Top Europe Cultural Tours

Discover the Vatican on a tour of St. Peter’s Basilica, Sistine Chapel, and the Vatican Museums. Navigate the vast complex of rooms, artwork, and history with a guide, who brings the ancient collection to life. Skip all the entrance lines to explore halls such as the Gallery of the Maps and Raphael’s Rooms; step inside the Sistine Chapel to admire ‘The Creation of Adam’ by Michelangelo; and hear little-known tales about sacred St. Peter’s Basilica (when the option is selected). Choose from several departures, or upgrade to an evening experience or small-group tour with 10 people.

Art, history, countryside, food. Tuscany has it all. If you only have one day free, book this Tuscany day trip from Florence to discover the region’s highlights with a local guide. Explore the city of Siena and the cathedral, and then take to the Chianti hills for a Tuscan lunch and wine tasting. Roam the streets of San Gimignano, and travel to Pisa to admire the architectural drama of Cathedral Square — home to the UNESCO-listed Leaning Tower of Pisa. Upgrade to include skip-the-line entry, if you wish.

Home to the world’s largest private portfolio of artwork, the Vatican is a must-see for visitors to Rome, and the best way to explore it is with a guide. Learn about the highlights of Vatican City with an expert guide, visiting the Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel. Explore intriguing sites like Raphael’s Rooms and then visit the Sistine Chapel to see incredible frescoes by Michelangelo. Choose the start time that better suites your needs.

Visit Torcello, Murano, and Burano—three islands in the Venetian Lagoon—on this tour from Venice by motorboat. With a guide, watch glass being blown at a Murano glass factory, see historical cathedrals on Torcello, and admire exquisite handmade lace on Burano. This is a great way to see more than just the central sights of Venice and enjoy a cruise on the water. Select a departure time when booking.

Take a Rome hop-on hop-off tour by open-top bus, and spend time city sightseeing as you travel past attractions such as the Colosseum and Vatican City. Relax aboard the double-decker Rome tour bus, listen to the audio commentary and hop on and off at any of the stops. Select a sightseeing ticket that’s valid for 24 or 48 hours, or pick an upgrade option to include entry to the Vatican, Sistine Chapel, Roman Forum and more.

Witness the fairy tale castles of Neuschwanstein and Linderhof, created by Germany’s 19th-century King Ludwig II, on a day trip from Munich. Traveling by air-conditioned coach, admire Bavaria's magnificent scenery as you journey to Linderhof, Ludwig’s rococo-style hunting lodge and last home. Join an optional interior tour and then continue to Neuschwanstein, a picture book clutch of turrets and chambers that inspired Disney’s Sleeping Beauty castle. Enjoy free time in nearby Hohenschwangau village for lunch and to explore Neuschwanstein’s grounds, and take an optional castle tour. Entrance fees not included.

Take a day out of your Rome vacation to get acquainted with Mt. Vesuvius and Pompeii. This day trip to Pompeii includes a steady-paced hike up Mt. Vesuvius (summer only) or a visit to Naples when Vesuvius is closed in winter and a tour of the UNESCO-listed digs at Pompeii. Breath in the history of the ancient city and admire artifacts that date back to the infamous Mt. Vesu. You also have the option to select a Pompeii, Amalfi Coast and Positano day trip from Rome, which combines three of the most famous and beautiful sites in Italy in a single day.

Sail past long lines of tourists trying to gain entry to Gaudi’s La Sagrada Familia on this priority access tour of the modernist masterpiece. Accompanied by a guide, head straight inside to get fascinating insight into the history of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed cathedral. Admire the opulent ceilings and stained-glass windows while learning about the building’s charismatic creator. Visit the museum to see exhibits on the cathedral’s history and observe original plaster models and design sketches.

Experience culture and art through the ages with a small-group tour of Paris’ epic Louvre Museum. Jump the queue and learn about some of the museum’s 35,000 artworks across eight themed galleries from your art historian guide. Then enjoy time on your own to explore, viewing paintings, sculpture, and architecture from 450 BC to the 19th century. Numbers are limited to 25 on this small-group tour or upgrade your ticket to a private tour exclusive to just your group. 

Experience Berlin’s past and present on this half-day guided walking tour through the city's Mitte district. Visit landmarks from the city’s Prussian, Imperial, Nazi, Cold War and modern eras, offering insight into the evolution of this fascinating German capital. Stroll along the iconic Berlin Wall and follow Unter den Linden to the Brandenburg Gate. Then check out the rebuilt Reichstag and the Holocaust Memorial and hear the amazing stories of Cold War Berlin at Checkpoint Charlie. Your walking tour of Berlin also includes a complimentary city map and guidebook.

See Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper and La Scala opera house with a local guide on this half-day tour in Milan, and learn the history behind each of the sights. With a pre-booked ticket, you'll avoid the main entrance lines to see the ‘The Last Supper’ — a painting that attracts scores of visitors. After spending time with the masterpiece, explore La Scala and the glamorous shopping arcade of Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. Marvel at the scale and beauty of Milan Cathedral and learn of its long history.

Take a personalized tour from Edinburgh to Loch Ness on this day trip to the Scottish Highlands. See wooded lochs and tucked-away villages as you journey through spectacular scenery en route to Glencoe and Fort Augustus. Enjoy an optional boat tour in search of the Loch Ness Monster and traverse the picturesque Cairngorms National Park. Travel in a top-of-the-range, 16-seat Mercedes mini-coach with a small group limited to 16 passengers.

On this Colosseum underground tour, you can experience this historic Rome icon to the fullest with access to areas that are typically closed to the public—the underground chambers. After skipping the main entrance line, explore the Colosseum with an informative guide, who shares stories about life in Ancient Rome. Get the rare chance to walk through the tunnels, stand where gladiators stood and enjoy a panoramic view. Then visit the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill to complete your tour of Rome’s top ancient sites.

See Zaanse Schans, Volendam, and Marken on a full-day windmill tour departing from Amsterdam. Visit a cheese factory to sample local dairy products, admire a classic line-up of authentic windmills, and watch a shoemaker fashion wooden clogs using traditional methods. Hear commentary from your audio guide during the coach journey, and enjoy guided tours in each picturesque village.

Experience the architectural and artistic majesty of Barcelona on a half-day bike tour of the city. Energize and enjoy yourself on this exciting excursion with a knowledgeable and experienced guide; see all of the city’s significant sights such as the La Catedral and Placa del Rei as you gently cycle between magnificent monuments. Capture fabulous photographs at each stop and gain insight into the city’s fascinating history with informative commentary. A moderate level of fitness is not required on this tour due to the gentle nature of the route.

Go underground to see Rome’s ancient catacombs and crypts on a half-day tour. Visit the Domitilla Catacomb and Basilica of San Clemente with skip-the-line access, plus visit the Capuchin Crypt, where you’ll see a Caravaggio painting and marvel at a chapel made entirely out of human bones. Learn about past burial customs and secret Christian worship spots during this fascinating exploration into the history of Rome.

Immerse yourself in the medieval majesty and rich historical heritage of Ghent and Bruges on a full-day trip from Brussels. Accompanied by a knowledgeable guide, marvel at the UNESCO-listed city of Ghent as you visit legendary landmarks like the Castle of the Counts, St. Bavo’s Cathedral, and the picturesque old port. Then, travel through the verdant Belgian countryside to Bruges in order to witness the architectural beauty and winding waterways of the iconic city. Stroll quaint cobbled streets on the way to Market Square and absorb the sacred ambiance of the Basilica of the Holy Blood during your comprehensive tour of the city.

Travel from Munich to Bavaria’s Neuschwanstein Castle on this day trip that includes round-trip transportation by train. Often known as Germany’s "Cinderella castle," Neuschwanstein was actually the inspiration for a different Disney story, the ‘Sleeping Beauty’ castle at Disneyland. Take a guided tour of the castle, and hear stories about the "Mad" King Ludwig II, who commissioned it. The entrance fee is not included, but skip-the-line access is, so you won’t wait in the main admission queue.

Intrigued by the sights of Italy’s south? Take a day trip from Rome to Naples and Pompeii, and discover their sights as you listen to tales of Bourbon kings and ancient volcanic eruptions. Travel around Naples by coach to see Castel dell’Ovo, Piazza del Plebiscito and Naples Royal Palace. Then, enjoy lunch and finish with a tour of Pompeii’s UNESCO-listed archaeological ruins to see the monuments that lay buried for centuries.

Walk the halls of one of the world’s oldest and most famous universities on this walking tour of Oxford University. Get a glimpse of student life as you peek inside the famous Bodleian Library and see landmarks like the University Church of St. Mary, Radcliffe Camera, and Trinity College. Learn about the prestigious university’s famous alumni, hear fascinating stories and anecdotes about its history, and see on-campus locations used in the Harry Potter films.

Paris’ Louvre is one of the world’s largest art museums, so don't waste your time waiting in line. Head straight inside, with your priority access admission, to see three of its biggest crowd-pleasers, including the unavoidable gaze and wry smile of Da Vinci’s “Mona Lisa." On this guided tour, hear fascinating tales and tidbits about these unmissable masterpieces. After coming face to face with several artworks by great masters, you’re free to explore the Louvre independently.

Experience Paris from three different perspectives during this half-day city tour that covers the city’s top attractions. Tour essential sights from the comfort of a coach, and take to the water on a Seine River cruise, floating under its many bridges as you go. Then, skip the long lines at the Eiffel Tower to absorb panoramic views of the City of Light from the second-floor observation deck.

Discover the wonder of one of Europe’s active volcanoes on this Mt Vesuvius and Pompeii day trip from Naples. Follow your local guide through the ancient ruins of this UNESCO World Heritage-listed city. Enjoy a traditional Italian pizza lunch with your small group and then hike to the top of the notorious volcano, where you’ll find stunning views of the Bay of Naples and the surrounding landscapes.

Explore Northern Ireland's biggest draws—Belfast, Giant’s Causeway and the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge—on a day trip from Dublin. In a traditional black cab in Belfast, you’ll explore sites of the capital’s conflicted history: the mural-strewn streets of the Falls and Skankill neighborhoods and the Belfast Docks. Then course along the Antrim Coast to experience one of Ireland great geological marvels, the UNESCO–listed Giant’s Causeway, followed by a stop at the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge. Marvel at the surrounding headlands that were also used as a filming location for many "Game of Thrones" scenes. Note: Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge is currently closed to the public. This stop is replaced by a visit to Dunluce Castle, the real-life House of Greyjoy from the "Game of Thrones", until further notice.