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What are the Different Types of Tours in Europe?

Jessica Ellis
Jessica Ellis
Jessica Ellis
Jessica Ellis

European tours are fascinating and varied experiences that can give meaning to every stone, river, and building passed while visiting a historic region. Tours in Europe are an excellent opportunity for adventurers, historians, and simple travel enthusiasts to gain a deeper understanding of the many wonders contained in Europe. There are many different types of tours in Europe, including river tours, train tours, food and wine tours, and even ghost tours.

Before railroads and highways crisscrossed the land, waterways and rivers were a major source of culture and commerce. Some tours in Europe take travelers along these ancient watery roads on a journey of exploration and historical revelation. Conducted by boat or cruise ship, river tours are a popular way to visit multiple cities and countries. One of the most popular types of European river tour takes place during the holiday season, when luxury river cruisers transport travelers to the famous Christmas markets that line the Danube. Cruisers can stop in the scenic winter wonderlands of Austria and Germany while hunting down hand-carved nutcrackers and gingerbread baked from centuries-old recipes.

Switzerland is famous for chocolate tours.
Switzerland is famous for chocolate tours.

Some travel experts say that the romance and adventure of train tours in Europe cannot be matched by any other traveling experience. The extensive European railway system allows for nearly endless wandering, but some guided train tours allow travelers to explore the detailed delights of specific regions. Switzerland is famous for chocolate tours, which stop in several premier chocolate-producing regions. With the flexible passes available throughout the rail system, it is also perfectly possible to plan a customized itinerary that takes in as many sites as desired.

Europe has many famous attractions that are worth visiting.
Europe has many famous attractions that are worth visiting.

With the epicurean meccas of Italy, France, and Spain in the area, it may be only natural that food and wine tours in Europe are incredibly popular. Pasta aficionados will find a variety of tour options in Italy, where tour offerings may include cooking lessons with local masters, accommodations in a 17th century villa, and guided visits to local farmer's markets. The wine making tradition of France means that tours can be scheduled not only to suit vacation plans but also by favorite vintages: tours specializing in Champagne or Bordeaux tasting can be easily combined with luxury accommodations, hosted transportation to the vineyards, and perfectly paired dinners.

There are many different types of tours in Europe, including train tours.
There are many different types of tours in Europe, including train tours.

Boasting rich and dramatic histories, the great cities of Europe are home to a number of interesting tours, including those on a supernatural theme. London ghost walks take visitors on heart-thumping strolls that pass through the footsteps of Jack the Ripper and into the backstage hideouts of the famously haunted Drury Lane theaters. Many castles throughout Europe offer short walking tours that detail the sometimes romantic, sometimes gruesome fates of previous inhabitants. Paris and Vienna even offer fascinating guided tours of the extensive sewer systems below the streets.

Jessica Ellis
Jessica Ellis

With a B.A. in theater from UCLA and a graduate degree in screenwriting from the American Film Institute, Jessica is passionate about drama and film. She has many other interests, and enjoys learning and writing about a wide range of topics in her role as a WiseGEEK writer.

Learn more...
Jessica Ellis
Jessica Ellis

With a B.A. in theater from UCLA and a graduate degree in screenwriting from the American Film Institute, Jessica is passionate about drama and film. She has many other interests, and enjoys learning and writing about a wide range of topics in her role as a WiseGEEK writer.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

Animandel

I think the fun of traveling is seeing things at your own pace. I want a tour that is short and one that simply highlights the main sites. After that, I can explore on my own and at my own pace.

Sporkasia

Has anyone here ever done an "untours" tour of Europe? These are great because instead of staying in hotels or doing bus tours you stay in apartments in communities where the locals live. It's not an apartment complex filled with tourists either. When we have plenty of time and are going to stay in one place for several days this is great for our family.

When you stay in the apartments you are able to have a closer interaction with the locals because they are your neighbors. Also, we always spend less money staying in the apartments than we spend when we stay in hotels, so this is another bonus with these types of tours.

Feryll

My girlfriend took me on my first cruise ever a couple of years ago. The ship traveled to Mexico and to the Cayman Islands. I wasn't sure I would enjoy a cruise all that much, but I did want to go on at least one in my lifetime.

Well, as it turned out, I really enjoyed the days we were on land. We went snorkeling and diving off the beach, and we also went horseback riding on the beach and in the ocean. These are things I don't normally get to do.

On the hand, I could have done without all of the long hours on the ship with nothing but water all around. However, my girlfriend loves cruises, and now she is trying to convince me that we should take one of the river cruises in Europe.

She says these are more interesting because you sail close enough to towns and cities to get good views of them while you are on the water. I really like Europe because the buildings and civilizations have been around so much longer than than in the United States, so I think I will give a river cruise tour of Europe a try and see how it compares to my first cruise.

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    • Switzerland is famous for chocolate tours.
      By: vencav
      Switzerland is famous for chocolate tours.
    • Europe has many famous attractions that are worth visiting.
      By: Freesurf
      Europe has many famous attractions that are worth visiting.
    • There are many different types of tours in Europe, including train tours.
      By: Ian Kirk
      There are many different types of tours in Europe, including train tours.
    • A nighttime tour of Paris may include a stop at the Tour Montparnasse for its unparalleled views of the city.
      By: fazon
      A nighttime tour of Paris may include a stop at the Tour Montparnasse for its unparalleled views of the city.
    • Many travelers within Europe rely on regional and national airlines that sometimes offer inexpensive fares.
      By: HappyAlex
      Many travelers within Europe rely on regional and national airlines that sometimes offer inexpensive fares.
    • Most of Europe can be easily traveled by bus, airplane, ferry, car, or even on foot.
      By: ilynx_v
      Most of Europe can be easily traveled by bus, airplane, ferry, car, or even on foot.
    • Companies in Paris and Rome offer tours that visit traditional farmers' markets and culminate with a collaboratively cooked dinner.
      By: Denis Pepin
      Companies in Paris and Rome offer tours that visit traditional farmers' markets and culminate with a collaboratively cooked dinner.