Europe....
...where luxury feels effortless: breakfast in a Belle Époque salon, a private tasting in a centuries-old cellar by lunch, and sunset on your terrace above the Mediterranean. Short distances and seamless first-class trains, private drivers, yachts, and helicopters turn neighboring cultures into a curated progression of wonder. After-hours museum access, insider market walks, and private guides reveal the living pulse behind the icons. Palace hotels, countryside estates, and historic hideaways deliver suites with a true sense of place, from alpine peaks to Aegean coves. At the table, think chef’s counters, vineyard lunches, and Michelin rituals balanced with family trattorie your concierge actually dines at. Come for the art and history, stay for the effortless indulgence and the one-of-a-kind moments crafted just for you.
Austria
Highlights: Viennese waltz balls, Heuriger wine evenings, Lipizzaner dressage, Coffeehouse rituals
When: May–June, September, Christmas markets
Transport: Scenic alpine trains; Danube river cruise;, Private driver
Combine With: Germany, Switzerland, Czech Republic
Must Try: Wiener schnitzel, Sacher Torte, Apfelstrudel, Grüner Veltliner, Sturm wine
Alicia's Top Hotels: Hotel Sacher Wien, Rosewood Schloss Fuschl, Hotel Goldener Hirsch
Benelux
BELGIUM - NETHERLANDS - LUXEMBOURG
Highlights: Tulip cycling, Canal cruising, Trappist ales, Chocolate ateliers, Cheese auctions
When: April–May, June–September, December markets
Transport: First-class rail, Eurostar trains, Canal boat charter, Private driver, River cruise
Combine With: France, Germany, United Kingdom, Rhine cruise, Moselle cruise
Must Try: Belgian chocolate, Trappist ales, Stroopwafels, Dutch herring, Crémant de Luxembourg
Alicia's Top Hotels: Pulitzer Amsterdam, Relais Bourgondisch Cruyce
Croatia
Highlights: Yacht island-hopping, Klapa singing, Oyster farm tastings, Peka cookouts, Olive-oil mill tours
When: Late spring;, Early summer, September–October
Transport: Private yacht, Speedboat transfers, Catamaran tours, Helicopter charters, Private driver
Combine With: Slovenia, Montenegro, Danube cruise
Must Try: Peka, Black risotto, Pag cheese, Plavac Mali
Alicia's Top Hotels: Meneghetti Wine Hotel & Winery, Lešić Dimitri Palace, The Pucić Palace
Czech Republic
Highlights: Beer spa bathing, Pilsner tap class, Glassblowing workshops, Moravian wine cellars
When: May–June, October, December markets
Transport: First-class rail, Private driver, Vintage tram charter, Elbe river cruise, Helicopter charters
Combine With: Austria, Poland, Slovakia, Elbe cruise
Must Try: Pilsner lager, Becherovka, Svíčková, Chlebíčky, Moravian Riesling
Alicia's Top Hotels: Four Seasons Prague, Augustine Luxury Collection, Golden Well
Eastern Europe
POLAND - SLOVAKIA - HUNGARY - SLOVENIA
Highlights: Thermal bath rituals, Ruin bar hopping, Pierogi masterclass, Folk dance nights
When: May–June, Sept - Oct, Christmas markets
Transport: Night trains, Danube river cruise, Private driver, Self Drive
Combine With: Austria, Czech Republic, Nightjet sleeper,
Must Try: Wiener schnitzel, Sacher Torte, Apfelstrudel, Grüner Veltliner, Sturm wine
Alicia's Top Hotels: Four Seasons Gresham Palace, Hotel Stary Kraków
England
Highlights: Afternoon tea, Pub walks, Royal pageantry, Shakespeare theatre, Garden touring
When: Late spring, Early autumn
Transport: First-class rail, Chauffeured car, British Pullman, Canal barging
Combine With: Scotland, Wales, Ireland, Paris Eurostar
Must Try: Cream tea, Sunday roast, Fish and chips, Cask ale, Sticky toffee pudding
Alicia's Top Hotels: Heckfield Place, Cliveden House
Faroe Islands
Highlights: Puffin birding, Sea-stack kayaking, Heimablídni dinners, Helicopter island-hops, Floating lake hike
When: June–August, September, Aurora Borealis season
Transport: Helicopter hops, Private skipper, Scenic self-drive, RIB safari
Combine With: Iceland, Denmark, Scotland, Norway, North Atlantic cruise
Must Try: Skerpikjøt, Ræstur fiskur, Faroese salmon, Langoustine, Rhubarb tart
Alicia's Top Hotels: Nólsoyarstova, Private Guest Houses
FRANCE
Highlights: Michelin dining, Champagne sabrage, Truffle foraging, Canal barging, Couture atelier access
When: May–June, September–October, December markets
Transport: TGV first class, Seine/Rhône cruise, Luxury barge charter, Private driver,
Combine With: Italy, Spain, Switzerland, Belgium, UK via Eurostar
Must Try: Champagne, Camembert, Oysters, Boeuf bourguignon, Macarons
Alicia's Top Hotels: La Réserve Paris, Hôtel de Crillon
Germany
Highlights: Oktoberfest tents, Christmas markets, Beer garden culture, Cuckoo clock carving
When: May–June, September–October, Christmas markets
Transport: ICE first class, Scenic rail, Rhine cruise, Private driver, Supercar rental
Combine With: Austria, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Netherlands, Rhine cruise
Must Try: Bratwurst, Pretzels, Sauerbraten, Black Forest cake, Riesling
Alicia's Top Hotels: Hotel Adlon Kempinski, Bayerischer Hof
Greece
Highlights: Aegean island-hopping, Caldera sunsets, Olive harvests, Bouzouki nights, Mythology walks
When: May–June, September–October, Greek Easter
Transport: Private yacht, High-speed ferries, Seaplane hops, Private driver
Combine With: Turkey, Italy, Croatia, Cyprus, Aegean cruise
Must Try: Assyrtiko, Ouzo, Moussaka, Grilled octopus, Loukoumades
Alicia's Top Hotels: Amanzoe Porto Heli, Canaves Oia Epitome
Iceland
Highlights: Glacier hiking, Ice-cave tours, Rift snorkeling, Geothermal bathing, Super Jeep highlands
When: Late spring, Summer, Winter aurora borealis
Transport: Super Jeep, Private driver, Helicopter charter, Small-plane hops, Self-drive 4x4
Combine With: Faroe Islands, Greenland, Norway fjords, Extended layover
Must Try: Skyr, Lamb soup, Arctic char, Langoustine, Brennivín
Alicia's Top Hotels: Deplar Farm
Ireland
Highlights: Pub trad sessions, Gaelic games, Falconry flights, Seaweed baths, Sheepdog demos
When: May–June, September–October, St Patrick’s Day
Transport: Private driver, Scenic self-drive, Luxury coach, Regional flights, Small Group Tours
Combine With: UK, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales, British Isles cruise
Must Try: Irish whiskey, Guinness, Irish stew, Boxty, Soda bread
Alicia's Top Hotels: Ashford Castle, Dromoland Castle
Italy
Highlights: Truffle hunts, Pasta-making, Gondola serenades, Aperitivo hour, Supercar drives
When: May–June, September–October, Carnevale
Transport: Frecciarossa first class, Private driver, Yacht charter, Helicopter transfers
Combine With: Malta, France, Switzerland, Croatia, Monaco, VSOE train
Must Try: Barolo, Negroni, Truffle pasta, Mozzarella di bufala, Tiramisu
Alicia's Top Hotels: Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco,
Portugal
Highlights: Fado nights, Port cellar tastings, Azulejo workshops, Cork harvests, Pastel de nata baking
When: April–June, September–October, Christmas–New Year
Transport: Alfa Pendular first class, Private driver, Douro river cruise, Vintage tram, Helicopter transfers
Combine With: Spain, Morocco, Azores, Madeira, Douro cruise
Must Try: Pastel de nata, Bacalhau, Cataplana, Port wine, Vinho Verde
Alicia's Top Hotels: Six Senses Douro Valley, São Lourenço do Barrocal
Scandinavia
DENMARK - NORWAY - SWEDEN - FINLAND
Highlights: Fjord cruising, Midnight sun, Sauna rituals, Sámi reindeer, Ice hotel stay
When: June–September, December–March (ice)
Transport: Scenic rail, Private driver, Fjord cruise, Yacht charter
Combine With: Iceland, Faroe Islands, Scotland, Baltic capitals, Arctic cruise
Must Try: Smørrebrød, Gravlax, Reindeer stew, Cloudberries, Aquavit
Alicia's Top Hotels: Juvet Landscape Hotel, Treehotel
Scotland
Highlights: Highland games, Ceilidh dancing, Single-malt tastings, Spotting coos, Hebridean cruising
When: Late spring, Early autumn
Transport: Royal Scotsman, Chauffeured car, Helicopter hops, Hebridean cruise, Seaplane
Combine With: England, Ireland, Wales, Caledonian Sleeper, Norwegian fjords cruise, Faroe Islands
Must Try: Single-malt whisky, Haggis, Cullen skink, Cranachan, Arbroath smokies
Alicia's Top Hotels: The Fife Arms, The Torridon
Spain
Highlights: Flamenco tablaos, Tapas crawls, Rioja blending, Moorish architecture, Olive-oil tastings
When: April–June, Sept–Oct, December festivals
Transport: AVE first class, Private driver, Yacht charter, Helicopter transfers, Scenic self-drive
Combine With: Portugal, France, Morocco, Andorra, Mediterranean cruise
Must Try: Jamón ibérico, Paella valenciana, Pintxos, Txakoli, Sherry
Alicia's Top Hotels: Abadía Retuerta LeDomaine, Belmond La Residencia
Switzerland
Highlights: Alphorn lessons, Watchmaking workshops, Cheese cave tastings, Mountain hut raclette, Cow parade traditions
When: June–Sept, December–March (skiing), October
Transport: First-class rail, Glacier Express, Helicopter charters, Private driver, Lake steamers
Combine With: Italy, France, Austria, Bernina Express, Rhine cruise
Must Try: Raclette, Fondue, Rösti, Swiss chocolate, Chasselas
Alicia's Top Hotels: Badrutt’s Palace, The Chedi Andermatt
Turkey
Highlights: Hot-air balloon dawn, Traditional hammam ritual, Whirling dervish ceremony, Ebru marbling class, Gulet blue cruising
When: Apr–Jun mild, Sep–Oct ideal
Transport: Private driver, Gulet yacht, Business-class domestic flights, YHT high-speed rail, Helicopter charter
Combine With: Greece, Cyprus, Georgia, UAE
Must Try: Adana kebap, Manti, Meze, Baklava, Turkish coffee
Alicia's Top Hotels: Çırağan Palace Kempinski Istanbul, Mandarin Oriental Bodrum
Wales
Highlights: Castle-hopping, Coastal path trekking, Sheepdog herding, Slate mine ziplining, Male-voice choirs
When: Late spring, Early autumn
Transport: Chauffeured car, First-class rail, Heritage steam
Combine With: England, Scotland, Ireland, Celtic Sea cruise
Must Try: Welsh cakes, Bara brith, Cawl, Penderyn whisky, Laverbread
Alicia's Top Hotels: Palé Hall, Grove of Narberth