What's Your Europe?
Incredible Destinations
Europe is full of destinations that can feel classic, scenic, romantic, food-focused, historic, or completely custom to your vision. It can be a first trip to Italy or France, a Greek island escape, a river cruise, a piazza stay, or a multi-country itinerary built around the places you’ve always wanted to see.
This is a region where the right pacing matters. A good Europe trip leaves room for the big sights, the slower moments, and the little details that make each stop feel distinct.
Beyond the famous landmarks, you'll have opportunities to stroll through picturesque town squares, experience local cuisine, visit traditional markets, and enjoy some of Europe's most scenic countryside. Every stop has been carefully selected to provide a balance of history, culture, natural beauty, and authentic local experiences. This thoughtfully crafted itinerary allows travelers to experience both world-famous attractions and hidden gems that many visitors never get to see.
Europe Your Way
Experience Europe on a journey designed entirely around you. Brightside Vacations specializes in custom, personalized European travel that gives you the ease and organization of a guided tour, without having to follow someone else’s itinerary or travel with a group.
We build your trip from the ground up based on where you want to go, how you like to travel, and what you want to experience. Your personalized itinerary can include carefully selected hotels, private chauffeurs and transfers, rail travel, flights within Europe, sightseeing tours, local guides, unique experiences, and all the logistics needed to connect everything seamlessly.
You’ll travel independently, but you won’t be left to figure everything out on your own. Before departure, you’ll have a complete itinerary with your accommodations, transportation, tours, reservations, and important travel details organized for you.
Prefer the camaraderie and structure of a traditional group tour? We can help with that, too. Brightside Vacations also works with leading tour operators to match travelers with escorted and small-group journeys throughout Europe.
Whether you want a completely customized private vacation or the convenience of an organized group tour, we’ll help you find the European experience that fits you.
Quality Accommodations
Where you stay can make a big difference in how you experience Europe. At Brightside Vacations, we carefully select accommodations based on your travel style, budget, preferences, and itinerary, not a one-size-fits-all hotel list.
Our recommendations are backed by firsthand experience. We regularly travel throughout Europe to visit and stay at properties ourselves, while also drawing on feedback from the many Brightside Vacations clients we've sent to these hotels over the years. This allows us to build a trusted collection of go-to properties in many of the destinations we serve.
In the same city, that might mean a great-value 3- or 4-star hotel, a standout boutique 4-star property, and an exceptional 5-star luxury stay. While the price point and experience may differ, our recommendations share the things we value most: excellent guest reviews, great locations, consistent quality, and positive experiences from our team and clients.
Location is especially important. We consider proximity to major sights, neighborhoods, restaurants, train stations, planned tours, and private transfers so your hotel works with the flow of your itinerary, not just as a place to sleep.
Whether your priority is value, location, luxury, character, incredible views, or a combination of them all, we'll help match you with accommodations that complement the European vacation we're creating specifically for you.
Featured Destinations
Italy
Ancient ruins, handmade pasta, sunlit views, and slow Italian days.
Greece
Whitewashed villages, Aegean blues, sunset dinners, and sun-soaked island days.
Spain
Wake up to grand plazas, linger over tapas, and let Spain carry you from sun-kissed days into spirited nights.
France
Café mornings, château days, Riviera nights, and the joie de vivre of France.
Scotland
Cobblestone streets, dramatic Highlands, and storybook stays tucked into Scotland’s wild beauty.
Portugal
From Lisbon’s tiled streets to the golden cliffs of the Algarve
Croatia, Slovenia & Montenegro
From emerald lakes to sapphire seas, through old-world towns and mountain-backed bays.
Iceland
Chase waterfalls beneath the midnight sun or watch the Northern Lights move across a winter sky.
England
Start in London, then choose your own adventure through royal landmarks, historic cities, Cotswold villages, and the English countryside.
Ireland
Follow Ireland through lively streets, traditional music, and untamed coastal scenery.
Switzerland
Slow down among alpine villages, glassy lakes, and beauty that hardly feels real.
Central Europe
Connect storied capitals, Alpine scenery, and riverside towns by rail or river.
Portugal: Culture to Coast
A scenic Portugal escape blending charming cities, incredible food, coastal views, wine country options, and laid-back luxury. This one works beautifully for travelers who want culture, coastline, great food, and a European trip perfectly set to their pace.
Suggested length: 7–10 nights
Best time to travel: April–October
Best for: Couples, families, food lovers, soft adventure
Pairs well with: Spain: Barcelona, Mallorca, Madrid, Valencia
The Vibe
Charming, scenic, relaxed, and flavorful. Tiled streets, golden cliffs, pastel buildings, waterfront dinners, and easygoing coastal beauty.
Sample Trip Flow
Option 1: Lisbon & The Algarve
Lisbon → Algarve
Start in Lisbon with scenic viewpoints, Portuguese cuisine, historic neighborhoods, and locally guided exploring that helps bring the city to life. Add an easy day trip to Sintra and Pena Palace, then head south to the Algarve for resort-style relaxation, dramatic cliffs, golden beaches, sea caves, boat days, and sunset seafood dinners.
Option 2: City, Wine & Coast
Lisbon → Porto or Douro Valley → Algarve
For travelers who want a little more variety, this route adds northern Portugal’s wine country or Porto’s riverside charm before ending with a slower coastal stay in the Algarve. It creates a beautiful contrast between city, countryside, and coast.
Potential Trip Highlights
- Lisbon tuk tuk tour through scenic neighborhoods, hidden corners, and city overlooks
- Fairytale day trip to Sintra and Pena Palace
- Pastéis de nata tastings and local market moments
- Porto riverside exploring or Douro Valley wine tasting
- Algarve resort days with cliffside views, golden beaches, and coastal sunsets
- Boat tour to Benagil Cave and Marinha Beach, with sea caves, dramatic rock formations, and hidden beach views
- Sunset seafood dinners by the water
- Boutique city hotels, wine country stays, or coastal resorts
- Seamless planning for flights, transfers, trains, tours, and rental car options
Customize It
From city-and-coast combinations to wine country add-ons, Brightside Vacations helps curate the right Portugal escape around your pace, travel style, and budget. We’ll help match the right hotels, routes, tours, transfers, and upgrades so the trip feels scenic, flavorful, and completely your own.
Starting at $2,899 per person
Pricing varies by travel dates, flights, hotel availability, room category, route, transportation style, tour selection, and final customization.
Upgrade your trip with luxury boutique hotels, private drivers, wine experiences,
private boat tours, cooking classes, or extra nights along the coast.
Greek Island Glow
A romantic Greece escape blending iconic islands, dreamy views, beautiful hotels, coastal moments, and classic Greek island atmosphere. This trip is especially suited for travelers who want the Greece they’ve been picturing: caldera views, memorable dinners, beach time, and a seamless island flow.
Suggested length: 8–10 nights
Best time to travel: May–October
Best for: Honeymoons, anniversaries, couples
Pairs well with: Italy, Rome, Amalfi Coast, Capri, Turkey, Malta, and Croatia
The Vibe
Romantic, scenic, sun-drenched, and iconic. Think whitewashed villages, caldera views, beach days, rooftop dinners, and that dreamy Aegean feeling.
Sample Trip Flow
Option 1: Island Hopping
Athens → Naxos → Mykonos → Santorini
A classic Greece route with a little more variety. Start with history and rooftop dining in Athens, continue to Naxos for a more relaxed island feel, head to Mykonos for beach clubs and lively evenings, then finish in Santorini with sunset views, wine tastings, and romantic caldera scenery.
Option 2: Greece Cruise
Athens or Rome → Greek Islands → Athens, Rome, or another Mediterranean port
A Greece cruise can be a great alternative for couples who want to see several islands with less packing and unpacking. Many sailings focus heavily on Greece, with stops like Santorini, Mykonos, Rhodes, and Crete, while some itineraries may also add variety with destinations like Turkey, Malta, or other Mediterranean favorites.
Potential Trip Highlights
Private chauffeur-led Athens highlights tour with photo-worthy Acropolis stops
Sunset-view dinners in Santorini
Wine tastings with caldera views
Fira or Oia photoshoot moments
Mykonos guided tours, beach clubs, and boutique shopping
Relaxed island time in Naxos with beaches, villages, and a softer pace
Self-drive 4x4 island adventure, custom-designed by Brightside with local operators
Medieval streets and gourmet lunch tours in Rhodes
Private boat days through turquoise coves and lagoons
Boutique hotels, luxury resorts, or cruise accommodations
Seamless planning for flights, transfers, ferries, tours, and cruise logistics
Customize It
From island-hopping routes to Greece-focused cruise itineraries, Brightside Vacations makes planning your perfect Greece getaway feel like an Aegean breeze. We’ll help curate the right mix of hotels, islands, tours, transfers, cruise options, and upgrades so the trip feels romantic, polished, and completely your own.
Starting at $3,499 per person
Pricing varies by travel dates, flights, hotel availability, room category, route, transportation style, tour selection, and final customization.
Upgrade your trip with caldera-view rooms, private plunge pools, luxury sailing, private transfers, extra island nights,
or a Greece cruise itinerary that adds more variety while keeping the trip seamless.
The Art of Savoring Italy
An Italy escape designed around beauty, flavor, history, and time to linger. This trip pairs places people cross the world to see, from Rome’s ancient ruins to Florence’s Renaissance treasures, with the slower pleasures Italy does so well: city strolls, wine country, coastal days, hands-on food experiences, and enough breathing room to actually take in where you are.
Suggested length: 7–12 nights
Best time to travel: April to October
Best for: Couples, honeymoons, milestone trips, food lovers, art lovers, history buffs, first-time travelers, multi-generational families
Pairs well with: Greece: Athens, Santorini, Mykonos; France: Paris, French Riviera; Switzerland: Lake Como extension, Swiss Alps; Mediterranean cruising
The Vibe
Old-world, romantic, flavorful, and unhurried. Italy is ancient ruins, Renaissance details, marble fountains, rolling vineyards, seaside roads, meals that turn into memories, and a sense of history that feels grand, familiar, and completely alive.
Sample Trip Flow
Option 1: Classic Italy
Rome → Florence → Tuscany or Venice
Start in Rome with ancient landmarks, lively piazzas, cozy trattorias, Vatican treasures, and all the little things that make up the Eternal City. Then continue to Florence for Renaissance art, the Duomo, shopping, food tours, and easy access to the Tuscan countryside. Finish with either a softer countryside stay in Tuscany or a romantic few nights in Venice.
Option 2: Italy with a Coastal Finish
Rome → Florence or Tuscany → Amalfi Coast, Sorrento, or Capri
For travelers who want landmark Italy with a Mediterranean ending, this route pairs history and culture with coastal beauty. Start with Rome, add Florence or Tuscany for art, wine, and countryside charm, then finish along the coast with sea views, boat days, lemon groves, cliffside hotels, and relaxed evenings by the water.
Potential Trip Highlights
- Colosseum and Roman Forum guided tour
- Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica
- Rome food tour through Trastevere or Campo de’ Fiori
- Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, and piazza wandering
- Florence Duomo, Ponte Vecchio, and Renaissance landmarks
- Uffizi Gallery or Accademia tour to see Michelangelo’s David
- Tuscan wine tasting in Chianti or the Val d’Orcia
- Cooking class or pasta-making experience
- Day trip to Siena
- Classic Venice gondola ride through the canals
- Amalfi Coast, Sorrento, or Capri coastal stay
- Private boat day along the coast or to Capri
- Boutique hotels, countryside stays, coastal resorts, or lakefront upgrades
- Seamless planning for flights, trains, hotels, transfers, tours, and day trips
Customize It
Brightside Vacations helps shape the right Italy escape around your pace, travel style, and budget. We’ll match the hotels, routes, trains, tours, transfers, and upgrades so the trip feels personal and easy to enjoy.
We’ll handle the moving pieces, so you can settle into la dolce vita.
Starting at $2,899 per person
Pricing varies by travel dates, flights, hotel availability, room category, route, transportation style, tour selection, and final customization.
Upgrade your trip with boutique hotels, vineyard stays, private drivers, cooking classes, wine tastings, private boat days,
a stylish Milan stay with easy access to Lake Como, or a breathtaking rail journey into St. Moritz, Switzerland.
Scottish Highlands & Hideaways
A scenic Scotland trip designed around atmosphere: historic cities, castle moments, rolling hills, quiet lochs, charming villages, and wide-open views. This one is for travelers who love history, dramatic scenery, cozy stays, and an intentional, atmospheric kind of Europe.
Suggested length: 6–10 nights
Best time to travel: May–October
Best for: Couples, anniversaries, nature lovers, history buffs
Pairs well with: England: London, Bath, Lake District, Cotswolds; Ireland: Dublin, Galway, Killarney
The Vibe
Cozy, cinematic, romantic, and a little moody. Castles, countryside roads, misty landscapes, charming towns, fireside dinners, and stays full of character.
Sample Trip Flow
Option 1: Locally Led Highlands &
Isle of Skye Tour
Edinburgh → Highlands → Isle of Skye → Glasgow or Edinburgh
Start with a few nights in Edinburgh for castle views, historic streets, lively pubs, and time to settle into Scotland’s unique, old-world setting. Then head into the Highlands on a locally led small-group tour, with scenic stops through Glencoe, lochs, mountain roads, and the stunning Isle of Skye. Many tours include cozy guesthouses or B&B-style stays along the way. Finish back in Edinburgh or continue to Glasgow for one more iconic Scottish city.
Option 2: Edinburgh, Day Trips &
Loch Ness Luxury
Edinburgh → Highland Day Trips → Loch Ness/Inverness Area
For travelers who want a more custom pace, this route keeps Edinburgh as the main base with guided day trips to nearby castles, countryside, villages, whisky country, or scenic Highland views. Then finish with an unhurried stay near Loch Ness, with a secluded luxury lodge, panoramic loch views, quiet countryside, cozy dinners, and Highland moments like meeting Scotland’s famous Highland cows.
Potential Trip Highlights
- Edinburgh castle views, historic streets, and cozy pub evenings
- Locally led small-group touring through the Highlands
- B&B or guesthouse stays in Portree on the Isle of Skye
- Scenic stops through Glencoe, lochs, mountain roads, and Highland landscapes
- Isle of Skye photo stops like the Old Man of Storr, Quiraing, Fairy Pools, and wildlife
- Storybook stops like Eilean Donan Castle, Loch Ness, and charming Highland villages
- Guided day trips from Edinburgh for castles, countryside, whisky, or Highland scenery
- Secluded lodge stay near Loch Ness or Inverness with panoramic views
- Highland cow encounters, countryside walks, and cozy fireside dinners
- Seamless planning for flights, hotels, trains, tours, and pre/post stays
Customize It
If you’ve got high hopes for the Highlands, Brightside Vacations has it handled. From city stays to sweeping countryside, we’ll cobble together the right Scotland journey around your pace and travel style. We’ll match the hotels, tours, transportation, and upgrades so the trip is as smooth as that first dram of whisky.
Starting at $3,299 per person
Pricing varies by travel dates, flights, hotel availability, room category, route, transportation style, tour selection, and final customization.
Upgrade your trip with luxury lodges, castle hotels, private drivers, whisky tastings,
scenic rail, or an England or Ireland extension.
A Taste of Spain
A Spain trip built around flavor, architecture, culture, and rhythm. This destination brings together bold cities, Moorish palaces, Mediterranean coastlines, late dinners, local markets, and enough variety to make one country feel like several trips in one.
Suggested length: 6–9 nights
Best time to travel: April to October, with spring and fall especially great for city-focused trips
Best for: Couples, milestone trips, food-focused travelers, culture seekers, architecture fans, friend trips, and pre/post cruise stays
Pairs well with: Portugal: Lisbon, Porto, Algarve; France: Paris, French Riviera; Morocco: Marrakech; Mediterranean cruising
The Vibe
Colorful, flavorful, expressive, and full of rhythm. Spain feels bright and social, with sun-warmed plazas, tiled courtyards, late dinners, flamenco evenings, and cities that come alive after dark.
Sample Trip Flow
Option 1: Classic Spain
Barcelona → Madrid → Seville or Granada
Start in Barcelona with Gaudí architecture, seaside neighborhoods, food markets, rooftop views, and Mediterranean energy. Then continue to Madrid for grand boulevards, elegant plazas, world-class museums, tapas bars, and easy day trips. Finish in southern Spain with Seville or Granada for Moorish palaces, flamenco, tiled courtyards, warm evenings, and some of Spain’s most atmospheric historic settings.
Option 2: Spain with a Coastal Finish
Barcelona or Madrid → Southern Spain → Mallorca, Costa del Sol, or Ibiza
For travelers who want culture with a Mediterranean ending, this route pairs Spain’s cities and historic landmarks with a softer coastal finish. Start with Barcelona, Madrid, or southern Spain, then end with island or seaside time for coastal hotels, seafood dinners, beach clubs, boat days, and slower sun-drenched afternoons.
Potential Trip Highlights
- Barcelona city tour with Gaudí highlights like La Sagrada Família and Park Güell
- Gothic Quarter exploring and Barcelona food market stops
- Tapas food tour and wine tasting or local cooking class
- Rooftop drinks or dinner with city views
- Madrid museum visits, including the Prado or Reina Sofía
- Royal Palace of Madrid and elegant city squares
- Flamenco evening in Seville or Madrid
- Seville Cathedral, Alcázar, and tiled palace courtyards
- Granada and the Alhambra
- Andalusian wine, olive oil, or food experiences
- Mallorca, Costa del Sol, or Ibiza coastal stay
- Private boat day or beach club experience
- Boutique hotels, city stays, coastal resorts, or historic properties
- Seamless planning for flights, trains, hotels, transfers, tours, and day trips
Customize It
From city-and-coast routes to pre/post cruise stays, Brightside Vacations helps make planning your Spain trip feel smooth, flavorful, and easy to enjoy. We’ll help shape the right blend of hotels, cities, trains, tours, transfers, cruise timing, and upgrades so the trip feels polished, personal, and completely your own.
Starting at $2,599 per person
Pricing varies by travel dates, flights, hotel availability, room category, route, transportation style, tour selection, and final customization.
Upgrade your trip with boutique city hotels, private guides, tapas and wine tours, flamenco evenings, rooftop dining, private drivers
through southern Spain, beach clubs, boat days, or extra nights along the Mediterranean coast.
Balkan Gems : Croatia, Slovenia & Montenegro
A multi-country trip built around scenery, culture, coastlines, and variety. Pair Croatia’s island-and-old-town beauty, Slovenia’s lakes and secluded charm, and Montenegro’s dramatic bays for a trip that feels layered, scenic, and a little different from the usual Europe or Adriatic route.
Suggested length: 8–12 nights
Best time to travel: May–October
Best for: Couples, friend trips, multi-generational families, culture seekers, scenery lovers, soft adventure, relaxation, and cruisers
Pairs well with: Venice, Rome; Greece: Athens, Greek Islands; Austria: Vienna; Mediterranean, Adriatic, or Greek Isles cruising
The Vibe
Scenic, coastal, historic, and quietly adventurous. This region moves through lake towns, stone-walled cities, island views, coastal dinners, dramatic mountain scenery, and old-world streets that feel made for wandering. It has the beauty of a Mediterranean trip with a more unexpected route and a fresh mix of ports, landscapes, and cultures.
Sample Trip Flow
Option 1: Classic Balkans & Adriatic
Ljubljana → Lake Bled → Split or Dubrovnik → Kotor
Start in Slovenia with Ljubljana’s charming old town, riverside cafés, easy walking, and a relaxed city feel. Add Lake Bled for alpine scenery, castle views, lakefront moments, and a softer mountain break before heading south, or visit it as a day trip. Continue into Croatia, stopping at the awe-inspiring lakes and waterfalls of Plitvice Lakes National Park en route to Split or Dubrovnik on the Dalmatian Coast. Enjoy historic streets, coastal views, island options, boat days, and lively evenings. Finish in Montenegro around the Bay of Kotor for dramatic mountains, waterfront villages, scenic drives, and time in Kotor’s atmospheric old town, or visit it as a day trip from Dubrovnik.
Option 2: Dalmatian & Mediterranean or Adriatic Cruise
Venice, Rome, or Athens departure → Various Balkan, Adriatic, Mediterranean, and Greek Isles ports
For travelers who want this region woven into a cruise, a Mediterranean, Greek Isles, or Adriatic itinerary can be a great fit. These sailings often blend beloved ports like Athens, Santorini, Venice, or the Amalfi Coast with two to four less-expected stops across the Adriatic and Balkans.
A sailing might stop in Corfu before Montenegro’s Bay of Kotor, continue through Croatia with ports like Dubrovnik, Split, or Zadar, then add Koper, Slovenia, for access to the Slovenian Riviera, Piran, Ljubljana, Postojna Cave, or even Lake Bled. It’s a creative way to shake up the usual European cruise route while keeping the ease of a cruise vacation.
Potential Trip Highlights
- Ljubljana’s old town, riverside cafés, and relaxed city atmosphere
- Lake Bled and Slovenia’s alpine scenery
- Lake Bled and Ljubljana full-day shore excursion from Koper
- Postojna Cave and Predjama Castle private excursion
- Split, Dubrovnik, and Croatia’s historic coastal towns
- Island time, private boat days, or nearby island day trips along the Dalmatian Coast
- Plitvice Lakes or Krka National ParkBay of Kotor, Perast, and Montenegro’s waterfront villages
- Blue Cave and Our Lady of the Rocks boat tour
- Kotor Old Town, fortress views, and scenic coastal visits
- Koper, Piran, or the Slovenian Riviera as a cruise or coastal add-on
- Wine tastings, olive oil experiences, seafood dinners, and local market stops
- Boutique hotels, sea-view stays, historic properties, or luxury coastal upgrades
- Seamless planning for flights, hotels, private drivers, ferries, tours, transfers, cruises, and cross-border logistics
Customize It
With multiple countries, routes, and logistics to coordinate - from ferries and private drivers to cruise ports, hotels, and border crossings - Brightside Vacations handles the details so the experience feels seamless and easy. Whether you’re planning a classic multi-country itinerary or a cruise that blends the Adriatic with a variety of Mediterranean ports, we’ll help design the right balance of tours, transfers, and experiences across the region.
Starting at $3,299 per person
Pricing varies by travel dates, flights, hotel availability, room category, route, transportation style, ferry schedules, cruise sailing, tour selection, and final customization.
Upgrade your trip with sea-view hotels, boutique stays, personal drivers, luxury
coastal resorts, private boat days, wine tastings, private cruise excursions and more.
Iceland, Into the Elements
A wildly scenic Iceland escape shaped by waterfalls, glaciers, geothermal landscapes, black-sand beaches, and wide-open spaces. Whether you visit during summer’s nearly endless daylight or winter’s long, dark nights, this trip combines Iceland’s otherworldly scenery with adventurous experiences, restorative hot springs, and routes tailored to the season.
Suggested length: 6–10 nights
Best time to travel: May–September for summer adventures; late August–April for Northern Lights
Best for: Couples, families, friend trips, photographers, nature lovers, outdoor enthusiasts, cruisers, solo travelers, women-focused travel groups, and winter travelers
Pairs well with: Scotland; Ireland; Norway; Denmark; transatlantic stopovers
The Vibe
Wild, elemental, cinematic, and completely unlike anywhere else. Waterfalls spill over moss-covered cliffs, glaciers meet volcanic beaches, steam rises from the earth; where every stretch of road seems to lead to another impossible landscape. Iceland can feel adventurous and restorative at once, with days spent exploring followed by geothermal soaks, cozy dinners, and quiet nights beneath an endless sky.
Sample Trip Flow
Option 1: Iceland Beneath the Midnight Sun
Reykjavík → Golden Circle → South Coast → Jökulsárlón
Begin in Reykjavík with colorful streets, waterfront views, Icelandic food, and time to settle in before heading into the countryside. Follow the Golden Circle to Þingvellir National Park, the Geysir geothermal area, and Gullfoss, then continue along the South Coast past waterfalls, glaciers, lava fields, and Reynisfjara’s black-sand shoreline.
Travel toward Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon and Diamond Beach, stopping for scenic walks, a guided glacier experience, or a lagoon boat tour along the way. Summer’s long daylight allows more freedom to explore without rushing, making this route ideal for a self-drive adventure or a privately guided journey.
Option 2: Northern Lights & Winter Landscapes
Reykjavík → Golden Circle Countryside → South Coast
Start with Reykjavík’s restaurants, museums, waterfront, and geothermal pools before leaving the city lights behind. Stay in the Golden Circle countryside or along the South Coast, where dark skies create better opportunities to watch for the Northern Lights and scenic hotels offer a cozy base between adventures.
Spend your days visiting frozen waterfalls, geothermal landscapes, black-sand beaches, and snow-covered valleys. Add a guided ice cave or glacier experience, a Super Jeep adventure, and evenings dedicated to aurora hunting. Since the Northern Lights depend on darkness, clear skies, and solar activity, the route can include multiple nights outside Reykjavík to create more opportunities for a sighting.
Potential Trip Highlights
- Reykjavík food tour, waterfront exploring, and colorful city streets
- Fully guided multi-day tours
- Golden Circle tour with Þingvellir National Park, Geysir, and Gullfoss
- Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss waterfalls
- Reynisfjara black-sand beach and the village of Vík
- Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon and Diamond Beach
- Summer lagoon boat tour among floating icebergs
- Guided glacier hike or seasonal ice cave experience
- Northern Lights outings with expert local guides
- Geothermal bathing at the Blue Lagoon, Sky Lagoon, or a countryside hot spring
- Summer whale watching, puffin excursions, and Icelandic horse experiences
- Lava caves, snowmobiling, ATV rides, and private Super Jeep adventures
- Boutique Reykjavík hotels, countryside retreats, glass cabins, and geothermal resorts
- Seamless planning for flights, hotels, rental cars, private drivers, guided tours, road-trip routes, seasonal conditions, and multi-stop logistics
Customize It
Iceland can be explored on a summer self-drive, a private guided trip, or a relaxed mix of Reykjavík stays and countryside excursions, depending on the season, road conditions, and how much driving you’re comfortable with. Brightside Vacations tailors each itinerary to your priorities, whether that’s a slow South Coast journey, a full Ring Road adventure, a winter Northern Lights stay, or more time for glaciers, hot springs, wildlife, and remote landscapes.
Starting at $2,499 per person
Pricing varies by travel dates, flights, hotel availability, room category, route, rental vehicle, private transportation, seasonal conditions, tour selection, and final customization.
Upgrade your trip with luxury countryside lodges, private drivers, glass cabins beneath the
Northern Lights, premium geothermal spa access, private Super Jeep tours, helicopter sightseeing,
guided glacier experiences, gourmet dining and more.
England & Ireland, Choose Your Story
Start with the icons, then follow the castles, countryside, and coast wherever they lead.
Two distinct journeys, each filled with history, atmosphere, and room to make the trip your own. Choose England for London landmarks, royal history, storybook villages, stately homes, and countryside escapes, or Ireland for lively cities, rugged coastlines, traditional music, scenic drives, and landscapes filled with legends.
Suggested length: 6–10 nights
Best time to travel: April–October August–April for Northern Lights
Best for: Couples, families, friend trips, solo travelers, history lovers, literary travelers, scenic road trips, and countryside escapes
Pairs well with: Scotland; Wales; Iceland; France; transatlantic cruising
The Vibe
Historic, atmospheric, welcoming, and full of character. England moves between grand landmarks, elegant cities, ancient villages, and green countryside. Ireland brings colorful streets, traditional pubs, windswept cliffs, castle ruins, and winding coastal roads. Both can be shaped around history, scenery, food, literature, film locations, or simply taking the route less traveled.
Sample Trip Flow
Option 1: England
London → Choose Your Own Route: Cotswolds, Bath, Oxford, York, or the English countryside
Begin in London with royal landmarks, historic neighborhoods, museums, markets, West End shows, and a locally guided introduction to the city. From there, choose the side of England that speaks to you. Wander through honey-colored villages in the Cotswolds, explore Roman and literary history in Bath, visit Oxford’s historic colleges, continue north to medieval York, or slow down at a countryside inn near castles and stately homes.
Option 2: Ireland
Dublin → Galway → Killarney & Ring of Kerry
Begin in Dublin with historic streets, literary landmarks, traditional pubs, live music, and time to explore the city’s major sights. Continue west to Galway for colorful streets, local culture, and access to the Cliffs of Moher and the Wild Atlantic Way. Finish near Killarney with lakes, castles, national park scenery, and a drive or guided tour around the Ring of Kerry.
Potential Trip Highlights
- London’s royal landmarks, historic neighborhoods, museums, markets, and West End theatre
- Day trips to Windsor Castle, Stonehenge, Oxford, Bath, or other historic sites
- Cotswolds villages, stately homes, country inns, literary landmarks, and afternoon tea
- Dublin’s historic center, Trinity College, traditional pubs, food tours, and live music
- Galway, the Cliffs of Moher, coastal villages, and the Wild Atlantic Way
- Killarney National Park, the Ring of Kerry, castle stays, and scenic countryside drives
Customize It
England and Ireland each offer plenty of ways to build a trip without trying to see everything at once. Brightside Vacations can help choose the right cities, countryside stops, transportation, hotels, and experiences based on your interests and preferred pace.
From London paired with the Cotswolds, a history-focused route through England, a classic Dublin-to-Kerry journey, or a slower Irish countryside escape, we’ll shape the trip around what you most want to experience.
Starting at $1,999 per person
Pricing varies by destination, travel dates, flights, hotel availability, room category, route, transportation style, tour selection, and final customization.
Upgrade your trip with English manor houses, luxury country estates, Irish castle stays, private drivers, exclusive historical tours,
private countryside experiences, afternoon tea, elevated rail travel, gourmet dining and more.
Central Europe by Rail, River, & Royal Cities
A richly layered Central Europe escape filled with grand cities, picturesque old towns, mountain scenery, classical music, café culture, castles, and centuries of living history. Travel independently by rail through Germany, Austria, and Czechia, or let a river cruise carry you between some of the region’s most beautiful capitals and riverside towns.
Suggested length: 8–12 nights
Best time to travel: April–October; late November–December for Christmas markets
Best for: Couples, families with older children, friend trips, history lovers, scenic rail travelers, river cruisers, food and wine travelers, and Christmas market trips
Pairs well with: Switzerland; Northern Italy; Poland; France; Rhine River cruising
The Vibe
Historic, elegant, atmospheric, and fluidly connected. Gothic spires rise above medieval streets, imperial palaces line grand boulevards, and trains move easily between cities filled with music, art, markets, coffeehouses, and local traditions. Beyond the capitals, Alpine landscapes, vineyards, castles, and quiet riverside towns add a slower and more scenic side to the journey.
Sample Trip Flow
Option 1: Central Europe by Rail
Munich → Innsbruck → Salzburg → Vienna → Prague
Begin in Munich with historic squares, traditional beer halls, lively markets, grand palaces, and a day trip into the Bavarian Alps for Neuschwanstein Castle and storybook mountain scenery.
Continue into Austria for time in Innsbruck, where a colorful old town sits beneath the dramatic peaks of the Tyrolean Alps. See the Golden Roof, ride into the Nordkette mountains for sweeping views above the city, and add hiking, skiing, or other Alpine experiences depending on the season.
Travel onward to Salzburg for its baroque old town, Hohensalzburg Fortress, Mirabell Gardens, Mozart history, and surrounding lakes and mountains. Continue to Vienna for imperial palaces, elegant coffeehouses, museums, and classical music before finishing in Prague among medieval streets, Gothic spires, Charles Bridge, and the grand architecture of Old Town and the Castle District.
Option 2: The Danube by River Cruise
Prague Extension → Passau → Wachau Valley → Vienna → Bratislava → Budapest
Begin with two or three nights in Prague before continuing to Passau to board a Danube river cruise. Sail through the heart of Central Europe, stopping in riverside towns and historic capitals while enjoying guided excursions, onboard dining, and scenic stretches of vineyards, hilltop castles, and old-world villages.
Typical routes include the Wachau Valley, Vienna, Bratislava, and Budapest, with some sailings also visiting Linz or offering an excursion to Salzburg. Exact ports, sailing direction, included excursions, and Prague extensions vary by cruise line and departure.
Potential Trip Highlights
- Munich’s Marienplatz, Viktualienmarkt, royal palaces, beer halls, and Bavarian cuisine
- Neuschwanstein Castle and the Bavarian Alps
- Innsbruck’s colorful old town, Golden Roof, Nordkette mountain experiences, and Tyrolean scenery
- Salzburg’s old town, Hohensalzburg Fortress, Mirabell Gardens, and Mozart history
- Day trips into the Salzkammergut for lakes, mountains, and villages like Hallstatt
- Vienna’s Schönbrunn Palace, Hofburg Palace, museums, coffeehouses, and classical concerts
- Prague’s Old Town Square, Charles Bridge, Prague Castle, and historic Jewish Quarter
- Budapest’s Parliament, Buda Castle, thermal baths, and illuminated Danube views
- Private Vineyard tours and wine tastings
- Danube river cruising with guided city tours, regional dining, and scenic sailing
- Seasonal Christmas markets in Munich, Innsbruck, Salzburg, Vienna, Prague, and Budapest
- Castle hotels and historic city stays
- Seamless planning for flights, hotels, rail tickets, seat reservations, river cruises, transfers, city tours, extensions, and multi-country logistics
Customize It
Central Europe can be explored by rail, river cruise, or a combination of both, and Brightside Vacations helps tailor the experience by selecting the right cities, routes, cruise line, ship, cabin, hotels, and transportation based on your pace and interests. Trips can focus on castles and imperial history, classical music, food and wine, Alpine scenery, Christmas markets, or smaller towns, with options to extend into Switzerland, Northern Italy, Poland, or France for a longer European journey.
Starting at $2,899 per person
Pricing varies by travel dates, flights, hotel availability, room category, route, rail class, cruise line, ship, cabin category, included excursions, seasonal experiences, extensions, and final customization.
Upgrade your trip with the 15-day Grand European Tour river cruise between Amsterdam and Budapest, tracing the Rhine, Main, and Danube through four countries.
Add palace hotels, castle stays, first-class rail, private drivers, premium veranda suites, personal
guides, private museum visits, classical performances, exclusive wine experiences, gourmet dining and more.
Switzerland, Where Every Route's the Scenic Route
A naturally indulgent Switzerland escape defined by mountain railways, mirror-like lakes, and secluded alpine villages. Every route feels cinematic, from sweeping valley views on panoramic trains to lakeside towns glowing at sunset and chalet villages tucked beneath towering peaks. Designed for travelers who want a European trip that moves through iconic scenery by rail, fills each day with crisp mountain air, and strikes the perfect balance of adventure, beauty, and inspiration.
Suggested length: 7–12 nights
Best time to travel: June–September; December–March for winter experiences
Best for: Couples, families with children of all ages, scenic rail lovers, outdoor enthusiasts, winter travelers, soft adventure, and relaxation
Pairs well with: Italy: Milan, Lake Como; France: Paris, Alsace; Germany & Austria; Rhine River cruising
The Vibe
Natural, unhurried, and almost impossibly beautiful. Glassy lakes, green valleys, wooden chalets, waterfalls, and mountain trains winding beneath snowcapped peaks. Switzerland feels indulgent without trying to be. It can be exactly what you’re hoping for, whether that’s romantic, adventurous, restorative, or simply a place to slow down and take it all in.
Sample Trip Flow
Option 1: Classic Lakes & Alps
Lucerne → Jungfrau Region → Montreux or Zermatt
Begin in Lucerne with its walkable old town, historic bridges, lakeside setting, and easy mountain excursions. Continue aboard the scenic Lucerne–Interlaken Express into the Bernese Oberland, staying in Interlaken or one of the surrounding alpine villages like Wengen, Grindelwald, or Lauterbrunnen. Spend your time exploring waterfalls, mountain viewpoints, scenic trails, and famous experiences like Jungfraujoch before continuing to Montreux for Lake Geneva and vineyard views or Zermatt for the Matterhorn and classic Swiss mountain scenery.
Option 2: Swiss Winter by Rail
Zurich → Zermatt → St. Moritz
Begin with a night in Zurich or travel directly into the mountains for a winter stay in car-free Zermatt. Spend your days skiing beneath the Matterhorn or enjoying the softer side of the season with snowy village walks, mountain railways, sledding, spa time, and cozy alpine dining.
Continue aboard the Glacier Express for a full-day panoramic journey through snow-covered valleys, mountain passes, deep gorges, and quiet alpine villages before arriving in St. Moritz. Finish with skiing, winter hiking, cross-country trails, frozen-lake scenery, mountain restaurants, and time to settle into one of Switzerland’s most iconic winter destinations.
Potential Trip Highlights
- Lucerne’s old town, Chapel Bridge, waterfront promenade, and Lake Lucerne
- Lake cruise and mountain excursion to Mount Pilatus, Mount Rigi, or Stanserhorn
- Scenic journey aboard the Lucerne–Interlaken Express
- Alpine stays in Wengen, Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen, or Interlaken
- Jungfraujoch – Top of Europe and its high-altitude glacier views
- Lauterbrunnen Valley waterfalls, mountain villages, and scenic walks
- Grindelwald-First, mountain gondolas, and soft-adventure experiences
- GoldenPass Express journey between Interlaken and Montreux
- Montreux, Chillon Castle, Lake Geneva, and the Lavaux wine region
- Zermatt, Matterhorn views, and the Gornergrat mountain railway
- Skiing beneath the Matterhorn or in the St. Moritz and Engadin region
- Glacier Express journey between Zermatt and St. Moritz through snow-covered alpine scenery
- Winter hiking, snowshoeing, sledding, cross-country trails, and frozen-lake views
- Swiss chocolate, cheese, wine, and locally guided tasting experiences
- Alpine hotels, lakeside stays, mountain chalets, and spa resorts
- Seamless planning for flights, hotels, rail passes, panoramic train reservations, luggage transfers, mountain excursions, ski arrangements, and multi-city logistics
Customize It
Central Europe can be explored by rail, river cruise, or a combination of both, and Brightside Vacations helps tailor the experience by selecting the right cities, routes, cruise line, ship, cabin, hotels, and transportation based on your pace and interests. Trips can focus on castles and imperial history, classical music, food and wine, Alpine scenery, Christmas markets, or smaller towns, with options to extend into Switzerland, Northern Italy, Poland, or France for a longer European journey.
Starting at $2,899 per person
Pricing varies by travel dates, flights, hotel availability, room category, route, rail class, cruise line, ship, cabin category, included excursions, seasonal experiences, extensions, and final customization.
Upgrade your trip with the 15-day Grand European Tour river cruise between Amsterdam and Budapest, tracing the Rhine, Main, and Danube through four countries.
Add palace hotels, castle stays, first-class rail, private drivers, premium veranda suites, personal
guides, private museum visits, classical performances, exclusive wine experiences, gourmet dining and more.
Been There. Planned That.
Firsthand experience, honest insight, and recommendations shaped by real travel. From personal favorites to carefully curated excursions with trusted local guides, Brightside uses what we’ve learned along the way to create trips that feel thoughtful, seamless, and genuinely connected to the destination
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