5 European destinations for science lovers

Visitors to Europe are well-versed in cobbled old towns and crumbling ancient sites, but it’s also a continent that has witnessed some of the world’s great discoveries and natural spectacles. For science buffs, these five destinations should keep you hooked.

Universal truths in Poland

The universe’s landscape as we know it is largely due to Nicolaus Copernicus – one of history’s greatest astronomers. A native to the Gothic town of Toruń, he developed the theory that the Sun lay at the centre of the universe and the Earth orbited it, rather than the other way around. A visit to Toruń and the Nicolaus Copernicus House will provide you with an insight into the man who inspired the Copernican Revolution and all things celestial. Pay a visit to the town’s domed Planetarium for interactive exhibits, where Copernicus’s theories come to life. And his influence doesn’t end there – just 200 metres away is Hotel Nicolaus, a lovely boutique stay, complete with a spacious roof terrace for stargazing.

A trip to Poland in the name of science wouldn’t be complete without stopping by the Maria Skłodowska-Curie Museum in Warsaw. Dedicated to the two-time Nobel Prize winner, Marie Curie turned established scientific notions on its head – her discovery of polonium (named after Poland) and radium, alongside her role as a female scientist, established her as a monumental figure in science.

Volcanoes and geysers in Iceland

For volcanologists and geologists, Iceland is an essential destination. One of the most active volcanic regions in the world due to its location on the Mid Atlantic Ridge, don’t be surprised if the ground shudders and grumbles vigorously beneath your feet. Visit Eldhraun lava field, the world’s largest lava flow for a spectacular shot of mossy, billowy lava clumps, and much like the crew of Apollo 11 experienced when they visited here, you’ll get a sense even by walking around it what it might be like to walk on the moon.

Iceland’s premier geyser, Strokkur, erupts every 6-10 minutes reaching heights of up to 40 metres – a sky-scraping, thunderous display of nature’s sheer might. Alternatively, volcano-enthusiasts might consider descending down into a dormant volcano at Thrihnukagigur. Take a 120 metre journey down into its colossal magma chamber, where clay-coloured, cold lava forms a thick encasing in the walls, laced with solidified magma. Back above ground, Kruines Hotel is a magma-less place to make your base at.

Particles and matter in Switzerland

A little way up from the glittering crescent that is Lac Léman, you’ll find CERN – the European Organization for Nuclear Research, and one of the world’s largest particle physics labs. The World Wide Web was created here, and it’s also the home of the Large Hadron Collider, which is the most powerful particle accelerator in the world, used by scientists to test various particle physics theories. Guided tours are available free of charge, and CERN also offers various summer programmes for budding scientists.

Switzerland’s association with physics doesn’t end there, though – in just under two hours on the train, you’ll end up in Bern, the one-time home of Albert Einstein. This is where Einstein developed his Theory of Relativity, and visiting the Einstein House is a jaunt through scientific greatness. The house is located at the centre of Bern’s rickety, cobbled old town, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Heart of Bern is right on the central avenue.

Peas and bees in Czech Republic

Geneticists and travellers curious to learn more about hereditary science should put the Czech town of Brno on their travel itinerary. Back in 1856, in the gardens of St Thomas’s Abbey in Brno, Gregor Mendel began his studies on the hereditary traits of peas (and bees). He discovered that the inheritance of certain traits could be explained mathematically, through a series of ratios. What he found out would ultimately change the very face of science, earning him the title of the father of modern genetics.

A visit to the Abbey is a celebration of Mendel’s work, laid out through a series of photographs and displays, while you’ll also be able to get a glimpse of the remnants of Mendel’s original greenhouse. A 20-minute stroll back into town will have you at Masarykova N°30.

Caves and dragons in Slovenia

For biologists and geologists, Postojna Cave in Slovenia is a worthy destination for a subterranean expedition. Jagged stalagmites rise from the floor, while delicate, icicle-like stalactites hang precariously overhead in what is one of Europe’s longest cave networks. Over the course of thousands of years, the river Pivka has sculpted a gorgeous constellation of limestone paths that weave through the cave, a natural maze of rock and water.

Deep within the labyrinth however, another phenomenon is at work. Housed in concrete huts, you’ll find the olm, a sightless cave salamander also referred to fondly as a baby dragon, which once featured on the coins of Slovenia’s pre-Euro currency. Known for their pale, pinkish colouring, these cave-dwellers can live to 100, but never change in appearance. Ponder the miracle of never ageing as you loop back to the surface towards Postojna Cave Hotel Jama.