European Gems
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TRAVEL CATALOG | FEBRUARY 2020 European Gems HISTORIC HIGHLIGHTS A continent’s top tours, hotels, cruise itineraries, and more A river ship we love: AmaWaterways’ AmaMagna in Passau, Germany. Always in Style Europe is the little black dress of bucket-list destinations. Classic, yet always au courant, it’s the place we keep returning to for its seemingly inexhaustible treasures. For every Loire Valley winetasting, Danube castle- spotting cruise, and sunny Capri stay, there’s a counterpart in Slovakia, Croatia, or Mallorca. Surfing in Biarritz competes with seeing the northern lights in Norway, villas beckon us to unspoiled Tuscan countryside or Costa Brava beaches, and unforgettable meals are everywhere, from Michelin dining in Denmark to the simple perfection of Parisian steak frites. With countless unique cultures covering almost 4 million square miles, Europe’s enticements are dizzying – design a bespoke trip (or several) that suits you with the help of your Virtuoso travel advisor. A spacious suite on board AmaWaterways’ AmaMagna – which is twice as wide as traditional The world’s finest travel agencies European river cruise ships. and advisors are Virtuoso®. RG&B IMAGES/STOCKSY WHAT’S INSIDE: European Gems Hiking the Dolomites in Italy. 2 EURO TRIP How to make the most of a classic continent. 8 TOURS & HOTELS Things to do and places to stay. 30 CRUISES Pick your itinerary and sail away. 20 26 40 56 Goods to Go Need to Know On the Fly Postcard In the bag: Chic and Two Virtuoso editors Airline news and A Virtuoso traveler sustainable market totes. debate the best time flight essentials. indulges in a Tuscan RG&B IMAGES/STOCKSY to get to the airport. feast with friends. FEBRUARY 2020 1 EURO TRIP How to make the most of a classic continent vis-à-vis Virtuoso’s top five 2020 Luxe Report travel trends. A beach in the Italian region of Puglia. IMAGES, TUPUNGATO/GETTY (ITALY) IMAGES MURA/GETTY (SCANDANAVIA) 2 EUROPEAN GEMS The bucket-list popularity of European countries can’t be denied. Locales from London to Rome have been immortal- ized in literature (Charles Dickens’ The Old Curiosity Shop), film (the Audrey Hepburn rom-comRoman Holiday), and art (anything by Claude Monet), and, as the 2020 Virtuoso Luxe Report points out, Europe continually draws travelers of all kinds. The report, which gathers Virtuoso travel advisors’ insights on top travel trends and destinations, found that Italy remains a perennial favorite, Greece is winning over millennials, and Croatia is the top emerging destination. The continent offers boundless options for travelers taking part in 2020’s top travel trends; here, we match those trends with some of Europe’s most popular places. Copenhagen’s Royal Library, also known as the Black Diamond. 1 Multigenerational Travel Italy holds something for family members of every age, and villas and sprawling resorts make it easy to house the whole group under one roof. Enjoy comely surroundings – vineyards, olive trees, and historic towns – in Tuscany, where kids can play in the sun and adults can relax poolside with a glass of regional wine (or two). Coastal resorts in Italy’s Puglia region allow large families to spend ample time together, from dining outdoors to exploring nearby cathedrals and other sacred sites. PRO TIP: Give each person an opportunity to pick an activity or help plan part of the trip – this will get everyone (even teenagers) more involved. Head to Scandinavia for alluring views and delicious seafood – plus, many of the locals speak English, making it more accessible to kids and older family members. One way for groups to see this sprawling region is by ship. Many cruise lines offer childcare for younger age groups, arcades and game rooms for teens, and multiple pool decks and high-end dining options for adults. Scandinavian ports of call range from Copenhagen, where families can see castles and modern buildings such as the city’s Royal Library, to Norway’s fjord-nestled town of Bergen. PRO TIP: To make the trip a little more magical for children, simply mention (ITALY) TUPUNGATO/GETTY IMAGES, TUPUNGATO/GETTY (ITALY) IMAGES MURA/GETTY (SCANDANAVIA) that you’re visiting places that inspired Frozen and Frozen 2. FEBRUARY 2020 3 The Zappeion building in Athen’s National Garden and (below) a port and cheese tasting. 2 Authenticity Greece has island hoppers and history-lovers covered. Start in Athens with an appropriately located hotel (your advisor can help you here) so exploring the city’s museums, gardens, and monuments happens easily. After stopping by the Acropolis and the city’s National Garden, seek out local favorite Varvakios Central Market for fresh feta and melon. Next, stay in one – or more – of the country’s other historic cities, such as Olympia, birthplace of the Olympics, before indulging in island life on well-known Santorini. For more privacy, search for a less popular haven (your advisor can also help you here). PRO TIP: Visit during one of the shoulder seasons (April to early June or September to October) to avoid unnecessary crowds. Portugal is a multifaceted country that remains somewhat under the radar for global travelers (it’s been a favorite of European vacationers for decades). Search Lisbon’s squares and alleyways for blue azulejo tiles and traditional Portuguese coffee shops (one delicious option is A Brasileira) before road-tripping through small medieval towns on your way to the Douro Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage site. There, settle in for port tastings, vineyard visits, and a sailing on the valley’s famed river. For more drinks, head to Porto, where you’ll also find tons of museums, shopping opportunities (Livraria Lello will thrill book lovers), and fresh grilled octopus. PRO TIP: For a truly authentic experience, ask your advisor to recommend tour operators or hotels that work with local guides. PHOTO, STOCK IAN G DAGNALL/ALAMY (GREECE) IMAGES SVETLANASF/GETTY (PORTUGAL) PHOTO, STOCK RON SUMNERS/ALAMY (SWITZERLAND) RUTH BLACK/STOCKSY (ICELAND) 4 EUROPEAN GEMS Swiss snacking can include coffee, schnapps, and torte, and (below) horsing 3 around in Iceland. Active or Adventure Travel A trip to Iceland always starts with the decision of when to go. Summer brings maximum daylight and is popular with travelers looking to trek, snowshoe, or road-trip. Winter is less crowded, due to limited daylight, and optimal for seeing the northern lights. Regardless of when you go, the capital city of Reykjavík is likely to be your first stop. In warmer months, seek out craft breweries; in cold weather, shop for locally made sweaters before heading into the countryside. Virtuoso’s expert tour operators and on-sites offer countless adventure itineraries that include whale-watching, hiking to fjords, and coastal bike rides. PRO TIP: If you’re driving the Ring Road, don’t trust Google Maps – use the road.is website instead. From mountains and lively cities to medical spas and ski resorts, Switzerland’s beautiful and balanced offerings call to many, and opportunities to earn that end-of-the-day cup of hot cocoa are endless. Ski the Swiss Alps, spy the towering Matterhorn from the village of Zermatt, hike around or kayak on one of the country’s many lakes, bike through storied towns such as Meiringen (a setting in the Sherlock Holmes story “The Final Problem”), and dine out in Zürich – we recommend Kafischnaps, an eatery that serves hearty breakfast fare and its namesake coffee with schnapps. PRO TIP: Switzerland is a considerable adventure location for families with teens (GREECE) IAN G DAGNALL/ALAMY STOCK PHOTO, PHOTO, STOCK IAN G DAGNALL/ALAMY (GREECE) IMAGES SVETLANASF/GETTY (PORTUGAL) PHOTO, STOCK RON SUMNERS/ALAMY (SWITZERLAND) RUTH BLACK/STOCKSY (ICELAND) or young adults. FEBRUARY 2020 5 4 Family Travel England is a solid option for adults and kids: There’s no language barrier, and museums and history lessons abound. In Oxford, check out the Covered Market (try the treats at Ben’s Cookies), learn and play at Royal Shakespeare Theatre’s family-friendly exhibition in the playwright’s birthplace of Stratford-upon-Avon, and find something for everyone in London with visits to the Royal Air Force Museum, ZSL London Zoo, and, of course, the Warner Bros. Harry Potter Studio. For arrivals and departures, Heathrow Airport even offers complimentary play areas for children in four different terminals. PRO TIP: Ask your travel advisor for help picking family-friendly hotels and tour operators that offer special amenities and childcare for little ones. Teach kids to say hola to Spain’s beaches, cultural capitals, and historic sites. San Sebastián invites sunny seaside strolls and has many opulent hotels. Check into a multiroom suite for ample space and a laid-back place for your children to try pintxos (Basque tapas) for the first time via room service. Barcelona entertains with its Gaudí landmarks, such as La Sagrada Família and Park Güell, and the Museu de la Xocolata, a chocolate museum where kids can learn about (and eat) the sweet. PRO TIP: Consider booking a professional photographer to take family photos during your vacation – it’s a one- of-a-kind souvenir that won’t take up any room in your suitcase. An array of tapas and (below) giraffes at the ZSL London Zoo. (TAPAS) PHOTOOIASSON/GETTY IMAGES, IMAGES, PHOTOOIASSON/GETTY (TAPAS) PHOTO STOCK PIERRE SUANT/ALAMY CHRISTOPHE (ZOO) PHOTO, STOCK STUDIO/ALAMY TIHOV (CROATIA) IMAGES PAWEL.GAUL/GETTY (PARIS) 6 EUROPEAN GEMS 5 Celebration Travel Whether you’re looking to travel for a honeymoon, mark an anniversary, or celebrate a birthday, France is an iconic location to make memories. If only unpacking once sounds appealing, ask your advisor about river-cruise options. From the Seine to the Rhône, guests have many rivers and itineraries to choose from.