The best way to Europe
This summer, WestJet has direct flights from St. John’s to Dublin, London and Paris. And now, with our destination guides, deciding where to go in Europe is (almost) as easy as getting there. Click the buttons below to learn about each destination.
Dublin
London
Paris
Make Dublin your home for a few days, and you can explore Ireland’s rich Celtic history, the rugged coastline and lush natural beauty, too. Renowned for its rich literary and visual history, this small European city also has a vibrant music scene. There’s so much to see and do!
DUBLIN
Explore the past
A stop (clearly) for the adults in the crowd, the Irish Whiskey Museum is in the historic heart of Dublin and features a massive selection of Irish whiskeys to try, plus a detailed look at how it’s made and its importance historically, both within Ireland and around the world. Depending when you visit, you may get a chance to hear some live music and storytelling, too.
Taste some whiskey
Ireland is famous for its musicians (U2 and Sinead O’Connor, to name just two). Why not check out what the local scene is like now, with a visit to some local live music venues and pubs? Whether you’re looking for traditional Irish folk music or modern rock or singer-songwriters, you’ll find it all.
Hear some tunes
Just a day trip from Dublin, the Giant’s Causeway features roughly 40,000 interlocking hexagonal basalt columns, formed by an ancient volcanic eruption some 50 million years ago. A World Heritage Site, it’s located on Ireland’s north cost, about five kilometres from the town of Bushmills.
Go big
Oscar Wilde, James Joyce and Samuel Beckett are just three famous authors with ties to Dublin. Sign up for a literary tour to explore Dublin through their eyes and visit places they frequented during their lives. Yes, you’ll likely stop at a pub or two … and if that’s not enough, you’ll also find myriad wonderful independent bookstores throughout Dublin.
Read about it
While we’re on the subject of books, one of the world’s oldest manuscripts, The Book of Kells, dates back to around 800 AD and is on view at Trinity College Dublin, Ireland’s oldest university. Written in Latin, the Book of Kells is known for its elaborate Celtic art.
Read more
–– Descriptions written by Shelley Boettcher
Book a pub crawl
Pick a theme (Edinburgh’s literary history, for instance, or something more rowdy), or do a self-guided tour with an app. Options and stops range, but you’ll have an opportunity to learn about the city’s colourful past — and enjoy a beverage or two along the way.
Edinburgh
With direct flights from St. John’s to London Gatwick Airport, the massive English city offers visitors everything from history to fashion, arts and fine dining.
LONDON
Tour the Tower
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, The Tower of London has a fascinating and lengthy history — home of the Royal Mint and the Crown Jewels of England, a prison for Queen Elizabeth I, and, 200 years later, spies in the First and Second World Wars.
Go High with the Eye
The London Eye, sometimes called the Millennium Wheel, is a massive observation wheel on the River Thames. It opened in 2000 and celebrates its 25th anniversary this year. Go on a clear day and, like the British Band The Who sang, you “can see for miles and miles.”
Visit Stonehenge
Get out of the city and take a day trip to Stonehenge. Built 4,000 years ago, this massive circle of rocks is older than Egypt’s Great Pyramids and is considered to be the most sophisticated prehistoric stone circle in the world.
See the Changing of the Guard
Your odds of seeing King Charles at Buckingham Palace are slim, but you can still witness the pomp and colour of the Changing of the Guard, a ceremony that has a history dating back hundreds of years. Book a tour in advance for Buckingham Palace; it’s only open to visitors in the summer.
Eat good things
You can eat at some of the world’s greatest restaurants in London. There are a total of 85 restaurants in the city that hold Michelin stars as of 2025. If that’s not your style – or in your budget — try an order of fish and chips wrapped in paper and served with salt and vinegar.
Shop
It can be fun to spend a few hours on a rainy day exploring London’s famous department stores: Harrods, Fortnum & Mason, Selfridges and Harvey Nichols are just four to consider. You’ll find everything from beautifully packaged tea to designer threads from around the world.
The largest city in France and the country’s capital, Paris — also known as the City of Love — is magical, whether you’re visiting famous cafés and galleries, taking a boat trip along the Seine River or gazing up at the Eiffel Tower.
PAris
Visit the Eiffel Tower
Built for the 1889 Paris Exposition, the Eiffel Tower has become known around the world as the symbol of Paris. Whether you gaze up at it by day, pay to go to the top, or stroll past to see its lights at night, you won’t want to miss it.
One of the most famous art museums in the world, the Louvre houses many outstanding works including the legendary Mona Lisa, painted by Leonardo Da Vinci in 1503. Protected by bullet-proof glass, the enigmatic portrait is valued at a whopping USD$60 million.
Check out the art at the Louvre
There are cafés everywhere in Paris, and each has its own charms — and, quite often, claim to fame, too. Two famous cafés include the Café de Flore and Les Deux Magots, where the likes of Pablo Picasso and Ernest Hemingway used to hang out.
Spend time in a café
One of the oldest districts in Paris, the Marais is a maze of cobblestone streets, little independent boutiques, cafés and museums, including the Picasso Museum. The neighbourhood is famous for its rich Jewish and LGBTQIA+ history, too.
Explore an ancient neighbourhood
Paris has a reputation for its flea markets, brimming with knick-knacks, art, books, even vintage clothing. The biggest is Les Puces de Paris Saint-Ouen at Porte de Clignancourt; expect to spend a couple of hours or more looking for one-of-a-kind treasures.
Look for deals in a flea market
Located in a basement in the Latin Quarter, the Caveau de la Huchette has been a jazz club since 1949. Go early if you want to find a seat, and be prepared to dance, as adults young and old – including many Parisians — practice their swing and jive skills.
Go dancing
Seeing the bright lights of Paris from the Seine River is an extraordinary experience. Myriad options are available, whether you want to have dinner or simply want to take pics while you sail.
Take a boat
