Europe Rafting, Kayaking, Canoeing Tours & Trip Packages

Europe Rafting, Kayaking, Canoeing Tours & Trips

8,139 Europe trips. Tours from 583 tour companies. 20,250 reviews. 4.6/5 avg rating.

73 trips exactly matchall of the the filters you selected.
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Rafting, Kayaking, Canoeing
Into the Azores: Europe’s Most Remote Adventure Playground | September 3, 2022
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5/5 Excellent
12 reviews
Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Azores

Highlights

  • TRIP HIGHLIGHTS Cycle and kayak around the Sete Cidades crater lakes
  • Spot whales and dolphins on an optional marine safari
  • Abseil down waterfalls and swim in natural rock pools
  • Hike around Furnas Lake
  • Soak in mineral-rich hot springs
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Themes

Cultural, Cycling & Biking, Hiking & Walking, Rafting, Kayaking, Canoeing

What travelers are saying

"A Culture Trip curated trip is a must for anyone burnt out planning their own trips or going to a remote or unfamiliar area. Having a local insider was the highlight of the trip. From the moment we landed to the moment we had to go through security to leave, we were completely taken care of. Our insider gave us great recommendations for restaurants and was very adaptable to any situation that arose."

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Into the Azores: Europe’s Most Remote Adventure Playground | October 8, 2022
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5/5 Excellent
12 reviews
Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Azores

Highlights

  • TRIP HIGHLIGHTS Cycle and kayak around the Sete Cidades crater lakes
  • Spot whales and dolphins on an optional marine safari
  • Abseil down waterfalls and swim in natural rock pools
  • Hike around Furnas Lake
  • Soak in mineral-rich hot springs
Show more

Themes

Cycling & Biking, Hiking & Walking, Rafting, Kayaking, Canoeing, Trekking & Expeditions

What travelers are saying

"A Culture Trip curated trip is a must for anyone burnt out planning their own trips or going to a remote or unfamiliar area. Having a local insider was the highlight of the trip. From the moment we landed to the moment we had to go through security to leave, we were completely taken care of. Our insider gave us great recommendations for restaurants and was very adaptable to any situation that arose."

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Kayak Croatia
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5/5 Excellent
24 reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Dalmatian Coast, Dubrovnik, Hvar Island, Korcula Island

Highlights

  • Enjoy every day, and every island and settlement we visit on this trip, is different and unique.
  • Enjoy as paddling, we go for short hikes to explore historic fortresses
  • Experience wander through bucolic landscapes, and get happily lost amid the labyrinths of tiny streets in timeless Venetian villages
  • Stopping to sip great coffee under the shade of bougainvillea.
  • Our Kayak Croatia trip with its mix of superb landscapes, history, culture and great food and wines, is an adventure not to be missed.

Themes

Cultural, Rafting, Kayaking, Canoeing

What travelers are saying

"Our most recent trip with Hidden Places, the La Rioja Bicycle tour, has only confirmed our high regard for the quality and attention to detail that make their trips beyond parallel. Starting in Pamplona, we enjoyed seven days of riding through gorgeous, verdant green countryside, through lovely historic hilltop villages, through wildflowers, vineyards, fields of wheat and oats, and alongside many pilgrims on the Camino de Santiago de Compostela. We toured an underground winery in Laguardia, a monastery dating to the 11th century, the Frank Gehry designed winery in Elciego and the most amazing wine museum, Vizcano, with a world class collection of everything wine! Our lodgings, always beautiful and a welcome sight after a day’s ride, varied from a repurposed flour mill to historic convents. And the food . . . beyond description, always fresh, always beautifully presented, and always nearly too much ☺ The trip was more than we ever could have imagined, the hallmark of Hidden Places Travel. It would be remiss not to mention the best part of it all, our guides Lukas and Laura who took great care of us, made us laugh, taught me more wildflowers and kept us all going and enjoying. Again, Dag and Maria always get the best! Thank you!"

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Split - Zagreb (Self Drive)
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3.3/5 Average
11 reviews
Vacation / Holiday Package
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Split, Zagreb

Highlights

  • Flight into Split and out of Zagreb
  • Hotel for 3 nights in Split
  • Rent a car for 7 days
  • Hotel for 3 nights in Zagreb
  • Daily breakfast (if stated in hotel info)

Themes

Cultural, Family Friendly, Overland Journeys, Rafting, Kayaking, Canoeing

What travelers are saying

"We booked in February via TripMasters for a trip to Italy in June. Everything was confirmed in February, after our payment. However, in May, right before our trip, we were told that our hotel in Venice had become unavailable. This is from the email sent by TripMasters : "We were just informed that Sant`Antonin Hotel will not be able to honor our reservation that is why our vendor is offering the following alternative properties that is a free upgrade to 4 stars Hotel: 1st Option: Novotel Venezia Mestre Castellana - Upgrade to 4**** Via Alfredo Ceccherini 21, Mestre, VE, 30174, ITA Room type: Family Room, 1 Double Bed with Sofa bed Bedding type: 1 Double Bed and 1 Double Sofa Bed 2nd Option: Hotel Mercure Venezia Marghera - Upgrade to 4**** Via Malamocco 14, Mestre, VE, 30175, ITA Room type: Starndar, Multiple Beds 2 Twin Beds and 1 Double Sofa Bed Note that these rooms are not booked yet. We need your approval. Please let us know if you accept, or if you need further information do not hesitate to contact us." Neither hotel has the traditional style we were looking for, so we declined and scrambled to find among the much more limited inventory than when we booked our trip in February an acceptable alternative. It's only until we finished our trip and got to know the area better did we realize how far away the two alternative options TripMasters are from Venice (>1 hour each way to Venice via public transportation) and how much cheaper they are compared with our original choice (right in the center of Venice and has stellar reviews). We just felt lucky that we didn't take the bait and fell into their trap. Otherwise, our trip would have been ruined. It's quite blatant when they had the gut to mention this in their email: "a free upgrade to 4 stars Hotel" without disclosing the much different location of the two alternatives. We dislike being treated so dishonestly and will never use them again."

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Heart of Turkey Family Adventure
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5/5 Excellent
5 reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Ephesus, Istanbul

Highlights

  • The afternoon strolls and welcome dinner.
  • Guided walking tour of Istanbul historic Sultanahmet district.
  • Fly to Kayseri -drive to Cappadocia.Visit Uchisar Castle and Goreme Open-Air Museum. Whirling dervishes in the evening.
  • Hike in Cappadocia. Explore small towns and villages. Practice spinning pots with a master potter.
  • Underground city and Caravanserai visit. Drive to Konya to see Mevlana Museum. Drive to Ubuntu village.
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Themes

Family Friendly, High Adventure, Rafting, Kayaking, Canoeing

What travelers are saying

"I’ve had two great adventures with this company. Both journeys offered a combo of moderate off the beaten path and times for luxury. Guides are highly knowledgeable and they offered us opportunity to go deep into history. I really appreciated some rugged moments. The South Africa trip was life changing for many reasons. They are great communicators and want to make sure you get answers and interests met. Both trips had very good hotels and food. Please try them if you travel to learn and participate in new cultures."

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Around the Adriatic Sea
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3.3/5 Average
11 reviews
Vacation / Holiday Package
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Assisi, Ljubljana, Rome, Split, Zagreb

Highlights

  • Flight into Rome and out of Split
  • Hotel for 2 nights in Rome
  • TRN Train Rome - Assisi
  • Hotel for 2 nights in Assisi
  • TRN Train Assisi - Florence
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Themes

Culinary & Wine, Cultural, Family Friendly, Rafting, Kayaking, Canoeing, Train & Rail Journeys

What travelers are saying

"We booked in February via TripMasters for a trip to Italy in June. Everything was confirmed in February, after our payment. However, in May, right before our trip, we were told that our hotel in Venice had become unavailable. This is from the email sent by TripMasters : "We were just informed that Sant`Antonin Hotel will not be able to honor our reservation that is why our vendor is offering the following alternative properties that is a free upgrade to 4 stars Hotel: 1st Option: Novotel Venezia Mestre Castellana - Upgrade to 4**** Via Alfredo Ceccherini 21, Mestre, VE, 30174, ITA Room type: Family Room, 1 Double Bed with Sofa bed Bedding type: 1 Double Bed and 1 Double Sofa Bed 2nd Option: Hotel Mercure Venezia Marghera - Upgrade to 4**** Via Malamocco 14, Mestre, VE, 30175, ITA Room type: Starndar, Multiple Beds 2 Twin Beds and 1 Double Sofa Bed Note that these rooms are not booked yet. We need your approval. Please let us know if you accept, or if you need further information do not hesitate to contact us." Neither hotel has the traditional style we were looking for, so we declined and scrambled to find among the much more limited inventory than when we booked our trip in February an acceptable alternative. It's only until we finished our trip and got to know the area better did we realize how far away the two alternative options TripMasters are from Venice (>1 hour each way to Venice via public transportation) and how much cheaper they are compared with our original choice (right in the center of Venice and has stellar reviews). We just felt lucky that we didn't take the bait and fell into their trap. Otherwise, our trip would have been ruined. It's quite blatant when they had the gut to mention this in their email: "a free upgrade to 4 stars Hotel" without disclosing the much different location of the two alternatives. We dislike being treated so dishonestly and will never use them again."

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Apurimac Canyon and Machu Picchu Explorer
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5/5 Excellent
7 reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Wheelchair Accessible
Trip pace
Full schedule

Themes

Hiking & Walking, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife, Rafting, Kayaking, Canoeing

What travelers are saying

"They are just great!!! They have a no-nonsense ambience. The Dormitory is adequate, very clean and comfortable. The food was very tasty, homely and had a good variety. The activities catered to our satisfaction. They are provided with lots of patience. Every staff member is so friendly and they ensure that you enjoy the outing. We were a family with people from all are groups. They took care of every individual needs. Our aged mother was made very comfortable, and they arranged a chair for her at every activity area. We spent almost two days and one night. And we enjoyed every moment. If one is looking for a good outing, this is the place. Total value for money. Above all it's the passion of the staff that makes them better than most places around Bangalore."

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Coastal Kayaking Adventure
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5/5 Excellent
12 reviews
Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Reykjavík

Highlights

  • Explore Reykjavík
  • Visit Möngufoss Waterfall
  • Explore Ísafjörður, Veiðleysufjörður and Lónafjörður
  • Discover island of Vigur

Themes

National Parks, Nature & Wildlife, Rafting, Kayaking, Canoeing

What travelers are saying

"Did the 6-day Lost Fjords backpacking trip with Borea and couldn't be happier with that choice. Professional, safe, accommodating and cheerful, it was a fantastic experience to explore the beautiful Hornstrandir Nature Reserve. Borea has a welcoming basecamp in Hornvik too, which added some comforts to the trip. Wonderful memories that will stay with us from this trip!"

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Central Europe: Castles, Culture & Capitals
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4.5/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Why we love them
With a huge range of trip styles and themes, they cater to basically every type of traveler out there- even those with super specific interests.
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Bratislava, Budapest, Prague, Vienna

Highlights

  • Take a guided tour of the beautiful Old Town in Prague
  • Explore the cobbled streets and quaint squares of Cesky Krumlov
  • Visit the magnificent Lednice Chateau estate, a Unesco-listed masterpiece
  • Sip local wines in a vineyard in Skalica
  • Soak up the majestic landmarks of Vienna on a guided tour
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Themes

Cultural

What travelers are saying

"Discover Costa Rica is a great itinerary, covering varied habitats around the country and staying 2 nights each at 6 centres. Their birdwatching specials are led by local experts who really know their stuff."

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Health Safety +

Generous cancellation

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Europe Explorer
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4.5/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Why we love them
They’re very committed to sustainable and responsible tourism and contribute to important initiatives like climate action.
Lodging level
Basic - 2 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Amsterdam, Antwerp, Avignon, Bar, Barcelona, Berlin, Berlin Wall, Bratislava, Bruges, Brussels, Budapest, Cinque Terre, Dresden, Florence, Krakow, La Spezia, Luxembourg, Lyon, Pantheon, Paris, Prague, Rome, Tuscany, Vatican City, Venice, Vienna

Highlights

  • Gaudi's modern cathedral, La Sagrada Familia, is like no other building you've ever seen. Still under construction after over 130 years, this Gothic masterpiece embodies Barcelona's artistic and progressive heart.
  • Now one of the world's most artistic and exciting cities, Berlin has a complex history. See remaining fragments of the famous wall that once divided the city in half.
  • Immerse yourself in the bohemian vibes of the Czech Republic, soak up the smooth sounds of jazz at a low-lit bar in Prague and sample locally made pilsners.
  • Enjoy a scenic walk along the banks of the River Danube in Budapest. Threaded with bridges and hemmed in by castles and historic city buildings, Europe’s second longest river is also one of its most beautiful.
  • Feast on mouth-watering seafood along Italy's coast, drink fine wine in Tuscany and indulge in the endless pasta dishes on offer in Rome.

Themes

Cultural, High Adventure, Local Immersion & Homestays

What travelers are saying

"We joined the Intrepid “Real Italy Food Tour” and enjoyed it thoroughly. Our tour guide, Micol, was very knowledgeable and provided us with lots of good information. It seems Micol knew many of the staff of the venues we visited, including the pasta making class we attended. Our group of 11 travelers was extremely compatible, which greatly added to the fun and enjoyment."

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Greece Panorama Adventure
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By Greece Insiders
Local Expert
Verified by Travelstride as locally operated and in the top of their field for customer reviews, local knowledge, and safety.
5/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Private Guided
Why we love them
Designing original, innovative, and out-of-the-box travel itineraries and incredible personalized service.
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Acropolis, Akrotiri, Archaeological Museum of Athens, Athens, Epidaurus, Heraklion, Meteora , Mycenae, Olympia, Santorini, Thessaloniki

Highlights

  • Cook and have lunch with a local family in the Peloponnese
  • Visit the most important archeological sites of Greece
  • Experience a speed-boat Private Tour at the sandy beaches of Crete
  • Hike the Caldera of Santorini
  • End your trip with a cruise witnessing the most famous sunset of Greece

Themes

Culinary & Wine, Cultural, Education / Learning, Family Friendly, Hiking & Walking, Photography, Scuba Diving

What travelers are saying

"Normally, I don't feel like writing reviews, but I felt compelled to do it for Athens Insiders. I made the decision to travel to Athens in the summer of 2012 in order to avoid the commotion that was predicted to result from the Queen's jubilee. As usual, my work kept me busy right up to the last minute, so I ran out of time to do anything fun for my week-long trip. I learned about this young group of tour guides for Athens and its vicinity from a friend. I had a wonderful experience. I got in touch with Daphne, who gave me email recommendations for Athens attractions to see, inquired about my preferences for local cuisine, and then devised an itinerary for my trip. In addition to visiting the typical suspects in Athens (Acropolis, etc.), I also chose to travel to Delhi and spend a night at a campground there. And I had a great time, honestly. We visited the attractions when there were few visitors and spent the busiest times outside of Athens rather than being herded around like cattle. I was taken to incredible tiny eateries (the well-known tavernas), marketplaces, and other regional shops."

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Highlights of Eastern Europe (Vienna, Summer, Classic)
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4.6/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Group Tour
Why we love them
They really care about everyone's individual needs on each tour and they have an incredible attention to detail.
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Highlights

  • Budapest: Stroll through the alleys of the Old Town of Buda with a Local Expert.
  • Kraków: The medieval heart of Krakow is rich in legend, a kind of Polish Camelot. Join your Local Expert for an in-depth exploration of this historic Holy Grail.Cross the former Jewish Quarter of Kazimierz to Podgórze and see the Ghetto Square.
  • Kraków: Visit the cathedral atop Wawel Hill, see the castle and look for the iconic dragon, accompanied by your Local Expert.
  • Kraków: Visit the 14th-century St. Mary's Basilica, the most important church in the city.
  • Auschwitz: Experience a powerful and moving visit, with a Local Expert. See the Auschwitz memorial and museum, which bears witness to the terrible atrocities of the Holocaust.
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Themes

50 plus, Cultural

What travelers are saying

"It was a great trip. We covered so much during the week. We thoroughly enjoyed every stop on the itinerary. For some reason we did not start with a dinner in the Lake District as stated. Our tour guide was knowledgeable and our bus driver was great. We met some great people from all over in our group."

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Real Discovery & Historic Journey in Seville and Granada
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By Iberian Escapes
Local Expert
Verified by Travelstride as locally operated and in the top of their field for customer reviews, local knowledge, and safety.
5/5 Excellent
11 reviews
Private Guided
Why we love them
Delivers exceptional journeys to every client, giving them access to the most authentic and immersive experiences in Portugal,Spain,Morocco,and France
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Full schedule

Visits

Granada, Seville

Highlights

  • Seville Culture Walking Tour - "Hidden History: Women of Seville Tour
  • Discovery of Alcazar & Jewish Quarter
  • Excursion to Granada and the mystical Alhambra

Themes

Culinary & Wine, Cultural

What travelers are saying

"I have the distinct pleasure of working with Steven at Iberian Escapes as our property manager and host. We moved away from a larger property manager because they couldn't get organized and they never provided accurate accounting - we were frustrated and quickly losing trust. Thankfully, we found Iberian Escapes. Steven met us at our apartment - on time - and he's done everything he said he would. We live in a different country and we needed someone trustworthy and competent. We very much appreciate the honesty, integrity, accurate accounting, and timely communication to us AND our guests no matter the situation. We even heard from some recent guests "you've got a great property manager! He's very responsive and easy to work with" Another guest liked the apartment so much he wanted to stay an extra day. Easy for us, easy for the guest, and all seamlessly coordinated by Iberian Escapes! Highly recommend for property owners looking for a great manager. Also highly recommend finding one of his listings if you're planning on staying in one of the areas he covers! You won't be disappointed."

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73 trips exactly matchall of the the filters you selected.
My selections:
Rafting, Kayaking, Canoeing
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Europe Reviews & Ratings

4.6/5  Excellent
20,250  Reviews
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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

it is a very well orgnized trip, good pace, nice combination of big cities, small towns and mountains. good guide too. Prague is very beautiful, should spend on...

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

We picked this trip to pack the best of five countries we had never previously visited into two weeks, and were not disappointed. The tour gave us a taste of everyt...

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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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