Trafalgar Announces Top Five Summer European Destinations

Featuring Insider trips showcasing Holland, Belgium, Luxembourg, Portugal and Ireland

Toronto – May 18, 2015 – Trafalgar (www.trafalgar.com) has released its Top Five Summer European destinations for Canadians this year and they include: Holland, Belgium, Luxembourg, Portugal and Ireland. In the Canadian market, these are the fastest-growing destinations in Europe and for Trafalgar, the top places Canadians need to visit in the coming months.

The Best of Holland, Belgium and Luxembourg itinerary is Trafalgar’s second best selling trip in the popular At Leisure program and the Highlights of Spain and Portugal trip is up 63 per cent. According to Tourism Ireland, visitor numbers from Canada to Ireland increased to 30 per cent in 2014 and they are expecting further growth in 2015 especially with a major increase in direct air access. Bookings to Ireland are in the positives as Trafalgar offers 19-guided vacations including seven new itineraries.

“With Canada’s long winter finally over, we hope our Top Five Summer Europeans destinations list will help Canadians plan their summer trips,” says Doug Patterson, president of Trafalgar Canada. “From Amsterdam’s notable attractions, Belgium’s beautiful towns, Luxembourg’s contrasts, Portugal’s amazing coastline and Ireland’s scenic countryside, there is something for every traveller to discover.”

Best of Holland, Belgium and LuxembourgThis 11-day At Leisure trip takes guests to three of Europe’s smallest nations, starting in The Netherlands, then on to Luxembourg and ending in Belgium. Arriving in Amsterdam, guests will begin their journey with a sightseeing cruise aboard a canal boat and they’ll admire Rembrandt’s masterpiece ‘The Night Watch’ at the prestigious Rijksmuseum. Travellers will enjoy a day excursion through The Hague to the historic town of Delft and to Rotterdam before departing to Luxembourg.  After taking in the breath-taking gorge of the Rivers Alzette and Petrusse, the Cathedral and the Grand Ducal Palace, guests will have the rest of the afternoon to spend at their leisure. Onto picturesque Bruges, where travellers will enjoy a Be My Guest dining experience at an 18^th century farmstead and enjoy a sightseeing cruise along the beautiful canals.

Highlights of Spain and PortugalBeginning and ending in Madrid, the 14-day Highlights of Spain and Portugal starts with an orientation drive around the magical city of Madrid then it’s off to Valencia where guests will see the Towers of Serrano and Cuarte and take in the striking architecture of the impressive Opera House. In the evening, perhaps travellers will sample Paella, a specialty of this region. In Seville, guests will enjoy a Be My Guest dining experience at a traditional homestead where they will gain an insight into the family history of olive oil production. Crossing the border into southern Portugal, guests can spend the day relaxing on the beach or strolling along the harbor of Vilamoura. Heading north over the Serra de Arrabida Mountains to Lisbon, guests have free time to explore the city’s attractions from the lively Rossio Square to Alfama district. On the way to Salamanca, travellers will visit the Shrine of Fatima before crossing the border back into Spain. Before the journey ends in Madrid, guests will visit Toledo and see the Church of Santo Tome, home of El Greco’s most famous paintings – The Burial of Count Orgaz. 

Iconic Ireland and Ashford CastleThis leisurely Country Explorer 11-day trip begins and ends in the Emerald Isle. The spectacular Powerscourt Garden, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, stately Georgian Squares and Trinity College along with exploring the city at one’s own pace is planned during the 2-night stay. Guests will then leave the city behind as they travel to County Kilkenny and relish a Be My Guest lunch at Belmore House, the home of Joe and Maeve O’Connell. After visiting Blarney Castle, Killarney and the Cliffs of Moher and on the way back to Dublin, guests will board “The Isle of Innisfree,” for an exclusive cruise on shimmering Lough Corrib, which will take them to the edge of newly refurbished and stately Ashford Castle where they will enjoy an elegantly royal dining experience and spend the night in this Authentic Accommodation.

For more information, please contact your local travel agent or visit www.trafalgar.com and follow us on Twitter at @TrafalgarCanada and Facebook. 

About Trafalgar:Trafalgar is the world’s leading guided vacation company offering exceptional quality and value itineraries to a range of exciting destinations. With some 68 years of experience and unrivaled local expertise, Trafalgar provides an authentic insider’s view to create truly unique travel experiences in Europe, Britain and Eastern Mediterranean, South Africa, Asia, Australia and New Zealand, China, Mexico, Central and South America, USA and Canada. www.trafalgar.com

About TreadRight:Created as a joint initiative between The Travel Corporation’s family of brands, the TreadRight Foundation is a not-for-profit working to ensure the environment and communities we visit remain vibrant for generations to come. To date, TreadRight has supported more than 35 sustainable tourism projects worldwide. The Foundation’s guiding principle is to encourage sustainable tourism development through conservation, leadership and support for communities. Foundation priorities are set by the Steering Committee, which includes sustainability leaders like Céline Cousteau and Costas Christ.

TreadRight’s past project partners include WWF, Conservation International and The National Trust in the UK. Current initiatives include sponsoring the National Geographic Society’s inaugural “World Legacy Awards,” WildAid and inspiring wildlife advocates like Terri Irwin.

To learn more about our past and current work at TreadRight, please visit us at treadright.org.