Brussels break with a difference

Natasha von Geldern discovers a luxury spa break beside a lake only a few hours away from London by rail at the Chateau du Lac near Brussels.

Luxury spa break in Belgium

Savouring the pleasures of the Dordogne Valley

The best holidays in France involve a little sightseeing, a long lunch, seeing some more beautiful landscapes in the late afternoon light, then an aperitif before the evening meal, says Natasha von Geldern.

A gastronomic holiday in France's Dordogne Valley

Country Profiles

Andorra

Click here for more information on Andorra.

Ski holidays in Andorra

Austria

Austria's mountain ranges are some of the best in the world for skiing, and are also popular among hikers and mountaineers. Austria is also ripe with culture, including Salzburg, the birthplace of Mozart.

Holiday ideas around the world

Belgium

Beautiful canals and cultural richness make Belgium a popular destination for tourists and, of course, Eurocrats heading to Brussels.

(photo: Visitflanders)

Bosnia

The tiny Balkan Peninsular nation of Bosnia and Herzegovina is almost landlocked, apart from 16 miles of Adriatic coastline. Bordered by Croatia, Serbia and Montenegro, in modern times, the country still shows imprints of years of external influence. Five hundred years of Turkish then Austria-Hungarian rule are still visible in the culture and architecture of the country.

Croatia

Croatia is considered by many to be one of the most beautiful parts of Europe, with its long Adriatic coastline and authentic Medieval and Mediterranean towns to enjoy.

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Cyprus

Cyprus offers a huge range of opportunities to tourists, from expansive game reserves to stunning beaches and spectacular mountain ranges.

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Czech Republic

The Czech Republic is described as the crossroads of European cultures.

Holidays in the Czech Republic

Denmark

Perched on top of the northern edge of mainland Europe, Denmark is the perfect destination for anyone in search of a fun, yet blissfully relaxing, holiday.

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Estonia

Like many of the Baltic states, Estonia is enjoying flux and change as it modernises while preserving its keen sense of history.

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Finland

The natural, tranquil beauty of Finland's extensive forests and lakelands combines with culturally and architecturally stunning cities such as Helsinki.

(Photo: Matti Tirri)

France

Given the countless delights that await those who enter its welcoming borders, it's no wonder that France easily attracts the largest number of tourists in the world each year.

France travel guide

Gibraltar

Native Gibraltarians are friendly and proud of their identity, and the small yet nicely formed peninsula next to Spain makes for a relaxed destination.

(photo: Gibraltar tourist board)

Hungary

Hungary is an alluring mix of Magyar tradition and more modern European values.

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Iceland

Iceland is covered by stunning glaciers, making it an ethereal place to visit.

Holiday ideas in Iceland

Ireland

Ireland is a popular destination for those up for a craicing good time.

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Italy

Italy is rich in history and culture, thanks to its dramatic amphitheatres and iconic buildings.

Rome's famous Trevi fountain (photo: Natasha von Geldern)

Latvia

Click here for more information on Latvia.

The Latvian capital of Riga (photo: Natasha von Geldern)

Lithuania

Click here for more information on Lithuania.

Luxembourg

Luxembourg manages to cram in a massive amount of verdant landscapes, webs of rivers and small hamlets that seem like they have been untouched by time.

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Malta

The baroque majesty of Malta is home to some of oldest known human structures in the world.

Holidays in Malta

Monaco

Monaco is a hideaway for the rich, the famous, the formula one-crazed and the tax-shy, the tiny principality is a decadent assault on the wallet

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Montenegro

One of Europe's newest countries, Montenegro is now welcoming tourists to enjoy its cultural heritage, architecture and unspoilt wilderness areas.

Medieval town of Budva

Netherlands

The famously flat Netherlands are best explored by bicycle, and its capital Amsterdam is a popular destination for young fun-seekers and older sight-seers.

Amsterdam's Oude Kerk

Norway

The varied landscapes of Norway offer something different to much of Europe, with its frozen tundras, forests, beaches, fjords and exceedingly long summer days.

Poland

Poland is a beguiling mixture of sandy beaches on the northern Baltic coast, the rocky, snow-capped crags in the south and historic, gothic architecture in its major cities.

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Portugal

Portugal's rich countryside of olive groves and vineyards is dramatically complemented by stunning beaches and boating.

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Romania

The medieval majesty of Romania is often overlooked as a tourist destination, but its mountainous ranges offer some great skiing and hiking.

Russia

The sheer size of Russia is beyond most people's comprehension, and many tourists only get to see the culturally rich cities of Moscow and St Petersburg.

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Serbia

Click here for more information on Serbia.

Slovakia

Click here for more information on Slovakia.

Bratislava castle in Slovakia

Slovenia

Once part of former Yugoslavia, Slovenia's popularity as a holiday destination has been growing steadily since its independence in 1991.

(photo: J Skok, Slovenia Tourist Board)

Spain

Spain is not just about the Costas and beach holidays in the sun, with the cultural hotbeds of Bilbao, Barcelona and Madrid, as well as skiing in the Spanish Pyrenees also attracting visitors.

Switzerland

One of the cleanest and most placid countries in the world, Switzerland is home to some of the globe's best ski resorts, a nearly flawless transport system and beautiful, gothic cities.

Turkey

Turkey is a melting pot of cultures, where Europe and Asia meet and entwine.

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Ukraine

Friendly people, rugged landscape, the Black Sea, the Sea of Azov and the Carpathian and Crimean mountain ranges are just some of the reasons for the Ukraine's burgeoning tourism industry.

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More Articles

Travel blog: And Next to Chagny

By comparison with Dijon and Beaune, Chagny is a provincial market town, serving around 6,000 inhabitants.

Things to do in France with Burgundy's traditional markets

Hallowe'en in Disneyland Paris

If you're looking for an affordable holiday within easy reach for October half-term break, it's worth considering returning to the European home of Mickey Mouse, says Rhonda Carrier.

October half-term holiday ideas (photos: Rhonda Carrier)

Dodging the Guinness in Galway

Trying to balance a pint is a real skill, but trying to balance it whilst being jostled about like a rag doll is something only the masters can achieve and it looked like I was in the right company.

Street performance at the Galway Arts Festival (photo: Daniel Andrews)

Travel blog: And then on to Beaune

The night before leaving for Dijon I attended the 4-14 July festival linking New Orleans and Dijon.

Things to do in France

Beauty and beer in the Belgian Ardennes

Where to go next for a mini-Euro-break with lovely landscapes, fascinating history and outstanding degustation? Natasha von Geldern imbibes the Belgian Ardennes.

Bouillon's Crusader Castle (photos: Natasha von Geldern)

Travel blog: Getting into Iran

The day after Christine's birthday party we said goodbye to Turkey and cycled with Ian and Dean towards the border with Iran.

Cycling into Iran at last (photo: Mardetanha)

5 child-friendly resorts handy for Calais

Here's my pick of the top five beach resorts within easy reach of Calais - all of which have been awarded the official "Famille Plus" label.

Family-friendly resort of Deauville

Travel blog: Gorging in Burgundy

I think if you come to Burgundy in twenty years it'll all be different. The only real food will be organic, expensive and affordable only by the elite.

Things to do in France

The mother of all tomato battles

The sleepy town of Buñol near Valencia will welcome thousands of revellers from around the world eager to pelt each other with tons of ripe tomatoes at La Tomatina festival.

La Tomatina festival in Spain

Walking holiday in Slovenia

Slovenia's spectacular scenery and peaceful villages remain unspoilt: Natasha von Geldern takes a walking holiday in the Julian Alps.

Peaceful Lake Bohinj (photos: Natasha von Geldern)

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Luxury Scotland

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Accident & Illness Abroad

Irwin Mitchell

Irwin Mitchell’s (IM) award-winning International Travel Litigation Group (ITLG) has been successful in recovering compensation for thousands of British holidaymakers. Click here for more information.