The best European tours, from tracking lynx to eating your way around Puglia
Certain times of the year conjure dreams of certain types of holiday ─ like the allure of the Alps in autumn when everyone’s gearing up for their ski holidays, or city breaks in spring.
When you’re forward-planning, it can be hard to decide on one single place with so many enticing options to choose from. Especially if you want to pack in as much culture and sightseeing as possible. And with seasons to contend with, you want to be mindful of the weather, especially if you’re looking to explore the lakes of Slovenia, say, or the mountains of Switzerland.
This is where escorted European tours are worth their weight in gold. With everything taken care of, from the activities and excursions to the travel and accommodation, escorted tours are the best (and easiest) way to tick your bucket-list destinations off in style. They take all the hassle and hard decisions out of your hands and instead present you with itineraries based on locations. Not only this, but the A to B stuff is all taken care of too, so you can just come along and enjoy the holiday.
Our tours in Europe bookend some pretty fantastic experiences, too, with free time in which to explore your destination for the night, cultural guided tours around major attractions, and events like wine tastings, flower festivals and music concerts. And if you’re struggling to pick one, you could even combine a few for an uber-indulgent, ultimate tour of Europe spread over the year.
For a 2024 trip with like-minded people, see our collection of favourite escorted Europe tours, below.
Switzerland
Right in the heart of Europe, Switzerland is a small country with boundless beauty. On the one hand you have the mighty snow-capped mountains – which morph from wintry wonderlands to summery scenes so colourful you might expect Julie Andrews to sing her way around every corner.
On the other, you get luxury hotels on shimmering lakes, fairytale towns with medieval streets to wander, and the lush ranges of the Jura. There are some fantastic ways to experience Switzerland – lake cruises are popular, as are road trips – but perhaps one of the loveliest ways to take in that scenery is by train, traversing peaks, ravines and dramatic passes along the way.
We recommend… a luxury take on the Alps and lakes
Enjoy the Swiss Alps up close with this five-day escorted group tour, which features a three-course lunch on the Glacier Express, cruises on Lake Thun and Lake Lucerne, and four nights at the Hotel Metropole in Interlaken.
Spain
From city breaks in Barcelona to family activities in the Balearics, holidays to Spain aren’t just about kicking back on the beach. Each region has a distinct personality that sets it apart from its neighbour, offering travellers a wonderfully broad scope of holidays to pick from – every time they visit.
Some love the warm, sunny costas of Valencia, or the mountainous Pyrenees of Aragon, while others might opt to explore the foodie hotspots of Pais Vasco, or the architectural splendour of Andalucía. Home to Seville, flamenco, the Sierra de Andújar National Park, and incredible wildlife – like the endangered Iberian lynx – Andalucía is perhaps one of the most exciting regions of Spain, and is as ideal for returning holidaymakers as it is for first-timers.
We recommend… seeking wildlife and culture in Andalucía
If you’re after a broad taste of this wonderful region, consider mixing history and architecture with foodie forays and wildlife-spotting experiences on this four-night escorted tour.
For those looking to bank a few more cultural moments, this small-group, six-day tour of Andalucía encompasses buzzy tapas bars, a flamenco performance, horse shows, wine tasting and so much more.
Italy
Let it be said that there is nowhere quite like Italy when it comes to food. From Lombardy to Sicily, every region has its culinary trove of epicurean delights – of which every city, town and even rural village has its own take. For instance, in Puglia you might see the same dishes menu to menu, but subtle variations distinguish it from one place to the next, even if that’s down the road.
If food stories are your thing, Puglia should be high on your agenda. Not only does it have a fantastic reputation for serving exceptionally great-tasting plates using fresh, local ingredients and recipes passed down through generations, but it’s also still relatively cheap, especially if you head away from the touristy hotspots. Emilia-Romagna is another fabulous foodie option. Described as the gastronomical city of Italy, Bologna’s regional delicacies include Parmesan, Prosciutto di Parma and Mortadella – firm favourites on the international dining scene.
We recommend… guided gourmet getaways
You can spend six days enjoying the gourmet highlights of beautiful Puglia with this small group tour. You and seven other guests will get to dine at local restaurants, visit a historic bakery, make your own pasta, and attend olive oil tasting sessions, as well as join cultural visits to the ancient cave dwellings of Matera and Trulli of Alberobello.
This six-day tour of Bologna and Modena is perfect for gourmands looking to delve into the culinary heart of Emilia-Romagna, with visits to a Parmesan factory, Balsamic vineyard, and Parma ham producer in Bologna, plus trips to the grand Duomo, Ferrari and Lamborghini museums, and a cookery class in Modena.
Slovenia
Slovenia is having a moment. With a consistently growing popularity, travellers are cottoning onto the fact that you can have a magical holiday with everything you want in a typical European destination – but without the crowds.
Beautiful Lake Bled beckons with its emerald waters at the foot of snow-dusted mountains; Ljubljana is uniquely atmospheric with its cobbled streets and cafe culture; caves and canyons are breathtaking in their magnificent size; and there are forests galore to explore. The splendid natural landscapes are certainly something to behold here.
Add to this a melting pot of historical influences and a burgeoning food scene, and you’ll understand why so many in-the-know globetrotters have this European country high on their holiday hotlists.
We recommend… slow, scenic encounters and a focus on cuisine
If you’re looking for more of a gastronomical take on Slovenia, this six-day tour features truffle hunting in Istria, wine tasting in Vipava Valley, herbal tea tasting in Gornji Grad, and a brewery tour (plus tasting) in Kamnik. Add to that, trips to Lake Bled, Tolmin Gorge walks, and cave tours, and you’ll leave with a well-rounded picture of what makes Slovenia so special.
Netherlands
Famous for its canals, tulips, windmills, clogs and cycling, the allure of the Netherlands is hard to resist. The Dutch country is home to some captivating cities, too – the gabled facades and waterways of Amsterdam, modern architecture of Rotterdam, and the cobbled streets and Gothic spires of Maastricht are all equally as enchanting in their own right.
There’s plenty to keep you busy when it comes to culture, especially in Amsterdam where the Van Gogh Museum, Rijksmuseum, and Anne Frank House are absolute musts, and the music scene – especially when it comes to classical music concerts and dance shows – is diverse, with events held regularly throughout the country.
We recommend… musical magic in Maastricht
Born in Maastricht, legendary violinist and conductor André Rieu is one of the Netherlands’ home-grown treasures, and you can see the ‘Waltz King’ play on this short two-night tour in July. Eurostar/flights and hotels are also included.
Portugal
With the rolling vineyards of the Douro Valley, the buzz of elegant Lisbon, the natural island beauty of Madeira, and the beautiful beaches of the Algarve, it’s no wonder people return to Portugal time and time again. There really is something for everyone, and that’s before even mentioning its culinary heritage or cultural events.
Cruises will always be one of the most popular traditional ways to experience Portugal, especially Madeira and the Douro Valley. But for those who prefer travelling on terra firma, new hotels pop up all the time, cultural events – like the nail-biting surf championships in Nazaré, or Madeira’s spectacular Flower Festival – attract visitors in their droves, and more ‘out-there’ experiences like soaking in Longroiva’s thermal hot springs keep things interesting.
We recommend… thermal dips and flower festivals
On this eight-day adventure you’ll get to taste wines in the vineyards of the Douro Valley, enjoy a river cruise in Porto, head to Aveiro (the 'Venice of Portugal') to take in the canals, and take a dip in the thermal hot springs of Longroiva.
You could also peg your Portugal trip to the 2024 Flower Festival in Madeira, the 'Floating Garden of the Atlantic'. This eight-day tour includes visits to spectacular spots like Funchal Botanical Gardens and the Quinta do Arco Rose Garden, and you’ll have time to wander around Funchal.
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