Where to Go in Europe This Summer (Based on the Kind of Trip You Want to Have)
- Char Kernen
- 1 day ago
- 9 min read
Not every destination fits every trip—here’s how to choose one that actually works for you.
Summer 2026 travel plans are starting to take shape, and Europe continues to be one of the most sought-after destinations.
If you’ve been thinking about a European getaway but aren’t quite sure where to go, you’re not alone. With so many incredible options, it can be hard to know where to start—especially if you’re looking for something that feels a little more thoughtful and experience-driven, rather than just checking off landmarks.
Instead of the usual go-to cities, these destinations offer something a little different—places that feel special without being overwhelming.
If that sounds like what you’re looking for, here are a few destinations to consider—each offering a different kind of experience, depending on the kind of trip you want.
If you’re still not quite sure where to start, this is usually where I recommend beginning.
Before choosing a destination, take a few minutes to get clear on what you actually want from your trip.
I created a simple worksheet called Discover Your Why to help you do exactly that—it walks you through the questions that make choosing a destination (and planning your trip) so much easier.
🍷 If You Love Food, Wine, and Local Experiences
If food and wine are part of what you love most about travel, these are the kinds of destinations where it naturally becomes part of the experience.
Florence, Italy
Florence is one of those destinations where food and wine naturally become part of your day.
You might start your morning with a cappuccino at a small café, then make your way to the central market before heading out to the Tuscan countryside for a cooking class. It’s the kind of experience where you learn to prepare local dishes, roll fresh pasta, and enjoy regional wines in a setting that feels like something you’ve only seen in photos.
Just outside the city, the surrounding wine regions—like Chianti, Siena, Montepulciano, and Bolgheri—offer a completely different pace. Driving through rolling hills lined with cypress trees, stopping at small, local wineries, and taking your time enjoying a wine tasting and the surroundings.
Back in Florence, the rhythm continues. Meals aren’t rushed, and some of the best moments come from lingering a little longer—enjoying a relaxed aperitivo or settling in for a dinner that stretches into the evening.
Basque Country, Spain & France
The Basque Country is one of those destinations where food isn’t just part of the trip—it’s the reason you go.
Set along the coast of the Bay of Biscay, this region blends beautiful scenery with a strong sense of tradition, and you can feel that in everything from the food to the character of the towns.
You might spend your day exploring places like San Sebastián or Bilbao, taking in the coastline, or simply enjoying the slower pace. But as the day unfolds, food naturally becomes a bigger part of the experience.
A pintxos crawl is one of the best ways to experience it—moving from one spot to the next, trying small bites paired with local wine or cider. It’s relaxed, social, and something you don’t really need to plan. And of course, it’s worth saving room for Basque cheesecake.
If you find yourself crossing into the French side, a stop in Bayonne is well worth it. Known for its chocolate, it adds a slightly different (and sweeter) layer to the experience.
Provence, France
Provence is one of those places where the pace naturally shifts the moment you arrive.
It’s less about planning every detail and more about settling into where you are—long meals outside, quiet mornings, and time to wander.
You might spend your day exploring small hilltop villages, stopping into a local market, or visiting a winery tucked into the countryside. By evening, it’s as simple as finding a place to sit outside, enjoy a glass of wine, and take it all in.
If food and wine are part of what you love about travel, this is where Provence really stands out. Meals here aren’t rushed—they’re meant to be enjoyed. Fresh, local ingredients show up everywhere, from dishes like ratatouille to simple spreads like tapenade, and even bouillabaisse if you’re closer to the coast.
Sicily, Italy
Sicily is one of those destinations that feels layered in a way that unfolds as you explore.
There’s history everywhere, but it never feels heavy—it’s part of the backdrop as you move through the island, shaping everything from the towns to the food. You might start in Palermo, where the energy is a little busier and the street food scene is part of everyday life, then make your way to Taormina for something more scenic and relaxed. If you have the time, visiting Mount Etna adds a completely different perspective.
Sicily really stands out for how deeply the food is connected to the island. It feels local, traditional, and rooted in everyday life—from arancini and panelle to sfincione and fresh cannoli.
It’s not the kind of place where you need to plan every meal. Some of the best moments come from stopping somewhere that looks good, trying something local, and taking your time.
And if you’re looking to be a little more hands-on, taking a cooking class—learning to make something like arancini from scratch—is absolutely worth it. It’s a fun way to connect with the culture, meet people, and experience the food in a more personal way.
If you’re starting to picture a trip like this but aren’t quite sure how to bring it all together, having a simple way to plan it can make a big difference.
I walk through that step-by-step in my Plan With Purpose guide—it’s a straightforward way to think through your destination, timing, and how you want your trip to come together.
🌿 If You Want to Explore a Little More (Without Overdoing It)
If you’re looking for something a little more active—but still relaxed—these destinations offer a great balance of scenery, movement, and time to enjoy the experience without feeling rushed.
Croatia
Croatia is the kind of place where you can stay active during the day—exploring, swimming, or getting out on the water—without ever feeling like you’re overdoing it.
Most trips tend to start in Split or Dubrovnik, both worth visiting. But what really makes Croatia special is what happens once you move beyond them.
You might spend one day kayaking along the coast and the next exploring a nearby island. Places like Hvar—known for its mix of beautiful coastline and lively atmosphere—and Vis, which feels quieter and more relaxed, each offer something a little different while still keeping that easy, scenic pace.
The water here is incredibly clear, and it naturally becomes part of your day—whether that’s stopping for a swim, taking a boat out, or simply finding a place along the coast to sit and take it all in.
If you want to add a change of scenery, places like Plitvice Lakes National Park and Krka National Park offer waterfalls and walking paths that feel completely different from the coastline.
What makes Croatia work so well is that you don’t need to plan every detail. Choosing a few islands and leaving space in between is usually more than enough to create a trip that feels both active and relaxed.
Norway
Norway is a beautiful choice if you’re drawn to cooler weather, dramatic scenery, and spending time outdoors without needing a packed itinerary.
The landscape here really shapes the experience. The fjords, mountains, and waterfalls are always part of your day—whether you’re exploring a city or heading further out into nature. And what makes it work so well is that you don’t have to do anything extreme to enjoy it—you can take it all in at your own pace.
Many trips start in Bergen, a colorful waterfront city that feels both easygoing and scenic, or include time in Oslo, which offers a different perspective with its mix of culture, waterfront views, and easy access to nature. From there, it’s easy to experience some of Norway’s most well-known scenery, including fjords like Geirangerfjord and Nærøyfjord.
Picture yourself surrounded by mountains and waterfalls, taking a scenic train ride through the countryside or cruising through the fjords. In the summer months, especially further north in places like Lofoten Islands, the midnight sun keeps the light going well into the night, which makes the days feel longer in the best way.
Some of the best experiences here are simple—spending time outdoors, taking in the scenery, and giving yourself the space to enjoy it.
Puglia, Italy
Puglia offers a different side of Italy—more relaxed, less crowded, and deeply rooted in local culture.
You might start in Bari, a coastal city that gives you a glimpse into everyday life in the region. The old town is especially worth spending time in—walking through narrow streets, passing small shops, and watching life unfold around you.
From there, exploring the surrounding towns is where Puglia really begins to stand out. Alberobello feels completely unique, with its white stone Trulli houses unlike anything else you’ll see. And in places like Polignano a Mare, you’ll find restaurants set into cliffs and caves along the water—one of those experiences that stays with you long after the trip is over.
There’s something about this region that’s hard to fully describe—the scenery, the pace, the people. It’s the kind of place where even a simple dinner can become one of the most memorable parts of your trip.
What makes Puglia work so well is how easy it is to enjoy. A few well-chosen stops, time to explore, and space in your itinerary is really all you need to experience it well.
🏛️ If You’re Drawn to History, Culture, and Old Towns
Some places draw you in right away—not just for how they look, but for the story they carry.
The architecture, the streets, the small details—it all tells a story. And for travelers who want to understand that story a little more deeply, these are the kinds of places that tend to stay with you.
Florence, Italy
The city of Florence is a place where history is part of everything you see and everything you do.
From the architecture to the art, there’s a sense of depth here that’s hard to miss. Walking through the city, you’re surrounded by landmarks that have shaped centuries of culture—from the Duomo to the Accademia Gallery, where you can see works like Michelangelo’s David up close.
What makes Florence especially appealing is how easy it is to explore on foot. You can spend your day moving from one historic site to the next, crossing the Ponte Vecchio Bridge, and doing a little shopping along the way.
At some point, you’ll likely wander through a quieter street, turn a corner, and suddenly find yourself standing in front of a cathedral or piazza you’ve only seen in photos.
Prague, Czech Republic
Prague is one of those cities where the history is hard to miss. The city center is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and as you move through it, you start to see why. The architecture, the squares, and the way the city sits along the river all come together in a way that feels both impressive and easy to experience. It’s also incredibly walkable, which makes it simple to explore without feeling rushed.
A perfect day here tends to start early. Wandering through Old Town in the morning has a completely different feel—quieter, slower, and a chance to really experience the history before the city begins to fill in. You can make your way to the Old Town Square, stop at the Old Town Hall Tower for a view over the city, and take a moment to see the Astronomical Clock, which has been there since the early 1400s.
From there, crossing the Charles Bridge is one of those experiences that really stands out. The views, the statues, and the energy all come together in a way that feels very “Prague.”
As you continue on, exploring areas like Malá Strana gives you a slightly different perspective—quieter streets, river views, and a more relaxed feel. Nearby, Kampa Island offers a more relaxed feel, along with spots like the John Lennon Wall that add a bit of contrast to the city’s history.
If you’re up for it, making your way up to Prague Castle or over to the Petřín Lookout Tower gives you another view of the city—one that really shows how everything connects. You might also consider stopping by Strahov Monastery to see its beautiful library and enjoy a local beer at the brewery just outside.
Prague is one of the most visited cities in Europe, but it still manages to feel personal—especially when you give yourself the time to explore it at your own pace.
Dubrovnik, Croatia
Dubrovnik’s preserved old town and strong medieval character make it one of Europe’s most photogenic historic destinations.
Walking the limestone streets has a completely different feel. Even entering the Old Town feels like part of the experience—you cross an actual drawbridge that was once raised at night to protect the Old Town—I remember thinking how cool that was, like stepping into a castle. You might start in the Stradun, the main street that runs through the Old Town, then make your way into the smaller side streets where it’s easy to slow down and explore.
As the day unfolds, walking the Walls of Dubrovnik gives you sweeping views over the Adriatic and the terracotta rooftops below. From there, you might take a short boat ride to Lokrum Island or find a spot along the water to sit and enjoy a relaxed meal.
It’s the kind of place where history and the coastline naturally come together—and where it’s easy to move at your own pace and enjoy the experience.
Final Thoughts
There’s no shortage of incredible places to visit in Europe this summer.
But the best trips aren’t about seeing the most. Choosing the right destination makes everything feel easier from the start.
Whether that’s slowing down in the countryside, exploring a new city, spending time near the water, or simply enjoying great food and local culture, the right place shapes the entire experience.
If you’re still not quite sure where to start, begin with how you want your trip to feel—and let that guide the rest.
I created a simple worksheet called Discover Your Why to help you do exactly that. It walks you through the questions that make choosing a destination (and planning your trip) so much easier.