How to travel Europe without becoming that 'Brit Abroad'
- Maiken Fortes
- Oct 26
- 9 min read
Updated: Oct 27
Let’s be honest, we Brits have a bit of a reputation when it comes to holidays. You know the scene: all-inclusive resorts with watered-down cocktails, towels strategically draped at dawn, and someone loudly declaring “I could get this cheaper in Tesco.” We’ve all seen it and, fine, maybe we’ve even participated once or twice.
But Europe deserves better. And frankly, so do we. Beyond the all-inclusives and “Brits abroad” clichés lies a version of Europe that’s stylish, fun and filled with personality. One that involves Aperol spritzes that actually taste of Aperol and hotels you’d willingly tag on Instagram. Need hotel inspo? Check out my 5 must-visit hotels in Europe article.
It’s time we reclaim the phrase “European holiday” and give it a much-needed glow-up. Whether you’re a foodie, a slow traveller, or someone who measures happiness by thread count, here’s how to do Europe properly.
💡 Useful Tips Before Exploring Europe
When to Go
Avoid the classic Brit mistake of assuming Europe is all sunshine and sangria year-round. Spring (April–June) and autumn (September–October) are golden — warm days, lighter crowds, and cheaper rooms. July and August are fine if you like your Aperol with a side of heatstroke and queuing.
Getting Around
Europe’s trains are a dream… clean, scenic, and usually on time (looking at you, UK). For slower travel, rail passes like Eurail can be great value. For road trips, rent a small car as parking in historic towns can feel like a competitive sport. Budget airlines are handy for longer hops, but remember: cheap flights, expensive baggage.
Where to Stay
Skip the soulless mega-resorts and look for boutique hotels, agriturismos, or family-run pensions. Not only are they usually more charming, but you’ll also get local tips that Google could never offer. If you’re splurging, look for heritage stays such as castles in Austria, fincas in Spain, or lakeside villas in Italy are worth every penny (and every smug Instagram post).
What to Pack
Layers are your best friend. Europe’s weather changes faster than a Brit’s opinion on Marmite. Pack a good pair of walking shoes or sandals, a linen shirt or two, and a light jacket for breezy evenings. Bring travel adapters (type C or F covers most of the continent) and a reusable water bottle.
Food & Drink
Eat like the locals. Breakfast isn’t always full English-sized, dinner rarely happens before 8pm, and “table water” doesn’t mean free water (you’ll get sparkling unless you specify). Tip around 5–10%, or just round up the bill in cafés. And whatever you do, don’t order a cappuccino after 11am in Italy, unless you enjoy being silently judged.
Money & Payments
Most of Europe runs on card payments, but small towns and local markets still prefer cash (euros or local currency). Avoid the “do you want to pay in pounds?” question on card machines and always choose local currency to dodge awful exchange rates.
🍷 For the Food & Wine Lovers
If your idea of heaven is a good glass of wine and a plate that never seems to empty, start in Puglia, Italy. Down here, olive groves stretch to the sea, the burrata is criminally good, and the pace is deliciously slow. Base yourself near Fasano or Ostuni, explore the hilltop towns by scooter, and eat your weight in orecchiette.
• $ Masseria Montenapoleone, Fasano – Rustic, charming, and impossibly romantic.
• $$ Borgo Egnazia, Savelletri di Fasano – Sleek, serene, and the definition of Italian chic.
• $$$ Palazzo Ducale Venturi, Minervino di Lecce – 16th-century grandeur with contemporary polish.
For something smaller and more sociable, San Sebastián, Spain, remains Europe’s culinary mecca. Pintxos bars line every street, and even a casual bite feels Michelin-worthy.
• $ Hotel Niza – Retro charm and seafront views.
• $$ Hotel Villa Favorita – Stylish boutique stay right by La Concha.
• $$$ Hotel Maria Cristina – The grand dame of Basque luxury.
Meanwhile, Ljubljana, Slovenia, is quietly making waves with its organic wines and slow-food scene — a gem for those who prefer wine lists to nightclub lists.
• $ Urban Boutique Hotel – Central and friendly with Scandi vibes.
• $$ Hotel Cubo – Modern minimalism meets comfort.
• $$$ Zlata Ladjica Boutique Hotel – Historic elegance overlooking the river.
🌿 For the Slow Travellers
Europe’s true luxury is time. Places like Lake Bled in Slovenia practically demand you slow down. Take a rowboat out to the island, eat the famous cream cake, and watch the light shift across the water.
• $ Hotel Triglav Bled – Cosy and traditional with lake views that don’t quit.
• $$ Bled Rose Hotel – Modern, fresh, and steps from the shore.
• $$$ Vila Bled – Tito’s former residence turned elegant lakeside hideaway.
If mountains are more your mood, the Dolomites offer cinematic landscapes and spa hotels that understand the art of doing absolutely nothing. Days here move between saunas, mountain hikes, and perfectly crisp glasses of prosecco.
• $ Hotel Angelo Engel, Ortisei – Classic Alpine hospitality.
• $$ Forestis, Bressanone – Design-led calm in the clouds.
• $$$ Aman Rosa Alpina, San Cassiano – Michelin dining and mountain luxury.
Prefer something quieter? Lake Bohinj, Slovenia is less polished but every bit as beautiful.
• $ Hotel Jezero – Great value and right by the water.
• $$ Sunrose 7 Heritage Boutique Hotel – Adults-only calm in nature.
• $$$ Eco Boutique Hotel Amselhof – Exclusive, sustainable, and utterly serene.
🏝️ For the Beach Seekers (Without the Chaos)
There’s a fine line between beach bliss and beach bedlam, and the secret is picking the right coast. Sardinia, Italy, still wins for water so turquoise it could be bottled. The north offers glamour, the east quiet coves, and everywhere in between, a serious upgrade from your usual “all-inclusive tan line.”
• $ Hotel La Rocca Resort & Spa, Baja Sardinia – Welcoming and quietly elegant.
• $$ Petra Segreta Resort & Spa, San Pantaleo – Rustic chic with panoramic views.
• $$$ Hotel Capo d’Orso, Palau – Private coves, sailing, and seaside serenity.
Prefer something calmer? Menorca, Spain, trades crowds for calm with all whitewashed towns and gin distilleries.
• $ Casa Ládico, Mahón – Boutique townhouse charm.
• $$ Hotel Hevresac, Mahón – Eclectic, creative, and full of character.
• $$$ Torralbenc, Alaior – Farmhouse elegance surrounded by vineyards.
Meanwhile, the Albanian Riviera is Europe’s next big secret: pristine beaches, fresh seafood, and a price tag that doesn’t hurt.
• $ Hotel Miramare, Vlorë – Sea views and simplicity.
• $$ Qeparo Napolon Complex, Qeparo – Family-run comfort by the beach.
• $$$ Ames Hotel, Sarandë – Contemporary luxury with sunset terraces.
🎨 For the Culture Fixers
If your idea of a break involves art, history, and a bit of people-watching with your espresso, Kraków, Poland, is a winner. Its medieval streets, jazz bars, and grand squares are as atmospheric as Paris, but without the pretension (or price tag).
• $ Hotel Wielopole – Affordable and close to the Old Town.
• $$ PURO Kraków Kazimierz – Design-led and perfectly placed.
• $$$ Muse LoftAffair – Modern glamour with an indoor pool.
Then there’s Budapest, Hungary which is equal parts grandeur and grit. Spend your mornings in thermal baths, your afternoons at ruin bars, and your evenings crossing the Chain Bridge with a pastry in hand.
• $ D8 Hotel – Cool, budget-friendly and central.
• $$ Up Hotel Budapest – Sophisticated boutique near the opera.
• $$$ Aria Hotel Budapest – Music-inspired opulence with rooftop views.
And for sun-soaked culture, Valencia, Spain, does it best: Gothic architecture, beachfront paella, and late-night energy that feels distinctly Spanish but refreshingly relaxed.
• $ MD Design Hotel – Clean, modern, and convenient.
• $$ Hotel Palacio Vallier – Contemporary luxury in the heart of the city.
• $$$ Caro Hotel – Chic design and historic details.
💤 For the Ones Who Just Need a Break
You don’t always need an itinerary, sometimes you just need stillness. Austria’s spa towns, like Bad Gastein, are where the continent goes to breathe: think alpine air, mineral-rich pools, and zero stress.
• $ Club Alpenresidenz Gastein – Modern and spacious apartments.
• $$ Urban Nature – Stylish and scenic.
• $$$ The Comodo – Classic luxury with thermal indulgence.
For warmth and wine, the Alentejo, Portugal, delivers endless landscapes, boutique hotels and the kind of peace you can hear.
• $ Herdade da Matinha, Cercal – Peaceful, creative, and full of heart.
• $$ Sublime Comporta, Grândola – Effortless elegance meets eco design.
• $$$ São Lourenço do Barrocal, Monsaraz – Rural luxury done perfectly.
Meanwhile, Provence, France, is all lavender fields, long lunches, and rosé that’s genuinely excellent and not just pink.
• $ Hotel du Soleil et Spa, Saint-Rémy – Affordable and full of charm.
• $$ Le Moulin de Lourmarin – Timeless Provençal comfort.
• $$$ Crillon le Brave, Crillon-le-Brave – Iconic hillside retreat with cinematic views.
💎 For the Luxe Travellers
For those who believe a holiday isn’t complete without a private plunge pool and Champagne at breakfast, Europe has its fair share of indulgence.
Lake Como, Italy, remains the gold standard adorned glittering villas, sleek Rivas, and hotels that feel more like film sets.
• $ Hotel du Lac, Varenna – Lakeside charm and warmth.
• $$ Grand Hotel Tremezzo, Tremezzina – Old-school glamour and five pools.
• $$$ Passalacqua, Moltrasio – Perfection wrapped in Italian luxury.
Then there’s the French Riviera, still effortlessly chic. From Nice to Cap d’Antibes, it’s all about golden light, oysters, and pretending money doesn’t exist.
• $ Hotel Windsor, Nice – Artsy and affordable elegance.
• $$ Hotel Belles Rives, Antibes – Literary legend turned boutique beauty.
• $$$ Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc, Cap d’Antibes – The definition of European grandeur.
And of course, the Amalfi Coast, where cliffs tumble into cobalt seas and every lemon could win a beauty contest.
• $ Hotel Marincanto, Positano – Romantic with jaw-dropping views.
• $$ Casa Angelina, Praiano – Minimalist, modern, and effortlessly cool.
• $$$ Le Sirenuse, Positano – Quintessential Amalfi luxury with iconic flair.
Holiday Swaps: Non-European Escapes
When the temperature drops and your colleague starts bragging about “a cheeky week in Tenerife,” it might be time to up your game. Here’s where to go instead for the same sun and a far better vibe.
So where next?
Europe isn’t short on beauty, it's just that we’ve just been looking in the wrong places (or queueing for the buffet too early). From the Dolomites to the Riviera, the continent is full of extraordinary places that don’t require a wristband, a sunburn, or an argument over who stole your towel.
So next time you’re packing, skip the inflatable flamingo and reach for a linen shirt instead. Book the hotel that makes your heart flutter, order the wine that costs slightly too much, and remember, doing Europe “properly” doesn’t make you posh. It just makes you smart.
All views and opinions here are as usual my own.
Comments