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ILUXURYTRAVELS

Europe, answered

Luxury travel in Europe: your questions answered.

Season timing from the Alps to the Mediterranean, where to base yourself, airports and drivers, visas and safety, and how booking a house in the collection actually works.

When to go

When is the best time to visit Europe?
It depends on the trip you want. The Mediterranean — the Amalfi Coast, Portofino, the Greek islands and Ibiza — is at its best from May to early October, with June and September the sweet spots before and after peak crowds. The Alps split in two: December to April for skiing in Zermatt, St. Moritz and Courchevel, July to September for walking and lake weather. Paris, London and Milan are year-round cities, quietest in late autumn and early spring.
Which months should I avoid in Europe?
August in the Mediterranean is the busiest and hottest fortnight, and much of the Riviera and Amalfi Coast runs at full capacity. The Alpine low season — November and late April — sees some resorts and lifts closed between seasons. None of these are write-offs: August suits those who want the full summer scene, and the shoulder weeks often bring the best rates of the year.
When are rates highest in Europe?
The Christmas and New Year fortnight and February half-term in the Alps, July and August on the Mediterranean coast and islands, and event weeks such as the Monaco Grand Prix, Cannes and the Venice Biennale. Those dates also sell out first — large staffed chalets and clifftop villas are typically gone months ahead.

Where to base yourself

Where should I base myself in the Mediterranean?
The Amalfi Coast and Positano for the classic cliffside Italy; Portofino for the Ligurian riviera; Cap d'Antibes for the French Riviera within reach of Nice airport; Mykonos and Santorini for the Cyclades; Ibiza and Mallorca for the Balearics. Most coasts reward one base for the week — driving between them in high summer is slow.
Where should I base myself in the Alps?
Zermatt and St. Moritz for the great Swiss resorts, Courchevel 1850 and Megève in France, Lech in Austria and Cortina d'Ampezzo in the Dolomites. For skiing, pick the resort whose slopes suit your party and stay put; for summer, the Engadin and the Dolomites walk best in July and August.
Is a villa, chalet or hotel better in Europe?
For a short city stay in Paris, London or Milan, a hotel usually wins on location. For a week or more — a family on the Amalfi Coast, a group in Ibiza, a ski party in the Alps — a staffed villa or chalet gives you more space, your own kitchen and pool, and a higher staff ratio per guest. This collection carries both, and each page shows what is included.

Getting there and around

Which airports serve the main European destinations?
Nice for the Riviera and Cap d'Antibes, Naples for the Amalfi Coast, Geneva for Megève and Courchevel, Zurich for St. Moritz and Zermatt (then rail), Innsbruck for Lech, Venice for Cortina, and island airports at Mykonos, Santorini, Ibiza and Palma. Each town stays page lists its nearest airport with drive times.
Do I need a car in Europe?
In the Alps and the cities, rarely — rail and transfers cover almost everything, and Zermatt is car-free entirely. On the Amalfi Coast a private driver beats driving yourself in summer. In Puglia, the Douro Valley, Corsica and the Scottish Highlands a car is close to essential, and many houses arrange one with the booking.
How do I get between European islands?
The Greek islands connect by ferry and short flights, usually through Athens; high-speed boats run the Cyclades in season. The Balearics link by air and ferry through Palma and Ibiza. Island crossings are weather-dependent, so leave margin between a ferry and a long-haul flight home.

Practicalities

Do I need a visa for Europe?
Most non-EU visitors, including US, UK, Canadian and Australian passport holders, enter the Schengen area visa-free for short stays — though the EU's ETIAS pre-authorisation now applies, so check before you fly. Rules change, and your own government's current advice is the only version that binds.
Is it safe to travel in Europe?
Europe's established resort and city destinations have long, calm safety records. The real risks are ordinary ones: pickpockets in crowded city centres, mountain weather in the Alps, and sea conditions on island crossings. Our travel safety series gives a plain verdict for each destination and links to official government advice.
What currency and plug do I need in Europe?
The euro covers most of the continent; Switzerland uses the franc and the UK the pound. Cards are accepted almost everywhere, with contactless standard. Plugs are the two-pin European type, except the UK's three-pin — most houses keep adapters, but a universal one travels well.

Rates and booking

How much does a luxury stay in Europe cost per night?
It ranges enormously between a Courchevel ski chalet, an Amalfi cliffside villa, a Greek island estate and a London townhouse, so rather than quote an average, each house shows its own nightly rate and every page carries a live partner panel returning real prices for your dates.
How do I book a house in Europe?
Each listing carries a booking link that opens live availability and rates for that stay with our booking partners, where you choose dates and confirm directly. The partner's checkout shows the final price, taxes and cancellation terms before any payment is taken.
How far ahead should I book?
Six to nine months for the Alpine festive weeks, February ski weeks and Mediterranean August; three to four months for June and September on the coast; a few weeks is often enough in the shoulder months. Large staffed chalets and waterfront villas are the first to go in every market.