As if like clockwork, our Take 12 Trips itinerary is back to fill you with all the travel inspiration you need for 2019.
January
Emulating chocolate-box charm, Europe’s cityscapes become completely captivating in winter as they reside quietly under a blanket of crisp, white snow.
Depending on where you’d like to go, there are continental city breaks perfect for whatever you’re looking for.
Estonia’s historic capital of Tallinn, for example, is home to an array of quaint cafés from which you can get cosy and take in the picturesque views of winding, cobbled alleys and church spires which penetrate the skyline.
Scandinavia’s super-cool capitals, Oslo and Copenhagen, are also dream destinations for a winter escape, with endless amounts of culture to absorb such as Oslo’s Opera House and Copenhagen’s renowned museums and galleries.
We picked our top favourite winter mini break destinations here.
February
Break the mould this Valentine’s Day and instead of a break to Bruges or Paris, take your beau to Strasbourg. This unassuming Alsatian city is a beautiful culmination of French and German heritage. The tranquil waterways, medieval architecture and timbered edifices exude romance.
The Alsace region is also famous for its wines, and nothing says romance like popping a cork or two. You could even enjoy a wine tasting tour.
March
If you’re looking for a springtime city break, then Amsterdam has to be top your of list.
It’s the season of the tulip, Holland’s national flower, and the city becomes an effusion of colour as every possible corner of the capital is covered in flora.
Get a serious dose of tulipomania at the Amsterdam Tulip Museum where you can learn all about Holland’s history with the tulip and head to Bloemenmarkt, the world’s only floating flower market.
Some of the country’s best tulip fields are just a short drive from Amsterdam. In fact, the Bollenstreek, a breath-taking 20km long floral display, is only an hour from central Amsterdam.
April
Visit the Dutch bulb fields of Keukenhof where there are over 7 million plants on display and spend the day totally immersed in nature.
Celebrating their 70th anniversary in 2019, their themes change annually, with this year’s set as ‘Flower Power’, a groovy, bohemian vibe that intends to inspire international connection through language and culture.
May
The springtime half term in May is the ideal time to get away with the family. Enjoy some quality time together under the French sun with a holiday to Disneyland® Paris.
Your kids can have a blast meeting all their favourite characters and running wild on the rides. Plus, the daily Disney Illuminations show, a spectacle of light displays and fireworks, is one the whole family can enjoy.
June & July
School is out, the weather is hot. Head south to the Mediterranean coastline of southern France.
Plush green landscapes and cragged calanques surround historic towns and communes, with meandering roads that embed you deep into the heart of this diverse countryside. It’s the ideal escape for the avid adventurer or nature dweller. Somehow, in total yet romantic juxtaposition, southern France is also home to some of the most glamorous resorts in the world, namely Cannes, Nice and St-Tropez. So if you prefer a high-end escape, you can enjoy that in the Cote d’Azur, too.
Find out more about our favourite southern French sunspots.
August
Brussels, the eclectic Belgium capital, houses the Brussels Summer Festival every year in August.
The 5-day event sees international artists culminate for an extraordinary performance in the beautiful setting of the Place des Palais. Although it began as a music festival, the event now includes burlesque shows, street theatre, exhibitions and screenings of films. There is even an ‘urban village’ with stalls selling unique trinkets and treats.
September
Fitness fanatics have to head over to Holland for the 10-mile road running competition, Dam tot Damloop.
This massive sporting event sees over 35,000 participants run through the beautiful, winding streets of the country’s capital, Amsterdam to the beautiful and eccentric city of Zaandam.
There are also walking events for those who aren’t up to running, ranging from 40km to 145km.
October
Every Halloween, Germany’s Burg Frankenstein, the castle that inspired Mary Shelley’s immortal novel, takes advantage of its spectral ambience and heritage, staging spooky events.
Hosting the largest annual Halloween party in the country, Frankenstein Castle becomes a horror house, with incredible directions and displays, as well as unbeatable costumes.
You can even purchase VIP tickets which boasts perks like queue-jumping and a delicious buffet.
November
One of the most poignant events in the calendar is Armistice Day. Commemorating the end of the  First World War in 1918, the 11 November is recognised throughout Europe, with special events on at memorials and monuments, as well as parades.
Some of the particularly renowned events include the remembrance ceremony at the Arc de Triomphe in Paris that attracts world leaders. There’s also the Last Post service at the Menin Gate war memorial in Flanders.
December
Continental Europe is the birthplace of the Christmas market and nowhere does it quite as well.
For a truly authentic experience, visit a charming German market. Rothenburg ob der Tauber is Christmas incarnate, and its Christmas market has existed since the 15th century, with beautiful wooden stalls nestled between the gabled edifices.
Strasbourg Christmas market resides in the centre of a UNESCO World Heritage Site and houses 300 chalets filled with hearty, Christmas cuisine, handicrafts, mulled wine and more.
Other amazing spots for Christmas markets on the continent include Bruges, Lille and Copenhagen.
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