SHERIDAN, WYOMING – Mar. 2, 2025 – It’s a new year, and the perfect time to start planning your 2025 European adventures. If you're yearning for unforgettable experiences, from Icelandic road trips to glamorous French Riviera escapes, Lonely Planet's "Dream Trips of the World" offers inspiration.
1. Drive Iceland’s Epic Ring Road
Iceland’s Ring Road (Rte 1) is a 1322km (821-mile) journey showcasing the country’s diverse landscapes. Rte 1 “passes blackened lava fields, scalding-hot pools and craters that belch sulfurous steam – but infernal landscapes are just part of this road trip’s allure.” This paved route offers a constantly changing panorama, shifting from “monochrome to technicolor and back again.” Whether you choose clockwise or anticlockwise, this is an accessible adventure without the need for a 4WD.
2. Visit Europe’s Great Capitals by Rail
“Travel by rail in Europe and you won’t waste a single moment, turning transport into sightseeing.” Begin in Amsterdam, cycling past canals before boarding the European Sleeper to Berlin. Explore flea markets and galleries, then continue to Prague, Vienna, Bratislava, and Budapest. “Hungary’s capital is a fitting last stop – travelers have been resting their weary feet in Budapest’s thermal springs for centuries.” The journey offers a seamless blend of cultural immersion and scenic travel.
3. Harvest la Dolce Vita in Cinque Terre, Italy
Experience the “essence of la dolce vita (the sweet life)” in Cinque Terre during September’s vendemmia (grape harvest). “Vineyards soar vertitudinously to the sky,” and the “soft golden light spins an unmatched luminosity across grape pickers.” With fewer crowds, enjoy train journeys along the cliff-chiselled coastline and hikes offering encounters with passionate winegrowers. Explore Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore, savoring the region’s prized Sciacchetrà dessert wine.
4. Get Glamorous on the Côte d’Azur
“Anything goes on France’s most mythical coastline.” The Côte d’Azur exudes “inimitable, old-school glamour,” from Nice to Cannes. “Be it following in Queen Victoria’s royal footsteps in Nice, those of Matisse, Picasso and innumerable other modern artists around Vence and Antibes, or hand imprints of Hollywood stars in film-fest-famous Cannes, a journey along this coastline evokes the wanton abandon, unfettered creativity and unapologetic decadence of the most hedonistic period in French history. Indulge.” Enjoy sun-soaked days and glamorous nights.
5. Find the Magic in Lapland, Finland
“Lapland is a real-life snow globe in winter.” Experience the festive magic of Santa’s HQ in Rovaniemi, and venture into the Arctic proper. “Unwrap the region and you’ll find the winter wonderland of your wildest childhood dreams, whether you’re dashing through the snow on a reindeer-driven sleigh, mushing a team of yelping, run-hungry huskies across the frozen tundra, ice fishing on a lonely frozen lake as temperatures dive below -20°C (-4°F) or padding out into the night on snowshoes as the northern lights ripple overhead.”
6. Hop Around the Ionian Islands in Greece
“The ferry glides in and makes a gentle ripple in a sea as still and blue as stained glass.” Explore the lush, Venetian-influenced Ionian Islands. “Go for a week. Go for two. Go by boat, drifting from the fortress-topped old town of Corfu to sleepy Paxos, with its white-pebble coves and cicada-filled olive groves, then move gradually south to the likes of Lefkada; legend-steeped Ithaka with its forgotten mule trails; wild and mountainous Kefallonia; and rugged, cliff-rimmed Zakynthos.”
7. Road-Trip the Wild Atlantic Way in Ireland
“There’s no better way to soak up Ireland than on the Wild Atlantic Way.” This 2600km (1615 miles) route along Ireland’s west coast offers “heart-stealing diversions,” from Malin Head to the Skelligs of County Kerry. “This is a drive full of heart-stealing diversions, from the sandy beaches and sea cliffs near Malin Head, Ireland’s northernmost point, to the UNESCO-listed Skelligs of County Kerry. In the portrait-posing seaside villages between are myriad areas of outstanding natural beauty.” Enjoy folk music, food, and the warmth of the Irish people.
8. Embrace Adventures in the Azores
“The Azores provide one of Europe’s last great island adventures.” Hike volcanoes, kayak crater lakes, and explore botanical gardens. “Where else can you hike from volcano to vineyard, kayak across a vivid-blue caldera lake and roam tea plantations all in one action-packed day?” This archipelago offers outdoor activities with “impeccable sustainability credentials.”
9. Hop Along Croatia’s Coastline
“Nothing defines Croatia like its long coast with its dizzying number of islands.” Explore over 1100 islands, each with unique character and culture. “All are surrounded by a fabulous coastline of rocky coves, sea cliffs, stony bays and the occasional arc of golden sand, where you can sit and watch a sunset so mesmerizingly beautiful it might make you cry.” From Rab to Dubrovnik, discover ancient towns and stunning landscapes.
10. Discover Andalucía’s Most Magical Cities
“For centuries a crucible of different peoples and cultures, Andalucía offers a deep dive into Spain’s history.” Explore Seville, Córdoba, Cádiz, and Granada, each offering architectural marvels and cultural richness. “Few moments in Andalucía, however, can rival that first glimpse of the Alhambra palace-fortress looming over Granada.” Experience the region’s vibrant history and culinary delights.
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