Europe's Top Cultural Hotspots

West Bohemia Museum, Pilsen, Czech Republic

If you have ever queued at the Louvre in Paris to see the Mona Lisa, you have probably ended up thinking how small the painting is; however, there is more to art than the Mona Lisa and plenty of other cultural hotspots to check out in Europe. Here are a few of our top choices, and don't forget your annual multi-trip insurance. This will cover you for the whole year, no matter how many destinations you visit.

Odense, Denmark

The hidden gem of Odense is the birthplace of the writer Hans Christian Andersen and you will find museums, statues and sculptures depicting events from his fairy tales dotted across the city. Odense is Denmark's third-largest city, with plenty of cultural attractions. It is also a popular choice for those on cycling or walking holidays.

Pilsen, Czech Republic

Located just 90km from Prague, the picturesque old town square of Pilsen is the best place in the city to enjoy a home-brewed beer ‒ after all, this is the birthplace of Pilsner beer. There are plenty of museums and art galleries to explore here and Pilsen was named the second European Capital of Culture 2015, so visitors can expect lots of cultural events taking place all year.

Costa Brava

The Costa Brava may not be the first destination that springs to mind when looking for a cultural holiday destination; however, surrealist artist Salvador Dali is closely linked to the region and the three towns of Figueres, Pubol and Cadaques are known as the 'Dali Triangle'. Figueres, Dali's birthplace, is home to the Dali Theatre Museum, whilst the coastal town of Cadaques ‒ the artist's former home ‒ has been turned into a museum that is well worth a visit if you are a fan of surrealist art.

Bottega del Tintoretto, Venice

Once home to 16th-century artist Tintoretto, the Bottega in Venice is where you will find some of the best art courses in the city. The workshop has an exhibition space, conference centre and print works, and it is possible for visitors to take five-day courses in etching, sketching, sculpture, and even letterpress printing. You can also get involved in longer courses if you are going to be staying in the city for a while.