 From scouring Scandinavia to seeing the best of Central Europe, we’ve got your travel routes sussed. Experience everything from beautiful beaches and quaint villages to the architectural wonders of Europe’s cities on these inspiring tours. Scandinavian tour
Minimum duration: 3 weeks
Start: Copenhagen, Denmark
End: Rovaniemi, Finland 1. Copenhagen, Denmark
Start in Copenhagen – relatively inexpensive by Scandinavian standards and highly user-friendly, the Danish capital is a lively, welcoming introduction to the region. 2. Oslo, Norway
Continue on to the un-crowded city of Oslo, close to equally un-crowded woodland and beaches and a hugely enjoyable capital in which to stay. 3. The Fjords, Norway
Explore the country’s western coastline – no trip to Norway would be complete without a visit to its magnificent fjords. 4. Lofoten Islands, Norway
Try your hand at fishing, gawp at the awe-inspiring mountain scenery, or simply relax in the friendly villages of the Lofoten Islands.  5. Jokkmokk, Sweden
Soak-up the extremely long summer nights, local Sami culture and traditional handicrafts in the Arctic Circle town of Jokkmokk.
6. Stockholm, Sweden
Next, head to Stockholm – the handsome island setting of Sweden’s capital complements the wealth of museums and nightlife on offer. 7. Helsinki, Finland
Discover the distinctly Russian atmosphere of Helsinki – the city has a grand feel to it, tempered by the locals’ enthusiasm in summer for outdoor eating, drinking and concerts. 8. Rovaniemi, Finland
End your trip back in the Arctic Circle at the town of Rovaniemi. This time its for traditions of a very different kind – namely a visit to Santa Claus Village and the chance to prove you’ve been good. Central Europe in a nutshell
Minimum duration: 3 weeks
Start: Berlin, Germany
End: The Rhine Gorge, Germany 1. Berlin, Germany
Start in Berlin, Germany’s capital of two distinct faces – warfare, destruction, division and reunification have shaped this fascinating city, yet the modern architecture and frantic nightlife give it an uber contemporary feel. 2. Dresden, Germany
Continue onto Dresden – utterly destroyed in World War II, this Baroque city was carefully rebuilt and is once again Germany’s most attractive. 3. Prague, Czech Republic
Cross the border to the Czech Republic – whether it’s beautiful architecture, great eating and drinking, or buzzing nightlife you’re after, Prague has it all.  4. Vienna, Austria
Explore the former imperial headquarters of Vienna. Austria’s capital is chock full of palaces, museums and grand boulevards – with a coffee and cake in a café never too far away.
5. Salzburg, Austria
Next, head to Salzburg – from music by its most famous son, Mozart, to tours celebrating its most famous screen appearance, The Sound of Music, this handsome city has a few of everyone’s favourite things. 6. The Matterhorn, Switzerland
Try your hand at winter-sports on one of Europe’s most famous mountains – The Matterhorn – whatever the time of year. 7. Zurich, Switzerland
Take a detour to Zurich, an archetypal clean and efficient Swiss city worth a visit thanks to its delightful old town, wonderful lake setting and great café culture. 8. Munich, Germany
Discover a lively nightlife scene in Munich, the Bavarian capital and enough parks, museums and churches to occupy you till it’s time for the next beer – Oktoberfest (late September) or not. 9. The Rhine Gorge, Germany
End your trip on a cruise in the Rhine Gorge. This stretch of Germany’s best-known river allows you to see the region’s beautiful countryside and cliff top castles. |