The time to go to Europe is now. But where to go? We make it easy by listing one great tour in each country. (Well most of them - we omitted the mini-states). All of these are easy-going small-group discovery tours with the occasional active holiday thrown in.
Albania
Small Group Holiday
12 days from CA$2593
Explore five completely different countries in the Western Balkans, a little travelled corner of Europe. Discover Ottoman charm in Kosovo and see the grand monuments of Skopje, North Macedonia's capital before travelling into the country's canyons and mountains. Experience the magic of Lake Ohrid on a cruise, then delve into forgotten Albania where warm people, mountain villages and a bustling capital await. In Montenegro, spend some time in atmospheric Kotor, tucked between steep mountains and its bay, before entering Croatia and travelling to picture-perfect Dubrovnik.
Austria
Small-Ship Cruise
15 days from CA$9715
From festive Amsterdam in The Netherlands to stately Budapest in Hungary, this two-week river cruise along the Rhine, Main and Danube rivers immerses you in all that Europe is famous for - castles, thriving cities, vineyards, traditional foods, cultural events and centuries of history.
Belarus
Highlights of Belarus
Small Group Holiday
9 days from CA$2225
Castles, cathedrals, rich forests and soviet structures – Belarus is a diamond, shining with post-war intrigue. While much of the country has been shaped in some way by conflict, the result is a modern country where Soviet, Polish, Orthodox and Jewish influences meet in each city to create architectural wonderlands. In contrast, the sprawling medieval forests of Belovezhskaya Pushcha remain unravaged by man and just as full of curious history, riddled in the growth rings of the towering ancient oak trees. From marsh to metropolis, Belarus’ appeal lies in a tranquillity that needs to be experienced firsthand before it can be fully understood. Contact us for details
Belgium
Small Group Holiday, Self-Guided Trip, Small-Ship Cruise
8 days from CA$2390
Cycling along dikes, bike paths and small roads through the pretty countryside of the Netherlands and Belgium, encounter rivers, farms, small villages and hamlets, windmills and cafés. Take time to stop in some of the cities Holland and Flanders are famous for - relaxed Amsterdam, old Ghent (Gent) and pretty Bruges (Brugge) - and meet the locals who are always ready for a story and a chat.
Bosnia and Herzegovina
(with a side trip!)
Small-Ship Cruise
8 days from CA$3935
Endless Roman ruins, romantic Venetian towns and Byzantine churches. Sun-bleached hills descending to cobalt blue seas, which in turn straddle a coast dotted with picturesque isles. Cruising Croatia's Dalmatian Coast between Dubrovnik and Split on a small cruise boat allows you to get to places larger ships cannot go - like the glorious old town of Korčula on the island by the same name. Small sandy beaches, hidden coves, wineries that make world-class white wines, olive groves and sleepy villages await you in Croatia, along with trips inland to the gorgeous waterfalls of Krka National Park and a river trip to Mostar in Bosnia & Herzegovina.
Bulgaria
Small Group Holiday
15 days from CA$2930
This two-week tour of Romania, Bulgaria and Serbia has you discover the highlights of these countries that share so much history yet are so diverse. Visit the capitals of Bucharest, Belgrade and Sofia, explore the castles and fortress towns of Transylvania, discover ancient Roman ruins at Plovdiv, the Ottoman Citadel at Nis and Soviet monuments in Sofia and churches, monasteries and mosques everywhere.
Croatia
Small Group Holiday
7 days from CA$2099
Live like a local while you stay a whole week in a lovely farm villa near Dubrovnik on the Dalmatian Coast in southern Croatia. During the week there are some organized activities you can partake in but you are also completely free to explore on your own - visit Dubrovnik, taste local wines and olive oils, go to the beach, walk and bike the area or sail along stunning coastline.
Czech Republic
Small Group Holiday
11 days from CA$4195
Cycle quiet country lanes and bike paths and discover the castles, forgotten villages, river valleys, lakes and historic capitals of the Austro-Hungarian Empire of old.
Denmark
Small-Ship Cruise
8 days from US$6780
The old trading cities around the Baltic Sea each have a atmosphere uniquely their own. There is small but pretty Tallinn, the capital of Estonia, Saint Petersburg in Russia with its museums, cathedrals and palaces and the modern architecture and design of Finland's Helsinki. Two Scandinavian capitals, Denmark's Copenhagen and Sweden's Stockholm, mark the start and end of your cruise through this unique part of Europe.
Estonia
Small Group Holiday
12 days from CA$2479
The three Baltic Republics of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania share a common history but each of them is quite different. On this trip you will discover the capitals Tallinn, Riga and Vilnius, along with beautiful old town like Kaunas, beautiful scenery at Lahemaa and the dunes and beaches of the Curonian Spit. Then there are oddities such as crusader castles, the Hill of Crosses and a Soviet ballistic missile launch complex. This tour shows you all the highlights of these three fascinating countries.
Finland
Small Group Holiday
15 days from CA$5975
Tour Scandinavia from Bergen and Norway's Fjord, through Sweden's lakeland and its capital Stockholm, to the capital of design, Helsinki, in Finland. Discover spectacular landscapes, a Viking past and maritime heritage and, if you have an extra week to spare, visit Denmark's Copenhagen and Gothenburg with its nearby archipelago.
France
Small-Ship Cruise
8 days from CA$5114
Sailing from Lyon, France’s culinary capital, to Avignon (or vice versa), you will encounter the best of Provence. From vibrant cities to small villages, from colourful landscapes to beautiful vineyards, where classic wines such as local vintages like Beaujolais and Côtes du Rhône are produced, this river cruise will truly give you a taste of France's good life. Trace the steps of famous artists in Arles, visit the Palais des Papes, the Pont du Gard Roman aqueduct, or the medieval hilltop village, Les Baux de Provence. Combine this with stellar dining, a menu of excellent excursions (including cycling, hiking and wine tasting), and you have a cruise that is hard to beat.
Georgia
Small Group Holiday
14 days from CA$3749
Journey through the Caucasus, home to some of the oldest Christian cultures on Earth. Start in the capital of Armenia, Yerevan, and visit the monasteries the country is famous for: Khor Virap, Noravank and Geghard. Drive by Lake Sevan and visit medieval churches en-route to Georgia's capital Tbilisi.
In Georgia, enjoy stupendous views along the Georgian Military Highway and walk up through the village of Gergeti to the Holy Trinity church, set against the backdrop of Mount Kazbek. Visit Gori, the birthplace of Joseph Stalin, walk in some beautiful areas, explore the rock-hewn town of Uplistsikhe and try some of the wine the country is famous for.
Germany
Small-Ship Cruise
8 days from CA$4090
Take a river cruise from Basel in Switzerland along the Rhine through Germany and France to Amsterdam in the Netherlands (or vice versa), and explore vibrant cities, beautiful castles and charming villages. Combine this with stellar dining, a menu of excellent excursions (including cycling, hiking and wine tasting), and you have a wonderful cruise through the heart of Europe.
Greece
Small Group Holiday
15 days from CA$3499
Miles of turquoise coastline, sun-bleached ancient ruins, great food and a passionate people. Experience our Greece from the tavernas of the Greek islands to the monasteries of Meteora; from the oracle of Delphi to the Acropolis in Athens and from the hills and ravines of Crete to the sheer cliffs of Santorini. Come and discover Greece with us!
Hungary
Small Group Holiday
9 days from CA$2210
This tour of Central Europe combines three stunning yet very different cities of the former Habsburg empire. Start in beautiful Prague with its splendid old town and castle. From there spend some time in lovely Český Krumlov, before travelling to Imperial Vienna where Habsburg glory and grandeur contrast and fuse with contemporary architectural designs and where cozy coffee houses make you feel like you have entered someone's living room. Finally, Budapest, with its flamboyant architecture, its setting along the Danube and its medicinal thermal waters, makes for a great end of a week-long tour of Central Europe.
Iceland
Small Group Holiday
10 days from CA$4379
Iceland is raw, restless nature, stunning scenery, wonderful food and great people. Visit the original Geysir, the Viking parliament at Thingvellir and waterfalls like spectacular Gullfoss. Enjoy the beautiful coastline, the icy glaciers and the ever-present volcanoes and mountains and witness the Northern Lights in winter or the endless days of summer in this island paradise.
Ireland
Small Group Holiday
10 days from CA$3199
Travel to the Emerald Isle on this comprehensive sightseeing tour of all the highlights Ireland has to offer. The Aran Islands, the Cliffs of Moher and the Ring of Kerry are but some of the amazing places you will visit on the Wild Atlantic Way, while the walled city of Derry, Blarney Castle and the Rock of Cashel will each tell their story of the history of this beautiful country. Add to that visits to the Giant's Causeway, Belfast and Dublin, and you have a sightseeing tour of Ireland that's hard to beat.
Italy
Small Group Holiday
14 days from CA$4999
Italy, Oh Italy - land of la Vita Bella! Where style and flair live next to Michelangelo and Bellini. Where ancient Roman ruins stand next to Renaissance churches. Where picturesque hilltop towns look over verdant vineyards. Where good food and wine are a way of life. From the canals of Venice to the museums and churches of Rome and from the renaissance treasures of Florence to the stunning Amalfi Coast, this tour shows you all the highlights of Italy in a 2-week holiday.
Latvia
Small Group Holiday
11 days from CA$2879
Historic towns, forgotten villages and hamlets, a beautiful coastline and deep forests are all around you on this cycling trip through the three Baltic republics of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. Enjoy cities such as Tallinn, Riga and Vilnius, each with an atmosphere all their own, discover crusader castles and experience a region steeped in history.
Lithuania
Small Group Holiday
18 days from CA$5465
This tour through Poland, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia gives you a unique insight into often overlooked European historical dramas. From the restored old towns of Warsaw and Gdansk to the crusader castle at Malbork, Hitler's Wolf`s Lair and the Soviet occupation, the region brims with historical relevance. But there is much more of course. Beautiful Krakow, a cruise on the waters of the Baltic Sea and the Masurian Lakes, forgotten Saaremaa island and of course the capitals of the Baltic Republics: Vilnius, Riga and Tallinn. This adventure tour is a wonderful discovery of a quiet but beautiful corner of Europe.
Luxembourg
Self-Guided Trip, Small-Ship Cruise
8 days from CA$1259
The picturesque Moselle valley is at the heart of a famous wine-producing area in Germany. The region is home to the country's oldest town and a rick Roman and medieval history. An abundance of castles stand guard over pretty towns in a valley that offers relaxed cycling and an array of activities, historical sites and cultural traditions.
Moldova
Small Group Holiday
16 days from CA$4080
Our 2-week tour through Ukraine and Moldova is a journey through the borderland of Europe, a step back in time, giving glimpses of what much of Europe once was like. From Ukraine's capital Kyiv, which we explore by metro, we travel via a Strategic Missile Force Museum to the character-filled port city of Odesa on the Black Sea. Next, travel to Transnistria, a breakaway republic of the country Moldova. The capital of the latter, Chisinau, is visited next, followed by the church complex at Orheiul Vechi. Then it is back into Ukraine for a visit to pretty Kamianets-Podilskyi and lively Chernivtsi. Elegant Lviv is our last stop before we return to Kyiv for what is perhaps the most thought-provoking visit of your travels: the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone.
Montenegro
Small-Ship Cruise
8 days from US$4850
Beginning and ending in Venice, Italy, this cruise will explore the coastal towns and national parks of Croatia, the former Venetian Empire. From Venice you will sail to the glorious old town of Korčula, presumed birthplace of Marco Polo. Next you discover the “Pearl of the Adriatic”, Dubrovnik with its marble streets, baroque buildings and ancient city walls. From here you continue to the medieval city of Kotor on its spectacular bay before turning back up the coast to discover more gems, including Diocletian’s Palace in Split and the waterfalls of Krka.
Netherlands
Self-Guided Trip
8 days from CA$1690
This tour of The Netherlands shows you the country away from the tourist brochures. While you may come across the odd windmill and tulip, this self-guided cycling holiday through the heart of The Netherlands excites even Holland-born Adventure Coordinators' Tom Gehrels. Visit forgotten fishing villages, historic Hanseatic towns, indulge in the wide-open spaces and lakes of Friesland, the farmer's fields of Holland and the National Heritage Landscapes of Gelderland.
North Macedonia
Small Group Holiday
12 days from CA$2593
Explore five completely different countries in the Western Balkans, a little travelled corner of Europe. Discover Ottoman charm in Kosovo and see the grand monuments of Skopje, North Macedonia's capital before travelling into the country's canyons and mountains. Experience the magic of Lake Ohrid on a cruise, then delve into forgotten Albania where warm people, mountain villages and a bustling capital await. In Montenegro, spend some time in atmospheric Kotor, tucked between steep mountains and its bay, before entering Croatia and travelling to picture-perfect Dubrovnik.
Norway
Small Group Holiday
14 days from US$6162
Join us on a tour showing you the best of Norway from south to north. Start in the capital Oslo before travelling by train to Lillehammer, host of the 1994 Winter Olympics. Next is Lom, famous for its 12th century Stave Church. We use Lom as a base to take a boat trip on the spectacular Geirangerfjord before travelling through spectacular mountain and fjord country to the peaceful village of Aurland. We travel on the famous Flåm Railway, rated as one of Europe’s best rail journeys. After a day in lively Bergen we board the coastal ferry system for a 5-day cruise along the stunning west coast of Norway.
Poland
Small Group Holiday
8 days from CA$1670
Visit three splendid historical cities in Poland - the capital Warsaw, the "Venice of Poland" Wroclaw and Krakow, showcasing Europe's best-preserved medieval market square. This one-week tour of Poland shows you the highlights and has plenty of free time for your own discoveries.
Portugal
Small Group Holiday
8 days from CA$2475
With a legacy of empire, Portugal offers a wealth of charming historical towns, splendid cities like Porto and Lisbon, monasteries and great food. Add to this the beguiling landscapes like the Douro Valley and welcoming people and you have a one-week tour that is hard to beat
Romania
Small Group Holiday
10 days from CA$2849
Romania is a forgotten corner of Europe, a country of medieval towns, fortified churches and small villages, a land where traditions live strong. This journey takes in the best of Romania, from the wooden churches in Maramureș, the Saxon villages in Transylvania, and the beautiful town of Sighisoara.
Russia
Small Group Holiday
10 days from CA$2840
Russia's main cities Moscow and St. Petersburg are well-known, what with Moscow's Red Square and Kremlin and St. Petersburg palaces, canals and the world famous Hermitage Museum. This tour shows you all that but adds the towns and villages of the Golden Ring: Sergiev Posad with its Trinity Monastery of Saint Sergius, Vladimir with its Cathedrals of the Assumption and Saint Demetrius, and Suzdal, arguably the most beautiful of all the old cities in the Golden Ring. This ten-day historic tour of Russia is one you will not easily forget.
Serbia
Small-Ship Cruise
15 days from CA$8179
From well beyond the old Iron Curtain, this river cruise will show you all the gems of South Eastern Europe. Travel through lands once occupied by the Ottoman and Hapsburg empires. Monasteries, castles, wine-growing regions, towns lost in time and dramatic scenery vie for your attention. Combine this with stellar dining, a menu of excellent excursions (including cycling, hiking and wine tasting), and you have a wonderful cruise through the heart of Europe.
Slovakia
Small Group Holiday
18 days from CA$7635
Imagine a tour that visits all the main cities in Central Europe - Prague, Vienna, Budapest, Krakow and Berlin. It then adds pretty Český Krumlov, the waterfalls and flowers of the Tatras Mountains, a top-secret Nazi military compound and pretty cultural Wroclaw. Now you have a tour of the Czech Republic, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Poland and Germany that is hard to beat.
Slovenia
Small Group Holiday
8 days from CA$2250
On the southern fringes of the Alps lies the small country of Slovenia, a laid-back country rich in natural treasures, beautiful architecture and a wonderful cuisine. This tour of Slovenia shows you all the highlights from the capital Ljubljana to Lake Bled, from the the alpine scenery of Triglav National Park to the historical towns and beaches on the Adriatic.
Spain
Small Group Holiday
21 days from CA$11755
This 3-week guided tour of Spain has you discover all the cultural and historical gems of Spain. Barcelona with its cathedral, Madrid with its palaces, museums and parks, Seville with its Giralda and Granada's Alhambra are all covered. In between, expect to discover Valencia, the city of arts, science and paella, Cordoba's old mosque, the former capital Toledo, the Old Jewish Quarter and Alcazar of Segovia, gastronomic Burgos and, across the border in Portugal, bustling Porto. There is even the chance to stretch your legs in the splendid mountains of the Picos de Europe and on the Camino de Santiago!
Sweden
Small Group Holiday
15 days from CA$5975
Tour Scandinavia from Bergen and Norway's Fjord, through Sweden's lakeland and its capital Stockholm, to the capital of design, Helsinki, in Finland. Discover spectacular landscapes, a Viking past and maritime heritage and, if you have an extra week to spare, visit Denmark's Copenhagen and Gothenburg with its nearby archipelago.
Switzerland
Small Group Holiday
8 days from CA$3045
Beneath the peaks of Jungfrau, Eiger and Monch, in Switzerland's Bernese Oberland, are some of the Swiss Alps most scenic hiking trails. Based in Kandersteg we hike the best of them, using cable cars to get us at altitude, and walk among towering cliffs and soaring peaks, glacial valleys and flower-strewn alpine meadows.
Turkey
Small Group Holiday
15 days from CA$3515
This tour of Turkey will truly show you why this country is considered the crossroads of culture and history. Starting of in Istanbul, the city of Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque, we take you to the Roman city of Ephesus, the travertine terraces of Pamukkale and the castles and sunken ruins of the Mediterranean. After a visit to Konya we discover spectacular Cappadocia, where cave chapels hide Byzantine art and colourful biblical frescoes
Ukraine
Small Group Holiday
13 days from CA$3235
This two-week adventure tour through Romania, Moldova, Transnistria and Ukraine takes you from lively Bucharest through the wetlands of the Danube Delta across Europe's frontier into Moldova, one of Europe's poorest nations and a true melting pot of ethnicities. Via de-facto independent Transnistria, where you get a sense of what life was like in the USSR, you travel to the lovely city of Odesa. Finally, an overnight train takes you to Kyiv from where you journey into the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone. This tour gives you impressions like few other trips do and there is lots of free time for your own explorations.
United Kingdom
Self-Guided Trip
7 days from CA$1749
It has been called "poetry in the hills" and England's Lake District has certainly been the inspiration for many an author, poet and artist. Craggy mountain tops offering exhilarating vistas of glistening lakes and terns, incredible natural beauty, wonderful hiking trails and a UNESCO World Heritage status makes the Lake District a must-see for any serious walker.
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