COLUMBUS, OH – Traveling to and within Europe may be a challenge this summer as tourists flock to take advantage of the currency exchange rate. Driven by the strong US dollar and a continued influx of tourists from Asia, Europe is expected to attract record numbers of vacationers, clogging many commercial flights and airports as well as key attraction sites. In fact, some of the most popular tourist attractions are imposing time limits and even suggesting alternative destinations to divert the anticipated crowds.

Private travel however, has its definite advantages in this environment. While you can still go where all the other tourists go, there are a myriad of luxury destinations and unique experiences to take advantage of in Europe.

To help on the planning process, NetJets has assembled a small collection of top destinations, places to stay, eat and play – all providing the finest experience.

“It’s the ultimate luxury experience to fly privately to Europe this summer,” said Patrick Gallagher, NetJets Head of Global Sales. “NetJets has the industry’s largest share of take-off and landing slots in Europe with access to more than 900 airports, many of which are in close proximity to some of the world’s finest restaurants and other attractions.

“We’ll help you avoid the crowds, and our new state-of-the-art Signature Series aircraft can get you to where you are going with the ultimate in speed, style and comfort.”

As a sampler of luxury destinations for travellers, NetJets has curated a guide to just a few of Europe’s finest destinations.

Italy: The jewel of Italy’s Amalfi Coast, Capri’s fabled beauty has charmed visitors for decades. NetJets suggests flying into the scenic Salerno airport (as opposed to the busy hub of Naples) where the Island is only a short boat ride away. Da Paolino ai Limoni is one of the most famous restaurants on the Island and a haunt of showbiz stars. If you’re headed to Italy, a sampling of musts includes:

Stay:
• Capri Palace Hotel & Spa, Anacapri
• Aldrovandi Villa Borghese, Rome
• Villa & Palazzo Aminto, Stresa
• Hotel Sana Caterina, Amalfi
• Mandarin Oriental Milan

Eat:
• Da Puny, Portofino
• Al Moro, Rome
• Le Carampane, Venice
• Agriturismo Su Stai, Sardinia

Visit:
• Consider the Lakes District, especially Lake Maggiore.

France: Southern France – particularly the southeast region – offers intriguing villages, spectacular beaches, myriad wineries and more. NetJets suggests flying into the Nice Cote d’Azur airport (which is less frenetic than Marseille) from where one can head quickly in any direction. If you’re headed to France, a sampling of musts includes:

Stay:
• Le Negresco, Nice
• Le Bastide de Gordes, Gordes (Avignon)
• Hotel Byblos de St. Tropez, Saint-Tropez
• Grand Hotel de Bordeaux & Spa, Bordeaux

Eat:
• Georges Blanc, Vonnas
• Le Petit Nice, Marseille
• Club 55, Saint-Tropez
• La Petite Maison, Nice

Visit:
• Consider Alsace in eastern France, bordering Germany.

Spain: The Costa Brava region of northeast Spain offers visitors breathtaking vistas of the Mediterranean and access to Catalan culture and food. NetJets suggests flying into the Gerona-Costa Brava airport (smaller and easier to navigate than Barcelona), which offers immediate access to the entire region. If you’re headed to Spain, a sampling of musts includes:

Stay:
• Mandarin Oriental Barcelona
• ME Ibiza, Ibiza
• Barcelo La Bobadilla, Granada
• Belmond La Residencia, Deia
• Hotel Villa Magna, Madrid

Eat:
• El Celler De Can Roca, Gerona
• Mugaritz, Errenteria
• Akelarre, San Sebastian
• Atrio, Caceres
• DiverXo, Madrid
• Sa Finca, Ibiza

Visit:
• Consider the Basque Coast, in northern Spain.

Portugal: Porto, located in the north, is the second largest city in the country. And it is best known perhaps for port wine. That may be one reason for the great wine bars in this city. NetJets suggests flying into Francisco Sa Carneiro Airport in Porto (as opposed to the busier airport in the capital city) from which visitors can easily access the city and its charms as well as the entire region. If you’re headed to Portugal, a sampling of musts includes:

Stay:
• Olissippo Lapa Palace, Lisbon
• Pousada de Porto – Freixo Palace Hotel, Porto
• Grande Real Villa Italia Hotel & Spa, Cascais

Eat:
• Vila Joya, Albufeira
• Belcanto, Lisbon
• Ocean, Porches

Visit:
• Consider the beaches and mountains of Centro Portugal.

Switzerland: Although relatively small, Switzerland boasts an astonishing array of towns and cities across all its cantons – almost all with marvelous views of mountains, lakes, meadows and more. NetJets suggests flying into Bern, which while the capital city is actually only the fourth largest city in the country (as opposed to the busier Geneva and Zurich airports). If you’re headed to Switzerland, a sampling of musts includes:

Stay:
• Bellevue Palace, Berne
• La Réserve Genéve Hotel & Spa

Eat:
• Café Du Levant, Aire-la-Ville

Visit:
• Examine unique artifacts at the Martin Bodmer Foundation
• Take the lake aboard Le Savioe
• Consider the town and environs of Engadin St. Moritz.