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Top Ten Journeys & Drives

Below we describe what we consider to be some of Europe’s most scenic journeys and drives.

Along the Flåm Valley Railway. If you are staying in Geilo in winter or taking one of our Norwegian journeys in summer, this train journey is a must – an astonishing transition from mountain to fjord as the train plunges down past ravines, woodland and waterfalls.

Cable car from Mount Rigi to the shores of Lake Lucerne. For a spectacular end to our Lake Lucerne Walk, take the scenic cable car from Mount Rigi, which towers above the lake, to elegant Weggis on the water's edge.

Around Provence's Gorges du Verdon from Hotel le Calalou. Also known as the Grand Canyon of Europe, the Verdon Gorge is spectacular. There are frequent viewpoints along the road, and paths intersected with ladders lead down to the bottom of the gorge for the energetic, but be warned that the gorge is almost one kilometre deep and that you have to climb back up the same way!

Touring Spain’s northern coast. The rugged north coast is called the Costa Verde (Green Coast), and justly so. You could happily fill a couple of weeks leisurely exploring this part of Spain, heading west from Bilbao along the coastal road through Cantabria and into Asturias. There are secluded coves and small bays all along the coast, and plenty of interest, too, with numerous attractive fishing villages, medieval delights such as Santillana del Mar, and the dramatic Picos de Europa Mountains if you detour inland. Another great feature of the region is the accommodation, hence the name of our Delightful Inns of Northern Spain Journey.

The Glacier Express. The route taken by the Glacier Express is scenic in any season, but becomes even more spectacular in winter as snow coats the mountains and ice forms over the lakes. One of the most thrilling sections is that between Chur and Brig: the train winds up the valley of the infant Rhine, the high mountains providing a dramatic backdrop. From the Oberalp Pass, the train descends along the course of the infant Rhône, through the remote and beautiful Goms Valley.

Touring through the Loire Valley from the Hotel Le Bon Laboureur. What is so rewarding about following the meanders of this great river is that the days offer a wonderful mix of château visiting (highlights are romantic Azay-le-Rideau, Villandry and Chenonceau) and wine-tasting, broken by leisurely picnics on the banks of the river.

Along the Norwegian coast between Bergen and Sognefjord by express boat. This is a thrilling way to see the coast, and the journey is included in several of our Norwegian touring holidays. The boat hugs the coastline, passing the mouths of fjords and small skerries.

Touring Extremadura by car. Our Andalucia & Southern Extremadura and Timeless Northern Extremadura Journeys explore unspoiled and little-known landscapes across which are scattered towns with links to the conquistadors. As such, a touring holiday in this mysterious region combines architectural treasures, stories of adventure and conquest, and drives across a land steeped in history.

Touring eastern Sicily by car. Eastern Sicily is another region which boasts a very colourful history, and again a holiday here features scenic drives (made all the more enthralling by the fact that imposing Mount Etna dominates the skyline), as well as visits to Baroque towns, many of which have been declared Unesco World Heritage Sites in recognition of their architecture.

The Hurtigruten Journey. For the ultimate in boat journeys, choose this fantastic maritime adventure. Our Beyond the Arctic Circle Journey (available in both summer and winter) features the part of the journey between Bergen and the Lofoten Islands, taking you across the Arctic Circle, past incredible coastal scenery.

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