When you’re think about booking an all-inclusive resort vacation, going all the way to Europe might seem a little far-fetched. There are plenty of sunny all-inclusive resorts closer to home, so why travel across the pond for your vacation? Well, when you stay close to home, it’s much harder to find a resort that hasn’t been Americanized, a.k.a. optimized for the typical U.S. traveler. These are resorts that have all the comforts of home contained in one property, with little ways for guests to get out and experience the surrounding culture.
However, there’s little reason for European resorts to appeal to American sensibilities with so many of their own vacationers to please. In this way, you can make a stay at a European resort a cultural experience of its own.
Here are some of the best all-inclusive resorts in Europe, where you can vacation like a European, on and off the beach.
Club Med Opio in Provence, France
There’s a lot to explore in Provence, a coastal region that spans from the Riviera to the Alps and is famous for wine, lavender, and beaches. Not far from Cannes you’ll find a uniquely located all-inclusive resort: the Club Med Opio. It’s just an hour’s drive from both Cannes and Nice, so you can easily make a day trip to the beach. However, with a nine-hole golf course, tennis courts, and CREACTIVE, an on-site circus school where kids and adults alike can learn the arts of trapeze, aerial silks, and juggling, the resort’s activities program also makes a compelling reason to stay. Not sure if it’s right for you? See 10 Things to Know Before Booking a Club Med Vacation.
Book it: Get prices for Club Med Opio
Vila Gale in Lagos, Portugal
In Lagos, a 16th-century port town complete with cobblestones and squares, Vila Gale is a sleek and buzzing resort in the heart of Portugal’s scenic Algarve region. With fashion-conscious design elements and a location that’s just steps from the beach, this affordable resort is a steal. Plus, according to the Vila Gale website, children under the age of 12 stay and eat free when you spring for an all-inclusive package.
Book it: Get prices for Vila Gale
Grecotel Meli Palace in Crete, Greece
On the largest island in Greece, you’ll find an all-inclusive resort that offers action and relaxation for one all-inclusive price. For active vacationers, Crete’s Grecotel Meli Palace includes tennis courts, canoes, and beach amenities, like these dreamy cabanas, that are free of charge. The resort has one main restaurant that mostly serves American-style food, but you can also take a short trip to acclaimed restaurants like Agreco Farm to try its famous honey and Cretan olive oil.
Book it: Get prices for Grecotel Meli Palace
La Cucina Sabina in Tuscany, Italy
Did someone tell you an all-inclusive resort can’t be an authentic experience? Well, feel free to send them to La Cucina Sabina. In the Sabine Valley, just north of Rome, this all-inclusive villa offers a culinary-focused vacation with cooking classes, unlimited wine, and exclusive tours. Your stay includes transports from the airport or train station, all your meals and wine, walking tours of the property, and even cooking classes with the chefs. Plus, with a large pool, 50 acres of property, and luxe rooms, this agriturismo has everything you could possibly want on your Italian escape.
Book it: Get prices for La Cucina Sabina
Club Med Palmiye in Bodrum, Turkey
For an extremely affordable all-inclusive resort in Europe, set your sights on the Turkish side of the Mediterranean. At the Club Med Bodrum Palmiye, nightly rates start at $139 per night for a seaside resort at the foot of Mount Taurus. With four restaurants, watersports, and proximity to the historic city of Bodrum, there’s plenty to do, and the views from the resort, which is sandwiched between the mountains and the sea, are worth going out of your way for.
Book it: Get prices for Club Med Bodrum Palmiye
Sensimar Aguait Resort & Spa in Mallorca, Spain
On the other side of the Mediterranean, you can have a blissful and exciting vacation with the all-inclusive package at the Sensimar Aguait Resort & Spa. This adults-only resort situated on the rocks of Mallorca, one of the Spanish Balearic Islands, is the perfect place to call home during a week of adventure and relaxation on the island. With a well-designed spa and solarium, plus a large pool area, this resort offers a sophisticated atmosphere and private beach access.
Book it: Get prices for Sensimar Aguait
Club Med Valmorel in Valmorel, France
Who said an all-inclusive vacation shouldn’t involve a little snow? In the French Alps, the Club Med Valmorel offers 93 miles of ski slopes and views of the famous Mont Blanc. Perfect for families, with ski lessons available for young children, this resort also offers lots of excursions, from skiing and snowshoeing in the winter to hiking school in the summer. For a large family retreat, consider booking one of the resort’s chalets, which offer extra space and privacy in your own little alpine abode.
What to Wear at a European All-Inclusive Resort
Women’s Outfit for Walking the Great Wall of China
Men’s Cute and Casual Summer Outfit
Women’s Semi-Casual Outfit for a Sunset Dinner
Men’s Outfit and Accessories 1 (no pants)
Women’s Swimsuit with a Cherry Cover-Up
Men’s Swimsuit to Wear on a Cruise
Women’s Sustainable Jumpsuit Outfit
Men’s Evening Outfit for a Cruise
Book it: Get prices for Club Med Valmorel
More from SmarterTravel:
- The 10 Best All-Inclusive Resorts in Mexico
- The 12 Best All-Inclusive Resorts in the United States
- The 9 Best Florida Beach Resorts
Jamie Ditaranto is a writer and photographer always looking for her next adventure. Follow her on Twitter @jamieditaranto.
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