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EUROPEOne of the greatest pleasures of visiting Italy is being able to dine and drink outside in charming piazzas and July is a perfect time to do so – with warm, sunny weather almost guaranteed. Northern Italy is full of gems, including the capital, Rome – with its myriad of ancient archaeological sites – Florence, characterised by ornate renaissance churches and palaces and Milan, renowned for its cutting edge fashion scene and rich artistic heritage. Gastronomic delights, meanwhile, are guaranteed wherever you go. Why not see the best of all three in a single trip, accompanied by a local insider, by joining this specially curated TRIPS by Culture Trip 10-day Northern Italy adventure?
If perusing the stalls of vibrant bazaars in search of exotic spices and street food sounds like your ideal European city getaway, Istanbul should certainly be on your shortlist. An eclectic array of architectural treasures – such as the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia – are a feast for the eyes and can be explored on foot or admired from a boat cruise on the Bosphorus, at the juncture between Europe and Asia. Fancy some relaxation time, as well? Antalya, on the Mediterranean coast, features some of Turkey’s most alluring beaches. You can visit both cities as part of this TRIPS by Culture Trip 12-day ultimate Turkey trip. July brings plenty of sun and potential for sweltering temperatures – be sure to stay hydrated and pack plenty of sun cream.
There’s so much more to Portugal in summer than the beautiful beaches of the Algarve and the central and northern parts of the country are home to two of Europe’s liveliest cities – Lisbon and Porto. In Lisbon, you can indulge in the dangerously moreish speciality custard tarts, ‘pastéis de Belém’, as you stroll between majestic castles and churches – while in Porto, you can sip the city’s namesake Port wine by the Douro River and wander the winding streets and colourful buildings of its Unesco-listed historic centre. To experience the best of both cities, consider joining this TRIPS by Culture Trip nine-day adventure, which also includes visits to the Douro Valley and Alentejo wine regions. In July, you’re almost guaranteed great weather here.
It doesn’t get much more idyllic than summer in Southern Italy – so long as you come prepared for the heat. In Naples, you’ll be able to gorge on the best pizza you’ve ever had, as well as local street food delicacies, such as ‘sfogliatelle’ and aubergine parmigiana. Head inland to Matera – renowned for its cave dwellings carved into the hillside – which featured in the 2021 James Bond film, ‘No Time To Die’. On Puglia’s Salento peninsula, meanwhile, Lecce boasts some of the country’s most magnificent, honey-coloured baroque architecture, earning it the nickname the “Florence of the South”. Join this exclusive TRIPS by Culture Trip 10-day tour to take in all three – as well as the Amalfi Coast and idyllic rural villages of Alberobello and Locorotondo.
For reliably excellent weather, there are few safer bets in Europe than Croatia in July. Split and Dubrovnik – on the Adriatic coast – both have delightful old towns, featuring a mixture of Romanesque, gothic, renaissance and baroque architectural styles, with narrow, cobblestone alleyways and atmospheric, bar-lined courtyards aplenty. On this eight-day TRIPS by Culture Trip tour, you’ll enjoy a walking tour of both cities with a local insider and go sea kayaking around Marjan Hill off the coast of Split – combined with an island-hopping adventure that includes partying in Hvar and kicking back on the secluded beaches of Korčula.