Best trips in Europe

Europe is a continent that continues to fascinate me.  Having written about the Top Experiences in Europe in a previous post, here is my selection of the best trips in Europe.

Iceland 
Dubbed the "Land of Ice and Fire",  Iceland is a country of glaciers, volcanoes and rugged beauty.  The contrast between the lush coast and the stark volcanic deserts of the interior is astounding.  See all of the sights on our 15-day Grand Tour of Iceland.  If you would rather spend less time and see the highlights, check out the 8-day Discover Iceland.  And for those who love being active, the Iceland Walking Explorer is a fabulous trip.

Scandinavia & the Arctic
Norway is a country of stunning fjords, well worth exploring on foot on our Walking the Fjords.  For those wanting to see the glorious countryside as well as some of the cultural highlights of Scandinavia, our 2-week Scandinavia Explorer is a great trip.  And if you really want to get off the beaten track, and experience the High Arctic and its wildlife, Spitsbergen is the place to go.

Russia & the Baltics
Russia is an enormous country, but if you only have one week, you can do worse than exploring the highlights on our Russia Highlights tour.  But if you can find an extra week on your busy agenda, consider doing the extended Russia Experience trip.  In the Baltics, where the three capitals each are so different, don't forget to also include the countryside for its beauty and its history.  The best trip through Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania is Discover the Baltics.  And if you'd rather be active, the countries are great cycling territory: Cycle the Baltics.

Greece and Turkey
Steeped in classical history, Greece and Turkey may be sworn enemies, they also share a lot of heritage.  See the best of Turkey on our Treasures of Turkey trip and all of Greece on our Complete Greece tour.  For a combination of both the Greek Islands and the highlights of Turkey, check out Classical Turkey and the Greek Islands.  If you'd rather be active, consider Walking the Greek Islands or the Lycian Activity Week.

Croatia
With its varied history, pretty towns and beautiful coastline, Croatia keeps drawing many visitors.  See Dubrovnik and the coastal towns or cycle the Dalmatian Coast.   If hiking is your thing, Croatia has plenty to offer.  With Venice having dominated the Adriatic region for centuries, our Jewels of the Adriatic make for a fantastic choice.

Italy
Birthplace of the Renaissance, land of glorious food and home to the Eternal City.  What can be said about Italy that has not been said already.  Check out my post on the Best trips in Italy. 

France
Many years ago I lost my heart in France.  I love the food, I love the people, and heck, I even love trying out my two words of French.  Cycle the Chateaux of the Loire Valley, discover the delights of Provence, Hike the Highlights of Mont Blanc, taste truffles in the Dordogne, or simply see the Best of France.  Not one for group tours?  France is probably the country where we have the most self-guided trips.  Just e-mail me!

Spain & Portugal
From the splendours of Andalucia, to the spiritual path of the Camino, Spain is a land of contrasts.  See the best of Spain and Portugal, walk the forgotten villages of the Sierra Nevada or enjoy the great wines of Rioja while cycling this undiscovered region.  The Atlantic Islands of Madeira and the Azores draw walkers from all over the world to discover volcanic landscapes and lush coastal scenery.