European Summer Itineraries For the Foodie & Adventurer

Spending a summer in Europe is high on most Aussie agendas. Long beach days, plenty of cocktails, glorious food and a bronzed up look that will be the envy of all your friends - it's total bliss. There is so much to do across this wonderful continent, but planning is going to be key if you want to hit all the right places on your holiday. We’ve started the dreaming process for you and put together a couple of itineraries which might inspire you - one for the foodies and one if you're craving a bit of adventure! As a bonus - they’ll also save you some time and money as they are all accessible by Eurail!

Summer dreamin' here we come!

If adventure is calling your name, then why not step off the grid and explore those cities that are not constantly brimming with Aussie tourists, and you can easily access with a Eurail pass. Sure, Rome and Paris are great, but why not take the ‘track’ less travelled and enjoy a more authentic European adventure. Here’s a little snippet of what your time could look like:

Start your time off in Europe in the magical city known as Prague. This city is the capital of the Czech Republic and also the country's largest city. With its rich history, abundance of cathedrals & castles, cobble-stoned streets and incredible food and beer, this city is a bubbling historical melting pot. Our highlight recommendations of this city include the walking tour which enables you to discover the best the city has to offer and the secret food tour which provides you with the city’s finest gastronomic offerings (read: stuff your face with deliciousness).

From Prague, we recommend jumping on the Eurail and heading straight to Weimar, Germany. This town is relatively undiscovered by tourists and has so many beautiful UNESCO listed sites to discover. This town is rich in history with a wealth of museums, historic buildings and castles. This town is so small, that you can just pick up the map and start wandering around by foot; this will give you the ultimate local experience as you discover the best this town has to offer.

Once you’ve discovered the beauty that is Weimar,  make your way to France and head to the countryside to Colmar (approx 3.5 hours train ride from Paris). Colmar could quite possibly be the most underrated city in France. With its cobblestone streets and stunning architecture this small town looks like you stepped into a fairy tale. 

The little town is located in the region of Alsace, which is famous for its wine production, so be sure to jump on one of the many wine tours to taste your way through this town.

Next head on over to Switzerland where we recommend stopping into into the stunning town of Zermatt. This little town is home to the undeniably magnificent, Matterhorn, which leaves you with some of the most stunning views you have ever seen. Zermatt is perfect for any adventure traveller; with amazing ski runs for all level skiers and incredible outdoor activities including mountain biking, hiking (especially the 5 Lakes walk if you want extraordinary views of the Matterhorn) and paragliding. 

Austria is full of little towns waiting to be explored, including the gorgeous town of Hallstatt. Whether you’re looking to do a day trip from Vienna or Salzburg, or staying for a few days, you won’t be disappointed. Located between Salzburg and Graz, Hallstatt is a UNESCO World Heritage site overlooking Lake Hallstatt. Some key attractions include Hallstatt's quaint Old Town which is picturesque with its narrow, winding, cobbled streets and medieval architecture, and Market Square, which is buzzing with restaurants, cafes, bars and shops that will keep you entertained for hours. 

Food is way to the heart. You know we're right - don't fight it! What better way to find your heart than with the ultimate summer foodie tour through the best of Europe! The Eurail pass gives you the flexibility and cost savings to make your way through soooo many incredible destinations which provide the best food there is. Here’s a quick foodie itinerary to get your started: 

From tapas to paella, Spain is full of tantalising nibblies and will be any foodies dream. Did you know Spain has more of Michelin's 'Best Restaurants in the World' than any other country? Madrid in particular should be a must-visit on your list. There are a wealth of places to discover, from traditional tapas to modern Spanish cuisine you won’t be left feeling hungry, and don't forget a jug of Sangria to wash it all down.

Not only can you taste the incredible food on tours such as Homemade Tapas Feast, but you can take the experience home with you through the various cooking workshops such as Paella and Sangria Cooking Workshop.

Any foodie knows there are plenty of delicacies just waiting for you to try in Paris - it really depends how adventurous you want to be - escargot, anyone? This city has just too many options when it comes to tucking into food, so we’d recommend jumping on a foodie tour such as the Paris Gourmet Tour.

Now we all know that the French really know how to cook (they tell us ALL the time... JOKES!), so we’d also recommend taking a cooking class to find out all of the secrets. There’s a French Bakery Tour which enables you to go behind the scenes of an boulangerie in Paris and discover all the secrets to French baking, or a traditional French Cooking Class which takes you through all the classic dishes.  If learning to cook really isn’t for you and you’d prefer to relax with a glass of wine, then we would recommend going on a wine and cheese tour.

The south of Italy is a hidden gem waiting to be discovered; it has the most beautiful beaches which often is what attracts people to this destination, but the food itself should lure you in. 

Food in Italy will always be a winner, but this particular region should be put on your bucket list if you’re serious about food.  Puglia is home to some of the most mouth watering dishes you’ll ever taste, and there are plenty of tours you can take to ensure you don’t miss a single one. Hop on the Bari Street Food Tour or the Lecce Food Tour to get the best this region has to offer.

Known as the home of every Italian dish you know and love, Naples has an endless amount of food to devour. From classics such as pizza and spaghetti alle vongole, to unique delicacies such as the cuoppo, also known as fried fish in a cone, fried pizza and a pastry called sfogliatelle, we’re telling you - there is now way you can leave Naples feeling hungry or dissatisfied with these treats!

When in Rome, or in Naples in this case, you should also do as the local’s do. We’d recommend jumping into a Cooking Class with Locals so you can make and taste all of these goodies. 

Austria has it all; schnitzel, delicious cakes, sausages and hearty stews. If you’ve never explored this great country before, then make it a stop on your European holiday.  It is truly one of Europe's most extraordinary destinations with elaborate architecture that transcends time. Food is all part of the experience in Vienna, so foodies won’t be left disappointed. Be sure to jump on the Vienna Evening Sightseeing Cruise, which matches incredible local entertainment with local eats!

Start planning your next European summer holiday now so when the time comes you simply need to press GO!