Europe Large Ship Cruise Tours & Trip Packages

Europe Large Ship Cruise Tours & Trips

8,130 Europe trips. Tours from 583 tour companies. 19,834 reviews. 4.6/5 avg rating.

123 trips exactly matchall of the the filters you selected.
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Large Ship Cruise
British Isles Medley
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4/5 Great
100+ reviews
Large Ship Cruise
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Caernarfon Castle, Dublin, Edinburgh, London, Southampton

Highlights

  • Explore Henry VIII’s favorite palace, Hampton Court, and see Christopher Wren’s magnificent state apartments and gardens.
  • Gain an understanding of Irish shipbuilding heritage, political transformations, and achievements in literature and the arts at Dublin’s venerable Trinity College.
  • Experience the evocative cultural and historical landscapes of Scotland and Wales in Edinburgh’s Old Town and Caernarfon Castle where Princes of Wales are crowned.

Themes

50 plus, Education / Learning

What travelers are saying

"Our family of four, including two adult children, took the Bicycling: Day Trips to Paradise in Canada. This trip is entirely outsourced to the owners of the inn, there are no Road Scholar employees involved in the trip. Two of us have taken bicycle trips all over the world and the bicycling component of this trip was disorganized, haphazard and almost unsafe. We all filled out forms giving details regarding our bicycle fitting months before the trip. On the first day, the leader Stephen, went around the room and asked the same questions and said everyone would get fitted in the morning before we began the first ride. The morning brought a rack of bikes, all different types in various levels of readiness. There were road bikes, hybrid bikes, mountain bikes and e-bikes. The rides were all on paved surfaces and the mountain bikes were heavy and the additional suspension added weight. The bike I received had rust on the chain and rear sprocket. When I asked about it, was told they were waiting for another van to show up with tools and equipment. Once it arrived, they gave me the lubricant to spray on the rust. My wife’s bike would not shift into the high gear on the front sprocket. Instead of adjusting the derailleur, they suggested spraying it with lubricant. Our one son is over six feet and needed a larger frame bike, even though he detailed it in the bike form months ago, there was no bike to fit him. One of the guides, then went home and brought a larger bike that was a full suspension mountain bike for him. The bike was very heavy, hard to control on the road and he felt unsafe. After two days, one of the guides convinced Stephen that they could adjust a hybrid bike to fit him. Clearly there was no work done to prepare the bikes for the trip. Many of the bikes needed adjusting and all needed lubricant to function easily. For every day, there was a tray of snacks placed out for us to take along the ride. None of the bikes had any baskets or attached bags, so if you didn’t bring a small day pack, there was no way to carry the snacks. For lunch on the rides, they brought exactly one sandwich for each rider. Since most of us get hungry while doing a day of exercise, it would have been helpful to have a few extras. On one day, they ran out of sandwiches and one of the leaders that were riding with us did not get lunch. Do NOT take this trip if you are expecting it to be a bicycling trip. We have used VBT and Discovery Bicycle Tours many times over the past 25 years and they are excellent bike tour companies. Lastly, after sharing these details with Road Scholar after the trip, their response was weak at best. After doing the full reviews and having to call them, their response was to give us $200 credit after spending $8000 on this trip. Not only was that insulting, they assumed that I would take another trip with their organization."

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The Best of Britain: Celebrate Road Scholar’s 40th Anniversary Aboard the QM2
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4.4/5 Great
100+ reviews
Large Ship Cruise
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

London

Highlights

  • Get an in-depth look at MI5 with intelligence expert Nigel West, and explore the role of spies in fiction and in politics.
  • With Royal Editor Robert Jobson and former Royal Protection Officer Ken Wharfe, consider the lives of the new royal family in the 21st century.
  • Join diplomat Charles Anson, former Press Secretary to Queen Elizabeth and Margaret Thatcher, as he talks about his career and his experience as a hostage in Iran.

Themes

50 plus, Education / Learning, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"Our family of four, including two adult children, took the Bicycling: Day Trips to Paradise in Canada. This trip is entirely outsourced to the owners of the inn, there are no Road Scholar employees involved in the trip. Two of us have taken bicycle trips all over the world and the bicycling component of this trip was disorganized, haphazard and almost unsafe. We all filled out forms giving details regarding our bicycle fitting months before the trip. On the first day, the leader Stephen, went around the room and asked the same questions and said everyone would get fitted in the morning before we began the first ride. The morning brought a rack of bikes, all different types in various levels of readiness. There were road bikes, hybrid bikes, mountain bikes and e-bikes. The rides were all on paved surfaces and the mountain bikes were heavy and the additional suspension added weight. The bike I received had rust on the chain and rear sprocket. When I asked about it, was told they were waiting for another van to show up with tools and equipment. Once it arrived, they gave me the lubricant to spray on the rust. My wife’s bike would not shift into the high gear on the front sprocket. Instead of adjusting the derailleur, they suggested spraying it with lubricant. Our one son is over six feet and needed a larger frame bike, even though he detailed it in the bike form months ago, there was no bike to fit him. One of the guides, then went home and brought a larger bike that was a full suspension mountain bike for him. The bike was very heavy, hard to control on the road and he felt unsafe. After two days, one of the guides convinced Stephen that they could adjust a hybrid bike to fit him. Clearly there was no work done to prepare the bikes for the trip. Many of the bikes needed adjusting and all needed lubricant to function easily. For every day, there was a tray of snacks placed out for us to take along the ride. None of the bikes had any baskets or attached bags, so if you didn’t bring a small day pack, there was no way to carry the snacks. For lunch on the rides, they brought exactly one sandwich for each rider. Since most of us get hungry while doing a day of exercise, it would have been helpful to have a few extras. On one day, they ran out of sandwiches and one of the leaders that were riding with us did not get lunch. Do NOT take this trip if you are expecting it to be a bicycling trip. We have used VBT and Discovery Bicycle Tours many times over the past 25 years and they are excellent bike tour companies. Lastly, after sharing these details with Road Scholar after the trip, their response was weak at best. After doing the full reviews and having to call them, their response was to give us $200 credit after spending $8000 on this trip. Not only was that insulting, they assumed that I would take another trip with their organization."

Trip dates & details
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Stepping Stones in the Atlantic: The Hebrides, Faroes, Shetland & Orkney Islands
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4.4/5 Great
100+ reviews
Large Ship Cruise
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Edinburgh, Orkney Islands, Shetland Islands

Highlights

  • Navigate to some of the most beautiful, isolated islands in the Atlantic including St. Kilda and the Faroe Islands.
  • Interact with the 60 or so residents of Fair Isle, the most remote inhabited island in the United Kingdom.
  • Discover Orkney’s remarkable prehistoric sites including two ceremonial stone circles and a well-preserved village.

Themes

50 plus, Cultural, Education / Learning

What travelers are saying

"Our family of four, including two adult children, took the Bicycling: Day Trips to Paradise in Canada. This trip is entirely outsourced to the owners of the inn, there are no Road Scholar employees involved in the trip. Two of us have taken bicycle trips all over the world and the bicycling component of this trip was disorganized, haphazard and almost unsafe. We all filled out forms giving details regarding our bicycle fitting months before the trip. On the first day, the leader Stephen, went around the room and asked the same questions and said everyone would get fitted in the morning before we began the first ride. The morning brought a rack of bikes, all different types in various levels of readiness. There were road bikes, hybrid bikes, mountain bikes and e-bikes. The rides were all on paved surfaces and the mountain bikes were heavy and the additional suspension added weight. The bike I received had rust on the chain and rear sprocket. When I asked about it, was told they were waiting for another van to show up with tools and equipment. Once it arrived, they gave me the lubricant to spray on the rust. My wife’s bike would not shift into the high gear on the front sprocket. Instead of adjusting the derailleur, they suggested spraying it with lubricant. Our one son is over six feet and needed a larger frame bike, even though he detailed it in the bike form months ago, there was no bike to fit him. One of the guides, then went home and brought a larger bike that was a full suspension mountain bike for him. The bike was very heavy, hard to control on the road and he felt unsafe. After two days, one of the guides convinced Stephen that they could adjust a hybrid bike to fit him. Clearly there was no work done to prepare the bikes for the trip. Many of the bikes needed adjusting and all needed lubricant to function easily. For every day, there was a tray of snacks placed out for us to take along the ride. None of the bikes had any baskets or attached bags, so if you didn’t bring a small day pack, there was no way to carry the snacks. For lunch on the rides, they brought exactly one sandwich for each rider. Since most of us get hungry while doing a day of exercise, it would have been helpful to have a few extras. On one day, they ran out of sandwiches and one of the leaders that were riding with us did not get lunch. Do NOT take this trip if you are expecting it to be a bicycling trip. We have used VBT and Discovery Bicycle Tours many times over the past 25 years and they are excellent bike tour companies. Lastly, after sharing these details with Road Scholar after the trip, their response was weak at best. After doing the full reviews and having to call them, their response was to give us $200 credit after spending $8000 on this trip. Not only was that insulting, they assumed that I would take another trip with their organization."

Trip dates & details
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The British Isles by Sea: Ireland, Scotland and England
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4.4/5 Great
100+ reviews
Large Ship Cruise
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Amsterdam, Dublin, Edinburgh, Giant’s Causeway, London

Highlights

  • Learn about the canals and historical architecture of Amsterdam.
  • Thrill in the remarkable landform of Northern Ireland's Giant’s Causeway — a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
  • Explore the Castle of Mey, the northernmost castle on the UK mainland and long time residence of the Queen Mother.

Themes

50 plus, Cultural, Education / Learning, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"Our family of four, including two adult children, took the Bicycling: Day Trips to Paradise in Canada. This trip is entirely outsourced to the owners of the inn, there are no Road Scholar employees involved in the trip. Two of us have taken bicycle trips all over the world and the bicycling component of this trip was disorganized, haphazard and almost unsafe. We all filled out forms giving details regarding our bicycle fitting months before the trip. On the first day, the leader Stephen, went around the room and asked the same questions and said everyone would get fitted in the morning before we began the first ride. The morning brought a rack of bikes, all different types in various levels of readiness. There were road bikes, hybrid bikes, mountain bikes and e-bikes. The rides were all on paved surfaces and the mountain bikes were heavy and the additional suspension added weight. The bike I received had rust on the chain and rear sprocket. When I asked about it, was told they were waiting for another van to show up with tools and equipment. Once it arrived, they gave me the lubricant to spray on the rust. My wife’s bike would not shift into the high gear on the front sprocket. Instead of adjusting the derailleur, they suggested spraying it with lubricant. Our one son is over six feet and needed a larger frame bike, even though he detailed it in the bike form months ago, there was no bike to fit him. One of the guides, then went home and brought a larger bike that was a full suspension mountain bike for him. The bike was very heavy, hard to control on the road and he felt unsafe. After two days, one of the guides convinced Stephen that they could adjust a hybrid bike to fit him. Clearly there was no work done to prepare the bikes for the trip. Many of the bikes needed adjusting and all needed lubricant to function easily. For every day, there was a tray of snacks placed out for us to take along the ride. None of the bikes had any baskets or attached bags, so if you didn’t bring a small day pack, there was no way to carry the snacks. For lunch on the rides, they brought exactly one sandwich for each rider. Since most of us get hungry while doing a day of exercise, it would have been helpful to have a few extras. On one day, they ran out of sandwiches and one of the leaders that were riding with us did not get lunch. Do NOT take this trip if you are expecting it to be a bicycling trip. We have used VBT and Discovery Bicycle Tours many times over the past 25 years and they are excellent bike tour companies. Lastly, after sharing these details with Road Scholar after the trip, their response was weak at best. After doing the full reviews and having to call them, their response was to give us $200 credit after spending $8000 on this trip. Not only was that insulting, they assumed that I would take another trip with their organization."

Trip dates & details
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Old Meets New: An Extraordinary Crossing, Amsterdam to New York City
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4.4/5 Great
100+ reviews
Large Ship Cruise
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Amsterdam, Edinburgh, Ellis Island, Thingvellir National park

Highlights

  • With a Road Scholar expert, stroll Amsterdam’s arched bridges and watery passageways to 100-year-old Albert Cuyp Market and sample stroopwafel, a signature Dutch syrup waffle.
  • From Reykjavik, a field trip into central Iceland unveils the jewel of Thingvellir national park, the world’s best and most fascinating example of continental drift.
  • In New York City, experience Ellis Island, where 40 percent of U.S. citizens can trace an ancestor’s arrival, explore the Met, see a Broadway show or walk architect Frederick Law Olmsted’s gem — Central Park.

Themes

50 plus, Education / Learning, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"Our family of four, including two adult children, took the Bicycling: Day Trips to Paradise in Canada. This trip is entirely outsourced to the owners of the inn, there are no Road Scholar employees involved in the trip. Two of us have taken bicycle trips all over the world and the bicycling component of this trip was disorganized, haphazard and almost unsafe. We all filled out forms giving details regarding our bicycle fitting months before the trip. On the first day, the leader Stephen, went around the room and asked the same questions and said everyone would get fitted in the morning before we began the first ride. The morning brought a rack of bikes, all different types in various levels of readiness. There were road bikes, hybrid bikes, mountain bikes and e-bikes. The rides were all on paved surfaces and the mountain bikes were heavy and the additional suspension added weight. The bike I received had rust on the chain and rear sprocket. When I asked about it, was told they were waiting for another van to show up with tools and equipment. Once it arrived, they gave me the lubricant to spray on the rust. My wife’s bike would not shift into the high gear on the front sprocket. Instead of adjusting the derailleur, they suggested spraying it with lubricant. Our one son is over six feet and needed a larger frame bike, even though he detailed it in the bike form months ago, there was no bike to fit him. One of the guides, then went home and brought a larger bike that was a full suspension mountain bike for him. The bike was very heavy, hard to control on the road and he felt unsafe. After two days, one of the guides convinced Stephen that they could adjust a hybrid bike to fit him. Clearly there was no work done to prepare the bikes for the trip. Many of the bikes needed adjusting and all needed lubricant to function easily. For every day, there was a tray of snacks placed out for us to take along the ride. None of the bikes had any baskets or attached bags, so if you didn’t bring a small day pack, there was no way to carry the snacks. For lunch on the rides, they brought exactly one sandwich for each rider. Since most of us get hungry while doing a day of exercise, it would have been helpful to have a few extras. On one day, they ran out of sandwiches and one of the leaders that were riding with us did not get lunch. Do NOT take this trip if you are expecting it to be a bicycling trip. We have used VBT and Discovery Bicycle Tours many times over the past 25 years and they are excellent bike tour companies. Lastly, after sharing these details with Road Scholar after the trip, their response was weak at best. After doing the full reviews and having to call them, their response was to give us $200 credit after spending $8000 on this trip. Not only was that insulting, they assumed that I would take another trip with their organization."

Trip dates & details
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Britain’s Brilliant Art and Architecture: A Queen Mary 2 Voyage
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4.4/5 Great
100+ reviews
Large Ship Cruise
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

London, New York, Southampton

Highlights

  • Amid the opulent surroundings of the Queen Mary 2, delve into topics like the Georgian and Victorian periods and the influence of art-loving British monarchs.
  • Discover the diverse architectural styles of Oxford, “The City of Dreaming Spires,” on expert-led walking excursions.
  • Take a field trip to the National Trust's Upton Park, the home of Lord and Lady Bearsted in the 1930s.

Themes

50 plus, Education / Learning, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"Our family of four, including two adult children, took the Bicycling: Day Trips to Paradise in Canada. This trip is entirely outsourced to the owners of the inn, there are no Road Scholar employees involved in the trip. Two of us have taken bicycle trips all over the world and the bicycling component of this trip was disorganized, haphazard and almost unsafe. We all filled out forms giving details regarding our bicycle fitting months before the trip. On the first day, the leader Stephen, went around the room and asked the same questions and said everyone would get fitted in the morning before we began the first ride. The morning brought a rack of bikes, all different types in various levels of readiness. There were road bikes, hybrid bikes, mountain bikes and e-bikes. The rides were all on paved surfaces and the mountain bikes were heavy and the additional suspension added weight. The bike I received had rust on the chain and rear sprocket. When I asked about it, was told they were waiting for another van to show up with tools and equipment. Once it arrived, they gave me the lubricant to spray on the rust. My wife’s bike would not shift into the high gear on the front sprocket. Instead of adjusting the derailleur, they suggested spraying it with lubricant. Our one son is over six feet and needed a larger frame bike, even though he detailed it in the bike form months ago, there was no bike to fit him. One of the guides, then went home and brought a larger bike that was a full suspension mountain bike for him. The bike was very heavy, hard to control on the road and he felt unsafe. After two days, one of the guides convinced Stephen that they could adjust a hybrid bike to fit him. Clearly there was no work done to prepare the bikes for the trip. Many of the bikes needed adjusting and all needed lubricant to function easily. For every day, there was a tray of snacks placed out for us to take along the ride. None of the bikes had any baskets or attached bags, so if you didn’t bring a small day pack, there was no way to carry the snacks. For lunch on the rides, they brought exactly one sandwich for each rider. Since most of us get hungry while doing a day of exercise, it would have been helpful to have a few extras. On one day, they ran out of sandwiches and one of the leaders that were riding with us did not get lunch. Do NOT take this trip if you are expecting it to be a bicycling trip. We have used VBT and Discovery Bicycle Tours many times over the past 25 years and they are excellent bike tour companies. Lastly, after sharing these details with Road Scholar after the trip, their response was weak at best. After doing the full reviews and having to call them, their response was to give us $200 credit after spending $8000 on this trip. Not only was that insulting, they assumed that I would take another trip with their organization."

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Best of London Theatre on The Queen Mary 2
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4.4/5 Great
100+ reviews
Large Ship Cruise
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

British Museum, London, New York

Highlights

  • Enjoy engaging theatre lectures led by producer and director Giles Ramsay, who provides expert insight into the historic roots of theatre and its contemporary practice.
  • Experience British theatre firsthand by attending four plays in London’s West End.
  • Exchange opinions on culture, politics and the arts with top BBC journalists, arts professionals and a leading London theatre critic

Themes

50 plus, Education / Learning, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"Our family of four, including two adult children, took the Bicycling: Day Trips to Paradise in Canada. This trip is entirely outsourced to the owners of the inn, there are no Road Scholar employees involved in the trip. Two of us have taken bicycle trips all over the world and the bicycling component of this trip was disorganized, haphazard and almost unsafe. We all filled out forms giving details regarding our bicycle fitting months before the trip. On the first day, the leader Stephen, went around the room and asked the same questions and said everyone would get fitted in the morning before we began the first ride. The morning brought a rack of bikes, all different types in various levels of readiness. There were road bikes, hybrid bikes, mountain bikes and e-bikes. The rides were all on paved surfaces and the mountain bikes were heavy and the additional suspension added weight. The bike I received had rust on the chain and rear sprocket. When I asked about it, was told they were waiting for another van to show up with tools and equipment. Once it arrived, they gave me the lubricant to spray on the rust. My wife’s bike would not shift into the high gear on the front sprocket. Instead of adjusting the derailleur, they suggested spraying it with lubricant. Our one son is over six feet and needed a larger frame bike, even though he detailed it in the bike form months ago, there was no bike to fit him. One of the guides, then went home and brought a larger bike that was a full suspension mountain bike for him. The bike was very heavy, hard to control on the road and he felt unsafe. After two days, one of the guides convinced Stephen that they could adjust a hybrid bike to fit him. Clearly there was no work done to prepare the bikes for the trip. Many of the bikes needed adjusting and all needed lubricant to function easily. For every day, there was a tray of snacks placed out for us to take along the ride. None of the bikes had any baskets or attached bags, so if you didn’t bring a small day pack, there was no way to carry the snacks. For lunch on the rides, they brought exactly one sandwich for each rider. Since most of us get hungry while doing a day of exercise, it would have been helpful to have a few extras. On one day, they ran out of sandwiches and one of the leaders that were riding with us did not get lunch. Do NOT take this trip if you are expecting it to be a bicycling trip. We have used VBT and Discovery Bicycle Tours many times over the past 25 years and they are excellent bike tour companies. Lastly, after sharing these details with Road Scholar after the trip, their response was weak at best. After doing the full reviews and having to call them, their response was to give us $200 credit after spending $8000 on this trip. Not only was that insulting, they assumed that I would take another trip with their organization."

Trip dates & details
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Secret Isles of Great Britain and Ireland
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4.4/5 Great
100+ reviews
Large Ship Cruise
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Edinburgh, Isles of Scilly, London

Highlights

  • Discover enchanting gardens including the subtropical Tresco Abbey Gardens.
  • Explore archaeological sites like the Callanish Standing Stones and medieval blackhouse villages.
  • Residents of Ireland’s Tory Island introduce you to their language, music and stories.

Themes

50 plus, Cultural, Education / Learning, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"Our family of four, including two adult children, took the Bicycling: Day Trips to Paradise in Canada. This trip is entirely outsourced to the owners of the inn, there are no Road Scholar employees involved in the trip. Two of us have taken bicycle trips all over the world and the bicycling component of this trip was disorganized, haphazard and almost unsafe. We all filled out forms giving details regarding our bicycle fitting months before the trip. On the first day, the leader Stephen, went around the room and asked the same questions and said everyone would get fitted in the morning before we began the first ride. The morning brought a rack of bikes, all different types in various levels of readiness. There were road bikes, hybrid bikes, mountain bikes and e-bikes. The rides were all on paved surfaces and the mountain bikes were heavy and the additional suspension added weight. The bike I received had rust on the chain and rear sprocket. When I asked about it, was told they were waiting for another van to show up with tools and equipment. Once it arrived, they gave me the lubricant to spray on the rust. My wife’s bike would not shift into the high gear on the front sprocket. Instead of adjusting the derailleur, they suggested spraying it with lubricant. Our one son is over six feet and needed a larger frame bike, even though he detailed it in the bike form months ago, there was no bike to fit him. One of the guides, then went home and brought a larger bike that was a full suspension mountain bike for him. The bike was very heavy, hard to control on the road and he felt unsafe. After two days, one of the guides convinced Stephen that they could adjust a hybrid bike to fit him. Clearly there was no work done to prepare the bikes for the trip. Many of the bikes needed adjusting and all needed lubricant to function easily. For every day, there was a tray of snacks placed out for us to take along the ride. None of the bikes had any baskets or attached bags, so if you didn’t bring a small day pack, there was no way to carry the snacks. For lunch on the rides, they brought exactly one sandwich for each rider. Since most of us get hungry while doing a day of exercise, it would have been helpful to have a few extras. On one day, they ran out of sandwiches and one of the leaders that were riding with us did not get lunch. Do NOT take this trip if you are expecting it to be a bicycling trip. We have used VBT and Discovery Bicycle Tours many times over the past 25 years and they are excellent bike tour companies. Lastly, after sharing these details with Road Scholar after the trip, their response was weak at best. After doing the full reviews and having to call them, their response was to give us $200 credit after spending $8000 on this trip. Not only was that insulting, they assumed that I would take another trip with their organization."

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Europe Reviews & Ratings

4.6/5  Excellent
19,834  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

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

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

Aug 2016

Provided byExodus Travels

HIGHLIGHTS OF CENTRAL EUROPE

Highlights of Central Central Europe (June 2011) was a marvelous overview of the cities, villages, and countryside of this culturally and scenically rich region, and...

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

The tour takes in five of Central Europe's historic capitals, allowing you to see as much as possible in the time available. Hotels and breakfasts are good. A few of...

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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