Are you an independent traveler who chooses museums over tourist traps, personalized experiences over generic tours, and local restaurants over anywhere with laminated menus in four languages?

Then you’re in the right place!

I’m Carol Cram: novelist, passionate lover of the arts, and an enthusiastic traveler who books concert tickets and special exhibitions before hotel rooms.

If you love arts and culture, concerts, great food, the occasional wildlife encounter, and hidden gems that make a trip genuinely memorable rather than just another checklist of sights, then come along with me for the ride!

I’ve been playing piano since I was five, which means I make it a point to seek out music concerts of the classical variety everywhere I travel.

Over decades of traveling in Europe, Gregg, a musician himself, and I have enjoyed many memorable musical experiences: free lunchtime concerts in Amsterdam, Vivaldi in Venice, flamenco in Seville, opera under the stars in Verona, and a Yuja Wang piano concert at the Paris Philharmonie that we still talk about.

This week I’m sharing some of my favorite concert and performance venues across seventeen European cities, from the obvious to the surprising.

Where to See Memorable Concerts and Performances in Europe

If attending concerts and performances appeals to you, explore the Performing Arts & Music section of my Arts & Culture hub. You’ll find posts about many of the performance experiences I’ve enjoyed over the years (and am always adding to).