Europe is one of the most culture-rich and diverse places on this planet. Made up of 44 countries across a vast array of contrasting terrains with many different languages being spoken throughout, it is easy to see why luxury travel across the continent is so highly sought-after.
With famous monuments littering the capital cities, regions offering the most captivating sights and a vibrant and rich history spread throughout, it is difficult to know just where to visit in the time frame you have. Do you pick a fortnight-long cruise of the Baltic, a train to take you through the centre or do you hop on and off flights in order to take in as much as you can?
Whichever way you do it – whether you take multiple trips throughout your lifetime or try and fit in as much as possible during a sabbatical – one of the best pieces of advice we can offer is to take a tour of the place you are visiting. When time is fairly limited and you have a lot to squeeze in, a tour is the best way to learn as much as you can in a set time, while often seeing areas that you wouldn’t be able to visit on your own.
To get you started we’ve shortlisted some of the best tours you can take of various monuments and areas throughout, these aren’t your typical tours, these offer a little something with a difference to ensure your trip is, not only, action-packed but truly memorable.
France
Outside of Paris, the wine regions of France are surely the most desirable locations to visit. With famous regions (Champagne, Bordeaux, Alsace, to name a few) littered throughout, wine lovers will rejoice. Elevate your typical French wine tasting experience by hopping on a helicopter or a hot air balloon for a sky-high tour of your desired vineyard before a private tour, combine it with a cooking class or create your very own Champagne – the options are endless and will certainly offer an experience you won’t forget.
London
Whether it’s the history, art, architecture, Royal connections, shopping or a traditional afternoon tea, there is a much about London that attracts its visitors. Being the biggest tourist attraction in the world with 30 million visitors each year, England’s capital offers something for every type of traveller. From viewing the crown jewels at the Tower of London to taking afternoon tea at The Ritz Hotel to gazing at some of the most famous artworks in the world inside the National Gallery (Van Gogh‘s Sunflowers, Turner’s Fighting Temeraire, van Eyck’s Arnolfini Portrait, to name a few) you really do need a lot of time here. To elevate your sightseeing experience why not take tour with your very own personal chauffer in a private car, grab your own private capsule on the London Eye with a glass of Champagne and take a private viewing of the crown jewels while the tower is closed to the public? You won’t regret it!
Transylvania
This historical region in central Romania is brimming with mystical castles and majestic mountains inviting you in to explore. The most famous is Bran Castle, a truly magnificent fortress built between 1377 and 1388 where, during the 15th century, Vlad the Impaler ruled over the area with rumours abound of his brutal torture methods ultimately inspiring Bram Stoker’s 1897 book, Dracula. A private tour of the castle is a must as well as a visit to a brown bear sanctuary or, better still, an escorted evening trip to the Carpathian Mountains where you can spot Carpathian brown bears in the wild.
Rome
Brimming with iconic monuments, glorious architecture and a history so abundant, a visit to Rome is an absolute must. The Eternal City boasts world-renowned sights including the Colosseum, Pantheon, Roman Forum, Trevi Fountain, the Spanish Steps, St Peter’s Basilica and so much more – and, of course, the food is another reason entirely to visit. Walking tours around Rome are recommended so that you can see more of the sights on one trip but a private tour of the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill with an English-speaking expert guide, flexible timing and fast-track entry is a real winner.
Athens
One of the oldest cities in the world, Athens has a recorded history of 3,400 years and was the classical centre for arts, learning and philosophy. The Greek capital has many highlights to take in with ancient sights such as the Acropolis, Panathenaic Stadium and Daphni Monastery alongside a more modern, arty and hip backdrop. Take your trip up a notch with a private sunset sailing cruise on the Athenian Riviera onboard a luxury yacht or take a private highlights of Athens tour with a meal included in order to soak up as much of the fascinating history as possible.
