Group tours in Europe

Spring and fall are the sweet spot, with mild weather and fewer crowds. April and May are genuinely quiet, while June is already busy. In the fall, late September and October are calmer than early September, when the Mediterranean is still in high season.

Summer is the time for the Mediterranean coast and for Scandinavia, when the days are longest, though July and August are also when many Europeans take their own vacations. Winter has its own charm, with Christmas markets from late November and ski season in the Alps from mid-December to early April.

One tip for August: in Paris many small shops close for the summer break, and in Italy many businesses close around August 15.

For a first taste of Europe, 10-14 days focused on 2-3 countries works well. If you want a fuller tour across Western, Central, and Mediterranean Europe, plan at least 3-4 weeks.

Remember to count the flights from the US. They are mostly overnight, so your first full day on the ground is the day after you leave, and the first day or two can feel slower while you adjust to the new time zone.

A good rule is to spend at least 2-3 nights in each place and to count travel days in your total, since even a short train ride with check-out and check-in takes half a day. Seven days fits Rome, Florence, and Venice, for example, while 10 days is enough for London and Paris plus a third city, or for Prague, Vienna, and Budapest.

US citizens need a valid passport to travel to Europe, and for most of the continent that is all you need for a tourist trip. In the Schengen area, which covers most of the EU plus Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein, your passport must be valid for at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave and must have been issued within the previous 10 years. You can stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa, counted across all Schengen countries together.

At the border, the Entry/Exit System takes your photo and fingerprints on your first entry, and there is nothing to do before you travel. The EU's ETIAS travel authorization is not in operation yet (the EU plans to launch it in the last quarter of 2026, with the date announced months ahead), so there is nothing to apply for today. When it starts, use only the official EU website.

Outside Schengen, rules vary: the United Kingdom, for example, asks for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before boarding. Before you go, check the country pages on travel.state.gov, which are updated when rules change.

You will use the euro in most of Europe: in 21 of the 27 EU countries, including France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Greece, Croatia, and Bulgaria, as well as in Andorra, Monaco, San Marino, Vatican City, Montenegro, and Kosovo. Other countries keep their own money:

• British pound in the UK
• Swiss franc in Switzerland and Liechtenstein
• Swedish krona, Danish and Norwegian krone, and Icelandic króna in the Nordics (Finland uses the euro)
• Czech koruna, Hungarian forint, Polish złoty, and Romanian leu in Central and Eastern Europe
• Albanian lek, Serbian dinar, Macedonian denar, Bosnian convertible mark, Moldovan leu, Georgian lari, and Turkish lira in the Balkans and beyond

Contactless payment is widespread. Before you leave, check whether your card charges foreign transaction fees, and if a terminal or ATM offers to charge you in US dollars, choose the local currency instead, since that conversion usually comes with a markup.

Europe is full of classics, and a few are hard to beat:

• Paris: the Louvre, Montmartre, and Notre-Dame, now reopened after the 2019 fire.
• Rome: the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, the Vatican Museums, and the Trevi Fountain.
• Barcelona: Gaudí's buildings, including the Sagrada Família, and a beach right in the city.
• Amsterdam: the canals, the Rijksmuseum, and the Van Gogh Museum.
• Prague: Charles Bridge, Prague Castle, and the Astronomical Clock, in a compact center you can explore on foot.
• The Greek islands: Santorini and Mykonos are the most famous and the busiest, especially when cruise ships are in port, while Crete, Corfu, and Zakynthos are lovely alternatives.

For something less visited, try Slovenia or Portugal beyond Lisbon: the Azores for hiking and surfing, Madeira for walks along the levadas, and the Douro Valley for its vineyards.

Getting around is easy: most of continental Europe is in the Schengen area, so there are usually no passport checks when you cross a border by train, bus, or car. Ireland and the UK are the exceptions.

• Train: the network is extensive and efficient, especially on the high-speed lines of France, Italy, Spain, Germany, Austria, and the Benelux. Many high-speed and night trains require a seat reservation, so buy tickets on the national operators' official sites.
• Bus: long-distance buses like FlixBus are often the cheapest option, though slower than the train.
• Ferry: the natural way to reach the islands. Strong winds can cancel sailings, so leave some slack in your plans.
• Plane: low-cost flights are frequent and often the fastest choice on longer routes.
• Car: handy for rural areas, mountain roads, and coastlines that trains don't reach.

Europe has dozens of languages, and the EU alone counts 24 official ones. English, French, German, Italian, and Spanish are among the most widely spoken, with German the most common native language in the EU.

English is generally understood in tourist areas and is especially widespread in the Netherlands and the Nordic countries, where many younger people speak it well. In rural areas and with older people, a few words of the local language go a long way.

You will also come across three alphabets: Latin, Greek in Greece and Cyprus, and Cyrillic in Bulgaria and, alongside Latin, in Serbia.

Budgets vary a lot by country. Eastern Europe and Portugal are more affordable, while Scandinavia, Switzerland, and the UK have a high cost of living. Iceland and Switzerland are the priciest, with Denmark, Ireland, Luxembourg, and Norway close behind. France, Germany, the Netherlands, and Austria sit around the average, Spain, Portugal, and Greece come in below it, and Bulgaria, Romania, North Macedonia, Albania, and Bosnia and Herzegovina are the cheapest. Capitals and seaside resorts cost more than the countryside, and July and August are the most expensive months.

A few things work differently from the US. VAT is already included in displayed prices, and visitors from outside the EU can claim a refund on goods taken home, with a customs stamp before leaving. Service is often included in restaurants, so a small extra for good service is enough and the 15-20% tip is not expected. Many cities also charge a nightly tourist tax, collected by the hotel.

Europe's climate changes a lot from south to north. The Mediterranean has mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers. The northwest (the UK, Ireland, Atlantic France, and the Benelux) has cool summers, mild winters, and rain spread across the year. Central Europe, including Vienna, Prague, and Budapest, enjoys warm summers and winters close to freezing.

Scandinavia and Finland are cold in winter, though the Norwegian coast and Iceland are milder than their latitude suggests. In the Alps, temperatures drop with altitude.

In the far north, light changes more than temperature: above the Arctic Circle the sun doesn't set for weeks around the summer solstice, while in December and January it barely rises.

Barcelona, Lisbon, Budapest, Vienna, Prague, and Amsterdam are perfect for a city break of 3-4 days, with plenty to see in their historic centers: Gaudí and a city beach in Barcelona, Alfama and a day trip to Sintra from Lisbon, the Széchenyi baths in Budapest, Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna, and canals and bike rides in Amsterdam. Dublin, Krakow, Porto, and Bruges also deserve a short trip.

Fitting it in from the US takes a little planning. With overnight flights and jet lag, 4 nights on the ground is a more realistic minimum than 3, and from the East Coast Dublin, Lisbon, and Reykjavik are among the closest capitals. Federal holidays help too: Memorial Day, Labor Day, and Columbus Day all fall on a Monday, and Thanksgiving plus two or three days off gives you a week in late November, when the first Christmas markets open.

Europe's calendar is full of festivals worth planning a trip around:

• Venice Carnival: in the weeks before Mardi Gras, between January and February, with dates that shift every year because they depend on Easter.
• Oktoberfest in Munich: despite the name, it runs almost entirely in September and ends in early October.
• Christmas markets in Strasbourg and Vienna: Strasbourg's, open from late November to Christmas Eve, is the oldest in France, while Vienna's on Rathausplatz opens in mid-November, with an ice rink next door.
• Edinburgh Festival Fringe: every August the city hosts several festivals at once, and the Fringe fills much of the month with theater, comedy, and music.
• La Tomatina in Buñol: on the last Wednesday of August, with capped numbers and tickets sold on the town council's website.
• Cannes Film Festival: in May, with free films on the beach every evening at the Cinéma de la Plage.

Every summer also brings big music festivals, like Primavera Sound in Barcelona in early June, Roskilde in Denmark from late June, Tomorrowland in Belgium in late July, and Sziget in Budapest in August.

If you want to go beyond the classics, these lesser-visited places are well worth it:

• The Faroe Islands: Atlantic cliffs, grass-roofed villages, and trails like the one to the island of Mykines, open in summer with a guide.
• Slovenia: Lake Bled is popular, but nearby Lake Bohinj is quieter, and the emerald water of the Soča Valley is ideal for rafting and kayaking.
• The Albanian Riviera: the beaches of Ksamil and Saranda, the Blue Eye spring, and the ruins of Butrint, with UNESCO-listed Berat and Gjirokastër inland.
• Montenegro: the Bay of Kotor, Durmitor National Park, and the Tara River canyon.
• Georgia: the cave city of Vardzia, the Caucasus village of Ushguli, and the wine cellars of Kakheti.
• Moldova: a destination for wine lovers, with the underground cellars of Cricova and Mileștii Mici, home to the largest wine collection in the world.

Also worth a look are Lake Ohrid, the rebuilt bridge in Mostar, Transylvania, and the Baltic states. Even in Spain, France, and Italy there are lesser-explored regions, such as Extremadura, Lorraine, and Basilicata with the Sassi of Matera.

Low-cost airlines like Ryanair, Wizz Air, and easyJet cover most routes within Europe at competitive prices. To find the best fares, book about 7-10 weeks ahead, stay flexible on dates, and use comparison tools like Google Flights or Skyscanner with price alerts on. Skyscanner's Everywhere search and the Google Flights date grid show the cheapest destination or day in seconds.

A few tips make a difference:

• Compare the final price with bags included, since the basic fare usually covers only a small under-seat bag.
• Factor in transfers from secondary airports, which can eat up the savings.
• Fly midweek: leaving Monday and returning Tuesday or Wednesday usually costs less than weekends.
• Leave a buffer after your transatlantic flight, because a low-cost flight on a separate ticket isn't protected if your flight from the US arrives late.
• Watch for sales in late November, around Black Friday and Travel Tuesday.
• Compare with trains and buses, which often run from city center to city center.

Venice, Paris, Santorini, Prague, and Lisbon are the classic romantic escapes. In Venice, spend at least one night in the lagoon to enjoy the city in the evening, without the day-trip crowds. In Santorini, sunset in Oia is the highlight, but the viewpoints fill up hours earlier, so for a quieter spot head to Ammoudi Bay or Skaros Rock. Prague has the lovers' bridge on Kampa Island and boat rides on the Vltava, and in Lisbon the miradouros at sunset and a day trip to Sintra and Cabo da Roca do the trick.

For something more unusual, consider Tallinn's medieval old town, the Norwegian fjords (chase the northern lights from September to March, or enjoy the midnight sun from late May to late July), the Scottish lochs around Loch Ness, or the lavender fields of Provence, in bloom from mid-June to mid-July.

The secret is often a slow pace: dinners at sunset and aimless walks through historic neighborhoods.

Barcelona, Rome, Amsterdam, and Dublin are lovely even in winter, with far fewer tourists and lower prices than in high season. For cities, low season generally runs from November to February, excluding the end-of-year holidays. Barcelona and Rome have mild winters, while Amsterdam and Dublin are more about museums, pubs, and cafés than sunshine.

For real warmth, Portugal and the Canary Islands are mild year-round: the Canaries and Madeira are the safest bets, while Lisbon, Seville, and the rest of Andalusia work well for art cities.

The Baltic states and the Balkans shine in spring and fall, with beautiful landscapes and more affordable accommodation. Aim for late May to June in the Baltics, with the white nights, or the first half of September. In the Balkans, May-June and September-October work best, when the Adriatic is still warm and the coast is less crowded than in August.

A classic is the Paris, Amsterdam, and Berlin triangle on the Eurostar and ICE trains: about 3 hours 20 minutes from Paris to Amsterdam, and about 6 hours from Amsterdam to Berlin. With more time, the Venice, Vienna, Budapest, Prague, and Berlin route is spectacular. It adds up to about 21 hours on the train, so allow 9-10 days at a relaxed pace, or take a night train to do it in a week.

For scenery, look at the Bernina Express and the Glacier Express through the Swiss Alps, Norway's Oslo-Bergen line combined with the Flåm Railway down to the fjord, and the seasonal steam Jacobite in Scotland, which crosses the Glenfinnan Viaduct.

Eurail is the pass for US travelers and works across more than 30 countries. Most high-speed and night trains charge a separate seat reservation, so a pass pays off mainly with many long journeys. Night trains are making a comeback, but the network changes often, so check which routes are running.

Europe is made for road trips, and these routes are among the best:

• Ring Road (Iceland): about 820 miles around the island, best done in 7-10 days between June and September. The highland F-roads open only in summer and require a 4x4.
• National Tourist Routes (Norway): 18 scenic roads, with the Atlantic Ocean Road and Geiranger-Trollstigen the best known.
• North Coast 500 (Scotland): a 516-mile loop from Inverness in 5-7 days, mostly on single-track roads with passing places.
• Wild Atlantic Way (Ireland): about 1,550 miles along the west coast, so many pick one section.
• Transfăgărășan (Romania): a mountain road through the Carpathians, open at altitude from July to late October.
• Grossglockner High Alpine Road (Austria): 36 hairpin turns, open from early May to late October.
• Route des Grandes Alpes (France): from Lake Geneva to Menton over some 17 Alpine passes, with the highest ones open from mid-June.

For most routes, 7-10 days with 2-4 hours of driving a day is plenty. Some countries, including Austria and Greece, require an International Driving Permit alongside your US license, and in the US it is issued only by AAA and AATA. The UK and Ireland drive on the left, and automatics go fast, so book early.

Pack for about a week, even on a longer trip, and plan to do laundry: you will often carry your bag up stairs, onto trains, and over cobblestones. A few things are worth knowing before you close your suitcase:

• Comfortable, broken-in shoes: historic centers are full of cobblestones and steps.
• Layers: a light jacket and a rain layer help in almost every season, especially in the UK, Ireland, and northern Europe.
• Plug adapter: Europe runs on 230 volts, compared with 120 in the US. Most of the continent uses type C and F plugs, while the UK, Ireland, Malta, and Cyprus use type G. Phone and laptop chargers usually handle both voltages, but hair dryers often don't.
• Liquids in your carry-on: containers of up to 100 ml (3.4 oz) in a single clear bag.
• Medications: keep them in their original packaging in your carry-on, with a copy of the prescription.
• Church-friendly clothes: many churches ask visitors to cover shoulders and knees, and a light scarf solves most cases.
• A refillable water bottle: tap water is safe to drink in many European countries.

For New Year's Eve, Europe's big cities throw street parties, many of them free, and Central Europe rings in the new year six hours before the US East Coast. Popular choices include:

• Edinburgh: Hogmanay, the Scottish New Year, runs from December 29 to January 1, with a Torchlight Procession and a Street Party and concert below the castle. Tickets go on sale many months ahead.
• Berlin: the big free party at the Brandenburg Gate, with DJs and fireworks.
• Vienna: the Silvesterpfad, a free festival trail with stages across the center.
• Prague: celebrations fill the squares, starting with Wenceslas Square.
• Lisbon: a free party on Praça do Comércio, with concerts and fireworks over the Tagus River.
• Barcelona: a free fireworks and drone show on Montjuïc, with the metro running all night.

Brussels and Athens also draw big crowds. For ticketed events, buy as soon as sales open, and at free ones arrive early, since road closures start in the afternoon. Check night transport too: in some cities the metro closes earlier than usual.

Europe's best swimming water is in Cyprus and Greece, and Spain has the most Blue Flag beaches. Here are some of the most beautiful for a beach vacation:

• Elafonissi (Crete): pink-tinted sand, with water around 77 °F in August and September.
• Balos (Crete): a lagoon of shallow turquoise water.
• Praia da Falésia and Praia da Marinha (Algarve): golden cliffs and rock arches, with a cooler Atlantic.
• Ses Illetes (Formentera): white sand and clear water.
• Cala Macarella (Menorca): a small cove between pines and rocks.
• Myrtos (Kefalonia): white pebbles below limestone cliffs.
• Zlatni Rat (Brač, Croatia): a pebble spit that changes shape with the wind, popular with windsurfers.
• Palombaggia (Corsica): fine sand, pines, and pink rocks.
• Rabbit Beach (Lampedusa): clear water and pale sand.

If you are after scenery more than swimming, try Durdle Door on England's Jurassic Coast or the dunes of the Curonian Spit in Lithuania, where the sea rarely gets above 68 °F.