Must-see European Tours

Travelling with a guide means you get to hear the stories behind the cities you visit, plus you’re certain to make friends and see more than you would on your own. Show and Stay explores the top tours of Europe, from the simple highlights to in-depth experiences. 

An Alpine Adventure 
Explore the Alps on a five-country voyage that includes crossing France, Italy, Germany, Austria and Switzerland. You’ll get to see the impressive peaks of Mont Blanc and Mont Cervin, cross the Vallée Blanche Glacier on the Aerial Tramway and ride the Glacier Express from Aosta to the alpine village of St Moritz. Sample Alpine cuisine from Tyrolean sausages to Austrian sacher torte and Swiss fondue, and don’t miss the world-renowned Bavarian beer! 
On Her Majesty’s Secret Service 
Take the James Bond tour of London before Skyfall comes out this autumn! Follow in the footsteps of Bond and the real life spies of London as you discover events from Fleming’s life that inspired the novels’ various plots and characters. You’ll visit film locations and London’s spy headquarters, plus the tour is flexible, so why not swing by the West End for a London show or a spot of glamorous shopping on Oxford Street? 

From Russia with Love 
Experience the best that Moscow and St Petersburg have to offer, as well as the fairytale villages of The Golden Ring. Soak up the rich culture of Russia’s capital, including the many bathhouses, the golden domes and frescoes of the Kremlin and the iconic domes of St Basil’s Cathedral. St Petersburg is equally steeped in history, with the rococo Catherine Palace, the incredible Hermitage Museum and the English-style gardens of Pavolvsk Park. 

Snowshoe Safari 
Why not try a guided snowshoe crusade across the French Pyrenees? No snowshoe experience is necessary, although you’ll need a good level of fitness to take on the 3000m summits. Hike from Luchon through the cirques and moraines via Diente de Alba and Mulleres, two significant peaks, plus marvel at the spectacular views of Pico Aneto, the highest mountain in the Pyrenees. 

A Mediterranean Meander 
Follow the Amalfi Coast on a hike that will take you through the picturesque pastel villages that line the cliff tops. Olive and citrus tree-lined trails will lead you through fishing bays and sandy beach resorts along this stretch of coastline in southern Italy. One of the highlights is certain to be the cuisine of Campania, including the rich-flavoured fish soups and risottos, accompanied by local wines and limoncello, the region’s speciality lemon liqueur. 

A Balkan Voyage 
Travel through the ancient cities of southeastern Europe, from the ancient buildings of Belgrade to the medieval inns of Skopje. Stop over in Dubrovnik on the Dalmatian Coast, with its popular beaches and Baroque cathedral, and then follow the Adriatic Coast to Montenegro. Other highlights include Tirana, Albania’s capital, with its vibrant nightlife and historic monuments including Petrela Castle, the ruins of Apollonia and the Ottoman architecture of Berat. 

A Greek Odyssey 
Witness the magic of the Cyclades on an island-hopping expedition that includes Syros, Paros, Santorini and Naxos. From the bustling port of Athens, a ferry will take you to the capital of the Cyclades, where you can explore old Ano-Syros with its labyrinth of cobbled streets overlooking the ocean. On Paros, visit the marble quarries and quaint fishing villages before heading to the whitewashed towns and blue domes of Santorini. Here you can enjoy stunning sunsets and black sand beaches before enjoying the delights of Naxos, including Venetian houses, classical ruins and excellent wine. 

An Arctic Ice-capade 
Discover Iceland and Greenland on your very own voyage to the Arctic Circle. Experience the glaciers, volcanoes, hot springs and waterfalls of Iceland; tour Reykjavik’s vibrant nightlife and see icebergs drifting through the fjords of Greenland on this epic icy adventure. Bask in the healing waters of Iceland’s geothermal spas, visit the Shark Museum of Bjarnarhöfn and indulge in some extreme sports, with snowmobiling, skiing and river kayaking all on offer for braver travellers. 

Beautiful Benelux 
Don’t miss the delights of Amsterdam, Luxembourg and Brussels on this unique tour. Take in the charming gabled houses and winding canals of Amsterdam, visit the van Gogh Museum or the Keukenhof gardens before crossing the province of Limburg. Stroll through the Old Town of Luxembourg City, with its elegant Ducal palace, experience the sombre forests of Ardennes and sample decadent Belgian chocolates in the narrow alleys of Brussels. 

An Iberian Excursion 
Spain and Portugal have a wealth of rich culture to explore, from Lisbon’s 16th Century history to the art treasures of Madrid. On a two-week tour you’ll experience royal palaces, fishing villages, Roman ruins, Moorish fortresses, Gothic cathedrals and whitewashed hamlets, plus plenty of tasty tapas and sherry. Highlights include a horse-drawn carriage tour through Seville, the Barbary macaques of Gibraltar and one of the oldest bullrings in Spain. 

These suggestions were brought to you from the providers of theatre breaks in London, Show and Stay.