Continent

Europe

Alternative places, independent journeys and useful guides for travellers who want to go beyond the usual highlights.

Choose a country

Explore Europe

Santorini, Greece
Europe

Santorini

Greece

Whitewashed cliffs above the Aegean

Best: May – early June, September$$$
Lisbon, Portugal
Europe

Lisbon

Portugal

Seven hills, yellow trams and pastel de nata

Best: March – May, September – October$$
Amalfi Coast, Italy
Europe

Amalfi Coast

Italy

Lemon groves above a cobalt sea

Best: May – June, September$$$
Iceland, Iceland
Europe

Iceland

Iceland

Glaciers, geysers and the northern lights

Best: June – August (midnight sun) or Sept – March (aurora)$$$
Paris, France
Europe

Paris

France

Boulangeries, museums and slow café afternoons

Best: April – June, September – October$$
Rome, Italy
Europe

Rome

Italy

Three thousand years of pasta and ruins

Best: April – May, October$$
Barcelona, Spain
Europe

Barcelona

Spain

Gaudí, tapas and Mediterranean light

Best: May, June, September$$
Edinburgh, Scotland
Europe

Edinburgh

Scotland

Castle on a crag, whisky in the rain

Best: May – June, September; August for the Fringe$$
Prague, Czech Republic
Europe

Prague

Czech Republic

Spires, beer halls and bridges in the mist

Best: May, September, December (markets)$
Dubrovnik, Croatia
Europe

Dubrovnik

Croatia

Medieval walls above the Adriatic

Best: May – June, September$$
Mallorca, Spain
Europe

Mallorca

Spain

Pine cliffs, hidden coves and slow island lunches

Best: May, June, September$$
Vienna, Austria
Europe

Vienna

Austria

Imperial palaces, coffee houses and classical music

Best: April – June, September – October$$
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Europe

Amsterdam

Netherlands

Canals, bicycles and Golden Age art

Best: April – May (tulips), September$$
Copenhagen, Denmark
Europe

Copenhagen

Denmark

Design, cycling and New Nordic food

Best: May – August$$$
Budapest, Hungary
Europe

Budapest

Hungary

Thermal baths and Danube grandeur

Best: April – June, September – October$
Interlaken & the Bernese Alps, Switzerland
Europe

Interlaken & the Bernese Alps

Switzerland

Turquoise lakes below Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau

Best: June – September (hiking), December – March (ski)$$$
Istanbul, Türkiye
Europe

Istanbul

Türkiye

Where Europe meets Asia across the Bosphorus

Best: April – May, September – October$$