Trust Brits to think about their stomachs first. It seems the best things they love about Europe is pizza and pasta!
As the arguments for and against staying in Europe hot up, lastminute.com decided to lighten the mood by asking people to name their favourite things about the EU.
Pizza came top, followed by pasta, Paris’ Eiffel Tower, French fries and the Olympic Games in the survey of 2,000 Brits.
When it comes to people, Leonardo Da Vinci grabs sixth place, becoming the most popular artist on the list.
Vincent Van Gogh also made a lasting impression(ist), along with Michelangelo and Pablo Picasso – the latter’s Nude, Green Leaves and Bust and Women of Algiers being among the most expensive paintings in history.
Speaking of serious dough, baguettes get a slice of the action in seventh, while Belgian chocolates come a silky smooth eighth. Super brain Albert Einstein comes a relatively modest ninth, with democracy rounding off the top 10.
Lastminute.com has also released a video painting a picture of Blighty minus Europe’s best bits.
Fabio Cannavale, CEO of Lastminute.com, says: “Europe is bursting at the seams when it comes to fabulous food, cool culture and super sights. So whether the Brits stay in or leave the EU, we’re sure they will always love European travel.
“And as the Brexit discussion enters its final phase we thought it’s time to have a break to remind everyone why Europe is so much more than a political debate and to stop and smell the bratwurst, croissant, chorizo and cappuccino.”
Brexit or not – Top 37 things Brits love about Europe
1. Pizza | 62% |
2. Pasta | 56% |
3. Eiffel Tower | 42% |
4. French fries | 41% |
5. Olympic Games | 41% |
6. Leonardo da Vinci | 40% |
7. Baguettes | 39% |
8. Belgian chocolate | 39% |
9. Albert Einstein | 36% |
10. Democracy | 35% |
11. The Pope | 34% |
12. Croissants | 34% |
13. Marie Curie | 33% |
14. Cappuccino | 33% |
15. Theatre | 32% |
16. Olive oil | 30% |
17. The Colosseum | 30% |
18. Prosecco | 29% |
19. Van Gogh | 29% |
20. Michelangelo | 28% |
21. Philosophy | 27% |
22. Champagne | 27% |
23. Tower of Pisa | 26% |
24. Pitta bread | 26% |
25. The Louvre | 25% |
26. Picasso | 25% |
27. Mozzarella | 25% |
28. Chorizo | 24% |
29. Pompeii | 23% |
30. Beethoven | 23% |
31. St Mark Square in Venice | 23% |
32. Sigmund Freud | 23% |
33. Tapas | 23% |
34. Opera | 22% |
35. Feta cheese | 21% |
36. Vodka | 21% |
37. Paella | 21% |