Planning our 2027 Europe trip is still in the early stages, but after everything we learned from our 2025 adventure, we already have a clearer idea of what we want to see and do next time. This page is where we’re gathering ideas, destinations, and lessons learned as we shape the outline of our next journey. From returning to places we loved to exploring regions we missed, this is the starting point for building another memorable European holiday.

How We Might Structure the Trip

Possible Routes and Driving Options

From our 2025 trip we learned a lot more than we expected, and all of it is helping shape the early ideas for our 2027 adventure. Planning is still very loose at this stage — mostly just thoughts floating around — but one thing is certain: we loved the Austrian Lakes so much that we’ll definitely be returning.

How can we make these destination fit together

Southern France is also on the list this time, especially since we missed it on our last trip. It would make for another great drive, and we’ve also been tossing around ideas about Slovenia and Northern Spain.
We’d really like to explore the eastern side of Italy, particularly the Puglia region, but we haven’t quite figured out how everything will fit together yet.

We’re also considering flying premium economy for the extra comfort. We’re not tall people, but a bit more legroom and recline makes a long flight much easier.

As for airlines, it may be Emirates again with a stopover, or we might look at other options like we did in 2025 — Singapore Airlines and Lufthansa were both strong contenders. If we choose Lufthansa, we’ll most likely start our holiday in Germany.

January: 2026 Throwing My Thoughts Around

Northern Spain, drive? San Sebastian - might have free accom

Months May-June / Italy Sep-Oct?  late September in "Pescara"

Croatia, Bosnia, would have to check travel options, not many train routes, mainly unreliable buses I heard and very touristy with cruise ships?

Eastern Germany, Heidelberg area?, sounds okay, enough to do around there and further south

German lakes, towards Austria?

Not Frankfurt, Okay to fly in and out of, too expensive, head south. Just a business city, less interesting cities to visit

There is a fantastic direct train (or one with a quick change in Munich) from Heidelberg to Innsbruck, Austria. Once you are in Innsbruck, you are only a stunning 2-hour train ride through the Brenner Pass from Bolzano.

Salzburg>Innsbruck>Bolzano

Dolomites - Val Gardena (The Best All-Rounder): This valley includes the towns of Ortisei, Santa Cristina, and Selva. It is world-famous for its woodcarving and has incredible lift access to high-altitude meadows like the Alpe di Siusi 

Bolzano to Bari 7 hours fast train or fly from Verona or Venice 1 hour

February: 2026 more towns

Germany: base ourselves around Heidelberg - Bad Wimpfen, Michelstadt, Hirschhorn, Ladenburg

Munich possible base before Austria

Austria: Gmunden, or Mondsee base for 4 nights

France: Provence region Aix-en-provence, Lisle-sur-la-Souge

Slovenia: Lake Bohinj

Italy: Penne, catch up with friends in Pescara

check out Sorano

Bosnia - Mostar, Travnik - problem is transport

Serbia

Albania

March 2026

Going via middle east is now out, looking at flights best are Singapore, Thai airways. Destination still Frankfurt. Thia airways best airfares, just don't have premium economy where Singapore do