Top Europe Unique Experiences - page 3

Bologna is famous for its fresh pasta and with this private lesson you'll learn the tricks to turning out flawless tortellini, tagliatelle, and other handmade pastas like a local with a Bolognese home cook. Roll up your sleeves and prepare three traditional types of pasta under the guidance of your host in her home kitchen, then sample your creations at a family-style meal complete with wine.

Standard walking tours of London skim over the city's darker history, but this ghost tour focuses on the Big Smoke's spookier side. As evening falls, explore dimly lit parks and historic buildings while listening to stories from your ghoulish guide. The tour concludes at the Tower of London, one of the city’s most haunted landmarks.

Experience Paris in a way few people have: aboard a private, eco-friendly electric golf cart. You and your travel companions can choose from several itineraries to fit your schedules, from short tours of central Paris to full-day excursions. Each golf cart seats up to three passengers plus your driver-guide, and larger groups can book multiple vehicles and cruise through the city together.

Explore Paris in an unforgettable way on a tour by vintage open-air sidecar. On a daytime or nighttime adventure, cruise through the city to see sights like the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Latin Quarter, or Ile de la Cite, depending on option selected when booking. Or upgrade to the customizable tour to create your own itinerary, even leaving the city for Versailles or Giverny, if you wish.

Discover the beautiful city of Amsterdam, known as the ‘Venice of the North,’ from the water on this sightseeing cruise. Choose your preferred departure time from your chosen departure point and set off on the UNESCO-listed waterways aboard a glass-topped canal boat. Glide under pretty bridges, past 17th-century buildings and landmarks like the Anne Frank House, and learn about the city’s history from the audio guide.

Lisbon’s famous hills can make exploring by bike challenging, but an e-bike helps you cover more ground with less effort. Ride through historic neighborhoods such as Alfama and Graça while reaching elevated viewpoints without exhausting climbs. A guide leads the way through the city’s winding streets, combining easier cycling with local context and access to scenic spots you might otherwise skip.

Vienna is renowned for its UNESCO-listed monuments and magnificent palaces, but many travelers only get to see the highlights. On this tour, discover the city through the eyes of a Vienna local and enjoy a personalized itinerary custom-made for you. Your ‘Lokafyer’ guide is no typical tour guide—instead, they will show you around the city like a friend, take you to the neighborhoods that they know and love, and give you tips on where to eat, drink, and shop in the city.

Italy is known for its wine, and with this small-group tour, you get an insider's look at wine production from grape to bottle—with a focus on Amarone wines. Travel through the Valpolicella region, stopping at two wineries for tastings. At your second winery, sit down for a lunch of local cuisine paired with more wine, followed by another guided tasting to learn more about viticulture.

Step away from the crowds in Rome's historic center, and explore the lesser-known neighborhood of Prati, on this group walking and tasting tour. Discover locals-only gourmet shops and eateries you're unlikely to uncover on your own, and sample a wide variety of specialties. Feast on artisan charcuterie and cheeses, pizza by the slice, pasta dishes, and Italian wine as you learn about the city's culinary culture.

If you have limited time in London, make the most of your visit with a lunch cruise along the River Thames, which lets you combine British cuisine with sightseeing. See the best of London’s riverside attractions—such as Tower Bridge and Big Ben—on a cruise from Tower Pier to Westminster, avoiding the crowds on land. An onboard bar offers other drink options, too (own expense).

The Latin Quarter and the Marais are two of the most picturesque neighborhoods in Paris, but seeing all each district has to offer can take days. Check off the highlights (without tiring your feet) in just a few hours during this small-group, half-day bike tour. Make the most of your local guide as you see the City of Light from a new perspective, away from the packed tourist sites.

Immerse yourself in the ancient art of Roman mosaics in a hands-on workshop. Learn traditional techniques, use natural marble, and create your own mosaic masterpiece to take home from an authentic mosaic studio.

Escape the crowds on land and see Libson at its most magical during a catamaran cruise at sunset. As you sail on the Tagus River, enjoy unobstructed views of top Libson sights such as Belem and the 25th of April Bridge while sipping on a complimentary drink. Benefit from the insider knowledge of your guide through live commentary.

The Tuscan region of Chianti is known for its wine, but sussing out the best wineries on your own can take hours of research. Skip the hassle and head straight to three hand-picked wineries to tour the wine cellars and taste different varietals on this group wine tour from Florence. Midday, treat your senses to a light lunch of fresh regional products like bruschetta, handmade pasta, cheese, and salami. You'll also travel through the Tuscan countryside dotted with vineyards, olive groves, and villas, stopping to explore the traditional village of Greve.

Learn to make pasta by hand with a professional chef-instructor for a truly memorable experience in Rome. Your small-group cooking class takes place in a private location in a traditional Roman neighborhood and covers the basics of creating incredible Italian pasta. Nibble on light appetizers and sip on prosecco as you begin to prepare the pasta meal. Or, opt for the pizza-making class to prepare your own pie.

Touring Florence's endless cultural treasures can get tiring for young visitors, so break up your time in the city with a kid-friendly, hands-on cooking class. Roll up your sleeves and get busy preparing two crowdpleasers: authentic Tuscan pizza and creamy Italian gelato. Your chef instructor will lead your family through the process step-by-step, keeping your kids engaged and busy. End by sampling your handiwork over lunch, ideal as a substitute for a restaurant meal.

Explore Hungary’s renowned Etyek wine region—and enjoy a hassle-free way to travel beyond Budapest city limits—on this half-day tasting tour, complete with lunch or dinner. Set off with your group (or just your guide, if private option selected), and head to Etyek, famed for its white and sparkling wines. Visit two or three top wineries to taste their wines and learn about their craft. This intimate tour also features a traditional Hungarian meal.

Discover the secrets of Tuscan cooking during this full-day experience, including a market visit and cooking class. Shop for fresh ingredients at a Florentine market before venturing to a Tuscan farmhouse in the countryside. Take your cue from a chef as you create Italian dishes from scratch including bruschetta, pasta, roast pork, and tiramisù. Complement the fruits of your labor with complimentary Tuscan wine.

"Harry Potter™" fans in London may rush to the Warner Bros. studio, but plenty of magical movie locations can be found within the English capital. Join a group of fellow Muggles for a walking tour through central London and see the real-life spots that inspired sets such as Diagon Alley, the Leaky Cauldron, and the Ministry of Magic.

Explore Lisbon’s hills with ease on this electric bike tour. Glide through the charming neighborhoods of Chiado, Alfama, and Bairro Alto without breaking a sweat. Stop at major landmarks including Sé Cathedral, São Vicente Monastery, and St. George’s Castle. Enjoy panoramic views from scenic overlooks and soak up the city’s rich history and vibrant culture along the way. Listen to interesting stories from your local guide as you go.

Cruise through snow and ice on Langjökull, one of Iceland’s largest glaciers, on this guided tour. Take a ride in a 4x4 monster ice truck and enjoy the Icelandic scenery on the ride to the glacier. Then, suit up in the provided gear, learn how to drive the snowmobile, and follow your guide as you speed through ice and snowfields.

Skip the set itinerary and script of an organized tour and explore Bologna with a local host for a fully customized visit tailored to your pace and interests. Take in blockbuster attractions like Piazza Maggiore and the Due Torri plus delve into the parts of the city known only to locals to discover unique sights, favorite eateries, and little-known gems.

See Paris like a local as you pedal around its vibrant neighborhoods, lively markets, and hidden sights on this small-group bike tour. Explore the bohemian Latin Quarter, the Jewish communities of Le Marais, and the historic Place de la Bastille, as well as enjoying views of iconic landmarks such as Notre-Dame Cathedral. With plenty of rest stops and photo opportunities, this tour is suitable for a range of ages and fitness levels.

The Catacombs of Rome are a popular attraction, but this tour lets you bypass the long lines outside and 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 filling in the details so you can get more out of your visit.