Top Europe Culture - page 2

Escape the bustle of Lisbon and spend the day in the charming Sintra region on a full-day tour. Join a small group to take guided tours through the colorful Palacio da Pena and the mystical Quinta da Regaleira. Your tour also includes time to stroll around the center of the UNESCO-listed Villa de Sintra, as well as to visit Cabo da Roca and Cascais.

Venture into Tuscany on this day trip from Florence and discover the region's highlights with the help of a local guide. Explore the medieval city of Siena and its cathedral before heading to the hills of Chianti for a Tuscan lunch and wine tasting (optional). 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 admission to climb the tower.

Experience the Tuscan capital's top attractions on this walking tour through Florence. Begin with skip-the-line access to view Michelangelo's 'David' in the Accademia Gallery, and learn how the House of Medici shaped Florence into a helm of arts and humanities. You'll also skip the lines at the Duomo, the city's iconic, Gothic-style cathedral. Afterward, stroll the local streets, taking in landmarks like the Piazza della Signoria and Ponte Vecchio bridge.

Have limited time in Barcelona? See the best of the city in a single day on this comprehensive tour. With round-trip transit directly from your hotel, see and do more than you could alone. Tour the Passeig de Gracia, glimpse Las Ramblas, admire views from Montjuic, and explore the Old Town on foot. Then, discover two of architect Antoni Gaudi's top landmarks when you visit Park Guell and La Sagrada Familia (own expense).

Sail past long lines of tourists trying to gain entry to Gaudí’s 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.

After meeting your guide at the nearby metro station, you and your small group will set off for the Acropolis.  The tour brings some of history’s greatest treasures to life, offering an interactive experience you won’t get from a book or audio guide.  Your guide also times your visit to the Acropolis Museum to avoid the crowds and give you a more intimate experience.

Elevate your Amsterdam canal cruise when you book this experience aboard a fully covered wooden saloon boat. Cruise along the UNESCO-listed canals and see bucket-list sights like the Anne Frank House, the Rijksmuseum, and the picturesque Jordaan district while listening to commentary from your onboard guide—you get the stories behind the sights that you'd easily miss if you explored alone.

The Colosseum is one of Rome's most-visited attractions but many travelers miss the chance to learn about the ancient site when visiting alone. This guided tour ensures that you get the most out of your visit by taking you inside the Colosseum in the company of a guide who brings its history to life. Afterward, continue to the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill for further immersion in Ancient Rome.

Delve into Venetian history on this tour that showcases two of the city's most iconic structures and sheds light on the stories behind them both. Your first stop is legendary St. Mark's Basilica. Wander around the mosaic-covered interior and Byzantine treasures while a local guide fills you in on how this collection came to be. Then continue to the Doge’s Palace to explore the former political heart of Venice.

Especially in peak season, the lines at the Palace of Versailles can be hard to believe. On this eminently civilized guided tour with a round trip transportation from Paris. Your guide will show you the most magnificent of the 2,000 rooms, including the Hall of Mirrors, the King’s State Apartments, and the King’s Private Apartments, then introduce you to the magical 2,000-acre (800-hectare) gardens.

Iconic Paris landmarks including Notre-Dame Cathedral and the Eiffel Tower line the Seine River, but trying to see them all takes time—and leads to sore feet. Admire the city’s world-famous monuments while resting your legs during this one-hour Bateaux Parisiens river cruise. Ride during the day, or choose an evening departure time to float through the enchanting city at night.

Discover Amsterdam’s WWII history and follow in the footsteps of Anne Frank on this small-group walking tour of the Jewish Quarter. See the Jewish Historical Museum, the Portuguese Synagogue, and the Auschwitz Monument. Learn about events such as the February Strike and Winter of Hunger from the perspective of a local, and end the tour outside the Anne Frank House (entrance not included).

Escape the urban bustle of Bucharest for the day to discover the legends and treasures of Transylvania. Wander through the Gothic chambers and turrets of Bran Castle, nicknamed ‘Dracula’s Castle’ thanks to its spooky atmosphere and ties to Vlad the Impaler, and then feel like you’ve stepped into a fairy tale on a tour of splendid Peles Castle, the former royal residence of Romanian kings. Finally, explore one of Transylvania’s most well-preserved medieval villages on a walking tour of Brasov.

Home to masterworks from Botticelli and Michelangelo (including the iconic *David* sculpture), the Accademia Gallery in Florence draws huge crowds. That's not a problem on this tour, however: You'll beat the crowds with skip-the-line admission, maximizing your time to explore. Plus, you’ll tour the gallery with a guide—audio headset included—and learn insights about the masterpieces that you'd never get on your own.

Benefit from the expertise of a specialist licensed guide on this tour of the Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp, with convenient transfers direct from downtown Berlin. Hear about the Nazi camp system as you travel to the site, then pay tribute as you tour barracks, see the places where murders happened, and learn how today’s Germans have come to terms with the horrors of the Holocaust.

Plan ahead and make the most of your visit to Florence’s world-famous Uffizi Galleries with a small-group guided tour. Head inside the historic galleries with a guide who leads you straight to must-see highlights, such as Botticelli's “Birth of Venus” and Caravaggio’s “Medusa,” plus hidden treasures you might miss on your own. After this insightful art history tour, continue exploring the museum at your leisure during the extra time included.

Save time in the smallest country in the world with skip-the-line tickets to the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica. Rather than trying to fit too much in, this hassle-free, small-group tour takes you directly to the Vatican's must-see sights. As you explore, gain insight into the vast collection of art and enjoy enlightening storytelling.

Explore thousands of years of Barcelona history during a guided walking tour of the Gothic Quarter and Old Town. Travel back in time to the Roman and medieval eras as you stroll this atmospheric neighborhood’s winding streets. Walk alongside a beautifully preserved Roman wall and enjoy stops at the medieval Plaça del Rei, Barcelona Cathedral, La Boquería Market, and Las Ramblas. Both small-group and private tour options are available

Discover the Dutch countryside on this full-day tour to Zaanse Schans, Edam, Volendam, and Marken. Round-trip transfer from central Amsterdam ensures a hassle-free trip. See windmills, waterlands, cheese makers, and clog factories up close. Discover the region's rich history firsthand from a professional guide. The price includes tasters of cheese and other local produce, as well as interior tours. There's also an option to embark on a 1-hour canal sightseeing tour right after the tour, which ends at Amsterdam Central Station.

Exploring the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill on your own can feel overwhelming, especially on a short stay in Rome. This guided experience brings these three landmark sites together in one structured visit, with commentary from a guide to help you understand what you’re seeing as you go. Instead of navigating vast ruins without context, follow a clear route and learn about gladiator games, imperial politics, and how daily Roman life shaped the ancient city.

Prepare to be inspired by some of the world’s most famous artists as you step inside the iconic Louvre Museum. Choose from a private or small-group tour and with your entry ticket. With the help of your expert guide, see masterpieces like the 'Venus de Milo' and the 'Mona Lisa,' learn about the evolution of art around the world, and discover little-known gems that many visitors miss.

The Catacombs of Rome are a popular attraction and you can bypass the long lines outside with this exciting excursion. This tour also gives you skip-the-line access to the Capuchin Crypt and Basilica San Martino ai Monti, making it a great pick for travelers short on time. See Rome's mysterious side with a guide who knows the history well, so you can get more out of your visit.

Explore beyond Lisbon city limits—and see several of Portugal’s top attractions in one day—on this seamless, small-group tour. Set off in the morning via air-conditioned vehicle and head to UNESCO-listed Sintra. Skip the long lines and explore the rainbow-hued Pena Palace (tickets additional expense) and pass by the Gothic wonder of Quinta da Regaleira. Then, stop by Cabo da Roca (continental Europe’s westernmost point) and Cascais on your way back to Lisbon.

Explore beyond London without renting a car or navigating unfamiliar roads on this full-day coach tour to three of Britain’s historic and culturally important destinations. Visit Windsor Castle to see the State Apartments and St. George's Chapel, continue to the ancient stone circle of Stonehenge, and finish in Bath, famed for its Georgian architecture and the Roman Baths.