Italy
Venice by water
A public water bus along the Grand Canal is a budget-friendly alternative to a gondola.
Things to do and food to try across Europe
The experiences that bring each country to life, and the dishes that make every stop taste different.
Chapter 01
Things to do
Museums and art
Pair one headline museum with a smaller one each day. The Louvre, the Vatican Museums and the Rijksmuseum are unmissable, but a two-hour limit keeps them enjoyable. Florence and Madrid are especially rich for art lovers.
On the water
Some of Europe's best views are from a boat: a gondola or vaporetto ride in Venice, a canal cruise in Amsterdam, a steamer across Lake Lucerne, a fjord cruise from Bergen or a day trip between the coves around Hvar.
Scenic journeys
Switzerland's panoramic trains, the Bergen Line across Norway's mountain plateau and the coastal roads of the Amalfi Coast are experiences in themselves. Book panoramic seats early in summer.
Music and culture
Watch flamenco in Seville, listen to fado in Lisbon's Alfama, attend a classical concert in Vienna or follow Mozart's footsteps in Salzburg. Evening performances are often the most memorable part of a city stay.
Walking and hiking
Walk Dubrovnik's city walls, the levadas of Madeira, the gorges of Crete or trails above Interlaken. Even in cities, a self-guided walk through neighbourhoods like Le Marais in Paris or the Jordaan in Amsterdam reveals more than any bus tour.
Spain
Flamenco in Seville
Small, intimate venues give the most powerful flamenco experience.
Chapter 02
Seasonal moments
- Spring: Keukenhof's tulip fields in the Netherlands and blossom-lined streets across Paris and Vienna.
- Summer: the midnight sun in Tromsø and the Lofoten Islands, island-hopping in Greece and Croatia.
- Autumn: grape harvests around Lake Geneva and the Douro region near Porto, and quieter beaches on the Algarve.
- Winter: Christmas markets in Vienna, Salzburg and Innsbruck, skiing in the Swiss Alps and northern lights in Tromsø.
Chapter 03
Food by country
France: buttery croissants, cheese and wine in Paris, bouillabaisse and Provençal flavours on the Riviera, and the famous fluffy omelettes of Mont Saint-Michel.
Italy: carbonara and cacio e pepe in Rome, cicchetti small plates in Venice, bistecca alla fiorentina in Florence, lemons and limoncello on the Amalfi Coast — and gelato everywhere.
Spain: tapas in Barcelona, churros with chocolate in Madrid, salmorejo in Seville and grilled sardine skewers on the Costa del Sol.
Greece: souvlaki and moussaka in Athens, Santorini fava and local wines, and Cretan dakos made with barley rusks, tomato and cheese.
Switzerland: fondue, raclette and rösti, best enjoyed after a day in the mountains.
Austria: Wiener Schnitzel, Sachertorte and apple strudel in Vienna's coffee houses, and Kaiserschmarrn in the Tyrol.
Portugal: pastel de nata in Lisbon, the hearty francesinha sandwich and port wine in Porto, grilled fish on the Algarve and espetada on Madeira.
Netherlands: stroopwafels, raw herring, bitterballen and poffertjes.
Norway: fresh seafood in Bergen, brown cheese (brunost) and traditional stockfish from the Lofoten Islands.
Croatia: black cuttlefish risotto, slow-cooked peka, Dalmatian prosciutto and fresh grilled fish along the coast.
Chapter 04
Dining etiquette and practical tips
Meal times
Spain dines late, often after 9pm. Northern Europe eats earlier, and many Swiss and Austrian kitchens close by 10pm.
Tipping
Service is often included. Rounding up or leaving a small amount for good service is appreciated but rarely expected.
Where to eat
Walk a few streets away from major landmarks for better value and more local menus.
In Italy, coffee is usually drunk standing at the bar, and cappuccino is traditionally a morning drink. Tap water is safe in most of Europe; ask for it if you prefer not to buy bottled water.