Europe

Best time to visit:

The climate is variable so be prepared for a wide variety of weather conditions throughout the year. However, the best weather is usually from May to October with temperatures in Italy, Portugal, Spain and France very hot in the summer months. The months just before and after the main tourist season can be pleasantly warm. It can rain at any time.

Austria

Austria is a country of startling contrasts, from the Alps in the west to the Danube Basin in the east. The historical buildings, world-class museums and galleries and breathtaking mountain scenery make it one of the premier destinations in Europe, winter or summer.

Vienna is the magnificent capital of Austria, where you can sit sipping a coffee and tuck into a slice of Sacher Torte on one of the elegant strasses, surrounded by the wonderful architecture. Salzburg, Mozart's birthplace, with beautiful baroque churches set before a backdrop of snow-covered peaks, and Innsbruck in the center of Austria's Alps are not to be missed.

A winter holiday in Austria with the magical festive charm of Christmas offers a unique holiday in the snow in one of the world’s best skiing regions . And in the summer a walking holiday offers well-marked trails weaving through alpine peaks, rolling valleys, crystal-clear lakes and lush green woodlands.

Belgium

The two main tourist attractions in Belgium are the coast and the Ardennes.

There are many world class resorts along the sandy coastline. The beaches shelve gently out to sea, and there are lifeguards on duty to ensure everyone's safety. Plenty of sailing and fishing is enjoyed here. Due to the iodine and salt in the air, you will acquire a very healthy looking tan!

The Ardennes, in the South East, are unspoilt, with vast forests of broadleaf and fir, hills and fast flowing rivers. A spring vacation in the Ardennes is ideal for walking, cycling, fishing, canoeing or kayaking, and mountaineering. The Ardennes are a fun place in winter for both downhill and cross-country skiers, tobogganing and snow scooter racing.

Greece

Greece is a a constant journey in time, from the present to the past and back again. Walk through the olive groves and through ancient sites. Roam from beaches to rocky mountains and explore the breathtaking scenery and ancient history all under a sunny Mediterranean sky.

There are about 1400 Greek islands to explore, most linked by regular ferries. The largest is Crete with a unique cultural identity protected fiercely from mass tourism. Mykonos is one of the best known with its idyllic beaches and white-walled streets. However, Santorini is one of the most spectacular of the Greek Islands with its views of the volcanic caldera from the top of the massive lava-layered cliffs,

Athens is an amazing centre of ancient Grecian culture filled with beautiful archeological treasures and next to all the wonders of the ancient world this capital city is a hip, stylish and buzzing city.

Italy

Here is a nation whose cuisine, fashion, and romantic ambience is unrivalled. Here you can find the Alps, a Rivera, hundreds-years-old statues at every turn, and stupendous collections of art. Cities, lakes, mountains, spectacular coastal resorts and rural landscapes, there is an unending list of activities and attractions in Italy to suit each and every visitor.

France & Corsica

A few days in Paris is an excellent introduction to the French way of life.

From there you can continue your chosen holiday from the myriad options available.

Perhaps a short break in the Champagne region with its rolling vineyards, lush green fields and historic towns providing the perfect backdrop for a romantic break, and a glass or two of champagne will also help mark a special occasion. For those with a passion for history, a tour of Normandy¹s famous D-Day landing beaches offers a seaside break with a difference.

A holiday in the French countryside can include anything from luxury golfing holidays to hiking, camping or relaxing on a barge as you enjoy the hospitality and awesome cuisine in small auberges along the way. A tour of the Cote d'Azur from St Tropez to Cannes and Monaco is another attractive package, and a skiing holiday in the French Alps is fun for the whole family and a welcome mid-winter break or even an early spring break. France has it all - and we can help you get the most out of your chosen holiday!

Corsica

France’s beautiful island of Corsica is an outdoor adventure paradise. Approximately one third of it is comprised of the Corsican Regional National Park. From skinny-dipping in rock pools to enjoying your own ultra-private villa, Corsica has all the ingredients for a perfect romantic break in the Mediterranean.

Germany

With its idyllic rivers and lakes, different landscapes from sandy coastlines to breathtaking mountain ranges, Germany is an ideal destination for an active holiday, with endless opportunities for the sports enthusiast and for those who wish to relax in the great outdoors, and the winter region from the Harz Mountains to the Alps offers everything for the snowy winter holiday of your dreams.

Germany's cities offer many experiences to the visitor. Every year millions of litres of beer are consumed in Munich during the city's Oktoberfest where you will experience true German revelry and 'gemutlichkeit'. Berlin has a vibrant nightlife and contains many sights from the iconic Brandenburg Gate, to the path of the old Berlin Wall.

Spain

Spain has some of the finest beaches in the world - beautiful rocky beaches, wide stretches of sun-kissed sand, beaches that are lined with pubs and bars.

Pamplona is a unique experience of thundering streets during the annual running of the bulls. Barcelona is Spain's showcase of Gaudi's bizarre architecture. The Valencian town of Buñol goes wild every year with the La Tomatina festival, when surplus tomatoes - following the annual harvest - are dumped on the streets and pelted about in a friendly riot.

Spain is also a country rich in heritage and the historic cities of Toledo, Salamanca, Seville and Granada promise a wealth of early Christian and Moorish buildings and monuments, as well as some incredible medieval sites. Spanish cuisine while influenced by Latin-American cooking, has many regional variations on the better known paella, gazpacho and tapas.

Best time to visit:

The climate in Spain is generally cooler in the north, but its high summer temperatures mean that coastal regions are busiest from June to September, with visitors from not only abroad but from the inland towns and cities where the heat can be unbearable.

Portugal

Portugal is a stimulating and rewarding country to tour. The white holiday beaches of the Algarve give way to the green Monchique hills, then to the cork tree-covered plains of the Alentejo stretching to Lisbon and beyond to wooded and vine-covered hills before finally reaching the Spanish border.

The beautiful and long sandy beaches of the Algarve are surrounded by amazing cliffs and crystal clear waters, and this is the Portuguese region with the best all year round weather.

Lisbon is one of Europe's most unspoilt cities while the delights of Cascais and Sintra are just a short drive away. And don't forget Madeira, paradise island of the Atlantic where the abundant flora is just as incredible as the stunning coasts and mountains.

Best time to visit:

Portugal has a temperate climate with the Algarve region getting the most sunshine throughout the year. The warmer, drier months are between May – October. Temperatures will average 24-30 centigrade between May-June and September-October. Further north, Lisbon is a hot and sunny all year round destination experiencing short and mild winters and long hot summers. Its coastal location means that sea breezes have a cooling effect in peak summer months. May to October sunshine and high temperatures are relatively constant, with the rainy season falling between December and March. Temperatures in Lisbon rarely fall below zero.

Madeira has a subtropical climate with an average annual temperature of 22 degrees and the temperature very rarely fall below 16 degrees centigrade. The warming effects of the Gulf Stream keeps sea temperatures high. Rainfall in general can be experienced from October to May.

Switzerland

Switzerland offers lakeside chalets, mountain trails and spa resorts in the spring and summer. In the sunny southern region of Ticino, near the Italian border, lie palm-fringed Riviera-style resorts offering a host of water sports. There are over 31,000 miles (50,000km) of mountain and forest trails to challenge the adventurous.

With the highest pistes in Europe, Switzerland's ski runs offer excellent snow and stunning views, or a winter fantasy of welcoming log fires, fondues and glistening snow.

Zurich is the intellectual and artistic centre of the country, boasting stunning architecture and more than a thousand fountains. Geneva is the main city for the international community, lying in a romantic setting on the shores of Lake Geneva

Best time to visit:

Being land locked and the Swiss Alps affecting the climate a great deal, the weather varies across this country. Summer months between June – September here temperatures range between 21 to 24 degrees in June and August respectively. For winter sports, depending on the height of the resort, from November – March.

Croatia

Located in the heart of Europe on the beautiful Adriatic coast bordering Italy, Slovenia and Hungary, Croatia's magnificent Dalmatian coastline incorporates more than 1,185 islands, islets and reefs, mostly uninhabited and preserved.

Many good quality hotels and marinas have been resurrected or constructed in the past few years. Many Croatian towns and villages are medieval, or built on the sites of ancient Greek settlements dating from the 4th century BC.

Some of the best-known resort towns along the Dalmatian coast are Dubrovnik, Split, Porec and Trogir, all of them listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Zagreb is the capital city, and is a centre of arts and culture.

Best time to visit:

The summer months between June – September are a good time to visit with around 10-12 hours of sunshine a day and temperatures averaging 25-30 centigrade. Low rainfall. Dubrovnik sees minimum temperatures throughout summer of about 18 to 21 degrees and maximum daily temperatures of 25 to 29 degrees. The Dalmatian Coast is home to a fairly typical Mediterranean climate that boasts long hot summers and cooler more mild winters in which most of the annual rainfall will occur.

Cyprus

Cyprus is a compact attractive island offering a rich variety of landscapes from pine-clad mountains to golden sandy beaches. Discover ancient UNESCO-listed sites, wonderful beaches and crystal clear waters.

There is vibrant nightlife in the main towns and a burgeoning cafe culture in Nicosia, Limassol and on Larnaca's mile-long beachfront promenade.

Best time to visit:

Cyprus enjoys a Mediterranean climate and lying near Turkey and Egypt, it is one of the hottest parts of the Mediterranean. Hot dry summers and mild winters but you will find snow in the Troodos mountains where you can go skiing. Best months to visit are May – October where average temperatures range between 22 – 30 centigrade. Peak months of July/August can see temperatures rise to 40 centigrade.

Malta

Three hundred days of sunshine, crystal clear Mediterranean waters, seven thousand years of history, thriving local traditions, a vibrant nightlife and laid-back rural villages ¬ Welcome to Malta!

Renting a converted 400-year old farmhouse in Gozo – reached by ferry - is the best way to escape the crowds and to enjoy the slower pace of rural life in this picturesque island with incredible dive spots.

Best time to visit:

Malta has a Mediterranean climate offering mild damp winters and hot dry summers. Temperatures in the summer reaching 30 centigrade and in their winter months around 12 centigrade. The rain mainly falls during their autumn and winter months. Summer months can see temperatures reach as high as 40 centigrade is the sirocco wind blows up from Africa. Best months to visit May – October.

Denmark

Denmark’s landscape consists mainly of low-lying, fertile countryside broken by beech woods, small lakes and fjords. There are extensive areas of heathland, a beautiful lake district and sand dunes and white cliffs. The coastline varies from broad sandy beaches to small coves and gentle fjords. Low rolling hills make it a perfect destination for cyclists or hikers.

Best time to visit:

Denmark has a temperate climate with average summer temperatures in Copenhagen averaging between 19-22 centigrade and winter temperatures around -3 centigrade so their winters are not extremely cold. Daylight hours are not as extreme as they are in some of the other Scandinavian countries – summer around 19 hours of daylight and in winter around 7 hours of daylight.

Sweden

Land of the midnight sun, snowbound winters, meatballs, herring, Vikings and Volvos, and of course ABBA! Stockholm boasts close to 100 museums, and medieval and baroque edifices housing trendy boutiques and cafes overlooking the attractive harbour.

Make sure to visit one of the country¹s many ski facilities, including Åre, during the winter months. During the summer, the long daylight hours dim to twilight only momentarily.

Most of the landscape is forested, with thousands of lakes, and notably large stretches of water between Gothenburg and Stockholm. Visit the Baltic islands where the largest island, Gotland, boasts an array of ruined medieval churches, and is a particular highlight. Also well worth a visit is the so-called Kingdom of Crystal', a forested area between Malmí and Stockholm where many fine glassworks are located.

Best time to visit:

Sweden is in northern Europe and has a coastline that is met by the North Sea, the Baltic Sea and the Gulf of Bothnia. For the most part Sweden has a temperate climate with mild temperatures in all four seasons and is warmer than other areas at similar latitudes. However, milder temperatures are to be found near the coast while further north, closer to the Arctic Circle, sub-arctic conditions prevail. The Aurora Borealis (The Northern Lights) and midnight sun keeps tourists coming even in the darkest months. The ice hotel makes the most of Sweden’s extreme northerly climate and skiers and snowboarders hurtle down the snow-capped mountains. The intricate fjords and lush green hills are stunning in the summer sun and the long daytimes make them enjoyable for longer. Southern Sweden is best visited in the summer months due to the warm prevailing westerly winds and long days of daylight. Temperatures reach an average temperature of 20 centigrade. Stockholm has an average summer temperature of 22 centigrade in July/August. Central Sweden sits between the milder maritime climate from the south and the Arctic air from the north so the weather can be more changeable. With some overcast days and rain. Average summer temperatures are around 19 centigrade in July. Winter months sees the temperatures drop to -12 centigrade.

Norway

Norway has a natural beauty surpassing that of many European destinations. Norway's major claim to fame is Is the North Cape¹s midnight sun, but the famous Scandinavian fjords and awesome mountain glaciers are also great attractions. Far above the Arctic Circle the sun never rises in winter, nor sets in midsummer.

Oslo is the capital and financial centre, Bergen is an extremely picturesque former Hanseatic trading port and ‘gateway’ to Fjordland and Trondheim is a long-established center of Christian pilgrimage. Norway offers a rich cultural experience, steeped in Viking mythology and Norse legends.

Best time to visit:

Norway, situated in Northern Europe is a large country stretching 1000 miles in length and with many different and varying climates. The climate is temperate due to the warming effects of the Gulf Stream, which brings warm currents right across the Atlantic from the Gulf of Mexico. A large part of the country lies in the Arctic Circle. From hot summers to year round snow and ice; from 24 hour darkness to the midnight sun, Norway’s climate covers every kind of weather. In the summer temperatures can reach 30 centigrade.

Iceland

Turkey

Turkey straddles two continents – Asia and Europe. From Istanbul’s modern sophistication to the ancient city of Ephesus, from the soaring summits of Mt. Ararat to Antalya on the turquoise ‘Turkish Riviera’, almost every square mile offers a historic attraction or an exciting cultural experience. Turkey has some of the best resorts in the world with beautiful beaches and exquisite scenery. The cuisine is world-class, and the generous mixture of history, archaeology, religious sites, handicrafts together with a spirit of hospitality, make it truly a fascinating and satisfying experience.

Best time to visit:

The peak season is the national holiday time from July to mid-September. It¹s best to visit before or after this period to avoid the crowds and also the mosquitoes. Snowfall between November¬/May could hamper tourism in eastern regions.

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