Europe Action & adventure, Castles & palaces + Theme parks pictures

• World

One of the world’s smallest countries lies within eastern Italy’s countryside. Visit the longstanding city-state for natural beauty, culture and food specialties.

Take a break from Munich’s bustling streets among the lakes, meadows and beer gardens of this oasis of calm in the centre of the city.

With gorgeous countryside, cultural cities and charming villages along its shores, the largest lake in Switzerland and France is a vacationer’s dream.

From skiing and tubing to hiking, climbing and sailing, the wild mountainous scenery of this alpine resort town offers a variety of summer and winter pursuits.

Enter a peaceful park full of forests, lakes and long expanses of grass, all within minutes of the city centre.

Learn about pirates, shipwrecks and birdlife on this island capped with a 17th-century fort or go on a diving tour and experience the vivid underwater world.

Armouries and pharmacies, rooms filled with fine porcelain, amazing collections of watches and silverware, and never-ending corridors graced by masterpieces.

From the peaks of the Pyrenees to sun-scorched beaches and desert-like regions, Spain is a country of diverse landscapes. Enjoy this natural backdrop while you view eclectic architecture, sample regional food and be swept up in one of the country’s many festivals.

The capital of Scotland combines ancient architecture and fascinating history with a vibrant cultural scene and world-famous festivals.

One of the world’s smallest countries lies within eastern Italy’s countryside. Visit the longstanding city-state for natural beauty, culture and food specialties.

One of the oldest shopping centres in the world is known for its fine dining, iconic luxury labels and stores selling goods from local craftsmen.

Maze-like hedges, marble sculptures and colorful flower beds adorn this historic royal garden, where the palace’s stables and carriages once lay.

Serious skiers come from near and far for the challenging pistes and stay for the crackling vacation atmosphere of this Tyrolean resort. 

Explore this mysterious Gothic castle and discover the eerie stories connected to its long history.

Armouries and pharmacies, rooms filled with fine porcelain, amazing collections of watches and silverware, and never-ending corridors graced by masterpieces.

Explore dozens of elegant rooms, meander through manicured Victorian gardens and watch falcon flying demonstrations at this castle complex.