I’ve always loved spending summer in Europe. With the weather at its sunniest and the days at their longest, this is generally a great time to explore what’s on your very doorstep. Plus, if you time it right, there are some incredible deals to be had and some quieter resorts to be found if that’s more your cup of tea.
I was challenged by the guys at Contact Numbers UK to write about my top 5 European holiday destinations. (FYI: Contact Numbers UK have a thorough directory of all customer service contact numbers you could possibly ever need across various industries, including Thomson Holidays). Choosing 5 for this list was harder than I expected, because I’m always raving about how much Europe has to offer. There’s other-wordly adventure (hi Iceland) and more history than you can shake a stick at (I’m talking about you Athens). But, after some thinking, I managed to whittle it down to my top 5 destinations where I’ve enjoyed some of the best holidays ever!
As always, I’d love to hear your opinion on where the best European destinations are in the comments below! Or if you’re really not that interested and just want to enter that summer giveaway I mentioned in the title (I won’t be offended, don’t worry…) scroll down to the end of this post!
Amsterdam
I went to Amsterdam in August 2015 over a bank holiday – which you think would be the worst possible time to visit, but actually it was perfect. The weather was sunny (but not too hot), the sun was out for longer so we were able to squeeze more sights into our short trip, and our hotel room was so empty we got upgraded to a corner room with some cracking canal views. I think that Amsterdam can be a fairly overlooked city given its close proximity to the UK, but it’s in summer that it really shines.
Monaco
Who ever thought of going to a billionaire’s playground for a quick summer break? Uh, me. And actually, it surprisingly wasn’t half as expensive as I was expecting. Granted I gave the helicopter arrival and casino a miss though…
I’d rate Monaco as a top Euro destination for many reasons, but #1 is the fact it’s so compact. You’ve got beaches, bars, museums, all within a short walk of each other (think it’s only got an area of something like 0.78 sq mi?)
Paphos
Paphos is a year-round destination, but with temperatures peaking at 30°C you’ll want to make a summer visit! I don’t think I’ve ever felt so relaxed in a destination than with Paphos. We just spent 5 days chilling by the pool or on the beach, walking into the nearby town, finding cats to cuddle and tasty cafes to eat at. And everywhere you look is just an Instagram photo waiting to happen. It’s picturesque, bluer than a Smurf, and completely idyllic.
Edinburgh
Image: Wikimedia
Our summer trip to Edinburgh was one of the best holidays my mum and I ever went on together. Our trip coincided with the Edinburgh festival and the Tattoo, so we got tickets to both and had a fabulously jolly week. During the day we would just wander around the city, taking in cheap gigs and performances, and soaking up all the fun in the streets. The vibe was electric and vibrant, and I can totally see why people come back here year after year, even though it can get pricey…
Barcelona
Thanks to Umberto Nicoletti on Flickr for the pic!
My #1 European destination has got to be Barcelona. Colourful, world-famous art, delicious food on every corner – and when you get tired of that, just head to the beach! I’ve never visited a city that’s offered so much. It’s great for those who want to sunbathe, for those who want to shop, and for those who want to sightsee. Family squabbles = a thing of the past.
Now for a summer giveaway!
Fancy winning some goodies for your summer holiday? Here’s what one lucky person will win:
Up for grabs in this little bundle include:
- A giant flamingo pool inflatable
- A Skinny Dip pineapple luggage tag
- A pair of cat-eye mirror sunglasses
- Nivea SPF 30 lip balm
- An Elephant & Camel bohemian beach throw
To enter, all you have to do is follow the links in the Rafflecopter widget below!
The competition is open until Friday 4th August at midnight. UK entries only, sorry!
Good luck!
This post is in collaboration with Contact Numbers UK, however all views are my own.
