European attractions
> Enjoy authentic first-hand insights of each country you visit, and cherish unforgettable experiences with guidance from Trafalgar Travel Directors
FROM its humble beginnings in 1947 with just a handful of people using its services, today there are more than five million guests from around the world who have enjoyed unforgettable and cherished memories travelling with Trafalgar.
For Summer 2017, you can choose from almost 150 itineraries , covering destinations across Central Europe to Eastern Europe as well as to Scandinavia and the Mediterranean region.
Here are just some of Trafalgar’s hot picks:
Nine-day Grecian Magic Explore every unique side of Greece on its brand new nine-day Grecian Magic trip.
You start from Athens. Among the key highlights here are the monument dedicated to the 300 Spartan warriors who died in the Battle of Thermopylae defending their native soil from the invading Persian army, and the clifftop monasteries at Meteora, a Unesco World Heritage Site.
Stroll along Pamvotis Lake while taking in the views of the picturesque Byzantine monasteries situated on an island in the middle of the lake; admire a mix of Greek and Venetian architectures and sights, including the Venetian Castle, the Monastery of Palaiokastritsa and Achilleon Palace; and finally visit the famous Oracle of the Ancient world in Delphi, as well as the museum and Temple of Apollo.
Nine-day Highlights of Sicily See the very best of southern Italy, starting in ancient Rome and journeying south past the Abbey of Monte Cassino to the city of Naples.
Other highlights include taking the ferry across the Straits of Messina to Sicily and the town of Taormina; travelling to the base of Mount Etna for spectacular views of Europe’s largest active volcano; touring the Valley of the Temples, a Unesco World Heritage Site that is home to five ancient Greek temples from the 6th century BC; and visiting the magnificent 12th century Norman cathedral in Monreale, as well as the beautiful fishing village of Mondello.
11-day Highlights of Poland Discover Poland in depth and discover its complex history by visiting some of the most important sites, starting with Warsaw, before heading for one of Poland’s oldest cities, Gdansk.
Then, stop at the medieval town of Torun, the birthplace of Polish astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus and a designated Unesco World Heritage Site.
Check out the Cathedral of St John the Baptist in Wroclaw as well as its Main Market Square, Old Town Hall, and the Salt Square, which was a former medieval marketplace.
Next, head towards the foot of the Tatra Mountains, the highest mountain range of the Carpathians which stretch roughly 1,500km across Central Europe, before stopping at the picturesque city of Krakow.
11-day Northern Spain This trip begins in the colourful Costa Brava city of Barcelona with its great architecture, including Antoni Gaudí’s emblematic temple, the Basílica i Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Família.
From there, head towards Pamplona, the capital of the old Kingdom of Navarre famous for the San Fermin festival, commonly known as the Running of the Bulls; then travel towards Bilbao and Santander for a relaxing day at the beach, or a walk through the historic centre; visit the Basilica made from the pink marble of the surrounding hills in Covadonga; and enjoy a traditional Asturian cider with the Castañón family at their cider mill near Oviedo.
Learn about the pilgrim city of Santiago de Compostela, and in Zamora, known as the museum of Romanesque art, see the 12th century cathedral with its richlysculptured Bishop’s Door and the scaled Dome.
12-day Balkan Delight Start in Zagreb, a traditional medieval European city in Croatia with a wealth of historic monuments like the majestic Zagreb Cathedral, Archbishop’s Palace, St Mark’s Church and Opera House.
Then, head south into Bosnia and Herzegovina, arriving in its capital Sarajevo, which has a rich religious and cultural history.
Other highlights include visiting the medieval city of Dubrovnik, where you experience life in rural Osojnik with the Muhoberac family, who will show you how to prepare your meal on an open fire,