Douro Valley, Portugal

Europe tour ideas

You might be planning a whirlwind tour of ancient capitals, a food-and-wine-themed route across the Mediterranean or looking to explore the art and architecture of the Renaissance. Whatever your interests, our Europe specialists will put together a tailor-made itinerary to help you make the most of your time.

These suggested tours aim to give you a basic starting point and show you what’s possible. But, when it comes to planning your trip, we’ll create a personal itinerary based on your interests and time frame. From Roman ruins to Russian palaces and Spanish vineyards to Icelandic hot springs, our Europe specialists can help introduce you to landmark places to visit in Europe as well as little-known attractions along the way.

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Audley Travel Specialist George

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Ideas for your trip to Europe

These itineraries are designed to give you some suggestions for what is possible when you travel in Europe, and they showcase some of the routes that we've found work particularly well. Treat them simply as inspiration, because your trip will be created uniquely for you by one of our specialists based on your particular tastes and interests.

  • St. Petersburg, St. Petersburg

    St Petersburg weekend break

    • See the many treasures of the Hermitage, one of the world's best art galleries.

    • Visit the Peter and Paul Fortress, the city's first permanent building.

    • See the Catherine Palace and marvel at the phenomenal wealth of the Tsars.

    • Explore the beautiful canals and grand buildings of one of the world's prettiest cities.

    4 days from £1,195pp

  • Giant's Causeway

    Self-drive tour: highlights of the north

    • Explore the Antrim Coast, including the Giant’s Causeway.

    • Walk the footsteps of Jon Snow as you visit Game of Thrones filming sites.

    • Try your hand at archery and axe throwing with a private instructor.

    • Hike along the Slieve League cliffs and through Glenveagh National Park in Donegal.

    6 days from £1,610pp

  • Loch Morlich, the Cairngorms National Park

    Edinburgh and the Cairngorms National Park

    • Take a food tour of Edinburgh's New Town with a food writer.

    • Explore Rothiemurchus Estate in the Cairngorms with a countryside ranger, ending with a champagne picnic.

    • Go horseback riding through the largest swathe of Scots Caledonian pine forest left in Europe.

    • Enjoy a whisky and folklore tour in the heart of Edinburgh.

    • Take a distillery tour and tasting paired with locally made artisan chocolates.

    6 days from £1,850pp

  • Honfleur, Normandy

    Self-drive tour: Saint-Malo, Bayeux & Honfleur

    • Enjoy the freedom of your own car on this self-drive trip. Audley can arrange a rental vehicle for you if you require one.

    • Spend a day with a guide at Gold and Sword beaches, the British D-Day landing sites.

    • Taste locally made Calvados at an immersive, interactive experience.

    • Visit the abbey-topped island village of Mont Saint-Michel, which dates back to the 8th century.

    6 days from £1,925pp

  • Hagia Sophia

    Istanbul to Kalkan

    • Marvel at the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul.

    • Experience the delights of Turkish cuisine.

    • See the limestone terraces of Pamukkale.

    • Take a boat trip out to the sunken city of Kekova.

    8 days from £1,995pp

  • Local houses, Nafplio

    Athens & Nafplio

    • Soak up the history of ancient Athens and the modern Acropolis Museum on a private tour.

    • Kayak to a deserted beach for a swim and snorkel.

    • Visit the pretty, traffic-free island of Hydra.

    • Explore the ancient ruins and beehive tombs at Mycenae archaeological site.

    • Enjoy the freedom of a rental car to explore the Peloponnese.

    7 days from £1,995pp

  • Castle Aragonese, Ischia

    Naples & the island of Ischia

    • Discover the original relics from Pompeii on a privately guided tour of Naples Archaeological Museum.

    • Hike the panoramic trails of Ischia and enjoy lunch at a traditional agritourismo.

    • Explore the cosmopolitan city of Naples on a guided walking tour.

    • Relax at Ischia’s thermal baths and beaches.

    7 days from £2,085pp

  • St. Petersburg, St. Petersburg

    Classic Russia tour

    • See the Kremlin, Red Square and St Basil's Cathedral.

    • Explore one of the world's biggest and best art collections in the Hermitage.

    • Wander along St Petersburg's canals.

    • See one of the Tsars' sumptuous summer palaces.

    8 days from £2,350pp

  • Twin lakes, Sete Cidades, São Miguel

    Lisbon and the Azores

    • Explore the largest city in the Azores, Ponta Delgada, on a private walking tour.

    • Visit the twin lakes of Sete Cidades by bicycle and 4x4.

    • Embark on a whale- and dolphin-watching tour outside Ponta Delgada.

    • Hear traditional Portuguese fado music at a special dinner in Lisbon.

    • Discover the history of Lisbon on a private walking tour.

    • Tour the vibrant and eclectic palaces of Sintra.

    7 days from £2,380pp

  • Pena Palace, Sintra

    Lisbon & the Algarve: Portugal self-drive tour

    • Tour Lisbon’s historical heart and sample some local delicacies.

    • Explore the eccentric palaces and gardens of Sintra.

    • Visit Roman ruins in the historic city of Évora in the heart of the Alentejo countryside.

    • Learn how to cook traditional Algarvian Cataplana.

    • Hike the Algarve coastline near Lagos.

    10 days from £2,500pp

  • Tram and Cityscape, Lisbon

    Highlights of Lisbon & Marrakesh

    • Experience the best of Lisbon on a guided tour through the city's historic districts.

    • Witness the whimsical architecture of Sintra's palaces.

    • Hike Morocco’s High Atlas Mountains and visit a local family for a cup of mint tea.

    • Immerse yourself in the spice-scented souqs of Marrakesh.

    • Tour the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca.

    8 days from £2,520pp

  • Château des Milandes, Dordogne, France

    Self-drive tour: Bordeaux & Dordogne

    • Enjoy the freedom of your own car on this self-drive trip. Audley can arrange a rental vehicle for you if you require one.

    • Try wine blending in a reclaimed Bordeaux townhouse.

    • Visit Padirac Cave and cruise along its underground river in the Dordogne.

    • Explore the gardens and chateaux of the Dordogne.

    8 days from £2,550pp

  • Snæfellsnes Peninsula

    The Golden Circle and west Iceland

    • Witness the mighty Geysir erupt as you explore the Golden Circle.

    • Learn about traditional Icelandic cuisine on a private food tour of Reykjavík.

    • Soak in the astounding scenery of the islands and mountains north of Snæfellsnes Peninsula on a boat trip with a fresh sushi feast served on board.

    • Explore Langjökull Glacier from tunnels which take you into the glacier itself.

    7 days from £2,550pp

  • Kilchurn Castle

    Whisky & wildlife on Scotland's west coast and islands (self-drive tour)

    • Enjoy the freedom of your own car on this self-drive trip. Audley can arrange a rental vehicle for you if required.

    • Take a distillery tour and tasting at one of Islay's world-renowned distilleries.

    • Explore the islands in Oban Bay on foot and by bicycle, spotting wildlife with a private guide.

    • Kayak on Loch Lomond, surrounded by mountains.

    • Take a wildlife cruise along Islay's shoreline to spy seals and porpoises.

    8 days from £2,590pp

  • Amboise, Loire Valley

    Self-drive tour: The Loire Valley

    • Enjoy the freedom of your own car on this self-drive trip. Audley can arrange a rental vehicle for you if required.

    • Soar over the French countryside on a sunset hot air balloon ride.

    • Cycle through cavernous wine cellars before tasting local wine.

    • Visit three medieval chateaux and enjoy a cruise under the arches at Château de Chenonceau.

    6 days from £2,625pp

  • Brussels Grand Place, Belgium

    Brussels & Amsterdam by rail

    • Wander Amsterdam's canal-lined cobbled streets on a tasting tour.

    • Spend the day in historic Bruges.

    • Visit the traditional fishing towns of Marken and Volendam.

    • Explore historic Brussels by foot with a private guide.

    7 days from £2,670pp

  • Aerial view of farmer's market, Freiburg

    Self-drive tour: Luxembourg, Freiburg, Munich, Innsbruck & Zurich

    • Enjoy the freedom of your own car on this self-drive trip. Audley can arrange a rental vehicle for you if you require one.

    • Visit the scenic but little-explored Luxembourg countryside.

    • Sample fine Swiss cheeses and chocolate direct from their producers.

    • Experience the attractions of six different countries, each with its own appeal.

    • Dine on Austrian specialties while enjoying a classic Tyrolean folk show.

    12 days from £2,730pp

  • Hagia Sophia

    Istanbul & Cappadocia

    • Explore Istanbul's highlights, such as the Blue Mosque and Spice Market.

    • Take a leisurely cruise along the Bosphorus admiring Europe on one side and Asia on the other.

    • Fly high above Cappadocia on a sunrise hot air balloon ride.

    • Try your hand at mastering Turkish cuisine on a cooking class with a local family.

    8 days from £2,730pp

  • Pergamon Acropolis

    Historic tour of Turkey

    • Experience the delights of Turkish cuisine.

    • Visit the poignant WWI battlefields of Gallipoli.

    • Explore the ancient ruined city of Pergamon.

    • Enjoy time to explore the characterful Alacati.

    • Marvel at the ruins of Ephesus.

    9 days from £2,875pp

  • Connemara scenery

    Self-drive tour: west coast adventure

    • Visit the Aran Island Inis Oírr for a tour and lobster lunch.

    • Boat through Killary Fjord and hike back along the Famine Trail.

    • Horse ride on the beaches of Sligo while learning about the local history.

    • Sleep under the stars in a bubble dome.

    7 days from £2,945pp

  • The Quiraing, Isle of Skye

    West Highlands and the Isle of Skye (self-drive tour)

    • Enjoy the freedom of driving your own car. Audley can arrange a rental vehicle for you if required.

    • Hike through Glencoe's untamed landscapes with your private local guide.

    • Enjoy an evening of Scottish storytelling in a classic hiker's pub.

    • Go sea kayaking to explore hidden coves and secluded beaches.

    • Take a foraging walk and try your hand at gin distilling on the Isle of Skye.

    10 days from £2,995pp

  • St Basil's, Moscow

    Moscow, St Petersburg & the Golden Ring tour

    • Explore the Kremlin and Armoury complex and see Russia's Fabergé Eggs.

    • Explore the art of the Hermitage State Museum.

    • Take a hydrofoil into the Gulf of Finland to visit Peter the Great’s palace.

    • Explore the palace of Catherine the Great at Tsarskoe Selo, home to the Amber Room.

    10 days from £2,995pp

  • Ribera Market, Bilbao

    Basque Country Explorer: Bilbao, La Rioja & San Sebastián

    • Visit the world-renowned Guggenheim Museum.

    • Experience traditional Basque culture with lunch at a secretive gastronomic society.

    • Drive and hike through the verdant vineyards of La Rioja.

    • Taste a variety of Rioja wines and indulge in delicious Basque pintxos.

    • Cross the border into France and explore more of the Basque coastline.

    7 days from £3,070pp

  • Plaka, Athens

    Athens & the Peloponnese

    • Soak up the history of ancient Athens and the winding lanes of Plaka on a private tour.

    • Visit a local olive oil producer and learn about the importance of olive oil to the Greeks.

    • Sail along the coast of the Peloponnese on a private boat.

    • Stay on the island of Hydra where all transportation is carried out by mule.

    9 days from £3,120pp

  • St Peters Statue at the Vatican, Rome

    Italy Beyond the Summer

    • Learn to cook like a Tuscan at a Florentine cooking class with a local chef.

    • Experience local life in Venice away from the throngs on a food tour of Venetian wine bars called bacari.

    • Tour Naples Archaeological Museum with a private guide and see original objects from Pompeii.

    • Visit the Vatican Museums with your private guide and see the Sistine Chapel at its least crowded.

    12 days from £3,155pp

  • Duomo Santa Maria Del Fiore, Florence

    Florence and Rome Explored

    • Uncover the secrets of the Colosseum and Roman Forum on a private tour.

    • Marvel at the majesty of the Sistine Chapel ceiling and St Peter's Basilica.

    • Visit Siena and San Gimignano and have lunch in a local Tuscan farmhouse.

    • Visit Michelangelo's iconic 'David' and explore the opulent Pitti Palace in Florence.

    8 days from £3,205pp

  • Wine tasting

    Highlights of Lisbon & Porto

    • Listen to melancholy fado music over a traditional dinner in Lisbon.

    • Learn about Lisbon’s history on a walking tour with stops to sample local delicacies.

    • Witness the whimsical architecture in Sintra.

    • Take a panoramic tour of Porto ending with a port wine tasting.

    • Discover the wines and landscapes of the Douro Valley on a full-day excursion.

    7 days from £3,215pp

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