Europe Transformative Tours & Trip Packages

Europe Transformative Tours & Trips

7,895 Europe trips. Tours from 583 tour companies. 22,471 reviews. 4.6/5 avg rating.

146 trips exactly matchall of the the filters you selected.
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Transformative
Italy: Tuscany, the Alps & the Riviera
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5/5 Excellent
35 reviews
Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Bolzano, Doge’s Palace, Dolomites, Florence, Innsbruck, Lake Garda, Rome, Tuscany, Venice

Highlights

  • Discover Rome
  • Explore Tuscany
  • Visit the hilltop town of Orvieto
  • Embark on a walking tour of Florence with an expert local guide
  • Stroll through Piazza Signoria, the busy square that was the ancient center of city life during the days of the Medici
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Themes

50 plus, Cultural, Local Immersion & Homestays, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife, Overland Journeys, Transformative

What travelers are saying

"I've traveled with this company 4 times and find the value and service outstanding. If you are on a slim budget try the " last minute" opportunities. We got an incredible deal on a river cruise two months out."

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Czech Republic & Austria Walking & Hiking Tour
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4.8/5 Excellent
62 reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Český Krumlov, Hallstatt, Prague, Salzburg, St. Wolfgang

Highlights

  • Discover two intriguing countries and cultures
  • Experience gentle pastoral strolls in the Czech Republic and dramatic alpine treks in Austria
  • Explore Ceský Krumlov, an incredible World Heritage site
  • Hike glorious glacier-carved valleys to castles and picture-perfect villages
  • Trace Czech history with Helena, our friend and historian

Themes

Cultural, Eco, Sustainable & Green Travel, Hiking & Walking, Transformative

What travelers are saying

"Until Covid clears, I would steer clear of Backroads. We were partially through their June 2020 Costa Rica tour when a guest tested Covid positive. She and her husband were isolated. The rest of the group were offered wimpy masks. Nobody was offered Covid testing daily and masks were not required of the guests or staff. The guides kept repeating "not in the CDC guidelines." Our group of six decided that the Backroads response was inadequate so returned home mid-excursion. The hotel and food was excellent, but the provided bikes were inadequate. The front derailleurs were poorly adjusted, and most of the riders had the chains come off during the first ride. Hikes or bike rides were conducted in downpours. Disappointed for charging such a premium price."

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Romantic Villages of Alpine Europe
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5/5 Excellent
35 reviews
Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Innsbruck, Munich, Zermatt

Highlights

  • Enjoy a walking tour of scenic Stresa
  • Visit Lake Brienz
  • Enjoy an exclusive Discovery Series visit to a local distillery in Triesen
  • Enjoy Interlaken tour
  • Experience walking tour in Seefeld
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Themes

Cultural, Local Immersion & Homestays, Overland Journeys, Transformative

What travelers are saying

"I've traveled with this company 4 times and find the value and service outstanding. If you are on a slim budget try the " last minute" opportunities. We got an incredible deal on a river cruise two months out."

Trip dates & details
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Dalmatian Coast Walking & Hiking Tour
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4.8/5 Excellent
62 reviews
Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Croatia, Dalmatian Coast, Dubrovnik, Hvar Island, Korcula Island, Split

Highlights

  • Explore the reborn Dalmatian Coast, gaining insight into Croatia's history and culture
  • Island-hop and swim in the sun-drenched Adriatic
  • Dubrovnik, an architectural masterpiece with an impressive fortified wall
  • Hike amid olive groves, undulating fields and jagged cliffs with sapphire sea views
  • Indulge in the freshest seafood and local cuisine

Themes

Hiking & Walking, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife, Transformative

What travelers are saying

"Until Covid clears, I would steer clear of Backroads. We were partially through their June 2020 Costa Rica tour when a guest tested Covid positive. She and her husband were isolated. The rest of the group were offered wimpy masks. Nobody was offered Covid testing daily and masks were not required of the guests or staff. The guides kept repeating "not in the CDC guidelines." Our group of six decided that the Backroads response was inadequate so returned home mid-excursion. The hotel and food was excellent, but the provided bikes were inadequate. The front derailleurs were poorly adjusted, and most of the riders had the chains come off during the first ride. Hikes or bike rides were conducted in downpours. Disappointed for charging such a premium price."

Trip dates & details
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Dalmatian Coast Family Multisport Adventure Tour
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4.8/5 Excellent
62 reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Dalmatian Coast, Diocletian's Palace, Dubrovnik, Hvar Island, Korcula Island, Split

Highlights

  • Experience the reborn Dalmatian Coast by bike, foot and kayak
  • Learn about Croatia's fascinating history and culture
  • Island-hop along the sunny Adriatic and splash in hidden coves
  • Enjoy the freshest seafood and local cuisine
  • The exquisite World Heritage site of Dubrovnik awaits discovery

Themes

Cultural, Eco, Sustainable & Green Travel, Family Friendly, Transformative

What travelers are saying

"Until Covid clears, I would steer clear of Backroads. We were partially through their June 2020 Costa Rica tour when a guest tested Covid positive. She and her husband were isolated. The rest of the group were offered wimpy masks. Nobody was offered Covid testing daily and masks were not required of the guests or staff. The guides kept repeating "not in the CDC guidelines." Our group of six decided that the Backroads response was inadequate so returned home mid-excursion. The hotel and food was excellent, but the provided bikes were inadequate. The front derailleurs were poorly adjusted, and most of the riders had the chains come off during the first ride. Hikes or bike rides were conducted in downpours. Disappointed for charging such a premium price."

Trip dates & details
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Dolomites Bike Tour
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4.8/5 Excellent
62 reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Luxury - 5 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Alps, Dolomites

Highlights

  • Uncover the colorful history and culture of Italy and Austria's best-kept alpine secret
  • Tranquil biking amid valleys and storybook villages framed by magnificent limestone peaks
  • Pedal on bike paths past meadows strewn with wildflowers and filled with locals tending the rich soil
  • Wonderful regional wines, including vernatsch, lagrein and gewürztraminer
  • Enjoy a warm welcome at luxurious family-run hotels and savor two Michelin dinners

Themes

Cultural, Cycling & Biking, Family Friendly, Transformative

What travelers are saying

"Until Covid clears, I would steer clear of Backroads. We were partially through their June 2020 Costa Rica tour when a guest tested Covid positive. She and her husband were isolated. The rest of the group were offered wimpy masks. Nobody was offered Covid testing daily and masks were not required of the guests or staff. The guides kept repeating "not in the CDC guidelines." Our group of six decided that the Backroads response was inadequate so returned home mid-excursion. The hotel and food was excellent, but the provided bikes were inadequate. The front derailleurs were poorly adjusted, and most of the riders had the chains come off during the first ride. Hikes or bike rides were conducted in downpours. Disappointed for charging such a premium price."

Trip dates & details
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Heart of Ireland in 8 Days Tour
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4.2/5 Great
23 reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Dingle Peninsula, Dublin

Highlights

  • Visit the Ennis and Ireland's Dingle Peninsula
  • Experience some of Europe's wildest natural beauty and most ancient Christian sites.
  • Visit the famous Slea Head Drive the most beautiful road in Ireland
  • Tour the strikingly situated Great Blasket Centre, a close-up look at the language, literature, and traditional Gaelic Blasket community.
  • Walking tour of Dingle Town, learning about its seafaring heritage, rich history, and perhaps a bit of local gossip.

Themes

Cultural, Hiking & Walking, Local Immersion & Homestays, Transformative

What travelers are saying

"We purchased two backpacks from Rick Steves Europe. One of them arrived damaged and unusable. Their website says that you must contact them if you receive damaged merchandise. I have attempted to email them through their website and I have left 3 voicemails (nobody answers the phone, ever!) and nobody has contacted me back. At this point, it seems like I've been ripped off. Buyer beware. Extremely disappointed."

Trip dates & details
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Loire to the South of France in 13 Days Tour
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4.2/5 Great
23 reviews
Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Strenuous
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Amboise Château, Loire Valley, Paris

Highlights

  • Explore the perfectly preserved châteaux of the Loire, prehistoric caves and traditional markets of the Dordogne
  • Enjoy the melody of France
  • See the Cathedral of Chartres one of the most impressive structures in all of Europe
  • Explore Europe's largest fortified city: delightfully medieval Carcassonne
  • Awesome drive to the hill town of Les Baux and enjoy sweeping views of the Provencal countryside from atop the ruins of its medieval citadel
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Themes

Hiking & Walking, Rafting, Kayaking, Canoeing, Transformative

What travelers are saying

"We purchased two backpacks from Rick Steves Europe. One of them arrived damaged and unusable. Their website says that you must contact them if you receive damaged merchandise. I have attempted to email them through their website and I have left 3 voicemails (nobody answers the phone, ever!) and nobody has contacted me back. At this point, it seems like I've been ripped off. Buyer beware. Extremely disappointed."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
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146 trips exactly matchall of the the filters you selected.
My selections:
Transformative

Europe Reviews & Ratings

4.6/5  Excellent
22,471  Reviews
See all Europe tour reviews
Excellent
8,912
Great
3,229
Average
558
Disappointing
181
Terrible
87
A

Anonymous

Oct 2018

Provided byExodus Travels

Brilliant ... but

I will deal with the 'but' first. This is definitely not a 1; leisurely; more a 2, moderate. The distances to walk are comparatively large and the surfaces (cobbl...

A

Anonymous

Oct 2018

Provided byExodus Travels

highlights of central europe

An excellent introduction to the countries visited. The tour leader, Peter, plying and explaining the flute. Very pleasant knowledgeable man, with a good sense of ...

A

Anonymous

Aug 2016

Provided byExodus Travels

Highlights of Central Europe

A great tour around really interesting capital cities and some lesser-known parts of the countries. Prague, Budapest and Vienna in particular were really lovely, esp...

A

Anonymous

Aug 2016

Provided byExodus Travels

HIGHLIGHTS OF CENTRAL EUROPE

This was our first trip with a group of people on a bus trip, and also the first with Exodus, and my husband and I had a really great holiday.The trip had a perfect ...

A

Anonymous

Aug 2016

Provided byExodus Travels

Highlights of Central Europe

This tour has it all, palaces, castles, stunning cities, incredible scenery and amazing food, wine and beer! You pack a lot in, however it never felt rushed, and it...

Write a Review

Europe Tour Selection Trips

  • River cruises are an appealing way to tour Europe in a relaxed mode that offers sightseeing in both atmospheric villages and big cities.
  • Europe is about more than high culture; active Europe tours include cycling in Greece, hiking in the French or Swiss Alps, even walking across England.
  • Point-to-point walking or cycling tours through the countryside are a great way to meet locals along trails, in pubs, or in small town settings.
  • For the truly adventurous, consider tours that include running with the bulls in Pamplona, Spain; “mud walking” in Holland; or glacier walking in Switzerland.
  • The “If It’s Tuesday, It Must Be Belgium” rush-rush-through-seven countries-in-a- week bus tours are mostly passé; consider focusing on one or just a few countries at a time.
  • Spain-Portugal; Denmark-Sweden-Norway; Czech Republic-Austria-Hungary; and Belgium-Netherlands are among those countries that make for nice regional tours.
  • While you can see something of Europe in a week, allowing at least ten days to two weeks for one to three countries is more satisfying.
  • Don’t be too concerned with language barriers when booking your tour, since many Europeans now speak English, and your guides can translate when necessary.
  • Many Europeans go on vacation for the entire month of August, so visiting in September or October can be ideal; the weather is cooler, too.
  •  

     

Additional details

Traveling to Europe - ETIAS

Europe is implimenting a new travel authorization system that American travelers will need to enter into Europe’s EU and Schengen Zone. ETIAS, which stands for EU Travel Information and Authorisation System, will charge a fee and check security credentials for travelers visiting for business, tourism, medical or transit purposes.

ETIAS won’t be required until 2022 but there will be a six month grace period which means travelers won’t be required to have approval until 2023.

Read more about traveling to Europe and what the ETIAS means for American travelers.


New Update - Europe Ban

As of July 1, 2020 the European Union has opened their borders to tourists from 15 different countries.

The reopening plan was based on health criteria, and ultimately officials decided to leave the U.S. off the list. The list of countries allowed to enter Europe will be reviewed every two weeks to keep up with the changing reality of coronavirus outbreaks.

Here is the full list of countries that the European Union has opened up to:

  • Algeria
  • Australia
  • Canada
  • China
  • Georgia
  • Japan
  • Montenegro
  • Morocco
  • New Zealand
  • Rwanda
  • Serbia
  • South Korea
  • Thailand
  • Tunisia
  • Uruguay
 
 

Where does the language barrier matter?

One of the most fascinating qualities of Europe is the way that countries so close together, with so much interaction, have maintained strong individuality. This manifests in culture, customs, and of course - language. There are 24 official languages in the EU, but countries both in the Union and outside it often have their own official languages.

Because of this, if you are planning a trip around Europe - you will likely run into a situation where you cannot speak the local language. Don’t worry! Most Europeans can speak more than two languages, and in Western Europe, as well as capital cities, this means many Europeans speak English.

Eastern Europe & Russia

One common concern when traveling to Europe is that there is very little English spoken in Eastern Europe -- this is, however, rapidly changing. As the popularity of destinations like Budapest, Prague, Riga, and Krakow continues to boom, many more young people there are becoming fluent in English.

There are, however, several places where English speakers are a little harder to come by. Four countries where English speakers are uncommon include:

  1. Russia (with the exception of St. Petersburg)

  2. Albania

  3. Rural Spain

  4. Bulgaria

Dialects

As can be expected, there are also countries with specific regional dialects. This is unlikely to be a problem -- but it is something good to be prepared for! For example, even if you are fluent in French, you might not be able to understand Alsatian (spoken in the Alsace region of region, including the city Strasbourg) or Catalan (spoken in the southwestern corner of  France).

Best Winter Family European Vacations

A winter vacation to Europe is a timeless and magical experience, especially when the trip is shared with loved ones. Here are three of the best locations to keep in mind for when you’re planning your next trip for you and your family.

1. Zermatt, Switzerland
Take an alpine tour of Europe to this picturesque town is nestled between the sharp and dramatic mountains. Not only this, but it is at the base of one the Alps’ most famous peaks: the Matterhorn.

Enthusiastic climbers, skiers, and snowboarders will thrill in some of the best skiing Europe has to offer. Afterwards, head back to your chalet and tuck into a steaming mug of Swiss hot chocolate before heading out for a traditional fondue dinner.

2. St. Petersburg, Russia
One of the most popular cities to visit throughout the year, visitors come to St. Petersburg in the winter to beat the crowds and experience a genuine Russian snow. You will be stunned by the sight of the frozen Neva river, and snow piling on the arches of the St. Nicholas cathedral.

When things get too chilly outdoors, take a well earned break by visiting the infamous Russian ballet and opera, or take an educational tour of the Hermitage museum inside of the Winter Palace.

3. Canary Islands, Spain
For families looking to escape the cold, Europe is still a great destination. Consider the Canary Islands, which are located off the coast of West Africa, and are favored with sunbathing weather all year round.

With opportunities to go hiking, jetski, waterski, surf, even sandboard off Gran Canaria’s massive, Sahara-like sand dunes, there are countless ways to have active fun. At night, indulge in the island’s unique cuisine.

Flying to Europe

What with the introduction of so many new budget airlines, many travelers are curious about new flight options to, and around, the continent. With fuel costs low, and the value of the dollar on the rise, trips to Europe are cheaper for Americans than ever before. This interest is increased by the fact that many vacation packages do not include flights, and it is still necessary to book your own. 

Airlines like Ryanair travel within the continent very cheaply, but be prepared to forgo checking in, and airplane tray tables, much less built in TV’s. These budget airlines also have stringent and unique restrictions. For example, Ryanair requires that you check in before arriving at the airport, or you will lose your ticket. Another downside to "flying budget" is that customer service can be very difficult to obtain with these no-frills airlines, and cancellations without any recourse are also relatively common.

If you aren't willing to risk a budget airline, there are still ways to find cheap flights. One good tip is to look airlines fly out of cities that serve as a hub (an example in the U.S. would be the Atlanta airport). Whether you are flying for a Europe tour from the USA, or India, flights from these airports are usually lower in price.   

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