The Best Places In Europe To Visit In 2024

Is Europe your most desired destination of next year? Are you dreaming of balmy Mediterranean coastlines? Are charming old medieval cities calling your name? Perhaps you’re after somewhere a little more rugged and unique? Either way, you can experience the best of Europe with these small-group Culture Trips departing throughout 2024. The southernmost region of Spain is as consistently sunny as anywhere in Europe, while the region’s multicultural history through the centuries gives it a unique aesthetic and distinct cultural identity. Our eight-day Rail Trip, which starts further north in Madrid, explores the region’s most spectacular cities. Visit the remarkable mosque-cathedral of Cordoba, where remnants of Roman and Moorish rule still stand strong amid modern Spanish influences. In Seville it’s all about authentic tapas experiences, architectural masterpieces old and new, as well as the thrill of a live flamenco show. You’ll marvel at the Unesco-listed Alhambra Palace complex of Granada, in the shadow of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, before rounding off your Spanish odyssey with the laid-back coastal vibes of Malaga. 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. In recent years Croatia has become famous for its medieval port cities, most notably Dubrovnik, which saw a genuine tourism boom thanks to Game of Thrones. What’s truly fantastical about this country, though, is that it’s nearly all coastline, and nearly all of that coast is utterly gorgeous. The shimmering waters of the Dalmatian Coast, and the many secrets hidden among its countless islands and islets, are calling out to be explored in 2024. Our eight-day tour along these glistening shores starts and ends in two iconic medieval cities – Split and Dubrovnik – but the meat in the sandwich is a dreamy island-hopping retreat. You’ll discover the eery military remains of Vis, the incredible caves of Biševo and an underrated wine region on Korcula along the way. If adventure is the theme for your next year in travel then go full throttle and join us in the ultimate thrill-seeking destination – Iceland! The popularity of this strikingly unique volcanic island has not taken away from its magisterial beauty, and our five-day getaway to the Land of Ice and Fire proves that there’s plenty of hidden gems here still waiting to be discovered. We’ll give you a private tour of the iconic sights and secret spots of the famous Golden Circle route, but you’ll also discover thundering waterfalls and black-sand beaches on the island’s south coast, while a high-octane snowmobile ride across an icy glacier is sure to transport you to another world. 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. How about a destination which doesn’t feel like Europe at all? The Azores is just that, partly because it’s so far from the mainland, deep out in the Atlantic coast off Portugal. The main island of the archipelago, São Miguel, is home to a ridiculous abundance of natural beauty, which lends itself perfectly for a series of outdoor adventures. That’s certainly the case on our six-day trip, which includes cycling around and kayaking across the surreal volcanic crater lakes of Sete Cidades, an optional whale-watching marine safari and an afternoon spent canyoning down the slippery ravines of Ribeira dos Caldeirões. Hearty local cuisine and soothing hot spring soaks should keep the cockles warm throughout our adrenaline fuelled itinerary. 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.

The Best Places in Europe to Visit in 2024

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