It’s November, and for most of us, winter is coming. It’s the time of year when it’s impossible to step outside our own front doors to enjoy the sunny weather, so we start to look further afield as we plan our vacations for next summer. I’ve been thinking a lot about ways to enjoy yourself in Europe – here are four foreign vacations where you can find a little luxury.
Tuscany
A region in central Italy, Tuscany is best known for its glorious landscapes, world class food, and thousands of years of art, history and culture, brought together by a number of incredible galleries and museums. Tuscany is regarded as the birthplace of the Renaissance, particularly its capital city Florence; Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo are both closely associated with the region, and there are countless churches and cathedrals across Tuscany full of incredible art and frescoes. With beautiful countryside landscapes including olive groves and rolling golden hills, and a number of incredible wineries, Tuscany’s art and culture is a true luxury for the mind.
St Tropez
St Tropez has been one of the most fashionable holiday destinations in Europe for over fifty years. Located on the French Riviera, its Mediterranean climate provides vacationers with long hot summers with clear blue skies along with a gentle coastal breeze. Go to look at the millionaires’ yachts in the Vieux Port, and consider renting out a boat yourself for the day so you can explore the coastline and countless beautiful beaches. The high quality restaurants with their incredible seafood are worth experiencing and there are designer boutiques for you to splash out in during the day when you’ve finished relaxing in the sun. St Tropez will always be one of the most picturesque yet glamorous holiday destinations in France.
Mykonos
Located in the Aegean sea, southeast of mainland Greece, the island of Mykonos has become one of Greece’s most popular resorts for tourists to visit. Known for its vibrant nightlife, it’s full of hip hotels and clubs which will give you long nights of entertainment before you spend the next day recovering on one of the island’s popular beaches or by the pool at Mykonos Villas. Mykonos isn’t all about nightlife: you could take a day trip to the nearby island Delos, one of the most important archaeological sites in Greece and considered to be the birthplace of Greek gods Artemis and Apollo.
Edinburgh
A lot of visitors to the UK decide to go directly to London, but Edinburgh is also worth a look. The capital city of Scotland and home of the Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh is one of the most beautiful places in the UK with its rocky hills and incredible views, particularly of Edinburgh Castle in the centre of the city and the glimpses of the sea from the main street, the Royal Mile. During the summer, the Edinburgh Festival takes place, transforming the city into a hub of arts, comedy, theatre, dance and music. Being in the city during this time of year is a true luxury for your mind as you take in any sort of performance you want, from classical music and opera to bawdy sketch shows. Edinburgh is the UK’s most important hidden gem.
