Luxury Europe Holidays

Not everyone goes on holiday to Europe to take it completely easy. There are some fantastic opportunities for adventures and discoveries, too.

Iceland & Northern Lights

The northern lights are perhaps one of Europe’s most spectacular natural phenomenon. While they can be the ultimate highlight during a visit to Iceland, there are so many other incredible things to see and do on this incredible island, too.

Aside from aurora borealis, you can delve into a magical landscape made up of staggering waterfalls, steaming geysers, sweeping glaciers and an array of other natural wonders.

Getting active

Explorers will be in their element in Croatia and Montenegro. With a mountainous landscape and 13 incredible national parks between them you can do everything from hiking and rock climbing to kayaking and scuba diving. Over in Turkey, you can get adrenaline pumping by canyoning in mountain gorges, kayaking over sunken ruins or even paragliding!

With warm, enticing waters making up Europe’s Mediterranean basin, there is plenty to do out at sea. You can find wonderful snorkelling pots in Sardinia, Sicily, Crete and Cyprus, just to name a few spots. It’s also fabulous for sailing, with many visitors taking up the chance to go island-hopping through Greece or cruising a yacht through the French Riviera.

For sporty types, there is plenty to do on a holiday in Europe, too. There are some fantastic destinations for cycling, including Mallorca, Sardinia and Lanzarote. Golf fans will be itching to try out some renowned courses, such as Bay Course Costa Navarino in Greece and Monte Rei Golf & Country Club in Algarve.

Lapland

Europe is home to the ultimate winter wonderland. In the north of Finland, Lapland is the perfect spot for an adventure in the snow – particularly for some family fun! With skiing, snowmobiling, sledding with huskies or reindeer and ice fishing, you can discover amazing national parks and spot incredible wildlife, before warming up by your cosy fireplace.

The diverse cities of Europe have so much to offer visitors. With a multitude of cultures, histories and experiences on offer across the continent, travellers arrive from across the world for a city break in these exquisite destinations.

Florence and Venice

Italy has a host of cities to explore, but perhaps none as beautiful as Florence and Venice.

Both rich in history, you can admire architecture from centuries gone by, stopping to savour one of Italy’s famous coffees – or perhaps a glass of Italian wine, if you prefer. In Florence, marvel at the Piazza del Duomo, Renaissance masterpieces and potter around the chic boutiques. In Venice, glide the famous waterways and be carried away by the creativity of this unique city.

Barcelona

Enjoy the best of both worlds with a city break to Barcelona, which sits in its own beachfront. Colourful and cosmopolitan, wander the medieval streets, gaze in awe at the cathedral and be intrigued by Spain’s biggest collection of paintings by Pablo Picasso.

Dubrovnik

One of Europe’s most fascinating walled cities, the old town of Dubrovnik is one of Europe’s true gems. After immersing yourself in the history around you, take the cable car up Mount Srd to enjoy the stunning views, or journey the rocky coast on a kayak to look up at the city from the waters below.

Paris

One of the most famous cities in Europe, Paris needs no introduction. Once you’re done eyeing the Eiffel Tower, exploring the streets and boulevards will reveal much more. Shoppers will be in their element in the designer boutiques and fashion stores, though you can’t leave without visiting world-renowned art galleries and sampling the fine cuisine.

From ancient empires to Renaissance artworks and classical music creations, Europe has a rich history and culture. The more you travel the continent, the more you will learn, as you admire the architecture, browse the world-class galleries and immerse yourself in each country’s own way of life.

Ancient civilisations

Europe has birthed some of the most important and powerful ancient civilisations in the world. Amazingly, we can even still see the remains of their empires today.

In Greece, there are numerous archaeological sites where you can see structures dating back to the first century. Athens is home to some of the most remarkable remains, including the impressive Acropolis.

Then, there is the Roman Empire. Today, everyday life in Rome literally rubs shoulders with some of the best-preserved ruins in the world. From the infamous Colosseum to the Pantheon and Roman Forum, history lovers will be over the moon.

Museums and fine art

There are so many prestigious museums and art galleries to discover around Europe, it’s hard to know where to begin! One of the most recognised is the Louvre in Paris, home to the Mona Lisa among numerous other historic treasures.

In Florence, the Uffizi Gallery is a piece of history itself, housing some of the art world’s greatest paintings in its 16th century building. Of course, Rome is bursting with history, though the Vatican Museums hold an immense collection of religious artefacts, too. In Venice, a visit to the Doge’s Palace is a must, showing off exemplary Gothic architecture and revealing the secrets of the 1,000-year Venetian Republic within its walls.