Destination Guide

Continental Europe

Alpine peaks, vineyard valleys, lake shores and cities that have shaped civilisation. The continent at its most polished and its most beautiful.

Continental Europe is where travel feels effortless. A morning espresso in a Lisbon square, an afternoon on a Swiss mountain, dinner in a Tuscan farmhouse. The infrastructure is excellent, the food is extraordinary and the variety within a short flight or train ride is remarkable.

This page covers the interior and Alpine side of Europe. The vineyard regions, the lake towns, the mountain villages and the cities that reward slow exploration. For coastal Mediterranean destinations, see our dedicated Mediterranean page. We know these countries intimately and help clients find the experiences that go beyond the obvious.

"Europe is so well gardened that it resembles a work of art, a scientific theory, a neat metaphysical system."
Aldous Huxley

Why Visit

What Makes It Special

🏔️

Alpine Scenery

Switzerland, Austria and the Dolomites offer some of the most spectacular mountain landscapes on earth. Hiking in summer, skiing in winter.

🍷

Food & Wine

Burgundy, Tuscany, the Douro Valley, Rioja, the Basque Country. Europe's wine and food regions are immersive experiences that go far beyond a tasting.

🏰

Historic Cities

Lisbon, Vienna, Prague, Budapest, Florence. Cities that blend centuries of art and architecture with vibrant modern culture.

🚂

Train Travel

The Glacier Express, the Bernina Express, overnight sleepers to the south. European rail turns the journey into the destination.

🎿

World-Class Skiing

Zermatt, Verbier, St Anton, Val d'Isère, Cortina. The Alps are the premier ski destination on earth with resorts for every level.

🌿

Countryside Retreats

Provencal farmhouses, Tuscan villas, Portuguese quintas, Slovenian lodges. Continental Europe does refined rural escapes beautifully.

Where We Send Our Clients

Continental Europe Highlights

Portugal

Portugal

Lisbon's tiled streets, Porto's wine cellars, the Douro Valley by rail and the wild beauty of the Azores. Incredible value and consistently outstanding food.

Switzerland

Switzerland

Pristine lakes, dramatic peaks and immaculate chocolate-box villages. Expensive but worth every penny for the sheer beauty.

Austria

Austria

Vienna's coffee houses, Salzburg's baroque charm and the Tyrolean Alps. A country that blends cultural sophistication with natural grandeur.

Italy

Tuscany & The Italian Lakes

Rolling vineyards, cypress-lined roads, Lake Como's elegance and the Dolomites' peaks. Italy beyond the coast is just as captivating.

France

Paris, Bordeaux & The Loire

The world's most visited city, legendary wine regions and fairy-tale châteaux. France rewards every kind of traveller in every season.

Spain

Spain & The Basque Country

San Sebastián's pintxos, Andalucía's white villages, Madrid's galleries and Rioja's vineyards. Spain's interior is as rich as its coast.

Slovenia

Slovenia

Lake Bled, the Julian Alps, Ljubljana's riverside cafes and vineyards that rival Tuscany. Europe's best-kept secret at a fraction of the price.

Prague

Prague & Eastern Europe

Prague's Gothic spires, Budapest's thermal baths, Krakow's medieval square. Eastern Europe offers extraordinary culture and architecture at outstanding value.

Planning

Best Time to Visit

Portugal & Spain Lisbon, Porto, Douro, Basque Country, Andalucía
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
22–32°C peak
France Paris, Bordeaux, Loire, Provence
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
18–28°C peak
⛷ Ski Season ▼
French Alps Chamonix, Val d'Isère, Courchevel, Méribel, Les Trois Vallées
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
-8–2°C
Italy Tuscany, Lakes, Dolomites, Rome
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
18–28°C peak
⛷ Ski Season ▼
Italian Alps & Dolomites Cortina d'Ampezzo, Courmayeur, Val Gardena, Alta Badia
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
-6–2°C
Switzerland & Austria Alps, Lakes, Vienna, Salzburg
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
20–28°C peak
⛷ Ski Season ▼
Swiss & Austrian Alps Zermatt, Verbier, St Moritz, St Anton, Lech, Kitzbühel
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
-10–0°C
Eastern Europe Prague, Budapest, Krakow, Slovenia
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
20–28°C peak
Peak Season Shoulder Season Ski Season

From The Journal

Read More About Continental Europe

Dive deeper with our destination guides and travel stories.

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