Insight Vacations has added more 2021 European departures and is offering up to 15% off many late summer itineraries.

MD Chris Townson says: “Fuelled by positive signs that more European destinations will open up to fully-vaccinated UK travellers, we are seeing more confidence, more enquiries and more bookings coming through for travel later in the summer, with Italy, France, Switzerland and Iceland proving most popular.

“We’re also seeing bookings for longer trips – whereas previously our most popular European trips were for seven- 10 days, now we’re getting bookings for 14 nights or longer, reflecting travellers’ desires to make their next holiday really count.”

Itinerary prices include accommodation in elegant and characterful hotels, most dinners with wine, all included experiences, travel in customised luxury coaches with double the legroom and view, UK VIP private door-to-door airport transfers and the services of a travel director and wellbeing director throughout. Flights are extra but can be booked through Insight Vacations reservations team.

Here are three examples…

Country Roads of Switzerland

Starting in Lucerne and ending in Zurich, this trip is a comprehensive exploration of Switzerland’s highlights including a day on the famous Glacier Express, one of the world’s most spectacular rail journeys.

Guests will take a funicular railway and open-top cable car to the summit of Mount Stanserhorn, cruise on Lake Geneva (pictured), have free time to swim, hike or relax in the fresh alpine surrounds of Zermatt and enjoy a scenic drive through the Simplon Pass to northern Italy, all accompanied by stays in luxury accommodation such as the Hotel Astoria, Lucerne and the Crystal Hotel, St Moritz.

From £3,894pp for 14 days.

Country Roads of Southern Italy and Sicily

This evenly-paced 14-day trip starts in Rome and travels south through Italy’s ‘heel and toe’, culminating in a five-night stay in Sicily, on the Taormina Riviera and then Palermo.

Highlights include exclusive access to the Bramante Staircase, a part of the Vatican closed to the public; a hydrofoil ride from Sorrento to Capri with limoncello tasting on the island; a pasta-making experience and meal with Alessandro and his nonna at their restaurant in Alberobello where the produce is grown organically and harvested on site, and a guided exploration of Palermo’s old city. There is also plenty of free time to enjoy top-notch hotels such as the RG Naxos Hotel in Taormina overlooking the Ionian Sea.

From £3,076pp for 14 days

Country Roads of Normandy, Brittany and the Loire Valley

This trip starts and ends in Paris, making it easily accessible for those that prefer not to fly. Over eight days, the trip takes in the poignant history of Normandy’s landing beaches, a visit to the Bayeaux Tapestry, an overnight stay in the walled city of St Malo, the narrow streets and hilltop abbey on Mont St Michel, the picturesque chateaux of the Loire valley, a local wine tasting in Saumur and the glamour and landmarks of the City of Light.

From £2,083pp for eight days.

Click here for more details.