Your European summer roadmap

When you’ve been waiting all year for your well-earned summer break, deciding how, and where, to spend it can be overwhelming. This year, consider ticking off not one, but several summer destinations from your bucket list with a European tour. We fly directly to most of the major European cities, making it easy for you to start or end your grand tour, from wherever your adventure takes you. Check out our ultimate guide below for exploring the best cities in Europe – from visiting world-famous landmarks to checking off all the local-approved street eats off your list and more. 

London

Your first stop: London. Rich in culture and history, the UK capital is crammed with instantly recognisable landmarks, including Buckingham Palace, the London Eye, Big Ben and the Tower of London – all within close reach with one of our multiple daily flights from Hong Kong 

While making your way around these famed spots, satiate your hunger at one of London’s outdoor food markets. Check out Berwick Street Market – just a short walk from Piccadilly Circus – where from Monday to Saturday you'll find a plethora of international street food to choose from. In town on a Sunday? Take a trip to Marylebone Farmers’ Market to taste fresh seasonal produce and pick up artisan cheeses and breads.  

For convenience paired with luxurious comfort, we recommend staying at JW Marriott Grosvenor House London or Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park. While both are in the historical heart of the city, they also offer peace and tranquillity in the form of neighbouring Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens. 

If you’re eager to get to know the country beyond London, use your miles to redeem a private day tour to Stonehenge and Bath . This one-of-a-kind experience provides you with a driver guide who will happily tailor the trip to your preferences. Yes, this can (and should) include a detour to the Thermae Bath Spa for a restorative dip in the hot springs.  

Paris

With its stunning displays of art and architecture, from the Eiffel Tower to Arc de Triomphe, Paris isn’t known as the most romantic city in the world for nothing. And being just a hop and skip away from London via Eurostar, Paris is a no-brainer for a quick swoon-worthy sojourn – whether for a few days or longer. 

To ensure you get to see as much of it as possible, we suggest booking a room at the Sofitel Paris Arc de Triomphe. Not only is it just a short walk from these sights, it's also a hassle-free metro ride away from the Musée du Louvre and Musée d'Orsay, meaning you can save time on your commute and focus on poring over your favourite masterpieces instead. 

If you're travelling with children, make sure to include either Disneyland Paris or Aquaboulevard de Paris in your itinerary. The latter is a huge indoor and outdoor water park with numerous water slides, a wave pool, and a wakeboard simulator – sure to deliver a day of nonstop fun. While it’s open year-round, the park has added appeal in the summer as a refreshing escape from the heat. 

For a slower-paced alternative, consider a day trip to Giverny and Versailles . You’ll be able to relax by the tranquil water lily ponds at Monet’s House , before being guided around the opulent Royal Apartments of the Palace of Versailles . 

Amsterdam

Just a few peaceful hours from Paris by train, Amsterdam is a picture-postcard town known for its tranquil waterways and narrow gable roofed-buildings – sights best taken in by bicycle. The city is also home to several renowned art galleries: the Rijksmuseum , Van Gogh Museum and Stedelijk Museum of Modern Art , all concentrated in Amsterdam's Museum Quarter.  

For a glorious night’s rest, head to another landmark of the district: the Conservatorium Hotel. Formerly a bank and music school, this exquisite building now offers five-star stays in historic surroundings, redeemable with miles.  

For a taste of nature, check out Zuid-Kennemerland National Park, a majestic coastal reserve edged by rugged dunes and expansive beaches. Here, you’ll find foxes, deer, rabbits, and more than 100 species of birds. Alternatively, for more city-hopping, book a day trip to Bruges , whose enchanting Old Town is straight out the pages of a fairytale. A tour of this Belgian city includes a visit to La Notre Dame de Bruges, which houses Michelangelo’s revered Madonna and Child. 

Madrid

Swap one European capital for another and board a plane or train to Madrid, a city whose character is shaped by a love of sport, art, and history. Football fans will no doubt want to make a trip to Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, the home stadium of the world-famous Real Madrid, while art lovers should take a stroll along the Paseo del Arte, a one-kilometre stretch home to three acclaimed galleries: the Museo Nacional del Prado, Thyssen-Bornemisza National Museum and Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía. 

If you’re more of a history buff, set aside a day to visit two UNESCO World Heritage Sites; Toledo and Segovia . The former is an ancient walled city and site of the spectacular Primatial Cathedral of Saint Mary of Toledo – considered the magnum opus of Gothic architecture in Spain. In the latter, you can view the Alcázar of Segovia, a majestic medieval castle with a shape that resembles the bow of a ship.  

After a long day of exploration, rest your feet (and head) at InterContinental Madrid, a stately property in the heart of Madrid that unites contemporary comfort with classic luxury. Note: Sunday brunch in the hotel’s marble-lined lobby is an unmissable treat.  

Amalfi Coast

Without doubt, Italy was made to be enjoyed in summer – and you can be sure to  soak up plenty of rays at the Amalfi Coast, pearl of the Mediterranean and a Unesco World Heritage Site. To get to the coast, most people fly into either Rome or Naples and take a train, bus or hire a car.  

Once you arrive, you’re met with the magnificent coast lined with beautiful beaches, exclusive beach clubs and miles upon miles of fragrant lemon trees. Don’t leave without sipping on a glass of limoncello at least once. When you’re ready for some respite, you can’t do better than a stay at Borgo Santandrea. The resort-style hotel is a serene haven boasting uninterrupted views of the beautiful fishing village of Conca dei Marini.  

To experience the highlights of the Amalfi Coast , embark on a private tour that includes a visit to Ravello, a resort town with breathtaking cliffside gardens, and the Tenuta San Francesco Winery , where you’ll get to explore vineyards and wine cellars before being treated to a lunch and wine tasting.  

A visit to the Amalfi Coast isn’t complete without venturing to the nearby island of Capri, famous for its cove-studded coastline. Instead of squeezing on the packed ferry from the Amalfi Coast to Capri, book your own boat tour . You’ll get to admire a host of natural wonders, such as the dramatic Faraglioni rocks and captivating White Grotto, a sea cave with white stalactites hanging from its roof. 

To end your trip in style, spend a day or two indulging in some retail therapy in Milan before flying home, with flights available to Hong Kong twice a week. While you’re there, pay a visit to the grand Duomo di Milano , one of the largest cathedrals in the world, and the Santa Maria delle Grazie , the convent that houses The Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci. On your last night in Europe, treat yourself to a show at Teatro alla Scala , Milan’s prestigious opera house famed for its acoustics.