17 European holidays worthy of your bucket list
The best European destinations to visit are rich in history, culture and charm, with breathtaking scenery and delicious cuisine. Whether you want to enjoy a winter sun holiday, a festive Christmas market trip or an unforgettable train journey, these are the holidays to add to your 2024 and 2025 European bucket list.
Our top picks include everything from a one-in-a-lifetime journey on the Glacier Express to a trip to Europe's prettiest Christmas market and a visit to Italy's renowned foodie city of Bologna. And, all of our top picks feature Good Housekeeping Holidays, tailor-made and expertly curated trips that show you the very best of the region with fuss-free travel.
What's more, some of our organised trips included appearances from some very familiar faces, from top chef James Martin to journalist Michael Portillo. They'll join you on land, sea or rail to share their expertise, give you a tour of the local area and host Q&A sessions, demonstrations, activities and talks.
Take a look at our round-up of the best European bucket list trips to book now.
Sail the Rhine and visit Mainz, Europe's prettiest Christmas markets
Mainz, one of the oldest cities in Germany, and its historic Christmas market on the Domplatz set against a backdrop of the illuminated Mainz Cathedral is one for your bucket list. With sparkling fairy lights, wooden chalets and the scent of mulled wine, roasted almonds and spiced cider filling the air, you'll be in the Christmas spirit in no time.
What's better than a Christmas market trip? A festive cruise exploring several of Germany's prettiest winter markets. Our Good Housekeeping Holidays trip will have you soaking up the festive fun in Mainz, Frankfurt, Koblenz, Cologne, and Rüdesheim as you cruise the Rhine aboard the beautifully-appointed A-ROSA Aqua. There's a sauna, fitness area, and whirlpool, plus breakfast, lunch and dinner buffets. Our exclusive Christmas cruise is available to book ahead for December 2024.
Explore the Swiss Alps on the Glacier Express
A rail journey through the Alps is a bucket list trip you'll remember for a lifetime, and our exclusive Good Housekeeping Holiday will allow you to experience the beauty of this mountain range on the iconic Glacier Express. You'll enjoy unrivalled views as you journey past snow-capped peaks, dramatic ravines and beautiful villages, travelling from Chur to St Moritz. The Glacier Express is a rail journey you'll never forget. It's been in operation since 1930, and has been renovated with comfortable carriages and panoramic views of the surrounding snow-covered landscapes.
Our exclusive escape includes return flights from Zurich. Plus, there are three nights at a great hotel in Chur on a B&B basis and a Chur Guest Card that can be uses for discounts on local attractions and museums.
Taste your way around Italy’s gastronomic capital, Bologna
Italy’s gastronomic capital Bologna is a great bucket list destination for the foodies amongst us. Renowned for its homemade pastas, meaty ragùs and myrtle-spiced mortadella sausage, it's known as La Grassa - 'the fat one'.To discover the fascinating gastronomic history and taste some of its world-famous food on a guided tour, join our Good Housekeeping Holidays trip for six-days of tasty experiences. In Bologna, you'll visit a local Parmesan factory, a Balsamic vineyard, and a family-run Parma ham producer.
On this trip, you'll also spend time in Modena where you can discover the city's history at the grand Duomo or the Ferrari and Lamborghini museums. Plus, take part in a cooking class and learn to host like a local. With a variety of 2024 dates available to book now, could Bologna be the European bucket list destination you tick off in the new year?
Discover the beauty and history of Venice over seven sublime nights
The romantic city of Venice is known and loved for its acclaimed art museums, stunning architecture and colourful history. Alongside the popular tourist spots, from St Mark's Basilica to Doge's Palace, Venice is also packed with hidden gems down the city's slender canals and surrounding islands.
The best way to explore its beauty is on the sleek and stylish, S.S. La Venezia, often described as a floating boutique hotel. You can enjoy a stay on this luxury ship with Good Housekeeping Holidays, where you will be joined by none other than acclaimed chef James Martin. As well as sailing the area and exploring all it has to offer, James will join you on the ship for a talk, Q&A and book signing. What's more, he'll be there to cook a mouthwatering gala dinner for one of your evenings on board.
On another of our exciting holidays, you can sail the Venetian Lagoon in ultimate luxury and meet world-famous MasterChef judge Monica Galetti. You'll see the sights of Venice with VIP access to top landmarks during a week of heavenly sailing, as well as hearing a talk and Q&A from Monica. She'll also join you on a visit to the lively market on Chioggia.
Visit Madeira’s spectacular Flower Festival
The best time to visit Madeira, also known as the floating garden of the Atlantic, is during its incredible Flower Festival so you can truly soak up the sights, scents and sounds of this special island. The festival is a celebration of spring, and the landscape becomes even more vibrant during the month-long celebration filled with performances and local traditions.
Here at Good Housekeeping, we've got you covered with a tailor-made, eight-day tour of the region during the 2025 Flower Festival so you can see the very best horticultural highlights of the island; from the orchids at Palheiro Gardens to the exquisite colours of the Monte. During this guided tour, you'll also have time to explore the Old Town in Funchal and take in the incredible views of the Ribeiro Frio National Park.
Sail along the Danube and explore Vienna
A cruise along the majestic Danube makes a fabulous European holiday for anyone passionate about art, music, and culture. This grand river meanders through Central Europe, where its banks are dotted with charming villages and magnificent cities such as Vienna, Budapest, and Bratislava, each full to the brim with cultural treasures.
Good Housekeeping's eight-day Danube cruise will take you along the mighty river through the Wachau Valley on board Uniworld's luxury ship, Maria Theresa. Look forward to stops in Budapest, Bratislava and Vienna, discovering the art, architecture and fascinating history of each city with guided tours. As well as these important cities, you'll also stop off in some smaller towns, like pretty Dürnstein, where you can explore the quaint shops and castle ruins.
Hunt for Norway's Northern Lights
For wild natural scenery and jaw-dropping wildlife in Europe, Norway always delivers. Here adventurous travellers will find breathtaking landscapes dotted with tranquil fjords carved by ancient glaciers and towering, snow-capped mountains.
Travellers are also drawn to Norway's icy Arctic region by the chance to see the ethereal Northern Lights dancing in the unpolluted skies. In this northernmost region, at the right time of year, the incredible Aurora is nearly certain to make an appearance. Good Housekeeping has a special winter expedition cruise that will take you through Norway’s fjords and up through the Arctic Circle to spot the Northern Lights
For an extra-special Northern Lights experience, why not join our expedition cruise with expert photographer Doug Allen, who has worked on David Attenborough's Blue Planet? Doug will give you tips on how to capture the best of Norway's landscapes and wildlife on camera and will join you on an Arctic Coastal walk.
Cruise the Douro Valley and taste fine wines
Portugal’s Douro Valley is a wonderfully scenic wine-producing region, where rolling, sun-kissed hills are dotted with historic vineyards and wine estates that have been producing flavoursome Port wines for centuries. It makes an ideal European holiday destination for wine enthusiasts who can visit some of these historic Quintas and learn all about the process of wine production in the valley.
Good Housekeeping's eight-day cruise will begin in Portugal's second city of Porto, where you'll have some time to explore the historic old town, a UNESCO world heritage site, before setting sail along the river. You'll also stop at Régua, a town that has produced port wine since the 18th Century and continue onwards to the little town of Pinhão.
Travel from Venice to Paris on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express
When it comes to European rail adventures, it doesn't get better than a trip on board the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express. This is an exceptionally luxurious train, with meticulously restored 1920s and 1930s carriages, kitted out with plush armchair seating, gleaming polished wood and brass fixtures. seasonal four-course d'hôte menus are served in the dining car, with a sommelier on hand with the perfect pairings.
The train travels several different routes throughout the year, but a favourite is an overnight trip from Venice to Paris. Good Housekeeping is offering a special ride on this route, where you'll be joined by journalist Michael Portillo, who'll give an evening talk and travel with you on the train. Michael is passionate about rail travel, and this will be his first time travelling on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express.
Explore Transylvania and stay at an Ice Hotel
For an unforgettable European trip, explore the gothic region of Transylvania and stay at the iconic Ice Hotel, which is built every year entirely of snow and ice blocks extracted from a glacial lake in the Fagaras Mountains. For an expert-led trip, you can join us on a Good Housekeeping Holidays guided tour through the region as you soak up the history, culture and charm of some of Romania's most picturesque medieval towns.
Tick Bucharest and Brasov off your list, before you head up rugged mountains for a stay at the Ice Hotel where you can go snow rafting or simply enjoy the icy scenery. On your return to Bucharest, you'll also visit Bran Castle, otherwise known as Dracula's Castle - one for the bucket list.
Discover Slovenia's beautiful scenery and unique cuisine
Despite its relatively small size, Slovenia is full of incredible scenery and rich culture that earn it a well-deserved place on any European bucket list. It pays to have a plan when voyaging to new lands, so the best way to explore this hidden gem of a destination is on Good Housekeeping Holidays' five-night tour, which will allow you to tick Ljubljana, Lake Bled and the Triglav National Park off the list in style – all while getting an authentic taste of the place.
A highlight of the tour is a trip through the country's UNESCO-protected Skocjan Caves, followed by olive oil tasting and a picnic lunch in the olive groves. For gourmands, nothing will beat a truffle-hunting excursion, which ends with a hearty truffle-themed homestead dinner.
Taste your way around Puglia
The southern Italian region of Puglia has seemingly no end of charms – but chief among them has to be the food. Locally grown fruit and vegetables, freshest seafood and expertly made cheese (including burrata) top the bill here, but there's so much to discover across the sun-kissed land. Good Housekeeping Holidays' six-day tour gives you an authentic taste of Puglia's incredible culinary tradition.
Visiting must-see towns including Ostuni, Alberobello, Matera, Locorotondo and more, this intimate tour will take you to historic bakeries, olive farms and traditional Masserie (stone farmhouses) surrounded by enchanting vineyards. Highlights include pasta-making classes and an olive oil tasting.
Island hop along Croatia’s sunny coast
The unbelievably beautiful islands dotted along Croatia's Dalmatian Coast are undeniably best explored by boat – especially a small one that can access the coves, islands and islets that would be hard to reach on a larger vessel. If you're dreaming of languid days and nights on board a boutique ship, Good Housekeeping Holidays eight-day tour along Croatia’s sunny coast is the answer.
You'll board the luxurious MS Equator and set sail from Split and hop from one heavenly location to the next, including the ancient city of Dubrovnik, Mjlet with its National Park and the buzzy town of Hvar. While on board, you'll be treated to breakfast and lunch every day, as well as the chance to relax in the on-deck Jacuzzi and plunge into the turquoise waters from the boat's swimming platform.
See the Dutch tulips in bloom
From the end of March until mid May, The Netherlands' tulip fields burst into colourful life, creating a scene that should feature on any Europe bucket list. Good Housekeeping Holidays offers two fantastic options for seeing this unforgettable sight. The first is a four-day tour that includes a canal cruise through Amsterdam, a visit to The Hague and then, most importantly, a trip to see the world-famous Keukenhof Gardens in full bloom in a vibrant tapestry of reds, pinks, oranges and yellows.
For a longer option, don't miss our seven-night Dutch tulip cruise on a small ship that sails to Antwerp, Rotterdam and Hamburg. Aboard the Balmoral, you'll see Keukenhof Gardens in full bloom, as well as parks and gardens across the rest of the country. What's more, there's the chance to enjoy a special talk and Q&A session with TV gardener Charlie Dimmock, as well as a cocktail masterclass with TV bartender Merlin Griffiths. Cheers to that!
See the glorious gardens of the Italian Lakes
Of all the beautiful gardens in the world, those found in and around the lakes of Northern Italy are surely some of the most impressive. Blooming with rare flora, immaculately landscaped and all set against the cinematic glamour of the lakes themselves, they take some beating in terms of horticultural hotspots to have on your Europe bucket list.
To take the stress out of organising an itinerary to see these majestic gardens, join Good Housekeeping Holidays eight-day tour of the best gardens and ornate villas on Lake Como, Lake Maggiore and the Borromean Islands. During your time exploring the latter, you'll be joined by gardening expert Christine Walkden, who will give an exclusive talk.
Discover the Durrells’ Corfu
The sunny Mediterranean island of Corfu is now almost synonymous with the Durrells, having inspired both the novelist's My Family and Other Animals and ITV's hit drama. Its pretty coves, pristine beaches and clear waters have always made it worthy of the Europe bucket list – but the chance to visit some of the best locations from the show add even more allure.
With the Good Housekeeping Holidays five-day tour, you'll discover Corfu through the eyes of the Durrells, meeting naturalist and writer Lee Durrell, who will share insight into her family's love affair with the island, and also visiting the famous White House in Kalami, once home Lawrence Durrell. You'll also visit Perithia, the oldest village on Corfu and the museum at Achilleion Palace.
Cruise around Bordeaux and the Médoc
Archaeological sites, historic landmarks, beautiful scenery and some of the best wine in the world – what's not to love about Bordeaux and the Médoc? One of the best ways to explore southwest France's finest spots is by river cruise along the Garonne, Dordogne and Gironde, discovering fascinating history and world-famous tastes as you go.
To this end, don't miss the Good Housekeeping Holidays seven-night river cruise, which sails through Bordeaux, Fort Médoc, Cadillac, Blaye and Libourne – with some delicious surprises along the way. This is very much a French foodie adventure, full of classic wine and cuisine, but also an appearance from Michelin-starred chef Tom Kerridge. He will host a cooking demonstration and answer your questions in a Q&A session.
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