Douro Valley, Portugal

Europe tour ideas

These tour ideas are designed by our specialists, who've traveled the routes themselves and have a guidebook-like knowledge of Europe. Each trip idea highlights a route we've loved traveling, which showcases aspects of Europe we're passionate about, not just the run-of-the-mill tourist circuits.

Use these ideas to give you a starting point, some inspiration, as you decide what you want to do on your trip to Europe. Then speak to us and we'll start to bring your trip to life to suit your tastes.

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Audley Travel Specialist Brittany

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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, Russia

    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 $1,140pp

  • 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 $2,515pp

  • 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 $2,805pp

  • 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 $2,995pp

  • 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 $3,220pp

  • Twin lakes, Sete Cidades, São Miguel

    Lisbon & 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 $3,305pp

  • 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 $3,500pp

  • Old Midleton Distillery

    Distilleries of Scotland & Ireland

    • Walk the quirky streets of Glasgow on an orientation tour.

    • Experience the whiskey reputation of Islay.

    • Explore the castles and Glens around Oban.

    • Taste a variety of whiskey in Speyside.

    • Marvel at the dramatic coastline of the Antrim Coast.

    • Experience a unique distillery tour in Dublin.

    10 days from $3,555pp

  • Pena Palace, Sintra

    Lisbon & the Algarve: Portugal Self-Drive

    • 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 $3,570pp

  • Connemara scenery

    Self-drive: 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 $3,690pp

  • St Basil's, Moscow

    Moscow, St Petersburg & the Golden Ring

    • 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 $3,820pp

  • Islay coastline

    Family Scottish adventure

    • Marvel as dancers and musicians perform cultural numbers inspired by Scotland's history and legends.

    • Spend the night in a castle.

    • Visit a traditional working farm to witness trained sheepdogs lead sheep through a variety of obstacles.

    • Watch out for Nessie on a Loch Ness boat trip.

    11 days from $3,865pp

  • Kildalton Cross, Islay

    West coast whisky, wildlife & castles

    • Explore Glasgow's vibrant street art with a local.

    • Visit some of Islay's iconic whisky distilleries for tastings.

    • Embark on a wildlife cruise around Islay's rugged coastline.

    • Drive through the mountains of Argyll, visiting several picturesque castles along the way.

    • Cycle along the shores of beautiful Loch Lomond.

    9 days from $4,080pp

  • Beehive hut on Inis Mor

    Ancient Ireland

    • Explore Newgrange — an ancient passage tomb that predates the Egyptian pyramids.

    • Spend the night in a 16th-century castle located on its own private island.

    • Drive along the spectacular Dingle Peninsula.

    • Visit the historic Rock of Cashel.

    10 days from $4,090pp

  • Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge

    Highlights of Northern Ireland

    • Explore the Antrim Coast including Giant’s Causeway and the Carrick-a-rede rope bridge.

    • Visit Ireland’s most northerly point, Malin Head.

    • Learn about traditional Irish life at the Glencolmcille Folk Village.

    • Discover the impressive Slieve League cliffs.

    • Glamp in a bubble dome and stargaze.

    9 days from $4,145pp

  • 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 $4,295pp

  • Belfast

    Game of Thrones tour of Northern Ireland

    • Tours at Game of Thrones locations across Northern Ireland (These tours are not official Game of Thrones tours and are not licensed, approved, or endorsed by Home Box Office, Inc., the owner of the trade marks for Game of Thrones.)

    • Experience an evening of folklore and storytelling at Dublin’s oldest pub.

    • Marvel at the Dark Hedges on the Antrim Coast.

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

    • Experience archery and axe throwing.

    • Capture the trip by taking a photo with the direwolves from the show.

    8 days from $4,325pp

  • The Cotswolds

    Historic south east England

    • Visit some of the prettiest villages in the Cotswolds with a local guide.

    • Take an afternoon tea lesson in London.

    • Marvel at the striking architecture and impressive history of Canterbury Cathedral.

    • Admire the White Cliffs of Dover.

    • Enjoy fish and chips in the pretty, medieval town of Rye.

    7 days from $4,330pp

  • Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon

    Classic Iceland self-drive

    • Eat your way around Reykjavík on a private food-focused walking tour.

    • Snorkel between the tectonic plates in Þingvellir National Park.

    • Wander through icy tunnels carved in the depths of Langjökull glacier.

    • Watch icebergs calve from glaciers and float across Jökulsárlón lagoon.

    9 days from $4,485pp

  • MacGillyCuddy's Reeks

    Family self-drive tour of Ireland

    • Learn the tales of the prisoners detained in Kilmainham Gaol on a shared tour of the former prison.

    • Kiss the Blarney Stone and explore the castle’s grounds.

    • Kayak on one of Killarney’s lakes to Innisfallen Island.

    • Spend two nights in a 16th-century castle.

    • Learn the rules of hurling on a hand-on Gaelic games experience.

    8 days from $4,510pp

  • Driving in West Iceland

    Iceland's Hidden Highlights self-drive

    • 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 $4,530pp

  • Nafplio, Nafplio

    Self-drive mainland Greece

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

    • Enjoy dinner with a local Athenian, learning about Greek food and culture.

    • Hike above the Meteora monasteries.

    • Explore the ancient ruins at Delphi and Olympia archaeological sites.

    • Stay in a villa in the seaside town of Nafplio.

    12 days from $4,605pp

  • 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.

    9 days from $4,655pp

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