Europe

This is quite a difficult question to answer definitively, because Europe is such a large and varied continent, which is fabulous in every season. It really depends on what you want. If you are hankering after a beach break with wall-to-wall sunshine and the chance to swim in the Mediterranean Sea, then summer is the best time to visit Europe across the south of the continent. Greece, Spain, Portugal, Italy, and Croatia are top choices for summer beach breaks - although it's best to avoid August, as this is the height of the peak season and many beach destinations are very crowded during this time.

On the other hand, ski vacations are popular and wonderful in Europe, and, of course, you want a good covering of snow for this. December through February generally sees good amounts of snowfall across high Alpine regions such as northern Italy, Switzerland and France. You will also experience beautiful snow in the Scandinavian countries such as Norway and Sweden, and even further north in Iceland.

For those of you looking for a city break, Europe offers countless options, from ancient destinations like Rome and Athens to chic modern places. The best time to visit Europe for a city break is during the shoulder seasons of spring and fall, when crowd levels are lower and the weather is generally mild and pleasent, without the high heat of summer or the intense cold of winter.

With cuisines as varied as the countries themselves, food in Europe is an adventure for your tastebuds. With wholesome and hearty meals found in the north of the continent, such as thick stews and roasted meats in the UK, to the rich and savory delicacies of France, to lighter meals across the Mediterranean, you'll find something to tickle your tastebuds in Europe. There are simply too many iconic dishes to list here, but some of the must-try dishes in Europe include: pizza and pasta in Italy, paella in Spain, pastel de nata in Portugal, and gyros and Greek salad in Greece.