Europe 2026 is starting to feel real, and we’re looking forward to much more than moving from one landmark to the next. Over six weeks, we want to settle into the rhythm of each place: learning how people eat, travel and spend their time, and enjoying the everyday moments that make a destination memorable.
Our journey will take us through Spain, Switzerland and Italy. There will be busy cities, quieter towns, mountain air, sea views and plenty of train journeys in between. We have a plan, but we’re leaving enough room for a few unexpected discoveries along the way.
Following our appetite
Food will be a big part of the trip. We’re excited to try regional dishes, visit markets, learn from local guides and discover the places people return to again and again. Some meals will be carefully planned, while others will simply be whatever looks good when we turn a corner.
More than anything, we want to experience the culture around the food: how it is prepared, how it is shared and what it tells us about each place. We’ll share the favourites, the surprises and the useful details for anyone planning a similar journey.
A few adventures we’re especially excited about
In Scilla, we’re planning to trade the train for the sea and go diving. Seeing Calabria from below the surface should offer a completely different view of the region and a welcome change of pace.
We’re also hoping the timetables line up so we can take the train onto the ferry across the Strait of Messina and over to Sicily. Arriving on the island while the train itself makes the crossing would be a memorable part of the journey.
In Switzerland, we’d love to ride a gondola above Chur and spend some time in the mountains. We’re picturing fresh alpine air, wide views and one of those unmistakably Swiss moments that encourages you to slow down and take it all in.
More than a checklist
There are landmarks we can’t wait to see, but the real goal is to feel immersed in each destination while we’re there. We want time to sit in a square, find a neighbourhood restaurant, learn a few local customs and understand what makes each stop distinct.
Along the way, we’ll share honest notes about the food, activities, accommodation and rail travel, including what worked, what surprised us and what we would recommend.
If you’d like to follow along, our Europe 2026 page will collect the newest stories and practical guides as the journey unfolds.
Justyn Perry
Justyn shares first-hand travel stories, honest recommendations and the practical details that make a journey easier to plan.
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