Europe
The European holidays created by The Arte of Travel are fascinating and instructive, enjoyable and unique. Our experiences are the best way to discover Europe and its charming capitals, from Paris to London, Amsterdam to Rome.
We offer numerous tips and suggestions for European trips dedicated to art or sports, gourmet cuisine, family, wellness, or healthcare. There are also many fabulous destinations for a beach holiday in Europe.
Southern Europe
Such diversity all in one place—from the snowy mountains of the Alps to the balmy beaches of the Mediterranean, with plenty of culture and color in between. Relaxing in the hot tub of your ski chalet, the sky darkening beyond a jagged mountain horizon, you’ll find it almost impossible to imagine that in a few months, you could be swimming lengths in your private villa pool, the sea shimmering in the distance. There are great city escapes to be had here, too, as well as vacations in the rolling Italian hills or amongst the citrus groves of Cyprus. Wherever you choose, look forward to fabulous food, as diverse as the continent itself.
France
Picture low-lying farmland, purple meadows, the Mediterranean coastline, and dazzling beaches. Add the towering heights of the snow-capped Alpine mountains and you are well on your way to discovering the diversity and beauty of France. These spectacular mountains offer some of the finest and most extensive ski areas in the world, from the toughest, wildest black runs to the longest reds and most gentle beginner slopes.
The Cote d’Azur is known for its intoxicating cocktail of glitzy Riviera towns, charming fishing ports, exciting Corniche roads, and the scent of the maquis and lavender. Then there’s the sophistication of Cannes and St. Tropez, with palm-lined boulevards and luxury yachts. Contrast this with the timeless charm of hilltop villages with views to the purple haze of distant mountains and fields of lavender, not to mention the cypresses that inspired Van Gogh, Cezanne, Renoir, and Matisse.
Italy
Breathtaking countryside, beautiful old cities, the Amalfi Coast, and of course renowned cuisine all await you in Italy, a favorite with honeymooners and families alike. Florence, the birthplace of the Renaissance, has many treats for visitors—Brunelleschi’s Duomo; the Academia, home of Michelangelo’s David; and Ghiberti’s bronze Baptistery doors, to name just a few. Venice, the city of water, cannot fail to capture your imagination with its wonderful architecture; beautiful, art-filled churches; great cafe society and romantic gondola rides, as well as fabulous shopping and dining.
Away from the bustle of the cities, Italy’s countryside has enchanted the British since the era of the “Grand Tour”. The stunningly beautiful Amalfi Coast stands out for its rugged cliffs, cascades of brightly colored houses, lemon groves, and olive trees on terraced hillsides, all tumbling down to an aquamarine sea. Tuscany is home to vineyards, Cypress trees, and rounded hills. The enchanting island of Sicily is full of art, history, breathtaking views, and, as always in Italy, superb food.
Greece
Exquisite islands, beautiful coastline, ancient stories, and delicious food all play their part in the worldwide appeal of Greece. Here the coastline stretches 16,000 km, met by sparkling transparent Mediterranean waters. There are endless small bays and coves to explore and, of course, many Greek islands too, the largest being Crete. Its rock coasts, vast sandy beaches, pebble shores, and crystal blue Mediterranean waters are what bring guests back time and time again. Greece’s long history is also in evidence, with many archaeological sites and monuments of distinctive prestige and charm. Some highlights in Greece not to be missed: the famous Acropolis; for typical Greek island beauty, the island of Santorini, near Nea Kameni, where you can spend days exploring its charming whitewashed towns and stunning Aegean coastline.
Spain
Not just the home of sangria, Flamenco dancing, paella, and siestas, Spain has much more to offer visitors. Whether it’s a city break in beautiful Madrid or vibrant Barcelona, a week soaking up the culture of Andalucia, or just soaking up the sun in Mallorca, you’ll want to return to discover even more. The variety of landscapes and culture in Spain is truly breathtaking.
Known for its winding streets, smooth Rioja, and cultural heritage, Andalucia is popular for historians, culture lovers, and romantics. From the beautiful city of Seville, the setting for many famous operas, to Ronda, with its landmark bullring, and to the magnificent coastline, it is an exceedingly popular part of the country.
Catalonia boasts the exquisite city of Barcelona, but also has easy access to the mountains, where you’ll find the unspoilt ski resort of Baqueira. The glamorous island of Mallorca in the Ballearics is a fabulous destination from early spring to autumn, with beautiful beaches and striking scenery.
Food in Spain has undergone a major renaissance in recent years. Try wandering from tapas bar to tapas bar in true Spanish stylem the most sociable way to eat! You will also find some amazing wines. After France and Italy, Spain is the third largest wine producer, with an abundance of native grape varieties, tempranillo being the most well known and the main grape used in producing Rioja.
Switzerland
Think of Switzerland and you think of fabulous skiing, chocolate box villages, and magnificent, iconic mountain peaks. We offer a number of exceptional ski venues, including some of the finest resorts in the world: Zermatt, Champery, and St. Moritz.
Zermatt, dominated by the unmistakable Matterhorn, is a pretty, atmospheric town boasting a skyline peppered by 38 peaks over 4000 meters, offering the highest skiing in Europe at 3800 meters. With a river running through it, the village is car-free, making horse-drawn sleighs a popular mode of transport.
Champery, located in the heart of the Alps, links up with the famous Portes du Soleil ski area and the well-known villages of Champery, Avoriaz, Les Gets, Morzine, and Champoussin—together offering more than 650 km of pistes and links.
St. Moritz exudes exclusivity, offering glitz and glamour in a spectacular setting on the shores of the famous frozen lake, and with views towards the Engadin mountains. This is an excellent resort for an all-round winter vacation, with an unrivaled array of things to do, including polo, golf, and cricket on snow, and gourmet and music festivals.
Northern Europe
The natural landscapes of Northern Europe are thrilling and surprising. The area is a vast volcanic laboratory, which has engineered the awe-inspiring scenery. These powerful forces beneath the earth’s surface have created the unusual wild countryside that spreads across Iceland. This region offers some of the earth’s most starkly beautiful, awe-inspiring, and unearthly landscapes. The area is also abundant with wildlife, including schools of dolphins. The magnificent humpbacked whale rules this wild and rugged coastline.
Northern Europe is steeped in rich history and tradition, making it feel quite untouched, isolated, and unique. Considering the abundance of exciting natural beauty, it is not surprising that Northern Europe has been the homeland of many dreamers, authors, poets, and musicians who were inspired by the extraordinary landscape, history, culture, and tradition.
Netherlands
The Netherlands is famous for its history and culture, with a multitude of museums around Amsterdam. There are 20 beautiful national parks to explore, including lakes, heathlands, woods, and dunes. All of these are protected and perfect for a day to get lost and enjoy a picnic.
Norway
Strikingly beautiful, Norway conjures up images of vast fjords and jagged coastlines, and creates a strong desire to simply soak up nature’s stunning vistas. To the north, you discover a winter wonderland and the chance to the see the Northern Lights. To the south, you have the mighty fjords and cultural hubs of Bergen and Oslo.
Norway is simply one of the most dramatically beautiful countries on earth. In the summer, climb vast craggy mountains to see the most amazing views. Try your hand at mountain-biking or even white-water rafting. In the winter, northern Norway is a perfect place to explore, from its tempting lodges to snow and igloo hotels. See your surroundings on huskies, try your hand at ice-fishing, or just look up at the Northern Lights appearing magically above you.
Sweden
Sweden is easily the biggest of the Scandinavian countries. With large areas that are sparsely populated, Sweden makes a fantastic destination for those looking to get off the beaten track. Home to a vast array of landscapes, from the dense pine forests and craggy mountains of the north to the rolling hills and golden beaches of the south—and with stylish cities like Gothenburg and the capital, Stockholm—Sweden offers something for everyone.
Finland
Finland offers much to explore, so if you like the great outdoors, there is a lot to see and do. In the winter, you can head north to Lapland and spend time in one of the best places on earth to see the Northern Lights. From husky dogs to snowshoeing, ice fishing, and cross-country skiing, Lapland is an adventurous winter wonderland. Move south and discover the Gothic delights of Helsinki and perhaps tie in a visit to its famous Christmas Market. In summer, the Finns all travel to the lakes, where many own a log-cabin where they whittle away the days exploring and relaxing. Lapland also offers tremendous opportunities to explore during summer: with super-long days, you can canoe down its many rivers or hike through its breathtaking scenery.
Germany
Germany is a geographical and cultural patchwork offering something for everyone. Home to the romantic fairy-tale scenery and castles of the Rhine, Hansel and Gretel’s verdant Black Forest, the dramatic Alps, magical Christmas markets, historic towns, and the great cities of Berlin, Munich, and Hamburg, Germany is a destination for a luxury break in Europe that will not disappoint.
From villages with half-timbered dwellings to gothic and baroque monuments and contemporary cityscapes, Germany’s architecture is as varied as its vistas and arts scene. Vast vineyards produce underesteemed world-class wines, and SPA towns on natural hot and saline springs offer traditional relaxation.
Eastern Europe
Eastern Europe is exciting, surreal and constantly surprising, it is an amazing warehouse of culture, history and architecture as well as mind-blowing scenery.
For a family vacation or a romantic escape, Eastern Europe can not fail to inspire and excite. There is nothing you can not do here, with stunning beaches, spas, skiing and cultural routes, every nation welcomes guests with a unique blend of natural beauty, architectural wonders and culinary delights.
Russia
At The Arte of Travel, we can make your visit to Russia the trip of a lifetime. Whether you have only a few days to spend for a weekend city break or several weeks to undertake a tour of this fascinating country, we will be able to put together an itinerary to suit your needs.
Visit St. Petersburg, the “Venice of the North”, with its rich history inextricably linked to the Czars and Czarinas who built its palaces and monuments. Discover Moscow, the country’s capital, and see the basilicas and monuments of the Kremlin. See the fascinating monuments of the Communist era, like the elaborately decorated stations of the Moscow metro or the imposing mausoleum of Lenin.
Spend a few days discovering the architectural and cultural heritage of Suzdal and the “Golden Ring”. Here you can get off the beaten track and learn more about the real Russia while visiting the monasteries and kremlins (fortifications) of these ancient towns.
Czech Republic
With hundreds of ancient castles, stately mansions, and monasteries, The Czech Republic has an incredibly rich cultural history that belies its age. Formed in 1993, the country is home to a stunning architectural heritage that pays homage to the many nationalities who have settled here over the years. Tradesman, stone masons, and stucco workers from all over Europe lived and worked side by side, drawing on one another’s skills and designs. The inventive works produced by this cultural melting pot have left behind an architectural and cultural wealth unparalleled for a country of its size.
Prague is the beating heart of the country, and its cobblestoned streets are home to old churches and art nouveau facades, along with incredible restaurants, art galleries, and a vibrant nightlife. Beyond the capital, the landscape is dotted with beautiful medieval towns, verdant national parks in the south, and fascinating UNESCO World Heritage sites.