Europe > Central & Northern Europe

You will find a fantastic variety of cultures in Central and Northern Europe, from Germany’s stylish cities to Santa Claus’ home in the Arctic Circle. No other continent is so densely populated, which means you have an enormous variety of towns and cities to explore, many of which are within easy reach of each other.

 

Scandinavia’s chic, cosmopolitan cities make for fantastic weekend destinations; from the old-Europe charm of buzzy Copenhagen to the striking crispness of a Stockholm evening, the cities delight the senses. In Copenhagen, take some time out to visit the Tivoli gardens: the world’s oldest amusement park built into the heart of the city. On a clear day you can see Sweden from the top of some rides!

 

Further North in Sweden, you can experience the Northern Lights and the Midnight Sun if you plan your visit for the summer months (April – July). If you visit during the winter you will find excellent skiing conditions but could be treated to perpetual darkness if you visit during mid-winter, so bear this in mind when booking!

 

Further south, be sure to check out the cultural delights of Amsterdam. Famed for its mellow coffee shops, the city is a home of world art and has many fabulous museums, including the Hermitage Amsterdam and the Van Gogh museum. If this all sounds rather romantic, there is always the promise of seeing the famous Ajax football team for the lads.

 

Many of Europe’s cities have incredibly vibrant and diverse nightlife, not to mention a number of the world’s great restaurants. Here are some holiday ideas:

• Hire a classic car and explore the romantic and unspoilt Sussex coast from the quaint seaside town of Southwold through Norwich and the beautiful Norfolk Broads
• Sit back and relax on a spectacular train journey to Luzern, Switzerland, followed by a leisurely cruise along the romantic Rhine to Amsterdam
• Experience the land of the midnight sun in Swedish Lapland, just 130 miles from the Arctic Circle, as you follow one of Europe’s wildest and most remote trekking routes, the King’s Trail
• Conquer Iceland’s highest peak and reach the steaming summit of its most active volcano on a climbing holiday in the land of fire and ice
• Experience the Cologne Carnival in Germany when the city comes alive with colourful processions, dancing and partying

Most of Central and Northern Europe can be visited all year round, although the further north you get, the darker and colder winter evenings become. The flip side of this is that June sees sunset after 10pm, even as far South as Copenhagen, making it a perfect destination for a romantic weekend break. Generally, the summer months (May – September) are the most popular for visiting Central and Northern Europe.