on the go europe tours

Europe tours

On our trips to Europe, you can see it all on a sweeping journey across the continent, or get an in-depth look at a certain country that interests you.

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We offer 200+ immersive, guided tours around the world. Wherever you choose to go, you’ll enjoy lots of advantages that make traveling with us different.

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While you’re deciding what to take, we’ll be busy arranging your hotels, meals, tickets, and more tour essentials. That’s what going guided is all about .

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What our travelers say about their trips to Europe

Travel guides for your next trip to europe.

Travel tips for our Europe tours

There are plenty of options when it comes to exploring the continent. Some of the most popular destinations to visit on a tour of Europe include Italy, Greece, Spain, and Ireland.

On our travel packages to Europe, you can choose to explore a particular location in depth, such as on a week-long Paris City Stay or a two-week Grand Tour of Italy .

If you're looking for a multi-country trip, you can join our Grand Tour of Europe: London to Rome , for a taste of several destinations. Our team of regional experts is available to help you find the adventure that aligns with your interests.

Discover six things to experience your first time traveling to Europe →

Europe is a year-round destination with varying climates across its many countries and regions. The best time to visit Europe depends on what type of experience you’d like to have and which destinations you’ll be visiting.

• Summer. A popular time to travel to Europe is summer because warm, sunny days lend themselves to exploring the outdoors. In July, the average high temperature in London, England, is in the 70s Fahrenheit—while in Rome, Italy, the average high is in the 80s.
• Spring and Fall. Some travelers prefer to travel on our Europe tour packages during the spring and fall because temperatures are more comfortable and popular sites are less crowded.
• Winter. A wonderful time to take a European tour is the winter. During this time of year, travelers can stroll through festive holiday markets, visit excellent museums, and settle in for tasty meals of seasonal specialties. To take the stress out of planning a winter trip, we even offer Europe trip packages specifically designed for visiting  Christmas markets .

One of the main benefits of joining our guided tours of Europe is having the opportunity to visit must-see sites with an expert leading the way. When you go guided with Go Ahead we’ll help you skip the long lines at popular landmarks. Here are some attractions you’ll get the opportunity to see on our group tours of Europe:

• The Colosseum in Rome, Italy
• The National Archaeological Museum in Naples, Italy
• St. Mark’s Basilica in Venice, Italy
• The Alhambra in Granada, Spain
• The Prado Museum in Madrid, Spain
• La Sagrada Família church in Barcelona, Spain
• The Acropolis in Athens, Greece
• The Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, the Netherlands
• St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Dublin, Ireland
• The Titanic Museum in Belfast, Northern Ireland
• The Hungarian Parliament building in Budapest, Hungary
• Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna, Austria
• The Viking Ship Museum in Oslo, Norway
• Rosenborg Castle in Copenhagen, Denmark

We recommend you spend at least six days in Europe. While our most popular Europe tours run from 10–14 days, you can enjoy a shorter trip if you limit your tour to one country or visit a handful of cities in neighboring countries.

Looking for ideas on where to spend a week in Europe? Check out our recommendations for Europe trips →

With its rich history, vibrant culture, and fantastic food, Italy is a popular destination for your first European trip. But plenty of other countries are worth visiting depending on your interests and concerns about international travel. For example, if the language barrier makes you nervous, Ireland, Scotland, or England make great first-time trips for visiting Europe.

Learn about the best international trips for first-time travelers  →

Yes! On our Europe tours, you’ll get the chance to explore multiple countries. Europe’s compact size and efficient transportation network make it easier—and more enticing—to take in numerous countries on one trip.

Some of our popular multi-country trips to Europe are Italy & Greece ; England & France ; Portugal & Spain ; Scotland & Ireland ; Germany, Switzerland & Austria ; and Norway, Sweden, Finland & Denmark .

Check out the best multi-country trips to book now →

Experiencing Europe—for the first time or your 10th time—should be all about taking in the culture, the food, the history, and the sheer joy of new discoveries. Imagine doing all that without researching or booking any of these travel essentials. That’s the advantage of our all-in-one tour packages. Every Go Ahead tour includes an expert Tour Director and talented local guides to lead the way, so you can sit back, relax, and soak in the beauty, history, and culture of Europe. No figuring out transportation, researching hotels, or booking flights is required.

Read about the 10 big benefits of seeing Europe on a guided tour →

The typical timeframe to book a trip to Europe is about six months or more. However, there are plenty of benefits to planning even further in advance. On our European tours, you can set up an automatic payment plan, work out what you want to see and do in your free time, and even connect with fellow travelers on our free EF Go Ahead Tours mobile app .

Looking to travel to Europe soon? Shop our Last-Minute Specials →

Yes! The holidays are an exciting time to travel on our Europe trips because they offer an exceptional opportunity to visit Europe’s Christmas Markets  and to experience countries’ unique holiday traditions. The holidays are a magical time in many European countries, allowing you to soak in the seasonal ambiance, enjoy festive food, and pick up unique gifts.

Thankfully, that’s a tough question to answer, as so many European countries offer delicious food. Ultimately, it’s a matter of personal preference, so you’re sure to find something you love no matter which country you visit. One strong contender for the top spot, however, is Italy.

Best known for its pasta, pizza, cheeses, and gelato, Italy is a foodie’s delight. That’s because the purest expression of Italian cooking relies on farm-fresh ingredients, and the cuisine changes from region to region. Fresh, delicious, and unlike anything you’ve tried outside the country, Italian food never disappoints the palate.

Wondering what to eat in Italy? Check out these regional dishes →

Another foodie's favorite destination in Europe is France. From its boeuf bourguignon to its pain au chocolat, France is known for its world-class culinary scene and timeless favorite dishes. While you’re guaranteed to taste delicious dishes no matter where you travel to France , the type of French food you’ll find depends on the region and season. The north of France features heavier dishes; the south features fresh fish, lean meat, and grilled vegetables.

Wondering what to eat in France? Check out these delicious dishes →

While individual countries take pride in their languages, English is widely spoken in Europe.

For tips on using the euro while on a trip to Europe, check out our blog post about currency exchange →

We recommend packing light for your trip to Europe. One suitcase and one carry-on per person is a good guideline to follow; you should feel comfortable managing your baggage at the airport. After you’ve reserved one of our Europe tour packages, we’ll give you information about how to prepare for your particular trip and even share a packing list in our mobile app.

• Sun protection. For all our trips, especially during the summer months in Europe, we recommend bringing sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat to protect your face and the back of your neck from the sun.
• Layers. For tours of Europe, we recommend packing lightweight, loose-fitting clothing that can be easily layered to accommodate varying temperatures, as well as a light jacket or rainwear.
• Comfortable walking shoes. Because you’ll be exploring new destinations with local guides while on your trip, a comfortable pair of walking shoes is essential. Whether hitting the landmarks of London or on a walking tour of Amsterdam, you’ll be glad you brought your most comfortable footwear.
• Dressier attire. You may want to pack dressier attire if you plan to visit a high-end restaurant or attend a special performance on any of our Europe trips.
• Full-coverage layers for religious sites. In Europe, it is preferable not to visit churches, temples, or other religious sites with bare legs or shoulders, and entrance may be denied on this basis.
• Other must-bring items. A camera to take photos during your journey, and a notebook for jotting down notes or recommendations your Tour Director shares.

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Explore all the places we go in Europe

THIS IS WHAT AWAITS IN EUROPE

Towering castles. Untamed natural beauty. Captivating history. Can’t-miss cuisine. This is your time, your moment, your chance to discover Europe.

Destination Must-Sees

One of the most well-known tourist destinations in Greece, Olympia is located in the western Peloponnese, known as the “Valley of the Gods.” Surrounded by beautiful scenery from the Arcadian Mountains, it is home of the first Olympic Games that were held in 776 B. Step into history when you walk through the ruins of the ancient Olympic stadium or witness amazing sculptures at the museum.

France’s romantic capital is a must-see destination, and a gorgeous gateway to the wonders the rest of this country has to offer. Whether your ideal Parisian getaway has you spending some free time sipping coffee at a café and watching the bustling city life, roaming the halls of art at the Louvre, or exploring the bohemian artist’s haven — the Montmartre neighborhood, there’s rich history and culture abound in every corner of the City of Light.

Irish countryside:

Take in the atmosphere of quaint seaside villages, see awe inspiring views of the Lakes of Killarney and explore the picturesque town of Kinsale. Wherever you travel in the countryside, you’ll find that the rolling hills and friendly people you encounter will become a part of your fabric.

Ancient cities of Italy:

Italy is positively brimming with the world’s most famous Roman ruins like the Colosseum, Pompeii and many other relics from the ancient past. In fact, many cities in Italy still hold evidence of what once was. You can find an aqueduct, city gate, Roman theater or the ruins of an entire city there.

Destination Must-Dos

Meteora Monastery:

Over 600 years ago Byzantine monks chose to build their monastic community atop limestone rock “towers” that extend nearly 900 feet into the air, making them virtually inaccessible. It is one of the greatest monuments in the world, and is the most important monastic center in Greece. You can climb these rocks and travel the paths hidden behind the massive rocks.

The Palace of Versailles

The iconic Palace of Versailles (UNESCO) and its gardens reflect the extravagant tastes of King Louis XIV, the "Sun King." Alongside a local guide, learn the history and admire the various rooms of the State Apartments, including the Queen's bedchamber and the famous Hall of Mirrors. Be sure to explore the incredible gardens, some of the most famous in the world, which took over 40 years to complete and include intricate architecture, elaborate fountains, and gorgeous statues.

Drift down a canal:

While canals are found across Europe, nothing beats a romantic gondola ride in Venice. Locals like to say the best way to explore the city is to ‘get lost.’ So take a ride along these waterways, step off and then wind your way through the intricate blend of bridges, narrow streets and grand squares.

This was the first capital of Spain located about 43 miles south of Madrid. The history of Toledo dates back to the Roman occupation circa 192 B.C. The old city of Toledo sits atop of a small mountain surrounded on three sides by the Tagus River, and medieval walls on the fourth. From the top of the mountain you can get a 180 degree view of the surrounding landscape.

Expert Advice

Featured Tours to Europe

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Flavors of Portugal & Spain: featuring Barcelona

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Flavors of Portugal & Spain: featuring the Douro and Rioja Wine Regions

Exploring Greece and Its Islands featuring Classical Greece, Mykonos & Santorini

Treasures of Turkey Istanbul, Ancient Ephesus & Cappadocia

Exploring Britain & Ireland featuring England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales

Exploring Britain & Ireland featuring the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo

See our travelers on tour, brochures that feature our europe tours, destinations in europe.

Magnificent landscapes combined with the country’s charming traditions and customs offer new experiences unlike anywhere else in the world. Famous for bullfighting, Spain allows you to grab life by the horns and dive into adventure. Whether it’s the eye-catching architecture of Madrid, the bold Spanish wines, or the shimmering Costa del Sol, this country remains a delight to the senses. Once you experience Spain, you’ll never want to leave and when you do, you’ll always be craving more.

A gem of the Iberian Peninsula, Portugal is a paradise. On the coasts, sun-soaked beaches meet breathtaking hillside towns all down the edge of the Atlantic Ocean. In the cities, ancient structures rise up shoulder-to-shoulder with modern living. Everywhere you turn, you can find mouth-watering food paired with delicious local wines, medieval architecture paired with Moorish artistic influence, and friendly locals paired with charming attitudes. No matter what you seek, when you go, where you look, or how long you stay, Portugal offers something for every traveler.

Whether it’s old-world traditions and wonderful culture, cuisine, history, fashion or natural beauty, Italy is special to many people for different reasons. Few other countries boast so many legendary cities. There are also many charming hill towns and coastal villages that showcase Italy’s amazing natural beauty. From the big cities to the small towns, there is always something exciting to see in Italy. With so many reasons to visit, the rest is up to you!

A rendezvous with a magnifique experience awaits! As cliché as it sounds, France truly has something for everyone. With over two dozen cities, each with their own nuances of the French culture and contributions to its history, architecture, art and last but not least, the gastronomical delights that the French are famous for throughout the world are yours to explore, experience and fall in love with during your stay. Coast to coast, border to border, there are seemingly endless variations on your French experience to be had. Rolling hills and scenic valleys lined with the fruit of the gods; seaside towns, along sandy beaches with views you just might be sharing with royalty; or maybe snowcapped mountain ranges providing some of the best skiing in the world and an adrenaline rush to match is what you seek. Whatever you decide, France easily makes you feel as if you have stepped out of reality and into the art you learned about and loved since you were a child.

At the heart of Europe, monumental contemporary and historic events shape today’s Germany. From the fall of the Berlin Wall to the rise of the Beatles in Hamburg, the culture of the country is marked by its influential past and present. Imagine yourself exploring postcard-worthy castles such as Neuschwanstein or wandering through medieval cities such as Regensburg. From the Bavarian Alps to the Rhine Gorge to the plains of the north, the range of Germany’s landscapes will capture your heart. Perhaps you’ll also indulge your taste buds as you sample the delicious Marzipan sweet treats of the Hanseatic port of Lubeck, which have been produced there for over 200 years. Whether on a journey on the ‘Romantic Road’ or cruising along the Rhine, know that a stein of German beer or a glass of wine from the Rhine vineyards are both a worthy compliment to a destination that offers far more than the average traveler anticipates.

Switzerland

Incredible skiing on the Swiss Alps and delectable Swiss chocolate are only two reasons for visiting Switzerland. Located between Austria, France, Germany and Italy, you can get quite a diverse European cultural experience depending on which region of Switzerland you choose. And though the food, music, art and people themselves are very much influenced by their European neighbors, they are all still uniquely Swiss. You will leave with plenty of memories to savor for a lifetime.

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On the go tours reviews & ratings.

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Totally Morocco Nov 23 - Perfectly organised

I did the Totally Morocco tour in Nov 2023 and there isn’t a single thing I could fault! Our tour guide was Jamal who took extremely good care of us and went above a...

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Editoral Review of On The Go Tours

On the Go Tour is a British-based tour company that runs primarily guided tours around the world but will also help fashion independent travel itineraries. 

What Makes On the Go Tours Stand Out?

They have a large number of holiday styles, including a large number of options for independent travellers looking for tailor made trips. On the Go Tours is very accommodating and popular amongst solo and single travellers, with most of their escorted group tours requiring no single supplement.

Specialty tours, such as Tintin tours to Egypt, Jordan, and India, based on the adventures of the famous Belgian cartoon-book boy-journalist-explorer, are one of the main things that sets On the Go Tours apart.

Who Will Enjoy Travelling with On the Go Tours?

Those travellers who gravitate to busy, lively, itineraries, that also allow for spontaneity, and are budget conscious will love travelling on holidays with On the Go Tours. They are also very popular among those interested in festivals around the globe. These events are often large scale and can be difficult to navigate, find accommodation, and stay safe.

On the Go Tours provides a way to take the stress out of planning to attend a festival. And not just music, but Carnival at Rio; the vibrant Holi Festival in India; the Dragon Boat Festival in China; the Nadaam Festival in Mongolia; and the Boryeong Mud Festival in South Korea, along with many others. So if you are culturally curious and enjoy the idea of large crowds attending the same meaningful event, On the Go Tours would be a great place to start for these travel plans.

Travellers with On the Go Tours are mostly age 28 and up, and you can expect a wide range of ages and backgrounds among the group. These holidays are relatively active in nature - a lot of walking and time outdoors, On the Go does offer some family itineraries suitable for children. They also actively solicit single travelers, and don’t require a single supplement. Nationality wise, they attract mainly British, New Zealand, Australian, North American, and South African.

Top Destinations

On the Go Tours operate around the world, with a large majority of holidays offered in Asia, Africa, and Europe. Australia, and Central and South America are also popular.

On the Go Tours Travel Style

The On the Go Tours travel style is a combination of coach travel, 3 to 4 star accommodation, some camping, walking and cycling. These tours will keep you active, and in most cases you will carry your own luggage, so pack light, and if you are relatively physically fit you will enjoy the days far more.

They have 5 “Holiday ranges” to help you determine the tour type that is going to be best suited to you.

1. Signature - The On the Go Tours Signature Collection is a group of higher end offerings. Accommodations will be in 4-5 star hotels, and groups are kept smaller, with a maximum of 24 people. Destinations are primarily focused in Asia, with a few departures in Europe including Iceland, Russia, and Italy. Peru is also available.

2. Budget - Budget tours are a key component of On the Go Tours. These trips are for active backpackpackers interested in meeting similar travelers in a larger group (max 32). You will be carrying your own luggage, and using a variety of transportation including overland vehicles, public buses and trains. Accommodation is in tented camps and 2-3 star hotels. Most meals are up to you and not included in the itinerary or base price.

3. Handpicked - These trips visit classic and iconic sights, utilizing locally run tours (where you might join up with other tour takers, not exclusively your own tour companions). Partners on the ground help On the Go craft a unique vision for your itinerary. Groups are small, around 28 people max.

4. Active - Active holidays with On the Go tours are intended for those travellers interested in being outdoors and have an adventurous frame of mind. Whether you’re traveling by bike, or on foot trekking or hiking. Travellers who are physically fit and used to stretching their limits will find the most enjoyment on an Active trip with On the Go Tours. Active holidays are offered in Asia and the Middle East primarily, with outings also available in Croatia, Turkey, and Africa.

5. Independent - For those travellers who aren’t as excited about a group tour and like the idea of being on their own but with a professionally planned itinerary, On the Go Tours has you covered! These bespoke tours allow you to have input over what you see, and the pace of your journey. Expect to pay a little bit more for this experience (bespoke tours with On the Go can be considered akin to their Signature Collection), but having the expertise behind your itinerary is all worth it.

Why Choose an Escorted Tour with On the Go Tours?

On the Go is a perfect starting place for active travellers who maybe don’t know quite yet the kind of journey they’re looking for and want a lot of choice. Prices are kept in the low to mid budget range, and on most tours you can expect a lot of inclusions - this does means there is quite a bit less free time available during the itinerary to explore on your own, so if this matters a lot to you, On the Go may not be the best fit.

From tours that specialise in festivals and events (both obscure and popular, musical and cultural), to bespoke holidays designed for you personally, to extended overland journeys, On the Go Tours has tons of holiday types to choose from.

Destinations cover a wide range of popular, classic, and off the beaten path locations from less traveled areas of Eastern Europe to the Middle East and Africa. The age range is diverse, and solo travelers are very welcome and actively encouraged to join On the Go Tours. This is a great tour company for meeting new people who have like-minded approaches to travel.

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Solo friendly.

• No single supplement
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About the company.

Escaping a cold London winter back in 1998, we followed the sun for a colourful adventure around the world. Discovering amazing history, interesting cultures and the jaw-dropping beauty of our planet, the friends we made along the way made our journey all the more special. Inspired to share our experiences, the seeds were sown and On The Go Tours was born.

Over the years we’ve grown into a small yet global company, with a purposeful local ethos. True to our own travels, authenticity is core to our holidays. We’d love you to experience a country the way it really is, with people who live there and know it inside out. We know this makes the difference between a great holiday and a truly memorable one. Our carefully sought out English-speaking local guides are passionate about sharing their country with you and we believe that they are amongst the best in the business.

We know too that adventure feels better with a chilled beer poolside or a soft pillow at the end of each day and we search out comfortable hotels and boutique properties for your stay. As we love to say - travel with us and adventure in style!

Unbeatable value: Combining authentic local experiences with an excellent range of 3-5 star hotels & boutique properties, our tours represent unbeatable value. Add in airport transfers, passionate tour guides and all transportation and you do get the best of adventure travel and creature comforts too.

Great group size: With an average of 15 and a maximum of 24, our group size really works well on tour, so you’re bound to meet like-minded travellers and make lasting friendships. Our festival tours do have larger group sizes due to their ‘one-off’ nature.

100% Guaranteed: Not only are all our group tour departures 100% guaranteed, we are also fully financially bonded, so you can book our tours with absolute confidence. We’re proud to say that we recently won 2 prestigious British Travel Awards and were runner up for another 3, testament to the quality of our holidays.

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• Best British 2013 of Two Awards: 
• Gold for Best Medium Holiday Company to Southern Asia (Indian Subcontinent)
• Gold for Best Medium Holiday Company to East & Central Asia (China & South Korea)
• Best British 2014 of Two Awards: 
• Silver for Best Medium Holiday Company to North Africa (Egypt and Morocco);  
• Bronze for Best Medium Holiday Company to East & Central Asia (China and South Korea)
• Best British 2015 of Two Awards: 
• Silver for Best Small Holiday Company for North Africa (Egypt & Morocco);  
• Bronze for Best Small Holiday Company East & Central Asia (China and South Korea)
• Best British 2016 of Six Awards: 
• Gold for Best Holiday Company to Southern Asia (India, Nepal, Sri Lanka); 
• Gold for Best Holiday Company to East & Central Asia (China, Japan & South Korea); 
• Gold for Best Holiday Company to North Africa (Egypt & Morocco); 
• Silver for Best Holiday Company to Southeast Asia (Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand & Laos); 
• Silver for Best Escorted Adventure Holiday Company; Bronze for Best Escorted Tours Holiday Company
• Best British 2017 of Nine Awards: 
• Best Escorted Adventure Holiday Company
• Best Escorted Tours Holiday Company
• Best Holiday Company to Africa (Egypt, Morocco & Africa)
• Best Holiday Company to Southeast Asia (Vietnam, Cambodia & Thailand)
• Best Holiday Company to Southern Asia (India & Nepal)
• Best Holiday Company to the Middle East (Jordan)
• Best Holiday Company to East & Central Asia (China & Japan)
• Best Holiday Company to Central & South America (Peru)
• Best Holiday Company to East & Southeast Europe (Croatia, Turkey & Russia)
• Best British 2018 of Nine Awards:
• Best Holiday Company to Africa ( Egypt ,  Morocco  &  Africa )
• Best Holiday Company to Southeast Asia ( Vietnam ,  Cambodia  &  Thailand )
• Best Holiday Company to the Middle East ( Jordan )
• Best Holiday Company to East & Central Asia ( China  &  Japan )
• Best Holiday Company to East & Southeast Europe ( Croatia ,  Turkey  &  Russia )

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Enjoy afternoon tea in London

Sample over 300-years of history in the simplicity of homemade scones with whipped cream and jam. This deliciously British treat is best enjoyed in the afternoon, complete with a hot cup of Earl Grey, cucumber sandwiches and a tower of sugary delights.

Explore ancient Athens

You don't need to be a historian to appreciate the significance of Athens. Your love affair with the city might begin with goddess Athena’s Parthenon temple and the ruins of Acropolis, but it’s likely to end in a quaint alleyway getting a glimpse at daily life in this ancient capital. The story of Athens continues to unfold.

Catch a flamenco show in Spain

Discover the soul-stirring emotion of a Flamenco show in Spain. This expressive art-form has an intangible cultural heritage recognised by UNESCO, merging song, dance and musical instruments into a performance that has to be experienced at least once. Finish with dinner of paella or tapas to round off your perfect evening.

View the Northern Lights in Iceland

Mother Nature’s wonders come to life with the Aurora Borealis or ‘Northern Lights’. In the frosty landscapes of Iceland, this light display offers viewers a genuine pinch-me moment as vivid colours dance across the night sky.

Spend a night at the opera in Vienna

Hear the talents of traditional opera with the ghosts of Mozart and Strauss in your presence. Though there are more than few places to catch the opera in Vienna, none can compare to the State Opera House (Staatsoper).

Our top 5 things to do in Europe & Britain

There are endless pinch-me moments to be found across the many countries that make up the continent of Europe. But where to even begin? Perhaps a Flamenco show in Spain, afternoon tea in London or a Northern Lights viewing in frosty Iceland? Here are some of the highlights of our Europe and Britain trips that you're sure to love. 

Paris, France

The world’s largest gallery and the home of Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa, the Louvre is without rival in the art world and is a must see when in Paris. Allow an entire day to explore its eight departments, not missing the Egyptian antiquities, Islamic art and various halls of sculptures. End your day with sunset by the Louvre Pyramid.

London, England

The British Museum

With some eight million works within its permanent collection, The British Museum is an illustrious European landmark. Admire objects brought back from the voyages of Captain James Cook and walk in the controversial presence of the Parthenon Marbles.

Florence, Italy

Uffizi Gallery

The Tuscan capital is home to Uffizi Gallery, where the brushworks of art’s true masters can be found. Names like Raffaello, Leonardo, and Michelangelo fill Uffizi’s grand pink walls, whilst internal courtyards leading to the Arno River reveal the building’s architectural brilliance.

Best museums in Europe & Britain

When traveling Europe with Trafalgar, museum hopping is one of the best ways to understand the culture and history of the places you visit. You’ll find yourself critiquing ancient art and staring in awe at some of the world’s most prominent works. Here are some of our favorites.

Paella Valenciana

Saffron, snails, butterbeans and bomba rice are just some of the ingredients you might find in traditional Spanish paella. Despite originating from the coastal town of Valencia, Paella Valenciana is a variety without seafood. You'll love sitting back to enjoy a steaming plate over the sounds of Spanish jazz in a lively alfresco restaurant.

Beef Stroganoff

Now a staple dish in many parts of the world, beef stroganoff is best enjoyed in its birthplace in Russia with a vodka in hand. This simple dish of beef strips sauteed in a sour cream sauce offers a heart-warming taste of this country’s culinary heritage.

Bouillabaisse

The Mediterranean city of Marseille is where a French culinary icon can be found and devoured. The fragrant stew of bouillabaisse, commonly served with crusty white bread, boils up the finest local seafood and seasonal vegetables with the flavors of fennel, saffron and cayenne pepper.

Best food in Europe & Britain

Our trips to Europe gravitate around indulgent local mealtimes. With new cuisines and cooking methodologies found at every turn, this continent is simply delicious. 

What to pack for a tour in Europe

With such a large expanse of space to explore, on some days, long journeys are unavoidable. The scenery will provide plenty of visual entertainment, while headphones can be used to listen to some local music or enjoy podcasts about European history, culture and politics when you're not enjoying the storytelling from your Travel Director.

A good book

Exploring Europe is best done at a relaxed pace with ample opportunity to absorb your surroundings. Dedicate a few days to sitting in a park or a cafe, alternating between reading and watching the world go by.

Versatile shoes

Within the space of one outing you may experience all kinds of terrain when in Europe. Pack shoes that can see you walking from an elegant restaurant to a cobbled footpath, with a stroll along the soft grass of a park in between.

A blank journal

With the wealth of inspiration tucked into every corner of Europe, you may find yourself compelled to write down notes or memories. At the very least to share recommendations with friends when you return home.

All climate clothing

No matter the time of year you travel, Europe can deliver a myriad of temperatures. From frosty cities of Scandinavia to the temperate hills of Portugal, layered clothing best suits the varying micro-climates across this continent.

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5 adventures in europe without the crowds.

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Lithuania & Latvia: Vilnius to Riga with Country Walkers

If last summer is any indication—and bookings for 2024 suggest that it is—parts of Europe will be as inundated with crowds as they were in 2023. The best way to avoid the hordes is to go somewhere off the beaten path, seeking out corners of Europe free of mass tourism. Here are five European trips for those seeking a respite from the madding crowd.

Lithuania & Latvia: Vilnius to Riga

Country Walkers pairs two of the Baltics’ most desirable destinations on this eight-day trip, blending rural traditions and history. Rated Easy/Moderate includes visiting castles and historic palaces and exploring some of the scenic trails into the national parks of Trakai, Curonian Spit, Žemaitija, Gauja, and Kemeri. A visit to an amber museum and a tour of one of Europe’s largest markets, guided by a Latvian chef. There is availability in June, July and August and the cost is $4,545 (prices listed are per person, based on double occupancy, land-only).

Albania with Hinoki Travels.

Hinoki Travels chose Albania for its farm-to-table splendor, lesser-explored mountain trails, and warm-natured hospitality. It has put together a small group trip to Southern Albania with a theme of Provenance. Celebrating the region’s varied cultures, food & agriculture, and vast landscapes, this nine-day trip focuses on being hosted by local farmers, food producers, shepherds, local guides & small business owners. Accommodation is in guest houses in villages, and a highlight is sampling local food & wine. The adventures include hikes of five to six hours a day on rough, uneven terrain with varying elevations. There is also a rafting trip on the wild Vjosa River. The trip supports the efforts of EcoAlbania and Albanian citizens dedicated to protecting this river, one of Europe’s last wild-flowing rivers. There is one departure, September 14-22, 2024, and the cost is $3,250.

Exploring Zagoria with Wilderness Travel.

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Hidden Villages of Northern Greece

The crowds may flock to the Greek Islands, but you’ll encounter far fewer tourists if you head north. Traditional Greece can still be seen in Zagoria, where stone villages sit above the Vikos Gorge. On this 12-day Wilderness Travel trip, there are hikes along shepherds' paths and across arched stone bridges that span the gorge. The itinerary includes the monasteries of Meteora, which date as far back as the 13th century. The trip concludes with a hike up Mt. Olympus, the home of the gods for the ancient Greeks. Rated Level 4+, Moderate to Strenuous, this trip features daily hikes, with accommodation in hotels and simple pensions. Hikes are mainly on old mule trails and vary from 3-5 hours daily at 3,000 to 9,403 feet. There is an October 2024 departure, and the price is $4,595.

Hiker in Tatra Mountains, Poland.

Poland & Slovakia Walking & Hiking Tour

Backroads has organized this six-day national parks adventure from Kraków to the Tatra Mountains, the dramatic natural border between Slovakia and Poland. Rated levels 1-4 (out of 5), it’s a hike through mountain passes and lakes in a region dominated by the 25 peaks of the Tatras that reach more than 8,000 feet. Traverse from Poland to Slovakia on foot while exploring the Pieninys range dramatic scenery, explore the region known as Lesser Poland, and hike among the mountain lakes, waterfalls, and fields of sheep in Slovakia's High Tatras. The journey concludes in Kraków, a World Heritage site city. There are departures in August and September, and the price is $4,499.

Bran Castle, associated with the Dracula legend and Bram Stoker.

Romania: Transylvania & Beyond

This trip from Wild Frontiers begins in Bucharest, Romania’s capital, and goes into the heart of the great ranges of the Carpathian Mountains. Cultural crossroads of Central, Eastern, and South-eastern Europe for centuries, Romania has an abundance of well-preserved medieval towns, castles, and churches. The trip crosses the Transalpina, visits the World Heritage setting of Horezu Monastery, and goes through the old Saxon heartlands of Transylvania. It includes visiting the well-preserved town of Sibiu and the rural villages of Maramureş before crossing the Carpathians again to see the Painted Monasteries of Bucovina. In Moldavia, guests hear the legends and vampire myths of Sighişoara and Bran, the latter of which is associated with Bram Stoker and the Dracula legend. There is also time to explore the UNESCO sight of Viscri and the medieval heart of Brasov. This 15-day trip has a departure in September and is rated Low/Moderate for fitness, with a cost of $4,138.

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What Summer Travel to Europe Will Look Like This Year

By Arati Menon

All products featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

With additional reporting by Sarah Allard

When travel journalist Jenn Rice decided to spend July and August in Italy and Croatia last year, she wasn’t expecting to be spending most of her time indoors. “It was very very hot, so I booked museum tickets during peak days or just lounged around in my room with a spritz and a book until the sun set.” In Dubrovnik she tried escaping to the sea for a cool dip, but everyone else had the same idea—resulting in sweaty, overcrowded beaches. “In Rome , gelato melted faster than the speed of light,” she says.

Come summer, major attractions like the Spanish Steps in Rome are thronged by international tourists and vacationing Europeans.

Rome and Dubrovnik weren’t the only European destinations overcome with heat. To travel in Europe in the summer of 2023 was to experience first-hand a single season of contrasting extremes. Temperatures swung from hot and dry to cold and wet, and heatwaves broke out across several of the most heavily touristed destinations, with temperatures reaching upwards of 100°F. In Northern Greece, wildfires broke out —the worst experienced there in 20 years —destroying homes, forests, and vineyards.

Yet in the midst of it all, the continent also saw record-breaking tourist numbers —the highest since pre-pandemic levels—even as hotel prices swelled and airfares hit peaks. From scenic escapes like Bellagio in Como and Taormina in Sicily (where the White Lotus effect was on full display) to bucket-list cities like Paris and Madrid , much of touristed Europe was completely overwhelmed.

“We had people calling us from Athens and Rome asking us to get them out [to somewhere cooler in Europe], because it was too hot and too crowded,” recalls Jan Sortland , founder of Scandinavia specialists Norwegian Adventures.

International tourists weren’t the only ones thronging these spots. According to the European Travel Commission , most Europeans took their vacations before the peak month of August, with Italy and France being their top destinations. This resulted in packed crowds at all the major attractions. For John Canning, an LA-based executive who traveled to Paris in July, the crowds were eye-opening. “We didn’t anticipate that everything we would want to see was sold out. We only got Musée d’Orsay tickets through our concierge at a substantial premium and could not get into the Louvre full stop,” he says.

Rice says the summer taught her to plan her travel differently this year—and beyond: “I’m going to try and do coastal Italy early in May, and if I decide to travel in Europe this summer it will be either Asturias in Northern Spain or the Julian Alps in Slovenia to keep cool."

She’s not alone—according to the travel specialists we spoke with, there’s an increased interest in lesser-known destinations offering a more laid back (and cooler) holiday. “Our guests are asking after places where they can be outdoors, yet have access to wine & foodie experiences and culture. Slovenia is a great example of where you can have all that without being overwhelmed with the heat; the Dolomites in Italy is another,” says Rachael Mendizabal, Europe travel specialist at Scott Dunn . Richard Hyde, COO at Small Luxury Hotels of the World , is seeing similar trends across their European portfolio: “Guests seem to be gravitating towards alternative destinations—Milos instead of Mykonos and Slovenia instead of Spain.”

Norway is a popular destination this summer, offering cooler weather and a myriad ways to be active outside, exploring the islands and fjords.

A big part of that shift will play into Sortland’s area of expertise: Northern Europe. With the Med getting too hot to handle, experts predict that tourism will shift northwards. “We’re seeing a lot of interest in Copenhagen and Stockholm for the cultural experience, and then onward to Norway for the nature. Currently, the fjords are still a favorite but Norway is a large country and there’s so much more to see—the Helgeland coast for example with its beautiful coastline and mountainous islands,” he says. The draw is a more moderate temperature and unique outdoor experiences. “ Iceland is a big favorite right now with the Northern lights being the most active this year from September through March,” says Mendizabal.

Hannah Towey

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In turn, for many, the more standard city breaks will fall later in the year. “Athens and Rome will always be desirable destinations, but we’ve seen an uptick in many people preferring to go there in May and October to swerve crowds,” says Carolyn Addison, head of product at Black Tomato , noting the weather in fall has been stable lately and enticing to travelers not tied to school holidays.

With this increased flexibility, shoulder season will become tricker to define, according to Mendizabal. Thanks to hotels extending their season as demand shifts to almost year-round and the high-season pricing window getting longer, the days of “scooping a deal in September are likely over.” At Jumeirah Palace in Capri , the season now runs from March to the end of December. “Thanks to the good weather, guests are staying longer than in the past,” says Ermanno Zanini, regional vice president at Jumeirah Group, Southern Europe and United Kingdom.

Castello di Vicarello in Tuscany 's Maremma countryside has traditionally stayed open in March and November. “We're pushing the low season as much as possible because we truly believe it is a wonderful time to discover Tuscany. There is so much for guests to enjoy from hiking to mountain biking, truffle hunting, and wine tastings,” says owner Neri Baccheschi Berti.

Crucially, traveling in the shoulder and off seasons isn't just about avoiding the crowds; it’s knowing that seasonal destinations are multi-dimensional, with year-round appeal. “One of my favorite things to do in cooler weather is to hike to the peak of Mount Solaro, with its beautiful views of the town of Capri and the bay of Marina Piccola with the Faraglioni, as well as Anacapri. You also see plenty of wintering birds on the island,” says Zanini.

Zanini adds that they are in talks with the island's municipality to consider what it would take to stay open in February and March, traditionally strictly closed off. “It's not as straightforward as you think. There’s a lot of infrastructure that needs to be geared towards the low season: restaurants need to stay open, as do shops, and guides need to be available; it can’t just be the hotel,” he adds.

However, with staying open longer, there’s a real opportunity to engage local communities year-round, not to mention stabilize the hiring pool—and improve work culture. “We’ve already seen the positive impact of a longer season for our partners on the ground and locals in the hospitality and tourism sector,” says Addison, who adds that shifts in travel seasons are far from a fleeting trend. “This pattern for more year-round travel will continue to pick up pace in 2025—and beyond," she says.

Travel specialists are quick to point out that even with some of this rebalancing, summer this year and next will continue to see high demand for travel to—and within—Europe. According to Hayley Berg, chief economist at Hopper, while airfare remains higher than at this time in 2019, 40% of all searches for international trips this summer are to Europe, in line with last year and slightly higher than in 2019.

“Sure, we think that traveler numbers on the Côte d'Azur will smooth out through the year, but summer will certainly remain the festive season—only it will be longer,” says Lucie Weill, owner of wellness retreat Lily of the Valley near St. Tropez , which sees its faire share of packed streets and crowded beaches come summer. Weill adds that the hotel has seen success in extending its season.

For travel specialist Cari Gray of Gray & Co . late requests and a lack of flexibility could mean getting turned away because of a lack of availability. “Whether it’s a visit to the Vatican or dogsledding in Alaska , access is going to be very difficult. And there are only that many high-end lodges in Lapland ,” she says. Addison offers the example of Lake Como , where the best properties can often get booked up a year or two in advance during the busiest summer months. “Knowing that the top hotels and guides are getting booked up and that weather disruptions are increasingly unpredictable, clients who want to commit to the most popular summer hotspots in Europe, like the Greek islands and Sardinia are securing their bookings a year out.”

The Balearic island of Menorca is a charming escape with its rocky coves, white-sand beaches, and green rolling hills.

Ultimately, it’s not about giving up on all the places you love: just about pivoting, even if within the same country. “Why not Menorca instead of Mallorca, with its explosion of fantastic hotels and its great beach front, or Epirus in Northern Greece on the Albanian border with its Stone villages, old-growth forests, and truffle hunts instead of the islands," says Gray.

"In Italy we’re always pushing to discover new areas, even in regions that we’ve been exploring for decades like Tuscany and Umbria because new hotels are opening up regularly,” says Courtney Mundy , a travel specialist at experiential travel experts Butterfield & Robinson.

And, a word of caution for the rising favorites: “Smaller destinations in Iceland & Norway will really need to consider how to manage the higher number of visitors than ever before,” says Addison. “Parts of Iceland are overtouristed,” agrees Sortland, “so, it’s not unreasonable to think that smaller communities in Norway could eventually be at risk, too.” Whether it's through new tourist tax regimens or limits on cruise ship day-trippers to reduce crowding, a shifting tide will need more alert local governments—and as we’re swapping beaches for the mountains or Rome for Stockholm, more responsible travel habits that leave fewer traces behind.

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I'm planning to spend $5,000 to see Taylor Swift in Europe with my kids. Our floor tickets, hotel, and flights are set to cost less than our nosebleed seats in the US did.

• I saw Taylor Swift on the US leg of The Eras Tour, and two nosebleed seats cost us $5,000.
• My daughter and I loved the show, so I scored us floor seats for one of Swift's Poland shows.
• Our European trip includes three VIP Swift tickets and is set to be cheaper than our seats in the US.

When Taylor Swift first announced her Eras Tour , I laughed when I heard colleagues had cleared their work schedules to buy tickets.

I couldn't understand why they were looking for tickets for shows hours away. I liked a few of Swift's songs, but I wasn't a "Swiftie" and didn't understand the frenzy.

That all changed when my daughter started asking intensely for tickets . And once The Eras Tour started, it became clear that it was the concert of the century. It was also nearly impossible to get tickets.

Seeing the US tour was difficult and expensive, but the show turned me into a full-on Swiftie

I didn't want my kid to miss out on this generation-defining event, but I couldn't stomach spending $4,000 or more on the resale market for two nosebleed seats on top of travel costs to another city.

Fortunately, five cousins chipped in to buy my daughter tickets for her birthday.

My daughter, a devoted Swiftie, predictably loved every second of The Eras Tour. At first, I wasn't sure how I would get through a 3 ½-hour show by an artist I barely knew — but I left in awe of Swift's talent.

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In the weeks that followed, I listened exclusively to Swift. On a trip to Nashville, I sang my heart out to Swift's songs at the Country Music Hall of Fame. I wondered whether I would be able to see her perform again, this time going all in.

Getting tickets to see Swift in Poland was easier than I expected

As soon as Swift announced international dates on her tour in June, I took the first of many steps to get tickets to one of her shows abroad. I set my sights on a show in Warsaw, Poland, for several reasons.

My children and I are Polish citizens but have never set foot in the country. I've wanted to go for years, and snagging Swift tickets would allow me to finally make the trip. I reasoned that Warsaw was unlikely to be as popular as marquee destinations like Paris. It's also a less expensive city than many other international stops on The Eras Tour.

Also, tickets for the Warsaw show were not being sold through Ticketmaster. I found the idea of not having to deal with the company that botched sales to the US leg of the tour very appealing.

A few days before tickets went on sale, I got a code for the chance to buy tickets before they became available to the rest of the public. Based on how popular presales were in the US , I knew I was unlikely to get tickets, but I set an alarm for 5 a.m. anyway.

Much to my surprise, I was able to enter the ticket-buying portal right away. I scored three VIP floor seats for the first night of Swift's Eras Tour in Warsaw for less than $1,000. My daughter, my son, and I started making friendship bracelets immediately to exchange with other concert-goers, an Eras Tour tradition.

Our trip hasn't happened yet, but I already know it'll be worth it

Although tickets to the Warsaw show were not cheap, the total cost plus our European trip is set to be about the same as or less than the two nosebleed seats I got when I saw Swift in the US.

I hope to use credit-card points to book our flights, but even if I don't, I estimate the total cost of the trip could be from $4,000 to $5,000. This isn't significantly more than my family usually spends on our annual family vacation, and I have more than a year to save.

However, unlike other family vacations, this one comes with the chance to explore our roots and see a new part of the world. I never would have guessed that Swift would be what finally got me to Poland, but it's just one more reason for me to love her.

This story was originally published on July 24, 2023, and most recently updated on April 10, 2024.

Watch: All the Easter eggs in Taylor Swift's 'Willow' music video

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Already planning to see the next solar eclipse in 2026? What travelers need to know.

Umbraphiles feeling the post-eclipse blues should start checking the expiration date on their passports.

The next total solar eclipse is set to happen on Aug. 12, 2026, over Greenland, Iceland, Spain, Russia and a small part of Portugal, according to NASA . 

In North America, only a partial eclipse will be visible, so if April’s event made you an eclipse chaser and you want to see totality, you’ll need to head overseas.

Here’s what you’ll need to know before packing your bags:

Do you need a passport or visa for the best destination?

The path of totality for the 2026 eclipse mostly goes through places Americans can travel visa-free with their passport, so long as they’re planning to stay for less than 90 days.

Spain, Portugal, Iceland and Greenland all allow visa-free tourist travel for U.S. passport holders.

Spain, Portugal and Iceland are also members of the Schengen Area, which allows for visa-free travel in much of Europe, meaning if you decide to make a multi-country trip out of your eclipse adventure, you won’t need to clear customs if you’re coming from much of the rest of Europe, either.

One major change for travelers to Europe from the U.S., however, is that electronic preauthorization will become a requirement beginning in mid-2025. The European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) requirement will apply to all four open countries in the path of totality. 

Depending on the state of the Ukraine war, travel to Russia may or may not be an option for most Americans by 2026, so it’s unclear what the paperwork requirements will be by then.

Is it better to see it from the beach?

Beaches can be a great place to see the eclipse because there are few natural obstacles blocking observers’ views of the sky. The 2026 path of totality passes over beaches on Spain’s northern and southeastern coasts, as well as over islands in the Mediterranean Sea including Mallorca, Menorca and Ibiza. The eclipse will also pass over coastal areas in Greenland and Iceland, according to the National Solar Observatory . 

Cruising Altitude: What it was like to see the eclipse from a plane

Will there be eclipse cruises or flights?

Almost certainly, although most operators have not announced specific plans yet. 

Cruise lines will also offer more viewing opportunities. Princess Cruises “has created a bespoke itinerary aboard Sky Princess to position the ship near Spain on that date,” according to a spokesperson for the line. The cruise will open for bookings on Princess’s website on May 23.

Cunard Line has sailings on its Queen Mary 2 , Queen Victoria and Queen Anne vessels that will put passengers in prime spots to watch .

'The ship can move': Why you should watch next solar eclipses from a cruise ship

Holland America Line is also planning multiple sailings around the event, though details are still to be announced. “Guests have reacted positively to our 2024 eclipse cruises and with the next full eclipse in 2026 we plan to have three sailings in Europe that will align with the path of the eclipse,” Paul Grigsby, the line's vice president of Deployment & Itinerary Planning, previously told USA TODAY in an email.

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Taylor Swift Concerts Increase Hotel Prices By Up to 154% — These Are the Destinations and Dates to Avoid

Let’s get out of this town ... away from the crowds …

Emma McIntyre/TAS23/Getty Images

Taylor Swift's Eras Tour is rather popular. As in, it's made Swift a certified billionaire , popular. So popular that Swift is credited with bringing millions to local economies around the globe thanks to her thousands of fans flying in from all over the world just to see her sing. However, the one thing we could perhaps complain just a little about as travelers is that the tour is causing hotels to seriously jack up their prices in the days leading up to her tour. In some spots, as much as 44 percent. 

According to a 2024 study by Lighthouse , a travel and hospitality insights company, the increase in room pricing during Swift's European stops is "staggering." 

We can see that the effect on hotel room pricing in some cities is "staggering," including some spots seeing a more than 100 percent increase. 

"Overall, the median increase in rates for a standard hotel room compared to those nearby weeks was 44 percent, which is a huge boost to local hotel rates and indicative of the continuing star power Swift has in every geography she has visited so far," the study's findings read. However, it also noted, the effect is not universal and there is "massive variation between locations." 

There was also one other bit of good news in the study: "Most visitors are solely interested in the event's tour within the specified dates, with limited spillover demand." 

So, if you happen to want to be traveling to Europe this summer during her tour, we thought we'd give you the heads up on a few dates to avoid, and note a few cities where you may still be able to get a good deal over her concert dates, to ensure you can maximize deals and swerve the Swift Effect. 

Avoid: Warsaw 

Price increase: According to the study, prices for hotel rooms in Warsaw are experiencing a whopping 154 percent increase during Swift's tour dates.  Dates to avoid: Swift's tour stops in Warsaw from Aug. 1 to Aug. 3, so if you can, try to go the week following the concerts, when prices will be far lower. 

Avoid: Stockholm

Price increase: According to the study, prices for hotel rooms in Stockholm are experiencing a whopping 119 percent increase during Swift's tour dates.  Dates to avoid: Swift's tour stops in Warsaw from May 19 to May 19. Avoid that weekend and you should be able to find prices for less.

Avoid: Liverpool

Price increase: According to the study, prices for hotel rooms in Stockholm are experiencing a whopping 116 percent increase during Swift's tour dates.  Dates to avoid: Swift's tour stops in Liverpool from June 13 to June 15. After those dates, you should be great. 

Avoid: Vienna

Price increase: According to the study, prices for hotel rooms in Vienna are experiencing a whopping 88 percent increase during Swift's tour dates.  Dates to avoid: Swift's tour stops in Warsaw from Aug. 8 to Aug. 10, so skip those dates and find new ones to snag a deal in this fantastic city. 

Still go: Paris

Price increase: In an interesting twist, larger cities don't seem to have the same price increases as smaller ones, according to the study. Thus, spots like Paris are only experiencing a 5 percent increase in pricing for hotel rooms. So, if you plan to see the City of Lights between Swift's tour stops from May 9 to May 12, you should be in the clear.

Still go: London

Price increase: Like Paris, London too hasn't been hit too hard with Swift increases. The study notes that the city is only seeing a 9 percent increase in room prices, so feel free to still book a (slightly more expensive) stay during the tour dates from June 21 to June 23. 

There is, however, one more solution if you simply cannot avoid traveling over Swift's tour dates. According to the study, short-term rentals, like those on Airbnb and Vrbo, are seeing far less volatile pricing over the tour dates. In fact, the study noted that prices are actually lower than ever in London over her tour dates than on other days, so there's always a solution to your travel woes. Even if those woes are the fact that you couldn't score T Swift tickets.

Uruguayan singer-songwriter Jorge Drexler is embarking on his first tour of Europe

MADRID — Capitalizing on an impressive moment in Spanish-language music, Uruguayan singer-songwriter Jorge Drexler is embarking on his first tour of Europe.

“Even Don Quixote didn’t get as far as urban Spanish-speaking music is getting today in the world. You can go everywhere and you will find music that was written in Spanish,” he told The Associated Press in an interview. “I’m happy to see that (Spanish) opens doors to places that I never thought that we could get before.”

His award-winning latest album, “Tinta y tiempo” (“Ink and time”), earned him four of his 13 Latin Grammy Awards, part of a haul that includes an Oscar.

On his tour Drexler will perform live for the first time “Derrumbe,” a song about the loss of love that he rescued from his notes. The song was included in the 2021 TV show “Todo va a estar bien”.

The European tour will be more intimate than the shows of recent years, with voice, guitar and an open repertoire — a “first date” with an audience that Drexler expects will be seeing him for the first time.

“I have always looked West,” he said, with performances in the United States, Canada, Mexico and elsewhere. “I have so much work in that part of the world that I didn’t look East enough.”

He looks forward to seeing some European cities for the first time and visiting others such as Paris and Berlin after many years. The tour will take him to Denmark, Ireland, Italy and Sweden, among other countries.

After the tour ends in mid-June, he will return to the leather armchair in his studio in Madrid to sit with a guitar and a blank piece of paper and “try to get lucky.”

But as his repertoire grows, songwriting becomes more complicated because “the more you release, the more space that occupies in your brain,” Drexler said.

“Once you’ve written 200 or 300 songs, each and every new song has to open a little space,” he said.

Resorting to artificial intelligence is not an option, at least for now. He tested ChatGPT and, although the result “was perfectly written, from a syntactic, orthographic point of view,” it lacked poetry.

“I like biographies and I like songwriters, and I like to get to know the personality of a person. And I like the mistakes that guide you through unexpected places. So, I still prefer songs written by human beings,” he said.

Drexler also enjoys collaborations in the creative process, such as the ones with C.Tangana , Rubén Blades , or Noga Erez in his previous album.

“It’s a relief for me, it relieves me from myself,” he said. “My worst enemy when it comes to writing is my past, my obsessions, the way I work. It’s what I am. And I’m happy to show it, but at the same time, it’s a big, big burden.”

In collaborating, there are no restrictions in the kind of music or the generations that listen.

“I don’t think that the music we did in the past was the (good) music, like most of my generation,” Drexler said. “(I’m) more interested in the music that my 12-year-old daughter listens to than the one that my generation used to listen to. So I try to be open to different things.”

This story has been updated to correct the number of Latin Grammys Drexler won for the album Tinta y tiempo” (“Ink and time”) and removes a reference to the song “Derrumbe” being new.

Moscow Metro Tour

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Description

Moscow metro private tours.

• 2-hour tour $87:  10 Must-See Moscow Metro stations with hotel pick-up and drop-off
• 3-hour tour $137:  20 Must-See Moscow Metro stations with Russian lunch in beautifully-decorated Metro Diner + hotel pick-up and drop off. 
• Metro pass is included in the price of both tours.

Highlight of Metro Tour

• Visit 10 must-see stations of Moscow metro on 2-hr tour and 20 Metro stations on 3-hr tour, including grand Komsomolskaya station with its distinctive Baroque décor, aristocratic Mayakovskaya station with Soviet mosaics, legendary Revolution Square station with 72 bronze sculptures and more!
• Explore Museum of Moscow Metro and learn a ton of technical and historical facts;
• Listen to the secrets about the Metro-2, a secret line supposedly used by the government and KGB;
• Experience a selection of most striking features of Moscow Metro hidden from most tourists and even locals;
• Discover the underground treasure of Russian Soviet past – from mosaics to bronzes, paintings, marble arches, stained glass and even paleontological elements;
• Learn fun stories and myths about Coffee Ring, Zodiac signs of Moscow Metro and more;
• Admire Soviet-era architecture of pre- and post- World War II perious;
• Enjoy panoramic views of Sparrow Hills from Luzhniki Metro Bridge – MetroMost, the only station of Moscow Metro located over water and the highest station above ground level;
• If lucky, catch a unique «Aquarelle Train» – a wheeled picture gallery, brightly painted with images of peony, chrysanthemums, daisies, sunflowers and each car unit is unique;
• Become an expert at navigating the legendary Moscow Metro system;
• Have fun time with a very friendly local;
• + Atmospheric Metro lunch in Moscow’s the only Metro Diner (included in a 3-hr tour)

Hotel Pick-up

Metro stations:.

Komsomolskaya

Novoslobodskaya

Prospekt Mira

Belorusskaya

Mayakovskaya

Novokuznetskaya

Revolution Square

Sparrow Hills

+ for 3-hour tour

Victory Park

Slavic Boulevard

Vystavochnaya

Dostoevskaya

Elektrozavodskaya

Partizanskaya

Museum of Moscow Metro

• Drop-off  at your hotel, Novodevichy Convent, Sparrow Hills or any place you wish
• + Russian lunch  in Metro Diner with artistic metro-style interior for 3-hour tour

Fun facts from our Moscow Metro Tours:

From the very first days of its existence, the Moscow Metro was the object of civil defense, used as a bomb shelter, and designed as a defense for a possible attack on the Soviet Union.

At a depth of 50 to 120 meters lies the second, the coded system of Metro-2 of Moscow subway, which is equipped with everything you need, from food storage to the nuclear button.

According to some sources, the total length of Metro-2 reaches over 150 kilometers.

The Museum was opened on Sportivnaya metro station on November 6, 1967. It features the most interesting models of trains and stations.

Coffee Ring

The first scheme of Moscow Metro looked like a bunch of separate lines. Listen to a myth about Joseph Stalin and the main brown line of Moscow Metro.

Zodiac Metro

According to some astrologers, each of the 12 stops of the Moscow Ring Line corresponds to a particular sign of the zodiac and divides the city into astrological sector.

Astrologers believe that being in a particular zadiac sector of Moscow for a long time, you attract certain energy and events into your life.

Paleontological finds 

Red marble walls of some of the Metro stations hide in themselves petrified inhabitants of ancient seas. Try and find some!

• Every day each car in  Moscow metro passes  more than 600 km, which is the distance from Moscow to St. Petersburg.
• Moscow subway system is the  5th in the intensity  of use (after the subways of Beijing, Tokyo, Seoul and Shanghai).
• The interval in the movement of trains in rush hour is  90 seconds .

What you get:

• + A friend in Moscow.
• + Private & customized Moscow tour.
• + An exciting pastime, not just boring history lessons.
• + An authentic experience of local life.
• + Flexibility during the walking tour: changes can be made at any time to suit individual preferences.
• + Amazing deals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner in the very best cafes & restaurants. Discounts on weekdays (Mon-Fri).
• + A photo session amongst spectacular Moscow scenery that can be treasured for a lifetime.
• + Good value for souvenirs, taxis, and hotels.
• + Expert advice on what to do, where to go, and how to make the most of your time in Moscow.

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Conan O'Brien Is Always Pitching a Travel Show to Ex Turned 'Good Friend' Lisa Kudrow

In a conversation moderated by Jake Tapper, O'Brien talked about his career and previewed his new Max series

Brendan Le is an Editorial Intern at PEOPLE with three years of experience working as an editor and writer.

Jamie McCarthy/Getty; Amy Sussman/WireImage

Conan O’Brien continues to prove he’s a master of live entertainment.

On April 11, the longtime talk show host, 60, sat down for a chat moderated by CNN’s Jake Tapper at The Paley Center For Media in New York City. During the event, titled “Globetrotting and Podcasting: Conan O’Brien’s Life After Late-Night TV,” O’Brien offered insights into his career following the end of his TBS late-night show Conan in 2021 and gave guests a preview of his upcoming Max series Conan O’Brien Must Go .

During the sit-down, O'Brien shared an idea for a series he pitched to his now-ex-turned pal Lisa Kudrow . (The pair previously dated from 1988 to 1993, though O'Brien wed Liza Powel O'Brien in 2002 and Kudrow has been married to Michel Stern since 1995.)

"I did pitch my good friend, Lisa Kudrow, who I love, an idea for a travel show because it's very her," the comedian said. "She travels the world but never leaves her hotel room. And she's always wearing a big robe and sipping on, like, a smoothie."

"People come in and show her pictures of that amazing part of the world and she's like, 'I'm good. I'm gonna watch Sixteen Candles now,'" he continued. "And every now and then, she does go out, but in like a giant SUV . . . and she doesn't come out of it. And she was laughing. She was like, 'I'd do that.'"

Reflecting on his own upcoming travel comedy series Conan O’Brien Must Go , the podcaster noted that he doesn't want his show to be similar to Stanley Tucci 's CNN program Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy .

Dia Dipasupil/Getty

"I have a lot of respect and love for Stanely Tucci, but what I wanna do is the exact opposite," he explained while talking about his 2018  Conan Without Borders  episode, in which he went to Italy with his staffer Jordan Schlanksy. "I want people to really have a good time and laugh, but I want there to be a deficit in their knowledge when they're done watching my show."

Earlier in the week, O’Brien’s press run for his travel docuseries took him back to The Tonight Show , where he served as the host for a short one-season stint from 2009 to 2010. 

Of returning to the program , O’Brien told host Jimmy Fallon , “It’s weird to come back.”

Todd Owyoung/NBC via Getty

Never miss a story — sign up for  PEOPLE's free daily newsletter  to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human-interest stories.

O'Brien was suddenly laid off from his Tonight Show gig and predecessor Jay Leno returned to his former role. 

In addition to his self-titled talk show that ran for 11 seasons, O’Brien launched a podcast in 2018 called Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend . The audio show welcomed an array of notable guests, from former President Barack Obama to Prince and Paul McCartney .

Conan O’Brien Must Go premieres on April 18 on Max. 

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Europe Tour Companies

Looking for an unforgettable Europe tour? Book a fully-organized trip with the best tour companies in Europe and let the tour operator take care of everything for you. Check out the tour details and read 255143 reviews from our customers to help you choose the perfect tour for you.

List of Europe travel companies & tour operators with 255143 reviews

Expat Explore Travel

• Excellent - 4,244 reviews for Europe tours

It was an amazing 11 days jam packed with alot of things to see and do! Our guide was the most amazing guide I've ever met! Peter (guide) and the driver Silvian made this trip the most memorable! His attention to detail and knowledge of everywhere we went was off the charts! Peter also cares alot about his passengers and make sure all passengers needs are met! Peter makes this trip 10/10. Explat explore I nominate Peter once again for the best guide in 2024. Only downside of the trip is that the hotels that were booked are abit too far from the major cities we went to, sometimes over 30 mins travel by train etc. This made it harder for us to explore more during the night. Thanks Peter and Silvian for a great trip!

Peter and Sylvio made this trip. Best ever tour guide. So knowledgeable and so so caring. Also sooooo funny. We loved it. Sylvio was such a professional and and an awesome driver make sure we were all looked after too. Just an incredible team.

Europamundo

• Good - 2,970 reviews for Europe tours

European Charm March 2024 tour. My husband and I had a wonderful time. The tour guides Mario and Arturo were excellent. They went out of their way to help our tour exceed our expexpectations. Something not in their control that I would change is getting hotels closer to city centers. In Frankfurt our tour stayed in a hotel outside of city center with very little food or night life options. A word of advice if you take this tour and would like to go to Van Goh museum or Ann Frank House.... book at least 1-2 months in advance. Thank you for a great vacation! Jon and Sally

I had an amazing experience.

Intrepid Travel

• Excellent - 11,692 reviews for Europe tours

Overall, it was 6 days of diving into the rich culture and history of Turkey, scenic views and fun under the sun. Ata our guide, was very accomodating and flexible to our group's needs. A couple of non-attendees have hindered our prompt start and delayed our itinerary for the 1st day. The Istanbul part could have been planned more I believe, although most people stay a day or two after the group tour.

The area covered was perfect. The guide was fantastic. Her knowledge thorough and well delivered with great personality. She had the patience of a saint!

G Adventures

• Excellent - 19,079 reviews for Europe tours

Was an amazing tour!

Hotels had dead cockroaches lying around, guide was sweet but not experienced at creating a cohesive group feel. On top of which, the credit that GAdventures gave me to compensate for the mediocrity of the trip expired in 6 months - even the airlines give you a year! And some trips have no option to have a private room (yes, I';m willing to pay extra for that).

Travel Talk

• Excellent - 6,387 reviews for Europe tours

All of the places we visited were amazing, but by and large the success of this tour was due to our incredible guide Voisin Munchan. To keep everyone together with patience and kindness, to enlighten us with history and humor, to always have a positive outlook, all of these abilities and so much more really my made the tour an amazing and emotionally moving experience.

I was impressed with how much we were able to see in a short amount of time.

Penguin Travel

• Excellent - 480 reviews for Europe tours

The itinerary and experience exceeded our expectations. Georgi and Bobby took great care of us and made sure we were always happy and safe!

Excellent, Amazing tour from Penguin Travel. I really enjoy the tour. Thank you to Bobby our driver for keeping us safe back to sofia and taking care our luggage. Also Thank you to our Amazing Tour Leader Georgi, who is always there when needed. very well recommended.

• Excellent - 863 reviews for Europe tours

Gerry Baines did a wonderful job in keeping everything organized, and on time.

We got to experience 5 countries and numerous cities! Never could have done this so efficiently and cost effectively on our own. And in each place we visited, we were provided historical and modern day insights, information, and cultural entertainment. Our tour director Sarah Rose was amazing. Her primary concern was always her guests' enjoyment and comfort. She went above and beyond! David, our coach driver, was also fantastic! Once in a lifetime experience for our family! Loved it!!!!

• Excellent - 74,884 reviews for Europe tours

The only thing that will keep me from considering or recomending Tour Radar with Hlobus is the lack or inability to talk to a real person I had to text TourRadar to ask globus for information only to be told many time one or the other is not answering. In the end it all worked out and the staff at the site was good but the early communication may cause me to shop around

Great trip, good hotels and guiding and lovely food!

• Excellent - 5,345 reviews for Europe tours

Richard the tour guide was amazing, he went above and beyond for everybody. If I had known this tour was going to be full of arrogant Aussies with no manners I’d never had gone on it. It’s very cliquey a lot mean girl vibes. You do get your moneys worth in terms of experience of each city you visit. I wouldn’t recommend

I am satisfied with all the tour. The tour was so amazing. The tour guide (Bento) was so informative, helpful and efficient with everything. The couch driver (Greg) was so helpful with everything and feel safe as he has excellent driving skill with welcoming smile. I would say the tour was fabulous.

Choose Balkans

• Excellent - 290 reviews for Europe tours

The tour was a perfect blend of the historical, the wilderness and the gastronomic! Being able to learn so much knowledge about regional and urban Albania was a complete delight. Throw in having your own personal time to enjoy each day, by yourself, as well was great for me as well. The tour was extremely well structured with my guide, Daniel, being flexible and accommodating is what interested me the most. His encyclopedic knowledge of all subjects was amazing and made the journey so much more interesting. Special call out to all the accommodations along the trip which were so welcoming and first rate. I would certainly recommend this tour to others I meet wanting to travel to Albania. Cheers,

Juli was our tour guide and was fantastic! He knew the local history, architecture, culture, food, and current environment. We could not have found a more knowledgeable guide and competent driver on our own! And the Choose Balkans team that organizes and manages all the logistics are world class! I've traveled to more than 40 countries, and I'd match this tour group with any in the world I've used before. I'm grateful for a memorable experience and for making our time in Tirana worthwhile. It was a trip that we will not forget!

• Excellent - 1,887 reviews for Europe tours

Great experience, better than expected. Will be using them (Trafalgar) again in the future.

Nikos was fantastic!

• Excellent - 4,618 reviews for Europe tours

Roxy (tour guide) and Adam (driver) are legends! They are so knowledgeable and professional. Definitely made the trip amazing for all of us. Thank you so much Roxy and Adam!

It was an incredible, well-organized, and fun trip!

Insight Vacations

• Excellent - 625 reviews for Europe tours

There was the largest December snow in 90 years just before we a. It made getting there a little difficult but well worth it! Our carriage ride was magical. Greg made it even more special. He was so attentive to everyone’s needs and abilities. Never rushing anyone. Not to mention his surprises every time we got back on the bus. Starting each day with “Louie Armstrongs it’s a wonderful world. We all would sing along. We became friends instantly and felt like family within just a few days together. I highly recommend Greg as a tour guide he really added to the experience. The atmosphere he created by showing us all how much he truly cared for each of us. He is an exceptional person and I for one feel that the trip would have not been the same without him!!!!!

Great variety of markets. Well organised and Greg was very helpful when I had a bit of a mobility issue.

• Excellent - 15,412 reviews for Europe tours

Overall the tour was amazing to visit different islands and was amazing weather, great company

The most amazing guid ever! Very funny and very good at her job

• Excellent - 19,642 reviews for Europe tours

It was good, but tiring.

Wonderful! First time traveling outside of the US alone. It was a beautiful tour! Henry was amazing! He was full of knowledge and fun facts. The itinerary was awesome and well organized. So happy I went! I made life long friends sling the way! Recommend and will be using this tour again soon! Just book it! You’ll love it!

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