Unforgettable journeys: Immerse yourself in Europe on a small group tour

DON'T MISS Paddy Clarke is a former deep-sea fisherman with 20 years' experience, who now leads APT groups on a tour of the rugged Slieve League Cliffs region. This tour is as much about Paddy's stories as it is about the scenery, and the perfect way to round it off is with a traditional Irish meal at Ti Linn Café, owned by the man himself.

Finland

There are no cruise ships going to Rovaniemi. This is not a place that's on the mainstream touring radar. Rovaniemi is a town in far northern Finland with a population of 60,000, a remote outpost where indigenous Sami dialects are still spoken, and where transport is by snowmobile or dog-sled, rather than by bus or car. This is, in other words, an amazing place, the perfect spot to view the Northern Lights, sleep in a unique glass igloo under the stars, visit Santa Claus's village, see reindeer in their natural habitat, and witness life as it is lived in an extreme environment.

DON'T MISS In an area such as this you have to visit a reindeer farm, and here APT guests also have the chance to go on a sleigh ride, and then feed the animals. Later, embrace the transport of the people with a lesson in snowmobile driving, before heading out on a sled pulled by a team of local huskies.

Croatia

Though southern Croatia has become extremely popular as a tourist destination in recent years, the north remains blessedly underappreciated, a much more relaxed alternative, though still with its share of charms. Plitvice Lakes National Park is incredibly beautiful, with its turquoise pools and cascades of white water, while the village of Kumrovec, near Zagreb, is filled with original 19thcentury homes. Northern Croatia is quaint and lovely, and deserves to be explored with a small group of companions.

DON'T MISS Few European castles are as picturesque as Otocec, a 13th-century fortress perched on an island in the middle of the Krka River. Lunch at Otocec, dining on local Croatian specialties while relaxing in one of the country's iconic buildings is a memory-making experience.

Italy

The island of Sicily is all about taking pleasure in the small things: visiting medieval villages high in the mountains; going through a tasting at a family-run winery; exploring little-known Greek and Roman ruins; wandering quiet streets. Sicily is at times frenetic, and at others languid. It's always charming, though, and it always pays to explore it with an intimate group, to get to know the culture, the people and the history in a meaningful and memorable way.

DON'T MISS The attractions in Sicily are both historical and natural. To appreciate the former, APT guests spend two nights in a 12th-century estate in the town of Ragusa, taking a guided tour of the property, before indulging in a wine tasting and dinner on site. For the natural side of things, there's no landmark as famous as Mt Etna, a still active volcano, where a volcanologist will share their knowledge before guests eat lunch.

Scotland

There's an undeniable romance to Scotland, a feeling of connecting to times long gone. You get that notion when you spend the night in a centuries-old castle where history waits at every turn. You get it when you visit a whisky distillery and watch the way this cherished spirit has always been made, and from wandering the paved streets of Edinburgh and St Andrews, ancient cities that have so many stories to tell. This is what the country is all about.

DON'T MISS It can seem as if there's a castle on every horizon in Scotland; however, few people get to call one of these historic buildings home. Spending a night or two in a centuries-old castle is totally possible though. Whether tucked away in a quiet, scenic location or on show in a medieval fortress built to be seen, this type of sleepover is truly unique.

Unforgettable Person

Tamara Maric – APT Tour Director

Tamara Maric joined APT in 2015 and works as a tour director around Croatia and the Balkan Peninsula. She never tires of showing guests around her small, but proud and beautiful homeland of Croatia, but also has a huge soft spot for Italy – Sicily in particular, where she lived for four years. "I left part of my soul in Sicily," says Tamara who, as well as her Diploma in Tourism and Hospitality, has studied Roman and Etruscan history. "I fell in love with this fantastic island full of history and mythology." She urges visitors to Sicily to visit the south-eastern city of Modica, which is known for having the most beautiful Baroque architecture on the island. "But the best-kept secret," says Tamara, "is their Modica chocolate, which is made with a very old recipe, from none other than the Aztecs."

This article has been produced in association with APT.

A journey through Europe should always pay attention to the continent's subtle delights, and there's no better way to do that than with a small-group tour. Everything is taken care of in an unforgettable luxury journey with APT. For more information visit www.aptouring.com.au/traveller, call 1300 290 669 or contact your local travel agent.