-
Rick Steves' Best of Europe in 14 Days Tour
Dreaming of how to pack Europe's top travel thrills and cultural treats into a two-week vacation? You've found it! On this tour through Europe, your Rick Steves guide will surround you with the must-see sights of eternal Rome, Renaissance Florence, countryside Tuscany, romantic Venice, festive Bavaria, the majestic Swiss Alps, serene Burgundy, and the City of Light — Paris! Here's a sneak peek at what it's like to discover the Continent on a Best of Europe in 14 Days tour. Let's go!
-
Days 1: Welcome to Rome
We'll gather at our hotel in Rome for a group meeting. After an orientation walk through our neighborhood, we'll celebrate the start of our European adventure with dinner together, followed by a la dolce vita-style floodlit walk through the heart of Rome, lacing together lively campos, classy piazzas, the magnificent Pantheon, and the splashy Trevi Fountain.
-
Day 2: Ancient Rome
We'll do some time-traveling this morning as a local guide takes us on a walking tour through the ancient heart of Rome, telling us vivid tales as we stroll around the outside of the larger-than-life Colosseum and into the history-drenched Roman Forum, ending with the spectacular Pantheon. You'll be set free for the rest of the day to explore more of Rome. Consider joining the Jubilee Year crowds for a modern-day pilgrimage to St. Peter's Basilica and the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel (reserve in advance) or simply soak up more of Rome's artistic, historic, and cultural heritage (don't forget to taste some refreshing gelato along the way).
-
Day 3: Orvieto and Timeless Tuscany
Today we'll drive into Umbria and stop at the region's grand hill town of Orvieto, where we'll set you free to visit Orvieto's dramatic cathedral, wander the back lanes, and find lunch at a charming trattoria. Then, we'll wind our way through the verdant Tuscan hills to our village hotel. This afternoon you'll have time to take a scenic walk amid the peaceful vines and olive groves, relax by the pool, or taste some of our host's family-made wines. Before we sit down to a hearty country-style dinner together, we'll see how it's made, as our chef gives us a special Tuscan cooking demonstration.
-
Days 4: Renaissance Florence
This morning, we'll drive to Florence, park our bus, and hop on a convenient tram into the city center. We'll meet our local guide and take a Renaissance walking tour of the city's historic center — learning how Brunelleschi's cathedral dome and Ghiberti's Baptistery doors helped define this world-changing era. Next we'll tour the Uffizi Gallery, home to masterpieces by Leonardo, Botticelli, Michelangelo, and more. Then we'll set you free to enjoy lunch and explore more of Florence. You might try climbing Brunelleschi's Dome (reserve in advance) or visiting the Accademia Gallery (reserve in advance), home to Michelangelo's rough-hewn Prisoners and his greatest sculpture, David. Later this afternoon, we'll return to our countryside hotel, with time to relax and freshen up before dinner together.
-
Day 5: North to Venice
We'll take a scenic drive to Venice today, stopping for lunch along the way. At the edge of the lagoon, we'll board a vaporetto boat for an "am-I-really-here?" Grand Canal ride to our hotel in the historic heart of this seductive city. Tonight we'll take an alleys-and-canals orientation stroll to St. Mark's Square and enjoy dinner together. Later, your guide will organize an optional gondola ride for this romantic, uniquely Venetian experience. If the moon is out, it will hit your eye like a big pizza pie.
-
Day 6: Seductive Venice
This morning our local guide will take us on a winding walking tour through Venice, blending historic and modern-day stories of this one-of-a-kind treasure, and giving us a local's perspective on Venice's fascinating past…and its uncertain future. We'll finish our morning walk in St. Mark's Square. The rest of your day is free to visit St. Mark's Basilica, the Doge's Palace, or the Titian- and Tintoretto-packed Accademia art gallery. Better yet, get lost (remember, it's an island) exploring the alleys, cruising the canals, and "crawling" the pubs.
-
Day 7: Over the Alps to Bavaria
Today we say "ciao, Venezia" as we hop back aboard our bus and drive north into Germany, on a breathtaking all-day drive through the Dolomites and over the Austrian Alps, stopping for lunch along the way. Our destination is the medieval Bavarian town of Füssen, perched on the border — both historically and geographically — between Germany and Austria. After some time to settle in, we'll gather together for a hearty dinner. Prost!
-
Day 8: Neuschwanstein and a Luge
It's a short drive and a half-hour hike to "Mad" King Ludwig's deservedly famous Neuschwanstein Castle. We'll tour the castle and have time for lunch. Afterward, you can barrel down the Tegelberg summer luge track (weather permitting). This afternoon you'll be free to visit another nearby castle, take a bike ride in the countryside, or just relax at a quaint café or outdoor beer garden before dinner on your own.
-
Day 9: Scenic Drive to Switzerland
Today we'll take a scenic drive past pristine mountains and sparkling lakes as we climb high into the heart of the Swiss Alps to our destination — the magnificent Berner Oberland, flanked by towering, waterfall-laced cliffs and crowned by a trio of Switzerland's most formidable peaks: the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau. Tonight we'll share a hearty Swiss dinner together at our creaky old chalet in the Lauterbrunnen Valley.
-
Day 10: Hiking Day in the Swiss Alps
The day is all yours to enjoy some of Europe's most dramatic scenery. You may consider a mountain excursion that combines a narrow-gauge railway, a gondola lift, and a spectacular alpine walk above the tree line, surrounded by a panorama of cut-glass peaks…or ride a gondola lift up to the Schilthorn at 10,000 feet, loiter in the thin air, and hike down…or wander through the valley and walk to the thundering Trümmelbach Falls, a unique set of waterfalls encased behind the valley walls.
-
Days 11: Beautiful Burgundy
This morning we'll hop aboard our bus and roll into the French countryside, passing pastures and vineyards en route to the "profoundly French" town of Beaune, in the heart of Burgundy. We'll take an orientation walk through Beaune, visit the Hôtel Dieu — the town's medieval hospital — and discover why Burgundy's wine is world-renowned as we enjoy a tasting together. You'll have ample free time to explore the many charms of village France and find dinner on your own.
-
Day 12: Historic Paris
Today we'll leave the rolling hills of beautiful Burgundy and journey to our grand finale in captivating Paris. On arrival, we'll meet our local guide and take a stroll through the city's early history, beginning at its birthplace, the Ile de la Cité. We'll learn about two of the world's most important Gothic churches: the resilient and legendary Notre-Dame Cathedral and the exquisite Sainte-Chapelle, before continuing on to the lively, bohemian Latin Quarter. Your evening is free for exploration and dinner on your own in this elegant capital.
-
Day 13: Parisian Masterpieces
This morning we're off to the magnificent Louvre Museum. With a smartphone in hand and the Rick Steves Audio Europe™ app, Rick's voice will guide you through the works of Raphael, Delacroix, and Leonardo and timeless treasures that include Mona Lisa, Winged Victory, Venus de Milo, and hundreds more. The rest of the afternoon is yours to visit museums such as the Orsay, Rodin, and Orangerie, or perhaps take a walk down the Champs-Elysées. Tonight we'll have our final dinner together, sharing memories and toasting our newly made friends. Salut!
Itinerary specifics subject to change.
-
Day 14: Tour Over After breakfast
If you're staying on in Paris, today would be a great day to hop on the train and tackle the sprawling palace and grounds at Versailles. If you're headed home, it's a breeze to reach Paris' airports by taxi, shuttle, or public transportation. Au revoir!
Learn more about our Best of Europe in 14 Days tour!