If the early spring sunshine has got you thinking about your summer holiday then you’re not alone. So where to go? With short flight times, fantastic weather and a multitude of cultures and countries to explore, Europe is always a good idea. From lavish luxury hotels to serene spa escapes and trending destinations, here’s where to holiday in Europe this summer.

The hot hotel: Domes Novos Santorini, Greece

Part of the ever-expanding Greek hotel portfolio, Domes is adding another Santorini address to its roster as it opens its latest hotel to guests next month. The architecturally-striking, family-friendly hotel will boast 50 suites and two villas, each with its own private pool and terrace to showcase Santorini’s sunsets and views across local vineyards and the Aegean sea. Located in the island’s north-western Tholos region, which aptly translates to ‘domes’, the hotel sits away from the saturated cliff-fronts to create a more authentic experience that connects guests with the local community and environment – without the crowds.

Greek food is always a highlight and the culinary experiences at Novos Santorini do not disappoint. Offering a plethora of locally-focused experiences, including vineyard tours, tastings, and immersive cooking classes, don’t miss the new onsite restaurant Vatanee, led by visionary head chef Dionysis Anastopoulos, whose menus comprise classic mezzes, handmade alipastas, pickles and cured meats to create fine-dining dishes. Elsewhere, re-energise in the state-of-the-art gym, underground pool or indulge in holistic moments of yoga and meditation around the grapevine gardens, before discovering the exclusive Soma Spa inspired by traditional Greek wellness rituals and volcanic-infused treatments.

From £197 per night.

The health retreat: Lanserhof Sylt, Germany

The wellness tourism market was already buoyant pre-pandemic, but the demand for high-end retreats and health-oriented holidays is now greater than ever. Super-luxe getaways include the newly opened Lanserhof Sylt on the German island famed for its remote nature and long beaches. Lanserhof is famed for its no-nonsense, health-focused resorts in sublime surroundings across Austria and Germany, with two other outposts: Resort Lans and Resort Tegernsee. However, Sylt opened in 2022, making it Lanserhof’s first resort by the sea, allowing guests to combine cutting-edge therapies and treatments with whale-watching and coastal walks while enjoying minimalistic interiors designed by internationally-renowned architect Christoph Ingenhoven. 

From approx. £5,470 (€6,400) per person for a minimum seven-night stay.

The spa hotel: One&Only Portonovi, Montenegro

If you are looking for the world’s billionaires and rich kids this summer, you will likely find them in Portonovi, a marina-meets-village on the Adriatic coast. This high-rolling shoreline is home to Europe’s first One&Only resort, which opened in 2021 – and three years into its opening, its appeal doesn’t seem to be waning. Hugging the UNESCO-protected Bay of Kotor, it features palatial rooms and suites, several swimming pools and four restaurants.

However, the highlight is the three-storey spa by Chenot, the exalted Swiss wellness operator, which features swathes of treatment rooms, a phalanx of medical staff, cryotherapy chamber, oriental hammam, a hair boutique and a men’s grooming salon, Barber&Blade. Guests can check-in for everything, from a facial to a seven-day detox programme. For an ultra bespoke package, the Chenot team will ask you to complete a set of diagnostic tests upon arrival to curate a sophisticated package of bespoke treatments and culinary plans that aim to stimulate the body to eliminate toxins, increase vitality, activate energy channels and rebalance the body’s physiology. A selection of guest rooms are located directly above the spa, offering privacy and easy access for those taking part in more intensive or longer treatment programmes.

From £330 per night.

The arty hotel: The Fife Arms, Scotland

Red Haired Man Portrait, 1962, Lucian Freud

The Prince Albert Suite

The Fife Arms has been at the heart of Braemar, the Aberdeenshire town famous for hosting the Highland games in Scotland, since the 19th century. Deep in the Cairngorms National Park, this Victorian coaching inn was reimagined by its new owners, Hauser and Wirth gallerists Iwan and Manuela Wirth, in 2018 to open 46 design-led bedrooms, a hearty restaurant overlooking the River Clunie, spa and village bar. 

Given the Wirth’s decades-long dedication to modern and contemporary art, it’s unsurprising that art is central to The Fife Arms experience. More than 14,000 works have been thoughtfully integrated into every room, corridor and corner, with large-scale site-specific commissions by internationally-renowned artists – Zhang Enli, Guillermo Kuitca, Subodh Gupta, and Bharti Kher – among them. In the main entrance hall, for example, guests are greeted by a three-metre-high mahogany and pine chimneypiece carved by 19th-century artist Gerrard Robinson, featuring depictions of various scenes from the work of Scottish lyricist and poet Robert Burns. Other notable Scottish works include numerous paintings by Archibald Thornburn, one of Scotland’s finest wildlife painters, and a canvas by Dundee artist John Maclauchlan Milne, who exhibited alongside the Scottish Colourists.

From £483 per night.

The Balearic bolthole: Petunia Ibiza

Heading to the White Isle this summer? Petunia Ibiza has reopened following an extensive renovation. The Bougainvillea Suites now have separate living areas and al fresco terraces with fragrant garden views. There is also a new rooftop restaurant, noted for its captivating views of the mythical island of Es Vedrà, which serves ceviche, marinade and tartare alongside an extensive cocktail list. Down below is a slick gym and a series of treatment rooms for bespoke facials and massages, as well as daily yoga classes. Far from the madding crowd, the hotel is a half-hour drive from Ibiza Town. Model Irina Shayk holidayed here last year with former Burberry creative director Ricardo Tisci, who is a regular at the restaurant.

From £259 per night.

The train: The Orient-Express

Belmond’s Venice Simplon-Orient-Express will be charting its classic course through Europe this summer, inviting culture vultures on board a journey from Istanbul to Paris. This classic train route travels through the continent’s most enchanting sights, from the fairytale wonder of Peles Castle to the waters of the Danube, and it also includes decadent overnight stays in Bucharest and Budapest. In between stops, dine sensationally in the beautifully restored restaurant carriages on the luxury train, where you can listen to the sound of a pianist playing and the scenery unfold.

From £19,000 per cabin for a six-night trip.

The cruise: Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Set sail on a romantic voyage to discover the wonders of Northern Europe by boat. Glide from Scandinavia’s largest city, Stockholm – after taking in its fantastic museums and colourful architecture – before exploring the breathtaking fjords of Norway. Alternatively, if you’d rather catch a glimpse of the wildlife, Regent Seven Seas Cruises sails further north for puffin sightings at the historic Icelandic town of Ísafjörður or take in the remote beauty of Nuuk in Greenland. Every room is a suite and its inclusive offering covers absolutely everything, from your first glass of champagne to dinner at Compass Rose, the ship's signature French fine dining restaurant.

From £4,990 for a 10-night voyage departing from Southampton.

The adventure break: Highland Base at Kerlingarfjöll, Iceland

Images: Highland Base Hotel

Having opened quietly last summer, 2024 is set to be a big year for Highland Base Kerlingarfjöll – the new adventure hotel based in the Ásgarður Valley in Iceland’s central region. Arrive to the rocky desolation of the central highlands via a stylish four-wheel drive, before embarking on a break combining hiking, biking and skiing adventures depending on the season, with the possibility of clear vistas of aurora-filled skies thanks to its remote location. Highlights of the jam-packed activity calendar include a snow science hiking tour to learn about the different types of snow and its structure, or snowmobile excursions and ski touring around glaciers and hot spring valleys, before hunkering down in one of the 28 wood-panelled suites boasting impressive views of the rolling hills beyond. The hotel is also home to three steaming geothermal pools, a sauna, a cold plunge pool, and underground passageways connecting to the hotel so you can enjoy a hearty meal in the in-house bistro moments after your freezing dip.

From £457 per night.

The family choice: Forte Village, Sardinia

The cavernous Forte Village in southern Sardinia is widely regarded as one of the best family resorts in Europe, if not the world. It is made up of four and five-star hotels, in addition to 13 luxury villas, with Hotel Costello being the most luxurious having previously hosted the Beckhams. Children’s activities at Forte Village are seemingly endless: cookery classes, water polo, go-karting and arts and crafts, as well as multiple pools, a water park, a vegetable garden and a nursery.

The Real Madrid Football Academy sees notable players coaching the stars of tomorrow, while there are also 47 hectares to explore by bike, new padel courts and daily diving excursions. For adults, the newly renovated Acquaforte Thalasso & Spa is serene in excelsis, with myriad treatment options and a circuit of six saltwater pools.

From £687 per night.

Read more: The best new luxury hotels opening in 2024