When most people think of Europe, they picture cobblestone streets, café terraces, and museum-lined boulevards. And while that version of Europe absolutely has its place, there’s another side—one that’s wilder, more active, and just as refined.

Here are 12 extraordinary journeys, one for each month, to inspire your next great escape.

Summer is the best time to visit Scandinavia - cooler temps than you’ll find in the rest of Europe, long days and short nights, and more.

Iceland has been a popular destination for the past few years and it’s easy to understand why - it’s relatively close to the US ( it’s less than a 6 hour flight from the East Coast) and easy to get to. You can find many airlines flying direct to Iceland and some travelers even opt to do a few day layover in Iceland before traveling on to Europe.