Luxury holidays to Europe

Luxury holidays to Europe: luxury hotel holidays, touring holidays and special interest holidays

Austria has retained a penchant for indulgence, opulent aestheticism, and the cultivation of the higher pleasures in life. Visible in the rolling green pastures that cover the lands between the Alps, and in the grand architecture of the cities, this side to Austria still prevails. Inhabited since the Palaeolithic Age, Austria holds a wealth of dramatic and dynamic history within its fertile valleys.
Cyprus, seemingly marooned at the cross-roads of Europe and Asia, with one foot firmly planted in the west, and the other pointing towards Turkey and the Lebanon, is a curious – and utterly captivating – mix of the ancient and the new. Although Cyprus pays the price for its fabulous climate with some lively resorts, Aphrodite’s fabled birthplace offers ample reward for the adventurous.
The Czech Republic is perhaps personified by its capital, Prague, whose streets tell of magnificent dynasties, impressive battles, and a warm and welcoming culture that is ever-evolving. But this interest extends beyond the capital, into the towns and cities of the countryside, with their colourful buildings and majestic squares, and the Gothic castles that keep watch over the hillsides.
Despite the emerging innovation of the Czech Republic’s food scene and the modern, urban twist to the cities, this is a country that is firmly rooted in long-standing tradition and folklore.
Germany is a fascinating and richly varied country, with regional quirks and personalities a strong feature of German life, a hangover from the days, not too long ago, when the country was once a patchwork of independent states. Today, to travel from the ancient ports of the north, across the open fields of the German plain, and down through the Ruhr and onto the forests, mountains and cosmopolitan cities of Germany’s Bavarian south, you’ll experience an intriguing variety as great – and appealing – as you’d find anywhere else in Europe.
Greece, with 166 inhabited islands, a history spanning millennia of civilisation, distinctive and rustic cuisine often enjoyed al fresco with taverna-views out over the sea, as well as some of the most spectacular beaches in Europe, presents a fantastic holiday destination. Sum of an extraordinary diversity of parts, Greece has played host to countless empires, and the country today is fair littered with Roman ruins and Byzantine churches, Venetian fortresses and Frankish castles. Scattered far and wide across the Aegean and Ionian Seas, the difficulty with Greece is in deciding which bit to visit.
Hungary is situated right at the heart of Europe with a unique language and culture transplanted from Central Asia more than a thousand years ago. With its spectacular setting on the banks of the Danube and its enchanting Mitteleuropa vibe – coffee houses and Turkish baths, Habsburg splendours and baroque architecture – Budapest naturally attracts the bulk of visitors to Hungary.
Poland, over many centuries, has become a melting pot of cultures and religions, and witness to key moments in history. There are stories, both ancient and modern, to be told in every corner, from the Tatras mountaintops, to the Masurian lakes and the Bialowieza Forest. The main cities are clusters of monuments, museums, synagogues under faithful restoration, and impressive buildings that reflect Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, and Art Nouveau architecture.
Portugal’s countryside bursts with pretty villages, glitters with historical treasures and World Heritage sites, as well as converted mediaeval monasteries, and elegant manor houses now hosting some of the finest hotels in Europe. Though Portugal’s spirit is undoubtedly rural, its big towns, Porto and Lisbon, are lively, magical places making full use of their waterside setting, with colourful waterside cafes and boutiques, leafy boulevards and old-fashioned trams still rattling through the streets. Dramatic scenery lies all along the coast from windswept cliffs with edge-of-the-world views to wild dune-covered beaches.
Slovenia is a country with a reputation that is being quickly shaped by its environmental priorities. Sublime lakes, lined with forested mountains, sit within driving distance of historic sub-Mediterranean coastlines. Castles and caves provide plenty to explore both above and below ground, and the spa and health resorts dotted around the country offer havens of relaxation that utilise the natural healing properties of the thermal waters.
Switzerland did not just pioneer tourism, it invented it. Visitors still flock to its mountains for fresh air and restorative mineral springs, to the small valley villages to witness the country's sublime natural landscape, and to the larger cities for a taste of the livelier culture, artistic heritage, and romantic historical sites. With a wonderful climate and spectacular glaciers and summits, the country today is every bit as beautiful and worth visiting as it was when interest began in the 1800s.