Planning a European vacation sounds easy.
Until you look at Europe.
Italy?
Greece?
Ireland?
Spain?
France?
Switzerland?
Maybe London.
Or Portugal.
What about Croatia?
Suddenly your relaxing European vacation has become a geography exam with airfare.
Here’s the good news:
There isn’t one “best” European vacation.
There’s a best European vacation for the way you like to travel.
Some travelers dream about eating pasta in Rome and drinking wine in Tuscany.
Others want Greek islands and Mediterranean sunsets.
Maybe you’d rather drive through the Irish countryside, ride trains through the Swiss Alps or spend two weeks exploring Spain.
And some travelers want to see several countries without unpacking every other night.
That’s where cruises and guided vacations enter the conversation.
If Europe is on your 2027 travel list, here are 12 vacations we’d start researching now.
Europe 2027 Quick Guide
| Destination | Consider It For |
|---|---|
| Italy | First Europe trip, food & history |
| Greece | Islands, history & romance |
| Ireland | Countryside, castles & pubs |
| Spain | Food, cities & culture |
| France | Food, art & romance |
| Portugal | Food, coastal scenery & road trips |
| Switzerland | Mountains & scenic rail journeys |
| United Kingdom | History, cities & easy touring |
| Croatia | Coastline & island hopping |
| Germany & Austria | History, scenery & Christmas markets |
| Scandinavia & Norway | Fjords & cooler summer travel |
| European Cruise | Multiple countries in one vacation |
1. Italy
Our Pick for a Classic First European Vacation
If you’ve never been to Europe, Italy makes a compelling place to start.
History?
A couple thousand years should do.
Food?
Obviously.
Art?
Some of the world’s greatest.
Beautiful countryside?
Tuscany would like a word.
And Italy works for almost every kind of traveler.
You can take a guided vacation.
Travel independently by train.
Rent a villa.
Take a Mediterranean cruise.
Spend the entire vacation eating.
We’re not judging.
First-Time Italy Route
A classic first trip might look like:
Rome β Florence β Tuscany β Venice
If you have additional time, consider adding:
- Amalfi Coast
- Pompeii
- Capri
- Lake Como
- Cinque Terre
Consider Italy If You Want:
- Food
- Wine
- Ancient history
- Art
- Architecture
- Romantic travel
- Your first European vacation
Start here: Read our Best Guided Tours of Italy for 2027 guide.
2. Greece
For History Followed by a Beach Chair
Greece gives you two vacations.
There’s ancient Greece.
And then there’s island Greece.
We recommend trying both.
Start in Athens.
Explore the Acropolis and learn enough history to appreciate just how old everything around you actually is.
Then leave the city.
You could travel through mainland Greece toward places such as Delphi and Meteora.
Or head toward the islands.
Greek Islands to Consider
Santorini
Romantic scenery and those famous caldera views.
Mykonos
Beaches, nightlife and a lively atmosphere.
Crete
Large enough to support an entire vacation by itself.
Rhodes
History plus beaches.
Corfu
Green landscapes and distinctive architecture.
Another option?
Take a Greek Islands cruise and let the ship handle transportation.
Consider Greece If You Want:
- Ancient history
- Islands
- Mediterranean food
- Honeymoons
- Beaches
- Photography
- Cruises
Our tip: Don’t try to visit six islands in seven days unless you’re cruising.
Slow down.
The islands aren’t going anywhere.
3. Ireland
For the Road Trip You Don’t Have to Drive Yourself
Ireland is a destination where the journey between places can be just as memorable as the places themselves.
Green countryside.
Stone walls.
Castles.
Small towns.
Coastal cliffs.
Pubs.
Sheep with absolutely no respect for traffic.
It’s wonderful.
A classic route might connect:
Dublin β Galway β Cliffs of Moher β Killarney β Ring of Kerry
You can drive independently.
But Ireland is also one of our favorite destinations for a guided vacation.
Someone else drives those narrow roads while you enjoy the scenery.
That’s a pretty good arrangement.
Consider Ireland If You Want:
- Castles
- Pubs
- Small towns
- Countryside
- Scenic drives
- History
- An approachable first European trip
4. Spain
For Travelers Who Plan Vacations Around Dinner
Spain requires a small adjustment.
Dinner might happen when you’d normally be considering bedtime.
Adapt.
You’ll be fine.
Spain offers an extraordinary combination of architecture, food, beaches, art and regional cultures.
And each part of the country feels different.
Barcelona
Architecture, food, Mediterranean atmosphere and GaudΓ.
Madrid
Museums, neighborhoods, nightlife and excellent food.
Seville
Flamenco, historic architecture and Andalusian character.
Granada
Home to the Alhambra and one of Spain’s most memorable historic settings.
San SebastiΓ‘n
Food travelers:
Pay attention.
This city has become one of Europe’s most celebrated culinary destinations.
Consider Spain If You Want:
- Food
- Architecture
- Nightlife
- Art
- Beaches
- Multiple distinctive cities
- Rail travel
A two-week trip can combine several cities remarkably well using Spain’s rail network.
5. France
Yes, Paris. But Don’t Stop There.
Paris deserves the attention.
Go see the Eiffel Tower.
Walk beside the Seine.
Visit the Louvre.
Eat something involving an irresponsible amount of butter.
Then leave Paris.
France gets even more interesting when you explore its regions.
Provence
Villages, markets, food and countryside.
French Riviera
Nice, Cannes, Monaco and Mediterranean scenery.
Normandy
History, coastal landscapes and D-Day sites.
Loire Valley
Castles.
Lots of castles.
Bordeaux
Wine.
We probably don’t need to elaborate.
Consider France If You Want:
- Food
- Wine
- Art
- History
- Romantic travel
- Countryside
- Major cities plus small towns
6. Portugal
One of Europe’s Most Enjoyable Road-Trip Destinations
Portugal sometimes gets overshadowed by neighboring Spain.
Don’t make that mistake.
Lisbon alone deserves several days.
Add Porto.
Then start exploring.
Portugal can give you:
- Historic cities
- Atlantic coastline
- Wine regions
- Beaches
- Small towns
- Castles
- Excellent food
The Douro Valley is especially appealing for travelers interested in scenery and wine.
Head south and the Algarve delivers dramatic coastline and beaches.
Consider Portugal If You Want:
- Food
- Wine
- Coastal scenery
- Road trips
- Smaller cities
- Beaches
- A slower European vacation
7. Switzerland
For Travelers Who Keep Stopping to Take Pictures
You’re going to need more storage on your phone.
Switzerland is almost unfairly scenic.
Mountains rise above lakes.
Trains climb through alpine landscapes.
Villages look suspiciously perfect.
And transportation itself can become part of the vacation.
Possible destinations include:
- Zurich
- Lucerne
- Interlaken
- Zermatt
- Jungfrau region
- St. Moritz
Scenic rail journeys make Switzerland particularly appealing to travelers who don’t want to rent a car.
Consider Switzerland If You Want:
- Mountains
- Trains
- Hiking
- Lakes
- Photography
- Cooler summer weather
- Alpine scenery
Switzerland also combines beautifully with northern Italy.
8. England, Scotland & Wales
For History Without the Language Barrier
The United Kingdom can be a comfortable introduction to Europe for English-speaking travelers.
Start in London.
Then decide which direction you’re going.
England
London, Bath, Oxford, Cotswolds and historic countryside.
Scotland
Edinburgh, Highlands, Loch Ness, Isle of Skye and whisky country.
Wales
Castles, mountains, coastal scenery and smaller communities.
One of our favorite possibilities is:
London β Edinburgh β Scottish Highlands
Another is a broader Great Britain guided tour.
Consider Britain If You Want:
- History
- Castles
- Pubs
- Literature
- Museums
- Countryside
- Easy cultural access for first-time travelers
9. Croatia
For Mediterranean Scenery Without Doing the Exact Same Trip as Everyone Else
Croatia has become increasingly popular for good reason.
The Adriatic coastline is spectacular.
Historic towns sit beside blue water.
And islands provide endless opportunities for exploring.
Start with Dubrovnik.
Then consider:
- Split
- Hvar
- KorΔula
- Zadar
- Plitvice Lakes
Croatia also works particularly well as part of an Adriatic or Mediterranean cruise.
Consider Croatia If You Want:
- Coastal scenery
- Island hopping
- Historic towns
- Swimming
- Sailing
- Mediterranean travel
- A Greece or Italy alternative
10. Germany & Austria
For Cities, Mountains and One Very Festive December
Germany and Austria combine extremely well.
One itinerary might include:
Munich β Salzburg β Vienna
Longer vacations can incorporate:
- Bavarian Alps
- Innsbruck
- Berlin
- Rhine Valley
- Austrian countryside
And then there’s December.
Christmas-market season can transform cities and towns throughout the region.
Lights.
Food stalls.
Mulled wine.
Decorations.
Cold weather.
It’s a completely different European vacation from summer.
Consider Germany & Austria If You Want:
- History
- Music
- Mountains
- Beer
- Christmas markets
- Scenic rail travel
- Winter vacations
11. Norway & Scandinavia
For the European Summer Vacation Where You Pack a Jacket
Not everybody wants to spend July sweating through Rome.
Fair.
Head north.
Norway’s fjords offer some of Europe’s most dramatic scenery.
Depending on your trip, you might combine:
- Oslo
- Bergen
- Norwegian fjords
- Copenhagen
- Stockholm
A Norwegian fjords cruise can be especially attractive because some of the scenery is best experienced from the water.
Long summer daylight adds another dimension to northern European travel.
Consider Scandinavia If You Want:
- Fjords
- Cooler summer weather
- Nature
- Photography
- Modern cities
- Cruises
- Long daylight hours
12. European Cruise
For Travelers Who Can’t Pick One Country
Italy?
Greece?
Spain?
France?
Croatia?
Fine.
Visit several.
That’s the appeal of a European cruise.
A Mediterranean itinerary can allow you to wake up in a different destination almost every morning.
And you only unpack once.
Mediterranean Cruises
Potential destinations include:
- Italy
- Greece
- Spain
- France
- Croatia
- Turkey
Northern Europe Cruises
Potential destinations include:
- Norway
- Iceland
- Denmark
- Sweden
- United Kingdom
Cruising is especially useful when your goal is to sample destinations.
The tradeoff is time.
A cruise port may give you only several hours in a city you’d happily explore for three days.
Consider a European Cruise If You Want:
- Multiple countries
- To unpack once
- Onboard entertainment
- Mediterranean islands
- Norwegian fjords
- A first taste of several destinations
Start here: Read our Best Cruises for 2027: Caribbean, Alaska, Europe & Beyond guide.
What Is the Best European Vacation for First-Time Visitors?
For many first-time visitors, I’d start the research with:
Italy
Ireland
United Kingdom
France
or
Spain
Why?
They provide plenty of recognizable attractions, established tourism infrastructure and enough variety to build trips for different travel styles.
But that doesn’t mean you need to visit four countries.
In fact, we’d usually do the opposite.
Choose fewer destinations and experience them better.
How Many Countries Should You Visit?
This is where European vacations go wrong.
You have ten days.
You find a tour visiting:
Italy!
France!
Switzerland!
Germany!
Austria!
That’s five countries!
What a bargain!
Except you’ve spent half the vacation moving luggage.
For a first European trip, we’d rather spend:
10 days in two countries
than:
10 days in five countries.
Unless you’re cruising.
Then the transportation happens while you’re sleeping.
Independent Trip, Guided Vacation or Cruise?
This may be the most important decision after choosing your destination.
Independent European Vacation
Consider independent travel if you want:
- Complete flexibility
- Your own hotels
- Free days
- Train travel
- Local restaurants
- Longer stays
Guided European Vacation
Consider a guided tour if you want:
- Transportation arranged
- Hotels handled
- Local guides
- Major sightseeing organized
- Less planning
- Countryside destinations
European Cruise
Consider cruising if you want:
- Multiple countries
- To unpack once
- Onboard entertainment
- Coastal destinations
- Easy transportation between ports
Can’t decide?
Read our Guided Vacation vs. Cruise: Which Is Right for Your 2027 Trip?
When Is the Best Time to Visit Europe in 2027?
There’s no single European travel season.
It depends on where you’re going.
Spring
April through May can be particularly attractive for sightseeing in many European destinations.
Summer
June through August brings long days and peak tourism to many popular destinations.
It’s also prime season for northern Europe.
Fall
September and October can be wonderful for Italy, Spain, Portugal, France and other southern destinations.
Winter
December brings Christmas markets and holiday atmosphere to parts of Germany, Austria, France and elsewhere.
Ski travelers have another reason to head toward the Alps.
The best month depends on the vacation you’re trying to create.
How Long Should Your First European Vacation Be?
If you’re crossing the Atlantic from North America, we’d aim for at least:
7 days: One region or country.
10 days: One country comfortably or two nearby destinations.
14 days: Two countries or a deeper exploration of one.
21 days: Now we can start getting ambitious.
Remember to account for travel days.
A seven-night trip doesn’t necessarily equal seven full sightseeing days.
Should You Book Europe Early for 2027?
For major 2027 European vacations, we’d start researching well in advance.
That’s especially true if you need:
- Specific guided-tour departures
- Popular Mediterranean cruises
- Family rooms
- Small-group tours
- Summer travel
- School-break dates
- Popular rail journeys
- Particular hotels
- Business-class airfare
- Holiday travel
The goal isn’t simply finding the lowest possible price.
It’s getting the trip you actually want.
How Much Does a European Vacation Cost?
There’s no meaningful single answer.
A European vacation budget depends on:
- Airfare
- Destination
- Hotel category
- Travel season
- Trip length
- Transportation
- Tours
- Meals
- Travel style
Switzerland can produce a very different budget from Portugal.
A luxury guided Italy vacation can cost dramatically more than an independent trip.
And a Mediterranean cruise advertised at one price can become considerably more expensive after airfare, excursions and onboard expenses.
Compare the entire vacation cost.
Not the first number you see.
Don’t Forget the Pre-Trip Details
Before traveling to Europe in 2027, verify current requirements for your nationality and destination.
Depending on your trip, this may include:
- Passport validity
- Entry requirements
- Travel authorization requirements
- Travel insurance
- International driving permits
- Medication documentation
- Airline requirements
Rules can change.
Always verify requirements through current official government sources before departure.
Our Favorite Way to Plan Europe
Don’t start with airfare.
Don’t start with hotels.
And definitely don’t start with:
“How many countries can I visit?”
Start with:
What do I want this vacation to feel like?
Maybe it’s:
Eating and drinking wine through Italy.
Exploring castles in Ireland.
Island hopping through Greece.
Riding trains through Switzerland.
Driving Portugal’s coastline.
Cruising the Mediterranean.
Once you answer that question, everything gets easier.
Which European Vacation Is Right for You?
Here’s the short version.
First European trip?
Start by comparing Italy, Ireland, Spain, France and Britain.
Food is the priority?
Italy, Spain, France or Portugal.
Romance?
Italy, Greece or France.
Mountains?
Switzerland, Austria or Norway.
Beaches?
Greece, Spain, Portugal or Croatia.
Castles and countryside?
Ireland, Scotland, England or Germany.
Cooler summer weather?
Norway, Scotland or Scandinavia.
Christmas markets?
Germany and Austria.
Want multiple countries without unpacking constantly?
European cruise.
Want somebody else handling the logistics?
Guided vacation.
Europe isn’t one vacation.
It’s hundreds of them.
And that’s the real problem.
You may go in 2027 thinking you’re finally checking Europe off your bucket list.
Then you’ll come home with an even longer list.
Start Planning Your 2027 European Vacation
Our Europe travel guides will help you move from inspiration to an actual vacation:
Europe β Country β Destination β Travel Style β Tour/Cruise β Hotels β Experiences β Request a Quote
Explore:
Italy β Rome β Florence β Tuscany β Venice β Amalfi Coast
Greece β Athens β Santorini β Mykonos β Crete
Ireland β Dublin β Galway β Killarney
Spain β Barcelona β Madrid β Seville
France β Paris β Provence β French Riviera
Switzerland β Lucerne β Interlaken β Zermatt
And connect those destinations with our guides to:
Guided Vacations β Cruises β Hotels β Things to Do β Day Trips
Because the goal isn’t simply getting you to Europe.
It’s finding the version of Europe that’s right for you.
