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Western Europe

Belgium

Belgium is a multicultural center for the world. The cosmopolitan capital, Brussels, is home to both the European Union and NATO.

What Can I Do?

  • Visit the 13th-century Grand Palace
  • See the Atomium, the massive landmark sculpture on the outskirts of the city
  • Walk by the triumphal Cinquantenaire Arch, celebrating Belgium’s independence
  • Check out the medieval architecture in Ghent
  • Shop for diamonds in Antwerp
  • Wander quaint cobblestone streets and sample famous Belgian chocolate and beer
  • Visit the canal-laced Flemish countryside and then explore Bruges, home to Our Lady’s Church featuring Michelangelo’s statue of Madonna

England

England’s history speaks for itself, but the country also features a stunning mix of rolling green hillsides, stately homes and palaces, and vibrant cities.

What Can I Do?

  • See the famous sights of historic London, including Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, Harrods, the Tower of London and Windsor Castle
  • Tour Oxford’s Christchurch College
  • Travel through the beautiful Cotswolds to Bath, home of Roman baths and The Royal Crescent
  • Marvel at the 4,000 year old Stonehenge
  • View a copy of the Magna Carta at Salisbury Cathedral
  • Visit Shakespeare’s birthplace in Stratford-Upon-Avon

France

If you’re looking for cultural enrichment, perhaps no country more than France could meet your needs. From cuisine to fashion, art to philosophy, or history to architecture, one trip to France might not be enough to satisfy your interests.

What Can I Do?

  • Explore Paris, the romantic “City of Light” and truly one of the world’s great locales, to see the Eiffel Tower, Gothic Notre Dame Cathedral, the Arc de Triomphe, Champs Élysées and the Place de la Concorde
  • Delve into the Louvre with its world-famous art collection that includes the ancient Greek Venus de Milo and Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa
  • Travel to Versailles, Louis XIV’s grandiose palace, to see the Hall of Mirrors and State Apartments
  • Travel by train to Tours and see Chenonceau, a fairy tale castle spanning the River Cher
  • In Giverny, view the gardens made famous by Claude Monet
  • Visit Normandy and remember World War II history when you explore the D-Day landing beaches and the American Cemetery
  • See the Ducal Palace in Dijon and taste famous Burgundy wines
  • In Provence, visit Avignon’s Palace of the Popes and the Pont du Gard, a Roman aqueduct and UNESCO World Heritage Site
  • Stop by Rouen to visit the site where Joan of Arc was tried and subsequently executed
  • Check out the Riviera with its spectacular coastline and glamorous lifestyle

Iceland

The “Land of Fire & Ice” features a dramatic landscape of volcanoes, glaciers, geysers and waterfalls.
It’s a place of Viking legends and culture that can still be felt today.

What Can I Do?

  • Enjoy off-road driving
  • Visit geothermal areas and watch the geysers
  • See the cascades at Seljalandsfoss Waterfall
  • View Vatnajokull, Europe’s largest glacier
  • Visit ancient Viking sites
  • Explore “Thor’s Woods” with its glacial lagoons
  • In Reykjavik, tour the 19th-century Parliament House, Austurvollur Square and Tjornin Lake
  • Relax in the numerous geo-thermal mineral springs including the famous Blue Lagoon
  • Enjoy unique, local cuisine in Reykjavik

Insider tip: Fly Iceland Air to various locations on the continent and stop over in Iceland for a few days before visiting Europe.

Ireland

It’s no wonder Ireland has earned the name the “Emerald Isle”. It’s lush, green countryside meanders along some of the prettiest waterways in the world. Castles, cottages and small quaint towns dot the countryside in a postcard-like setting, while Dublin’s charm and youthful modernization breathe new life into any visit to Ireland.

What Can I Do?

  • View the barren landscape known as The Burren
  • Visit the Ring of Kerry, with its views of mountains and sea, and the majestic Cliffs of Moher that rise 700 feet above the water
  • See the green fields between Kenmare and Dublin that have rightfully earned Ireland the name the “Emerald Isle”
  • Stroll by art galleries, shops and cafés in Dublin
  • Wander through the Dublin Castle
  • Tour the Guiness Brewery
  • Kiss the Blarney Stone
  • Visit Limerick, famous for its rhymes as well as its histroy
  • Tour the world-famous Waterford Crystal factory
  • Golf some of the world’s most revered courses

Scotland

Explore the Norse heritage and romantic beauty of Scotland. Gorgeous highlands, beautiful lochs and majestic castles await your discovery, while the nightlife and character of its cities open themselves up to you in one of Europe’s most hospitable countries.

What Can I Do?

  • Explore the majestic Edinburgh and Kilchurn castles
  • Visit Ballindalloch Castle and gardens
  • Step aboard the luxurious Royal Scotsman train and view gorgeous highlands, stately homes, Loch Lomond and heather-covered hills
  • Take a cruise – Scotland boasts the best whale and dolphin watching in Great Britain and Europe
  • Play golf on a legendary course
  • Tour renowned single-malt whiskey distilleries
  • Search for the world-famous Loch Ness Monster