Now that you’ve finally booked that European summer vacation you’ve been dreaming about, you need to start planning what you’re going to take with you. I’ve enjoyed many summer holidays in Europe, so I wanted to share with you my list of essential items to pack. I’ve also included tips about how I travel with hand luggage only.
After a long, cold winter we were desperate to get some sunshine, so we set off for the dramatic volcanic island of Lanzarote in the Spanish Canary Islands. Here we discovered beautiful beaches, amazing wine, dramatic volcanic landscapes and salt pans.
If you are planning a holiday to Lanzarote, then make time for a wine tour like no other. Lanzarote is covered in volcanic rock and ash, experiences high temperatures and persistent Trade Winds. However, it manages to overcome these extreme conditions and produce some amazing wine.
The picturesque medieval town of Bergerac in Dordogne, south west France makes you feel like you’ve stepped back in time. Bergerac also features boutique shops, cafes, restaurants, and of course, delicious bakeries. However, my favourite attraction was the sandy shored swimming lake in their huge local park with walking and cycling paths.
During our stay in Bordeaux, we went on a full day wine tasting tour to the Médoc wine region. This region is famous for its full bodied red wines and its many stunning Châteaux.
St-Émilion is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in south-western France. Alongside its famous vineyards, it features historic ruins and buildings, fascinating caves that run deep under the village, and some rather charming narrow, cobbled alleyways.
Bordeaux sits at the hub of France’s famous wine-growing region. It’s known for its Gothic Cathédrale Saint-André and its magnificent 18th to 19th century buildings, beautiful city gardens, Roman ruins, and a wonderful water mirror.
Arcachon is a seaside resort town in southwest France, and is a short train ride from Bordeaux. It’s famous for oyster harvesting, beautiful beaches, giant natural sand dune, pine forests, extensive cycle paths, upscale resorts, and extravagant 19th-century villas. This stunning location is where the French spend their summers.
Cap Ferret is the headland of the Arcachon basin in France. It’s famous for its oyster farming, lighthouse, pine forests, beautiful beaches and extensive cycle paths. Enjoy a day cycling through the pine forests, eating a shellfish feast, and relaxing on the beaches.
The Aran Islands in Ireland represent important elements of Celtic culture due to their geological formation, historical monuments, and their linguistic and cultural heritage. Visiting these stark, beautiful isles is like stepping back in time.