While it's too cold for swimming and too warm for skiing, October is a perfect time to visit of Europe's most popular cities. The most-visited destinations typically come in as London, Paris, Rome and Barcelona. Each of these tourist magnets has a few well-known, top-rated places to visit that represent their cities well and are easy to reach on public transportation. These places are perfect for a crisp autumn day of sightseeing to be enjoyed by all ages. You can purchase tickets online to save time and money once travel plans and dates are confirmed.
Europe's largest city has always been a big tourist draw. However, since acquiring a reputation as an excellent dining city, coupled with the 2012 Olympics, the queen's jubilee and the 2011 royal wedding, London has soared to the top of the charts. Catch up on 1,000 years of history while London's parks show off their autumn finery under occasionally bright blue skies. The do-not-miss sights for an October stay include three picks associated with the crown: Henry VIII's Hampton Court Palace, dating from 1514; the Tower of London, where the crown jewels are on display; and Kensington Palace, the new home of Prince William and the former Kate Middleton, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, where a dress exhibition includes some from the collection of Queen Elizabeth II, Princess Margaret and Diana, Princess of Wales.
A visitor to Paris can best see many of the city's highlights on foot, especially in October when the Tuileries Garden is in its glory. It's a typically French park, with rows of stately old chestnut trees showing their autumn finery, interspersed with impressive statuary to set the cultural mood along a path leading to the Louvre Museum. At the park's opposite end is the Orangerie, a recently restored repository specifically mounted for Monet's famous "Water Lilies" series. Hop on one of the bateaux mouches -- sightseeing excursion river boats -- that board near the Eiffel Tower to give weary feet a rest. Visitors can take in details during a guided commentary while admiring both the approach and the underside of the famous and romantic old bridges that cross the River Seine. Notre Dame Cathedral's rose window, flying buttresses and gargoyles are wonderful to see from the water, whether by day or illuminated by night.
Two of the best bonuses about being in Rome in October are that summer crowds have departed, as have overly warm afternoons. The Trevi Fountain is fun to find and Piazza Navona is extremely pretty, but in summer you can hardly get near enough for a coin toss or a photo. Highlights of a Roman holiday must include two more places. The first is St. Peter's Square, including the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, with Michelangelo's extraordinary frescoes on the ceiling. It's great to miss several hours waiting in a hot summer sun, standing in a long line wrapping around the Vatican from early morning onward. On to the Colosseum and the ruins of the Roman Forum. Given that it's October, you will actually be able explore both marvelous ruins properly. Just grab a good guidebook to accompany you on an unforgettable living history lesson.
It's a common complaint that beautiful Barcelona is just too hot for sightseeing in summer. Carefree visitors cool off at Mediterranean beaches only 10 minutes from the center of the city and miss out on the sightseeing. However, in October visitors can expect mostly sunny days with temperatures in the mid-60s Fahrenheit. Explore the tree-lined pedestrian avenue of shops, restaurants, outdoor entertainment, artists and spontaneous happenings called La Ramblas. Admire colorful signature Gaudi architecture throughout the days before Daylight Saving Time ends on the last Sunday of the month. Do not miss Gaudi's masterpiece, the unique work-in-progress Sagrada Familia Church. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, construction began in 1882; some reports say the cathedral is projected for completion in 2026, the centennial of Gaudi's death.
