Anantara Hotels & Resorts presents the Anantara Grand Tour of Europe: an invitation to explore its properties through a journey crafted like a storyline embracing some of its unmissable hotels. The choose-your-own-adventure-style itinerary is designed to evoke a wide range of emotions as travellers move through diverse architectures, climes and atmospheres–from the poise of the North to the warmth of the Mediterranean, all the way to Rome.
Anantara Grand Tour of Europe distills the brand’s philosophy into a lifestyle inspired by the true spirit of La Dolce Vita. Founded in Thailand in 2001, Anantara has always interpreted hospitality as a genuine connection with the places it inhabits, placing guests at the centre of each stay through unconventional itineraries, off-the-beaten-path activities and authentic encounters with local culture, traditions and communities. In this vision, luxury is not ostentatious, but soft and unforced, made up of details that make one feel at home in a new place.
The proposed itinerary can be customised with additional or alternative destinations, reordered at will. One of the ways to experience the Grand Tour is to begin in Northern Europe, with cosy knits packed at the top of the suitcase and gradually replaced by lighter fabrics as guests travel southward, ultimately reaching Italy. Rather than following a conventional tourist route, it offers a way of experiencing each destination through the hotels that interpret them and the events that enliven the cities that host them.
The first stop is Anantara Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky Amsterdam, where light floods generously through the Wintergarden’s lofty, conservatory-style ceiling dating back to 1880, sliding across lush foliage and the iconic checkered floor. In this dignified hall, slow mornings with tea under the luminous dome quickly pick up pace, as guests step out to experience the city in delightfully unexpected ways. For many, the highlight is a private visit to a historic diamond-cutting and polishing house, revealing the secret world of craftsmanship and centuries-old culture of perfection. Next, a photographic walk with Arden, a renowned photographer and storyteller who knows the city like a story in motion, uncovers hidden corners, palaces mirrored in the canals, and those subtle details that make an image unforgettable. The result is not just a photoshoot, but a portrait of oneself within the city. Finally, with “Behind the Velvet Rope”, guests get to enjoy a privileged access to the Art Deco gem Tuschinski Theatre for a private screening, complete with transfers and dedicated service—a cinematic moment that transforms Amsterdam into a scene all its own.
Leaving the bright light of Amsterdam behind, a quick flight transports urban explorers to the transparent geometries of Dublin’s Docklands, where the reflective façade of Anantara The Marker Dublin mirrors the perpetual dialogue between harbour and sky. With striking architectural features and contemporary, sophisticated rooms that nod to the high-tech world while framing breathtaking city views, the hotel is a true urban jewel.
The rooftop is a highlight, hosting gentle morning yoga and elegant cocktails in the soft light of late afternoon. Here too, experiences play a central role. Spice Spoons, one of the signature experiences of Anantara, presents a masterclass in the art of Irish cuisine: from baking the famous brown soda bread, to visiting a leading smokehouse to learnhow salmon gets its distinctive flavour, to escaping into the heart of Irish equestrian culture with a private tour of Kildangan Stud, where the grace of thoroughbred horses is sure to steal the heart.
A short flight east, and the scene shifts once more, while the pleasure of travel and discovery remains undiminished. After the modernity of Dublin’s Docklands, Anantara New York Palace Budapest Hotel offers a striking contrast: pale marbles, richly coloured velvets, whorls of grand staircases, and the New York Café, serving as a salon of European memory. Budapest is a city best explored through its culture of water: thermal baths, steam rooms and serenity. Yet the stay can also take on a much livelier character—perhaps with an aerobatic flight alongside Péter Besenyei, the legendary Hungarian pilot and aviation pioneer, renowned for founding the Red Bull Air Race. Soaring over the Hungarian countryside with him is an unforgettable experience, enhanced by a gourmet picnic featuring local delicacies and wines personally selected by Péter, a passionate connoisseur. For those seeking more tranquil experiences, there is the opportunity to learn Matyó embroidery, delving into the local folk art under the guidance of women from the village of Tard, renowned for adorning traditional Hungarian costumes with their craftsmanship.
