What’s New in Europe? The Meandering Traveler provides a look at one new happening in each of five European cities — Paris, Athens, London, Oslo and Rome. Plus, we briefly outline one highly appealing tour or cruise that explores those cities, as well as a few other options.
So, for luxurious vacations in 2026 or 2027 with Luxury Gold, Silversea, Atlas Ocean Voyages, Tauck and Crystal, read on!
(Shown in the photo above, The Parthenon is an iconic ancient site, but Athens is also now getting a major new urban area, The Ellinikon, opening fully by the end of 2026. Photo by Perillo Tours.)
1. What’s New in Europe? PARIS’ New Art Destination
Are you an art lover? Starting later this month, you’ll discover a major new art destination nestled in Paris’ Right Bank. The edgy, modern Fondation Cartier, launched in 1986 by the French luxury watch and jewelry company, has moved from its current Left Bank location to the Place du Palais Royal, near the Louvre.
When it reopens on October 25, 2025, visitors will discover 92,000 square feet of floor space, an auditorium, bookshop and restaurant. Since the new museum location is far larger than its previous site, the new gallery will be able to display up to 800 different artworks.
Luxury Gold’s “Ultimate France”
One possibility for exploring Paris’ relocated Fondation Cartier is a luxury escorted tour that provides free time for independent exploration in the City of Lights. Luxury Gold’s magnificent, 14-day “Ultimate France” escorted tour, starting at $12,025 per person, double occupancy, visits 14 different cities.
The luxurious tour begins with a two-night stay in Monte Carlo and exploration of Nice. Guests also stay for three nights in Aix-en-Provence, two nights in Nimes, two nights in Carcassonne, two nights in Bordeaux, and two nights in Paris.
Luxury Gold provides fully guided touring on the first day in Paris, following a high-speed train ride from Bordeaux. Then the second day, guests can personalize their morning with a choice of Luxury Gold’s curated experiences.
Plus, in the afternoon, guests can then head out on their own in Paris for shopping. Or, alternatively, they might peruse artwork at a museum such as the relocated Fondation Cartier.
“Best of all, the trip concludes with a celebration dinner at the glittering Eiffel Tower,” says Shelby Steudle, president, Pavlus Travel.
But many other travel suppliers also offer fantastic vacations to the City of Lights. So, talk with a skilled personal travel planner about all the Paris options. For example, you might opt for a Tauck tour or river cruise, or perhaps a Perillo Tours vacation.
2. What’s New in Europe? LONDON- Museum Relocates
Set to open at a new location in Smithfield Market during 2026 is the Museum of London. Previously housed at the Barbican London, the museum closed to visitors in 2022. But now it’s transforming into the London Museum, which will open in the heart of the historic City of London.
One interesting tidbit? While preparing the market site for the museum’s reopening, a contractor discovered secret underground vaults; they’re now being excavated. Ultimately, visitors will be able to watch Thameslink trains zip along via an underground window.
A second phase, the opening of Poultry Hall, is set for 2028 with a learning center, temporary exhibitions and museum stores.
When the museum reopens in 2026 – date has yet to be announced — one thing is certain. It will have opening hours to please visitors. It will be both open early in the day and also close late in the day.
Viking’s London to Lisbon
Many cruise lines begin or end itineraries in London. Among them, Viking‘s new 12-day “Iberia, France and England Explorer” journey in 2026 will travel between London (Greenwich) and Lisbon, Portugal.
Two departures will take guests to four different countries. Viking will include eight guided tours within the cruise fare, a great value. The 2026 voyages will be operated by either the 998-passenger Viking Mira or the 930-passenger Viking Saturn.
At press time, cruise fares started at $6,999 (September 26, 2026, departure) to $7,299 (September 29, 2026, departure) per person, double occupancy. Voyages are also planned for 2027.
3. What’s New in Europe: ATHENS – Ellinikon Emerges
Athens, Greece, is known for its ancient Greek civilization treasures such as the Parthenon. But the city and surrounding area also continues to evolve — most notably with the highly ambitious Ellinikon project.
Simply put, that’s transforming the city’s former airport site into a humongous, multi-faceted urban complex with luxury hotels, a marina, and Europe’s largest coastal park.
Set to open in phases, the Ellinikon’s elements will begin taking shape in 2026, others for 2027, 2028 and beyond. One showcase attraction? The 50-floor Riviera Tower, a new high-rise building, will redefine the Athenian skyline.
Now halfway complete, this tower will rank among Europe’s highest seafront residential and environmentally sustainable skyscrapers.
Riviera Galleria, Ellinikon Park
Meanwhile, construction will be completed in first quarter 2026 on the 237,000-square-foot Riviera Galleria. Designed by famous Japanese architect Kengo Kuma, it will offer high-end retail shopping and culinary offerings for both locals and visitors alike.
Opening in phases but fully open by year-end 2026 is a new, 3-million-square-foot Ellinikon Sports Park. This modern, accessible sports facility is a portion of an even larger Ellinikon Park, set to span 21.5 million square feet.
In addition to Ellinikon’s cutting-edge sports infrastructure and wellness activities, visitors will encounter a large natural landscape. A large artificial lake is being created and will be surrounded by a wide pedestrian path and spanned by two pedestrian foot bridges.
Cruising from Piraeus
Many upscale voyages depart from Athens (Piraeus). “Pre-cruise guests might stay a few nights in Athens to see the top sites — both ancient and modern, following that with a luxurious voyage on a recently refreshed Crystal ship,” says Pavlus‘ Steudle.
For instance, on September 15, 2026, the 740-passenger Crystal Serenity will set sail from Piraeus on a seven-night voyage from Greece to Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy.
The ship will call at destinations in Greece, Italy, Croatia and Turkiye. At press time, starting fares ranged from $5,140 to $5,700 per person, double occupancy, depending on the type of fare.
4. What’s New in Europe? OSLO – Viking Ships Find New Home
In 2027, a new Museum of the Viking Age will open on the Bygdoy peninsula in Oslo, Norway It will be built as an extension of the present Viking Ship Museum, which is currently closed during the construction.
Why is the museum getting a new name? It will definitely offer a more robust look at the many aspects of Viking Age society. In gazing at the world’s foremost Viking Age collection, the public will also soon gain insight into everything from Viking daily life to major societal changes that characterized that era.
Of course, the main draw at the new Museum of the Viking Age will still be the world’s three best-preserved Viking ships. One of those, the Oseberg Ship, has already been moved to the new facility. Check out this unique, one minute video showing how the ship was moved.
When the new museum — three times the size of the current museum — opens in 2027, the ships and 5,500 other artifacts will be displayed in a more visitor-friendly manner. The museum is part of the University of Oslo.
Opening Not Yet Set, Plenty of Cruise Options
While the official opening date isn’t yet known, many luxury cruise lines including Silversea, Explora Journeys, Ponant, Seabourn, Viking and others sail in the Baltic in 2027.
For example, on June 19, 2027, Atlas Ocean Voyages‘ 198-passenger World Navigator will depart on an 11-night Oslo to Reykjavik, Iceland, itinerary. This “cultural expedition” will offer many special perks along the way.
At press time, prices began at $7,899 per person, double occupancy. “Be sure to contact a skilled personal travel planner for this or another vacation that can take you to Oslo and other parts of the Baltic,” says Pavlus’ Steudle.
“We’ll help ensure you get everything you deserve and guarantee the best pricing,” she stresses. “We’ll also provide superb guest service, and we never charge a service fee.”
5. What’s New in Europe? ROME – Trajan’s Markets’ Lighting
What’s new in Europe and, specifically, in Italy? Rome’s official tourism office reports that spectacular new night-time illumination at Trajan’s Markets has made the site more evocative and accessible at night. The ancient markets are now bathed in a new light, created by a projection lighting system on the external walls.
That diffuses a soft, uniform glow across the architecture of the complex. That is creating a new sense of great depth. So, elements such as the Torre delle Milizie (Tower of the Militia), the niches, and the internal corridor (ambulacro) have been accentuated with semi-radial lighting – a technique that uses gentle, directed beams to highlight the most important architectural details.
The work involved much more than simply replacing existing fixtures. Instead, the lighting system was totally reconfigured — including integration in previously under-lit areas. In addition, the new set-up is more energy efficient and eco-friendly.
Trajan’s Markets is just one of many ancient sites that travelers find fascinating in Rome. Separately, The Meandering Traveler also previously wrote a blog about the draws in the Spanish Steps area.
Silversea: Rome to Barcelona
“Silversea offers a pre-cruise stay at the Anantara Palazzo Naiadi Hotel,” explains Pavlus’ Steudle. “That’s a lovely, crescent-shaped palazzo fronting the Piazza della Repubblica.”
“So, use the contact information below and we’ll assist you in setting it up,” she adds. “But as this is an F1 voyage with access to the Monaco Grand Prix, call us today as it’s booking up. To have the best choice in accommodations, travelers need to make plans right away.”
Tauck’s “Classic Italy, Small Groups”
Alternatively, Steudle suggests checking out Tauck‘s escorted tours that also visit Rome. With a century of experience and a record of terrific guest satisfaction, this tour operator offers well-designed escorted tours and also small group options.
Important Information from Pavlus Travel
