Europe Holiday villas

Make a self catering cottage or holiday rental in Europe your home away from home

Europe stretches from the Ural Mountains of Russia to the westernmost points of Ireland and Portugal. It reaches from the frozen northerly limits of Scandinavia to the balmy Mediterranean Sea. It includes all the countries of the European Union and more besides.

What makesEurope so fascinating to visit and explore are its different climates, landscapes, cultures, languages and food. Each country has its own highlights: the historic villages and great natural beauty of the United Kingdom; the parched plains of southern Portugal; the lush vegetation and wine producing regions of France; the rugged Norwegian fjords; the beautiful valley of Hungary’s Danube River; the dramatic peaks of the Alps and Pyrenees; the ancient history of Greece and the stunning Renaissance artworks of Italy. A lifetime of vacation rentals inEuropewill still leave a long list of places to see in this wonderfully rich continent.

Things to Do in Europe

Outdoor Pursuits
In the winter, outdoor pursuits such as skiing, snowmobiling and tobogganing can be enjoyed in the northernmost countries such as Sweden, Norway and Finland. The high peaks of the Alps and other mountain ranges also have plenty of snow, creating good skiing conditions.

In the summer hiking, cycling, mountain climbing, kayaking, horseback riding and most other outdoor activities can be enjoyed in each European country. The beaches draw visitors to the Mediterranean where the Greek Islands, the French Riviera, and the Spanish Costas are best known for their sunbathing and watersports.

Visit Museums
Some of the greatest treasures of the ancient world can be enjoyed at the great museums and galleries of Europe. The British Museum in London has a host of antiquities from its days of the Empire. The Louvre in Paris is the largest art collection in the world with its famous Mona Lisa while the Rijksmuseum is known for its collection of Dutch Old Masters. The Pergamon Museum, Berlin has a fabulous collection of antiquities including the 6th century blue-tiled Ishtar Gate from Babylon. Florence in Italy is in itself a magnificent museum of art, with further masterpieces in the Uffizi. The Vatican Museums in Rome also hold many great artworks from the Renaissance period.

Places to Visit in Europe

All the European countries have capital cities which are a destination in themselves. The romance of Paris, the quaint canal-streets of Amsterdam, the magnificence of Rome and the grand architecture of London are just a few highlights. The 9th century castle and churches of Prague and the imperial Hofburg court of Austria whet the appetite to see more of these glorious cities.

Historic palaces such as Versailles, Hampton Court and the fairytale Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria are breathtaking. Some of the oldest and best treasures are reserved for Europe’s cathedrals, including the Shrine of the Three Kings in Cologne Cathedral, the golden Pala d’Oro in St Mark’s in Venice and the countless treasures in St Peter’s in Rome.

Weather in Europe
Most people choose to visitEuropein the summer months, between May and September. While northwesternEuropecan be cool and rainy, the Mediterranean countries will be basking in hot, dry conditions. Winters in southernEuropeare mild, with temperatures remaining well above freezing, whilst in the north, the “Land of the Midnight Sun” will have very short days with the sun rising above the horizon for just a few hours a day.

Travel to Europe
With the advent of budget airlines, the quickest and cheapest way to get aroundEurope is by air. Most countries also have good rail networks, with the French TGV high speed network linking most French cities. The Eurostar, which carries both cars and passengers, is a convenient way to cross the English Channel rather than by ferry.

Driving by car is the most flexible way to get around Europe, but it can be expensive and stressful.

See the Europe Travel Resource Directory.