Holiday destinations in Europe

With a huge thanks to Kyla and Susan lets make a little tour around the North and Center Europe. From Iceland to Montenegro, passing through Norway, Sweden and Romania, several proposals for a bit more adventurous holidays.

Europe offers a wealth of holiday destinations with everything from cities and beaches to cultural and culinary delights. You don't need to settle for noisy beaches and teeming cities. There are lots of enchanting places for holidays and adventure away from the crowds.

Iceland - a perfect destination for family adventure holidays. See the Midnight Sun in summer and the Northern Lights in spring and autumn. Climb a glacier or snorkel in clear blue water all on the same day. Iceland caters for all ages and all fitness abilities. Go hiking over grassy plains and lava-strewn meadows, or swim in a naturally heated pool. Even small villages boast swimming pools warmed by Iceland's volcanic heat. The countryside here is a dream for horse riders. Small, sturdy Icelandic horses are perfect for beginners and children and they can pick up a fast gallop for confident adults.

Varmland and Dalarna - travel a little further south to the borders of Sweden and Norway. The forests, farmland and lakes of Varmland are the most beautiful parts of Sweden. You can hike through the forests and kayak along the rivers. Get the whole family pedaling a special trolley that rides along the Klaralvs Banan, a disused railway track with stunning views of the surrounding countryside.

Hikers and older children with a reasonable level of fitness will enjoy the Dalarna Mountains, lakes and valleys just to the north of Varmland. Dalarna means "The Dales" in Swedish. It's where Swedes love to celebrate the midsummer holiday in June. The region is also a haven for skiing enthusiasts. The Vasaloppet, a 90-kilometre cross-country ski marathon takes place here in March between two villages. Add some culture to your adventure holidays when you reach Mora and visit the museum dedicated to Anders Zorn, one of Sweden's most famous painters.

Transylvania - there's more to Transylvania, part of south and central Romania today, than Dracula's Castle. This part of the Carpathian Mountains has been ruled over through the centuries by Romans, Hungarians, Bulgarians and Ottomans. Saxon merchants founded the region's seven major historical cities and Brasov is one of these cities. Dracula's Castle is close by and history and suspense are part of the adventure here.

There are leisurely walking tours for children and mountain trekking and rock climbing for fitter adults. Local guides will take you through the ancient forest where wolves, bears and lynx can be seen. Follow the minor roads down the mountains through old Turkish, Tatar, Ukrainian and Romanian villages to the delta of the River Danube. May is the best time of year to see traditional festivals in the villages and the bird settlements around the Danube delta's floating islands.

Montenegro - drive down the coast road from the popular Croatian resort of Dubrovnik and head for Montenegro. The Bay of Kotor, the largest fjord in Europe and which is surrounded by the Orjen Mountains, lies just beyond the tiny coastal strip of Bosnia. Montenegro (its name means "Black Mountain") is a perfect choice for family holidays, as long as all members have a head for heights. This is a country of dizzying mountains and pristine ancient forests.

Visit the Tara River Canyon in the middle of the Durmitor Mountains. This is the world's biggest canyon after the United States' Grand Canyon. Water in the river comes from numerous mountain springs and pummels through the canyon in over 40 cascades. Europe's adventurous destinations are only a maximum of four hours flying time away. Enjoy the thrills without the jet lag.

The usual thanks to Wikimedia Commons for the nice photos and once again to Susan who regulary writes on European family adventure holidays for a range of tourism websites and blogs.