European Vacations

European vacations are the dream for many travelers, as there are so many iconic places, buildings, and events to see during a trip here. You can plan an itinerary that revolves around Oktoberfest in Germany, the Carnival celebrations in Berlin and Vienna, gambling in Cannes, or sunbathing on the French Riviera—and these are just a few of the possibilities. For many people, the best European vacation spots combine outdoor activities, sightseeing, and tours along with local cuisine, shopping, and a range of hotels.

The Alps are known worldwide as one of the top destinations in Europe for outdoor adventures, especially skiing the slopes in Switzerland, Austria, France, and Italy. The ski resorts in Europe are top of the line, and whether you’re planning a trip to illustrious and well-known destinations such as St Moritz or Zell am See or heading for a new destination, like the Julian Alps in Slovenia, you won’t be disappointed with either the skiing or the accommodations.

The historical attractions of Europe are another big draw, and castles in particular are abundant. Travelers interested in seeing these beautiful structures will find them in many countries, and there are options for tours of medieval castles, historical buildings, and ancient ruins. Berlin has the magnificent Charlottenburg Palace, and in Austria, travelers can visit King Ludwig’s fairytale Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria, which is said to have inspired the Sleeping Beauty castle at Disneyland.

Other great castles to see include Edinburgh Castle and Stirling Castle in Scotland, the Versailles Palace in France, Windsor Castle and Buckingham Palace in London, and the Alhambra in southern Spain. What you see depends on where you’re going, but it won’t be hard to find at least a few castles to see during your vacation if that’s what interests you.

Museums are another popular thing to include on itineraries for Europe, and many of the best European vacation spots revolve around seeing the amazing museums, such as the Louvre in Paris, the Hermitage Museum in St Petersburg Russia, Madrid’s Prado Museum, Topkapi Palace in Istanbul, and the British Museum in London.

Festivals are celebrated annually at many of the top destinations in Europe, and often these events are enough to draw travelers. Munich’s Oktoberfest is one of the biggest—more than 1.5 million people attend. The International Music Festival in Edinburgh and the Wimbledon tennis tournament in England are two big draws for travelers to the UK, and Berlin’s Carnival of Cultures summer festival features parades, concerts, food and drink, and performances over the four-day celebration. Vienna’s annual Carnival features parades, street performers, gondola excursions, highlighted with exquisite, decorative masks worn by locals and participants in the celebration.

One of the best things about a trip to Europe is the range of possibilities. This continent is a terrific place for beach vacations, honeymoons, and even family trips. Whether you’re at quiet Barleycove Beach in County Cork Ireland, partying at Barceloneta in Spain, or sunbathing in Mallorca or the Canary Islands, the beaches in Europe won’t disappoint. Families can find plenty of attractions both in and out of the cities to entertain the kids; while you’re here, why not consider spending some time at Disneyland Paris. And for romance, there’s no place like Italy—there are good reasons as to why it’s a top honeymoon destination.

Depending on how you want to spend your time, you can plan European vacations year-round, and best of all, it’s usually possible to find vacation deals to help save money on your travels. Internet research, such as through the booking widget on this page, can help you find great prices, and there are vacation packages as well that can ensure you have a stress-free getaway to some of the top destinations in Europe.