Discover Western Europe

From iconic cities and beautiful coastlines to historic towns, scenic countryside and world-famous food, Western Europe packs an incredible variety of experiences into a relatively compact part of the continent.

Explore France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg and Monaco, whether you’re looking for a European city break, a cultural escape, a concert weekend, beautiful scenery or a longer journey combining several destinations.

I’ve been fortunate enough to visit all five countries, and each has given me very different memories.

France

France is somewhere I’ve returned to several times and for very different reasons. I’ve stood at the top of the Eiffel Tower, enjoyed lunch while cruising along the River Seine, explored the glamour of Cannes, spent time in Marseille and even made my first trip to Paris by bus for a concert.

From Paris and the French Riviera to Provence, historic cities, Mediterranean beaches and fantastic food, there are countless ways to experience a holiday in France.

Belgium

Belgium brings back memories of chocolate, chips with mayonnaise, concerts and canals — which isn’t a bad combination!

Beyond Brussels, you’ll find beautiful historic cities, grand squares, medieval architecture and atmospheric canals. Belgium is also wonderfully easy to combine with neighbouring countries, making it a great choice for a European city break or multi-country rail journey.

Netherlands

I’ve passed through the Netherlands many times over the years, and the bicycles and canals are always unmistakably Dutch.

One of my more unusual visits came a few years ago when I visited a ship while it was in dry dock and actually stayed on board. It was certainly a different way to experience the Netherlands!

Beyond Amsterdam, there are picturesque towns, windmills, colourful tulip fields, coastal landscapes and an excellent rail network to discover.

Luxembourg

Small countries can sometimes deliver the biggest surprises, and Luxembourg certainly did for me.

I found it amazingly scenic and incredibly friendly, with dramatic valleys, historic architecture and beautiful countryside. Its compact size makes Luxembourg easy to explore, while its location also makes it ideal for combining with neighbouring destinations on a wider Western European adventure.

Monaco

Tiny Monaco manages to squeeze an extraordinary amount of glamour and beauty into a very small space.

It’s particularly easy to visit while staying in the South of France, making it a fantastic addition to a French Riviera holiday. I found Monaco both beautiful and incredible — from its dramatic Mediterranean setting to the yachts, architecture and spectacular coastal views.

Explore Western Europe Your Way

One of the great advantages of travelling through Western Europe is just how easy it can be to combine destinations.

Spend a weekend in a favourite city, travel between countries by rail, head south towards the Mediterranean, plan a concert break or slow things down and explore somewhere you might otherwise have overlooked.

Choose one of the destinations shown and start discovering Western Europe for yourself.