7 extraordinary European adventures to have this summer
From bear watching in Finland to kayaking between icebergs in Greenland, these extraordinary European adventures will make this a summer you’ll be talking about for years
1: Visit three countries on two wheels
Enjoying a sunset on Lake Constance (BSpoke Tours)
Explore three of Europe’s most beautiful countries on this classic cycle tour around Lake Constance with BSpoke Tours.
Your journey will take you around the shores of the lake, stopping at historic towns like Stein am Rhein, Bregenz and Lindau, and passing through three countries: Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Surrounded by vineyards, orchards and beaches – and with endless views of the breathtaking Alps in the background – it is one of the most stunning rides in Europe.
Along the way you’ll take time to swim in the lake, sample fresh fish and local wines, visit medieval castles, and take a trip on a traditional lake steamer. Where else can you enjoy apple strudel in Austria for lunch and fondue in Switzerland for dinner?
Who:BSpoke Tours
When: Flexible departures throughout the summer
How long: 7 days
How much: From £755 (exc. flights)
2: Try horse riding in Bulgaria
Riding in Bulgaria (Venture Co Worldwide)
Experience rural culture and beautiful mountain scenery on this ride along Bulgaria’s Golden Treasure Trail with Venture Co Worldwide.
Designed for novice riders, this trip is the perfect introduction to the joys of a riding holiday. There’s a real focus on horsemanship and, by staying in farmhouses and family-run hotels, you’ll experience authentic Bulgarian hospitality – including delicious traditional meals made from locally-sourced produce.
The trail follows forest paths, crosses shallow streams, leads through meadows, and weaves up onto steep mountainsides. It links villages and remote hamlets together, where life continues as it has done for centuries.
When: Departures May-Oct
How long: 8 days
How much: From £790 (exc. flights)
3: Encounter wild bears in Finland
Brown bear mum and her playful cubs in Finland (Dreamstime)
Watch brown bears prowling in the twilight on this wildlife adventure in Finland with Discover the World.
You’ll be based in Kuhmo, a vast wilderness close to the Russian border, where Finland’s most majestic animals roam. After a day of exploring the region by foot or by kayak, you’ll spend the evening in specially-designed hides in the Petola Nature Centre. The hides are situated in a small open wetland area with a backdrop of spruce, pine and birch forest – perfect for brown bear observations. Summer offers optimum light conditions for serious photographers, with twelve to sixteen hours of sunlight and two to four hours of twilight.
When: Departures May-Sep
How long: 4 nights
How much: From £1,204 (inc. flights)
4: Kayak under the midnight sun in Greenland
Kayaking between icebergs in Greenland (Dreamstime)
Clear your schedule for a summer adventure unlike any other, on this hiking and cruising tour of Greenland with Evaneos.
Guided by your scientist-captain Nolwenn, you’ll cruise through the wild and sublime Uummannaq Bay, encountering icebergs and three-mile-wide glaciers, and calling into remote fishing villages. Here you’ll have the opportunity to kayak among the icebergs, ride a dog sled, and try your hand at traditional fishing – all the time surrounded by awe-inspiring mountains and fjords, bathed in the soft light of the midnight sun.
Who:Evaneos
When: Flexible departures throughout the summer
How long: 10 days
How much: From £2,300
5: Sleep in the tree tops of a Swedish forest
Treehotel in Sweden (Best Served Scandinavia)
Experience the delights of mid-summer in Arctic Sweden on this unique Scandi adventure with Best Served Scandinavia.
In summer, days linger deliciously under the warm sun, and you’llspend them immersed in the country’s rural beauty. Beginning on the Luleå Archipelago, you’ll explore its thousand-strong collection of islands before heading deep into the forest where your extraordinary Treehotel awaits. Your journey ends on a slightly surreal note with a stay in ICEHOTEL 365, a year-round ice hotel.
Trip:Under The Midnight Sun: Treehotel & Icehotel 365
When: Flexible departures throughout the summer
How long: 5 days
How much: £1,605 (inc. flights)
6: Dive German wrecks in Malta
German wreck sunk in Malta for scuba diving (Dreamstime)
Spend summer under water on this exciting short-haul diving trip to Malta with Dive Worldwide.
Malta is an excellent destination for divers of all abilities, and this is a great chance to progress from recreational diving into more technical skills. With a number of ships sunk just off-shore, it’s also an easy introduction to the particular thrill of wreck diving.
Trip:Visit Malta
Who:Dive Worldwide
When: Flexible departures throughout the summer
How long: 8 days
How much: From £745 (inc. flights)
7: Birdsong and symphonies in Prague
Black stork in the Czech Republic (Dreamstime)
Try something really different this summer by combining birdwatching and culture in the Czech Republic with Speyside Worldwide.
After enjoying two classical concerts in the famous opera houses of Prague, you’ll head deep into the Czech countryside in search of an equally beautiful tune – local birdsong.At the Trebonsko Biosphere Reserve you’ll spot wetland birds and white-tailed eagles. In the Sumava Mountains, among beautifully-preserved medieval towns, you’ll find birdlife aplenty – including goshawks and Ural owls. It’s a mid-summer symphony you’ll never forget.
When: June
How long: 8 days
How much: From £2,395 (exc. flights)
