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Douro Valley, Portugal

Europe tour ideas
Douro Valley, Portugal

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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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.

Europe tour ideas

Europe tour ideas

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Europe tour ideas

Europe tour ideas

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  • Hagia Sophia, Istanbul

    Highlights of Istanbul

    Turkey

    • Explore Istanbul's highlights, such as the Basilica Cistern and Spice Market.

    • Marvel at the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul.

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

    5 days from £1,380pp

  • Erechtheum, Athens

    Highlights of Athens

    Greece

    • Discover the history of ancient Athens exploring the Acropolis and the Acropolis Museum with a private guide.

    • Eat your way around Athens on a private food walking tour sampling different snacks from local eateries.

    • Enjoy a Greek dinner with a local Athenian in their home.

    5 days from £1,820pp

  • Ponte Vecchio, Florence

    Highlights of Florence

    Italy

    • Experience artisan shops and markets to sample and peruse locally crafted items.

    • Visit some of the most iconic art and sculptures in the world.

    • Embark on a truffle hunt, paired with a multi course traditional meal.

    • Learn Florentine cooking techniques alongside a local chef.

    5 days from £2,155pp

  • Plaza de España, Seville

    Highlights of Seville and Córdoba

    Spain

    • Explore the historic highlights of Seville from the Moorish Alcazar to the soaring Giralda bell tower.

    • Take in a traditional flamenco performance.

    • Marvel at the unique architecture in Córdoba’s Mezquita.

    • Experience a traditional Andalusian horse show.

    6 days from £2,270pp

  • Gondolas, Venice

    Highlights of Venice

    Italy

    • Create your own Venetian mask with a master mask maker.

    • Uncover hidden areas of the Doge’s Palace leading to St Mark’s Square on a private tour.

    • Visit Murano and Burano by private boat.

    • Taste the local cuisine on a private Bacaro and Chiccetti food tour.

    5 days from £2,735pp

  • Local houses, Nafplio

    Athens & Nafplio

    Greece

    • 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 £2,760pp

  • Trevi Fountain, Rome

    Highlights of Rome

    Italy

    • Admire the wonderful views of Rome on a Vespa tour.

    • Create your own pizza and gelato.

    • Sample selected regions of wine and food hosted by a sommelier.

    • Learn about Rome's ancient history on a guided private tour.

    5 days from £2,875pp

  • Panoramic city view, Bologna

    Culinary getaway to Bologna

    Italy

    • Explore local markets with samples along the way.

    • Learn to prepare local and traditional Italian cuisine.

    • Take a guided walking tour around this historic city.

    • Visit globally renowned gastronomic capitals.

    5 days from £2,975pp

  • Twin lakes, Sete Cidades, São Miguel

    Lisbon & the Azores

    Portugal

    • 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 £3,095pp

  • Hagia Sophia

    Istanbul & Cappadocia

    Turkey

    • 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 £3,140pp

  • Pena Palace, Sintra

    Lisbon & the Algarve: Portugal self-drive tour

    Portugal

    • 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 £3,165pp

  • Snæfellsnes Peninsula

    The Golden Circle & west Iceland

    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 £3,250pp

  • Driving in southeast Iceland

    Iceland's hidden highlights self-drive

    Iceland

    • Take a privately guided Superjeep tour to Þjórsárdalur in Iceland’s southern highlands, exploring its verdant valleys and dramatic waterfalls.

    • Climb a volcano and catch views of the south coast’s glaciers from the Westman Islands.

    • Explore the verdant, craggy landscape of Eldhraun: the world’s largest lava field.

    • See one of Iceland’s largest puffin colonies and learn more about Icelandic folklore in the Eastfjords.

    10 days from £3,545pp

  • Monastery, Troodos Mountains

    Cyprus mountains & beach break

    Cyprus

    • Explore a UNESCO-protected monastery in the Troodos Mountains.

    • Visit a local basket weaver and create your own basket on an artisan tour.

    • Sip some Cypriot wine at a family-run winery.

    • Visit the archaeological site of Ancient Kourion and its well-preserved Roman villas.

    8 days from £3,555pp

  • Castle Aragonese, Ischia

    Naples & the island of Ischia

    Italy

    • 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 agriturismo.

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

    • Relax at Ischia’s thermal baths and beaches.

    7 days from £3,600pp

  • Wine tasting

    Highlights of Lisbon & Porto

    Portugal

    • 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 £4,065pp

  • Gothic Quarter, Barcelona

    Barcelona & the Costa Brava

    Spain

    • Take in the virtuoso modernist architecture of Antoni Gaudí.

    • Explore Barcelona’s tangled medieval streets and glittering modern waterfront by bicycle.

    • Shop for ingredients and prepare your own paella with a professional chef.

    • Visit Dalí’s birthplace and tour the medieval heart of Girona.

    • Relax on the Costa Brava.

    7 days from £4,160pp

  • St Peters Statue at the Vatican, Rome

    Italy beyond the summer

    Italy

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

    • 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.

    9 days from £4,225pp

  • St Mark's Square, Venice

    Italy's art cities: Venice, Florence & Rome

    Italy

    • Uncover Venice's hidden past by visiting secret chambers within the Doge's Palace.

    • Discover the secrets of Ancient Rome on a private tour of the Colosseum.

    • Marvel at Michelangelo's masterpiece on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel with a private guide.

    • Experience Baroque art through Caravaggio's most famous works in the Borghese Gallery and Santa Maria del Popolo Church.

    • Travel Venice's Grand Canal in style by arriving at your hotel via a private boat.

    10 days from £4,280pp

  • Plaka, Athens

    Athens & the Peloponnese

    Greece

    • 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 £4,280pp

  • Duomo Santa Maria Del Fiore, Florence

    Florence & Rome explored

    Italy

    • 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 £4,435pp

  • Ribera Market, Bilbao

    Basque Country explorer: Bilbao, La Rioja & San Sebastián

    Spain

    • 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 £4,610pp

  • Hagia Sophia

    Istanbul to Kalkan

    Turkey

    • 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 £4,795pp

  • Tram and cityscape, Lisbon

    Highlights of Lisbon & Marrakesh

    Morocco and Portugal

    • 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 £4,835pp

  • Vineyards, Pico

    Highlights of the Azores

    Portugal

    • Enjoy a historic walking tour of Ponta Delgada with tastings in the local market.

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

    • Try local cozido, food cooked in the hot springs of Furnas.

    • Hike through the lava stone vineyards of Pico.

    • Discover the island of Faial and its Capelinhos Volcano.

    • Learn about the history of Terceira on a walk through its capital city, Angra do Heroísmo.

    11 days from £4,890pp

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Santorini, Greece