1. Lake Bled, Slovenia
For a fairytale getaway, complete with a glassy lake, mountainous backdrop and a castle on a hill, the Slovenian town of Bled is perfect. Hop on a traditional pletna boat to the island in the lake and ring the wishing bell to make all your wishes come true. For breathtaking views, climb the cliffs to Bled Castle and enjoy a premium dining experience at the top.
2. Copenhagen Gin Festival
If you’re a fan of this clear, juniper filled spirit, you will love the world’s largest gin festival, held in Copenhagen from 24 – 26 February 2022. With over 450 types of gin to taste and buy, you’re in for a treat!
3. King’s Day in Amsterdam
27 April each year sees Amsterdammers take to the streets to celebrate the King’s birthday. Marked as a national holiday, everyone is in high spirits, dons the customary orange outfits and takes part in festivities including street parties, open air music and market stalls. It’s an event full of fun, not to be missed!
4. Floriade Amsterdam
Held every ten years, Floriade is an international horticulture exhibition with displays and greenery from gardeners across the world. Starting on 14 April until 9 October 2022, visitors can enjoy the vibrant colours of flowers and foliage as well as learn about how to make our cities more sustainable and green. Beautiful and educational!
5. Invictus Games
The Invictus Games will take place in The Hague from 16 – 22 April 2022. The international sporting event for injured and sick service men and women, set up by Prince Harry, sees over 500 competitors from over 20 nations take part. Traditional and non-traditional sports are adapted and people take part in a celebration of strength and resilience.
6. Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park
Each November until the following January, London’s Hyde Park is transformed into a winter wonderland, complete with Christmas markets, fairground rides, Santa’s grotto and mulled wine galore! Get your skates on and enjoy some festive ice skating before cosying up in front of the log fire at one of the several bars across the park, with a hot chocolate!
7. Visit a Pride event across Europe
Held in most major cities across Europe, Pride is an opportunity to celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community. Carnivals, music and events take place across the cities over the course of a week. In 2022 it will be from 1 – 7 August and some of the cities taking part are:
- London
- Newcastle
- Stockholm
- Oslo
- Copenhagen
- Amsterdam
- Paris
- Glasgow
Get dressed up, head to the streets and celebrate the diversity, strength and joy of the LGBTQIA+ community!
8. Belgian Beer Weekend
Belgian Beer Weekend takes place each year in Grand Place, Brussels and sees some of the best breweries in Belgium offer over 400 premium beers! Running from 2 – 4 September, you can sip some brilliant beers while enjoying live music at this festival which has been going for over 20 years.
9. Great North Run
Why not set yourself a fitness challenge in 2022 and sign up for The Great North Run? The world’s biggest half marathon takes place across the city of Newcastle and welcomes people from all over the world. It takes place every September and is a great way to end the summer on a high!
10. Edinburgh Fringe Festival
The world’s largest arts festival takes place across the Scottish capital throughout August, with theatre, comedy, circus, dance, poetry and more performances across multiple categories! If you’re looking for something different, look no further!
11. Hogmanay
One of the most famous New Year’s Eve celebrations in the world, Hogmanay sees revellers spill into the streets of Edinburgh for open air concerts, dancing, drinking and celebrations, with fireworks at the strike of midnight. Get into the Scottish festive spirit and sip a dram of whisky while listening to the bag pipers play!
12. Formula 1 British Grand Prix
The Formula 1 British Grand Prix sees the world’s best race car drivers come together at the famous Silverstone circuit from 1 – 3 July. As well as the racing, live music, street food and an interactive museum provides plenty of entertainment for the whole family!
13. Salon du Chocolat
The world’s largest chocolate festival takes place in Paris from 28 October – 1 November 2022 and brings together hundreds of chocolatiers who share their creations with the public. Chocolate tastings, workshops, sculptures and even a fashion show take place over five days during which time thousands of people indulge in delightful chocolatey treats!
14. Tour de France
Taking place over several French regions over the course of July 2022, The Tour de France passes through Dunkirk and Calais and makes its final entrance down the iconic Champs-Élysées in Paris. Take the Dover – Calais or Dover – Dunkirk ferry and watch the cyclists pass through the towns before heading to Paris to welcome them in on their final lap!
15. Hamburg DOM Funfair
Northern Germany’s biggest public festival is held three times a year; in spring, summer and winter. Over 200 attractions fill the Heiligengeistfeld in Hamburg. Expect nostalgic rides such as ferris wheels and bumper cars, classic carnival snacks such as currywurst and candyfloss, and even fireworks! Seasonal dates are below:
- Spring: 25 March – 24 April 2022
- Summer: 22 July – 22 August 2022
- Winter: 4 November – 4 December 2022
16. Jazz Fest Berlin
One of the oldest and most prestigious jazz festivals in Europe takes place from 3 – 6 November in Berlin. For over 50 years, jazz musicians from across the world have gathered to play here including jazz greats such as Miles Davis and Duke Ellington. Bringing together classic and modern jazz, it’s a must for any music lover.
17. Kaunas, Lithuania
Voted European Capital of Culture 2022, Kaunas brings together tradition and modernity. Visit the Old Town to see German architectural influence, marvel at the Cathedral of St. Peter and Paul and stop by the Town Hall Square with its 53 metre tower. The Devil’s Museum is the only of its kind in the world and holds over 2,000 depictions of the devil – well worth a visit to see something different. Then indulge in some Lithuanian cuisine such as beetroot soup, potato pancakes and kibinai, the Lithuanian version of a pasty!
18. Tallinn
Staying in the Baltics, the Estonian capital of Tallinn is a delight in all seasons.
Winter sees Tallinn Restaurant Week in November and their Christmas market from November – January, voted one of the best in Europe. Spring is a great time to stroll the city, visiting the old town and climbing the top of the spire of St Olaf’s Church. Summer, you should head to the coast to enjoy Tallinn’s beaches. And autumn is the perfect time to explore the city’s museums and warm up with some regional cuisine.
19. Woodland walking in Lyons la Forêt
Visit Lyons la Forêt and immerse yourself in the surrounding woodland, feeling the earth beneath your feet, hearing the birds sing and seeing the myriad of wildlife which lives there. Marvel at the cathedral of beech trees before returning to the medieval centre of the village to enjoy some delectable, local food.
20. Norwegian Fjords
The Norwegian Fjords offer majestic mountains, glassy waters and a sense of grandeur like nowhere else. Take the Bergen to Flåm ferry down the Søgneford, taking in the surrounding scenery. In Flåm hop onboard the Flåmsbana railway which will take you through the mountains, past waterfalls and grand valleys, and will no doubt take your breath away.
21. Visit the angelic Berchtesgade
Berchtesgaden, located in southern Germany is full of natural beauty, myths and history. Local legend has it that angels given the task of distributing the earth’s wonders, dropped everything here by accident, including the Watzmann, Germany’s majestic second-highest mountain and the pristine Königssee Lake.
Enjoy a boat trip on the lake or head out on a range of walking routes in the area to see more of the stunning landscape.
22. See ‘the edge of the earth’ in Finistère
On the west coast of France, where land meets the Atlantic Ocean, is a place called Finistère, which translates as ‘the edge of the earth’ and it is the perfect place to watch the sunset. See the warm golden glow of the sun kiss the water as it reflects in the waves and gradually sets, setting the sky aflame with colour on its way down. The ocean vista is punctuated only by a lighthouse which has been there since 1887 and lights the way to sea.
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DFDS run several ferry routes across Europe. Find out more and book your crossing here.
