5 travel experts share their ultimate Europe itineraries

The next best thing to going to Europe? Planning to go to Europe. We asked the experts to share their ultimate itineraries for a generous dose of inspiration.

"Everyone is in Europe,” I wail. “Not everyone can possibly be there,” says my frustratingly rational husband. I point to my social feed of sun-diffused snapshots of marine-blue beach umbrellas and higgledy-piggledy terracotta rooftops. I slip through a portal of my own photos to relive a past Portuguese itinerary. The pastel promenades of Lisbon, viscously sweet sips of port in Sintra, and the sea-lapped beauty of Cascais soothe my Europe-yearning heart.

When you’re detained in everyday life, well-intended travel updates come with a sting. But here’s what I’ve discovered – if you can’t do it yet, relish the research. Build the perfect itinerary by mining gold in your social feeds and chatting to regular travellers. We’ve collected the ultimate European itineraries from five well-travelled experts.

ATHENS AND MALLORCA: ANCIENT WONDERS AND LUXE FLOURISHES

- George Epaminondas, Escape contributor and Travel + Luxury managing editor

When assessing the dreamiest island chains in the world, it’s impossible to choose between the Cyclades in Greece and the Balearics in Spain. “Both are splashy, sun-filled playgrounds,” George says. So why not experience both?

Day 1-3: In the birthplace of Western civilisation, Athens, check in to New Hotel, near Syntagma Square. Wander the storied streets of Plaka, then head to Birdman for Japanese-style souvlaki. The next day, explore the Acropolis Museum for its site-specific storytelling and café with killer views.

Day 4-5: Among Athens’ wealth of cultural institutions, two favourites are the Benaki Museum with its stunning objects from the Bronze Age to the 20th century, and the nearby Museum of Cycladic Art for its regional focus and store with marble-figurine replicas. Later, unwind by the pool at glitzy One & Only Aesthesis on the Athenian Riviera.

Splash out for a luxury stay at One & Only Aesthesis.

Day 6-7: Take a boat from Lavrio port to One & Only Kéa Island. The new resort, on a little-known Cycladic island, might be the sexiest stay in the Aegean. Etched into a hillside, it’s all marble-lined villas, private pools and kaleidoscopic sunsets. I hike along ancient trails, visit archaic temples and venture to Ioulida, Kea’s mountain village.

Day 8-9: At Palma airport in Mallorca, after a three-hour flight from Athens, pick up a car and head north to Deià to check in to La Residencia, a Belmond Hotel. In the village, snack on chicken croquettes at Xelini and wander to Cala Deià cove where the sea is a knockout shade of bottle green. The citrus-producing town of Sóller is another juicy stop.

Day 10-11: Venture southeast to Santanyí on market day when stalls are piled high with ikat pillows, leather sandals and artisanal cheeses. Later, perch poolside at hotel Can Ferrereta, set in a 17th-century mansion. Next day, flit between the beaches of Cala Santanyi and Cala Mondragó.

Day 12-14: Back in Palma, relish your moody room at Sant Francesc Hotel Singular, a converted manor house with a wafer-thin rooftop pool. Spend the final days blitzing stores, eateries and galleries, such as La Bibi Gallery, the Es Baluard Museum of Modern Art, and perfumer Arquinesia – its salty Sea Breeze fragrance is Mallorcan magic.

Rome's skyline is best admired from a rooftop viewpoint.

SHOPPING AND EATING IN ITALY AND PORTUGAL

- Collette Dinnigan, fashion and interior designer

Australian style icon Collette Dinnigan has long been enchanted by Italy, where she has bought and restored two homes. Her love for la dolce vita has seen her travel the country widely, exploring its rich tapestry of food, art and culture.

Day 1: I always fly into Rome and stay at our apartment, Terracotta Rooftop Suite (available to book on Airbnb). My first meal is invariably at Pierluigi to sit in the beautiful courtyard sipping a Negroni and enjoying lobster spaghetti.

Day 2-3: Begin with a coffee from Roscioli Salumeria. If it’s Saturday, I’ll go to the organic farmers’ market next to Circus Maximus to pick up supplies and grab bread from Marigold, where they make Rome’s best sourdough. Book dinner in advance at Armando al Pantheon – it’s pretty busy since it featured on Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy. Spend time perusing Rome’s boutiques on Via Vittoria and Via di Monserrato, such as Chez Dédé with its curation of art and interiors. If it’s hot, enjoy lunch in the cool sanctuary of Casa Bleve.

The white-washed city of Ostuni in the Italian region of Puglia.

Day 4-5: Fly to Brindisi, Puglia, and rent a car to drive to Ostuni. I always stay at our farmhouse, Casa Olivetta (also available to rent). There are plenty of nearby towns to explore, such as the ceramics-producing village of Grottaglie. Drive to seaside Monopoli, where Saleblu Restaurant at La Peschiera hotel is a bit fancy, but great for a crisp rosé with oysters. Back in Ostuni, I love browsing the antique treasures at La Mercanteria.

Day 6-8: Head to Cisternino – one of my favourite towns in Puglia. Start with coffee at the Cremeria History Vignola, then pop into Le Icone for smart interior pieces, and swing by Il Cucco for lunch before returning to Brindisi en route to Lisbon, Portugal.

Day 9-11: Spend your first night in Lisbon at the mint-hued Pestana Palace. Lunch the next day is at Cervejaria Ramiro for unbelievably fresh seafood before driving to beachside Comporta to check in to the sleek-and-sandy beach shack Casas Na Areia (Design Escapes).

Day 12-14: Add a night at Christian Louboutin’s Vermelho Hotel in Melides and don’t miss an excursion to Evora’s fascinating Chapel of Bones.

Club Med Bodrum Palmiye is one of Dilvin's top hotel picks in Turkey.

TURKEY AND GREECE: CULTURE AND CUISINE

- Dilvin Yasa, Escape’s Doc Holiday advice columnist

Born in Australia to Turkish parents, Dilvin Yasa returns to her ancestral homeland every year, her extensive research culminating in her Wellness, Wine & Wisdom: A Women’s Tour of Turkey with Dilvin Yasa tour created in partnership with World Expeditions (departing April 2025).

Day 1: Fly into Istanbul and head straight to Pera Palace Hotel. My first port of call is always a serpme (full Turkish) breakfast at Van Kahvaltı Evi, before I shop the quirky boutiques of Cihangir and take a stroll along Istiklal Caddesi and the backstreets of Beyoğlu. A meal at Yeni Lokanta helps refuel, and a drink with a Bosphorus view at Era Rooftop helps unwind.

Day 2-4: The sights of historic Balat take up day two, and three and four are devoted to visiting the Asian side of Istanbul, notably the suburbs of Kadıköy and Moda, as well as upscale shopping strip Bağdat Caddesi. Spend your last day at Büyükada, an idyllic island in the Sea of Marmara.

Day 5-7: Flying into Nevşehir Kapadokya Airport (Cappadocia), check in to a cave hotel such as Sultan Cave Suites and set about hiking Rose and Red valleys. Dibek Restaurant is my go-to for manti (Turkish ravioli), one of their signature dishes, and while most will (and should) do a hot-air balloon adventure, I’m more of an ATV kinda gal. Squeeze in a tour of an underground city if you can.

Day 8-10: Milas-Bodrum Airport is the gateway to the Turkish Riviera and rather than explore the main port of Bodrum, cab it straight to Club Med Bodrum Palmiye. Here you can make the most of the (included) watersports as well as the seaview terrace.

Day 11-14: The Greek island of Kos is just a 30-minute ferry ride from downtown Bodrum. Join the throngs and enjoy the best of Kos Town or Kardamena (check out Mitsis Norida for its beachfront location), and tack on a daytrip to nearby Kalymnos, a relatively crowd-free island, before making your way back to Bodrum and returning to Istanbul.

Lily of the Valley hotel in Saint-Tropez, France.

ARTFUL EXPLORATIONS IN FRANCE’S PARIS AND SAINT-TROPEZ

- Elliott Routledge, contemporary abstract artist

Elliott, aka Numskull, is known for his joy-inducing large-scale public works. He has exhibited across the world, from Sydney to Seattle, and has a knack for finding the artistic side of any city. He shares his itinerary for enjoying Paris and Saint-Tropez.

Day 1: On arrival, book into boutique Hôtel du Petit Moulin in the Marais, where the interiors have been styled by French fashion designer Christian Lacroix.

Day 2: Catch the train from Paris to Saint-Tropez. I love getting the train in Europe, it’s nice and chill and you can watch the landscape whiz by. Check in for a treat night at Lily of the Valley, which sits on a hill away from the bustle.

Day 3: Spend the morning beachside before exploring local vineyards. I like visiting Château Minuty (who I’ll be collaborating with next year), for wine-tasting and lunch. Head back to Saint-Tropez in time for sundowners.

Day 4: Hire a car and swing by Cédric Grolet at Airelles to stock up on pastries for the drive to Château La Coste gallery and sculpture park, which exhibits large-scale works by some of my favourite artists and architects.

Day 5: Back in Paris, head to Musée de l’Orangerie for Impressionist works and Palais de Tokyo for contemporary exhibitions. I’ll always grab a takeaway lunch and watch the skaters outside the museum. Check out Perrotin Gallery, before walking over to Double Dragon for dinner.

Day 6: Hire bikes and go to Marché des Enfants Rouges to fill up on treats. I’ll try to sneak in a last gallery visit, maybe Galleria Continua, and stop in at bookstore Shakespeare and Company. Then it’s farewell riverside beers at Pont Neuf to tuck into the goodies bought from the market.

Vineyards in Austria's picturesque Burgenland wine region.

ROAD-TRIPPING AND WINE-SIPPING IN AUSTRIA’S BURGENLAND

- Kendall Hill, Escape columnist

Kendall is equally at home exploring five-star hotels and three-star restaurants in Europe and Asia as he is roughing it on odysseys through Africa and South America. His recent exploration of Austria’s easternmost state, Burgenland, balances indulgence with activity.

Day 1: From Vienna it’s an easy hour’s drive to Burgenland. Austria’s borderlands with Hungary brim with outdoor activities and indoor comforts.

Life here centres on Lake Neusiedl, one of Austria’s largest lakes. Get your bearings from a waterfront terrace table at chic Das Fritz, which serves classics like Wiener schnitzel as well as lighter dishes.

Day 2-4: Drive past fields of corn and vines to Rust and check in to Pension Drahteselböck, a quirky guesthouse favoured by outdoorsy types. The pension is right beside a bicycle trail so rent an e-bike from the town hall square and set off to explore the lake. Look out for pop-up refreshment stops along the way, admire the flora and fauna and book ahead at cult producer Gut Oggau for lunch in its sunlit courtyard. You can also rent kayaks for a day on the water, navigating between charming waterside villages.

Day 5-7: Despite its tiny size, Rust is home to more than 30 vineyards, to which I’d easily dedicate two days. The city is best known for producing the “noble sweet wine” favoured for centuries by the elite – hence the town’s ornate façades. Elaborate street-facing doors open to reveal garden courtyards often functioning as buschenschanks, or taverns, serving house-made wines and meals. Some, such as Weingut Gabriel, are more rustic, while others, like the popular Buschenschank Peter Schandl, are quite elegant. This is the real joy of Burgenland – joining these intensely impromptu “house parties” that happen throughout summer.

Originally published as 5 travel experts share their ultimate Europe itineraries