Paris > Amsterdam > Geneva > Venice > Rome 

Suggested time: 15 days

Begin in Paris, where ticking items off the bucket list can be as simple as mastering the very accessible Métro network: summit the Eiffel Tower in the 7th arrondissement, see the stars of the Louvre in the 1st, or glimpse the recently reopened Notre-Dame in the 4th. Complete the City of Lights fantasy by bunking in a 17th-century townhouse now decked out in ’70s-inspired decor. From there, it’s a quick 3.5-hour train to the canal city of Amsterdam, where you can explore the Van Gogh Museum, tour through Anne Frank House or, make like a local and see the architecture on two wheels: guests at The Hoxton Amsterdam have access to free bikes during their stay. >>

Next, it’s onto Geneva, an hour and a half from Amsterdam by plane. Set against a backdrop of the snow-capped Chablais Alps, this lakeside spot is dotted with chocolate shops (let a Choco Pass, which unlocks tasting plates at the city’s artisan stores, guide you around them) and picturesque public bathing pools, open year-round. From here, it’s about a 75-minute flight to Venice, a beguiling archipelago of romantic waterways, narrow streets and Gothic architecture; see it all from your window at The Venice Venice Hotel (above), which faces the Grand Canal. Rome is your final stop – 4.5 hours south by train – where you can plunge into the city’s historic heart at the Colosseum, Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon and, tick off yet another country, in the halls of the Vatican Museum of Vatican City.

Route: Lisbon > Barcelona > Mallorca

Suggested time: 9 days

Start in the Portuguese capital of Lisbon, which has a diverse, buzzy food scene, historic architecture and easy access to some of Western Europe’s most beautiful beaches. Local favourite Carcavelos Beach is roughly 30 minutes away by both car or train, while the former fishing village of Cascais on the Portuguese Riviera is just 40 minutes’ drive from the bustling centre; stay for a fresh fish supper at Furnas do Guincho and watch the sun dip beneath the Atlantic. >>

From Lisbon, Barcelona is about two hours away by plane. People-watch at Barceloneta Beach or try Platja de la Mar Bella for a more low-key local scene (the latter boasts a relatively large ‘clothing optional’ area). Mallorca, the largest Balearic island, is a quick 50-minute flight away and boasts a dramatic coastline and charming towns. To be part of the club scene, laze by the pool at Zel Mallorca or, for the best of the ocean and the mountains, book into the peaceful The Lodge (above).

Route: Venice > Bologna > Rome

Suggested time: 6 days 

Start your culinary adventure in Venice, sampling sarde in saor (marinated sardines) and cicchetti (an Italian tapas equivalent) with prosecco; try a low-key aperitivo spot such as El Sbarlefo. After a 1.5-hour train ride, you’ll arrive in Bologna, home of classic dishes from tagliatelle al ragù to tortellini, best enjoyed with a delicious lambrusco – modern wine bar Ahimè will do the trick. >>

Route: Munich > Salzburg > Vienna > Prague 

Suggested time: 12 days 

Start in Munich, exploring Marienplatz, the city’s main plaza and the Baroque grandeur of Nymphenburg Palace before stopping into 16th-century beer hall Hofbräuhaus for refreshments. Take the high-speed ÖBB Railjet to Salzburg (around 1.5 hours), where you can tour Hohensalzburg Fortress, visit Mozart’s birthplace and stroll through Mirabell Gardens, featured in The Sound of Music. >>

Route: Paris > Loire Valley > Bordeaux > La Rioja

Suggested time: 12 days

Commence your trip in Paris with a wine-tasting workshop at Le Cordon Bleu, a visit to Clos Montmartre – a ‘secret’ vineyard nestled within Paris’s 18th arrondissement – and a stay at 35 guest-capacity French Theory where the onsite wine bar pours more than 130 bottles. Your next stop is Tours in the Loire Valley — the gateway to the region — over three hours away by train, home to renowned vineyards of Chinon and Vouvray. A stay at chateau Chambord is the stuff of fairytales. >>

Next up? Bordeaux, which is 3.5 hours south by train. Here, the tour of chateaux continues as the sampling of robust Bordeaux reds begins. Check into the 20-room, 19th-century Haussmann beauty Villas Foch for proximity to Saint-Émilion, above (home to the region’s oldest appellation and incredible fine-diners such as Michelin-starred Logis de la Cadène, just 40 minutes away by car). Then, drive a further 5 hours south across the border to La Rioja, home to some of Spain’s most picturesque vineyards and its vibrant tempranillo varietal; head to the organic vineyard Valenciso to try it.

Route: Interlaken > Milan > Cinque Terre > Lake Garda

Suggested time: 10 days

You’re in the heart of the Jungfrau region in Interlaken, a little over two hours east of Geneva by car, where hiking, paragliding and ziplining are all on the cards. If you want to start slow, take a train to the top of one of Switzerland’s tallest summits, Jungfraujoch, for panoramic alpine views. >>

Route: Rome > Sorrento > Amalfi > Capri > Anzio > Ponza

Suggested time: 12 days

The chic coastal towns of Italy top many a bucket list. Sorrento, a haven 3.5 hours’ drive southeast of Rome, offers ocean views, vibrant citrus groves and limoncello. It’s also a great base for making your way along the scenic Amalfi Coast. Our advice? Get acquainted with the region’s fare over a meal at Ristorante Bagni del Delfino on the water’s edge. >>

Just 1.5 hours away by bus, the town of Amalfi is known for its vibrant bougainvillea and dramatic, craggy coastline. Hike the famous Path of the Gods for panoramic water views before jumping on a ferry to Capri (it takes around an hour to reach the island from Amalfi), where natural beauty meets Hollywood glamour. Explore the Blue Grotto, the quaint streets of Anacapri and end your journey (which requires a stop in Anzio on the mainland) on the island of Ponza (above), with its pristine beaches and hidden coves. Live la dolce vita at Hotel Chiaia di Luna, nestled high up on the cliffs that peer down into the bay of the same name. 

Route: Athens > Rome > Barcelona > Paris

Suggested time: 12 days

Spend a couple of days in Athens exploring the ancient Acropolis citadel and the transportative Acropolis Museum, which overlooks the whole scene. (Stay in an actual historic monument at the heritage-listed building of Monument, the city’s chicest boutique hotel.) Next, take a two-hour flight to Rome, where visiting the Colosseum, Roman Forum, Pantheon, St Peter's Basilica and the Vatican Museums takes you on a journey into the past. >>

On day six, board the two-hour flight to Barcelona to admire Antoni Gaudí’s masterpieces Sagrada Familia (above) and Park Güell, where architecture and art meet, before exploring the crumbling beauty of the Gothic Quarter. A jaunt to Paris, two hours away by plane, rounds off your trip, home to the iconic Notre-Dame, Eiffel Tower and the charming cobbled streets of arrondissements such as Le Marais. 

Route: Zurich > Salzburg > Ljubljana

Suggested time: 9 days

Zurich's position amid alpine lakes, towering peaks, thermal spas and medieval cities makes it a vibrant place to begin. Spend days wandering the Old Town (Altstadt), discovering the city’s history at the Swiss National Museum or enjoying excellent coffee and French pastry at Franzos in the old town’s north. Day trips from Zurich include hiking up the nearby mountain of Uetliberg for sunrise or cycling around snow-dusted peaks of Liechtenstein, 90 minutes away by train. >>

Route: Athens > Naxos > Santorini > Milos

Suggested time: 12 days

The ferry to Naxos from Athens takes about 3.5 to 5.5 hours, depending on the public ferry vessel. You’ll forget the journey once you reach the island’s golden sands and historical sites; two highlights being the Temple of Apollo and the Venetian Castle. Don’t leave without sampling local cheese, island-grown olives and Kitron, a liqueur made from the leaves of the citron tree. Complement your cocktail with water glimpses at Swing bar, which is right on the marina. >>

Route: Edinburgh > Lake District > Bath > Cornwall > London

Suggested time: 15 days 

Capture some magic with the family by starting your trip in Edinburgh at the Scottish city’s namesake castle, which served as inspiration for Hogwarts in the Harry Potter series. If little legs can manage it, take the hike up Arthur’s Seat for broad views – it rises around 250 metres and the walk is just over four kilometres long. After a few days wandering around the Old Town, just over 2.5 hours drive south to Beatrix Potter’s world: the Lake District. (Windermere Lake and Scafell Pike are particularly lovely). For a fancy lunch, head to Michelin-approved Source at Gilpin Hotel and for something more casual, try a hearty dish with mutton and fennel sausage at Homegrown. >>

Next, drive four hours to Bath, known for Bath Abbey, pristine Georgian architecture and its Roman Baths – a soak in the modern, adults-only Thermae Bath Spa (above) is non-negotiable. Continue onto the coastal region of Cornwall, four hours southwest by train, famous for dramatic cliffs, sandy beaches and delicious pasties. A stay at The Sandy Duck captures the best of the area, with ocean views, deep copper bathtubs and a complimentary slice of cake in the afternoon. Loop back to London (five hours by train) where you can visit the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace and the British Museum or enjoy a West End show.

Route: London > Paris > Bruges > Amsterdam 

Suggested time: 10 days 

Some of London’s most iconic landmarks, including the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, the Tower of London and St Paul’s Cathedral, sit alongside the River Thames. Visit in person or gently float past on a river cruise with Thames River Sightseeing. On days two and three, bookmark the Victoria and Albert Museum or the tail end of the Thames Path, which leads you through London’s green spaces. >>

Paris hugs the scenic Seine and is just over 2 hours away from the British capital on the Eurostar. See the majestic river from every angle – the rooftop bar at So/ Paris (above) or between pillars at the Bir-Hakeim Bridge on the border of the 15th and 16th offer two particularly notable outlooks. Then, it takes 3.5 hours by train to reach Bruges, the moody canal city woven around the Reie; cruise around by sightseeing boat to take it all in. Conclude your trip with a three-hour train journey to Amsterdam to visit the Rijksmuseum, Anne Frank House and, of course, to stroll along the canals. Or, stay on the edge of one; even the over-the-top interiors of Hotel Estheréa on the city’s oldest major canal, the Singel, can’t distract from the incredible views its location affords.

Route: Ljubljana > Lake Bled > Piran > Plitvice Lakes National Park > Split

Suggested time: 12 days

Arrive in Ljubljana, Slovenia’s charming capital to take a turn about Tivoli Park before heading uphill to Ljubljana Castle, where you’ll get your first taste of the country’s abundant greenery, which fringes the city. The following stop is mirror-perfect Lake Bled, a 40-minute drive from the capital, where you can take a pletna boat across the water to Bled Island, hike up the nearby peak of Ojstrica or take a dip in the pristine waters of Vintgar Gorge that flow down from the Julian Alps. >>

Without the crowds, Croatia’s Dubrovnik would look a little like Piran, above (2 hours by car from Vintgar Gorge), where visitors can experience similar seaside panoramas, Venetian architecture and even a walking trail along the city walls. After a night (or two) at Hotel Piran, where the rooftop terrace offers beautiful views over the city, take the 3.5-hour car journey to Plitvice Lakes National Park, renowned for its spectacular waterfalls and emerald-hued lakes where a night can be spent in a mountain lodge looking right out over its splendour. Drop your bags at the chic Hotel Ambasador in Split, about three hours further south, on the water’s edge for a few days by the coast.