11 bucket list trips in Europe that everyone should do in their lifetime
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A bucket list is a tricky thing to hone – particularly for the editors of Condé Nast Traveller, who spend each day dreaming about the world's prettiest destinations. We asked them to let us in on their ultimate holiday itineraries in Europe. From Italy to Greece by way of Norway, these are the European destinations our well-travelled team have put at the top of their bucket lists – to inspire your future travels.
Getty ImagesExploring Porto
Lucy Bruton, social media manager
“I’m almost embarrassed to say I’ve never visited Portugal, despite the fact I can feel in my bones how much I will love it as a country with its vibrant atmosphere and thriving food scene. And while Portugal as a whole is at the top of my European bucket list, top top top of that list is the coastal city of Porto. This may be a surprising first pick, having never even made it to the ever-popular Lisbon, however, there’s something about the smaller, slightly grittier nature of Porto that is calling my name. Porto may be Portugal’s second city, but (from what I’ve heard) it finishes first when it comes to authentic, old-world charm. There’s also the wine. Could there be anything better than a lazy afternoon spent meandering the streets, stopping in the occasional bar for a glass of sweet Port? I guess I'll have to find out.”
MAUREEN M.EVANSThe Venice Simplon-Orient-Express
Connor Sturges, digital assistant
“Is there a European adventure that populates bucket lists more than the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express? Sure, the flight time from Istanbul to Paris may be less than four hours, but the thought of a six-day adventure winding through the continent seems like the ultimate excursion. Istanbul is one of my favourite cities, a bicontinental metropolis where cultures collide at every turn, blazing spices and sparkling jewels littering the wonderfully chaotic bazaars. From here, the vintage carriages trundle through varied landscapes, passing through Romanian valleys before stopping off in The Jewel on the Danube, Budapest – a European city I’ve yet to discover. After evenings dancing around the piano and sumptuous fine dining, it’d be criminal not to walk off the indulgence around the City of Light before heading home across the channel – particularly as all eyes are on Paris in 2024 for the Olympic Games.”
Getty ImagesSlow travel in Lake Garda
Amber Port, audience growth manager
“I’m craving some slow travel – a month spent connecting with a destination’s culture, people and food. More specifically, a month in Northern Italy on Lake Garda, the largest lake in Italy and Lake Como’s laid-back sister. I dream of renting a little flat or cottage where I can live out my cottage core dreams – slow mornings spent with a book, fresh fruit for breakfast, afternoons spent frolicking lakeside and walking through the hills of the Italian countryside. And in the evenings, you will find me at a charming trattoria eating homemade Italian food with a bottle of the house wine.”
Getty ImagesSwimming in Turkey's rock pools
Lauren Burvill, commerce editor
"The surreal rock pools of Pamukkale in southwestern Turkey have long been on my bucket list. Translating to "White Castle", Pamukkale's famous hot springs release mineral-rich water onto the landscape, creating the incredible white travertine terraces. Even though I'm sure the photos of deserted aqua pools look a lot different to in tourist-season reality, to be able to take a dip in them would still be a bucket-list swim for me. Afterwards, I'd head to the coastal town of Fethiye, to stay at the dreamy looking Hillside Beach Club, one of the best family hotels in Europe. The location of this hotel, on the Aegean Sea, is another surreal sight – a turquoise water beach surrounded by a fragrant pine forest."
Getty ImagesIsland hopping in Greece
Sarah James, deputy digital editor
“I’ve been to the Greek islands a couple of times. But instead of feeling like I’ve checked the destination off my list, each visit has made me want to return. So an all-out trip hopping around a handful of the 200 inhabited islands off the mainland is a dream getaway. I’d visit Sifnos for the big Greek feasts, Hydra for the arty scene, Milos for the beaches and Skopelos for a glimpse of the Mamma Mia! church teetering above the sea. I’ve had ferries to Amorgos bookmarked on my computer since I read the Condé Nast Traveller article about this further-flung spot where the locals are outnumbered by goats. And while I’ve already been lucky enough to visit Santorini, I’m desperate to return – to try the island’s wine, jump from rocky outcrops into the deep-blue Aegean and to stay at the incredibly beautiful Perivolas hotel, a smart stay set among a cluster of cliffside houses.”
Getty ImagesA villa stay in Positano
Jessica Rach, global content planning manager
"I blame Instagram for keeping this legendary fairytale villa at the top of my wish list. Almost too picturesque to be real, every corner of Le Sirenuse in Positano appears to echo the captivating crevices and hues of the Amalfi Coast – away from the hoards of tourists and influencers. Boasting the best views of the famously colourful tumble of cliffside villas overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea, the property belongs to the aristocratic Sersale family, who opened the house to guests in 1951. I would start my day enjoying a cappuccino and cornetto on the balcony (presumably in crockery so stunning I'd be tempted to slip it into my suitcase), before going for a dip in their iconic pool. Taking their "living vertically" approach very seriously, I would then amble down to the town for some shopping and sightseeing before enjoying a plate of truffle ravioli on their magical dinner terrace."
Getty ImagesA road trip through Ireland
Sophie Knight, senior visuals editor
“There's nothing quite like an adventure on the road, and on my travel bucket list is Ireland – one of the world's best road trip destinations. I'd start in Dublin with a suitably touristy stop off at the Guinness Factory, spend a day pretending I'm an extra in Normal People before heading south and weaving in between Ireland's prettiest villages from Kilkenny to Killarney and Kinsale and epic landmarks like the Rock of Cashel, Blarney Stone and the dramatic Cliffs of Moher. Then I'd start moving north to drive through Limerick, Galway and Mayo to stop off at Achill island for its white-sand beaches, mountain lakes, and storybook towns. Up in Northern Ireland, I'd follow the road via Giant's Causeway and inland to the Dark Hedges, before hitting the Antrim coastal route and rediscovering my ancestry in Belfast. Let's not talk about the fact that I'm yet to learn how to drive…”
Getty ImagesExploring Norway
Olivia Morelli, senior digital writer
“I visited Tromsø in 2015 and have been desperate to return to Norway ever since. The country has a pervasive sense of calm and stillness that seems to stretch from the vast fjords all the way to the craggy mountaintops. I’d love to go on a road trip from the bottom to the top, starting in Oslo for the food and eco architecture and visiting the island of Hovedøya – I’ve heard it has incredible monastery ruins dating from the Middle Ages and some beautifully quiet beaches. Next would be Trondheim for the cute, brightly coloured waterside huts, up to the Lofoten islands where looming mountains cast shadows over tiny fishing villages and the endless, freezing Arctic, before rounding off the trip back in Tromsø for another chance to spy the Northern Lights dancing across the sky – definitely the most magical thing I’ve ever seen.”
Getty ImagesDriving along Italy's coastline
Abigail Malbon, audience growth manager
“For as long as I can remember, I’ve dreamt about road-tripping around Italy in the manner of a Fifties movie star, headscarf and sunglasses perfectly in place. In reality, it’ll be more like me leaning out of the window, hoping to take in every glimpse of the Amalfi Coast while desperately clinging onto my accessories. But I have no doubt the views will still live up to expectations. My perfect route begins in Sorrento for some sightseeing and views from Mount Vesuvius. From there, we’ll drive through Positano, taking in the stacked hills and chic cafés, before heading to Amalfi to admire the Cattedrale di Sant'Andrea. Slightly further along is the small town of Vietri sul Mare, which is known for its ceramics and where I have no doubt I’ll stock up on plates and bowls to take home. We’ll end the trip in Salerno, where I’ll feast on the finest pasta dishes and relish every last minute of my movie-star dreams.”
Getty ImagesCroatia's untouched islands
Connor Sturges, digital assistant
“We once went on a family road trip that saw us dip in and out of Croatia’s largest cities. While navigating Dubronik’s Old Town, ambling along Split’s coast and falling in love with Trogir’s charm, there was one itch we didn’t quite scratch – a discovery of Croatia’s islands. I’d kick things off in Hvar, soaking up the sun in the chic beach clubs that line the shore and getting my history fix in Hvar Town by visiting the 15th-century Franciscan Monastery and the Fortica Fortress for golden hour views of the rooftops. From here, I’d up the step count around the fascinating monasteries and lush vineyards of Krk, then head to the lesser-visited islands by boat, plunging into the refreshing aquamarine water of the Adriatic for some small-cove investigations on spots like Lošinj, Pašman, and Šolta.”
Getty ImagesVisiting Iceland's Westfjords
Charley Ward, commerce writer
“I had a short stint working at a tourist magazine in Iceland in 2017, where I would find myself jetting off here, there and everywhere to cover various sights before returning to my Reykjavik base a few days later. It was a wonderful experience, but the frenetic nature of my zigzags across the country means there are still large patches I’ve yet to explore – including the wild, ethereal landscapes of the Westfjords. I’d spend a day exploring the dramatic, biodiverse landscapes at the remote Hornstrandir Nature Reserve before heading over to the towering waterfall Dynjandi, a 328-foot thundering veil of water that fans out over the rocks as it hits the pool below. Of course, there would have to be a spell in the hot springs and a trip to one of the many fjords, but also to the beach: this highly volcanic island is known for its striking black sandy shores, but the Westfjords is home to Raudasandur, which swaps the usual charcoal sand for that with a pinky-reddish tinge. It’s here, I’m told, you’ll find some of the best whale-watching opportunities around, too.”