Europe which countries to visit

And for a relaxing English countryside retreat an hour and change outside the city in Ascot, Dorchester Collection's Coworth Park just opened its stunning North Lodge, a private three-bedroom cottage surrounded by lush gardens that's worth extending your trip for.

All of Spain is celebrating this summer after months of Covid-induced lockdowns. And fully vaccinated Americans can now join them, as the entire country opens to stateside travelers this month. That feeling of optimism is especially strong in Madrid, thanks in part to two of the biggest hotel openings in years. Last fall, the Four Seasons made its debut in the country - an opulent collection of seven historic buildings the oldest of which date to as part of the Centro Canalejas urban regeneration project.

Several blocks east, meanwhile, the storied Ritz hotel has rebranded and become the Mandarin Oriental Ritz, Madrid. Food and wine lovers flock to the country's northern and central regions, like northwestern Piedmont, home to the Barolo and Barbaresco communes producing wines of the same names. There, the newly opened Casa di Langa hotel is a destination in its own right. Guests can take cooking classes, enroll in a "wine academy," and embark on truffle-hunting excursions without ever leaving the plus-acre estate.

Further south, in Tuscany, smaller cities and picturesque villages like Siena and Lucca surround the popular tourist destinations of Pisa and Florence.

In nearby Umbria, after visiting one of the region's olive oil mills , settle into the new Castello di Reschio , a 1,year-old castle impeccably restored into a luxury hotel on the nearly 4,acre Reschio compound. Some of the regions of Italy hit hardest by a lack of American tourists over the past year are poised to make the biggest comebacks in , including Rome, to where COVID-free flights have already launched from New York and Atlanta.

The first Italian outpost of the millennial-favorite Hoxton brand opened in May near the Villa Borghese gardens, and Ian Schrager's Rome Edition will bring a rooftop terrace with bites, cocktails, and views that are sure to draw a crowd later in the year. In Sicily, Taormina's historic San Domenico Palace hotel has been given a Four Seasons makeover and is now accepting reservations for its July opening.

Overlooking Mount Etna and the Ionian Sea, it will have a clifftop infinity pool and cloistered courtyard filled with idyllic lemon trees. For those seeking an ultra-private escape for their first COVID-era trip abroad, The Thinking Traveller has added new Sicilian villas for rent exclusively through the site. On the northeastern coast of Sardinia, a new Baglioni Resort opened in June, with a private beach and restaurant collaboration with Michelin-star chef Claudio Sadler. And while shiny new resorts are a draw, perhaps the best reason of all to visit Southern Italy this summer is to surround yourself in the unchanged, nostalgic familiarity of it all, a comforting thought after forced time away.

A slew of new additions are coming to Norway's capital city this year, and with direct flights from the U. The most anticipated arrival is that of the MUNCH Museum , an enormous waterfront space that will hold the world's most extensive collection of works by Edvard Munch, along with galleries featuring works by other Modernist and contemporary artists. While you're in town, pay a visit to Maaemo , the three-Michelin-starred fine-dining venue that reopened in a brand-new location last March, and stay at Amerikalinjen , a boutique hotel that opened in within the century-old headquarters of the long-defunct Norwegian America cruise line.

Get to the city before everyone else catches on: with the new National Museum opening next year, Oslo is poised to be the next uber-cool Scandinavian destination. With Medieval villages, historic palaces, secluded coves, and mountains-meet-sea views, it's clear why the luxury wellness-focused brand chose the Montenegrin coast for such a milestone moment.

The on-site Italian restaurant, Sabia, is run by Michelin-starred chef Giorgio Locatelli with a focus on local, seasonal ingredients. For those visitors who fall head over heels, the resort has waterfront residences for sale, too. In the heart of Provence, with both the charms of the southern coast and the French countryside, Arles is in the midst of a cultural resurgence worth traveling for.

And Museon Arlaten - the historical center of Provence, documenting 19th-century culture du sud - finally reopened in December , after an year closure. Finally, this summer, Les Rencontres d'Arles , the city's photography festival, will return with exhibitions from heavy-hitting international artists exploring identity, culture, and sense of place.

The festival, which each year plays host to some of the most important exhibitions of the photography world, was canceled last year for the first time since its inception in After a year of decreased tourism and one very exciting volcanic eruption , Iceland is welcoming travelers back with new must-visit experiences.

Bad views don't exist at this hotel, as its locale offers up vistas of the harbor, the nearby Mt. If you're looking to immerse yourself in a bouncing crowd of live music fans, the Iceland Airwaves festival will return to the capitol November While tickets to the live performances are sold out, fans around the world can pop in via livestream tickets are available on the Iceland Airwaves website.

Read more: Best places to see in Norway. I know I might be biased, but I do love some of the beautiful places in England to go exploring. Truth be told, even if you only organised a trip to London, you can still head on quite a few day trips across England.

Read more. France is another gem of a country to explore in Europe; not least because of how diverse the country is. For instance, there is a heap of incredible spots to see in the South of France ; especially in smaller historic cities like; Nimes and Carcassonne. Afterwards, make sure to explore other regions like the West of France and also that of Brittany in the north, too.

The whole area is picture-perfect, especially in lavender season. Read more: Best places in France to visit. Greece is a beautiful country, that has some of the most picturesque Islands in all the world. Filled with lots of fresh and local Greek food , and stunning little towns, Greece is a totally charming spot to spend a few weeks or more exploring. Once here, make sure to explore the mainland of Greece but also take the opportunity to visit some of the most special islands , too.

Now, Santorini is probably the most famous of the islands in Greece to visit. Read more: Best places in Greece to visit.

From the incredible cities in Italy , the beautiful Amalfi Coast , to the most beautiful villages of Cinque Terre , Italy is one of the best countries in Europe to explore. Oh, and the city of Florence is also a gem to explore. You see, Florence has some of the best places to eat and drink. And, just in case you are worried about all those opportunities to eat and devour the yummiest gelato.

Afterwards, you can explore some of the best free things to do in Florence , too. Honestly, if you can, rent a car and just explore the whole region here. Read more: Best cities in Italy to visit. Denmark might be a relatively small country but it packs a might punch in terms of places to see. For me, Copenhagen is one of my favourite cities and easily one of the best places in Europe to visit for a city break.

Once here, make sure to explore the stunning castles and palaces, visit the Meatpacking District for a night out and explore the beauty of this historic city. Read more: Best things to do in Copenhagen. Honestly, I could reel off a whole list of truly beautiful destinations like Barcelona , Ronda and Seville.

Book Your Flight to Amsterdam. The Vatican is the smallest country in the world. It has a population of but none of them are permanent residents.

It has been the home of the Pope since the 14th century and hence the spiritual centre of Roman Catholics the world over. Italy has inspired many a poet, writer and screenwriter. From the fascinating architecture of the churches and cathedrals to a culinary adventure of Italian cuisine; from high fashion shopping to the annual Art Festival, Italy is worth a visit. Visit Rome and its historic monuments and designer shopping; Venice for its unique canals and gondolas; Florence for its art and architecture and the Isle of Capri for the Blue Grotto.

From its beaches to the Alps, Italy is a beautiful country. Book Your Flight to Rome. The Czech Republic is a country of very small towns, cities and many villages in the countryside. It is a paradise for people who love gardens and parks. Book Your Flight to Prague. Book Your Europe Holiday Now! Vedika Anand. I need to save more money to visit these places one time! This is one of my dream country to visit! Nathaniel R. This is a very timely article as we are planning to visit Europe next month.

This would be a great help. Gunjan on 11 June Request you to pls share Switzerland 7 days itinerary. Swati Talwar on 12 May Hi Raaj, Thanks for writing in. I request and authorize MMT to contact me. Pretty Villages to Explore Around Paris. France vs. The 10 Most Iconic Landmarks in Europe.

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