The Best Trips for Exploring Europe

| © Jakob Radlgruber / EyeEm / Getty Images
Mark Nayler

Add wine tasting in Georgia and cycling between the ruins of Rome to your European adventure with these exciting and immersive itineraries.

This continent of extraordinary contrasts spans from Arctic wilderness down to the sun-drenched winelands of the Med, with islands all the way from the Mediterranean to the Atlantic, and jagged rows of pummelled peaks. Whether you’re keen to venture into the great outdoors or feast on delicious food, our selection of Europe’s top trips will give you a taste for this captivating continent that swells with history and tradition.

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Gergeti Trinity Church (or Tsminda Sameba) amid the mountains of Georgia

Georgia and the Caucasus

The South Caucasian country of Georgia is steeped in a rich history of viticulture that dates back to 6000BCE, laced with pretty walking trails and pinned with picturesque villages. In the historic streets of Tbilisi, you’ll explore bathhouses and bread culture on Culture Trip’s nine-day small-group journey, which takes in the country’s highlights – from visiting the ancient Unesco-listed city of Mtskheta to hiking through Lagodekhi National Park.

From US$1199

Next available from 18th May 2024

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Trip highlights and details

STARTS AT

Tbilisi, Georgia

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ENDS AT

Tbilisi, Georgia

DURATION

9

GROUP SIZE

16

PHYSICAL RATING

Moderate

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STYLE

Discovery

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A group of hikers are dwarfed by the Sólheimajökull glacier surrounding them

Volcanic Iceland

This five-day adventure to Iceland showcases the island’s epic wintry landscapes. Soak in natural hot springs, cross a glacier by snowmobile, explore the Golden Circle and search for the elusive Northern Lights – you can pack a lot into this long-weekend getaway. Foodies will enjoy tasting geothermal baked bread and sampling the local Icelandic spirit, brennivín.

From US$2889

Next available from 6th Apr 2024

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Trip highlights and details

STARTS AT

Reykjavik, Iceland

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ENDS AT

Reykjavik, Iceland

DURATION

5

GROUP SIZE

16

PHYSICAL RATING

Moderate

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STYLE

Discovery

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Jacobite steam train crosses the Glenfinnan Viaduct, as seen in Harry Potter

Edinburgh and the Scottish Highland by Train

Head off into the Scottish wilderness on this seven-day Rail Trip that starts in London with a ride on the Caledonian Sleeper train all the way to Fort William. From there we hop on the real-life Hogwarts Express, the Jacobite steam train, on a route over the famous Glenfinnan Viaduct towards the Isle of Skye. We’ll explore Cairngorms National Park by foot and Loch Coruisk by boat before discovering artsy Inverness and the eerily gothic streets of Edinburgh.

From US$2799

Next available from 29th Apr 2024

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Trip highlights and details

STARTS AT

London, England

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ENDS AT

Edinburgh, Scotland

DURATION

7

GROUP SIZE

18

PHYSICAL RATING

Moderate

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STYLE

Discovery

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The picturesque Oia village at sunrise with blue domes and views of the sea

Greek Island Odyssey

Is there a more romantic image of Europe than that of the white-washed walls and blue-domed churches of Santorini, bathed in late evening sunlight? We think not, which is why we decided to end this trip sipping cocktails in that exact scenario. It’s a great way to reflect on eight days of classic Greece, starting with an exploration of the old and the new in Athens, before embarking on an island-hopping extravaganza in the Cyclades. Picture quaint cobblestone harbour towns, pristine beaches stretching out to crystal Mediterranean waves and lots of utterly gorgeous Greek food.

From US$1939

Next available from 28th Apr 2024

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Trip highlights and details

STARTS AT

Athens, Greece

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ENDS AT

Athens, Greece

DURATION

9

GROUP SIZE

18

PHYSICAL RATING

Light

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STYLE

Discovery

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Additional reporting was contributed by Mandi Keighran, Gethin Morgan and Maja Proescholdt.

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KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?

Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.

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