European Waterways invites travellers in 2026 to slow down, unwind and explore the beauty of La France Profonde - the “Hidden Heart of France.” With a new “off the beaten track”  itinerary, guests are welcomed aboard L’Art de Vivre to explore the upper reaches of the Nivernais Canal and the surrounding Morvan Hills, a national park known as the “green lung” of Burgundy. Cruise along the winding waterway through narrow tunnels, hand operated bridges and staircases of locks with ivy covered lockhouses on a journey rarely taken by modern travellers.

Tucked away in the heart of Provence Verte, the village of Cotignac offers a perfect blend of scenic cycling and authentic French charm. With 12 cycling routes to explore, there’s something for every level—from leisurely rides through vineyards and olive groves to more challenging climbs around the Bessillon massif. One of the standout features is its connection to the EuroVelo 8, a trans-European route that winds through Cotignac’s breathtaking landscapes and nearby heritage sites, such as the medieval Thoronet Abbey.

Normandy is set for an eventful year, with several exciting events lined up. For the past three years, the region has been actively preparing for the Caen Millennium celebrations in 2025, forging strong partnerships. Meetings across the UK and Ireland, southern Italy, Denmark and Norway have fostered collaborations with cultural, political and tourism institutions. Also, a call for projects was launched to engage local tourism, culture, and sports stakeholders in creating events connected to William the Conqueror’s millennium in 2027. Among the ideas already proposed is the creation of a European cultural route named ‘The Norman Road,’ designed to link various historical sites across Europe.

French writer and Grenoble native Stendhal best summed up the city of Grenoble when he wrote “At the end of every street, a mountain”. Nicknamed the ‘Capital of the Alps’, the lively capital of Isère is surrounded by the mountains of Belledonne, Vercors and Chartreuse. But winter visitors often whizz through on their way to the slopes thereby missing out on everything that Grenoble has to offer. It is well worth spending a night or two in the city before heading for either the Vercors or Belledonne mountains and enjoying a unique city-ski break.

Reached in just two hours by train from London via Lille, the town of Arras in Northern France offers a festival dedicated to fries, military history and culture, world-class craft beer and a superlative Christmas market… all for the taking before the year is out!

Travel experts at Audley Travel have examined data from Tripadvisor to reveal which countries offer the most immersive cultural experiences, combined with family-friendly attitudes.