This post marks the start of a new series on the Adventure Coordinators blog - Five hundred Journeys of a Lifetime. In each post we will highlight journeys that will inspire you to travel, sorted by continent, by activity or by theme.
With the Europe season soon under way, we start our series with inspirational journeys there. Stunning scenery, sensational artistic and culinary diversity, a wide range of cultures and languages and a history that stretches across millennia - you will find all of it in Europe. Whether you walk the trails of Tuscany, Transylvania or Amalfi, cycle the Loire or Danube valleys, sail in Croatia or Greece, or simply explore by car or train, you will be sure to indulge in culinary delights and discover picturesque towns across this wonderful continent.
1) Greek Island hopping
Sail or take a ferry from island to island in beautiful Greece and discover each island's unique character. Crete offers splendid beaches, trails through rugged canyons and a fascinating history. On Santorini you will find villages perched precariously on the edge of a volcanic crater while Mykonos is known as a party island. Quiet Paros features ancient footpaths connecting beaches to picturesque quiet villages while Naxos offers a Venetian town with steep cobbled alleyways, archeological sites, mediaeval villages and lush valleys covered in ancient olive and citrus groves. Evia meanwhile is a hidden gem with a authentic Greek atmosphere, where old stone paths lead you to quaint villages tucked away in the mountains. Find tours
2) Croatian Capers
Endless Roman ruins, romantic Venetian towns and Byzantine churches - the essence of Croatia. Sun-bleached hills descending to cobalt blue seas, which in turn straddle a coast dotted with picturesque isles. Inland meanwhile, limestone caverns, river canyons, splendid waterfalls and picturesque lakes will leave you dazzled. And if that is not enough, come and find out why Croatian wines and olive oils are making a mark on the world stage. Cycling, hiking, sightseeing or cruising Croatia? Find tours
3) Classic Italy
Italy, Oh Italy - land of la Vita Bella! Where style and flair live next to Michelangelo and Bellini. Where ancient Roman ruins stand next to Renaissance churches. Where picturesque hilltop towns look over verdant vineyards. Where good food and wine are a way of life. From the canals of Venice to the museums and churches of Rome, from the sheer mountains of the Dolomites to the stunning Amalfi Coast, from the villages and Renaissance treasures of Tuscany to the volcanoes of the deep south and the villas of Lake Garda: discover Italy with us - find tours
4) Cuisine and countryside of France
Walk down a winding cobblestone street, lined with vine-covered medieval homes. Follow it from a bustling market square to a wisteria-draped cafe opposite the village church. Sit down and enjoy a plat du jour with a glass of refreshing local wine. Admire the view across the hills: an expanse of vineyards, farmyards and lavender fields, giving way to chestnut and oak forests. This is the quintessential French experience. Bienvenue! Find tours
5) Moorish Andalucia
Flamenco, bullfights and rhythmic guitars; white villages perched on top of cliffs; a Moorish heritage culminating in Granada's Alhambra; splendid Seville, silent Cordoba and the forgotten hamlets of the Alpujarras; beautiful hills covered in forests, orange groves and olive trees; an entire region given over to romance and heightened emotions. This is Andalucia. Find tours
6) Cycle the Danube
Brooding castles, crumbling ruins, beautiful abbeys and pretty farms line the banks of the Danube in Austria. Cycle from Passau to Vienna through green countryside and densely wooded valleys and vineyards and past historic cities and towns. The picturesque Wachau Valley is one of the Danube's most scenic stretches. Quaint villages line the river banks, while vineyards cling to steep slopes rising up to ancient castles. It is the country’s best wine making region and famous for apricot jams as well as liqueurs. Find tours
7) Central Europe Revealed
Few places in the world can rival the sheer diversity of cultural and natural heritage of Central Europe. Historic capitals such as Prague, Vienna and Budapest and charming cities like Krakow abound. The landscape is equally varied, with the dramatic Tatra Mountains and the beautiful scenery of Moravia. These landscapes provide an impressive backdrop to the towns, castles and villages you visit in this amazing region. Email us for tours.
8) Discover the Baltics
The countryside, national parks and coastal areas of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania are both varied and stunning, adding a touch of wilderness to the history, art, architecture and culture of the cities and towns of the area. Tallinn, Riga and Vilnius are three hugely different capitals, while outside of the cities you will find fascinating historical sites, wild and open settings and picturesque landscapes. Email us for tours
9) Fjords of Norway
One of the most beautiful countries in the world, Norway is a land of fjords, mountains, glaciers, endless forests and midnight sun. Hiking and scenic drives are around every corner, while the cities display a Scandinavian sophistication and flair for design. In the north, the mountains roll over into tundra, while high up in the Arctic Ocean, the archipelago of Svalbard is a haven for wildlife. The real treasure is the area between Bergen and Trondheim where fjords carve deep into the mountains, waterfalls tumble down from deep-blye glaciers and roads zigzag up into the sky. Meanwhile hamlets and age-old stave churches line the shores and valleys. Email us for tours
10) Icelandic Escapade
Nature in Iceland is designed to make you feel insignificant - volcanoes covered by ice loom over a verdant green coastline,, glaciers grind their way to the ocean, geysers erupt and the northern lights dance in the sky. All the while culture blooms - from medieval sagas to modern pop-musicians and Nobel-prize winning authors. And then there is the glorious food and the warm, quirky people - what is there not to love about Iceland? Find tours