Top 5 Europe Museums

Europe Museums are not boring at all. Traveling to Europe isn't just all shopping for those must sought after designer goodies or for tasting the famous mouth-watering dishes each city is known for. Take the time to visit the prized jewels of Europe - its museums. Where else can you find history and beauty under one roof?

The Louvre
Let's start with everyone's top museum in Europe: The Louvre. It didn't even need the added publicity Dan Brown gave it when he wrote the Da Vinci Code. Visitors come from all over the world for a glimpse of that famous smile. There has been news lately that the true identity of the Mona Lisa has been confirmed, which brings her into the limelight once again.
People Viewing the Mona Lisa taken by vu bui

If it's your first time to Paris, or you've visited a few times, a fresh look inside the Louvre is worth it every time. It is after all, on the top of the list of Europe Museums to be visited.

Vatican Museums
It's been 10 years since my last visit to the Vatican Museums and it's now back on my must-see list. Once is not enough to admire the rich treasures in the Vatican Museums. The next visit will be on my own instead of with the groups I take around. I want to be able to drink in its beauty with my eyes and soul.

Everyone comes to the Vatican Museums to view the works of Michelangelo at the Sistine Chapel. They are breathtakingly beautiful. Here we are enjoying a few minutes (maybe an hour to some) gazing at his masterpiece while he spent years straining his eyes to finish it. His eyes were even permanently damaged because of this commissioned work.

On your visit, check out the other museums as well. Such as the Raphael Rooms, Borgia Apartments and the Collection of Modern Religious Art.

Rijksmuseum
The Rijksmuseum is scheduled to complete its major renovation sometime this year but some areas remain open to the public. All the major art pieces are located in the newly refurbished Philips Wing. "The Masterpieces" lets you take a peek at the highlights of the Golden Age.

Before your actual visit, what about a virtual tour of the museum? Check out their website - simply amazing! You can even order tickets in advance to avoid lining up.

Prado Museum
I owe my love of paintings to my History of Art professor, Miss Ong. She was able to make each painting come to life with her eloquent stories and styles of famous painters. That and she was oh-so-graceful and dressed like a fashion designer :-) Anyway, most of those paintings she talked about are conveniently located under one roof - the Prado Museum. This museum is said to be the largest art gallery in the world! There are less than 2,000 paintings on display and yet around 6,000 kept in storage due to lack of space.

Some of the famous paintings on display in one of my favorite Europe museums are that of Diego Velazquez (The Maids of Honor), Francisco Goya (The Nude Maja and The Clothed Maja), El Greco, Bartolome Esteban Murillo (Imaculada), and Hieronymus Bosch (The Garden of Earthly Delights).

I've been to the Prado Museum but rushed through it with a group - too bad. I would love to spend an entire day at the Prado Museum with someone who'd enjoy the paintings as much as I do - someone like Miss Ong :-)

The British Museum
This is the only museum in my top five that I haven't visited yet. There are hundreds of things to do at the museum! If it is your first time, take an audio tour or the Highlights tour. I myself wouldn't know where to begin. I do suggest visiting their website to check out all current exhibitions to better plan out your day (or week). There are Eye Opener Spotlights based on themes of the current collections and even Hands On desks where you are actually encouraged to handle selected art objects!

These Europe museums may act as a springboard to planning your next Europe visit. More museums will be added later on.

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