Travel to Portugal by train from the UK, stopping off at the city of San Sebastian with its sweeping urban beaches and Michelin-starred restaurants before continuing across Northern Spain to Portugal and enjoying three days in historic Lisbon. Return via historic Merida and Barcelona.

Take a festive break to Belgium for two great Christmas market destinations. Spend time in Brussels' Winter Wonders, featuring a ferris-wheel, ice rink and nightly sound and light show in the magnificent Grand Place, before moving on to lovely Bruges, with its pretty canals and central Christmas market.

Enjoy a stunning holiday taking in the beautiful Spanish region of Galicia and the verdant landscapes of the Douro Valley in Portugal. This suggested itinerary includes stops in San Sebastian, the pilgrim city of Santiago de Compostela, Vigo, lovely Porto, Pinhão in the Douro Valley and historic Salamanca. A Seat61 recommended holiday.

Combine the unique city of Venice on the Adriatic, with a stay on the shores of Italy's largest and most popular lake on this essential Italian holiday by rail. Stop en route in the historic city of Turin and then return via Zurich.