Our specialists return to Europe time and again, expanding our knowledge of its landmark destinations as well as exploring quieter regions and finding different ways to experience its pleasures. Our travel guides include our specialists’ latest advice on how to see Florence, Istanbul or Lisbon like a local, and how to avoid the crowds at popular sights such as the Alhambra or the Vatican Museums. We can help you uncover Sicily’s best food experiences or even enter volcanoes in Iceland.
Whether you’re looking to focus your travels on a particular country or region, our travel guides will help with planning and preparation so you can make the most of your time in Europe.
Start planning your tailor-made trip by contacting one of our Europe specialists
Our travel guides share our specialists' passion and knowledge for Europe. We travel here regularly to discover new experiences, explore untried areas and dig deeper into the better-known places and attractions. At the same time, we gather advice and up-to-date information on the best-quality guides, new hotels and restaurants, and the most memorable forms of transportation.
Top 9 trips to Europe
From the wintry wilds of Iceland’s shores to the sun-drenched islands of Greece, Europe’s vast diversity means it can be hard to decide where to visit on the continent. Here, we’ve ranked our top tours of Europe to help you make up your mind.
Greece & Italy combined
Combining Greece and Italy on one longer trip gives you an enticing blend of these interwoven cultures, mixing ancient sites with Renaissance masterpieces, alluring islands with mountainside treks, world-class cuisine with award-winning wines.
Where to visit in Sicily
Beyond its azure waters and white pebbled beaches, Sicily offers a complex cultural experience, one that is seen in its Baroque churches, open-air markets, Greek ruins and complex cuisine. Discover why it’s the crossroads of the Mediterranean with Audley specialist Kimberly.
Visiting the Cinque Terre
The Cinque Terre is a collection of five historic fishing villages that are literally carved into the rocky shoreline of the Italian Riviera. Italy specialist Cara talks about walking along their seaside trails and eating basil gelato on a windy seaside terrace.
Our expert guide to exploring the Amalfi Coast & Capri
Italy specialist Caroline picks some of her top things to see and do on and around the Amalfi Coast and Capri. Highlights include driving along the Amalfi Coast, taking a boat tour of Capri, and hiking the Path of the Gods and Path of the Forts.
Best of Spain and Portugal
A private tour of the Alhambra, sipping wine in the sunny Douro River Valley, and watching a flamenco performance in Seville. Spain and Portugal specialist Talia picks some of her top experiences when visiting the Iberian Peninsula.
Introducing the Azores
A clutch of volcanic islands in the middle of the Atlantic, the Azores boast a vast array of landscapes. Portugal team member Jess discusses highlights of the archipelago, including cheese and wine tastings and a volcano that emerged in the 1950s.
Highlights of Iceland: volcanoes, glaciers, whales and waterfalls
Iceland is shaped by fire, ice and folklore. Whether you’re a summer or winter visitor, you’ll find lots to experience here, from whale watching to hiking through ice caves and even bathing in beer. Iceland specialist Katy shares her highlights.
A guide to Porto and the Douro Valley
There’s much more to Porto than the first four letters of its name, from walking tours to catamaran cruises. Portugal specialist Kevin shares his tips for exploring the city, and for spending time in the Douro Valley’s traditional towns and vineyards.
How to see Rome in four days
Discover Rome’s long history, from the half-ruined majesty of the Colosseum to a romantic burial yard for non-Catholics. Nick, a one-time resident, talks about what to see and do in Rome and how to beat the crowds at the Sistine Chapel.
Seeing the northern lights in Iceland: a Q&A
Located just south of the Arctic Circle, Iceland has one of the best positions for northern lights viewing in the world. We share our advice on how to witness the phenomenon, from joining guided tours to staying in well-located hotels.
A guide to the regions of Italy
A tour of a private palazzo, or a cooking class with a Sorrento grandmother? We highlight the major sights and unearth lesser-known attractions for some of our best-loved Italian regions, spotlighting tours that really explore their character.
Introducing Andalusia and Moorish Spain
For seven centuries, Moors ruled southern Spain’s Andalusia region. Spain expert Tom explores their legacy, which includes Islamic palaces, forbidding fortresses and a complex confluence of styles in one of Europe’s few synagogues to survive the Inquisition.
Hidden highlights of Tuscany
This guide describes some of the lesser-known highlights of the Tuscany region. Our Italy specialist Taylor has included her top things to see and do in Florence, Siena and San Gimignano as well as truffle hunting.
An insider’s guide to Istanbul, from the Hagia Sophia to fried-fish sandwiches
Bridging Asia and Europe, Istanbul effortlessly mingles modern commerce and ancient cultures. One-time resident Ninwa introduces you to the city she loves, from the big-name sights like the Grand Bazaar to the best place to buy fish sandwiches right off the boat.
In and around Madrid: our highlights
Gritty and gracious, Madrid boasts a lively street life, a trio of world-class museums and the largest palace in Western Europe. It’s also a good base for exploring some of Spain’s small medieval cities like Toledo, Ávila and Segovia.
Food highlights of Italy
Italy specialist Caroline talks about her love of Italian food in this guide, focusing on the more renowned culinary cities and regions. She also talks about her experiences of creating pasta, catching fresh fish for dinner in Sorrento, wine tasting in Tuscany's Chianti region and where to eat like a local.
Exploring Lisbon: a city guide
In Lisbon, you can visit a Moorish castle, explore the impacts of the devastating 1755 earthquake with a local guide, and experience a live fado performance. Here, Portugal specialist Geoff shares how to get the most out of your visit.
Introducing Puglia
Roman ruins, a Baroque city, sunbaked beaches and olive groves — Puglia is where Italians go to relax, away from the cruise-ship crowds. Specialist Cara talks about the region’s highlights and why it’s worth getting to know this quieter corner of Italy.
Experiences in Spain & Portugal's wine regions
Both Spain and Portugal are speckled with wine regions, from Spain’s northern Rioja region and Catalonia’s cava to the Douro Valley, which supplies Porto with its world-renowned port wines. Our specialists share their wine-tasting experiences, which can be planned into your tailor-made trip.
Best family holidays in Italy
Home to pizza, pasta, and pool villas, as well as gladiators and gelato, Italy's ideal for family holidays. Here, specialist Laura offers her top suggestions for the best experiences and hotels for a family trip to Italy.
Italy’s art cities: Venice, Florence and Rome
From classical Roman statues through Renaissance frescoes to modern installations, you can trace a complete history of Western art in Italy’s great cities. Specialist Kimberly talks about how to deal with the crowds as you take in these important works.
How to eat like the Romans do
Bold, powerful and deceptively simple, Roman cuisine is often overlooked. That’s a shame, says Italy specialist Nick, a one-time resident of Rome. He talks about where to eat the city’s signature dishes and why you shouldn’t buy bottled water when you visit.
Eat your way around Portugal
Portuguese food isn’t as well known as Spanish cuisine, but it holds similar charms. Discover why locals prefer bacalhau to fresh cod, where people line up to get custard tarts and why a small town bakes phallic pastries.
Secret canals & corners of Venice
Italy specialist Kimberly describes how to get off the beaten track in Venice and discover some of the city’s lesser-visited highlights. These include Venice’s lagoon islands, Castello, Cannaregio and Torcello and taking in the sights and sounds along the Zattere.
Unlocking Italy’s key Roman sites of Rome, Pompeii & Herculaneum
Italy has been at the forefront of so much: a military empire, art, architecture, cuisine and of course a penchant for style. For many however it’s still characterised by a handful of famous places. We highlight the key Roman sites of Rome, Pompeii and Herculaneum.
Cathedrals, monasteries and basilicas of Spain
Spain specialist and former Madrid resident Allan shares his nominations for the country’s most interesting cathedrals, monasteries and basilicas. His candidates include Montserrat’s mountain monastery, Córdoba’s multicultural Mezquita, and the Gothic glories of the cathedral in Barcelona.
The taste of Spain: a Spanish food guide
Food is central to Spanish life, both for locals and visitors. From saffron-scented paella and nutty jamón ibérico to convivial tapas and cold, creamy salmorejo, our specialists offer a sampling of the best dishes they’ve eaten in country.
Basilicas, cathedrals & churches in Italy’s art cities
The focal point of history and culture for over 2000 years, Italy is perhaps understandably also the world’s pre-eminent destination when it comes to its art and architecture. This guide highlights its basilicas, cathedrals and churches, and the priceless artworks contained within them.
