Posts Tagged ‘summer’
Beyond The Classics: 5 Alternative Destinations to Visit in 2025
In Europe, you’ll find plenty of iconic cities, from the romantic canals of Venice to the impressive monuments of Paris. But why not visit somewhere a little different for your next holiday? If you’re looking for a unique experience this year, we’ve got you covered. Here’s a list of 5 alternative destinations to get you started…
1. Ljubljana, Slovenia
Ljubljana is Slovenia’s capital, nestled between Austria, Italy, and Croatia. Unlike its more well-known European counterparts, this city offers a very laid-back atmosphere, with interesting medieval architecture and an eco-friendly environment that locals take pride in. Ljubljana is compact in size, so it’s very easy to navigate and the welcoming locals are sure to make you feel right at home. Stroll along the Ljubljanica River and take in the fresh Alpine air, or visit Ljubljana Castle which offers stunning panoramic views. Relax and enjoy the superb café culture where you’ll find several quirky spots along the riverside.
Why Visit?
- Rich history & stunning architecture
- Various parks and green spaces
- Laid-back cafes and local produce markets
Osprey Recommends
City Hotel Ljubljana
2. Porto, Portugal
While Lisbon has been a long-standing favourite for travellers around the world, Porto in northern Portugal is a perfect alternative. Known for its picturesque riverside views and rich cultural heritage, Porto offers all the beauty of its southern counterpart. Wander through the colourful streets of Ribeira, visit the famous Livraria Lello bookstore, and of course, indulge in the region’s renowned port wine at one of the many wine cellars lining the Douro River.
Why Visit?
- Scenic river views
- Fewer crowds
- Port Wine
Osprey Recommends
Editory House Ribeira
3. Valencia, Spain
While Barcelona and Madrid dominate the Spanish tourism scene, Valencia is a hidden gem on Spain’s eastern coast. This vibrant city boasts a rich blend of modern and historic architecture, beautiful beaches, and delicious cuisine – think paella! The City of Arts and Sciences is a futuristic complex worth exploring, while the Turia Gardens, a park created in the former bed of the Turia River, is perfect for a peaceful walk or bike ride.
Why Visit?
- Architecture, nature and beach
- Home to the birthplace of paella
Osprey Recommends
Hospes Palau de la Mar
4. Ghent, Belgium
Bruges often steals the spotlight in Belgium, however Ghent is also worth a visit. It’s an artsy city with a quieter charm, well known for its stunning canals, impressive castles, and fascinating history. The Gravensteen Castle, St. Bavo’s Cathedral, and the Museum of Fine Arts are just a few highlights. Here there’s a lively cultural scene, with many festivals, art galleries, and craft beer bars which adds a modern touch to the historical landscape.
Why Visit?
- Beautiful medieval city
- Vibrant arts scene
- Belgian beer!
Osprey Recommends
Pillows Grand Hotel Reylof
5. Riga, Latvia
Riga, the capital of Latvia, offers a fantastic alternative to the popular cities of Eastern Europe like Prague or Budapest. Known for its Art Nouveau architecture, medieval Old Town, and lively nightlife, Riga provides a mixture of the old and the new. Stroll down the cobbled streets of the Old Town, take in panoramic views from the St. Peter’s Church tower, and enjoy the cosy cafes and boutiques scattered around the city.
Why Visit?
- Medieval and modern architecture
- UNESCO-listed Art Nouveau buildings
Osprey Recommends
TRIBE Riga City Centre
Wellton Centrum Hotel & Spa
Whether you’re looking for historic charm, cultural richness, or scenic beauty, these hidden gems prove that Europe has so much more to offer beyond its famous counterparts.
To find out more about these cities or to request a tailored quote, call our team on 0131 243 8098 or email [email protected].
FREE Lisbon Walking Tour with Every Lisbon Booking
Our Short Break Specialist Nicki had a fantastic time on her FAM trip to Lisbon. To read more about her visit, head to our blog and find out what she got up to! In celebration of this amazing city, we are offering a FREE Best of Lisbon Guided Walking Tour for every booking made in August and September.
Famous for its vibrancy and unique blend of rich history, Lisbon has many a charming street to explore with stunning architecture and picturesque viewpoints. For the foodies out there, it’s a feast for the eyes with a culinary scene offering everything from pastéis de nata to succulent fresh seafood.
Take a look at our Lisbon properties, carefully selected by the Osprey team to ensure we provide only the best quality accommodation.
All bookings made must include a minimum of flights and accommodation with a minimum stay of 2 nights.
Terms and Conditions
- The offer is applicable to any new Lisbon bookings confirmed between 1st August 2024 – 30th September 2024.
- The booking must include a minimum of flights and accommodation.
- The booking must be a minimum stay of 2 nights.
- The tour must be requested at the time of booking and is subject to availability. We will inform you prior to booking if the tour is not available on your selected dates.
- The tour is non-transferable and non-refundable, and resale is prohibited.
- In the unlikely event that the tour needs to be cancelled by a local supplier, no refund shall be given.
- The tour is complimentary and non-commissionable.
- The offer is open to all agents working within the UK travel industry and direct clients.
- In addition to these terms, Osprey Holidays Terms and Conditions apply.
Two In One: Shona Explores Paris & Val d’Isere
I was lucky enough to attend a fabulous FAM trip hosted by Experimental Group. Experimental are currently in the midst of an exciting new project building the new Experimental Chalet Val d’Isere, which is due to open at the end of the year. For all ski related enquiries, our sister company, Ski Independence are on hand to help create the perfect ski holiday for your clients.
Day 1
After a smooth flight to Paris Beauvais airport, I hopped on a bus and arrived at Porte Maillot. From there I took the metro to the first hotel I was staying in, Experimental’s Hotel des Grands Boulevards. Wow, what a place! The hotel was marvellous and I was greeted with a warm smile by the friendly reception staff. As I was handed a set of real keys to my room, I already started to feel right at home.
After dropping my bags, I strolled along the beautiful Parisian streets and visited a selection of our fabulous featured hotels:
- 5-star Parister Hotel
- 4-star Hotel Crayon Rouge
- 4-star Hotel Le Milie Rose
Once I had rendezvoused with the rest of the lovely agents in the group, we wandered around and saw some iconic Paris sites and headed back to the hotel to freshen up for dinner at the hotel. The restaurant has a wonderfully relaxed atmosphere, offering a great selection of dishes and unique cocktails made with ingredients from their very own on-site garden!
Day 2
Off to an early start, we had a fabulous continental breakfast with plenty of pastries and had a tour of the hotel. Afterwards, we were treated to a superb food tour run by Through Eternity Tours, which included wine, French onion soup, galettes, chocolate and a lot of cheese!
Very happy and our bellies full, we took the scenic route back to our next hotel – The Grand Pigalle Hotel, a smaller, yet equally sophisticated slice of Paris. The Grand Pigalle hotel had a classically Parisian feel, with chic bedrooms and an elegant interior. My room had a beautiful balcony, perfect for a coffee and watching the world go by in the mornings.
In the evening, we had dinner at the hotel’s restaurant, Frenchie Pigalle, restaurant of the one-starred chef Gregory Marchand. The waiting staff were incredibly professional and knowledgeable, offering a description of each dish we had and the food was just to die for!
Day 3
After a blissful sleep in the comfiest beds, we had another delightful breakfast and were all feeling very excited for the journey ahead to Val d’Isere. Experimental will soon be opening new accommodation in Val d’Isere, which will be replacing the current L’Aigle Des Neiges.
We set off to Gare de Lyon and had a very easy journey to Chambery, before being picked up by our transfer to take us to our next accommodation.
When we arrived, snow was gently falling down around us. The resort of Val d’Isere is stunning, surrounded by cosy looking lodges and picturesque mountain backdrops. We stayed in the Chalet Marco Polo, which was absolutely breathtaking. Kitted out with a swimming pool, hot tub, games room and gym, it was a dream!
As the construction works of the new accommodation are still ongoing, we were taken on a tour of the showroom, which was mocked up to replicate one of the rooms at Experimental Chalet Val d’Isere. Equipped with hard hats and welly boots, we visualized what the accommodation will look like.
We were given a presentation from the Val d’Isere Tourist Office and afterwards treated to a mixology class by one of Experimental’s specialist mixologists. We had a private dinner which consisted of a spectacular 3-course meal, which was also to die for!
If you want to find out more about ski holidays with Ski Independence, visit our dedicated travel agent pages here. If you’re already registered with Osprey, that means you’re also registered with Ski Independence, and you can enquire today.
Day 4
After a wonderful breakfast with views of the mountains and gently falling snowflakes, we set off on our final activity – snowshoeing. I had never done this before and it was a great opportunity to get on the slopes and see the Alps in all their glory!
Sadly it was time to say goodbye, and after an incredible 4 days we packed our bags and headed to Geneva airport. The entire experience was the perfect mix of city sightseeing with a glorious alpine setting, and a fair few laughs along the way!
‘Til we meet again!
To find out more about Shona’s trip to Paris & Val d’Isere or if you’re interested in a similar trip,
give the team a call on 0131 243 8098 or send us an email.
Scotland’s Castles, Lochs and Monsters!
Nathalie & Sarah on the road, Scotland
It was time for something a little bit different and this time last year, no plane was needed to get to our beautiful destination, Scotland! Read the rest of this entry »
Hannah Explores Budapest: Summer 2019
Hannah, Castle Hill Grounds, Budapest
After a comfortable train from Prague, my friend and I arrived in Budapest early in the morning and headed straight to our central accommodation to drop our bags and set out exploring the beautiful Hungarian Capital. Read the rest of this entry »
Culture and Cake in Vienna and Budapest
Day 1: Vienna
After a very early start we arrived in Vienna ready for a packed day of hotel visits. We decided to get the CAT Express train from the airport direct to the city centre which was really easy and only took 15 minutes Read the rest of this entry »
Europe’s Best City Beaches
Here at Osprey Holidays, we have rounded up a list of our most popular destinations to inspire and help you plan this year’s summer break that combine city charm with the natural beauty of a nearby beach. These best-of-both-world cities are created for those who want to take advantage of the holiday sun and escape to the sand and sea. Whether you’re looking for a beach for relaxing, sunbathing or water sports, we’ve got you covered in our handpicked list which also features some hidden gems! Read the rest of this entry »
Our Lisbon & Porto Twin Centre Adventure
Lisa and Lawrence feeling on top of the World at The Santa Just Elevator, Lisbon, Portugal
Day 1 – Lisbon
Ola from Lisa and Lawrence in Portugal! We arrived and it was just such beautiful sunny day in Lisbon! Read the rest of this entry »
Europe’s Best Rooftop Bars
We are so close to summer so what better way to celebrate than to take a look at some of the best places to grab a cocktail, unwind and take in the views from a perfect rooftop location as they start to open for the season.
Barcelona – Skybar, Grand Hotel Central
Skybar at Grand Hotel Central, Barcelona. Credit: Grand Hotel Central
My Italian Road Trip!
Sarah our Marketing Manager took off to the hills on an Italian road trip.
We were attending a wedding in Tuscany so thought we must make a trip out of this – we have never properly visited Italy before so we had to make the most of it! Read the rest of this entry »
