Countries in Europe

For history, culture, diverse scenery and a host of different languages Europe scores a lot of points. There are several countries where a move or a vacation is just the thing. With the European Union you can move between some of the member countries too making travel really easy. But where should you go? Read on for a whistle stop tour of Europe.

One of the most important things about moving to Europe is language. Whilst many people speak English, if you speak the language of the country or intend to learn you’ll integrate faster. So if you want to go to Germany or Austria and parts of Switzerland then German is the order of the day. You could also try your hand at Italian or French and even Romanian depending on where you want to go. Perhaps you are looking for a milder climate with less snow. Try Southern Greece, Italy and the South of France. Portugal has a lot to offer visitors too and is renowned for its magnificent coastline. In winter you’ll find snow in many places and especially Scandinavia. Check out Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Finland for cross country skiing and even a glimpse of the Northern Lights. The alpine resorts of Switzerland, France, Bulgaria and Austria are perfect for skiing and winter sports and summer hiking. Europe is renowned for traditions too. In the United Kingdom you’ll find quaint customs from cheese rolling to village fetes and the rich heritage associated with the Royal family. Italy has ancient history everywhere from the Forum and Coliseum in Rome to the ruined city of Pompeii. You’ll find mythology in Greece and the Wooden Horse of Troy in Turkey. And for some real Ottoman heritage, head to the baths of Budapest in Hungary.

Europe has islands too which are the perfect escape. Go walking on Crete or laze on a beach here and on many of the other Greek Islands. Head to Malta to enjoy the sunshine and historic capital of Valetta. Or spend time on Cyprus or Capri where sunshine and the sea is the order of the day. Food is one of the highlights of Europe and wherever you go there will be regional and very local specialties. You can taste wine and cheese in France or oranges in Valencia, Spain. Why not head to Italy for pasta and pizza or to Ireland for a pint of Guinness. There are elegant coffee houses in Vienna celebrating the culinary heritage of Austria and in Denmark you’ll enjoy fine seafood in places like Copenhagen. In Belgium you can feast on chocolate in the magnificent shops whilst in Norway try a Smorgasbord. Europe is renowned for its rail network too and you can be in some of the finest cities in Europe in a couple of hours. For history and heritage try Luxembourg or for a transformed city head to Berlin as Germany’s capital. You could window shop in Paris or enjoy the Normandy coastline in France. Europe has many diverse places to live and a whole range of prices. In some countries like Scandinavia the cost of living is high but you may find lower taxation. And in countries like Romania or Bulgaria the cost of living is a lot lower and property rentals are less than most Western European cities. Whilst you’ll need to drive on the right in most countries except Britain and Ireland, getting around is very easy as the transportation system is efficient. The real difficulty in moving to Europe is deciding which nation to base yourself in because there is a lot of choice. Most major cities have an international school with internationally recognised examination systems so if you move with kids they will have the benefit of learning languages and experiencing different cultures. So whether you choose Bulgaria or Spain or maybe head to Macedonia or Bosnia and Herzegovina, you’ll find great accommodation to suit most budgets, food and friendship. Europe has lots of separate countries but the harmony of being European is very special indeed.

If you are shipping from Japan to somewhere in Europe, contact us to discuss your move!