Regional
Considerations

Important considerations when traveling to Southern Europe:

• Some of Ker & Downey's favorite Southern European festivals take place during the summer months: Italy’s Palio di Siena is held every year in July and August, the Monte Carlo Fireworks Festival is hosted in July, the Verona Opera Festival takes place in July and August, and Basque Country’s Aste Nagusia usually occurs in August.
• Italy's opera, symphony, and theatre seasons are in full swing in January. 
• Croatia’s islands are full of festivals in June.
• The best time for mushroom foraging in Catalonia is October.
• The best time for truffle hunting and wine harvest activities in Croatia is September and October.
• Regions like Portugal and Andalusia flaunt perfect weather all summer and are especially magical in the spring when the roads are lined with trees in bloom.
• The best time for whale watching in the Azores is in the Spring, particularly April and May.
• Venice now requires an entrance fee on select high-volume tourism dates for those taking day trips into the city. Ker & Downey therefore recommends staying in Venice to avoid dealing with those extra fees.

The Ker & Downey
Difference

The Ker & Downey Difference is in the hand-picked experiences we create that are unique to you. Experiences include:

• Exclusive-use villas and palazzos in Spain, Malta, and Italy.
• Luxury island-hopping like a celebrity off the coast of Greece.
• Behind-the-scenes VIP access to festivals in the region.
• Private, after-hours access to museums, cathedrals, and atelier shops.
• Reservations at some of the top Michelin-starred restaurants in the world.
• Access to authentic wine and food experiences, passionate local guides, and cultural and historical experts throughout the region.
• Private yacht charters in Croatia and Greece.
• Multi-country touring and logistics made easy.

Find out why this romantic region has inspired and enchanted artists, travelers, and dreamers for hundreds of years. Walk among the sun soaked vineyards at Italian harvest time, dance the Spanish nights away among the young and beautiful, embark on an exclusive yacht holiday in the Adriatic, and follow the Aegean coastline in search of luxury and ancient history. The warmth of the Southern European cultures shines in the sun on the warm waters and the robust vitality of the people. Contact your Ker & Downey luxury travel consultant to begin crafting your own itinerary.