Wide angle shot of Lake Bled, showing its forested surrounding areas, and mountains in the distance. In the middle of the lake, there is a small piece of land with trees and a towered building.

5 European landmarks to visit this year

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Newmarket Holidays

With Europe on our doorstep, we’ve picked five landmarks that should be on every travel wish-list. Landmarks often come to symbolise an entire destination and help to give us a firm sense of place. Think of the Eiffel Tower and the Colosseum, and how they have come to represent Paris and Rome respectively. Seeing a world-famous landmark is often the most memorable part of a trip, so we’ve picked out these stunning landmarks for you to plan your next trip all of which are suitable for solo travellers or with family and friends.

Glenfinnan Viaduct, Scottish Highlands

The spectacular 21-arched sweeping Glenfinnan Viaduct sits on one of the most scenic stretches of Scotland’s iconic West Highland Line. Built in the late 19th century during the Golden Age of British rail travel, the viaduct is famously featured in the Harry Potter films and overlooks Loch Shiel. Although you can park up nearby and walk beneath the viaduct, by far the best way of seeing the Glenfinnan Viaduct is by train: sit back, relax and enjoy the stunning sight of the sweeping viaduct opening out in front of you.

Lake Bled, Slovenia

Situated in north-western Slovenia and surrounded by the Julian Alps, is the bluish-green Lake Bled, with its picture-perfect islet, dominated by an exquisite Baroque church. Overlooking this picturesque scene is the 12th-century Bled Castle, which clings to a rocky promontory. Enjoy a gentle stroll around the lake, taking in the spectacular scenery, perhaps pausing for a coffee, then take a pletna boat across to explore the tiny island, climb the steps to the church and ring the wishing bell.

Leaning Tower of Pisa, Italy

Built on unstable and marshy foundations, the Leaning Tower of Pisa is a campanile (a freestanding bell tower) of the Pisa Cathedral. Work began on the tower in the 12th century, when it began to lean due to soft ground. It is thought that Pisa was named around 600 BC, after a Greek word that means ‘marshy land’. The tower was completed almost 200 years later in 1399. By 1990, the tilt had reached 5.5 degrees and the tower was closed for the first time in history, before stabilising work corrected the tilt to 3.97 by the early 21st century. Despite its unstable appearance, the tower is perfectly safe, and you can even go inside and climb the stairs to the top!

Old Town, Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik, the incomparable walled city known as the Pearl of the Adriatic, is home to one of the world’s most famous old towns, thanks in part to the HBO TV series, Game of Thrones. The Old Town’s pedestrian-only thoroughfare, Stradun, is made of limestone that has been polished by the shoes of millions of visitors over the years. Stradun is overlooked by the carved stone façade of the impressive Sponza Palace and the graceful Baroque St Blaise’s Church. Take the opportunity to view Dubrovnik and the blue Adriatic beyond from the city's impregnable walls, which have withstood several invasions and sieges over the years.


Rynek Główny, Kraków

Kraków’s iconic 13th-century Rynek Główny (Main Square) sits at the heart of the city’s old town and holds the title of the largest medieval town square in Europe. At its heart is the Sukiennice (Cloth Hall), which is surrounded by market stalls and encased by elegant townhouses, cafés and restaurants. Rynek Główny is looked over by Wawel Hill, home to the former royal castle and the magnificent Gothic Wawel Cathedral, built on the site of an 11th-century original.

Visit these iconic landmarks:

A Sprinter Mallaig Line train going along the railway in the Scottish Highlands
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Scottish Highland Railways
Scotland
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  • Rail travel from Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh - a truly spectacular ride through the remote northern Highlands and alongside Loch Carron
  • Cross the Glenfinnan Viaduct, as seen in the Harry Potter films, on a train ride from Fort William to Mallaig
  • Journey on the steam-hauled Strathspey Railway through unspoilt Highland scenery and alongside the River Spey
  • 5 days from £869 pp

  • Dates Available

    April 2025 - October 2025

  • Duration

    5 days

  • Depart From

    7 airports

  • Excursions

    3 included

  • Meals

    8 included

Shot of a church on a small bit of forested land on water, there is a pathway leading up to the church which has some people and boats at the bottom. Behind, there are mountains and clouds, under a blue sky.
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Croatia's Istrian Riviera and Lake Bled
Croatia, Slovenia
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  • Witness the waterfalls and breathtaking scenery in Plitvice National Park
  • Explore the pretty fishing port of Rovinj
  • Seek out the remarkable Lim Fjord, the one-time hideaway of Captain Morgan
  • 8 days from £1,405 pp

  • Dates Available

    May 2025 - October 2026

  • Duration

    8 days

  • Depart From

    5 airports

  • Excursions

    3 included

  • Meals

    14 included

View of Florence, Italy with Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore
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Portofino, Florence and Tuscany
Italy
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  • Visit Portofino, one of the Mediterranean's most exclusive corners
  • Spend a day in breath-taking Florence
  • Discover the wonderful cities of Pisa and Lucca
  • 8 days from £1,175 pp

  • Dates Available

    April 2025 - October 2026

  • Duration

    8 days

  • Depart From

    4 airports

  • Excursions

    3 included

  • Meals

    14 included

Adobestock 295098527 Mostar Bridge, Bosnia
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Adriatic Coast - Dubrovnik, Neum and Mostar
Croatia, Bosnia & Herzegovinia
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  • Unwind with a stay in a luxury four-star beach resort located on Bosnia and Herzegovina’s idyllic coastline
  • Explore UNESCO-listed Dubrovnik and its famed old town, ringed by ancient walls
  • Visit Blagaj Tekke and sample rahat lokum, a local delicacy similar to Turkish Delight and traditional Bosnian tea/coffee
  • 8 days from £1,259 pp

  • Dates Available

    May 2025 - October 2026

  • Duration

    8 days

  • Depart From

    7 airports

  • Excursions

    3 included

  • Meals

    14 included

Wawel Castle Krakow
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Spirit of Krakow
Poland
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  • Enjoy a guided tour of Poland’s stunning former royal capital
  • Don’t miss the stunning Mariacki church
  • Visit poignant, sobering Auschwitz-Birkenau
  • 5 days from £595 pp

  • Dates Available

    February 2025 - November 2026

  • Duration

    5 days

  • Depart From

    13 airports

  • Excursions

    2 included

  • Meals

    4 included

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