Europe: cities,
coasts and the Alps.
From London's Art Deco grandeur and the gilded Place Vendôme to a palace on the Spanish Steps, a Riviera mansion, a ski-town landmark in St. Moritz, Santorini's caldera and a Scottish estate. This guide covers when to go, how to move between them, what to eat, how to behave and the day trips worth adding.
- Countries
- United Kingdom, France, Netherlands, Belgium, Italy, Austria, Switzerland, Greece
- Currencies
- Euro · Pound sterling (UK) · Swiss franc (Switzerland)
- Languages
- English, French, Dutch, Italian, German, Romansh, Greek
- Time zones
- UTC+0 (UK), UTC+1 (most), UTC+2 (Greece); one hour later in summer
- Power
- 230V · Type G (UK), Type J (Switzerland), Types C, E, F, L elsewhere
- Best months
- May, June and September for cities and coasts; January to March for the Alps
- Between hotels
- Eurostar, high-speed rail and short flights of about two hours
- Entry
- All except the UK are in the Schengen area; the UK has separate rules
The grand tour, rewritten
Europe invented the grand hotel, and our European choices span its whole history: city palaces beside royal courts and opera houses, a Riviera mansion that drew painters and film stars, an Alpine palace that helped create the winter holiday, and newer cliffside suites on Santorini.
Geography makes them easy to combine. London and Paris are linked by train; Rome, Vienna, Nice and Zurich are each about two hours apart by air; and Santorini, the Amalfi Coast and the Riviera are natural summer finales.
Think in seasons. Cities shine in spring and autumn, the coasts from May to September, and St. Moritz in the depths of winter, when the frozen lake becomes a racecourse.
Closer to home for many readers, canal houses in Amsterdam, a hotel beside the Grand-Place in Brussels and a ducal palace in Bruges are all within a few hours by train, as are four French country retreats: Bordeaux vineyards, a Provençal hill village, the Loire châteaux and the slopes of Courchevel.
Who this region suits: lovers of art, music, history and long dinners; couples looking for city-and-sea combinations; and skiers who want grand old-world comfort.
When to go
Spring (April to June)
The best overall season. Parks in London and Paris are in bloom, the Vienna opera season is still running and the Amalfi Coast is warm enough to swim by late May without the August crowds. The Chelsea Flower Show in late May is a London highlight.
Summer (July and August)
Long evenings everywhere, but August is peak season on the Amalfi Coast and the narrow coast road can be very slow. Many Parisians leave the city in August, so some small restaurants close. The Ravello Festival fills the summer with concerts in the gardens of Villa Rufolo.
Autumn (September and October)
Our favourite time for a combined trip. The sea is still warm in September, the Vienna opera season opens and the cities are lively again after the summer break.
Winter (November to March)
The season for London and Vienna: Christmas markets, the Claridge's Christmas tree, and Vienna's ball season in January and February. Hotels on the Amalfi Coast largely close, so save Ravello for another trip.
Getting around
Rail is the most pleasant way to link London and Paris, arriving city centre to city centre. For Vienna and the Amalfi Coast, a short flight is fastest, though Austria's overnight Nightjet sleeper trains are a memorable alternative.
Eurostar: book early, as fares rise as the train fills. Allow time for passport and security checks before departure. Italy: high-speed Frecciarossa and Italo trains connect Rome and Naples in about 70 minutes. Amalfi Coast: arrange a private driver; the coast road is narrow and parking is scarce.
| Journey | Best way | Typical time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| London to Paris | Eurostar train | ≈ 2h 20m | St Pancras to Gare du Nord |
| Paris to Vienna | Flight | ≈ 2h | Or the Nightjet sleeper, roughly 14 hours overnight |
| London to Vienna | Flight | ≈ 2h 20m | Several daily departures |
| Vienna to Naples | Flight | ≈ 2h | Then road transfer to Ravello |
| Rome to Naples | High-speed train | ≈ 1h 10m | Useful if you add Rome |
| Naples to Ravello | Private car | ≈ 1h 30m | Longer in summer traffic |
A ten-night route through all four
- 1
London · 3 nights at Claridge's
Arrive Heathrow · Elizabeth line to Bond StreetGalleries, Hyde Park, afternoon tea in the Foyer and a West End show.
- 2
Paris · 2 nights at the Ritz
Eurostar · about 2h 20mThe Tuileries, the Louvre or Orsay, a pastry class and cocktails at Bar Hemingway.
- 3
Vienna · 2 nights at the Sacher
Flight · about 2hThe Hofburg, the Albertina, a night at the State Opera and a slice of the Original Sachertorte.
- 4
Ravello · 3 nights at the Caruso
Flight to Naples · about 2h, then 1h 30m by carVilla Cimbrone, a boat day along the coast and long dinners above the sea. Fly home from Naples.
Customs and etiquette
- Greetings: in France, say 'Bonjour' when entering any shop or café; in Austria, 'Grüß Gott' is the traditional greeting.
- Meal times: dinner runs later as you go south. Expect 7pm in London, 8pm in Paris and Vienna, and 8pm or later on the Amalfi Coast.
- Tipping: service is included in French bills; rounding up is a courtesy. Add about 10% in Austria. In the UK, check whether 12.5% service is already added. Italy often charges a 'coperto' cover charge per person.
- Churches: cover shoulders and knees in Italian churches and cathedrals.
- Sundays: many shops close on Sundays in Austria and in smaller Italian towns.
- Cafés in Vienna: you may sit for hours over one coffee. Waiters won't rush you; ask for the bill when ready.
- London: queue patiently, and stand on the right on escalators.
What to eat
Sole meunière
Sole cooked in brown butter with lemon and parsley; a Paris classic.
Paris-Brest
A ring of choux pastry filled with praline cream, created to honour a cycle race.
Wiener Schnitzel
Veal pounded thin, breaded and fried, served with potato salad and lemon.
Tafelspitz
Boiled beef in broth with apple-horseradish and chive sauce.
Sachertorte
Chocolate cake with apricot jam, served with unsweetened whipped cream.
Scialatielli ai frutti di mare
Thick fresh pasta from the Amalfi Coast with seafood.
Delizia al limone
A sponge dome soaked in Amalfi lemon cream.
Afternoon tea
Sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and jam, and pastries.
Sunday roast
Roast meat, Yorkshire pudding and gravy, served in pubs on Sundays.
Cacio e pepe
Pasta with pecorino and black pepper, one of Rome's four classic pastas.
Capuns
Chard parcels with spätzle dough and cured meat, a speciality of Graubünden.
Fava
Santorini's yellow split-pea purée, served with capers, onion and olive oil.
Day trips worth adding
Palace of Versailles
Louis XIV's palace, the Hall of Mirrors and the vast gardens. Go early on a weekday.
Giverny
Monet's house and water garden, open from spring to autumn.
Wachau Valley
A UNESCO-listed stretch of the Danube with vineyards, apricot orchards and Melk Abbey.
Salzburg
Mozart's birthplace, a baroque old town and the Alps on the horizon.
Pompeii
The Roman city buried by Vesuvius in 79 AD. Hire a licensed guide.
Capri
Limestone cliffs, the Blue Grotto and the gardens of Augustus.
Oxford
College quadrangles, the Bodleian Library and the Ashmolean Museum.
Kew Gardens
Royal Botanic Gardens with Victorian glasshouses and a treetop walkway.
Seventeen European houses
Open any tab to read the full dossier: rooms, a three-day plan, dining, experiences, transfers, climate and local know-how.
The European hotels compared
Europe: frequently asked
How long can I stay in the Schengen area?
Visitors from many countries can stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period across Schengen countries, which include France, Austria and Italy. The EU is also introducing new digital border checks. The UK is outside Schengen and requires an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) from many visitors. Check the official rules for your passport.
Is it easy to combine these hotels in one trip?
Yes. Each leg is a train of under two and a half hours or a flight of about two hours. Only the last stretch to Ravello needs a road transfer.
Is August a good time for Paris?
Paris is quieter in August, which some travellers enjoy, but a number of independent restaurants and shops close for holidays.
Does the Amalfi Coast close in winter?
Many coastal hotels, including Belmond Hotel Caruso, operate seasonally, roughly spring to autumn. Check opening dates before planning.
Should I book Eurostar early?
Yes. Fares rise as trains fill, and the most convenient departures sell out first.
Do I need a car?
No. Use trains and taxis in the cities and a private driver on the Amalfi Coast.