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If you want to take a break overseas, then Europe offers a vast range of experiences. To get the most out of your European holiday, you’ll want to first pick the right destinations.
This island in the Balearics has long been a popular destination for travelling Brits. The region enjoyed a buoyant summer in 2023, thanks to an uptick in foreign tourists. It was the first proper year of tourism since the COVID-19 lockdowns began to bite, and British tourists, in particular, were keen to make the most of the opportunity.
The island boasts an impressive range of resorts, but there’s also scope for getting off from the beaten track. You might rent a car and access the parts of the island that aren’t quite so blighted by crowds.
The north of Italy has a great deal to offer in terms of everything from cuisine to architecture. Parma, Bologna, and Modena are internationally recognised names, thanks largely to the produce they each produce. You’ll want to visit each of them to get the best from them. If you’re planning a northern Italy tour, then the chances are that food is going to feature prominently.
In 2024, however, there’s a particular reason to favour a visit to this part of the country. The Tour De France 2024 will kick off in Florence in late June and, from there, go through San Marino, Bologna and Turin. If you have a passion for cycling and you’ve always wanted to visit this part of the world, then there will never be a better time to scratch that itch.
If you’re looking for an alternative to the Riviera, then why not consider a trip to Albania, where the Alps extend? Not only is this part of Europe affordable, but it has yet to be discovered by most tourists, which means that you’ll be able to enjoy beautiful alpine scenery without having to contend with crowds, as you do in other parts of Europe.
It might be that you’d prefer a staycation. In that case, the remote coastline of Galloway and Southern Ayrshire deserve a mention. You’ll enjoy spectacular rolling hillsides, picturesque little fishing villages, and castles which have stood for centuries. If you’d like to hike across the country, then there’s the Southern Upland Way, which, at just over 341km, is the longest coast-to-coast hiking route in the country. You can get the distance covered in just two weeks if you have enough hiking experience. On the other hand, you might prefer to take it easy and indulge in a spot of birdwatching at the Mull of Galloway.
Switzerland has provided the world with a unique selection of culture and art, and this is reflected in its largest city. Amazing Swiss chocolate, fondues, and even chocolate fondues are all to be sampled here.
You’ll also be able to enjoy an incredible diversity of art and culture, thanks to more than a hundred museums, galleries, opera houses and theatres. That’s before we mention the weekly markets, at which you’ll be able to pick up an array of locally-produced artworks.
Of course, the lake is also a big draw for tourists. Sit on the banks and soak in the view, or take a boat ride out into the middle of the water.
This is a collaborative post.
Welcome to Birds and Lilies! I'm Lou: mother, blogger and freelance writer. This is my lifestyle blog, where I talk about motherhood, infertility and IVF, beauty, my love for food and wine, as well as my thoughts about stuff, and our real-life and travel adventures.
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