The Best Places in Europe to Visit in 2024

Edinburgh tends to be the UK’s second most visited city behind London, but this year we want to bang the drum for Scotland’s scenic countryside, particularly in the Scottish Highlands. From the serenity of a glassy loch to the treacherously craggy cliff-faces of epic mountains and the rugged beauty of the west coast, the wildest corners of this magical country are its most beautiful. The best way to experience that magic is by witnessing it from the comfort of a cosy locomotive carriage, which is exactly what you’ll do on our week-long Rail Trip. You’ll take the Caledonian sleeper from London and the Jacobite steam train from Fort William (also known as the Hogwarts Express – now that’s magic) as we carve our way through this handsome landscape. You’ll also get to discover a stretch of the Isle of Skye and Cairngorms National Park, before getting back to city life in the capital.

For many, the definitive image of Europe is that of pretty much any little seaside town along Italy’s many miles of coastline. The Amalfi in particular is a real postcard destination, where the quaint charm of fishing villages lives side-by-side with the glamour of road tripping along the alluring waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea. We’ll explore this iconic region by road and by boat on our 10-day tour, with plenty of time to chill on the beach, dine on fresh seafood pasta with a view and sink shots of limoncello with friendly local bartenders. The tour also includes a street food bonanza in Naples, a trip inland to the most quirky towns in Puglia, as well as a thorough exploration of the country’s eastern coast.

Some travellers, meanwhile, associate mainland Europe more with the romantic image of old school train travel, winding through scenic countrysides and pulling into gorgeous old medieval cities. That’s the inspiration behind this 10-day Rail Trip, which is our attempt to perfect the European inter-railing experience. The headline acts are five of the continent’s most culturally riveting and easy-on-the-eye capitals – Berlin, Prague, Vienna, Bratislava and Budapest – but low-key the true champion of this itinerary is the Wachau Valley. This splendid wine region in Austria is characterised by quaint medieval towns dotted along the Danube, which itself carves a path through the rolling vineyards above. Day six of our trip detours to this area, centred around the joyously scenic town of Krems. From there we’ll embark on a magical bike ride alongside the Danube, before treating ourselves to a well-deserved wine tasting and lunch.

Is the gentle sea breeze of the Mediterranean calling you in 2024? If so, perhaps an island-hopping adventure to the Greek Islands should be on the cards. Your best bet is the Cyclades, easily accessible from Athens and offering a blend of everything you associate with Greece – the quaint fishing villages, the mouthwatering cuisine, the ancient history and the stunning stretches of sand. Our island-hopping adventures ensures you get a taste of every flavour Greece has to offer. We’ll start with some history in Athens before setting sail for the Cyclades. We’ll stop off in Milos, for a dreamy boat cruise and a series of glorious beaches, before moving on to Naxos, where you can master the art of Greek cuisine during a cooking masterclass in a local family’s home. The trip ends in Santorini, the most glamorous isle in all of Greece, and the perfect spot to watch the sun go down on an unforgettable European adventure.