this list. The Azores are officially part of Portugal, but they look more like a South American paradise. You will find high mountains, grassy plains, hot springs and even geysers here. In addition, beaches should of course not be missed!
6. The Dolomites, Italy
This mountain range is located in the northeast of Italy and is the ideal holiday destination for people who love nature. The Dolomites have no less than 18 mountain peaks higher than 3,000 meters and partly because of this, this mountain range is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. This area is ideal, especially if you are sporty. You can enjoy beautiful mountain climbing and mountain biking here. In addition, you can walk here for hours, if not days, without getting bored for a moment.
TIP: Avoid the summers! This is the high season and during this time it can be quite busy. The best time to visit the Dolomites is in Spring or Autumn.
7. Corsica, France
The island of Corsica belongs to France on paper, but this island has its own culture. Although French is mainly spoken on this island, you occasionally hear ‘Corsican’ passing by. The Scandola Nature Reserve is a beautiful area that can only be reached by boat and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983. Here you will find cliffs of up to 900 meters high and a great coastline. Here you can enjoy canoeing, diving or just walking and enjoying nature.
