Retreat in the European Countryside

RETREAT IN THE EUROP

Europe doesn’t just boast classic cities. Beyond the great capitals, it’s easy

Emerald idylls A lakeside cottage and small boat in Connemara, Ireland

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PEAN COUNTRYSIDE to slow down, relax, and become immersed in local culture and traditions

T here are so many reasons to visit Europe that planning a trip can overwhelm you. Should you concentrate on the cuisine, the scenery, the culture and history, or meeting local people? Our advice would be to live like a European. Locals across Europe prefer a laid-back pace, and will sit for hours with a coffee and friends in an open-air cafe, spend all day fishing in a mountain river or laze away a warm evening playing petanque. Here are some of our favorite places to slow down, giving you time to recharge and truly experience life in Europe like a local.

THE RHÔNE-ALPES, FRANCE

By Samantha Sutherland Often referred to as the ‘Tuscany of France’, the Rhône-Alpes region offers not just rolling hills and medieval villages, but also the clear waters of Lac d’Annecy, the towering peaks of the Alps and slopes of vineyards. You can hike in the mountains around Chamonix or Lac d’Annecy, or simply breathe in the mountain air while indulging in a wine-and-cheese tasting in Lyon, France’s gastronomic capital.

My favorite way to spend the day is by going on a hike through the Chamonix region, with a stop for a sumptuous picnic of local meats, cheeses and wine in a grassy Alpine meadow overlooking Mont Blanc. At a minimum, I suggest spending at least two days here, to give yourself enough time

to settle into rural French life. Allow for three or four days if you also want to explore Lyon and venture into the celebrated Burgundy wine region in addition to hiking and experiencing the local cuisine. Your stay: Hôtel Beau-Site Talloires. A small, boutique hotel on the shores of Lac d’Annecy, Beau-Site Talloires dates back to the late 19th century. Overlooking the lake, its lawns sweep down to a grassy beach, with mature trees shading the dining area. You can rent boats and electric bikes, and there’s a great selection of walking trails

Peak perfection Views from

Lac d’Annecy

nearby. A leisurely private boat or public ferry takes guests into the heart of Annecy, a pretty hub of canal-side streets, medieval buildings and lively restaurants.

Get me there: An 10 day tailor-made trip to Lyon, Burgundy wineries, Lac d’Annecy and Chamonix in France, including a stay at Hôtel Beau-Site Talloires and private hiking experience near Mont Blanc starts from $6,020pp. For more information, contact Samantha or one of our France specialists on 1-833-640-8073.

White magic Chamonix sits below the Mont Blanc massif

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EUROPE

City style Évora is a charming spot for a historic stroll

ALENTEJO, PORTUGAL

By Kevin Crotty Covering south central and southern Portugal, the Alentejo is a dry, dramatic landscape filled with sunbaked vineyards, cork oak forests and vast wheat fields punctuated by small villages of whitewashed houses. You can see remnants of the region’s long history in the city of Évora, which boasts Moorish alleyways, intact medieval walls, Roman ruins and a Gothic cathedral.

I think the Alentejo produces the best of Portuguese cuisine. Regional dishes focus on seasonal, local ingredients including fresh game, Iberian black pork, peppery olive oils, wild mushrooms and a wealth of sheep’s milk cheeses. Spend the day exploring the scenery and visiting some of the best wineries of the Alentejo, indulging in delicious private tasting and food-pairing experiences. I suggest spending two or three days in the region, including time to visit Évora. Your stay: São Lourenço do Barrocal. This rural retreat is set on a farm estate that’s been in the same family for more than 200 years. Today, the farm’s kennels have been converted into a chic farm-to-table restaurant and the former chicken house doubles as a

small shop. The property also boasts a spa and its own winery where you can enjoy tastings or guided tours, as well as stables for rural riding lessons. The estate is part of a Dark Sky Reserve and by night you can go stargazing at the Alqueva Lake Observatory.

A taste of Portugal Enjoy delicacies fresh from the Alentejo’s varied landscapes

Boats to Bora Bora An aerial view of the approach to Bora Bora; (above) a traditional tiki structure and a typical warm local welcome

Get me there: A 10 day tailor-made trip to Portugal’s Douro Valley, Lisbon and Porto, including a stay at São Lourenço do Barrocal, starts from $5,050pp. For more information, contact Kevin or one of our Spain specialists on 1-833-640-8077.

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EUROPE

Cast away in Ireland Try you hand at fishing in Connemara

CONNEMARA, IRELAND

By Andea McLaughin Connemara is dotted with unspoiled loughs, mountains, bays, coves, woodland and rivers. Native ponies roam free across this wild terrain, which is broken only by a few small towns and villages. On your visit, you can go hiking in the mountains or fishing in the rivers and lakes, which teem with salmon and trout. The region’s also known for its art galleries and hand-crafted products, especially in Connemara’s main town, Clifden, and in smaller Roundstone.

You can spend a day with a guide to learn about local sea- and land-farming traditions. I loved the sheep dog demonstration and the chance to try my hand at sheep shearing, as well as the boat trip where I met shellfish farmers and indulged in seafood. I also took a walk along the ‘famine road’, passing abandoned villages and discovering more about the famine that devastated Ireland in the 19th century. I recommend spending a couple of days in the area, exploring by car, including time for hiking or fishing. Your stay: Ballynahinch Castle. During your stay in one of Ireland’s finest hotels, you can go salmon fishing or clay pigeon shooting and follow walking trails through the estate’s woodland. The castle boasts a fine-dining restaurant as well as a traditional Irish pub.

Get me there: A 7 day tailor-made trip to Dublin, Galway and Connemara in Ireland, including a stay at Ballynahinch Castle and a private seafood and farming experience starts from $3,540pp. For more information, contact Andea or one of our Ireland specialists on 1-833-640-8071.

DOLOMITES, ITALY

By Caroline Quinn Located in northeast Italy, the Dolomites region boasts jagged mountains and rolling valleys that are dotted with Alpine villages and laced with hiking trails. Gondolas or chair lifts allow even those who don’t want to hike to ascend to the glacial lakes and rifugios (mountain huts), which provide hearty meals with mountain views.

Sitting so close to the Austrian border, you’re likely to find German or Austrian dishes such as späetzle (similar to gnocchi) and cheese dumpling soup, alongside Italian meals. One of my favorite things to do in the area is hike around the Cinque Torri with a private guide, stopping for food and history at an old rifugio. Three days in the Dolomites

In the pink The sunset glow on the Dolomites is known as the enrosadira

will give you time to slow down and enjoy the Italian lifestyle as well as soak up the views. Your stay: Rosa Alpina Hotel & Spa. Providing glamour amid striking surrounds, the Rosa Alpina’s well-appointed mountainstyle rooms and suites offer a luxurious base for exploring, and the hotel offers several award-winning restaurants. There’s also a spa and relaxation complex, and an array of activities, including walking, golf and cycling.

Get me there: An 8 day tailor-made trip to Verona, the Dolomites, and Venice, including a 3 night stay at Rosa Alpina Hotel and a guided hike around Cinque Torri starts from $6,575pp. For more information, contact Caroline or one of our Italy specialists on 1-833-640-8040.

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Take to the Lakes The Lake District is paradise for hikers, and for those who simply love a good view

LAKE DISTRICT, ENGLAND

By Jackie Roth Situated in the northwest of England, the Lake District National Park has been immortalized by some of the UK’s finest poets and artists. Outdoor enthusiasts are likely to enjoy hiking on the park’s many trails, which might take you past England’s highest mountain or its deepest lake. Those looking for less energetic ways to enjoy the area’s natural beauty can explore any of the cafes, pubs and shops that you’ll find in the region’s villages and towns.

I love relaxing into English life with afternoon tea, especially with a rural view of lonely farmsteads and sheep scattered across the hillside. I was fortunate enough to take tea in the garden of Beatrix Potter’s marital home with an expert who lives there. From this secluded spot, there were views across the road to Hill Top, the house where she used to write her books, and is now a museum. I suggest spending at least two days in the Lakes to fully appreciate the countryside lifestyle and explore at your own pace. Your stay: Forest Side Hotel. Housed in a romantic Gothic mansion near Grasmere, the fully renovated Forest Side Hotel offers accommodation befitting of royalty. Though it’s secluded, thanks to its quiet location among the trees, you’ll find many shops and restaurants just a short taxi ride away.

The hotel has a head gardener, in-house sommelier and even a Michelin-starred chef.

Get me there: A 7 day tailor-made trip to London, Oxford and the Lake District in England, including a stay at Forest Side and a behind-the-scenes Beatrix Potter afternoon tea experience starts from $5,430pp. For more information, contact Jackie or one of our UK specialists on 1-833-640-8069.

A real treat Take afternoon tea in the former home of

Beatrix Potter

BEST TIME TO VISIT:

During the winter months, the French Alps and the Dolomites are snowcovered. The summer months bring large numbers of visitors to Europe in general. Therefore, we suggest visiting during the autumn months of September, October and November.

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