Top Europe Unique Experiences - page 5

Learn everything you’ve always wanted to know about cork, and things you never even fathomed on this group tour to the cork factory in Faro. Learn about the process in making and packing cork, then visit the cork shop. See how cork is used in all sorts of ways, and maybe bring home a few souvenirs. The tour is available in English and Portuguese in person.

Spend a few hours exploring Rome’s Colosseum on this guided excursion. After meeting up with a knowledgeable local guide, enjoy guaranteed access to this nearly 2,000 year old amphitheater and learn about the spectacles and gladiatorial contests once held there. Visit the arena floor, then enjoy included entry to the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill.

Get an inside look into the centuries-old art of glassblowing with a factory tour on Murano Island, home to the world’s finest artisan glass. Tour the facilities at Colleoni Glass Factory and watch a master craftsman shape molten glass through a combination of heat, blowing and sculptural techniques. Visit the factory showroom to see beautiful finished works of art, and receive a special Murano glass souvenir to take home.

Make your London adventure a personal one on a private walking tour. Your tailor-made itinerary can include Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, the city’s hidden gems, and much more—it's completely up to you. Thanks to the insider knowledge and expert navigation skills of your local guide, you're set up to explore in an efficient but leisurely manner. Leave with personalized tips on what to see, eat, and do for the rest of your vacation.

Discover a different side of the Eternal City with this haunted walking tour through Rome. Follow your guide and a small group as evening falls across shadowy streets, empty squares, and cursed bridges while you listen to tales of executions and murders over the centuries. Use your dowsing rods to pick up ghostly evidence of past emperors, heretics, and witches who are said to still wander the city.

Tantalize your taste buds on this private guided day trip to the Setúbal region wine trip from Lisbon. Enjoy a great introduction to the wines and cheeses of this beautiful region. Stop at multiple wineries for tastings to sample various varietals. Then, devour local cheeses and snacks as you admire the surrounding topography and explore the landscape at your leisure with your dedicated guide and vehicle.

Exploring Madrid with a local guide is the best way to get to know the city’s character. Stay away from the tourist attractions—it’s easy enough to visit those on your own—and instead visit hip neighborhoods, local-favorite tapas bars, and artisan shopping districts that are still under the radar. This private tour is with just you and your guide so you can customize every aspect of your experience.

The Jewish Ghetto and Campo de’ Fiori neighborhoods are synonymous with traditional Roman cuisine, but dodging tourist traps and finding authentic eats can be a challenge. Enjoy seven tasty food stops—paired with wine, beer, and soft drinks—during this half-day, small-group tasting tour. Listen to stories about the Eternal City’s rich history along the way, capped off by dinner among the ruins of an ancient Roman theater.

Visit the family home of a local Cretan for an evening of cooking, eating, and cultural exchange. Begin your visit in the vegetable gardens, where you harvest ingredients to use in your recipes. Learn traditional dishes from your hosts, hear the stories behind each, and taste local cheeses. Enjoy views of the Aegean Sea and the mountains, then sit down to a meal you helped prepare, paired with local wine.

Paris’ Latin Quarter buzzes with the rich legacy of luminaries like Hemingway, Descartes, and Dalí. Watch this storied history come to vivid life on a private tour that immerses you in the Left Bank's bohemian past and hidden corners. In the company of an expert guide, trace the area’s history beginning with medieval times, and stroll past highlights like the Sorbonne, Pantheon, Shakespeare & Co. bookstore, and more.

If you're short on time in London, cover more of the capital's top sights in less time on an electric bike tour that lets you skip the stress of navigating public transport. Your guide leads the way so you don't have to navigate, while an electric bike saves you breaking a sweat like you would on a standard bicycle.

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.

While many tours in Iceland make pit stops at glaciers, fewer take you over them and close enough to discover their otherworldly features. With this small-group tour, take an easy glacier hike to see ice formations, crevasses, and water cauldrons that you’d miss just stopping for a look.

Sample the unique history and renowned wine producers of Ribera del Duero during this full-day trip from Madrid. Avoid the hassle of choosing a designated driver and let someone else plan the logistics as you stop by three wineries to taste several vintages. Get an in-depth look at wine production on a day that includes tastings, snacks, and a specialist guide. Please note: lunch is at your own expense.

Be inspired by Antoni Gaudí with a fun, family-friendly mosaic workshop in Barcelona. Learn the trencadis technique he pioneered, using glass or ceramic shards to create a masterpiece of your own, like a photo frame or coaster. It's a wonderful choice for art-lovers, whatever their skill level, and a great way to end your Barcelona vacation with a totally unique souvenir.

Experience a side of Rome rare to visitors with a mosaic-making workshop in the heart of the city—all materials and a silver frame included. Get hands-on instruction in techniques used by 19th-century artisans. Workshops are limited to only seven participants, ensuring each jewelry-maker will get personalized attention. Bottled water is provided, plus a complimentary tea or coffee.

Delve into the colorful world of street art in Lisbon on this small-group tour. Discover hidden artwork down alleyways and narrow streets that you wouldn’t find alone.  As you tour the city, your guide will enhance your experience by telling you about the meaning behind the artwork, and the different techniques used. As it’s a small-group tour, you can enjoy a more intimate experience and avoid worrying about large crowds.

There's no better souvenir to bring home from your travels than the gift of authentic Italian cuisine. Learn how to make fresh egg pasta the Italian way with a local chef in his home in a historic palazzo and master the art of fresh pesto, too. Numbers are capped at just six travelers, ensuring an intimate experience and likely the chance to make friends over lunch.

Snorkel between continents on this thrilling small-group tour from Reykjavík that lets you explore the waters below Þingvellir National Park without needing a scuba diving qualification. Glide through the Silfra fissure, a rift in the Earth’s crust, as you float between North America and Europe. Underwater photos, a PADI-certified divemaster, snorkeling gear, specialized cold-water safety gear, and a dry suit are all provided. Hotel transfers, hot chocolate, and cookies are included.

Savor the flavors of Tuscany on a food and wine tour through Florence. Stroll through the city with a local food-loving guide, learning about Florence’s culinary traditions, including the humble yet flavorful Cucina Povera (poor kitchen) cuisine. Stop at top eateries to sample classic dishes such as ribollita and panzanella paired with five glasses of wine. Join a small group or upgrade to a private tour for a personalized experience.

Let kids play and discover their inner artist through mosaic making with this short class that lets little ones create colorful pieces they can take home. Kids of all skill and ability levels will learn to handle and set tiles in the colors of their choice into a box, picture frame, or coaster.

Enjoy a more personal way to explore Amsterdam—and combine two experiences in one excursion—on this private walking tour. Begin with a stroll past many of the city's key sights, including the UNESCO-listed Amsterdam Canal Ring, Chinatown, and the infamous Red Light District. Plus, stop to sample three Dutch specialities along the way, and learn more about the city's cuisine.

Get your fashion fix in Paris with a private, 2-hour tour of the city’s most prestigious retail and design districts. Learn about the history of Parisian fashion and the hottest current brands and collections from a private guide with professional industry experience. Stroll along fashionable Rue Saint-Honoré, admire handcrafted jewelry, and see where local trendsetters shop, from vintage boutiques to design flagships.

Explore Paris on your own terms with a customized city visit with a local host. You'll get to spend two to eight hours with an expert Parisian, who can show you all sorts of off-the-beaten-path gems, from restaurants to shops to lesser-known museums. Your guide can also help you plan the rest of your trip, setting you up with itineraries suited to your own needs and interests.