Alps

The Alps stretch across eight countries—France, Switzerland, Italy, Austria, Germany, Slovenia, Liechtenstein, and Monaco—forming Europe's great mountain spine. What you experience depends heavily on which section you choose, since the range spans thousands of miles and dramatically different cultures.

The French and Swiss Alps around Chamonix and Zermatt offer some of the most dramatic peaks, including Mont Blanc and the Matterhorn, along with serious mountaineering and skiing infrastructure. The Austrian Alps around Innsbruck and Salzburg feel gentler and more pastoral, with alpine meadows and onion-domed churches. The Dolomites in northern Italy have a distinct character entirely, with jagged limestone spires glowing pink at sunset and a mix of Italian and Ladin culture.

Skiing and hiking are the main draws depending on season—summer brings extensive trail networks and via ferrata routes, winter brings world-class resorts from Verbier to Kitzbühel to Cortina d'Ampezzo. Cable cars and cogwheel trains make even non-hikers able to reach staggering viewpoints.

Villages tend to be small and expensive, especially in ski season, and traffic through mountain passes can be slow. Weather changes fast, so flexibility matters more than rigid itineraries.