Europe’s big conference on the digital side of museums Museum Next is running from the 23^rd to the 25^th May 2012 in Barcelona, Spain.

Museums these days offer exhibits of many different types, from art to artefacts from all eras of civilization, some are family-friendly, others exploit cutting edge technology and interactive exhibits.

Museums inject a spot of cultural interest to any trip away, and can leave you entertained, educated or entranced.  Here we look at some of the best museums in Europe, these choices are entirely subjective, and of course open to hot debate, but here is our list for culture vultures to digest:

1.   The Louvre, Paris

France’s grandest museum used to be a Royal Palace before the French Revolution before it was changed into the home for the Republic’s art collection.  Famous for the big three – Mona Lisa, Winged Victory and Venus de Milo.

Current exhibition –

Contemporary art – Jean-Philippe Toussaint – Livre / Louvre, The Belles Heures of Jean de France, Duc de Berry, Saint Anne, Leonardo da Vinci’s ultimate masterpiece,

Find out more at: http://www.louvre.fr/en/expositions   Entry Fee: 11, 60 Euros, plus more for special exhibitions.

2.  Museum Island, Berlin

There are 150 museums in Germany’s capital but this spot is a great place to start, as it has five state museums with world-class collections including classical antiquities to 20^th century paintings and sculpture.

Entry Fee – Is individual to each separate museum.  For more info about each museum visit:

The Old National Gallery – http://www.smb.museum/smb/sammlungen/details.php?lang=en&objectId=17&n=1&r=2

The Old Museum – http://www.berlin.de/orte/museum/altes-museum/index.en.php

The Bode Museum – http://www.smb.museum/smb/standorte/index.php?lang=en&objID=28&p=2

The Neues Museum – http://www.neues-museum.de/

Pergamon Museum – http://www.smb.museum/smb/standorte/index.php?lang=en&objID=27&p=2

3.  The British Museum, London

An archaeologist’s treasure trove, this vast museum is packed with antiquities and interesting objects including the Parthenon Marbles, the Rosetta Stone and Egyptian Mummies.

Current exhibitions:

Shakespeare:  staging the world, The Horse:  From Arabia to Royal Ascot

Entry Fee – Free, excluding special exhibitions.

Find out more at: http://www.britishmuseum.org/

4.  Book of Kells, Dublin

Home to Irish national treasures including “the most beautiful book in the world”, a manuscript dating from the 8^th/9^th century created by monks working with reed pens, a masterpiece of creativity and intricacy.  Found at Trinity College, Dublin.

Entry Fee – 9Euros for an adult, 18 Euros for a family ticket (2 adults and up to 4 children)

Find out more at:

http://www.tcd.ie/Library/bookofkells/plan-visit/

5.   Vatican Museums, Rome

A vast collection of masterpieces, with the undoubted highlight being the Sistine Chapel.

Current exhibitions:

The Way of the Sea

Rituals of Life – aboriginal culture

Find out more at: http://mv.vatican.va/3_EN/pages/MV_Home.html

If you are planning a trip to immerse yourself in a spot of art and culture, don’t forget to travel with the safety net of travel insurance in place before you leave.

Long stay insurance might be best if you are away for a while, or single trip insurance will suit you better if you are going for a short break.

Before making your visit to your chosen museum, make sure that you have researched what you particularly want to see beforehand, as some of these museums are so huge that you won’t be able to see all of it in one day.  Also, make sure you buy appropriate travel insurance to protect you on your trip.