Resplendent with history and culture, Europe is intimately familiar and yet remarkably surprising. This is a continent of vast contrasts, where azure seas lap towering mountains and ancient cities are hidden amongst modern metropolises. Europe’s proximity and variety makes it an ideal destination, whether for a short city break crammed with shopping and art, a long leisurely summer by the sea or a winter escape. Romance and beauty abound, from the misty mountains and vineyards of Tuscany, to the sparkling minarets and domes of Istanbul and the crumbling glory of St Petersburg. Be charmed by the heady passion of Madrid and its vibrant fiestas, find a city still divided in Berlin, revel in the familiar magnificence of the Pantheon in Rome and the Acropolis in Athens, or relax in the parks and bathhouses of Budapest. Seek out Europe’s lesser-known delights: the hilltop villages and gothic architecture of Mallorca, the myths and legends that colour Crete’s dramatic landscape and Portugal’s abundant UNESCO World Heritage sites. Whether you long for an active holiday playing golf in the Algarve, or for a little peace and sophistication at Lake Como, Europe is sure to astound you with its endless possibilities.