Why not make 2024 the year you hunt out the hidden gems; those destinations that unexpectedly capture your heart? Europe is full of fascinating places off the beaten path that are still ripe for discovery.
Will it be Croatia’s unforgettable Dalmatian Coast? A wonderful walk between two great capitals, Vienna and Prague, or perhaps the chance to experience the life-changer that is the Camino de Santiago?
Is the Dalmatian Coast the most stunning coastline in all of Europe? Join us in Croatia in the spring and decide for yourself!
The pearl that is Dubrovnik, the beautiful red-roofed, medieval walled city by the sea, is our starting point for this journey through what, not so very long ago, was one of Europe’s best-kept secrets.
A truly dramatic and beautiful coastline, the sea is speckled with tiny isles – and we’ll be island-hopping to three of the loveliest.
This region was shaped by the Romans, Byzantines, Venetians and the Hapsburgs but beside some awe-inspiring grandeur, we discover quiet fishing villages, lush countryside and the timeless appeal of the “old” Mediterranean.
Out in the sparkling Adriatic Sea, the islands of Lopud, Hvar and Brač beckon. Each lovely, each with its own unique personality.
One day we’ll follow a steep gorge to an almost impossibly remote monastery and a private boat will deliver us to a secluded terrace restaurant overlooking the sea, where we dine on fresh fish caught that morning.
The Croatian cuisine focuses on locally caught seafood, traditionally produced olive oil and organic vegetables, washed down with homemade brandies and wines. And if that makes your mouth water, we’ll enjoy a Croatian cooking class too!
Our idyll ends in the vibrant city of Split, where Emperor Diocletian’s sumptuous palace houses incredibly well-preserved Roman buildings, which form the living heart of today’s city.
Join us in Spain for our inspiring take of one of the most famous and life-affirming trails in the world.
Immerse yourself in traditional Spanish culture on part of the Camino, a 1,000-year-old pilgrim route, passing unspoiled villages and serene chapels to our goal, Santiago de Compostela.
While to walk the entire Camino from south-west France means covering 500 miles over some 30 days, we have hand-picked a route past medieval villages, soaring Romanesque cathedrals, intimate chapels and sanctuaries and peaceful hills and valleys. En route we’ll surely meet other pilgrims and offer the greeting: “Buen Camino!”
Like thousands of others across the centuries, we’ll be following the trail marked by the scallop shell – the symbol of St James. You may want to bring a stone from home to add to the towering pile that is the Cruz de Hierro, traditionally a way for pilgrims to symbolically leave their burdens behind and seek spiritual renewal.
We begin our Walk in Burgos and on our way discover León, ancient Astorga and Villafrance del Bierzo. We spy a magnificent 12th-century castle of the Knights Templar and pause at a pilgrims’ fountain – once a lifesaver after dusty miles of walking.
Who will be the first to spot our goal, the distant belltowers of the cathedral of Santiago? And, finally, we’ll stand in the huge Praza do Obradoiro admiring the magnificent church, as have countless others, at the grand finale of our very special journey.
Who could resist the two exquisite gems that are Vienna and Prague? Beautiful, elegant, interesting, these capital cities are the start and end point for our Walk at the crossroads of Europe.
We meet in Vienna: ornate, fun and oozing history, before beginning a journey that will take us across the Austrian border and into the Czech Republic, now Czechia.
The years of communist rule when Czechoslovakia was effectively closed meant that a very distinct culture survives here.
It is a land of gently rolling hills, tree-lined roads, twisting rivers and ancient forests. The trail leads us to grand chateaux, delightful villages, wonderful examples of Baroque architecture and towns like the fairytale Český Krumlov, almost unbelievable in its beauty and state of preservation.
And on our way: unspoiled countryside wherever we look. Rural villages steeped in folklore and tradition; a chance to taste the Moravian wines and the famed Czech beer (is it the best in the world?) in one of the oldest breweries in Europe.
All too soon we’ll see the “Thousand Spires” of beautiful Prague. In a land where castles abound, Prague Castle is one of the finest. Wandering the old streets and crossing the lovely Charles Bridge we’ll set our watches by the famous astronomical clock and say farewell over a memorable dinner at a fine city restaurant. But we bet you won’t want to leave this amazing city for at least another few days!