Europe is a diverse and multicultural continent, with 50 completely different countries each one with its own history and traditions. Let’s explore these countries and take a closer look at what makes each of them so unique.
Spain
Spain is a country full of fascinating history, culture and cuisine. Did you know that bullfighting has been popular in Spain since the 1700s? It’s still practiced today in certain regions as a sport, although it has become increasingly controversial due to animal rights issues. Another fun fact about Spain is that they have their own version of poker called ‘mus’ – it features 8-player tables, with each player receiving 5 cards at the start of the game!
Ireland
Ireland, also known as the Emerald Isle, is the home of the famous Guinness World Record Book, which is funnily enough one of the most stolen books in the world! It is also in Ireland where the famous Aran sweaters have originated, on the Aran Islands, hence the name. The Aran sweaters you can find online have been worn by many celebrities like Grace Kelly and Clint Eastwood and have long become a staple in the fashion world.
Greece
Greeks love their coffee and usually have 3-4 cups per day! They even have specific rituals for making and drinking it which includes adding sugar cubes rather than actual sugar or milk; this ritual symbolizes hospitality and friendship towards guests. Plus, Greece is the home to some of the most beautiful beaches in Europe and destinations like Santorini and Thessaloniki are some of the most visited places both among Europeans and overseas tourists.
Italy
Let’s take a look at Italy – known for its delicious food and wine. One interesting fact about Italian cuisine is that there are over 300 types of pasta dishes! Also, did you know that Italians invented ice cream? The first record of this was back in 1686 when gelato was made using snow collected from nearby mountains. However, food is by far not the only thing that makes Italy so popular. Vatican City, for example, is the only state in the world that is completely surrounded by another country.
Germany
Germany is a country full of fascinating culture and history with something new to discover around every corner. From the famous Schnitzel dish to the iconic Black Forest cake, Germany has plenty to offer for food lovers. There are also several festivals held throughout the year such as Oktoberfest which provide locals and tourists alike with an opportunity to enjoy authentic German cuisine, music and merriment!
The Netherlands
Although the Netherlands aren’t such a popular destination among American tourists, this tiny European country has plenty to offer. To start with, it has the highest population density in Europe, with more than 90% of the people living in urban areas. Moreover, the Dutch are some of the most physically active people on the continent and it is the only country where there are more bicycles than locals.