Travel to Europe this summer? Top 3 destinations in Southern Europe

If you want to keep your feet on the ground (but only halfway), love colorful neighborhoods and visit historic monuments with Gothic architecture, we recommend you continue your journey to Venice. Short or long stay, Venice is the destination between land and sea where to go on vacation this summer in Europe. You can also take the opportunity to visit the islands of the lagoon, such as Burano, famous for its lace and colorful houses along the canals.

Florence, the city of art

If you love open-air museums and are passionate about art history, head inland to Florence, the city of the Renaissance. You can also admire some superb Medicean villas dating back to the 15th century, when the wealthy Medici family ruled the city. Florence is without doubt Tuscany’s most beautiful city. And for good reason: it’s also the most visited city in Italy. If you’re looking for a quiet place to go this summer, you’re likely to come across a few tourists.

Sardinia, the island paradise

If you’re looking for landscapes of fine sandy beaches or cliffs tumbling into the Mediterranean, you’ve found the destination for your summer vacation. Sardinia boasts magnificent wild coastlines and heavenly islands such as the Maddalena Islands. It’s one of the places in Italy where you’ll find the most beautiful beaches! But make no mistake, it’s not just the beaches you can’t miss. Cagliari, the capital of Sardinia, is a must-see if you’re planning a trip to Sardinia this summer.

Ischia, the green island

If you’re still on the fence about where to go on a trip to Europe this summer, and prefer small, uncrowded islands, you’ll fall in love with the island of Ischia. Off the coast of Naples, this small island is a paradise for its natural thermal baths, carved out of the rock like the one at Cava Scura. If you like hiking, be sure to climb Mount Epomeo. It is criss-crossed by various trails that will take you to the island’s highest peak. A 1-hour walk takes you to the most beautiful view of Ischia, Capri and the other islands in the Bay of Naples.

Capri, the charming island

You’ve found the perfect little island to travel to this summer: Capri. This enchanting little island is full of secret coves, stunning mountain scenery and lanes that are always bustling in the evening. When you arrive on the island, head for the Marina Grande port. From here you can take a 1-2 hour boat trip for around €20. This seaside excursion will take you to the Grotte Bleue, the Faraglioni and the Villa Malaparte. For your lunch break, you absolutely must try the island’s typical cuisine: Caprese salad and Capresi ravioli.

La Ciudad del Vino, on the wine route

After seeing Hungary‘s wine route, we take you to the other side of the Mediterranean to visit some of the finest wineries on the Iberian Peninsula: the “bodegas”. Tastings and tours are organized at one of Spain’s most famous bodegas, the “Ciudad del Vino” (City of Wine). This bodega is one of the oldest, dating from 1858, with futuristic architecture. Spain has a wealth of wine-producing regions. From Rioja to Catalonia, discover the incredible richness of Spanish wines (in moderation, of course).

Figueres, Salvador Dali’s birthplace

If you’re a fan of surrealist painting and looking for a place to travel this summer, head to Figueres, Salvador Dali’s birthplace, where many of his works are on display at the Teatre-Museu Dalí. Figueras is also full of picturesque, lively little streets, both day and night. If you’re visiting the town in 1 day, concentrate on the essentials: the Sant-Pere church, a remarkable Gothic building, the Figueras Toy Museum (Museu del Joguet), El Museu de l’Empordà on the Rambla and the Castell de Sant Ferran, one of Europe’s largest castles.

The island of Ibiza, a trip to Sant Antoni de Portmany

If you’re more of a bohemian type, sipping sangria with your feet in the sand, head for Sant Antoni de Portmany. More precisely at Kumharas, a bar-restaurant where you can enjoy the sunset. For quieter evenings, tapas and cocktails set to background music, you’ll love the city of San Sebastián. Specifically the Ondarra bar, one of the city’s best bars serving delicious tapas. Of course, Ibiza is undoubtedly the most festive city in Spain to travel to this summer.

Galicia, a green region

This country abounds in natural beauty: lakes, mountains, beaches and natural parks. From the Costa Brava to Andalusia, via the Canary Islands and the Balearic Islands, you’ll find plenty of fine sandy beaches to relax on! If you love beautiful landscapes of cliffs overlooking the sea and don’t know where to go on vacation this summer, head to Playa de las Catedrales in Galicia, known for its cliffs that resemble the buttresses of a cathedral and its magnificent caves.

Barcelona, a wealth of architecture

If you’re more of a bohemian type, sipping sangria with your feet in the sand, head for Sant Antoni de Portmany. More precisely at Kumharas, a bar-restaurant where you can enjoy the sunset. For quieter evenings, tapas and cocktails set to background music, you’ll love the city of San Sebastián. Specifically the Ondarra bar, one of the city’s best bars serving delicious tapas. Of course, Ibiza is undoubtedly the most festive city in Spain to travel to this summer.

Espot and Barruera National Park

If you’d like to get away from the city and the crowds for a bit, head for the Aigüestortes National Park and Lake Saint-Maurice, Catalonia’s only national park. This 40,000-hectare park in the province of Lleida boasts over 200 ponds and lost waterfalls. This protected goldmine offers you the chance to walk at the foot of the mountains and meet a wide variety of animal species, including large birds of prey, imperial eagles and black storks.

Mdina, the fortified city

Mdina is one of Malta’s ancient fortified cities, dating back 4,000 years. This architectural jewel is also the former capital of Malta, nicknamed the “silent city” (because it has just 300 inhabitants). It’s a quiet, pedestrian-only town of narrow 16th-century streets. On Malta’s central hill, you can admire the ramparts of Mdina. But you really shouldn’t leave Mdina before visiting The Moat Garden. This magnificent garden, with its panoramic view of the city’s entrance and fortifications and St. Paul’s Cathedral, is a true architectural masterpiece.

Valletta, capital of Malta

Valletta is the capital of Malta and could be compared to an open-air museum. Here you can discover the gardens of Upper Baracca, housed in a former military fort dating from 1661. The gardens offer beautiful views of Valletta harbor and the Three Cities. Then head for the Grandmaster’s Palace and its armoury. Here you can admire a collection of over 7,000 military items from the time of the Order’s knights. Continue your visit to the various museums and theaters to immerse yourself in the rich history of the island of Malta.

Marsaxlokk, an authentic coastal town

Marsaxlokk is a picturesque fishing village known for its atypical charm and multitude of colorful gondolas. If you take a step back into the city, you can also discover the remains of the Temple of Tas Silg. It was first occupied by the Romans, then by the Christians. And if you love seafood and are looking for a place to go on vacation this summer, you’ve come to the right place! Marsaxlokk is home to numerous restaurants renowned throughout Malta for the quality and freshness of their seafood.

The Three Cities, fortified towns

Immerse yourself in the timeless atmosphere of the Three Cities: Vittoriosa, Cospicua and Senglea. Each city has its own identity, but all three are rich in history and culture. Vittoriosa, also known as Birgu, was home to the knights of the Order of Malta, who protected Saint Angelo, the island’s strongest fortification. Cospicua, the largest of the Three Cities, was largely destroyed during the Second World War, but still boasts a fascinating historic coastline. Senglea, the youngest, is also home to some magnificent cultural treasures, such as the Notre Dame des Victoires cathedral and the Visitation church.

The island of Gozo

4 times smaller than Malta, Gozo is also greener and more tranquil. The island’s largest city, Victoria, is home to a magnificent citadel. A veritable fortified city, its ramparts offer a 360° panoramic view of the rest of the island. Among Gozo’s must-sees are the Basilica of Ta’Pinu, the Marsalforn salt marshes, the Azure window and Ramla Bay, Gozo’s largest sandy beach, also renowned for its red sand.

The island of Comino, the world’s smallest inhabited town

With its air of the Maldives, Blue Lagoon is one of the island’s most beautiful sites. The translucent water of this lagoon will allow you to see fish in certain shallow areas. You can also hike around the island along the cliffs. A veritable animal sanctuary, you’ll come across wild rabbits and Maltese wall lizards, as well as a wide variety of trees: olive, pine, fig, acacia and tamarisk. If you love nature photography, this is the island for you if you still don’t know where to travel this summer!

And the best thing about this wonderful island is that no cars are allowed.

Blue Grotto, Malta’s natural beauty

Located 2 kilometers from the town of Zurrieq, the Blue Grotto is a huge natural arch 43 meters long, plunging 40 meters below the sea. This cave and its 6 neighbouring caves can be visited by frejgatina, traditional Maltese small boats. In the morning, when the light is natural, the mirror effects of the azure water are impressive. It’s also a popular spot for scuba diving. This is the resting place of the 115-meter-long Um Eld Faroud ship, which was scuttled after an accidental explosion and turned into an artificial reef.