Travel Guides: All Countries, Europe.
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| | | A cavalcade of history |  | Why go on holiday to Europe?
To soak up thousands of years of history in cities like Rome, Athens, London and Paris. To laze on the beaches of the Mediterranean, sail the peaceful fjords of Scandinavia, hike in the mountains and forests of Germany, Switzerland, Spain, France and Austria, go skiing in the Alps, sailing in the Aegean, and bog snorkelling in Ireland. To take in great theatre in London's West End, opera in Vienna and Milan, movies at the great film festivals of Cannes, Venice and Berlin and some of the world's finest art collections at the Louvre in Paris, the Guggenheim in Bilbao, the Uffizi in Florence, the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam and the Prado in Madrid. To enjoy foods ranging from pickled herring to pizza, drink in the Munich beer halls, quaff champagne in a French chateau or sip an espresso on Rome's Via Veneto.
How much does it cost?
A week's beach holiday on Spain's Costa del Sol is from £259. A Paris break travelling by Eurostar from London is from £99, a seven-night Mediterranean cruise is from £450, a week's skiing in Val D'Isere, France is from £246.
When should I go?
It depends what you want to do. With changes in the world's weather, Mediterranean countries like Greece and Turkey have scorching hot summers with temperatures in the 90Fs and low 100Fs and it can be more comfortable there in May, June and September. Snowfall can no longer be predicted even in formerly safe ski centres like the Alps so keep up with snow reports and visit a resort that offers plenty of other activities just in case. In Scandinavia, the use of snow cannons to create artificial snow is common should the real stuff not fall. Check national customs — for example August is the month when factories shut down and the French take their annual leave which means beach resorts are crowded, but Paris is empty, the down side being that many shops and restaurants in the capital are closed.
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| | | Spectacular scenery | | Where should I go for culture?
Paris has great art and architecture — head for the historic Marais district and the Musee d' Orsay with its impressionist treasures. Prague is renowned for its beautiful buildings including palaces, churches and museums and is often used as a film location. Krakow in Poland dates from the seventh century and has more impressive architecture — it was one of the few major cities to escape the destruction of the Second World War. Italy drips culture, especially Florence with its many art museums and fine buildings, Rome with its huge legacy of Roman history and unique Venice with its fading stucco buildings, fabulous canals and ancient churches. In Spain, head for Barcelona, an intoxicating mix of Picasso's art, Gaudi's architecture and more than 100 types of cava in cosy bars dotted through the Gothic quarter.
I'm more into nature
There's spectacular walking country in the mountainous Picos de Europa in northern Spain, the Italian Dolomites, the Pyrenees, Corsica, Sardinia, the High Tatra mountains of Poland or the Julian Alps of Slovenia. Native Swedes and Norwegians often head off at weekends to hike the unspoilt mountain and forest trails and their common right of access laws means you can walk wherever you like. The lakes and mountains of northern Italy are very picturesque and popular with older holidaymakers who can just sit and enjoy the view from the lakeside or take one of many little steamers that ply between the towns and villages around the lakes. In the UK, some of the finest scenery can be found in the Scottish highlands and islands.
I like to be active
December to late March is ski season, with slight variations depending on weather conditions and resort altitude. France, Switzerland and Germany tend to be priciest with Austria and Italy not far behind. Cheaper packages can be found in Slovenia, Andorra and the Spanish Pyrenees.
Great places for cycling holidays include the west of Ireland, Denmark, the Karst region of Slovenia, the Belgian Ardennes, the Alps (for fitter cyclists), the South of France, the upper reaches of the Danube in southern Germany and the coast of Sardinia.
Windsurfers will be at home off the Danish coast, in many parts of Germany, in Fuerteventura in the Canary Islands, the west coast of Ireland, and the south coast of England — Poole harbour in Dorset is a favourite spot.
I fancy a cruise
You can cruise the ancient capitals of the Mediterranean, explore the historic Baltic ports of Riga and Tallinn, glide through the spectacular fjords of Norway, see fairytale castles along the River Rhine in Germany, or discover wildlife and country pubs on Britain's waterways.
I want a beach holiday
Take your pick of Greek islands from Corfu to Crete, Turkey's Aegean coast, the wide sandy beaches of Portugal's Algarve, the bustling Costas in Spain with lots of family facilities, unspoilt beaches in Scotland, the west of Ireland, Corsica and Sardinia.
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| | | Party hearty | | My kids are theme-park crazy
Top of most people's list is still Disneyland Paris, but other crowd pullers include Port Aventura near Salou in Spain, Alton Towers and Legoland in the UK, Europa Park on the German, Swiss and French borders, Six Flags in Holland and Italy's biggest theme park of Gardaland. Not all parks are open year round so check before you travel.
What's the nightlife like?
If it's clubbing action you seek, the Balearic island of Ibiza or the throbbing discos of Ayia Napa in Cyprus beckon the young crowd as does Kavos on Corfu. Barcelona's club scene appeals to a slightly older audience, and London and Berlin's clubs have something for everyone. Fancy a flutter? The place to do it has to be Monte Carlo. Top spots for opera and classical music include Milan (home of the famous La Scala), Paris, Berlin and London.
What should I buy?
Cuckoo clocks in Switzerland, inlaid wooden music boxes in Italy, French wine and cheese, local honey from the Greek Islands, chocolates from Belgium, chunky handknitted sweaters from Scandinavia, Scottish shortbread, colourful stamps from everywhere.
What's the food like?
Tuck in to hearty Swedish meatballs, Hungarian goulash, pizza and homemade pasta in Italy, French and Viennese pastries, fondue in Switzerland, moussaka and lamb dishes in Greece, paella in Spain, and other regional specialities. As a change from eating in restaurants all the time, visit the local deli or grocery and put together a picnic.
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| | Available rental properties in Europe |
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| |  | | Les Trois Epis
2-bedroom apartment for up to 7 in central Nice - Promenade des Anglais. Terrace with Mediterranean view. Minimum 3 nights stay. Available all year.
|  | | YOUR PERFECT HOLIDAY AT GRAN VISTA
A 3 bedroom air conditioned house located in the Gran Vista complex - Gran Alacant. 4 Swimming pools, 2 Tennis courts, 24h internet, etc...
|  | | 1 bedroom apartment in central london
In Kensington Olympia, available for short stay self catering rental. Well placed for Central London and can provide accommodation for 6 persons.
|  | | 3 bed Villa A/C & private Pool.
Detached Villa, Pool, A/C & Heated, 3 bed, 2 bath, Brit TV, DVD.15 mins from Alicante airport.5 min walk to shops pubs & resturants.5 mins to Beach.
|  | | ¡Que Vista! - La Azohia, Costa Calida
Fabulous new 2 bedroom apartment in La Azohia, Costa Calida. Tranquil, panoramic sea views, private 50m2 roof terrace. 500m from beach, swimming pool.
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