The Ultimate Euro Summer Guide

Whether a Euro Summer is your home-turf reality or you’re planning a multi-stop tour across the continent, there’s a lot to see, do, and eat. We Brits have already staggered through our first heatwave of the year and are all too familiar with the heat-induced brain fog that can impede any and all planning abilities, so we’ve shouldered the organising for you with a list of the best European spots to add to your list. And, if a visit to one of the many World Cup hosting countries is on your summer vacation list, we’ve gathered some of the strictly non-football - yes, it’s football, never soccer - related hotspots in LA, NYC and Mexico City, in case you’re in need of a moment of peace from the stadium crowds.

If we aren’t complaining about the rain, then we’re saying it’s too warm, or the classic British phrase, ‘it’s a bit hot, maybe too hot’. Dressing for a European heatwave is a completely different beast. We’ll be the first to admit we’re not as up to date with AC as our US friends, so we choose clever fabrics + breezy shapes to handle the heat. That’s where our intelligent design comes in: the Crease-Less Linen Capsule. It’s where the natural breathability of linen meets the fluidity and crease-minimising power of viscose, and it includes an almost endless array of mix + match separates so you can build a summer’s worth of reliable, heat-approved outfits from a few investments. And because we don’t put all our fabric eggs in one basket, you can always turn to our Cheesecloth Edit for lightweight, breathable cotton pieces from flowing dresses to polished jumpsuits.

When it comes to mastering a polished look for professional settings, we’re taking cues from our Founder + CEO, Clare Hornby, who recently attended the Financial Times Business of Luxury Summit in very warm, very sunny Puglia. Clare’s go-to for feeling and looking put-together is always tailoring, but getting it right in warmer climates can be tricky, which is why more relaxed, oversized silhouettes are key for summer suiting. She chose the Icon Oversized Blazer, layered with the Wrap Waistcoat - so it still looks like a full look if you remove the jacket - and the Clever Trouser, all crafted from lightweight + fluid pinstripe wool-blend tailoring fabric.

We love museums year-round. But when you’re mid city break and you need an escape from the heat, the promise of a saunter around a quiet, A.C-cooled setting makes them even more inviting. Our top tip: time your visit for midday to avoid the highest temperatures, then follow up your cultural interlude with a very leisurely alfresco lunch (more on this later) and a well-deserved glass of something chilled.

In London from the 25th June, you can discover the life and legacy of Frida Kahlo in Frida: The Making of an Icon at the Tate Modern. And there’s still time to visit Tracey Emin’s retrospective also at the Tate Modern, which we mentioned in our start-of-year Culture List post; it’s on until the 31st August. If there’s a Cornwall staycation in your calendar this year, then it’s essential to have a rainy day plan in your back pocket. Tate St Ives is displaying the work of visionary Lithuanian-American artist Aleksandra Kasuba until October. The exhibition spans seven decades of work, from early paintings to sculptures and architectural designs.

Palazzo Strozzi’s Rothko in Florence exhibition marks a stark contrast of old and new, with the iconic painter’s abstract expressionist works displayed in a palatial museum setting. Often referred to as ‘the Olympics of the art world’, the 61st Venice Art Biennale runs from May 9 to November 22, featuring exhibitions by 110 artists across multiple venues. Highlights include Anatomy of the Magnolia Tree, an enormous wall mural paying tribute to Toni Morrison and Koyo Kouoh paired with delicate glass and resin flower sculptures, and a dedicated retrospective of Marina Abramović at the Gallerie dell’Accademia - the first living female artist to receive one.

It’s officially alfresco dining season, so we’ve collated the best of the best restaurants known for their amazing outside space, starting with Towpath Café on London’s Regent Canal. No reservations, simply show up and enjoy their daily menu that spotlights creative and classic dishes of locally sourced British and seasonal produce. Scott’s in Mayfair is revered for its iconic terrace, the perfect spot to enjoy delicious fish + seafood dishes alongside a healthy portion of people-watching. Rochelle Canteen’s leafy canopy feels like a secret oasis, making it the perfect place to enjoy its daily-changing menu of classic yet modern European fare.

Paris is known for many things, and terrace dining culture is absolutely one of them. Starting in the 6th arrondissement, Marcello is a great Italian with a partially hidden leafy terrace suitably decorated with olive trees. Hotel Amour South Pigalle in the 9th is not only an incredibly cool place to stay, but also boasts a buzzy courtyard brasserie that provides a picturesque setting for any meal. And for somewhere really special, look to Apicius, an elegant Michelin-starred restaurant that’s housed in an 18th-century private mansion and includes a well-hidden and very elegant terrace garden.

There are over 6000 islands and inlets in Greece, so we’ll narrow it down to our current favourite: Patmos, specifically the main port town of Skala. Greek food enjoyed outdoors sounds perfect to us, and we’re starting at Benetos for elegant yet unfussy dishes in a beautiful outdoor setting overlooking the ocean. Located quite literally on Skala Beach, Faliraki ouzo bar and meze restaurant is the place to go for fresh seafood and meat, and for your pre or post-dinner cocktail, head to Ginger. The bar is known for its drinks, but its concise food menu is equally impressive. For daytime dining, head to family-owned and run Cafe Houston. Don’t be fooled by the name, this long-standing cafe is 100% Greek, and has been a neighbourhood institution for generations thanks to its delicious offering of fresh coffee, tea and juice, alongside an all-day menu of classic dishes.

Wherever your sunlounger is physically placed, in the garden, on a sandy beach, or on a terrace in Tuscany, we’re proposing taking your summer reading a step further with a read-by-destination theme.

​Few authors write a love letter to Spain like Hemingway, so tick a classic off your reading list with Fiesta: The Sun Also Rises. The story follows a ragtag group of expats as they travel across the continent from 1920s Paris to Spain, hitting every bar and bullring in the process. Our Greek-themed reads include The Island by Victoria Hislop, set against the backdrop of World War II in Crete and exploring love, family, loss, and secrets. The Island of Missing Trees by Elif Shafak is a 1970s love story between two teenagers from opposite sides of a divided Cyprus: Kostas, Greek, and Defne, Turkish. And in case you missed the 2017 film of the same name, the coming-of-age novel Call Me By Your Name, by Italian-American writer André Aciman, is the perfect companion to an Italian holiday. The story follows Elio Perlman, a young student, whose world unravels when American scholar Oliver comes to stay at his academic family’s holiday home in Liguria.

When it’s time to escape the city heat, there’s plenty to do just outside of Paris. Roughly 30 miles from the city, you can tour Auberge Ravoux, the house where Van Gogh lived in Auvers-sur-Oise, and see the surrounding countryside that inspired his paintings. Château de Courances is a privately owned castle built in approximately 1830, situated in stunning, sprawling grounds where you can stroll the day away, then follow it up with cakes in the tea salon by the Japanese garden. Nestled at the edge of the picturesque Fontainebleau Forest, the Artist Village of Barbizon is a quaint French village, less than an hour’s drive from Paris, that counts Renoir and Monet among its famous fans. You can reach it in time for a sun-drenched lunch in the heart of the countryside, complete with a soundtrack of clucking hens followed by a stroll along winding cobblestone streets strewn with quaint galleries.

In London, it’s officially outdoor theatre and film season. There’s somewhere in every corner of the city to see classic shows and films on the lawn, on the roof, or by the water, basically anywhere you can set up a screen or stage. The historic Kenwood House in Hampstead has a vast summer programme which includes outdoor theatre performances alongside guided garden tours peppered with artworks by Rembrandt, Vermeer and Gainsborough. Regent’s Park open-air theatre has a jam-packed programme from plays to comedy shows to films. We suggest heading to nearby Bayley & Sage to pack a luxury picnic to enjoy during the performances.

Antwerp may be a less obvious stop on the Euro Summer tour, but Kanaal, a residential, commercial, and cultural hub curated by art dealer Axel Vervoordt, is well worth the 20-minute cab ride out of town. Originally built in 1857 as a distillery and malting complex, the industrial space was transformed in 2017 into a contemporary art space that includes living and working spaces set amongst a lush green canalside backdrop.

Heat + humidity is generally not a friend of hair + makeup. Colourwow’s Dreamcoat Spray is a blow-dry treatment that seals in shine and banishes frizz, and for your face, it’s all about finding the right setting spray. Laura Mercier’s Translucent Hydrating Setting Spray is light and blurring, ideal over a soft makeup look. And for summer events where you really want your makeup look to last, Charlotte Tilbury’s Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray is considered the holy grail - a little tip that may feel counterintuitive, generously spray this over your finished makeup look for the best results. Speaking of makeup, you don’t want your face to feel cakey and congested with product in the heat, so look to brands with a less-is-more approach and soft, creamy formulas for on-the-go applications and touch-ups, like Westman Atelier’s foundation stick and Baby Cheeks Blush.

You can’t talk about summer skincare saviours without mentioning the most important category of all: SPF. SunsolveMD’s broad range of SPF solutions marks the union of skincare and sun protection. There’s a formula to target a multitude of skin concerns, from hyperpigmentation and dry skin to anti-ageing and anti-pollution. When it comes to trustworthy sun protection, you can’t go wrong with Korean beauty. Beauty of Joseon’s Relief Sun Aqua Fresh Rice SPF 50 is light, moisturising and goes on smoothly under makeup. And for on-the-go re-applications, their turn-up SPF stick is great to throw in your bag.

It’s easy to underestimate the effect that heat, travel and a packed schedule can have on your mind and body during this busy season, so a treatment here or there can be considered a necessity rather than an indulgence. A great pre or post-travel solution, Kate Shapland’s Legology offers a range of lymphatic drainage treatments which are available as an at-home service in London and LA. Holistic skincare company de Mamiel is another way to enjoy some luxury at home. The new Salvation Body Oil is infused with nutrient-rich botanical oils, circulation-boosting actives and a grounding aromatherapy scent.

There’s no single host city for the World Cup this year; the games are being held across North America in three countries and 16 stadiums. To make it easier to plan time between games, we’ve condensed our between-match highlights to three key cities: New York, L.A., and Mexico City.

Life’s about balance, so if you’re having a SoFi Stadium hot dog for lunch, we recommend following up with an elegant dinner. Ardour in West Hollywood has a vegetable-forward, but not vegetarian, menu packed with fresh, locally sourced produce, homemade naan and tandoor bread, and a selection of grilled and smoked meats, served under a verdant palm-filled patio. For a touch of retail therapy between matches, on the second Sunday of every month, you can visit LA stylist’s best-kept vintage shopping secret at the Rose Bowl Flea Market, which has rows and rows of sellers, from vintage clothing and furniture to kitschy collectables.

On the East Coast, the indoor-outdoor Noguchi Museum in Queens displays the work of Japanese-American sculptor Isamu Noguchi. It’s a pocket of calm in the city, with a great outdoor space to sit and admire his incredible pieces. For a departure from the bustle without technically leaving, head to the aptly named City Island. Featured in the 2001 film The Royal Tenenbaums, this small island is filled with Meandering side streets, antique shops, and seafood restaurants that make it feel more like a small New England fishing village than part of the Bronx.

​And finally, if your football schedule includes any of the games in Mexico City, make sure you take the time to soak up CMDX’s amazing food and culture. Guava pastries are a local must-have, so plan your breakfast route throughout the Condesa or Roma Norte neighbourhoods to sample the goods from Panaderia Rosetta, Quentin and Odette. It’s no exaggeration to say you can find delicious tacos and quesadillas on almost every street corner, but if you’re ready for a sit-down, then Tacos Don Juan in Condesa has relaxed outdoor seating and delicious birria quesa-tacos. Venture slightly out of the city for the perfect day in the Coyoacán area. Start with delicious matcha and coffee at Cremosa, before a visit to Frida Kahlo’s Casa Azul museum, followed by a whistle-stop tour around the area’s many local food markets.

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