If you dream of stress-free, curated European travel experiences, we want to introduce you to another one of our travel partners: Air Canada Vacations (ACV)! With Air Canada flights and key European local partners, they can offer incredible trips that are sure to suit any bucket list.
Benefits of Choosing Air Canada Vacations
There are many reasons why choosing ACV is a good plan for your European adventures. Here are just a few:
- With daily Air Canada flights, you have easy connections to the cities you dream of
- Curated experiences that suit all types of travellers, whether you want self-guided, partially guided, or fully guided tours, as well as Flight & Cruise and Flight & Hotel packages
- One-stop-shop for all vacation components to make things convenient
- With 50 years in the travel industry, you know you’re getting quality service and expertise you can trust
They make one simple promise for your European travel: an exceptional journey from the first click to the destination. The only question is: where will you choose to go? Let’s explore some of the countries you can visit, as well as some of the places, souvenirs, and tasty dishes ACV recommends throughout!
European Destinations
France
Full of iconic landmarks and food, this is a great place to start your journey through the continent. Let’s see what ACV recommends for your trip!
Places: Paris, Nice, Côte d'Azur, and Marseille. Stop by the Eiffel Tower and the Palace of Versailles to make the trip truly memorable.
Souvenirs: Grab a little luxury with items from Louis Vuitton or Hermés, perfume, or local wines.
Food: No French escape is complete without freshly baked bread and croissants, local cheeses, and pastries. Get a little more elegance with foie gras or pot-au-feu!
England
With historical spots around every corner, England is a must-visit destination for any traveller. So, what should you make sure you don’t miss while you’re there?
Places: London, Stonehenge, Oxford, and the Cotswolds hills. And don’t forget to stop by the many royal and literary spots!
Souvenirs: British tea and biscuits, collectible teacups, and royal memorabilia will be all over the place here.
Food: Fish and chips, bangers and mash, beef Wellington, meat pies, and trifle will all be easy to find around the country! And of course, it will never be hard to find a good “cuppa” when you need some tea.
Scotland
Rolling green hills and historical spots surround you in this beautiful country! Exploring Scotland is seeing the wildest spots of Europe up close. Here are some of the best things to enjoy:
Places: Glasgow, Edinburgh, and the Scottish Highlands, as well as one of the many whisky distilleries along the way.
Souvenirs: Single-malt whisky, a kilt, Harris Tweed goods, or anything tartan!
Food: Neeps and tatties (turnips and potatoes), Scotch pies, Lorne sausage, roast grouse, clootie dumplings, and of course, you can’t leave Scotland without trying haggis at least once.
Greece
Those classic photos of white buildings on big hills overlooking crystal blue waters are just the start of what awaits you in Greece! Here are a few things to enjoy:
Places: Athens, Mykonos, Crete, Santorini, and enjoy some island hopping.
Souvenirs: Protective, blue-eyed talismans, komboloi (worry beads), Greek honey and dried herbs, or tea from the mountains.
Food: Fresh fish, grilled meats, tzatziki, taramasalata, horiatiki (Greek salad), tiropita or spanakopita, olives, and classic honeyed sweets like baklava.
Italy
The land of pizzas and piazzas has so much to offer around every corner with art, food, and history all around you. Don’t miss out on any of these amazing recommendations!
Places: Rome, Milan, Michelangelo’s masterpieces, the Sistine Chapel, the canals of Venice, and Cinque Terre.
Souvenirs: Authentic Italian wines, truffle and olive oils, leather goods, handmade pottery or plates, and real Italian coffee.
Food: Simple—pasta, pizza, and pastries. It’ll be a carb-lover's paradise!
Spain
Some of the best beaches and cities in Europe can be found in Spain, and you’ll find plenty of perfect fiestas as well! Join the party with these suggestions:
Places: Costa del Sol, Barcelona, Segovia, Seville, Madrid, and Granada.
Souvenirs: Castañuelas (Castanets), saffron, flamenco apparel, and Spanish wines—you’ll be bringing all the ingredients for a perfect part back home!
Food: Paella, cured meats, bean stews, fried fish, gazpacho, tapas, flan, and Catalan cream.
Portugal
The perpetual sunshine and stunning scenery make Portugal the picture-perfect place to enjoy a vacation. So, what should you make sure to enjoy when you’re there?
Places: Porto, Lisbon, Sintra, Tomar, Evora, the Algarve coast, and Douro Valley.
Souvenirs: The unofficial symbol of Portugal—a ceramic Rooster of Barcelos figurine, Claus Porto soaps, Madeiran embroidery, traditional Portugese pottery, and vinho verde (green wine).
Food: Cod, piri piri chicken, sardines, or salame de chocolate (chocolate salami— yes, really! A must-try!).
Ireland
The Celtic lore of this mystical country combined with wild coastal roads and cliffside castles makes every trip one to remember. Here’s what you should check out when you go:
Places: Belfast, Dunluce Castle, and the Titanic Belfast Museum for history lovers who want to explore the true stories of this tragic event!
Souvenirs: Irish fudge, real Guinness, and Game of Thrones merch for fans of the popular series.
Food: Ulster fry (bacon, fried eggs, sausage, black pudding, potato bread, soda bread), Irish stew, and champ.
Tour Styles
Regardless of how you prefer to travel, ACV plans tours that will suit your needs so you can enjoy every moment of your vacation!
Fly & Drive Vacations
Catch an Air Canada flight to your destination, pick up a car, and road trip to all the places on your bucket list. Enjoy the freedom to choose when and where you go to your top picks!
Fly & Rail Vacations
For this type, when you land in Europe, you’ll ride the rails throughout Europe so you can enjoy every city you stop in while taking in the scenery along the way!
Guided Tours
Anywhere on the continent, enjoy a fully guided tour that covers your transportation, accommodations, and activities. The stress of planning is taken off your plate—you can just enjoy yourself!
Multi-country Tours
Can’t choose one country to visit? No problem! These tours include multiple destinations so you can maximize your vacation experience every single day.
Urban Tours
If your goal is deep exploration of a famous European city, you can get to know it at your own pace with a curated itinerary that makes you feel like a local by the time you’re done!
Classic Europe
Get the best of the continent by visiting iconic places with worry-free itineraries taking you the all the most famous landmarks. From the Trevi Fountain to the Eiffel Tower, you can see it all!
Ski Vacations
If you’re a fan of the slopes, this is the one for you! Secure your spot during the winter with flights, accommodations, lift tickets, and more included in one package.
European Island Hopping
Hopping from island to island is perfect if you want to take in the history, charm, and sunny beaches of Europe across them all.
Beach Holidays
Hoping to enjoy the coasts and seaside spots at a more relaxed pace? This is the perfect choice! Spend your time lazing on the sandy beaches of the continent with ease.
Premium Tours
This type of tour is perfect for those who love to enjoy a luxury escape. From upgraded accommodations to premium services, you’ll feel pampered at every stop!
Book Your European Adventure
Ready to book your trip to Europe? Whether it’s your first time or you’re a regular visitor, CAA Trusted Travel Consultants can help you choose the perfect ACV tour so you can get the most out of every item on your list. Book today by phone at 1-800-564-6222, in-store, or online!