From sun drenched beaches and white washed villages, to iconic landmarks and romantic cities, Europe has a rich history to uncover, and with my partnership with Virtuoso and other destination specialists around the world, I can help you curate the perfect itinerary. Earlybird offers for Europe are also out now, so it’s the perfect time to start planning.
So, which Europe destinations are going to be hot in 2019? Here are some of my predictions for what will be big (and some of my own European wish list destinations).
SCANDINAVIA & ICELAND
You have to admit that Iceland is definitely having a moment, and there doesn’t seem to be any sign of tourism slowing down any time soon, so it’s still certainly a hot spot. I was lucky enough to visit in 2017 and I can honestly say that it’s worth the hype.
In addition to Iceland though, Scandinavia seems to be everywhere, with images of travellers, influencers and bloggers all capturing some of the incredible sights that are there to be witnessed and experienced.
From sailing through Norway and getting up close and personal with their spectacular Fjords, to an immersive experience in Lapland, where you can sleep in an Igloo under the Northern Lights or visit Santa Claus in Rovaniemi, Finnish Lapland. This is one destination that is perfect for either a family journey or an out of this world honeymoon.
I work with destination specialists like NORDIC LUXURY to curate guided or self-drive itineraries that will offer you an experience like no other, littered with money can’t buy experiences and connection with the culture and local people.
CROATIA
Over the years when clients of mine have requested an iconic Europe holiday, they request places like London, Paris, Amsterdam, Rome and Venice (just to name a few), but I’ve seen a shift in requests over the past couple of years, and more and more I see requests for off the beaten path destinations…
While Croatia isn’t exactly void of tourists it seems to be coming into it’s own, and I can see it becoming one of the most requested destinations in 2019.
With the beautiful Dalmatian Coast offering tranquil islands lapped by turquoise water, Ancient sites and time honoured traditions, there is something for everyone.
Rent a staffed yacht and sail the iconic coast line, see and be seen during their annual yacht week celebrations, or allow me to curate the perfect itinerary for you, that will give you the perfect balance of all the must see sights and some hidden gems.
In the past year I’ve curated tailor-made itineraries with travel partners such as CALVADOS CLUB who help me bring you stunning experiences that are private and exclusively designed for you, and I trust that with their local expertise, your journey will be one to remember.
ITALY
Italy in Summer? Ground breaking right? haha…. but seriously, I don’t think that I’ll ever get enough of Italy and whether you’ve been once or a dozen times, there is always something more to see and every year requests for Italy seem to become more and more frequent.
My tips for Italy would be to get off the well worn tourist trail a little. Yes, still visit the iconic destinations (particularly if it’s your first visit), but also allow time to see some of the gems that truly make Italy special.
The region of Puglia (the heel of Italy’s ‘Boot’) is one of the most underrated regions of the country, but it’s slowing challenging Tuscany and the Amalfi Coast for the hottest and chicest (is that a word) region of Italy to visit.
With plenty of sunshine, quaint Baroque towns, olive groves and orchids, stunning beaches and white washed houses, it’s easy to see why it’s gaining in popularity. It’s also becoming very popular as a gastronomic destination, and I can’t think of a better region to eat my way around personally.
Puglia also happens to have one of THE most amazing resort hotels BORGO EGNAZIA This property is a luxurious family-friendly retreat on the olive-studded Puglian coast, with sumptuous design, great local food, a luxe spa and no end of activities on offer. Perfect for a few days of R&R during your next Italian journey, and with my preferred partner amenities such as upgrades, resort credits and more, it’s a must if you visit the region.
CRUISING
Whether it’s a river cruise along the famous Danube, or an expedition and fjord adventure of a lifetime in Norway, cruising is one of the best ways to explore Europe. It not only allows you to simply settle in, unpack once and relax while the cruise teams do the rest, but you will see Europe from an entirely new perspective…. sometimes the most stunning views will be visible from your bed!
You will have access some of the more far flung corners of the continent, which aren’t as accessible by plane, train or car.
European destinations like the beautiful Arctic are particularly perfect for cruises, and whilst you may think that cruises are only for the over 60’s, think again. More and more cruise lines are offering active expedition style cruising, and some cruise lines like U by Uniworld are specifically targeted to the under 40’s
Some of my major cruise line partners include PONANT, SILVERSEA , SEABOURN, AVALON WATERWAYS , APT TOURING , UNIWORLD and many more….
Earlybird offers are currently out now, and these include some incredible savings for the 2019 season.
Companies like Abercrombie & Kent also offer stunning expedition cruise itineraries, and together we can tailor you the perfect European journey. Some of their Earlybird offers are going to save you thousands!!
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So, there you have it. A few of my personal picks for your 2019 European journey, and as noted, Earlybird offers are out now! Let me know if I can give you a hand curating your perfect itinerary, and bring those travel dreams to life.
Kate xx
Photo credits:
Most photos are all provided by my preferred travel partners, and are not my own (except for the one of my above… obvs!).
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