This Is The Most Exciting Country In All Of Europe To Explore, Per Rick Steves

Despite being around just 4% larger than the United States, the continent of Europe is home to over 40 countries. This delightful diversity makes for countless tourism hotspots, from historic castles to amazing cuisine and plenty of excitement in between. Europe has long fascinated travelers worldwide, none more so than travel expert Rick Steves. While Steves has traveled all over the world, he loves Europe so much that he has dedicated much of his career in the travel industry to this continent.

Steves has enjoyed what Europe has to offer to the extent that most of us can only dream, but he reserves some of his strongest praise for France. "France is Europe's most diverse, tasty, and, in many ways, most exciting country to explore," he stated on his website. Steves credits the country's "delightful blend of natural and man-made beauty" as major factors in his excitement. "Romantic hill towns and castles, meandering river valleys, and oceans of vineyards carpet this country's landscape," he explains. With so much to see, it may be hard to narrow down the perfect itinerary. Thankfully, Steves has some favorites within this iconic country. 

Of course, Paris is a must on any French itinerary. To see a solid handful of the capital city's attractions, simply follow the Seine River. This famous waterway takes you from the postcard-worthy destinations of Paris's historic birthplace, like Notre-Dame Cathedral and the Conciergerie, all the way to the Eiffel Tower. In between, you'll get close to the Louvre Museum, Tuileries Garden, Place de la Concorde, Musée d'Orsay, and elegant bridges like Pont Alexandre III. Venture north from the river to find more quintessential Parisian scenes at the Arc de Triomphe and in Montmartre, a district that was once a hangout for artists like Edgar Degas and Pierre-Auguste Renoir.

France's Normandy region is synonymous with the 1944 D-Day invasion during World War II. The beaches and coastal towns here pay homage to the soldiers who fought in this famous battle through the profoundly moving Normandy American Cemetery and by preserving military equipment along the beaches. To learn more about the incredible impact this event had on the war, head to the Museum of the Battle of Normandy in Bayeux and the neighboring Bayeux War Cemetery. The town of Bayeux is also the perfect home base for exploring all of Normandy's World War II history.

To see some of France's fairytale-like castles, head south to the Loire Valley. Steves recommends staying in Amboise for easy access to this region's many magnificent mansions, starting in the town itself with Château Royal d'Amboise. While past kings of France called this home, Leonardo da Vinci is buried here, and the views of the surrounding beauty can't be beaten. There are many opulent homes elsewhere in the Loire Valley, but one of the largest is Château de Chambord. Complete with a moat, gardens, and a massive park with wildlife, visitors are transported back to the 16th and 17th centuries at this three-story former royal residence.

Among France's underrated tourist destinations (for wine in particular) is the Alsace region — the vibrant colors of Colmar are quite otherworldly. Drive or take a bus tour along the Route de Vin (Wine Road), which takes you to Kaysersberg, which Rick Steves describes on his website as "one of the most charming" on the route. There are plenty of wine-tasting options, but Domaine Paul Blanck stands out. Its variety of local grapes makes for an authentic, home-grown experience.

When visiting popular destinations like France, Rick Steves makes a point of traveling off the beaten path. An awe-inspiring place to follow suit is Dordogne, somewhere that Steves says is one of the prettiest areas in France. This lesser-known region's small towns nestled among rolling hills are as historic as they are picturesque. If you're not tired of castles, check out Château de Beynac, where visitors can travel through five centuries of regional history. The surrounding medieval town of Beynac-et-Cazenac is just about as romantic as this most romantic nation gets.

The grandeur continues along the French Riviera, and the beaches in cities like Nice and Antibes are lined with upscale hotels and yacht docks. According to Steves' online guide of the region, "some of France's most stunning scenery" is found along this coast. Relax on the beaches or seek out history around the Musée du Palais Lascaris, a 17th-century palace with painted ceilings in one of the historic sections of Nice. In Antibes, visit the imposing castle where Picasso lived and worked, now called the Musée Picasso. Truth be told, you can't go wrong anywhere on the French Riviera, and you can't really go wrong anywhere in France.