Best tours in Europe

1. Flavours of Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast

If you’re after a taste of traditional Italy, this tour’s the one for you. Over a seven-night trip, you’ll tick off trips to some of Italy’s best sights – Sorrento, Capri, Herculaneum, Pompeii, the Amalfi Coast, and Ravello. You’ll kick off with a private boat transfer from Sorrento to Capri Island, where you’ll have some free time to explore. Then, you’ll hop back on your boat to discover the hidden bays and rocky inlets that ring the island. Your second day’s all about what Italy does best – food. Meet local producers on a family-run farm to learn how mozzarella is made, and have lunch in the orchards. Then, go on to a lemon farm that specialises in limoncello – the area’s most famous tipple. Make sure you pay attention – they’ll clue you in to their secret family recipe so you can make your own at home.

On day four, it’s time to get historical. In the shadow of Mount Vesuvius, you’ll see the results of the volcano’s most famous eruption in ancient Pompeii and Herculaneum. You’ll soon understand why these historical heavyweights have earned UNESCO World Heritage status. After all that exploring, you’ll have some time to kick back and relax on the fifth day of the tour. Next, it’s on to the Amalfi Coast, with its dramatic cliffs and scattered villas. You’ll drive up to mountain-top Ravello to bag the best panoramic views – make sure you pack your camera. On day seven, it’s up to you. Opt to take a walking tour of Naples, or sit back and relax.

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2. Great Lakes of Croatia and Slovenia

On this trip, you can visit two countries on one seven-day tour, starting in Croatia. Your first full day’s split in two halves. In the morning it’s all about the city. You’ll head to culture-crammed Rovinj, where you’ll see historical gems like the Pula Arena and the Basilica of San Euphemia. Then, in the afternoon, the countryside awaits, where you’ll link up with some locals who’ll take you truffle hunting. On day two, you can choose your own itinerary, or take a trip to Motovun. In this classically Croatian town, you can taste traditional dishes and visit a distillery to learn how to make jam and brandy from local fruit.

On the fourth day of your tour, you’ll have the option to take the country-count up to three. If you fancy it, a daytrip to Venice is on offer. Famous sights like the Rialto Bridge, San Marco Square, and the Bridge of Sighs await. On your fifth day, you’ll step into the setting of a fairy tale when you travel to the Plitvice Lakes. After a rest day, it’s time to head to Slovenia on day seven. Lake Bled couldn’t be more picture-perfect if it tried – there’s a castle in the middle of the water, and it’s surrounded by a pine forest and snow-capped mountains. Immerse yourself in the scenery as you take a tiny row boat to the centre of the lake.

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3. Unseen Madeira

This little island sits off the coast of Portugal, and you’ll see the best of it on this seven-night tour. You’ll stay at the Quinta da Serra hotel for the first few nights, which is surrounded by gardens that date back 200 years. On your first full day you’ll tick off towering sea cliff Cabo Girao and the Encumeada mountain pass. Then, you’ll get traditional in Seixal, where you’ll have lunch with a local wine producer and his family, before making a stop for a dip in the Porto Moniz volcanic pools.

On the next day, it’s all about the island’s interior. Start the day with a guided walk, then move on to a visit to clifftop village Camara de Lobos. In the evening, you’ll travel on to Funchal – the island’s capital – where you’ll be staying for the rest of the trip. The East of the island’s next on your itinerary. See one of Madeira’s tallest spots, Pico de Areiro, and Riberio Frio’s slanting houses. On day six, you’ll get to find out more about Funchal, from its Old Town to its Farmers Market, where you’ll get the chance to have a go at making the island’s favourite bread, Bolo de Caco. On the following day, you can opt to either take it easy at the hotel, or tour the Monte Palace Tropical Garden.

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4. Backroads of Majorca

The clues in the name with this tour – it takes you beyond this Balearic’s beautiful beaches to reveal its rural side. Your first full day’s one that’ll please the foodies. Head to Soller to try some ice cream – flavoured with local fruit – before you visit the Estel Nou jam factory. In the evening, you’ll sit down for a piano concert that’s inspired by famous composer, Chopin. Your next day brings an opportunity to link up with the locals – first of all at the market in Inca, and at the family-run Teixits Vicen factory. You’ll finish the day with a visit to camera-ready Cap Formentor.

Next up is a trip to the under-the-radar east of the island. Here, you’ll take it all in on an hour-long walk, starting at beauty spot Bonany Hill. Once you’ve worked up an appetite, you’ll finish with dinner in a restaurant backed by lemon and olive trees. You won’t have to say goodbye to the countryside, though, the restaurant’s floor-to-ceiling windows frame some stellar views. You’ll spend your next day taking in the sights of Palma, the island’s capital, and learning how local ensaimada pastries are made. After a day of free time, your final day will be spent in the north of the island, at the centuries-old La Granja country house. Tour the estate, and take it all in. The scenery’s pretty special – this place is bracketed by forest-blanketed mountains.

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Ready to go?

Get all the details on our range of escorted tours. Plus, discover our Multi-Destination holidays, take a look at our round-up of the best tour and sightseeing holidays, and find out how you can see the seven wonders of the world.

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Author: Hannah Stratton