Top Travel Ideas for Exploring Europe
Senior Travel Writer
Skip the tourist traps and explore Europe like a local when you book your spot one of these Euro-adventures.
You’ll never tire of trips to Europe – especially if you follow the path less travelled and discover some of the continent’s most majestic places. Far from the chime of Big Ben and the baguette-scented cafes of Paris, you’ll find medieval walled cities in Croatia, wondrous snowscapes in Iceland and coastlines to die for in Italy. Book one of these small-group trips and explore Europe off the beaten path.
Dive deep into Europe’s medieval past in Croatia
Hugged by the shimmering Adriatic Sea, Croatia is an explorer’s dream. Once you’ve admired Split’s beautiful Roman and Venetian architecture, cool off on a kayaking trip around Marjan Hill. After hitting Hvar’s bars and beaches, a visit to Vis island’s mesmerising Blue Cave will soon calm your thumping head, preparing you for a wine and cycling trip to Lumbarda. Bid farewell in medieval Dubrovnik, with its photogenic limestone streets, baroque buildings and 13th-century city walls.
From US$1844
Next available from 29th Mar 2024
Secure your spot with a low deposit
Trip highlights and details
STARTS AT
Split, Croatia
ENDS AT
Dubrovnik, Croatia
DURATION
8
GROUP SIZE
16
PHYSICAL RATING
Moderate
STYLE
Discovery
Cruise along the Amalfi Coast in southern Italy
Ever dreamt of bathing in golden sunshine on a secluded Italian beach? Or of cruising along the alluring Amalfi Coast on a private boat trip? On this 10-day journey through southern Italy, you’ll do just that, and much more – it’s a postcard-perfect trip and an ideal way to explore Europe. You’ll visit picturesque Puglian villages, tuck into authentic street food in Naples and cycle through the idyllic Itria Valley by e-bike before winding up on the Adriatic coast.
From US$1766
Next available from 14th Oct 2023
Secure your spot with a low deposit
Trip highlights and details
STARTS AT
Naples, Italy
ENDS AT
Lecce, Italy
DURATION
10
GROUP SIZE
14
PHYSICAL RATING
Easy
STYLE
Discovery
Escape to Iceland’s frozen wilderness
If Iceland wasn’t a staple on your Europe trip itinerary before, it will be after this five-day adventure. Far more than a layover country, the Land of Fire and Ice holds natural treasures of which you’ll never tire. Hiking the frozen glacial tongue of Sólheimajökull will be an achievement you bring up at countless dinners, and the photos of you nonchalantly soaking in the Blue Lagoon will always just happen to pop up when a friend asks to borrow your phone.
From US$2369
Next available from 21st Oct 2023
Secure your spot with a low deposit
Trip highlights and details
STARTS AT
Reykjavik, Iceland
ENDS AT
Reykjavik, Iceland
DURATION
5
GROUP SIZE
16
PHYSICAL RATING
Moderate
STYLE
Discovery
Go island-hopping in the Greek Cyclades
We’ve all dreamt of a dreamy Mediterranean escape in Greece, no? The hardest part is choosing your destination – would you prefer the storied grandeur of ancient Athens, or the quiet, idyllic beaches of Milos? Then there’s the winding alleyways of charming Naxos, and the whitewashed walls and blue-domed roofs of Santorini, perfect for a sunset dinner. Well, as you may have guessed by now, we’ll take you to all four on this extensive eight-day exploration of Hellas. See the sights in the capital before heading off the beaten path as you hop from island to island, relaxing on undiscovered beaches, enjoying a tranquil boat cruise and preparing your own traditional three-course meal along the way.
From US$2056
Next available from 28th Apr 2024
Secure your spot with a low deposit
Trip highlights and details
STARTS AT
Athens, Greece
ENDS AT
Santorini Island, Greece
DURATION
8
GROUP SIZE
16
PHYSICAL RATING
Light
STYLE
Discovery
Explore Central Europe by train
There’s something so romantic about whizzing from old medieval city to even older medieval city from the comfort of a modern train carriage. This 10-day Rail Trip is a love letter to classic Europe, starting in Berlin and calling at Prague, Vienna and Bratislava en route to our final destination, Budapest. You’ll get plenty of time to discover the historical and cultural quirks of each, exploring old towns on foot, seeing Berlin blend the old with the new, sipping local beer in Prague and chomping on a schnitzel dinner in Vienna. At the end of our city break adventure you’ll be able to reflect on a trip of the lifetime, first from the comfort of Budapest’s thermal baths, before seeing out the night in one of the city’s trendy ruin bars.
From US$2473
Next available from 13th Apr 2024
Secure your spot with a low deposit
Trip highlights and details
STARTS AT
Berlin, Germany
ENDS AT
Budapest, Hungary
DURATION
10
GROUP SIZE
18
PHYSICAL RATING
Light
STYLE
Discovery
Chloe Thrussell, Elle Redman and Gethin Morgan contributed to this article.
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