Sicily and the Greek islands are warming up, while Europe’s major cities remain comfortable with glorious sunshine, minus the crowds.
Bright red poppies adorn Tuscany’s Val d’Orcia, and the Chianti vineyards bloom with sweet-scented grape hyacinths.
In Arctic Norway and Iceland, the “midnight sun” signals several months ahead of white nights. Copenhagen, Oslo, and Stockholm come alive with vibrant food markets, jazz festivals, and contemporary art events.
OCEAN
Perhaps it’s the long winter that fills us with a new lease of life once summer arrives. Or, maybe Europe is simply blessed with some of the most beautiful beaches on the planet. Either way, there is no denying the magic of its coastlines, both Mediterranean and Atlantic.
St. Tropez is timeless in its glamour, with the energy of its beach clubs, the music that gets the crowds dancing on tables, and the harbour full of gorgeous sailing yachts ready for a jet-set summer.
Capri, the Amalfi Coast and Sardinia’s Costa Smeralda have a different vibe and are extremely sophisticated if planned correctly. For this, you need the perfect boat, the right captain, a beautiful hotel suite or private villa, and all your restaurants meticulously planned.
Some of Europe’s most exquisite, under-the-radar private villas are tucked away on the islands of Spetses, Hydra, the Ionian island of Ithaca, and Patmos and Symi in the Dodecanese.
COUNTRYSIDE
Provence, Tuscany and Umbria are exceptionally beautiful outside the peak summer months.
By June, you’ll start to see lavender fields blooming on the lower hills of Provence—a wonderful time of year for walking, cycling and exploring the region’s charming Provençal villages.
Umbria and Tuscany spring to life in September as the harvest season begins, making this an ideal time for wine tastings, food festivals, and cultural events.
While the high summer months can be unbearably hot in Andalusia and the Douro Valley, their full glory is unveiled in May, June and September. With a brand new hotel in Porto raising standards for northern Portugal, travellers can now base themselves in the city and explore the Douro Valley by private helicopter and boat charter combined.
Further afield, the light-filled summer months are perfect for Norway and Iceland with their long days and comfortable climes. Adventure-seekers can explore the fjords, visit the Arctic Circle on a private expedition, and enjoy hiking, fishing, glaciers, and geothermal springs.
CITIES
Each month brings a different flavour to our favourite cities. Timing plays a significant part in when to visit for the best possible experience.
London’s summer kicks off with the Chelsea Flower Show in May, culminating with Wimbledon in early July. It’s busy, but it’s also a wonderfully vibrant time to be in the city. As is October, when Frieze comes to town, accompanied by a flurry of activity in the contemporary art world.
Rome, Madrid, and Lisbon are at their best in the fall, when the heat has subsided and the cities reclaim themselves after the summer break. Venice is ideal at any time except during high summer, making it easy to combine with the Italian lakes, the Tuscan hills, or the Mediterranean coast.
As always, this all requires contextualising and honing in on the small details. A good restaurant becomes memorable when you’re welcomed by the owner and given the best table in the house.
A day spent sailing around Capri or the Côte d’Azur reaches new heights if you have a particularly charismatic captain who takes you to explore hidden gems uncovered by other travellers.
Peace of mind happens when you know a villa has been inspected and that someone has met and briefed the staff prior to your arrival. It also happens when the right restaurant choices have been made for you, ones that don’t appear on hotel concierge lists. Our favourites are usually owner-run, with local flavour, great service and personality. We love places where we can rely on owner recommendations for the catch of the day, or a delicious dish accompanied by a unique, little-known wine, without having to pore over lengthy menus. These are the details that impress.
This is where Nota Bene excels.
If you want all this taken care of without having to ask twice, CONTACT US.