Europe
See it, taste it, sail it – and stay in style. Your ultimate guide to Europe.
Dine like royalty Seaside splendour at the legendary Hôtel du Palais, Biarritz.
Beat the Crowds
Holidaymakers in Europe’s busiest spots face crowds, hostile locals and high prices. Amanda Hyde discovers some of the best alternatives.
The latest European destination to fall foul of over-tourism is Comino, a once-paradisiacal Maltese island that has turned into a “litter-strewn disaster zone” according to recent reports, thanks to its popularity with Instagrammers.
Although it may seem as though the whole continent is suffering under the weight of so many visitors, there are still plenty of quiet corners if you know where to look. Below, we highlight 10 of Europe’s most touristy spots and suggest alternatives for each.
The overdone: VENICE
This city’s overtourism woes are wellpublicised, with authorities doing all they can to prevent daytrippers and weekend breakers from flooding the streets and canals. The alternative: TREVISO
Journalists have cited many local spots –including nearby Chioggia and Comacchio – as dupes for Italy’s most famous city. But for
Monica Cesarato, a local tour guide and author, there’s only one alternative: Treviso.
Adorned with the prerequisite canals, bordered by shady arches and faded palazzos (as well as medieval walls and fresco-trimmed churches), this underrated city is less busy than Venice but shares its cicchetti culture as well as its watery thoroughfares. Stay at Palazzo Bortolan, with its roof terrace overlooking the Sile river. Doubles from $219, room only.
The overdone: MYKONOS
Two million tourists per year flock to Greece’s party island for pricey cocktails and posh meals but during summer, you’ll need to book ahead and pay through the nose.
The alternative: TINOS
A ferry hop from its popular neighbour, Tinos has been taking off for almost a decade, but it’s never quite hit the big time. Larger, but with less tourists, it’s great for “some of the best local food and wine, excellent beaches and mountain hiking – though for clubbing, you’ll need to head over to Mykonos”, says Peter Marston who owns the meticulously restored Xinara House and Blacksmith’s Villa, in a car-free village on the island. Three nights cost from $2641 for 10 people, self-catering.
The overdone: MALLORCA
In 2024, well-publicised anti-tourist demonstrations proved that Mallorca had had enough. This year’s campaign has already kicked off, with an open letter from seven local organisations urging visitors to “stay home”.
The alternative: SANTA MARIA, AZORES
For island life without the animosity, fly further. The tamest and sunniest of the wild islands of the Azores, Santa Maria is a place of empty beaches, clifftop viewpoints and a lovable 15th-century island capital, Vila do Porto. Here, the cobbles of Main Street are rarely troubled by more than an occasional ambling supermini while the handful of
Less is more
The Venice-like canals of Treviso; Tinos (below) charms over Mykonos.
restaurants are mom-and-pop affairs. In the town, Charming Blue has doubles from $280.
The overdone: CINQUE TERRE
One-way routes and thongs bans are just a couple of ways the authorities have tried to increase safety on the Cinque Terre’s packed hiking routes, which connect its five cliff-hugging villages.
The alternative: THE AEOLIAN ISLANDS
A sleepy Italian secret, this string of seven rocky outcrops is a ferry hop from Sicily. Like the Cinque Terre’s villages, each island has a distinct character – from Salina’s vine-crossed landscape to the wilds of Filicudi, which come topped by Bronze Age ruins. Outside of August, they’re quiet too. Expect peaceful hikes to beaches along cactus-scattered cliff-side paths or head up fumarole-topped Stromboli. On Salina, Hotel Punta Scario has doubles from $463 room only.
The overdone: DUBROVNIK
It was already known for its August crowds, but these grew 3 per cent year-on-year in 2024, according to The Dubrovnik Times. The alternative: STON
Emma Heywood, founder of adventure travel company Undiscovered Balkans, recommends Ston, a town on Croatia’s Peljesac peninsula, as a worthy swap for the country’s capital.
“It’s known to Croatians as a miniDubrovnik, but without the cruise ships and yachts because one side is a protected marine park for oyster farming, and the other is salt pans,” she says.
It’s also surrounded by walkable, rambling medieval city walls such as the Wall of Ston (the second longest in the world after the Great Wall of China). Undiscovered Balkans’ week-long multi-activity holiday with Ston as its base costs from $2469 per person, including some meals but excluding flights.
Perfect substitutes
Clockwise, from above: Lipari in the Aeolian Islands; Lampedusa, Italy; La Graciosa in the Canary Islands; Girona, Spain; Faro, Portugal; Ston, Croatia.
The overdone: LISBON
The once-quiet Portuguese capital has morphed into one of Europe’s busiest cities, where visitors cram the trams and queue around the block for the Santa Justa Lift.
The alternative: FARO
It seems strange to head to the Algarve to escape tourists, but the region’s working towns bear no resemblance to its busy resorts.
Faro’s photogenic Old Town is largely pedestrianised, cobbled and surrounded by ancient walls, but its churches and cafes are quiet and calm.
And while hundreds of Instagrammers take the ferry across Lisbon’s Tagus River for social-media-worthy dinners in waterside restaurants, from Faro you can hop to the breezy, white-sand beaches of the Ria Formosa islands and sunbathe in relative peace.
Near the Old Town, Lemon Tree Stay has doubles from $209.
The overdone: COMINO
The aforementioned Comino made headlines recently for its rat-infested beach and crowds of influencers.
The alternative: LAMPEDUSA
It may be Italian, but Spiaggia dei Conigli on Lampedusa is a mere hour from Comino by hydrofoil and regularly called the most beautiful beach in the world. Its A-list looks understandably draw holidaying hordes – but their numbers are now controlled by a booking system in an effort to maintain its pristine perfection, as well as the loggerhead turtles who lay their eggs here. Nearby four-star Cupola Bianca has doubles from $238.
The overdone: BARCELONA
Violent (if you count water pistols) protests showed tourists exactly what city dwellers thought of them in 2024, but there were still 15.5 million overnight stays.
The alternative: GIRONA
It’s only 40 minutes away by train, but Girona has escaped much of the tourist traffic. Far
more walkable, it’s a place to mooch along the Onyar river towards lunch at one of its increasingly lauded restaurants or spend long nights putting the world to rights in bars in ancient squares. There are museums and churches too (don’t miss the Museu del Cinema). The city’s chicest stay, Palau Fugit, has doubles from $354.
The overdone: NICE
This Riviera city’s mayor recently announced new legislation that he hopes will halve Airbnb rentals in its busiest neighbourhoods, stating “I will not allow the people of Nice to be prevented from living in Nice!” (See page 44 for when you should visit Nice.)
The alternative: TOULON
An hour-and-a-half drive’s west along the coast, Toulon has a long-standing image problem thanks to some ill-advised post-war architecture and its home as France’s largest naval base. But visiting reveals Haussmann boulevards, a buzzy harbour lined with restaurants and a string of city beaches at Plages du Mourillon. Overlooking the port, L’Eautel has doubles from $270 room only.
The overdone: IBIZA
The party island has come a long way from its hippy roots, when pioneering ex-pats took pilgrimages to Es Vedra and traipsed into
the interior to make calls from its only pay phone at Bar Anita. Now, only multimillionaires can afford property and partygoers pack the coastline.
The alternative: LA GRACIOSA
Head back in time to the Canaries, specifically the lesser-visited island of La Graciosa, half an hour by ferry from Lanzarote. There are no paved roads on this tiny dollop, just long sweeps of sand bordered by neon blue water and linked by meandering hiking and biking trails.
Don’t expect glam hotels either. Instead, holidaymakers rent apartments in the island’s two teeny towns, Pedro Barba, with its cobalt shutters and looping paths of palms, and the slightly bigger Caleta de Sebo, where neat white terraces line sandy pathways towards the sea. Evita Beach has apartments from $338 room only, for a two-night minimum stay. CT
Winter Wonders
From Seville to Helsinki, these cities shine brightest during winter, writes Chris
Leadbeater.
Perhaps it is the pleasing sensation of sunlight on bare skin, but we are effectively programmed to think of summer as the best time for travel. And yet… there is a school of thought which says that the much-loved period in Europe from June to September is not automatically the ideal moment for a break. And not just because the last two summers have witnessed excessive Mediterranean temperatures, and weather so hot that wildfires have strafed Greek hillsides. Some destinations simply look and feel more glorious, not in the dazzle of an August midday, but when the mercury slips downwards.
Cities especially. A busy metropolis can be a sort of hell in July; train carriages turned to sweat-boxes, tarmac sticky underfoot. By contrast, winter can make some of Europe’s key capitals much more intriguing, beckoning visitors into museums, galleries and churches. And some cities, quite specifically, work better in winter. These 10 dots on the European map all have plenty to offer during August. But thanks to seasonal festivities, Christmas markets, or just the absence of crowds, each of them may be a more splendid proposition for travel once December and January come into focus…
Prost!
A toast to the delights of the winter months in Berlin.
/ SEVILLE
When to go: November to March
So warm is the weather in the Andalusian capital that winter only really passes through as a token gesture. You can expect high temperatures of about 20°C in November and March, and nothing substantially colder in the interim. Indeed, there is an argument that Seville feels far more pleasant at the start
of the year, having extricated itself from the mid-thirties heatwave that holds it in its grip from June to September. Go in February instead, and the spectacular Setas de Sevilla –the latticework of giant wooden “mushrooms” that towers over Plaza de la Encarnación –become an art installation from which you can appreciate the cityscape, rather than a big parasol beneath which to shelter.
Must-see
The Alcazar, the royal palace which remains the city’s most stylish reminder of Moorish rule. That the cooling effects of its marble walls and tinkling fountains are much less important in “the winter” does not lessen their elegance.
/ BERLIN
When to go: December
If you are old enough to remember the Wall through the heart of it, Berlin always feels like
a winter city – the divided epicentre of the Cold War, whose weather fell into step with its geopolitical situation. Logic dictates that the German capital does indeed have a summer, when the Tiergarten is abloom opposite the Reichstag – but somehow, Berlin calls out more persuasively in those months when you need to pull your coat tight around you, trudging through streets where barbed wire once ran; where Bowie drew inspiration.
Of course, a stay in the city doesn’t have to be an exercise in retro-gloom. Not least in December, when you can scarcely move for the aroma of cinnamon and the sight of fairylighted Christmas stalls – on, for example, Potsdamer Platz and Breitscheidplatz. Must-see
Tempelhof, the former Berlin airport, which, 16 years after its final flight took off, has eased into retirement as an urban park.
“Some destinations simply look and feel more glorious … when the mercury drops.”
/ THESSALONIKI
When to go: December
In other words, Thessaloniki is an ideal candidate for an off-season holiday, and December, when there is a Christmas tree in Aristotelous Square, is as good a time as any.
Must-see
Fun in the cold
Clockwise, from left: Seville lights up the cold night; ice-skating in Helsinki; and the White Tower, Thessaloniki.
Kapani Market, the food hub where, amid hanging meats and vats of olives, you realise that you are in the real Greece, rather than one of its holiday resorts.
/ HELSINKI
When to go: December and January
The Finnish capital is a place of seasonal extremes. Not of heat, but of light. In June and July – when, on each side of the solstice, the sun is high in the Northern Hemisphere sky –the day barely bothers to end. During December and January, it practically never starts.
festive market taking place at its feet –on Senaatintori square (November 28December 22).
/ VIENNA
When to go: January to March
The Austrian capital has long taken the admirable stance that the rituals of Christmas do not have to be restricted to the solitary month of December. However, unlike the average supermarket, it does not extend the season by draping itself in tinsel the moment October ticks around on the calendar. Instead, it injects a welcome blast of festive sparkle into the time when it is needed the most – the first three gloomy chapters of the new year.
The wildfires and fortysomething temperatures of the last two years may have made you reconsider whether the Greek summer is now a suitable window for a holiday. If so, the country’s second city could grab your attention in winter.
Whereas Athens looks its best in warm weather, the Parthenon shimmering in the heat haze on its Acropolis rock, Thessaloniki is a more complicated character. Its major landmarks – the sturdy slab of Ottoman masonry that is the White Tower; the Roman Forum sprawling dustily on Filippou Street – are more curios for interested travellers than obvious baubles for Instagram ubiquity. The bars of its trendy warehouse district Ladadika, meanwhile, make for evenings indoors as much as outside.
And yet Helsinki summons all its powers of seduction to be at its most appealing amid the six or so hours of “sunshine” on offer in the depths of winter. If snow has fallen, the streets take on a reflective quality that somehow amplifies the meagre amount of natural light; the process is boosted by the twinkle of man-made illumination. The effect is particularly striking on the main harbour, which has had something of a makeover in the last decade. Those who feel brave can absorb the whole scene from the hot saunas and cold shocks of the Allas Sea Pool complex; those who think that sounds like utter madness can take in the same view from the adjacent Sky Wheel.
Must-see Helsinki’s Lutheran cathedral, the Tuomiokirkko, could easily be an iced Christmas cake, especially with the city’s main
Of course, Vienna looks like a fairytale –Cinderella, probably – even in summer, such is its melodic chorus line of former royal palaces (the Hofburg being the best example) and gilded coffee salons (try the venerated Cafe Schwarzenberg, which dates to 1861). But the glass-slippers effect is most discernible in the long winter evenings, in the ice rinks that proliferate around the centre.
Must-see
Vienna Ice World, the enormous rink which dominates the Rathausplatz square and park – in front of the neo-Gothic whimsy of City Hall. In 2026, it will be from January 22 to March 8.
/ SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE
When to go: February
You do not have to go to South America or New Orleans to find a winter party in the pre-Lenten tradition. You can also find one on a volcanic rock in the eastern Atlantic. Rather a big one too. So significant is the
swap the resorts in the south-west of the largest Canary Island for its capital in the north-east.
The crux of the 2026 fiesta will take place between February 13-22. The Entierro de la Sardina (Burial of the Sardine) is a Spanish idiosyncrasy that involves the destruction of a fish sculpture – it is normally burned – to announce the formal end of the festivities (although the party restarts, and continues through to the weekend).
Must-see
You can’t go to Tenerife and not hit the beach. Playa de las Teresitas, a short hop north of Santa Cruz, is the island’s finest (with the help of a Saharan sand transplant).
/ NICE
When to go: February and March
If it is a minor surprise to hear of Mardi Gras mayhem in the Canary Islands, it may be a greater shock to learn that the ticker-tape also swirls on the Côte d’Azur – where the Carnaval de Nice has been a source of pre-Lenten merriment since the year 1294. This two-week extravaganza also has plenty in common with Ipanema and Louisiana – the 2026 event is scheduled for February 11 to March 1.
Whether it makes Nice a more attractive city in winter probably depends on how much you enjoy a summer-evening stroll along the Promenade des Anglais. But the carnival is proof that there is more to this French
Party time
Carnival is not just for Brazil – time your visits right to celebrate in Tenerife (left); Nice (above); and Valencia.
hotspot than pricey cocktails and tiny beachwear.
Must-see
The Colline du Château. That Nice’s dominant hill no longer has the castle its name promises (Louis XIV had it destroyed in 1706) does not diminish the majesty of the view.
/ VALENCIA
When to go: March
Spain’s third-biggest city is home to one of Europe’s most remarkable fiestas. A different beast to Mardi Gras, Las Fallas is both a celebration of the coming spring and a farewell to its seasonal predecessor, its roots buried in the medieval habit of carpenters clearing out their workshops as the cold and dark began to dissipate. Yet, where once it was scraps of wood being set alight, the modern logs on the fire are the many elaborate papier-mâché sculptures – sometimes of unpopular politicians and overbearing celebrities, but often simply works of art –that decorate the heart of the city for the duration of the festival (March 1-19, with the crux between March 15 and 19). These are put to the torch on the chaotic final night; a pyromaniac’s dream where the sky glows orange.
Must-see
The main square, Plaza del Ayuntamiento, and its mascletà – a daily (2pm, on all 20 days of the festival) barrage of firecrackers and explosives that makes the ears ring. CT
WE DIDN’T FIND YOUR HAPPY PLACE, WE BUILT IT.
We didn’t just build a ship. We built the holiday you’ll always remember. The restaurant you’ll never forget. The date night so good it lasts all day long. The pool day to outshine all other pool days. We built new ways for you to explore Europe before you even get there. New chances for you to restore like never before. A new check mark on your bucket list. We built your happy place. Say hello to Celebrity Xcel.
Setting sail in Europe May 2026.
Seasons in the Sun
You’ll be cruising on sunshine in Europe in the summer, writes Isabelle
James.
Heading for Europe in the northern summer?
Whether you’re looking for a big-ship experience on board lines such as Celebrity Cruises, or you want something small and intimate like AmaWaterways’ river ships, we have chosen standout itineraries for the 2026 and 2027 summer seasons to help you plan your next cruise.
Copenhagen to Reykjavik with The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection
Embark on a remarkable journey, as Ritz-Carlton takes you from one captivating capital to another, travelling from stylish Copenhagen to ethereal Reykjavik over nine nights. Cruise aboard the intimate Evrima, accommodating just 298 guests, and visit destinations celebrated for their natural beauty, such as the UNESCO-listed Geiranger, with its breath-taking fjords, and the unique town of Ålesund, famed for its art nouveau architecture.
Elevate your voyage with unforgettable excursions, with the chance to charter a seaplane flight over Bergen’s fjord glaciers, revealing dramatic waterfalls, quaint villages and sweeping views of Mt Ulricken and Mt Fløyen.
Ship: Evrima
Date: 30 July-8 August 2026
Price: From $22,053 ritzcarltonyachtcollection.com.au
Choice spots
Clockwise, from left: Visit Antalya, with Scenic; fjords with RitzCarlton; and St Tropez with Crystal.
Aegean Treasures with Scenic
What better way to cruise the Mediterranean than to spend eight days island hopping around sun-drenched Greece?
This cruise begins in bustling Athens, the historic birthplace of Western civilisation and home to incredible temples and museums. Scenic will take you to glamorous gems such as Mykonos, as well as iconic Santorini, famous for its white-washed houses and deep blue dome roofs. You’ll also discover hidden treasures, such as the lesser-known Milos, home to the surreal Sarakiniko beach with its moon-like landscape. There
will be endless opportunities to sip ouzo and local wine as you dine at the Aegean’s best restaurants.
Ship: Scenic Eclipse II
Date: 21-28 June 2026
Price: From $12,640 scenic.com.au
Athens to Split with Silversea Sail with Silversea on a 12-day adventure, visiting nine unique ports across four diverse countries. You’ll begin in the majestic city of Athens, surrounded by urban elegance, classical architecture and a rich cultural legacy. Next, you will continue to the azure waters of Antalya in Turkey before reaching the ancient island of Rhodes, nestled between Crete and Turkey’s coastline.
Journey through the Greek islands until you reach Sarande, Albania, a lesser-known,
picturesque location, where you can visit wineries and medieval cities or simply enjoy the day lying on a white-sand beach. The cruise will finish in Croatia, exploring the popular cities of Dubrovnik and Split, which are known for their vibrant nightlife and historic ports.
Ship: Silver Dawn
Date: 1-12 May 2026
Price: From $17,000 silversea.com
Civitavecchia to Barcelona with Crystal Drift along the coasts of Italy, France and Spain in a state of Mediterranean bliss on this nine-night cruise. Aboard the sleek Crystal Symphony, guests will depart romantic Rome and sail to the Tuscan port of Livorno, disembarking to explore vibrant Florence, known for its artistic heritage and Renaissance architecture.
Journey on to France’s chic Saint Tropez, before heading to the under-the-radar Port-Vendres, a quaint fishing village in southeastern France. Discover the best of the Balearic Islands with stops in Mahón and Palma de Mallorca, where you can enjoy authentic tapas and island serenity before you sail to the vibrant metropolis of Barcelona.
Ship: Crystal Symphony
Date: 12-21 June 2027
Price: From $9600 crystalcruises.com.au
Spring in the Aegean with Regent Seven Seas Cruises Travel on this 12-night round-trip from Istanbul, discovering some of
the Mediterranean’s most alluring destinations. Explore Kavala in Northern Greece, a haven for fresh seafood and local produce, including honey and cheese. Marvel at the multicultural buildings dramatically dotted around the cliffs, overlooking crystal-clear waters. See ornate churches and sacred crypts in Thessaloniki, an ancient city with a history spanning more than two millennia.
Regent promises unlimited shore excursions, including Michelin-starred coastline dinners in Athens, snorkelling adventures in pristine waters in Heraklion and visits to UNESCOlisted monasteries in Volos.
Ship: Seven Seas Splendor
Date: 22 May-3 June 2026
Price: From $15,590 rssc.com.au
Polar Lights with Ponant
Experience the discreet luxury of Ponant on this nine-day From North Cape to the Loften Islands itinerary, sailing the magical shores of Norway and the isolated tip of the Arctic. Joining you on board will be guest of honour Ian Dawson, a British Photo Ambassador, who will guide you through the striking remote regions.
You’ll be immersed in the peace of Norwegian Lapland, discovering enchanting fishing
villages, coastal panoramas, snow-covered mountains and rarely seen endemic wildlife. There’s also the possibility of seeing the magical Aurora Borealis on this cruise, as you sail the northernmost point of continental Europe.
Ship: Le Commandant Charcot Date: 24 October-1 November 2026
Price: From $18,005 ponant.com.au
Best of Scandinavia: Celebrity Cruises
Celebrity is taking guests round the best of Scandinavia in twelve nights, featuring calls in Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Estonia, Finland, Copenhagen and Amsterdam. This jam-packed cruise includes a day in Tallinn, Estonia’s capital city, which has preserved its old-world charm thanks to its incredible Baroque architecture. See the pastel pink parliament building and enjoy an Estonian craft beer.
Experience the nautical charm of Skagen and visit the chic art galleries, home to stunning paintings which are inspired by the area’s charming landscape.
Enjoy the brightly coloured buildings of Stockholm, and make the most of the city’s extensive collection of parks and museums.
Ship: Celebrity Eclipse
Date: 21 May-2 June 2026
Price: From $3741
celebritycruises.com.au
Mediterranean & Adriatic with Princess
Discover the lesser-visited city of Kotor in Montenegro on this seven-day Princess cruise, along with the breathtaking city of Dubrovnik, most recently famed as a filming location for Game of Thrones. You’ll also visit the sun-kissed island of Corfu, where you can unwind amid spectacular coastal scenery, including white-sand beaches.
Enjoy days at sea on Enchanted Princess and make use of its four pools, nine hot tubs, extensive spa
Rare sights
Clockwise, from left: Wildlife with Ponant; Gibraltar with Viking; tulips in Delft; AmaSintra; Celebrity Cruises.
treatments and specialty dining options. Step off in Naples, home to the world’s best pizza and the gateway to the Isle of Capri, the ruins of Pompeii and the picturesque Amalfi Coast.
Ship: Enchanted Princess
Date: 16-23 June 2026
Price: From $1754 princess.com.au
British Isles Explorer with Viking Ocean
Viking invites you on a 15-day voyage through breathtaking natural beauty, beginning in Bergen, Norway, and continuing through the emerald-green landscapes of the enchanting British Isles.
See the adorable prancing Shetland ponies and historic castle ruins in Lerwick before exploring “Granite City” in Aberdeen, famous for its solemn grey stone architecture. Walk around the
magical city of Edinburgh, and explore exciting shore excursions, including bagpipe workshops and whiskey tastings. Visit the renowned Guinness factory in Dublin, and learn about the political and historical legacy of Belfast through a Black Cab tour.
Ship: Viking Neptune
Date: 28 March-11 April 2026
Price: From $9995 vikingocean.com.au
Burgundy & Provence for Wine Lovers with Avalon Waterways
This exquisitely curated eight-day river cruise is perfect for wine lovers looking to explore the best of France. Starting in the coastal city of Arles, you’ll journey through charming French country villages, including Viviers, as well as visiting iconic cities such as Lyon. You’ll travel to the sweeping countryside of the Mâconnais region and learn about its
world-famous chardonnay vineyard, before indulging in a tasting in the cellar of a medieval castle.
This cruise revolves around fine wine, and to elevate the experience, a certified sommelier will accompany you throughout the journey, spoiling you with tastings, presentations and wine pairings.
Ship: Avalon Poetry II
Date: 13-20 October 2026
Price: From $6264 avalonwaterways.com.au
Enticing Douro with AmaWaterways
The incredible Douro River is on every river cruise fanatic’s bucket list, thanks to its stunning scenery, steep hillsides and lush terraced vineyards.
This seven-night cruise takes you through spectacular rural gems of Portugal and Spain, offering incredible cultural tours and opportunities to taste the finest port – Portugal’s famous contribution to the world of wine.
Visit the Portuguese Baroquestyle Palacio de Mateus, an elegant and intricate building oozing grandeur, whose gardens are regarded as the most beautiful in Portugal. Feel the spiritual significance of picturesque Lamego, home to the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Remedies, one of the most important pilgrimage sites in all of Portugal.
Ship: AmaDouro
Date: 24-31 March 2026
Price: From $1605 amawaterways.com.au
Danube Waltz with Viking River Cruise down the Danube and explore the diverse cities that line its banks over eight exciting days aboard Viking Vilhjalm. Relax in the famous thermal baths of Budapest, or embark on an exciting shore excursion, such as the “Hungarian Horsemen”, where you’ll travel to horse country and watch highly skilled riders work their magic.
Continue to classy Vienna and spend a night listening to delightful classical music, with a privileged-access performance led by renowned composer and musician Alma Deutscher, who will bless your ears with Mozart and Strauss. Finish in Passau, one of Bavaria’s oldest cities.
Ship: Viking Vilhjalm
Dates: 17-24 March 2026
Price: From $3095 vikingriver.com.au
Tulips and Windmills with Uniworld Enjoy Belgium and the Netherlands in full bloom with this 10-day Uniworld cruise. Start in Amsterdam, known as “the Venice of the North”, and explore the colourful canals and rich history of the Dutch capital. Continue onto Zaandam, which embodies traditional ideas of Holland, with its gorgeous wooden windmills, quaint green cottages and rows of vibrant tulips.
After you’ve sailed through the Netherlands, you’ll arrive in Bruges, one of the best-preserved medieval cities in Europe. Explore its lively boutiques and galleries, and marvel at its quirky architecture before finishing in Antwerp, the diamond capital of the world.
Ship: River Duchess
Dates: 21-30 March 2026
Price: From $5279 uniworld.com.au CT
International full-service flights to Copenhagen returning from London
3 Night hotel stay to explore Copenhagen
12 Night Exploration Cruise onboard Regatta
Enjoy an overnight stay onboard in Alta for premium Northern Lights viewing opportunities
All-inclusive onboard freestyle dining
BONUS All-inclusive onboard beverage package
BONUS Onboard specialty dining and wifi packages
Onboard prepaid gratuities
Onboard entertainment and enrichment programs
BONUS USD$50 Onshore explorations
river cruise.
International full-service flights to Athens returning from Amsterdam Hotel stays in Athens, Barcelona and Paris
12 Night Exploration Cruise onboard Regatta
Enjoy an overnight onboard in Alexandria to explore ancient Egyptian wonders
BONUS All-inclusive onboard beverage package
BONUS Onboard specialty dining
BONUS US$50 Onshore Explorations credit per stateroom per port
8 Day Relaxed luxury Rhine River cruise onboard Avalon Waterways
BONUS Wifi package and pre paid gratuities included on both cruises
My Weekend with
Monaco’s Jet Set
Luring aristocrats, influencers and everyone in between, the original billionaire’s playground still has a unique pull, writes Gemma Knight-Gilani.
There is Monaco, and then there is Monaco. Many of us have visited the former, sitting at wrought-iron tables on café terraces, strolling along the promenade, visiting the parts of the palace which are open to the public.
But while we are visiting the MAMAC museum and taking photos on Casino Square, a wholly separate Monaco is going on behind closed doors. It is a world in which most of us are unlikely ever to find ourselves. Yes, it is a club into which you can buy (or marry) your way, as many have. But its eccentric upper reaches are reserved for a select few.
On previous visits to Monaco, I had once or twice glimpsed this veiled world: the neatly preserved, white-haired women in tasteful tailored garb, watching haughtily from the top deck of the yacht club; aristocratically jawed gentlemen smoking cigars on the balcony at the very back of the Casino de Monte Carlo.
I was fascinated by it, longing for a closer look – and reasoned there could be few better opportunities than during the Monaco Grand Prix, “the jewel in Formula 1’s crown” and a stalwart of the Principality’s glittering social season. If I was going to experience Monaco’s essence at its most distilled, this was surely the place to do it.
My temporary access to this exclusive, elusive world came courtesy of UK company Go Privilege, one of a new and unusual breed of high-end concierge outfits which specialise in this sort of VIP gathering. They set me up with two of their Monaco packages – Friday
aboard a trackside yacht (£1000, or $2075), and Sunday watching the Grand Prix itself from the terrace of Hotel Metropole’s Yoshi, Monte Carlo’s only Michelin-star Japanese restaurant (£3495, or $7250). It all felt too easy, as though someone had given me the secret password for some hidden back door. I packed every outfit I owned that could be reasonably passed o as quiet luxury, and arrived in Monte Carlo as the F1 practice sessions were kicking o . I was immediately whisked to my first Go Privilege engagement: a swish all-day party aboard 37-metre superyacht Sea Bluez, moored feet from the track in Port Hercule.
A top-end tender zipped us across the port to its bow, weaving between other floating megaliths. Behind them, Monte Carlo’s bizarrely beautiful patchwork of Belle Époque piles and incongruous high-rises climbed towards the foothills of Mont Agel, its twisting streets and alleys crammed with people.
On board the yacht, champagne flowed, and glamorous people in dark glasses and delicately branded sportswear drifted between the aft deck and a table in the salon laid with chi-chi snacks. In the lulls between races, some retired to the sundeck, applying a sunscreen which doesn’t o cially exist yet from glass vials which waited on each table, as a DJ played waves of ambient mood music.
“Important people have always come to Monte Carlo,” a distinguished elderly Frenchman told me, when we got chatting near the ceviche platter. “For some it’s about being seen, but for the really important ones, it’s about not being seen. Here, everyone is rich – nobody cares. If you walk down the street, nobody bothers you.”
And then it was Sunday – race day – and I was meandering down the stately sunlit driveway of the Hotel Metropole. All was calm and quiet, a world away from the maelstrom of surging bodies and hi-vis attired marshalls. Inside Yoshi, another clutch of e ortlessly glamorous people milled around, picking at finger food (nigiri, takoyaki, lobster rolls, choux buns), still sipping champagne, and intermittently strolling out onto the terrace.
I followed them, tottering up to the thick baroque balustrade. This, I’d been told, was one of Monaco’s finest Grand Prix vantage points – but nothing could have prepared me for the reality of it. Barely five metres below was the track. As I gawped, the drivers’ parade appeared on the crest of the hill.
I had expected there to be a great rush when the Grand Prix itself began, but when the cars started to roar by, I was surprised to note little change in tempo. People ambled out, watched a few laps, pointed to the car of Verstappen or Norris, then returned inside.
“Don’t you want to see?” I asked a stately 60-something gent. “They go round; someone wins, someone loses. I’ve seen it before,” he replied. “Everyone here has seen it before.” He smiled and raised his glass. “And now, so have you.” CT
Life in the fast lane
From top: The Casino de Monte-Carlo; Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton; Formula One on the Circuit de Monaco.
MEDITERRANEAN FEAST
The words “luxury cruise” mean many things to many people. On Silversea’s stylish boutique ships, they stand for wonderful food and exceptional comfort, writes Teresa Ooi.
silversea’s intimate ships are perfectly sized – small enough to access secluded ports that larger vessels simply can’t reach, yet spacious enough to provide every comfort and indulgence of a world-class luxury cruise.
From the charming cobbled streets of seaside villages to the secrets of UNESCO World Heritage sites, you’ll explore the Mediterranean in immersive, culturally rich style. Your journey may take you to the French Riviera, the Greek Islands or beyond – wherever you go, it will be an unforgettable experience.
With itineraries ranging from Valletta to Barcelona, Lisbon to Monte Carlo, or Rome to Athens via the Amalfi Coast, you are spoilt for choice in the Mediterranean. Four exceptional ships – Silver Muse, Silver Ray, Silver Spirit and Silver Whisper – are regularly based in Europe, each delivering Silversea’s hallmark elegance and personalised service.
/ Athens (Piraeus) to Athens (Piraeus)
Over seven indulgent days, you can go on a Greek island-hopping cruise which will acquaint you with ancient Greek and Roman history. You will unearth Crete’s archaeological treasures, Rhodes’ medieval palaces, Mykonos’s upscale chic and Nafplion’s romantic streets.
From the port of Kusadasi in Turkey, you will explore the ancient city of Ephesus.
The seven-day cruise aboard Silver Muse will depart Athens on 4 April 2026. By then, a refurbished Silver Muse will have a S.A.L.T. (Sea and Land Taste) Kitchen, where the menu changes to reflect the cuisines of the places you visit, and a S.A.L.T. Bar, serving locally inspired cocktails created by expert mixologists.
Book a S.A.L.T. Experience, such as the Mykonos shore excursion where you can learn how to make cheese the traditional way, or an olive oil tasting experience and Turkish farm-to-table feast in the Kusadasi region.
/ Lisbon to
Barcelona
Expect historic castles, authentic paella and fiery passion when you join this 11-day cruise aboard Silver Ray, departing 5 April 2026. You
Mediterranean highlights
From top: Italy’s Amalfi Coast; Silversea docking at Valletta’s Grand Harbour, Malta.
will enjoy visiting the lush landscapes of Vigo and Porto. Take time to taste some of Portugal’s famed port wine at Porto and try the famous pastel de nata (custard tart) while you stroll down the tiny alleys and narrow streets lined with restaurants and cafes. Indulge in a francesinha sandwich – a Portuguese take on French toast packed with ham, cheese, egg and sauce. Stop by Porto Cathedral for some spectacular views of the city.
Silver Ray will overnight at Malaga, where you can chill out at the renowned beaches of Costa del Sol or venture inland to discover the Moorish treasures of Granada and Cordoba.
Learn more about southern Spain’s Arabic influences when visiting Granada’s Alhambra palace or Cordoba’s La Mezquita mosque.
In Barcelona, you’ll be able to experience a seven-course culinary experience at S.A.L.T., which includes a shopping tour of La Boqueria market with food expert Xavi Morón. Food enthusiasts will be enthralled by the cooking demonstrations, and can learn how to make a paella in the traditional style by adding cheese and charcuterie – all under atmospheric fig trees at a family-run cava producer.
You can also join a S.A.L.T. Experience in a charming whitewashed village, where acclaimed Chef Charo Carmona serves up Andalusian stews and desserts paired with Malaga’s Moscatel and local sherry from Ronda. CT For more information or to book your Mediterranean voyage, visit silversea.com or call 1300 306 872.
Here’s to wandering cobblestone streets and rolling cliffside vineyards. Roaming the catacombs of the Eternal City. Uncovering the Pearl of the Adriatic. Falling in love with the City of Light. Tracing the footsteps of Medieval knights. From the Amalfi Coast to the Grecian Isles, explore every wonder of this storied region. Here’s to unlocking doors to the past. To taking the untrodden path. To Finding More.
Visit Silversea.com, call 1300 306 872 or see your Travel Professional.
PALERMO, ITALY
Budget Busters
Isabelle James finds the best luxurious ways to see the continent, whether it be by rail, bus, bike or even on your own two feet.
Whether you are looking for that pre- or post-cruise extension to your European voyage or for a bespoke way to see the continent, travel companies are going above and beyond the regular hop-on and hop-off coach tours.
With Intrepid and UTracks, you can hike or bike around Croatia, the Amalfi Coast and the Alps with experienced guides, then finish off with sumptuous five-star stays after a day of
exploring. While others, like Abercrombie & Kent, offer stays in the world’s best hotels, accompanied by meals at Michelin-starred restaurants, private concerts, as well as access to museums and galleries not available to the public. Belmond and Golden Eagle are redefining the rail experience. The same goes for touring journeys, with Globus exploring off-the-beaten-path destinations while providing an eco-chic way of travel.
We’ve curated a list of dazzling itineraries to elevate your holiday, whether you’re looking for a pre- or post-cruise extension or simply planning a bespoke European getaway.
/ TRAINS
Golden Eagle Danube Express: Turkish Treasures
The elegant Golden Eagle Danube Express has added a new itinerary for 2026, taking guests on an immersive nine-day journey through the heart of Turkey’s most celebrated cities and landmarks, as well as lesser-known treasures and hidden gems.
The itinerary features four luxurious nights on board the Golden Eagle Danube Express, along with quality pre- and post-tour
accommodations in Istanbul. Highlights of the journey include a visit to the breathtaking Topkapi Palace. Finish the rail tour of a lifetime by venturing into the skies on a hot-air balloon ride over the unparalleled landscapes of Cappadocia. The package includes four nights on the train, two nights in Istanbul and two nights in Cappadocia.
• From $21,075 per person, based on Deluxe Class; goldeneagleluxurytrains.com.
Belmond: 3 Nights in Cornwall
Experience a piece of unexpected luxury with a tranquil four-day rail journey through England’s south-west, culminating in a chic beach getaway in stunning Cornwall. Britannic Explorer features 24-hour steward service, farm-to-table meals and decadent afternoon teas from chef Simon Rogan, all reflecting the charm of the English countryside.
Board the Britannic Explorer at London Victoria and travel in style to the rugged coast of Penzance, unwinding in the Wellness Suite whenever you wish to take a break from the breathtaking views. Enjoy a gala dinner at the celebrated Italian restaurant Da Costa, part of the Hauser & Wirth gallery.
• From $13,040 per person, based on Twin Suite; belmond.com.
/ TOURS
Globus: A Journey Through Time – Armenia and Georgia
Globus Tours specialises in intimate, smallgroup journeys, like the unique 11-day Armenia and Georgia itinerary, which
welcomes no more than 18 guests and explores a path far from the usual tourist trail.
Your air-conditioned coach will take you through the lesser-travelled countries of Armenia and Georgia, stopping at ancient citadels, cathedrals and cities rich with history, culture and traditions. Savour sweeping views of Yerevan from the symbolic Mother of Armenia monument, before touring a famous Armenian brandy distillery.
Experience the ancient capital of Georgia, Mtskheta, and the sacred shrines characterising this spiritual city.
• From $5399 per person; globus.com.au.
Tauck: Paris, Dordogne and Bordeaux
Tauck has crafted an exceptional 14-day itinerary that delves into the grandeur of France’s historic cities and the refined beauty of its countryside.
You’ll experience the pinnacle of French hospitality as you enjoy exclusive dinners prepared by Michelin-starred chefs and private visits to centuries-old vineyards and premier wineries. This includes the stunning Montmartre winery, the last operational vineyard in Paris. You’ll stay in opulent accommodation, such as the iconic Hotel du Palais Biarritz, which once acted as the palatial summer residence of Napoleon III.
• From $17,890 per person; tauck.com.au.
Scenic: Wonders of Switzerland and Austria
Join Scenic on a 15-day journey through the breathtaking Swiss Alps, travelling by rail and road to charming villages and bustling cities. Your journey includes exclusive Scenic Enrich experiences, thoughtfully curated to elevate your tour with unforgettable moments. Delight in an authentic Swiss evening featuring a chalet-style dinner, set to the distinctive sounds of traditional alphorn music. Cruise on Lake Brienz, a turquoise alpine lake nestled in the thick forests of the Bernese Oberland – the epitome of Swiss
countryside bliss. Travel to Vienna and enjoy a tour of its Baroque buildings, opera house and the sprawling gardens of Stadtpark.
• From $14,945 pp; scenic.com.au/tours/.
APT: Wonders of Scandinavia
This Scandinavian 14-day adventure from Copenhagen to Stockholm showcases otherworldly landscapes and cities, from the deep blue fjords and lush greenery of Western Norway to enriching cultural experiences in sophisticated yet vibrant Oslo.
Cruise through the Geirangerfjord, a UNESCO World Heritage Site formed over a succession of ice ages. Relax with a spa treatment at Färna Herrgård and Spa, before enjoying a delectable dinner made with fresh ingredients from neighbouring farms, the hotel’s kitchen garden and the surrounding leafy forests of Bergslagen. You’ll finish this incredible land tour with an exclusive
Ultimate getaways
Clockwise, from above left: Belmond’s Britannic Explorer; see Austria with Scenic; wine and dine with Tauck; and visit Georgia with Globus.
backstage tour of Oslo Opera House, home to the prestigious Norwegian National Opera and Ballet.
• From $14,795 per person; aptouring.com.
Abercrombie & Kent: Iceland Winter Adventure
This Iceland Winter Adventure represents the pinnacle of A&K’s signature excellence. The seven-day adventure begins in Iceland’s capital, with VIP admission to Reykjavik’s Icelandic Lava Show, an exclusive experience that brings you thrillingly close to real, molten lava. After, you’ll head to coastal Hvalfjordur to bathe in naturally heated thermal pools.
Other incredible activities in the itinerary include snowmobiling across Europe’s second-largest glacier and visiting dramatic black-sand beaches. You’ll venture to the unspoiled Icelandic countryside and enjoy a gourmet farm-to-table dinner at the luxury Torfhus retreat, perfectly located for a potential sighting of the captivating northern lights.
• From $18,360 pp; abercrombiekent.com.
/ HOTELS
The Berkeley: The Art of Dining
Nestled in the affluent Knightsbridge, the Berkeley exemplifies London’s glamour and elegance. The specialty dining includes world-renowned pastry chef Cédric Grolet’s patisserie, serving delicately crafted pastries with rich and unique flavours, piped right in front of you.
The Art of Dining Experience promises a culinary voyage, with up to $620 dining credit to spend at 19 different restaurants and bars across The Berkeley, Claridge’s, The Connaught and The Emory. Head to one of these premium London restaurants, or enjoy exquisite cuisine without having to leave the hotel.
The Berkeley’s recently opened restaurant, La Môme, brings the flavours of the French Riviera with dishes including Wagyu tagliata and flame-grilled octopus.
• From $1800 a night; the-berkeley.co.uk.
Four Seasons: World of Wellness
Step into the stunning locations that made the White Lotus a cult TV sensation. Four Seasons has created a 20-day World of Wellness itinerary, inspired by all three seasons of the hit show. A custom private jet will fly you to eight sun-soaked destinations: Singapore, Koh Samui, the Maldives, Taormina, Marrakech, Nevis, Mexico City and Maui.
Highlights include a Night Spa ritual performed under the stars in Singapore, turtle safaris in the Maldives, and healing bathing in the natural hot springs on the Caribbean island of Nevis.
• From $293,844 per person; fourseasons.com.
Four Seasons Milan and Paris: Shopping
The Four Seasons hotels in Milan and Paris are catering to fashion-loving guests with a new personal shopper and stylist experience, aptly named “So Chic, Darling!”
Art director and stylist Vittaria De Carlo will curate a shopping itinerary worthy of Anna Wintour, gently pushing clients to elevate their style. You’ll meet your personal stylist and private chauffeur before exploring Brera, known for its fashion houses, vintage boutiques and sleek Italian cafes.
In Paris, renowned private stylist Nathalie Oliver will unveil her most treasured shopping locations, guiding you through chic boutiques with insider Parisian expertise.
• From $6000 per person; fourseasons.com.
HIKING
One Life Hike It: Catalonia’s Gems
Walking Holiday
Start your journey in the quaint fishing village of Llafranc, where you’ll arrive at familyowned Hotel Casamar, which has held a Michelin star for an uninterrupted decade. This culinary haven owes its sustained excellence to the masterful expertise of Quim Casellas, who skilfully captains the kitchen. Hike along rugged headlands, through medieval towns and scenic vineyards. Your
Ice to meet you
A visit to Färna Herrgård and Spa with APT (above); Iceland with A&K.
itinerary can be personalised to your preferences, whether you seek relaxation one day or arduous but rewarding adventures. End a day of hiking by relaxing in a divine hotel spa, dining at authentic seafood restaurants or sunbathing on the beach.
• From $6039 per person; onelifehike.com.
Intrepid: Hike the Tour Du
Mont Blanc
Spend eight days in one of Europe’s most beautiful landscapes, surrounded by snowcapped peaks, deep green forests and blooming wildflowers.
This trek earns Intrepid’s highest physical rating, but with breathtaking Alpine scenery at every turn, the challenge is trumped by rewarding, unparalleled views. Your luggage will be transferred between your accommodation each day, and you’ll be provided with breakfast, lunch and dinner, leaving you to focus solely on your hike and revel in the picturesque views.
• From $5670 per person; intrepidtravel.com.
Onlyluxe: Italy’s Amalfi Coast Luxury Walk
Stretching along Italy’s southern coastline, the Amalfi Coast epitomises Mediterranean luxury. On this six-day tour, you’ll hike
through picture-perfect seaside villages, along dramatic cliffs and into charming towns brimming with art, history and culture. With a six-to-one guest-to-leader ratio and two support vans in tow, comfort is guaranteed on this hike, and you’re welcome to set your own pace. There’s a dazzling line-up of five-star accommodations, including the opulent mansion Hotel Caesar Augustus, Capri’s only five-star hotel. Enjoy wine and limoncello tasting, cooking classes and seafood restaurants on this dreamy tour.
• From $15,280 per person; onlylux.com.au.
BIKING
UTracks:
Croatia Bike and Boat – Deluxe
This guided eight-day cycle takes you through Southern Dalmatia, known for its stunning chain of islands from Solta to Mljet. You’ll break up your cycle with cruises through Croatia’s crystal-clear waters, allowing you to explore an extensive range of small, yet stunning islands. Among these, guests will experience the trendy island of Hvar, known for its stunning Renaissance Square and white stone buildings with orange tiled roofs. You’ll be provided with an e-bike, making cycling easier and more accessible to those of different fitness levels. Guests will stay on board a deluxe motorised yacht, allowing seamless travel between islands.
• From $4140 per person; utracks.com.
Discover France: Provence Deluxe
The Provence Deluxe eight-day cycling tour with Discover France promises riders incredible journeys through romantic vineyards, lush forests and charming architecture. See the famous Roman aqueduct, the Pont du Gard, and swim in the flowing river beneath it.
Enjoy cultural visits to museums in Arles, including one devoted to Vincent van Gogh. Pass through vineyards and olive groves in the Alpilles, where you can stop and taste the treasured local produce. You’ll stay in five-star hotels, including the stunning Hotel Jules Cesar in Arles and La Maison D’Uzès, which is surrounded by bold medieval architecture and a quaint Provençal atmosphere.
• From $8310 per person; discoverfrance.com. CT
A Matter of Taste
Our six destination experts take us on a tour of European cuisine, and reveal their favourite dishes and restaurants.
Pastries, pizza, paella and pide –crowning a winner on the list of Europe’s most delicious foodstuffs is a heated debate for the ages. Chomping through some of the continent’s best dishes forms part of many happy holidays, whether it involves devouring pizza from a hole-in-thewall outlet hidden in a Roman alleyway, perusing an open-air produce market in Istanbul or delicately working through a Michelin-starred tasting menu in a seriously chic Parisian restaurant.
But which European country serves up the best food? Below, our destination experts in beloved holiday locales – Turkey, Greece, Italy, France, Spain and Portugal – put the case for their respective countries, and share their favourite dishes and restaurants.
/ PORTUGAL: From farm to table
Mary Lussiana
Step into a tiny tasca (inn) at lunchtime anywhere between the green, granite-filled north of Portugal and the whitewashed, sandy south, and you’ll find a healthy gathering of locals who live to eat. Food is fundamental here – so much so that it’s used to categorise people. Those from Porto are ‘tripe-eaters’ while Lisbonites are known as ‘lettuce-eaters’. And, although bacalhau (dried cod) reigns supreme across the country, regional food is still very much a thing. Pork rice cooked in pig’s blood is typical of the heavy northern dishes; clams with garlic and coriander, a favourite of the south. There’s little enthusiasm for ready meals. People fish and garden, farm and hunt for their cooking. Then comes rice, first planted here by
World of flavour
Clockwise, from left: Parisian cafe life; antikristo in Greece; Spain’s Iberico ham; Turkish baklava; pastel de natas in Portugal.
the occupying Moors. Spices, originally brought back during the Age of Discovery, lend a subtle zing. There’s warming cinnamon, which dusts the popular custard tart pastel de nata, and bold chillies for piri-piri. And, then there is the ubiquitous coriander.
If I didn’t know better, I would be tempted to say the last two represent the red and green of the Portuguese flag. The national food is, quite rightly, a source of pride, as celebrated as football (when the national side is winning).
Favourite dish: Chicken piri-piri. Best eaten piping hot using your fingers. It is oily and spicy, succulent and tender, crisp and crunchy and it sings of warm African winds.
Favourite restaurant: Paradise is scarlet prawns, freshly caught sea bass and a crisp white wine at Rei das Praias, overlooking golden sands and a pounding Atlantic Ocean in the Algarve village of Ferragudo.
Rating: 7/10
Verdict: Though you can’t go wrong with grilled fish and custard tarts, gourmet options are a little lacking.
/ GREECE:
The recipe for a longer life
Heidi Fuller-Love
Birthplace of the Mediterranean diet, Greece is also home to Ikaria, one of the world’s five Blue Zones. Here, due to a combination of laid-back lifestyle and a super healthy diet (which includes seasonal ingredients, fresh fish, lean meat, pulses and plenty of red wine) locals live longer than elsewhere. Or, as Ikarians put it, “they forget to die”. You simply can’t beat Greece when it comes to lifeenhancing food.
Greeks themselves certainly believe it. Most people I know carry a slice of granny’s portokalopita orange cake or a couple of pies stuffed with her foraged greens in their luggage when they travel overseas, just in case they can’t stand the foreign food.
But perhaps the most wonderful aspect of the Hellenic food scene is the sharing culture: for Greeks the only way to enjoy a meal is with your parea or group of friends. Together, you’ll share half a dozen plates of meze snacks, while discussing life, the universe and everything. Greeks have cracked the code when it comes to good food. Since they are also among the world’s most welcoming populations, the poet Homer was probably right when he coined the phrase “you are what you eat”.
Favourite dish: I love the Cretan dish antikristo: lamb grilled on upright stakes over an open fire; preferably served slightly charred with a dab of lemony avgolemono sauce.
Favourite restaurant: High in the foothills of Crete’s Lefka Ori (White Mountains), Stelios Trilirakis dishes up local delights including gardoumakia (sheep’s intestine), cooked over an open fire at Dounias.
Rating: 8/10
Verdict: Health food for the hungry, Greek cuisine makes a tasty treat.
/ SPAIN: For tapas and new tastes every day Annie Bennett
Before we decide what we want to order, let’s share this platter of ibérico ham. Just put a glistening magenta sliver in your mouth and let the flavour of the marbled fat melt on your tongue. Have a sip of fino sherry or a velvety Rioja or Ribera del Duero wine. Have another few slices of jamón. We’re in a traditional tiled bar. It’s packed.
Everyone is chatting, laughing and arguing about what to have next. So what are we going to eat today? You might be thinking now about that succulent steak you ate somewhere in the Basque Country, that massive squid sandwich in Madrid, those gorgeous oysters and mussels by the sea in Galicia, that tender suckling pig on a freezing winter’s day in Segovia, or that
perfect seafood paella you devoured on the Costa Blanca as you gazed at the Mediterranean.
I’m remembering the bliss of a glass of ice-cold gazpacho on a sweltering day in Seville. So simple, but so much more than a sum of its parts. The same goes for a wedge of tortilla. How can just eggs, potatoes, oil and onions taste so good?
That’s the magic of eating in Spain. In each region you visit, there will always be something you have never tried before.
Favourite dish: At this time of year, my thoughts turn to exquisite almadraba bluefin tuna, caught in nets off the Costa de la Luz on the Atlantic in May using a sustainable method that dates back to the Phoenicians.
Favourite restaurant: I am always in heaven sitting on a stool at the bar in Casa Montaña in Valencia, working my way through a menu that elevates traditional dishes with the best.
Rating: 8/10
Verdict: Variety is the spice of life – but can Spain’s cuisine compete with French and Italian dishes?
/ TURKEY: For sultan-inspired sustenance
Terry Richardson
Rowdy tavern tables loaded with meze dishes, the heady aroma of generously spiced mincemeat kebabs sizzling on the charcoal grill of an ocakbaşı restaurant or the crackle of
a fork digging into a crisp square of pistachiostuffed baklava – the delights of Turkish cuisine are many and varied.
It’s got pedigree after all. If the sultan demanded it, the sultan got it, and the ruler of the vast Ottoman Empire was very demanding when it came to food. The labyrinthine kitchens at Istanbul’s Topkapi Palace, the nerve centre of the empire, helped lay the foundations for modern Turkey’s amazing cuisine: one that draws on the best culinary traditions of the Middle East and Europe. After all, what is pizza but a pale imitation of Turkish pide? Isn’t paella just a seafood version of Turkey’s succulent pilaf?
Kebabs may have a bad name, but eschew a genuine Turkish one at your peril – they’re delicious. Beyond the stereotype lies one of the world’s great cuisines.
Favourite dish: “Where there’s lahmacun, there’s hope,” reads one graffitied scrawl on an Istanbul wall. I share the writer’s addiction to this delicious flatbread, smeared with mincemeat, peppered with Aleppo chilli flakes and fired in a wood oven.
Favourite restaurant: Located in a bazaar alive with the ring of copper-beaters’ hammers, Imam Çağdaş is an institution in the southern city of Gaziantep, rightfully famous for its incredible lahmacun, kebabs and baklava.
Rating: 9/10
Verdict: Storied and surprisingly scrumptious, Turkish food is woefully underrated.
/ FRANCE: From markets to Michelin stars Anthony Peregrine
That French cuisine is number one in the world is scarcely open to discussion. It is not by chance that, historically, almost all the world’s most famous chefs – Vatel, Carème, Escoffier, Bocuse, Aunt Dahlia’s Anatole –have been French, or that world restaurant standards are set by a French outfit, Michelin. France has gastronomy woven so tightly into the fabric of its culture that being best isn’t optional. Everyone, from hairdressers to airline pilots, reckons themselves to be an expert. The extent of the obsession is difficult
No clear winner France’s gratin of scallops (above) vs Italy’s delectable pastas.
to appreciate unless you’ve lived in France and listened to discussions of oeufs meurette that last until you lose the will to live.
Our neighbour has 17 ways with squid. Farmer friends in the Auvergne kill the family pigs every autumn, turning them into hams, paté, saucisson, joints and much else besides.
It is to this background that France’s continuum of cuisine must respond, from market stalls to Michelin stars. And it does.
If you’ve ever eaten at a truck stop (relais routier), you’ll know they don’t mess around, even at the cheapest end. No surprise, then, that the French spend longer at table – 2 hours and 13 minutes daily – than any other nation.
Favourite dish: Gratin of Brittany scallops with shallots, mushrooms, butter, cream and a white wine from Domaine Sainte Octime.
Favourite restaurant: Every old centre in France is a hive of small, often family-run restaurants. Montpellier is no exception, and the best is Les t’OCqués, a small husband-and-wife operation of warmth, conviviality and extraordinary, reasonably-priced inventiveness.
Rating:
9/10
Verdict: The country gave us haute cuisine, Michelin stars and myriad more of the fanciest food ideas.
/ ITALY: Everybody’s favourite foodstuffs
Lee Marshall
Obviously Italy is the dark horse in this contest. It’s hard to think of a single food this culinary backwater has given to the world. When faced with the attractions of the local Lithuanian or Maltese restaurant, who has ever spoken the words “Why don’t we try an Italian this evening?” Where would you even find such an exotic place to eat?
I’m joking, of course, Italian restaurants are ubiquitous. Still, it may surprise you to discover that the country is also something of a Michelin star: only France and Japan are home to more restaurants whose chefs hold the coveted awards.
But while the Michelin guide celebrates dishes created by the world’s best chefs, it doesn’t say much about global influence. Neither France or Japan has colonised our daily dining habits the way Italy has. There’s an even better reason to give the big prize to the country that gave us – deep breath – pasta, pizza, risotto, mozzarella, Parma ham, balsamic vinegar, tiramisù, artisanal gelato and the Slow Food movement. Fresh, seasonal, unfussy food is the current thing – and Italy has been doing this since way back. Favourite dish: Pasta al tonno. Cook Gragnano pasta till al dente. Meld with vine tomatoes, Amalfi Coast anchovies, Salina capers and fresh tuna. Consume.
Favourite restaurant: In the wilds of Puglia is a trattoria called Antichi Sapori. On the blackboard is a list of what’s ready to pick in the kitchen garden. Don’t expect fast food.
Rating: 10/10
Verdict: From freshly picked vegetables to steaming bowls of spaghetti alle vongole, this country has something for every travelling eater. CT
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MY CRUISES
Looking for a new way to set sail? Curate your own adventure with Explorations by Norwegian, a first-of-its-kind cruising experience redefining travel by sea.
Created by the team at My Cruises –recently named Cruise Agency of the Year at the 2024 CLIA Cruise Industry Awards – in collaboration with the renowned Norwegian Cruise Line, Explorations by Norwegian marks a new era of cruising. Called ‘exploration cruising’, this all-new travel style seamlessly blends the elegance of river cruising, the freedom of ocean cruising, the thrill of expedition cruising and the immersion of curated tours.
Whether you’re an experienced cruise traveller craving more from your next sailing or a first-time cruiser seeking a destinationimmersive experience, Explorations by Norwegian invites you to discover the explorer within. No matter which destinations are on your bucket list, this cruise line can take you there, with itineraries visiting both iconic cities and off-the-beaten-path gems.
Unique to Explorations by Norwegian is a 371-day, round-the-world cruise, visiting over 220 ports across six continents. Affording a new experience every day, this year-long journey will see you chasing the glow of the Northern Lights
one week and uncovering the ancient relics of Europe the next, before spotting the African Big Five on safari and exploring Japan during cherry-blossom season. Choose to make the ship your home for a full year, or pick the journey that best sparks your wanderlust from an extensive list of shorter itineraries.
Great Explorations
Clockwise, from above: Sail the world aboard Regatta; visiting New York, enjoying fine-dining experiences; calling on Quebec; touring the Amazon; and seeing the flamingoes of Aruba.
/ Set sail for the Caribbean, Amazon and New York City
Exclusively available at My Cruises, every Explorations by Norwegian holiday has been handcrafted by their CLIA-accredited Cruise Experts. Take, for instance, this 41-night fly, stay and exploration cruise holiday visiting the Caribbean, the Amazon and New York City.
Complete with full-service international flights, this vibrant discovery begins with a handpicked hotel stay in Miami, allowing you to relax beachside before embarking on your 36-night cruise. Island hop across the Bahamas, St. Lucia, Aruba and more, before venturing towards South America and exploring the depths of the Amazon jungle. An overnight port stay in the riverside village of Manaus allows you to visit unique indigenous communities by day, plus witness incredible nocturnal wildlife on a nighttime jungle excursion.
Speaking of port excursions, Explorations by Norwegian offers three distinct categories of onshore explorations, allowing you to tailor your experience to your interests. For example, you can choose to discover a new city on a walking tour, learn how to make local dishes during a cooking class or get active on a scenic hike or bike ride.
Following a colourful visit to Latin America, sail back north to the US, hitting up Port Canaveral, Norfolk and Baltimore. And what better way to end the holiday of a lifetime than with a three-night hotel stay in the Big Apple, where you can ascend the Empire State Building, stroll Central Park and catch a Broadway show?
Departing in June 2027, this once-in-a-lifetime exploration starts from just $13,990 per person, bookable with a low deposit of $2599.
/ Explore the Big Apple, Canada and New England Alternatively, soak in iconic cityscapes, craggy coastlines and plenty of seaside charm on this 17-night fly, stay and exploration cruise holiday to the Big Apple, Canada and New England. Kickstart your holiday in New York City, where a two-night hotel stay allows a chance to recover from jet lag, plus hit up legendary landmarks such as Times Square, the Brooklyn
Need to know
• What’s included?
An Explorations by Norwegian holiday has all the things you know and love about both My Cruises and Norwegian Cruise Line. Every exploration cruise is perfectly packaged to include return international flights, handpicked hotel stays and always-included beverage, specialty dining and wifi packages, an onboard explorations credit at every port and prepaid gratuities.
• Your home at sea
Providing a fresh approach to small-ship cruising, every Explorations by Norwegian voyage sails onboard Regatta. This intimate ship is perfectly sized to bring you even closer to the world’s most breathtaking sights, including those that bigger ships cannot access. Never crowded, Regatta affords both sophistication and freedom with world-class cuisine, Broadway-style entertainment and enriching cultural showcases.
• Book it
Explorations by Norwegian gives you the freedom to explore without limits. To reawaken your sense of adventure, call the My Cruises Experts on 1300 510 810 or visit mycruises.com.au/explorations-bynorwegian/
Bridge and the Statue of Liberty. Stepping onboard Regatta, sail north towards the Great White North, stopping along the way in Boston to walk the Freedom Trail and uncover significant American history.
During your time in Canada, savour crisp sea breezes in the quaint coastal towns of Saint John, Halifax and Charlottetown, and enjoy an overnight stay in Quebec City, a little slice of Europe in North America. With extra time in this enchanting city, you can venture beyond the cobblestoned streets to explore the rolling countryside of Charlevoix or visit scenic Montmorency Falls.
Setting sail in July 2027, this exploration cruise, perfectly packed with return full-service flights, starts from just $7990 per person, bookable with a low deposit of $1599. CT
