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The Best Places to Visit in Europe

Whether you’re a foodie, a history enthusiast or a thrillseeker, Europe caters for all. Read on to discover where in Europe calls your name.
Nick Dauk
19 May 2023
Europe’s landscape is ever-evolving, so you can return once a year and always discover new aspects of its history and culture. From the unspoilt landscape of Iceland down to the Bosphorus Bridge linking Turkey to Asia, you could spend a lifetime exploring the wonders of Europe. The only thing harder than whittling them down to a list of the best? Picking exactly which of these top European destinations to visit first.
1 . Sicily, for volcano viewing

Leave the mainstream cities for another journey and move Sicily to the top of your Italy bucket list. Few European destinations will take you this deep into the Med, so pack the sunscreen and a stylish swimsuit. The Sicilian sun will shower you endlessly; thank goodness there’s no shortage of gelato or limoncello. You can even turn up the heat with a jaunt across the volcanic slopes of Mount Etna during this eight-day excursion around Sicily.

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2 . The Dalmatian Coast, to go behind Croatia’s walled cities

Was Croatia one of the European countries you dreamed of visiting long before the Game of Thrones hype? You’ll love exploring the best of Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast on this Culture Trip tour. Seaside towns full of fresh fish, Roman architecture and vibrant nightlife all rival the excitement of Dubrovnik’s city walls. Of course, a few hours of sun-worshipping on secluded beaches is also a must. Kayak, cycle and eat your way along Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast with this group tour from Split to Dubrovnik.

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3 . Turkey, to get lost in bazaars and caves

If you want to travel to Europe and Asia on one trip, look no further than Istanbul. Sitting at a continental crossroads, it offers a unique and enthralling lens on cultural diversity. Enter the vibrant, labyrinthine Grand Bazaar and you may never be seen again. Assuming you do find the exit, you should also explore centuries of tradition in Ankara, wander through the caves of Cappadocia, and relax on the Turkish Riviera. Take time to define your own Turkish delight during this twelve-day discovery of Turkey, from Istanbul to Antalya.

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4 . Iceland, for chasing waterfalls

The Land of Fire and Ice is easily one of the most captivating places in Europe. Far more than a stopover country, Iceland’s vast landscape will treat intrepid travellers to the gorgeous Northern Lights, glacier cruises and waterfall chasing. Beaches, volcanoes and hot springs dot the terrain, inspiring you to wear your soles out seeing it all. Escape to Iceland’s frozen wilderness with this scenic five-day Culture Trip.

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5 . Scotland, for a magical train trip

The ruggedly handsome landscapes of the Scottish Highlands are best explored from the comfort of a window seat, which is why our Scotland Rail Trip should be high on your European bucket list. Catch the Caledonian Sleeper train with us from London to Fort William, where we’ll almost immediately embrace local traditional by toasting our arrival in a whisky distillery. Then it’s onto the iconic Jacobite steam train – AKA the Hogwarts Express – for a journey west, across the Glenfinnan Viaduct, and towards the Isle of Skye, Cairngorms National Park and Inverness. Our final stop? The whimsical, gothic streets of Edinburgh.

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Next available from17 Jul 2023
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Additional words by Gethin Morgan.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel – and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Epic Trips, Mini Trips and Sailing Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travellers and friends who want to explore the world together.

Epic Trips are deeply immersive 8 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and enough down time to really relax and soak it all in. Our Mini Trips are small and mighty - they squeeze all the excitement and authenticity of our longer Epic Trips into a manageable 3-5 day window. Our Sailing Trips invite you to spend a week experiencing the best of the sea and land in the Caribbean and the Mediterranean.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm – and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.