Our Favourite Countries to Combine in Europe

Family trips to Europe offer endless opportunities for educational fun and excitement. There are sandy beaches, kid-friendly foods and interactive activities to capture the imagination of younger travellers, while older family members can see history come to life and join exhilarating outdoor excursions. Here are our favourite European country combinations for families.

Travellers of any age will immediately fall in love with Spain and Italy. Fortunately, there’s no need to choose between them; you can easily combine these two countries with a short flight across the Mediterranean.

Children will be enthralled by the whimsical buildings of Barcelona, the hidden coves of Mallorca and the epic stories of Spanish history woven into each destination. Italy is also full of legendary landmarks – from the Colosseum to Pompeii – plus crowd-pleasing treats like pizza and gelato.

If you’re looking for a bit of magic on your next family trip, consider combining England and France. The former offers everything from royal history to Harry Potter filming locations, while the latter is replete with real-life castles and fairytale villages.

Older children and adults might also want to visit Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, Versailles, Normandy and other historic locales. Both countries boast some of Europe’s best luxury hotels for families, including Brown’s Hotel in London and Domaine de Manville in Provence.

For many, the very idea of romance brings to mind the cobblestone streets, seaside cliffs, canals and vineyards of Europe. We can elevate these naturally romantic settings with bespoke activities and complementary destinations, ensuring the perfect mix of privacy and unforgettable experiences for a couple’s getaway or European honeymoon.

Home to some of the most romantic cities in the world, Italy and France are the perfect places to visit with the love of your life. You can glide through the canals of Venice in a gondola and stroll beside the Seine in Paris; sip spritzes on the Amalfi Coast and glasses of bubbly in Champagne; and enjoy the privacy of secluded estates in Tuscany and the Loire Valley.

We also highly recommend connecting these two countries with a luxury train journey. Step aboard the glamorous Venice Simplon-Orient-Express to travel between Paris and six different Italian cities, or from Lyon to Venice.

If your idea of romance involves lounging on the beach, watching the sunset over the ocean and cruising along the coastline on a luxurious private boat, Greece and Italy are the ideal combination for you.

While both countries boast plenty of romantic spots on the mainland, we especially love the idea of an island-hopping honeymoon or romantic escape. Spend some time exploring the quiet beaches and villages of Paros and stay a few nights in a cliffside suite in Santorini, then head to Sardinia or Sicily for even more coastal beauty.

From the ruins of Rome to the modern masterpieces of London, this continent is brimming with history and culture. The best European country pairings for history buffs and art lovers combine classic sightseeing with authentic cultural insights, creating a comprehensive picture of each destination.

Home to the storied civilisations of Ancient Rome and Ancient Greece, respectively, Italy and Greece are essential destinations for anyone with an interest in history. There’s nothing quite like seeing the Parthenon in person or walking around the ruins of the Roman Forum.

Both countries have seen plenty of cultural innovation in more recent millennia, too. Explore the remnants of the Italian Renaissance in Florence, marvel at the Panathenaic Stadium in Athens and learn how each place’s past has influenced its modern identity.

In addition to being fantastic for families, England and France are also among the best countries in Europe for cultural experiences. In London you can visit Buckingham Palace, wander through the Tate Modern and see a show on the West End all in one day.

France, meanwhile, is full of medieval towns and artistic treasures by masters like Monet and Renoir. Paris is the country’s cultural heart, boasting chic boutiques and atmospheric cafés once frequented by influential figures including Simone de Beauvoir and Ernest Hemingway.

Freshly caught seafood, handmade pasta, artisanal gelato, bread still warm from the oven… these are just a few of the culinary delights you’ll find in our favourite European destinations for food and wine lovers. Visiting more than one country means even more dishes to sample, vineyards to visit and recipes to master. Here are some of the tastiest pairings.

These two Iberian countries share plenty of cultural and geographic similarities, but their cuisines are clearly distinct. Spain is known for its tapas, rice dishes and beloved jamón (cured ham), while Portugal is famous for sardines and pastéis de nata (custard tarts). Both are among the world’s best destinations for seafood, wine and olive oil as well.

Wine lovers shouldn’t miss Portugal’s Douro Valley and the nearby Duero Valley wine region of Spain. It couldn’t be easier to travel between the two countries. You can drive across the border or take a one-hour flight between Lisbon and Seville.

Some of the world’s most beloved delicacies hail from two countries that sit side by side. And while French and Italian cuisine have plenty of opposing tenets – butter vs. olive oil, for instance – they both inspire the sort of bliss that only exceptional food can provide.

Visiting France and Italy on one trip means you don’t have to choose between baguettes and focaccia or croissants and cornettos. You can try a bit of everything on food tours led by local guides, in private cooking classes with expert chefs and at incredible restaurants – from no-frills osterias to Michelin-starred bistros.

Another benefit of multi-destination travel in Europe is that it allows you to see wildly different landscapes within one journey. Some of the continent’s prettiest places can be found far away from its capitals and tourist attractions, deep within its remote wilderness and on its dramatic coastlines. These are some of the best European countries to combine for natural beauty.

Coastal cliffs, verdant hills, remote islands and shimmering lochs – these are just a few of the natural wonders you can see on a journey through Scotland and Ireland. The former is famous for its rugged highlands, but the lowlands and windswept West Coast are also well worth a visit.

Ireland is just a quick flight away, offering an equally rich array of landscapes. Visit the mystical Giant’s Causeway and the Cliffs of Moher for sweeping sea views or head to Killarney National Park for lovely countryside, waterfalls and lakes.

These three Scandinavian countries contain some truly astonishing scenery, from pristine Norwegian fjords to the snowy expanse of Swedish Sápmi. You can start by exploring the idyllic green coasts of Denmark, then cross the Øresund Bridge from Copenhagen to Malmö and head north through Sweden’s tranquil countryside.

We suggest travelling by train from Stockholm to Oslo for views of beautiful forests and lakes, then continuing on the scenic Bergen Railway. And for spectacular seascapes and marine wildlife sightings, don’t miss northern Norway’s Lofoten Islands.