Patricia Schultz lists 10 places to see in Europe before you die

While it would take more than one night to detail each destination in 1,000 Places To See Before You Die, author Patricia Schultz shared ten of those locations with a small group of travel media at a Toronto dinner event last night.

The author’s talk, held at Le Select Bistro and focusing on European destinations, was presented by Trafalgar Tours, which recently launched its 2015 Europe and Britain brochure. This event marked Schultz’s third presentation with Trafalgar.

The heart of Schultz’s presentation was a list of ten European destinations spanning the entire continent and embodying the diverse countries and cultures from Ireland to Turkey and points in between.

Schultz's book, originally published in 2003 after eight years of travel and research, received an update in 2011 with the addition of 28 new locations and the re-working of existing entries into a more concise format. Schultz told PAX that of those added locations to which she travelled, Sri Lanka stood out for a number of reasons.

“Your favourite place is always the one you just came back from,” joked Schultz, “but Sri Lanka blew me away. I had never been there and tourism there has been slow in coming. There’s not a great infrastructure but there’s enough to make a Western visitor very comfortable. Mostly though, it’s the antiquities and the people are so nice. All around, it was a wonderful surprise.”

Schultz also offered some thoughts on the importance of travel at a time when issues like political upheaval and the Ebola outbreak may convince some to stay home.

“Travel as much and often as you can,” she said. “Life is precious – this is no dress rehearsal. These are principles of travel since man first crossed the road, but people today just get caught up in day-to-day stuff. There’s also a growing sense that it’s safer to stay home and that’s not always true. With Ebola and other illnesses, if you want to look for reasons not to travel, they’re out there, but if you’re a traveller at heart, there are untold reasons that will get you out the door. If you’re a veteran traveller and you understand its value, nothing can really stop you.”

Patricia Schultz’s 10 Places To See in Europe Before You Die

Kinsale, Ireland:  Featuring a strong culinary culture with numerous restaurants and an annual Gourmet Festival, Kinsale was founded as a medieval fishing port along the country’s southern coast.

Lofoten Islands, Norway: With Norway boasting “the lion’s share of natural beauty” in Scandinavia, these islands along the Western coast are among the country’s many travel draws.

Hallstatt, Austria: A picturesque lakeside town of only 1,000 people, Hallstatt’s population swells to nearly 20,000 in the summer months as tourists descend on the area.

Provence, France: Known for its iconic lavender fields and annual festivals commemorating the plant, Provence was established in ancient times by the Romans, who founded their first province there beyond the Alps.

Andalucia, Spain: The influx of Islamic culture in the Middle Ages has created a unique cultural mix in Andalucia, said Schultz, where ancient mosques and churches can be found side by side or, in the case of the Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba, one constructed inside the other.

Cinque Terre, Italy: The “Five Lands” were formerly accessible only by mule pass or by boat until the expansion of the railway in the late 19th century, becoming a significant tourist destination since the 1970s.

Ephesus, Turkey: Located in a country at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, Turkey’s “archaeological showcase” features stunning architecture that is a regular draw for cruise ships travelling the Greek islands.

Prague, Czech Republic: Featuring well-preserved historic architecture that escaped much of the destruction of World War II, the city also boasts a strong beer culture for travellers looking to unwind at the end of a busy day.

Budapest, Hungary: The presence of thermal activity beneath the ground of Budapest has allowed for a spa culture to thrive in this city, said Schultz, adding that more than 120 thermal spas exist in Budapest.

Dubrovnik, Croatia: Located in the former Yugoslavia and closed to casual travel for many years, this coastal city is emblematic of what Schultz described as the ever-changing availability of travel destinations around the world.