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5 of the best places in Europe for a coolcation
Combine city culture with cooler climes on these summer breaks
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1. Basel
Basel hosted Eurovision this year, so it’s a good time to make the most of the spotlight on this Rhine-side city. Clients can choose from more than 40 museums and galleries, snap photos in the Old Town and get a history fix at Basel Minster. It’s also easily accessible on Switzerland’s rail network.
Sally Barlow, rail product manager at Fred Holidays, says: “We’ve seen a massive uptick in Europe rail holidays and 95% of that is coming from trade.”
Book it: Fred Holidays sells the four-night Basel City Break by Rail from £799, including rail travel, breakfast and a discount card for attractions, based on a July 3 departure.
fredholidays.co.uk
2. Basque country
Image credit: Shutterstock/Wirestock Creators
Taking a trip to sunny Spain doesn’t have to mean baking in the heat. The Basque Country on Spain’s northern coastline rarely sees temperatures rise above 27C – and San Sebastian’s Playa de la Concha (pictured) is the perfect place to catch some rays.
Plus, there are plenty of sights to tuck into, from hopping between pintxos (Basque tapas) bars to admiring art housed in former tobacco factories.
Book it: EasyJet holidays sells three nights’ roomonly at Room Mate Gorka from £754 per person, based on two adults and two children sharing, including flights from Manchester departing July 28.
easyjet.com/holidays
3. Vilnius
Image credit: Shutterstock/DroneTop
Europe’s Green Capital 2025 offers plenty for those in search of refreshment.
Clients can sit on the banks of the Neris, stroll through the city’s many parks or enjoy an ice cream in the trendy Užupis neighbourhood. For extra invigoration, visit a Lithuanian sauna for a herbal heat cleanse followed by an ice bath.
Book it: Osprey Holidays has a threenight break at the Artis Centrum from £392 per person, based on two sharing. Includes breakfast, a 10kg cabin bag and flights from Luton, departing June 11.
ospreyholidays.com
4. Denmark
Image credit: Visit Denmark/Dennis Borup Jakobsen
A self-drive through Denmark links up some of the country’s quirkiest boutique hotels, from a colourful city stay in Copenhagen to a regal beach resort built in 1861.
Clients can drive along the dunes of Jutland and through flower-filled Danish countryside, with stops to enjoy Tabasco-dripped oysters or Danish beef tenderloin.
Book it: Best Served Scandinavia sells the 10-night Best of Denmark with Small Danish Hotels itinerary from £1,160 per person, based on two sharing. Includes car hire, breakfast and flights.
best-served.co.uk
5. Central Europe
Image credit: Shutterstock/Mazur Travel
Clients can’t get enough of Europe’s chic cities?
Railbookers’ Berlin, Dresden and Prague itinerary sees them board the European Sleeper train to the funky German capital, where they’ll have a couple of days to shop, eat and explore. A one-night stay in pretty Dresden breaks up the onward journey to Prague, where cobbled streets and cold Czech beer await.
Book it: Railbookers’ seven-night Berlin, Dresden and Prague onboard the European Sleeper itinerary starts at £1,569, including rail travel, accommodation with breakfast and excursions.
railbookers.co.uk
Lead image credit: Sean Pavone
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