From surfing in Porto to Ljubljana’s fairytale architecture: readers’ favourite European city breaks

Sicily is an island of mythic proportions, highly regarded for its natural beauty and the deep well of history it embodies in its ancient archaeological sites and luxe palazzos. A proud triangle, the island has three coastlines and two island chains and is home to the most active volcano in Europe, the indomitable Mount Etna.

I recently traveled all the way from New York City to Finland's northernmost municipality of Utsjoki for a chance to see the aurora lights.

With cobblestone lanes wrapped around arched bridges and canals, Amsterdam makes for a charming vacation at any time of year.

This upcoming spring instead of just seeing historical sites in European cities, why not also stay in some cultural landmarks while you’re there. Major cities like Berlin, Zurich and Amsterdam have hotels in centuries-old buildings allowing you to immerse yourself in rich architectural details and notable surroundings. Here are four hotels to enjoy contemporary comforts and sleep in a piece of history:

When they debut in 2025, Riviera River Cruises’ two newest ships will sail the Danube and Douro rivers in Europe.

Since moving from Seattle to Luxembourg for school, I've noticed a few things the European country does better than the US.

The luxury hotel brand Rocco Forte Hotels recently combined its world-class hospitality with sustainable slow travel to create a modern-day “Grand Tour” of European cities by rail. The scenic vacation train package connects two of the most romantic cities in Europe: Edinburgh, Scotland, and Palermo, Sicily. It’s designed to let travelers indulge in an inter-rail experience while taking a deep dive into local cultural experiences at each stop.

The Salomon brand and functionality have always been synonymous. Ever since its inception in the French Alps during the late ’40s, the design collective’s mission has remained the same—to make gear that transforms the wearer’s life experiences. Today, it’s come a long way from the ski-boot origins and expanded its offering to include an everyday “Sportstyle” collection with pieces fit for city-dwellers who enjoy the exhilaration of the athletic outdoors.

Solo traveling isn’t exactly a new concept. In fact, according to results from the Visa Global Travel Intentions Study, an estimated 24 percent of those who travel tend to jet off on solo vacations instead of planning trips with friends or family. Solo traveling is an excellent way to get to know yourself, to focus on problem-solving, and of course to see the world without waiting on anyone else or making compromises.

As worldwide tourist numbers continue to rise, major European destinations are making big moves to get mass tourism and its impact under control.

The final stretch of winter is always the hardest, making it the most strategic time to take a vacation. If you’re burnt out and craving a change of scenery, a winter escape can work wonders, replenishing the mind, body and soul. Best of all, a late-winter getaway means Spring is on the horizon upon your return. Whether your ideal vacation is wandering the museums and shops of an enchanting European city, glamping with elephants on an African safari, or simply sun-bathing on the beach, the below trip ideas make for a dreamy getaway.

With all the charm of a European city but a proud history that’s firmly French-Canadian, Québec City is a perfect place to travel with kids – and fortunately for North Americans, it’s much closer than Europe.