Europe

Denmark feels, at times, as close as it gets to a real-life fairy tale, and with its narrow cobbled alleys and teeny old houses – with doors that are barely high enough for an average Dane to fit through without hunching – often looks like Andersen’s narratives brought to life. It seems no less miraculous that a country that once produced the ravaging Vikings is now at the forefront of progressive thinking, simultaneously remaining dedicated to cultivating the universally sought-after, elusive “hygge”.

The world’s most visited country has plenty to show for its indisputable appeal. The vivid lavender fields of lyrical Provence, the swanky French Riviera (Côte d'Azur), the rocky heights of the north and the romantic charm of its city streets have all captured myriad imaginations – and rightfully so. With its internationally renowned wines and a cuisine that was the first to become part of UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage, it’s no wonder France remains a potent magnet for even those travelers who have already summited the Eiffel Tower.

Europe’s beloved summertime destination – Greece – is a treasure chest of assorted holiday hot spots, from ancient Athens for the history buffs and city breakers, to is scattering of fabulous islands: all-white, picture-perfect Santorini, swanky Mykonos, party-geared Zakynthos (with its world-famous Navagio shipwreck beach), sizable Crete and an alluring multitude of others, on both the Ionian and Aegeean sides.

With its iconic windmills and canal houses, the Netherlands is surprisingly agrarian for a country known for its cutting-edge innovation and futuristic design – nearly two thirds of its territory are given over to plant cultivation, which is best exemplified by its world-renowned tulips. The Netherlands is a cyclist’s paradise, too: the entire country (not just Amsterdam) is cut across by endless kilometres of cycling paths, with special long-distance routes designed for extended biking tours. Beyond the boisterous capital dotted with social “brown cafes” lie the enticing cities of Utrecht, Leiden, Rotterdam, and more.

The majesty of modern Italy, successor to one of the mightiest empires ever known, is made immense by its exciting collection of outstanding works of art (some by Michelangelo and Botticelli), ancient ruins and historic spots (Italy contains more UNESCO World Heritage sites than any other country in the world), internationally revered cuisine, first-rate wines, the rolling hills of Tuscany, postcard-ready Amalfi Coast, and islands small and large, with buoyant Sicily and beach-enveloped Sardinia taking center stage.

The country arguably most affected by Europe’s bitter 20th century bloodshed, Poland has by no means let go of its past, but strides steadfastly into the future. Warsaw is the ever-evolving, young capital, while Kraków is the former royal center containing fine examples of Gothic, Baroque and Art Nouveau architecture. Pursuits in nature abound (the country is interspersed with hiking trails across hills and forests), the food is hearty and cheap, and the people tremendously welcoming.

Once a mighty empire that stretched from South America to Africa to the Pacific, Portugal is currently the oldest nation in Europe with the same borders, which speaks to its rich and storied past. With a high quality of life and relatively low cost of living, it is one of the best value travel destinations in Europe. It boasts a staggering natural diversity that one wouldn’t expect to find in such a small territory, and with its dynamic and youthful cities, like Lisbon and Porto, idyllic beaches in the Algarve, and picturesque expanses of wine country, there is no shortage of reasons to visit Portugal.

From the Iberian Peninsula to as far south as the coast of Western Sahara, Spain is a country of incredible natural diversity, with some of the world’s finest beaches, remote volcanic islands, and animated cities. Spain boasts a cultural landscape incredibly varied for a nation of just under 50 million. Any newcomer will quickly discover that Spanish cities never sleep – except, perhaps, for a few after-lunch siesta hours.

Once the beating heart of the greatest empire the world has ever known, the UK is still, in many ways, the centre of it all. It remains one of the world’s major players in terms of art and culture, finance and business, innovation, creativity and travel bliss. There are countless wonders to discover in the evocative English countryside, the hidden history of Wales’ many castles, Scotland’s rich cultural heritage, and the charm and troubled past of Northern Ireland. And not to forget the metropolis itself, London, a multi-layered and diverse patchwork of cultures, languages and people, and one of the most exciting and influential cities in the world.

Sweden is the shimmering pearl of northern Europe, from the sunny Baltic coast of the Blekinge region to the dazzling arctic landscapes of Sápmi, or Lapland, in the north. Anywhere you go you are sure to spot at least one or two of the Scandinavian country’s typical pretty red cottages ('stuga'). Stockholm, the capital, is alive with hip cafés and trend-setting inhabitants, while Gothenburg is its pleasant and easy-going sibling on the west coast. With almost three quarters of Sweden covered in vegetation, it is by far the most forested country in Europe. This, along with the incredibly high number of lakes and the fact that it is the country with most islands in the entire world, accounts for the attractiveness of Sweden as a travel destination. And Swedes know how to make the most of the natural gifts they are so lucky to have been blessed with. ‘Allemansrätten’ is the right every person in Sweden has to make temporary use of every inch of public and private land in the country for recreational purposes. This gives visitors and locals the freedom to respectfully and responsibly roam around and discover every single corner of this northern beauty.

While Prague remains the undisputable crown jewel of Czech cities, those who venture beyond its magnetic Medieval old town will luxuriate in ailment-curing thermal springs of West Bohemian Karlovy Vary, gape at the creepy Bone Church in Kutná Hora, delight in supreme Czech beer in Pilsen (or nearly any other town, for that matter: Pilsner Urquell certainly deserves its regalia, but multiple microbreweries have risen to rival the celebrity brand), and discover the laid-back region of Moravia with its animated, youthful capital of Brno.

To some, Germany is peaceful towns of timber-framed houses; to others, rolling hills and the mighty Black Forest; to others still, the grungy bars and trendsetting neighbourhoods of metropolises like Hamburg, Munich, and, of course, the immortal capital – Berlin. From the north’s seaside resorts to the Bavarian heartland and its legendary Oktoberfest, Germany is a country of startling many facets, with a natural and cultural diversity rivaled by few.