The ‘continent’ of Europe doesn’t make a great deal of geographical sense (after all where does Asia really start?). And it doesn’t make a lot of sense if you try to define it culturally, artistically, historically, economically, politically or any other way! It truly is a long way from Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar to the fjords of Denmark!

 

And yet, there are common threads that do bind this incredibly diverse land mass together. Empires may have come and gone, but at times they have controlled and linked cultures that today are thousands of kilometres apart and furiously independent…. The Roman Empire went as far north as Scotland and Germany; the Normans linked Scandinavia with the Mediterranean; the Saracens linked the Middle East with the Mediterranean and big chunks of Western Europe.

It is also true that since the Renaissance in the 14^th century and the age of European colonialism, which began about one hundred years later, Europe has had a huge impact on the world as we know it. European ideas, institutions, architecture, music, food – the list goes on – underpin our lives.

Although visiting Europe can at times feel like visiting a vast open-air museum, it is much more than that. The great cities of Europe – including the obvious candidates like London, Paris, Berlin, Madrid, and Rome are still among the most creative, influential and exciting cities in the world. Then there are second-tier cities that are sometimes even more important in terms of up-to-the-minute fashion and culture - cities like Barcelona, Manchester and Milan.

Europe attracts more tourists than any other continent. It is not just the history, not just the adrenaline rush of the cities; it’s the sheer range of activities and interests you can pursue. Activities like walking, biking, canal-boating, driving, skiing, surfing, diving, climbing, eating, shopping, going to festivals, or just lying on a beach (is that an activity?). Interests like food and wine, art and architecture, history and religion, trains, music and fashion, or just plain old curiosity.

Using the broadest possible brush, and allowing for significant overlap, Europe can be divided into five self-explanatory regions: Scandinavian Europe, Western Europe, Central Europe, Eastern Europe and Mediterranean Europe. There is a strong case, even on your first trip, to resist the temptation to do everything and to concentrate on one or two of these regions. On subsequent trips it makes sense to focus on one region – or to drill down even further.

Around The Sun has published a number of small group, guided tours to Italy (including Sicily) and Spain. You're welcome to join one of these groups, or to use these itineraries as suggested starting points for developing your own tailormade trip.

If you are interested in a private, custom trip to any part of Italy, Spain, Portugal or Morocco, contact us now.

Or start with the questionnaire on this website: Create Your Journey