Summer is now well underway, and if you’re having some trouble deciding on holiday destination this summer, help is at hand. Europe never fails on the holiday hotspot stakes, and there are a lot of options to suit all sorts of tastes. Whether you’re looking for a lazy beach break, a wild party holiday, a cultural tour of the continent or a long weekend of shopping and fine dining, Europe has it all, so check out our suggestions and see if anything takes your fancy.
The South of France is always a popular destination, and provincial France is particularly popular at this time of year. Why not hire a villa on the Cote d’Azur and explore the gorgeous blue seas and rolling white sands of the beaches, or head to St Tropez to sun yourself with the French elite? Southern France is the playground of the rich and famous, and if you’re into your motor racing you can pop along the coast to Monaco for a chic day of racing.
Eastern Europe is experiencing a huge tourism boom, especially in Croatia and Bulgaria, with party-lovers enjoying the bargain drinks and the cheap restaurants. Here you can pick up a range of international fare, from traditional Eastern European meat-based meals to food from every continent. There are also some stunning beaches which are less crowded than their Western European counterparts, such as those on the Costa del Sol, so take advantage now while the area is still a relatively little-known secret holiday spot.
You can’t go wrong with a capital city, and if you’re short on time we recommend a major Nordic city. Copenhagen is perfect for a short trip, and you can take a boat trip around the old harbour and find out more about the effortlessly cool history of Danish design in the museums. You can also take a train across the sea to reach Malmo in Sweden to tick another country off your list.
Good old Blighty is faring well as a tourist hotspot at the moment. If you’re from the UK, a staycation might be in order, so head to the Norfolk Fens for a leisurely canalboat cruise on the Norfolk Broads or to Wales to take some energising walks around the breathtaking Mount Snowden. If you’re not from the UK, visit London and explore the Olympic Park in Stratford and take advantage of shopping opportunities on Oxford Street, in Covent Garden and the alternative paradise Camden.
Claire Crawley is a travel blogger who regularly posts to a number of online publications about her adventures around the world.
