6 of the Best European Tour Companies
When searching for the best European tour companies to help you plan a trip of a lifetime, you’ll have no shortage of options. There are hundreds of large and small tour providers that operate throughout the continent, but some are better than others. Read on to learn about some of the best cruises and private guided tours you can take to explore Europe’s natural and architectural wonders.
1. G Adventures
If you’re interested in taking small, group-guided tours that pack a punch, G Adventures is an excellent option. As their name suggests, G Adventures specializes in crafting one-of-a-kind tour experiences for thrill-seekers who are looking to get their adrenaline pumping on their vacations.
In Europe, G Adventures offers a variety of tours to fit your interests and needs. Gain a broad sense of the continent by booking one of their multi-country itineraries, or hunker down in a specific region and spend your days hiking mountains or learning from local guides.
Plus, G Adventures prides itself on being an ethical and sustainable company. Whether by planting trees or giving back to local communities where their tours take place, this company is committed to leaving the planet better than they found it.
2. Contiki
For young adults, the idea of traveling solo can be intimidating. That’s one of the reasons why traveling with a tour group can be so appealing — you’ll have a built-in community to be with you on your trip!
If you’re between the ages of 18 and 35, Contiki offers tours specifically for you. When you visit their website, you can find everything from “city break” tours that get you outdoors and exploring some of the lesser-known sides of popular destinations, to longer trips that visit multiple countries. Plus, they offer a variety of last-minute deals you can book if you’re feeling spontaneous.
Contiki tour operators are located throughout Europe. Whether your dream vacation involves island-hopping in the Mediterranean or a week-long tour of Ireland doesn't matter. Contiki has options that will fit your preferences and budget.
3. Intrepid Travel
Intrepid Travel is another well-known tour provider that offers excursions throughout Europe. With a focus on providing small-group excursions to some of the continent’s most popular destinations, booking a tour with this company is an excellent idea if you want to experience local culture on your trip.
While many tours can feel a bit like backpacking, that isn’t necessarily the case with Intrepid. Intrepid can deliver if you're aiming to take a guided tour with a taste of luxury.
For an adventure that comes with more elevated service, make sure you book one of their premium travel experiences. Intrepid Premium is currently offering vacation packages to Italy, Greece and more.
4. Choose Balkans
The best European tour companies aren’t necessarily generalists. If you already have your heart set on your vacation destination, localized tour providers can often give you a deeper experience in the area.
That’s exactly what you get when you use Choose Balkans to help you explore countries like Croatia, Albania, Montenegro and Kosovo. Whether your dream trip includes hiking the Albanian Alps or visiting historical cities like Budva and Kotor, Choose Balkans can help get you there.
If you know the type of trip you want to have, Choose Balkans also lets you select your experience based on your travel style. Pick from adventure or culturally-focused experiences, or tours tailor-made for solo travelers to find the best one for you.
5. Overland Ireland
Overland Ireland is another location-specific tour that focuses on delivering high-impact experiences to all sorts of travelers. Specializing in small, private tours spanning this island nation, they're one of the best tour providers you can use if you want to explore the Emerald Isle.
If you’re an adventure-seeker, you’ll want to book one of their Zest tours, which last anywhere from five to 11 days and visit popular sites like the Cliffs of Moher, the Blarney Stone and the Wild Atlantic Way.
For a slower-paced vacation, there are options for you, too. Choose from one of their Jewel Tours, which range in length from five to 10 days and take you along the country’s most popular attractions from coast to coast.
6. Avalon Waterways
If you like taking cruises as a way to explore many different cities at once, look no further than Avalon Waterways. A branch of the Globus operators family, Avalon Waterways offers cruises throughout the world. However, their European river cruises travel some of the continent’s most scenic routes.
Some of the company’s most popular routes take you along the Danube or Rhine. You can also select a cruise that takes you along specific waterways if you want. Alternatively, you can choose country-specific tours. This cruise line also offers river cruises that take you in and through France, Portugal, Italy and Hungary.
If you want to cover a lot of ground on your European vacation but aren’t quite in the mood for backpacking, taking a low-impact river cruise could be the best option for you.