Top Europe How to Get Around - page 8

Taste your way through Madrid’s markets, restaurants, and stylish bars on a hassle-free food tour with tapas included along the way. Along the route, you’ll stop at three authentic local venues — including a traditional tavern and a century-old restaurant — where you’ll enjoy generous portions of real Spanish cuisine, not just finger food. A local guide will introduce you to a wide range of dishes, such as Asturian-style chorizo slow-cooked in cider, stuffed mushrooms, padrón peppers, and meat cheeks with smashed potatoes all paired with wine, beer, or soft drinks.

Benefit from the expertise of a specialist licensed guide on this group tour of the Sachsenhausen Memorial and Museum, with convenient bus transfers direct from Berlin. Follow your guide as they lead you through the former concentration camp, as they share stories about the Holocaust and what happened here during WWII under the Nazi regime.

Enjoy a rare bird’s-eye view over Rome with this tour of St. Peter’s Basilica that includes a climb to the top of its dome. Visit St. Peter’s Square and church with an art historian guide to marvel at its Renaissance art and architecture. Then head underground to see the grottoes and St. Peter's tomb before climbing the dome to admire the church interiors and the surrounding city from above.

Marvel at the natural majesty of the UNESCO World Heritage–listed Cliffs of Moher on a full-day trip from Galway. Travel south by luxury coach and pass through quaint fishing villages such as Doolin and Kinvara. Admire the ancient fortress of Dunguaire Castle; get acquainted with the Burren, a limestone landscape reminiscent of the moon; and spend two hours of free time walking the trails surrounding the colossal Cliffs of Moher.

Join this small-group tour of the Catalan capital, and discover Gaudi’s magnificent Sagrada Familia (tickets separate expense). Also on this tour, enjoy a walking tour of Barcelona’s Old Town and Gothic Quarter; admire Modernist architecture including Casa Batlló, Casa Mila, and Casa Lleó; and take in the views from Montjuïc Mountain. Hotel or apartment pick-up and drop-off are included.

Stroll Lisbon’s historic, culture-filled cobblestone streets on a small-group guided walking tour. Walk the city’s oldest quarter, Moorish Alfama, elegant Chiado, and monumental Baixa. This Lisbon walking tour is ideal for first-time visitors who want to experience the city’s rich culture while checking off must-see landmarks such as the Carmo church and Commerce Square. Plus, walk to some of the city’s best cafés and boutiques.

Take the guesswork out of finding the best eats in Porto when you book this food and wine tasting tour of the city's beloved cafés and markets. Try regional delights, from sweet custard tarts to savory classics like a ‘bolinho de bacalhau’ codfish. Taste northern Portugal’s world-renowned export of Port and learn its history and cultural impact. Opt for a small-group or private tour with several tastings, or upgrade to also include a full meal at the end.

Visit Toledo from Madrid, without the pressure of figuring out how to get there, on this group tour. Sit back and relax in a comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle as you're driven directly to the historic hilltop city. Enjoy an itinerary based on the type of tour you choose, with potential visits to the Cathedral of Toledo, the Church of St. Tome, and the Monastery of San Juan de los Reyes.

Discover the dramatic beauty, history and mystery of Scotland on this full-day trip from Edinburgh. Aboard a comfortable air-conditioned vehicle, wind through the Scottish Highlands and marvel at the majesty of Cairngorms National Park and the mysterious Loch Ness—fabled home of the elusive water monster, Nessie. Spot the famous Urquhart Castle en route and hear about legendary warfare like the battles of William Wallace and the massacre of Glen Coe in the 17th century.

Croatia’s Krka National Park is sometimes sidelined by visitors to Split who want to avoid hiring a car to get there. This tour makes visiting easy, with round-trip transportation and a winery tour on top. Ride a boat and enjoy free time to hike, swim near the falls, and taste local produce such as cheese and olive oil. Your day finishes with a tour and wine-tastings at the wine estate.

Taste your way through the backstreet bars of Venice—and discover sights and bites you'd be unlikely to find on your own—on this small-group tasting tour. Follow your local guide to a range of bars where Venetians go to drink and mingle. At each stop, sample regional wines alongside plates of the popular Venetian appetizers called cicchetti. Along the way, visit multiple neighborhoods and discover key city landmarks.

Discover one of Croatia's most spectacular natural environments—and a UNESCO World Heritage Site to boot—on this seamless day trip from Split to Plitvice Lakes National Park. Travel the distance with ease via air-conditioned vehicle, and relax with round-trip transfer from Split. With plenty of time for exploring, you can avoid the restrictions of a rushed tour while visiting the park’s lakes, meadows, and prehistoric caves with your guide.

Montserrat sits about an hour outside Barcelona, and the rail-and-funicular connection takes up much of the day. Round-trip transport runs door-to-door from central hotels, leaving time on the mountain rather than in transit. A guide covers the Benedictine monastery, founded in the 11th century, and the basilica at its center, with admission included.

Escape the bustle of Barcelona and head to the Montserrat mountain range on a comfortable, air-conditioned bus—no need to book taxis or organize transport. Choose to explore the historic Basilica and Monastery, with optional Black Madonna tickets and Cogwheel Train rides. Afterwards, if upgrade selected, visit a winery in a 10th-century castle, where you can opt to enjoy tapas or a full lunch with premium wine.

Enjoy a delicious night of wine and tapas in Malaga—and head to locals-loved destinations you'd otherwise miss—on this small-group tour. Follow your guide to the city’s top culinary highlights, from classic taverns to gourmet groceries and local restaurants. As you go, enjoy a generous range of bites and drinks, and the chance to rub shoulders with Spaniards and fellow travelers alike.

Prepare to be awed by Istanbul’s magnificent architecture, rich history, and eclectic bazaars as you discover the unmissable highlights of the Old City on this 1-, 2-, or 3-day private tour. Marvel over the glorious Hagia Sophia, learn how the Blue Mosque earned its famous nickname, tour Topkapi Palace to gain an insight into the lavish lifestyles of the Ottoman sultans and their harem, and browse the legendary Grand Bazaar, where you find everything from carpets to Turkish delight.

Discover the highlights of Iceland's Golden Circle without the hassle of driving and navigating unfamiliar roads. This bus tour from Reykjavik takes you to the Geysir geothermal area (home to the very active Strokkur geyser), Gulfoss waterfall, and UNESCO-listed Thingvellir National Park and reveals the history and folklore behind each site.

Explore one of the cornerstones of Catalan culture and history on this group tour to Montserrat. See the Montserrat Monastery, home to the famous "Black Madonna," and then follow a guide through the vineyards of Oller del Mas (if option selected). This tour combines culture with local cuisine for a holistic view of Barcelona away from the crowds of the historic center.

Escape the tourist trail and explore Croatia’s wild landscapes and historic gems on this full-day tour from Split. Spend the morning exploring the sights of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed historic town of Trogir. Head to the Krka National Park and marvel at the natural wonders like Skradinski Buk (Krka waterfalls). Finally, cruise down the Krka River.

Have only limited time for sightseeing in Iceland? Enjoy a flexible way to explore one of the country's longest lava tunnels on this tour of Raufarhólshellir. Equipped with a helmet and headlamp, you'll see some of the tunnel’s most notable features, and will learn about the changing colors of the rock formations from a guide. This tour departs regularly, making it easy to slot into even the busiest sightseeing schedule.

Explore the amazing underground sculptures, caverns, and even a cathedral at the Wieliczka Salt Mines on an easy half-day tour from Krakow. Avoid the hassle of reading Polish bus timetables with hotel or central-Krakow transfers (if option selected). Learn all about the history of the centuries-old salt mines from your guide and marvel at the many complex and beautiful salt sculptures.

Experience the magic of Istanbul on a Bosphorus dinner cruise, featuring stunning views of landmarks like the Maiden's Tower, Galata Tower, and Bosphorus Bridges. Enjoy a delicious multi-course meal with options like mixed grill or vegetarian dishes, paired with live entertainment including Turkish folk dances, belly dancing, and a DJ performance. With private VIP tables and optional hotel transfers, this unforgettable evening blends culture, cuisine, and breathtaking scenery.

Cover the Renaissance highlights of Florence without getting lost or overwhelmed with this small-group choose-your-own-adventure tour. Choose to explore just the Accademia Gallery, home to Michelangelo's iconic "David" statue, or add on the Uffizi Galleries to admire more Renaissance artworks, with a brief tour of Florence's highlights in between. Ideal for time-pressed travelers who want to fit in as much art and history as possible.

Prague’s past is as dark as they come, but standard sightseeing tours don’t usually explore its spooky secrets. This evening walking tour delves into the Czech capital’s sinister side. Visit mysterious locations in the UNESCO World Heritage–listed Old Town, and hear spooky tales of ghosts, legends, murders, curses, executions, and plague through the centuries. Discover a secret underground alchemy laboratory and absorb the city’s eerie after-dark atmosphere without getting lost.