The Best Private Trips to Book in Northern Europe

There’s a transportive quality to train travel through Scotland, and we’re not just talking about getting from A to B. There’s something magical about the rugged landscapes of the Highlands, and something even more magical about the Jacobite steam train – it is the real-life Hogwarts Express, after all. The journey from Fort William to Mallaig, crossing the iconic Glenfinnan Viaduct en route, is the crowning moment of this week-long itinerary, but don’t discount the riverside whisky-tasting, boat trip on the Isle of Skye and a guided hike in the Cairngorms. You’ll also get to discover the chilled charms of Inverness – the capital of the Highlands – and the gothic wonder of Edinburgh’s storied old streets.

Head all the way east, to the border with Asia, and Europe reaches its tallest heights in the Caucasus Mountains. Nestled amid these giant peaks is the small nation of Georgia, home to one of oldest cultures in the world. This nine-day itinerary explores those ancient traditions alongside some of the most scenic excursions you can have on the continent. In Tbilisi you’ll visit an old farmer’s market and take an authentic cooking class, experience a toastmaster ceremony, learn about ancient winemaking and bread-baking techniques, as well as soaking in the city’s famous sulphur baths. Outside of the capital you’ll visit the Unesco-listed city of Mtskheta, trek the forested hills of Lagodekhi National Park and head high into the Caucasus on a hike up to Trinity Gergeti Church, a fairytale-worthy structure in the shadow of Mount Kazbegi – the fifth highest peak in Europe.