A European summer in pictures

Slow, sun-drenched days spent beneath colourful beach parasols. Cooling dips in the sea, even cooler ice-creams in an array of flavours you can’t get at home. Market stalls laden with local produce, artisan treasures, and made-to-keep antiques. And the food, oh the food. A summer holiday in Europe is all this and more, so much more. Until international travel resumes, we’ll be squeezing every last drop of citrus-scented, sand-sprinkled inspiration from these images which capture the simple pleasures of summer on the Continent…

Italy

Italy Summer 1 1

Italy Summer 2

Follow the trail of Aperol Spritz, Limoncello, and gelato by browsing over 70 boutique hotels in Italy here. Aperitivo anyone?

Greece

Greece Summer 1

Greece Summer 2

Sleepy fishing villages, white-washed walls, and the impossibly blue waters of the Aegean await…choose from 40 boutique hotels in Greece here.

France

France Summer 1

France Summer 2

For the best places to wake up to your morning croissant, look no further than our collection of over 50 boutique hotels in France here. Can you almost taste the rosé?

Spain

Spain Summer 1

Spain Summer 2

From Balearic island bliss and countryside fincas, to chic city breaks brimming with culture, our Spanish selection of boutique hotels will make you want to book as fast as you can say sangria. Browsing begins here…

Portugal

Portugal Summer 1

Portugal Summer 2

Culture as colourful as its iconic azulejos, ruggedly beautiful beaches with a surf scene to rival California, Portugal packs a punch when it comes to summer holidays. Start planning your Mediterranean meets Atlantic getaway here.

Croatia

Croatia Summer 1

Croatia Summer 2

Dubrovnik’s Baroque heart beats with architectural gems, while a Dalmatian buzz surrounds Split where a hopping harbour meets ancient palace walls. Croatia is calling, inspiration starts here.

Previous

4 picture-perfect picnic ideas from around the world

Next

See the world on two wheels: boutique hotels with bicycles

Latest stories

Making tracks: a train journey taking in six European cultural capitals

It’s official – inter-railing is back, as travellers increasingly swap flights for the speed and ease of Europe’s rail network. Think zippy connections, city-centre arrivals, and stress-free border crossings: train travel is one of the fastest, most convenient, and still sustainable ways to explore the continent. Get ready for a

Independent Minds: Sheila Kyarisiima, The Pinnacle Kigali

High above Kigali on Rebero Hill, The Pinnacle offers sweeping views across the city, bringing contemporary luxury together with a strong sense of place. What began as a private family retreat has evolved into a destination that celebrates Rwanda’s culture, creativity and community. Here its founder, Sheila Kyarisiima, shares the

A postcard from: Piedmont with Sina Villa Matilde

Piedmont may be one of Italy’s less-travelled regions, and that is precisely part of its appeal. Sitting at the foot of the Alps, the landscape is a mix of rolling hills, family-run wineries and elegant country estates, with excellent food and wine at its heart – some might even say

Our edit of hotels to book in October

From a colourful restored villa in glamorous Capri to a private island with overwater villas in Indonesia, October brings a new crop of hotels worth knowing about. These are the openings catching our eye this month – some are historic properties given a new chapter, while others bring contemporary flair