From museums and hikes to water slides, the continent offers plenty of fun for the whole family.
We like to think of the ideal holiday as effortless. In reality, there are the countless hours debating destinations, cross-checking calendars and inspecting passports’ expiration dates like they’re sacred scrolls. By the time you’ve made it through the gauntlet of security queues, seat selections and suncream leaks, you’ve no doubt earned that sun bed. You lie back, take a deep breath and then the realisation hits: you’ve arrived, but now what?
We are often so focused on the where and the how to get there of our high-season escapes that we neglect to consider what to do once we arrive. Of course, there is nothing wrong with a holiday that worships at the feet of that great and seductive god Indolence; a week where your only exercise is your thumb flicking fast through the page-turner you at last have time to read, or a walk to the bar for a new drink.
But what if you want more than this? What if you want adventure and excitement? What if you want food, wine and finesse? What about art, history or the aroma of an ornamental garden in the warmth of a sunset?
Well, you have come to the right place. Here, Telegraph Travel’s destination experts offer suggestions on how to make the best of your time in Europe this summer. These are the best 30 ideas for fun days and well-spent afternoons in some of the Mediterranean’s hottest travel hotspots – from France, Italy and Spain to Croatia, Greece and Turkey, via Iceland, the Netherlands and Germany.
Cyprus
Find pause, paws and purpose in Paphos
Brought over by St Helen of Constantinople way back in the 4th century AD, cats have called the island home for centuries since; and well today, they number many thousands. Animal sanctuaries care for those cats (talacats.com) – and dogs (00 357 269 46461; animalrescuecyprus.com) and donkeys (00 357 998 92713; thedonkeysanctuary.org/cyprus) – who, sadly, don’t have a home. Volunteers are welcome to help in their care, which can be a rewarding experience while on holiday.
Click here to read the article in The Telegraph.