• Trevi Fountain
  • Florence
  • Agriturismo dinner, Reggello, Italy
    Tuscany
  • Venice
  • Berner Oberland, Switzerland
    Swiss Alps
  • Wine tasting, Beaune, France
    Burgundy
  • Eiffel Tower and its beacon, Paris, France
    Paris

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Best of Europe in 14 Days Tour

from $4,495 per person + air

Single Supplement $725

See Dates & Prices

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 Rome followed by a countryside stay in Tuscany, the art and architecture of Renaissance Florence, the romantic canals of Venice, festive Munich, a hike in the majestic Swiss Alps, a hearty taste of Burgundy, the art treasures of Paris — and chances to connect with Europeans like you never thought possible. Join us for the Best of Europe in 14 Days!

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Dates & Prices

2024

What's Included

You'll get at least 17 group sightseeing events — at no extra cost!

Here's what you'll see and do on our 14-day Europe tour:

  • Evening walk through Rome including Trevi Fountain
  • St. Peter's Basilica
  • Roman Forum and Colosseum (exterior*)
  • Pantheon
  • Tuscan cooking demonstration
  • Florence walking tour
  • Uffizi Gallery
  • Florence's Accademia Gallery (Michelangelo's David)
  • Venice walking tour
  • Munich walking tour
  • Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial
  • Hiking orientation in the Swiss Alps
  • Hôtel Dieu in Beaune
  • Wine tasting in Burgundy
  • Paris walking tour
  • Sainte-Chapelle
  • Louvre Museum

Plus you'll get all this, too.

  • A small, friendly group of 24–28 people — half the size of most tour groups
  • Full-time services of a professional Rick Steves guide and local experts who will make the fascinating history, art, and culture of Europe come alive for you
  • All group transportation from Rome to Paris
  • 13 nights' accommodations (all stops but one are for 2 nights) in memorable, centrally located hotels
  • All breakfasts and 7 other meals
  • All tips for guides and driver
  • A tour kit including a guidebook (or books) and a moneybelt
  • Guaranteed tour price, locked in the moment you make your deposit
  • Optional single supplements — this tour has a limited number of private rooms for solo travelers for an additional fee
  • Tour alum discount of $50 for each tour you've taken prior with us
  • Flexibility should you need to transfer or cancel your tour

Fine print: You are responsible for the cost of your drinks and free-time sightseeing. See our Tour Conditions for important details regarding everything listed above.

*This tour does not include visits to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, or the interior of the Colosseum. See details on how to visit during your free time.

Group sightseeing events subject to change.

Itinerary

Day 1: Welcome to Europe

We'll gather at our hotel in Rome at 3 p.m. 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.

Moderate walking: 2–6 miles throughout the day with some hills and stairs. No bus. Sleep in Rome.

Day 2: St Peter's Basilica

This morning a local expert will introduce us to Vatican City, the world’s smallest country, and the greatest church in Christendom: the awe-inspiring St. Peter's Basilica, home to Michelangelo's sublime Pietà. You'll be set free before lunch time to explore more of the Eternal City on your own, step into the nearby Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, return to the Colosseum and tour the interior, or soak up more of Rome’s artistic, historic, and cultural heritage (don't forget to taste some refreshing gelato along the way).

Light to strenuous walking (your choice). No bus. Sleep in Rome.

Day 3: Ancient Rome and Timeless Tuscany

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. After free time for lunch, we'll wind our way through the verdant Tuscan hills to our country village hotel. You'll have free time this afternoon 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.

Strenuous walking: 2–8 miles throughout the day with lots of hills, stairs, and uneven terrain. Bus: 2 hours. Sleep near Florence.

Day 4: Renaissance Florence

We'll drive to Florence this morning, park our bus, and hop on a convenient tram into the city center. We'll meet our local guide and tour the Uffizi Gallery, home to masterpieces by Leonardo, Botticelli, Michelangelo, and more. We'll take a a break for lunch together with time to recharge before taking 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. We'll end our morning at the Accademia Gallery, where we'll marvel at works of sculptural genius: Michelangelo's rough-hewn Prisoners and his greatest masterpiece, David. We'll set you free to explore more of Florence before we return to our countryside hotel, with plenty of time to relax and freshen up before dinner together.

Strenuous walking: 2–8 miles throughout the day with lots of hills, stairs, and uneven terrain. Bus: 2 hours. Sleep near Florence.

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.

Light walking: 2–4 miles throughout the day on mostly level terrain. Boat: ½ hour. Bus: 4 hours. Sleep in Venice.

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.

Moderate walking: 2–6 miles throughout the day with some hills and stairs. No bus (too much water). Sleep in Venice.

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 drive through the Dolomites and into the foothills of The Alps, stopping en route for lunch along the way. Our destination is the heart of Bavaria: Munich. After some time to settle in, we'll take an orientation walk through the city's pedestrian-friendly historic core, ending with a raucous beer-hall dinner where you can hoist a liter-size mug of beer and a pretzel as big as your head.

Light walking: 2–4 miles throughout the day on mostly level terrain. Boat: ½ hour. Bus: 8 hours. Sleep in Munich.

Day 8: Munich Past and Present

This morning we'll meet our local guide and explore Munich on a walking tour. From its medieval roots to its turbulent role in the first half of the 20th century and amazing post-war recovery, you'll gain an appreciation for the small-town feel of this city, dubbed "Millionendorf" — the village of a million people. Your afternoon and evening are free: You can rent a bike to explore the sprawling English Garden, be dazzled by the Deutsches Museum, or poke around Marienplatz and the Viktualienmarkt looking for the cuckoo clock of your dreams.

Moderate walking: 2–6 miles throughout the day with some hills and stairs. No bus. Sleep in Munich.

Day 9: Scenic Drive to Switzerland

Today we'll start with a short drive to Dachau, where we'll have a guided tour of the infamous Concentration Camp Memorial and learn powerful lessons of the Holocaust and World War II. Then we'll continue on our 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.

Light walking: 2–4 miles throughout the day on mostly level terrain. Bus: 7 hours. Sleep 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.

Light to strenuous walking (your choice). No bus. Sleep in the Lauterbrunnen Valley.

Day 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.

Light walking: 2–4 miles throughout the day on mostly level terrain. Bus: 5 hours. Sleep in Beaune.

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, and continuing on to the bohemian Latin Quarter and two of the world's most important Gothic churches: the resilient and legendary Notre-Dame Cathedral and the exquisite Sainte-Chapelle. Your evening is free for exploration and dinner on your own in this elegant capital.

Moderate walking: 2–6 miles throughout the day with some hills and stairs. Bus: 4 hours. Sleep in Paris.

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!

Moderate walking: 2–6 miles throughout the day with some hills and stairs. No bus. Sleep in Paris.

Day 14: Tour Over After Breakfast

Breakfast is provided, but there are no group activities today. 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!

(This tour does not include the Eiffel Tower. As ticket lines can be very long, we recommend booking tickets several weeks in advance. For details, see our Eiffel Tower ticket tips for tour members.)

Itinerary specifics subject to change.

Physical Demands

Our tours are physically active! It's an essential part of the Rick Steves tour experience. On our Best of Europe in 14 Days tour — among other things — you'll need to happily…

  1. Carry/roll your luggage over uneven pavement (possibly several blocks) and up stairways to reach your hotel, then up several flights of stairs to reach your room.
  2. Be on your feet, walking and standing, for up to three hours, indoors and outdoors, in all weather conditions.
  3. Sleep with street noise and no (or weak) air conditioning.
  4. After orientation and transportation lessons, be able to navigate towns and cities on your own.
  5. Be content with the possibility of sharing bathroom facilities at one hotel during this tour.

Reviews

Jeff

Tour: 10/02/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great. I have recommended it to others.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The amazing courtyards, buildings, and architecture. "

Ann

Tour: 10/02/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Best of Europe gave me a good sample of different places to experience. Our guide, Lisa, was engaging & witty, and very helpful. I liked the balance of group time & free time.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It’s difficult to choose just one, but when I opened balcony doors on Hotel Oberland in Lauterbrunnen Valley and heard the cow bells tinkling, that was a “WOW” for me. It helped that we had fantastic weather when there. "

Joyce

Tour: 10/02/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was my second RS tour and once again I was very happy with the value offered. I enjoyed the variety of activities and appreciated all of the local guides, as well as our main host/guide. I feel there is a very good mix of tour time and free time to explore on one's own.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Riding the gondolas to the top of Schilthorn, in Switzerland, before the sun came up and watching the early morning colors spread out was definitely a once in a lifetime moment. This was an optional event arranged by Lisa and I am so glad it got up early to participate."

April

Tour: 10/02/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I think the tour was amazing. I was able to go to 4 different countries without feeling overwhelmed.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I think my favorite wow moment was seeing all the beautiful landmarks"

David

Tour: 10/02/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Very enjoyable. Ms. Lisa was a pleasure to have leading as our Primary guide. She is a skilled & very knowledgeable Professional guide, making it easy to feel confident that it was going to be a fun vacation.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"St. Peter's Bacula for man' efforts & Switzerland for the gift of Natural beauty. The view from my wife & mine hotel room balcony was gorgeous. I feel that Lisa really worked with her contacts to give us on the tour the best experience. The Gondola rides and hikes were excellent. Thanks. "

John

Tour: 10/02/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Well organized, great tours and knowledgeable tour guides, comfortable bus experience and great bus driver, meals were good and hotels were adequate with the exception of the location of the hotel in Rome. Wonderful fellow travels. Great experience building new relationships.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"So many “wow” moments. Tour of the Colosseum, St Peter’s basilica, Michelangelo’s David, entire experience in Venice, Schilthorn in Switzerland, Louvre in Paris."

Janice

Tour: 10/02/23

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Enjoyed all of the tours and tour guides including Lisa. The highlights of the trip gave me a taste for wanting more time and history for each country. The group of people we traveled with gave the trip a warmth and closeness that made it all the more fun! All of the hotels and meals provided by the tour were what I had expected and better.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Colosseum tour in Rome was the best, staying in the darling Tuscany Villa and enjoying the pasta making demonstration, the Mask making demonstration in Venice, the hiking in the Alps in Switzerland and viewing the Eiffel tower at night after a lovely last dinner with the group."

Michele

Tour: 10/02/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was great! Being able to travel to 4 different countries with such ease was the best! Loved our guide Lisa she was so wonderful and fun to have!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My favorite wow moment was the Colosseum because it was so interesting to see all the history and the architecture from that time. "

Susan

Tour: 10/02/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Kathy

Tour: 10/02/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We liked how well organized the tour was. We also liked the brief history and facts about what we were about to see.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing the Colosseum’s sheer size was amazing! And the fact that it is still around today."

Lynn

Tour: 09/27/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Would never been able to see as much in a day on our own. Enjoyed meeting and traveling with our fabulous group from the US and Canada! Our tour guide, Stefanie, has such attention to detail and her enthusiasm made each day fabulous experience.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"So many… Dinner in Tuscany on a terrace with 24 new friends was a night to remember. The weather was perfect and a beautiful full moon was the frosting on top. "

Terry

Tour: 09/27/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our 3rd Steves tour & the 1st where we moved from place to place. As promised, we saw the best of Europe, led by our amazing guide Stefani. She helped us feel like temporary locals and the local guides enriched each stop along the way. I just love how these tours take the stress out of traveling by taking care of logistics & leave us able to soak in the sights, culture & history of Europe. Most of all, our group of fellow travelers became friends with shared memories that I cherish.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"For me, visiting the Dachau Memorial Camp just days before a horrific crisis in Gaza occurred will stand out as a chilling moment in our tour. "

Judy

Tour: 09/27/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour went by without a hitch and everyday was wonderful. We saw alot of Europe in an easy way.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Rome was pretty Wow in itself. It all was a Wow as we traveled along. "

David

Tour: 09/27/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall experience was outstanding. We left with the feeling of needing more. More time in Florence, Switzerland, Munich etc.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The absolute beauty of Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland. Opening the doors to your hotel room looking out at the mountains, watching the little train go up the mountain while hearing cow bells in the distance. I dont know if that place could be beaten. "

Maralee

Tour: 09/25/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Seeing four countries with varied architecture, food, vegetation, culture and art was a lot to absorb. It was packed with amazing guided tour but enough free time to explore. The first few days in Italy were a bit exhausting with so much to see. Some sights are just too crowded with tourists,like the Vatican Museum,but overall I have so many memories and our guide Colleen and fellow travelers were wonderful. We loved our driver as well.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"We had five gondolas and a musician and singer at night in Venice which was magical. Switzerland provided such a quieter yet majestic experience in the mountains. We took a cable car up to a small village,walked the road and took in the houses,farms,cows and had lunch a quaint roadside cafe. It was perfect and so picturesque."

Diane

Tour: 09/25/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Walking tours presented by expert guides was a very informative way to experience the cities we visited. We complained that we stood for extended periods, but we had the opportunity to gain more from the experience than we could ever on our own. We should earn college credit for this tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The food was a constant wow moment. I saw so much that I only experienced in text books. I feel changed in a way all though it is still too early to say how or why."

Jan

Tour: 09/25/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Fast paced excellent tour of highlights of Europe.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Exposure to the many cultures of Europe and the wonderful people we met, both our fellow travelers, and the citizens of the countries we visited. "

Kathleen

Tour: 09/25/23

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

It was magical. However, I felt as though there wasn’t enough time to become acclimated to an area or the local people.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I celebrated my 70th birthday in the charming Tuscany villa. The group shared limoncello, music by a local guitarist & it was a full moon. Perfect birthday!"

Michelle

Tour: 09/25/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This trip was absolutely wonderful and I'm very glad we took this tour!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Our bus driver, Wim, navigating the traffic in Italy!!"

David

Tour: 09/25/23

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

It's kind of a blur right now. We had a very good, but very busy time. Colleen was a great guide.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Swiss Alps were amazing. Seeing all of that from our balcony is an unforgettable view."

Bonnie

Tour: 09/25/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was my first trip to Europe and I have decided to call it my Survey of Europe. Much like survey courses in college, it gave me a great overview of many of the important and interesting places to see in Europe and a chance to learn from incredibly knowledgeable guides. In addition, I loved the built in free time that gave me an opportunity to explore other aspects of each location that were of interest to me. Now I have a much better idea of what I would like to explore in the future.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hiking in the Alps from Mannlichen to Kleine Scheidigg. It is incredibly beautiful!"

James

Tour: 09/18/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was everything we had hoped for. We saw the highlights of Europe and made new friends.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Switzerland. Riding the cable car and then hiking down the path was definitely a wow moment. "

Rikky

Tour: 09/18/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was the first time in Europe for both of us. Going on this tour helped us not only see the sights that we've always dreamed of, but also gave us an idea of the places we'd like to return to someday. The hotels were great and the food was awesome. Our guide Paul was amazing. He was so organized and helpful. He kept us all in line while making things super fun. The local guides were great too.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were so many! It's really hard to choose. We both loved our walk with Paul along the Eiger Mountains in Switzerland. It was absolutely breathtaking and fun going up in the gondola. Seeing the colosseum was pretty amazing too. Looking at the Eiffel Tower lit up at night was also a wow!"

Mary

Tour: 09/18/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great time, great people, great tour guide and great places!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Octoberfest"

Eileen

Tour: 09/18/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Well planned, enjoyable, and packed with experiences.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Paris is always a wow! Alps were beautiful!"

Robyn

Tour: 09/18/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Most full filling time of my life. The tour was jam packed with sites and history. Our guide Paul was perfect. He really showed us how to be smart travelers. Couldn’t believe how much we saw and experienced. The meals were amazing and sharing them with our group was like family. Our bus driver Paul drove us like rock stars through the winding Swiss Alps. Traveling on the bus was an unexpected wonderful experience in itself. The tour was just grand!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"You had me at my first hotel, looking out my shuttered window onto the bustling streets of Rome. Wow, am I really here? The Colosseum! Venice stole my heart! Full moon shining on waterfall in the Swiss Alps. Oktoberfest in Munich, grinning from ear to ear! Sitting beneath the lighted Eiffel Tower drinking champagne with my new friends. Tearing up thinking about the fairytale tour I took. Rick Steves, thank you. You’ve done all the hard work to give us once in a lifetime experience! Bravo!!"

Autumn

Tour: 09/13/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was an amazing tour and we couldn't have been more pleased with our amazing guide, Stephanie, and the other wonderful guests on the tour. We were very happy with the knowledge of the local guides.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Oktoberfest in Munich! It was a bucket list item for us and we were so happy that the local guide took us to the festival to give us an overview of what to expect. "

Thomas

Tour: 09/13/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Fantastic guide, highly organized and well run. Stephanie did a superb job. Great sites to visit.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Lauterbrunnen Valley of Switzerland."

Michael

Tour: 09/13/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The Best of Europe in 14 days exceeded all of our expectations. We had an amazing group of 27 travel loving individuals led by Stefanie. All of the local guides were knowledgeable, passionate, and enthusiastic about their city and were a joy to listen to. It was my wife’s birthday in Tuscany, and after the group dinner, Stefanie and the host surprised her with cake and a few small, meaningful gifts. The hotels were nice and centrally located close to public transport.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The tour should be called 14 Days of wow moments, but if I had to choose, it was walking into the Pantheon in Rome. "

Georganne

Tour: 09/13/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our tour was very organized and well run. Our guide Stefanie did a superb job as well as our driver Byron.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Lauterbrunnen valley was incredible!"

Martin

Tour: 09/13/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Pleasantly surprised by everything about the tour. I never thought of myself as someone that would like to travel with an organized tour group, but I loved this. There was a nice balance of "group" activities and freedom to explore on your own. The hotels and meals were all excellent! I would highly recommend this even for savvy travelers that just want to try something a little different.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Arrival in the dramatic Lauterbrunnen valley. Even though it was misty and cloudy, it was still worth the visit!"

Lauren

Tour: 09/13/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The best experience of my life! It was my first time out of the country and couldn’t have asked for anything better. Stefanie was amazing, as were the hotels selected and all of the local tour guides!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing the alps!!! And the Colosseum as soon as you exit the metro in Rome. What a sight! "

Victoria

Tour: 09/11/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We would and have recommend the European Tour to friends and family. This is a well organized trip experience. Overall we enjoyed the tour. Skyla and Brian were very knowledgeable and personable. They made sure our safety was a priority. The most difficult part of the tour was trying to stay with the group at all times, especially in Rome on the subway. Also we wish we had an extra day or so at a couple of the locations, but understood this was not possible. We learned a lot and saw even m

Favorite "WOW" moment

"We were in awe of Switzerland and all its beauty. Truly we can't say what our favorite WOW moment was. The entire trip was spectacular. The history of Rome to the beauty of Florence/Tuscany. The reality of being inside a concentration camp and realizing the horrific crimes committed there. I wish I could say I had just one WOW moment, but the trip was spectacular. Oktoberfest was a lot of fun to participate in and witness (even for us non alcoholic drinkers) "

Jeff

Tour: 09/04/23

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The guide and bus driver were amazing. The trip was well planned. We had a bit of trip time line alteration but the guide handled it very well as it was hardly noticeable. I did however get sick in Venice as the hotel room a/c was broken. They were not able to get it fixed so I ended up with heat exhaustion that turned into a cold. This effected my time in Munich as I was quit warn down. I would most definitely do another tour if one comes along that interest us. We met a lot of great people.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There was a Wow moment every day so it is way to difficult to pin point one. From when the tour started to the end it was absolutely amazing. There is so much history that pictures don't do it justice. Everyone if able should go on this tour. "

Jon

Tour: 09/04/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our first trip to Europe and it couldn't have been better! The memorable experiences we had over our two week trip amounted to sensory overload. Our guides, B and Jade, enriched our trip with their impressive knowledge of the history relating to the places we were seeing. The local guides were also fantastic and contributed to the overall experience. We loved the fact that the hotels selected put us right in the middle of what we were there to see.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The view of the Lauterbrunnen Valley in the Alps when we first got to our hotel room. My wife rushed to the window and was so excited to see a balcony with chairs outside the window. She said we could probably climb out the window and enjoy the view but I told her it might be easier using the door next to the window! "

Michael

Tour: 09/04/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Wonderful hotel stays, including delicious breakfasts; excellent local guides; caring and knowledgeable Rick Steves guides and driver.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The positive friendly energy amongst everyone - RS guides and driver, Local guides, and us travelers!"

Wanda

Tour: 09/04/23

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Switzerland was beautiful!"

Alfonso

Tour: 08/28/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Jeffrey

Tour: 08/28/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was our first time in Europe and we felt this tour was a great way to experience many countries and towns with any stress. They took care of all the logistics,lodging and language barriers making our experiences very relaxing and enjoyable.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing history come alive! My personal favorite was Switzerland."

Rita

Tour: 08/28/23

Tammy

Tour: 07/17/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Having every detail of the trip planned allowed for me to truly relax and enjoy my vacation. The experts on our tour gave us peace of mind during travel and an unparalleled experience. Our tour guide was a master at weaving together story telling, information, and education that enriched our experience.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Sainte-Chapelle in Paris - pictures don't do it justice. To stand, bathed in the blue and red light of the sunshine through the windows is spectacular. I am not sure I would have chosen this site to visit had I tried to plan my own itinerary. It is now my #1 recommendation to those going to Paris. Thanks for including it on the tour."

Lisa

Tour: 07/10/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had a wonderful experience on this tour! It met very expectation - which was high because we had done another 14 day tour 7 years ago.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"So many “Wow” moments. Hiking in Switzerland and riding in a gondola in Venice (which I originally didn’t even want to do) come to mind first."

Sharon

Tour: 07/03/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was amazing! We got everything we were promised.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"This hard to answer because there were many “wow moments. It was our 1st trip to Europe and we saw many amazing and wonderful sights "

Amy

Tour: 07/03/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This tour exceeded my expectations! It was everything that it was advertised to be and then some. I really appreciated how thoughtful and well-planned the entire tour was. It was very efficient in the things that do not provide much joy on a trip (e.g., transportation from one city to another, waiting in line to see sights), which allowed a lot of time to explore on our own.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My favorite "wow" moment was when our tour guide, Jodi, offered to take us to St. Peter's Basilica at 6:40 am, right as it was opening, as an optional activity. Walking into the basilica with few other visitors, around, barely lit, save for a pillar of light pouring through the dome, was breathtaking."

Mauricio

Tour: 07/03/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Every aspect of our tour truly beat our expectations. The itinerary was comprehensive, logical, fun, and interesting. Every place we visited had its own charm and character; we loved staying in small, quaint hotels in the middle of the action. All the extra experiences just added more and more to an already exceptional tour. Our tour guide, Jody van Engelsdorp, was phenomenal; she is knowledgeable, approachable, friendly, a great communicator who truly cared about all of us.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It is definitely hard to answer this question, since all of the cities and places we visited had their own unique wow moments. However, my top 2 wow moments include seeing St. Peter's Basilica very early in the morning, with barely anyone else other than our tour group, almost like having it all for ourselves. And the best would definitely be opening the windows from our hotel in the Lauterbrunnen Valley in Switzerland. The natural beauty is almost unreal!"

Ana

Tour: 07/03/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I was apprehensive about joining a “tour” because I am not the type of person who does well in any “group” setting. Our tour group, including our tour guide, got along very well!! We all definitely looked out for each other. EVERYTHING, and I mean everything from the bus (incl Wim, our driver) to our local guides and even our stops along the trip was perfect. Thanks to our fearless leader, Jody!!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The first night dining “al fresco” at our Villa in Florence and sharing that with everyone in our group AND everything about Lauterbrunner Valley in Switzerland!!"

Barbara

Tour: 06/26/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This tour exceeded our expectations. Our tour guide, Marijan, was incredibly knowledgeable about the history of each city/region we visited and shared tons of useful information to help up navigate through the practical and cultural aspects of the different places we visited. The pacing and group vs individual time was great, and was the size of the group

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It’s a tie between the grandeur of seeing the Swiss alps from 10,000 feet up, and getting lost in the quirky city of Venice. "

Cheryl

Tour: 06/26/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Excellent guides. Fun hotels. Great food. Awesome attractions.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Can’t pick just one!! Turning the corner and seeing the statue of David. The view from our balcony in Lauterbrunnen. Cooking demo and wonderful food in Tuscany- and the treat of music with dinner! It was so magical it was the night my future son in law proposed to my daughter. Not the original plan but it was such a perfect day. The Tuscany Fkorence combo was so relaxed and gave opportunity to soak it all in. And a soak in the oil wasn’t bad either 😉"

Veronica

Tour: 06/26/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Tour was incredibly informational, fun, and well put together to encompass the highlights of the certain countries we visited in Europe. Marijan was sensational, always providing insight and guidance to our group whenever we had questions or wanted advice to what the locals would do. Additionally all local guides were wonderful.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The guided tour we had in Florence. Our guide that day was an art history and archeology major, and she presented everything in such an amazing way for all people. "

Jeff

Tour: 06/21/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Exciting, educational, engaging, and exhausting. This was our first RSE tour and never before traveled outside the US. We are so happy with the organization and experience of our guide(s). I dreamt my whole life about visiting these sites. The tour made history come alive and enhanced my appreciation for the communities and cultures we visited.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Our greatest 'wow' moment (so many) was stepping inside St. Peter's Basilica one early morning. Probably because we weren't sure what to expect, but the grandeur, art, architecture, history, and culture of this working spiritual institution was amazing. It hit an emotional chord for us - and we are not even Roman Catholic. "

Richard

Tour: 06/21/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Tour was a wonderful experience and it was such a pleasant experience that I plan to join another one next year. Everything was organized and the tour guides, hotels and meals were exceptional.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"So much of the experience was surreal in a good way but to choose one it would be the amazing Colosseum!"

Mary

Tour: 06/21/23

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Overall tour experience was very good. All tour highlights were covered. Having taken the same tour in the past was disappointed with some of the changes made in the tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Can not decide on a WOW moment as all was good."

June

Tour: 06/21/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our tour started in Rome. The Colosseum was awesome, and our local guide was the best! The Vatican Museum was disappointing due to the vast amount of people there, and the lack of a guide. Our bus to Florence was amazing and the resort was stunning. Our bus driver and guide took excellent care of us and pointed out all the great sites along the way. The Swiss Alps was a grand place, Munich local guide engaging and knowledgeable... and Paris simply enchanting.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Swiss Alps was by far my WOW moment. The view from our hotel was amazing and the tram ride up the mountain is a must do! Will have to return there!"

Elaine

Tour: 06/19/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I had a wonderful time on this tour. Tour guide Stephanie was fantastic and with her help we were able to access numerous sights in all cities we visited.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The day we spent in the Lauterbrunnen valley was spectacular. We were able to take a gondola up the mountain, ride a train, and hike among the cows, goats and beautiful flowers. Definitely a day to remember."

Shannon

Tour: 06/19/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had an amazing trip! Stephanie and Wom were an incredible team! We will be back!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were so many! Every corner of Rome was a other WOW! The fountains, Pantheon, food and the people! Every city had its own moments for everyone in the group. Because of this we shared in everyone's wow which made the tour so very special."

Stephen

Tour: 06/19/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our tour guide Stephanie Bergmen was wonderful. She insured that we were taken care of, that our rooms and meals were ready upon arrival. The locations of the hotels and the meals were all excellent. She went out of her way to add special events or activities that were unexpected and total appreciated. The locational tour guides that took around various cities and locations were so knowledgeable and only enhanced our vacation. Overall, this was truly a wonderful experience for us.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing the Roman Forum and the Coliseum. It's one thing to read about it in a book, it's another to witness it up close. Our tour guide for this part of the trip, his name is Paolo, made it all come to life. I would recommend he be used as often as possible and maybe appear on a future Rick Steves episode on Rome. He was that good. And touching 2000 year old bricks was amazing. And the members of our tour group were exceptional as well."

Matt

Tour: 06/19/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The entire tour was well planned and executed to provide a great experience

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I don't know that I had a wow moment rather there were a number from Italy and Paris. "

Paul

Tour: 06/19/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was everything I had hoped for. The whole tour was so well run. No surprises except for good ones. Our guide was so professional and was always looking out for us and making sure we were having a good time. She taught us so much about traveling in Europe.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My favorite wow moment was my whole time at the Accademia Museum in Florence. Our guide Irene was amazing. She was so knowledgeable about all of the art and artists. The museum was crowded the day we were there but she was able to maneuver our group through the crowd so well and get us to perfect spot to view the art she was telling us about. I told her when she had finished the tour that "today was a gift". I will cherish my day at the Accademia with Irene the rest of my life. Thanks. "

Diane

Tour: 06/19/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Everything was handled very professionally and let us just enjoy the experience.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Walking in the Alps in Switzerland was an experience we will remember as a highlight of the trip. We also enjoyed all the ancient sites in Rome."

Lynn

Tour: 06/12/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall, the tour rated a 9 out of 10. I enjoyed the way the itinerary combined group activities with free time. Our guide, Colleen, and bus driver, Hilde, were great, and very resourceful when it was necessary to modify our schedule due to unforeseen circumstances. The group that I traveled with was diverse in both age and experience, which made our interactions a lot of fun. The crowds, particularly in Rome, were the only disappointment, but that's the challenge of European travel in 2023.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My favorite "wow" moment was hiking in the Swiss Alps. It was a dream come true: walking through quaint villages and meadows, listening to the music of the birds and cowbells, enjoying the wildflowers along the trail, and soaking up the beauty of soaring, snow-capped mountains and monumental waterfalls. This was the moment that I'd been waiting for, and it didn't disappoint. Absolutely incredible."

Leah

Tour: 06/12/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was my first time out of the country and all I can say is WOW! I am so glad that I went with Rick Steves tours and I am lucky to have had Colleen as my guide! She was so knowledgeable, fun to be around, and truly made my experience unforgettable!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My favorite “wow” moment was definitely in St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. Although it wasn’t on our itinerary, Colleen offered to walk us and give us a little overview before our day got started at 7am! So selfless!! It was truly more magnificent in person than any picture can ever do justice for. Thanks Colleen for an unforgettable experience!"

Gregory

Tour: 06/12/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was "as advertised" in that we hit the main sites in some of the most popular tourists destinations in Europe while not having to worry about logistics, driving, or tickets all while having an experienced guide to direct us as needed and handle problems if they arose.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"We saw so many amazing sites but it felt surreal to look up the valley in Lauterbrunnen. The waterfalls, sheer cliffs, and distant snow-capped peaks made up the most beautiful landscape I had ever seen. I could have sat and just looked at my surroundings for days. I hope to return for a longer stay!"

Jon

Tour: 06/12/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Awesome! The tour lived up to everything Rick has said and shown in his videos, tour books, etc. Our guide made the long bus rides fast by sharing things about the next city or country and talked about what to expect in the next city or country. I really liked that we were shown from day one how to navigate the cities including using the subways in each city. It made it possible for us to wander out on our own and not get lost! The guide books are also a truly valuable tool.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It was in Tuscany, Italy that I realized what Rick has been talking about all along with his tours. We were enjoying a tour paid evening meal on our hotel restaurant patio with live entertainment exclusively for our group. I looked around at the setting, the food, the entertainment and then the people. This is what it's all about -- good food, good location, good entertainment and great people. We truly were a merry band of travelers!! Thank you Rick and company for many "wow' moments!!!"

Lisa

Tour: 06/12/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our group was exceptionally lucky to have a seasoned tour guide who knew and appreciated each of our "best of" cities. Her passion for traveling was evident and enriched our trip. We had a fabulous bus driver as well who was so jovial and clearly loved her job. And, on top of that, we had a really good group that gelled well and enjoyed each other's company.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Aside from the stunning beauty of Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland, I would say the local tour guides who joined us on most of our stops gave us an insider's perspective on the city's history and culture, bringing statues and stones and stained glass to life."

Kelley

Tour: 06/12/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great tour guide, Colleen! She was very knowledgeable and fun.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Tuscany dinner at the hotel. Also gondola rides in Venice and Switzerland"

Cindy

Tour: 06/12/23

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The places we visited were phenomenal! The sights and itinerary was perfect! This was not our first trip- we did Ireland in 14 days previously. Therefore, I had something to gauge against. This trip, especially at the beginning, felt very rushed and disorganized. I am used to Rick Steve’s tours being spot on in all travel situations. I rolled with it but it made our trip feel rushed and frantic. I didn’t know what I needed in advance- such as what was not allowed in museums, specific times.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The most breath taking views a person could ever have from the Schilthorn excursion planned by our guide. We traveled from the valley of Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland to the summit of Schiltorn. We had views of hamlets, cows with bells, waterfalls, and mountains in all stages of growth from lush green grass to snow packed peaks. All this shard with the best traveling buddies from our group! "

Robin

Tour: 06/12/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Colleen was amazing! A full time tour guide for my first time in Europe was more than anyone could ask for! Her knowledge and enthusiasm were outstanding! She was always working hard in the background wheeling and dealing meals and tour details!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Every destination had a wow moment and photos don’t do anything justice! The experience and feeling when you are somewhere you have always dreamed of was incredible! "

Nancy

Tour: 06/05/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Tour was well planned and executed. Our guide, Lisa, was exceptional. Group dinners were amazing. Enjoyed the age range of our tour group. Having some older teens, twenty year Olds made it fun. Great group dynamic. Everyone was pleasant to be with.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Scenery in Switzerland including the mountains from the balcony of our hotel room."

Miles

Tour: 06/05/23

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Great trip, coordination, pre-information

John

Tour: 06/05/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

enjoyed Lisa as guide and fellow travelers especially the young folks in their late teens and early 20's No real wow moment I am a fairly seasoned world traveler

Favorite "WOW" moment

"no real wow moment as I am a fairly experienced world traveler "

Tamra

Tour: 06/05/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Lisa was amazing and so knowledgeable. She made me feel as if we have been friends forever, which made my experience that much better.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My favorite WOW moment of the tour was hands down Switzerland. I could have stayed there longer. The majestic beauty was overwhelming. This was a bucket list item for me and my grandmother was born there. I lost my grandma and mom a year and a week apart. I had told Lisa this and she made this experience even that much better!"

Charles

Tour: 06/05/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was excellent, our guide made navigating Europe fun and exciting. We never imagined that we would enjoy literally getting lost in the back alleys of Venice and figuring out the subways of Paris!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Our favorite moment was viewing the world from the top of the Alps, then hiking down amongst cows and bells and poppies!"

Brenna

Tour: 06/05/23

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

I enjoyed our Europe trip, and this was the perfect introduction to lots of places throughout Europe. The hotels were in convenient locations and were quiet. Having the bus drive us from place to place was perfect as I have no intentions on driving in Europe. I would recommend to a friend.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Lauterbrunnen was the most show-stopping place we visited. Driving into the valley looked like you were arriving in a postcard."

John

Tour: 05/31/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

hard for words to describe, just an incredible experience.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing the Swiss Alps is just one of them."

Gay

Tour: 05/31/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was a wonderful experience! Our guide was patient and kind, and had everything in hand. Our group became close and cohesive, making it a very pleasant situation all-around.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing the jaw-dropping beauty all around us in Switzerland was amazing. The mountains are gorgeous, waterfalls are everywhere, and the lakes are huge and pristine. "

Sue

Tour: 05/31/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Stephanie went above and beyond to make sure we hit all the highlights with everything on the tour and side trips. I feel we saw and did everything we wanted and more

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Switzerland taking the Gondola to the top schilthorn "

Thomas

Tour: 05/31/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Absolutely the trip of a lifetime. Our guide Stephanie’s attention to detail was amazing any much-appreciated. Accommodations, food, our bus, including our driver, Byron were outstanding.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"For me our local tour guide “Michael” in Munich was amazing. All the local guides were great, but this guy was one of a kind. "

Steve

Tour: 05/31/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Stephanie our tour host was absolutely AMAZING... When she would say I have an idea; we all would sit up in the bus seats and listen, because we knew it was going to be something special... And it was!! She amazed up from Rome to Paris with additional things to do throughout our tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"We have been on the 21 days best of Europe before and the Swiss Aps was the wow moment on that trip... However the 14 days of Europe was the stay/stop in Munich; amazing local tour host was by far the wow moment with all the history and the way he presented it on our city tour in Munich. To really sum it up though; the entire 14 days was a WOW moment. "

Cherlyn

Tour: 05/31/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our guide, Stephanie, was outstanding. The places we visited and the local guides made it a very memorable experience.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Swiss Alps and the Schilthorn"

Theresa

Tour: 05/31/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour experience was better than what I had hoped for.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing St. Peter's Basilica all lit up at night. "

Mark

Tour: 05/29/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

My wife and I wanted a small group experience, and have never been to Europe before. The Best of Europe 14 days, gave a great overview of the historic beauty. The tour was laid out nicely with some excursions with local guides, and also free time. The overall pace was mixed in a good way. For example: Rome - busy, busy, busy for several days. Then Tuscany, at a slower pace Our Tour Guide Dimitri was outstanding. Always willing to answer questions and help out. Venice - buswe

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The historic sites in Rome were wonderful, Coliseum, Pantheon, St Peters Basilica. However, NOTHING could prepare us for the natural beauty of the Lauterbrunnen Valley in Switzerland. Pictures cannot do this place justice, it is simply breathtaking."

Janis

Tour: 05/29/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Dimitri and Paul were just outstanding! They took us safely to the most extraordinary places and made sure we all knew what we were doing, how to get around, got along, ate well and experienced what we wanted to and didn't know we wanted to.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hard to say. Venice probably- all of it and the Alps hike and location was just beautiful."

Edward

Tour: 05/29/23

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

It was all good. Weakest was the too short stay in the Uffizi, and the choice of highlights there.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The 2 nights and full day in Switzerland!"

Mark

Tour: 05/29/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Simply a trip of a lifetime. The coordination of events was just flawless. Couldn't have done a fraction of what we did if not for Rick Steves Tours!!!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were so very many, but the overwhelming beauty of the Swiss Alps cannot be beat."

Holly

Tour: 05/29/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had a fantastic trip. It was ambitious to go from Rome to Paris with a group of strangers. But with the fearless leadership of Dmitri, we bonded and had a comfortable and memorable trip. We learned so much from the "talks" as we approached each destination, from history to current events. The bus was luxuriously comfortable. It was a plus that there were other parent/teen combinations. The accommodations were centrally located which made the independent time easy to navigate. Loved it.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My favorite "wow" moment was sitting on the little balcony in the Lauterbrunnen valley and seeing and hearing the waterfalls and cowbells. Enchanting."

Steve

Tour: 05/29/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour experience actually exceeded our expectations. We were hesitant about joining a group tour in general, however, after reading through reviews and understanding what was included in the trip, we felt it was worth a shot. And now we can't wait until our next tour!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"This is an incredibly hard question since so much of the cities & landmarks we visited on the tour were amazing. But if we had to pick just one, we'd both say that sitting on the balcony at the Hotel Oberland in Lauterbrunnen, surrounded by the Swiss Alps and waterfalls was absolutely breathtaking."

Marilyn

Tour: 05/29/23

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

I feel like in the relatively short period of 2 weeks we were able to see so much!! It was a good group of people and Dimitri and Paul were great.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were so many but I don't think, even with all of the great art works and architecture we saw anything can compare to the magnificence of the Swiss Alps and the Jung Frau region. "

Ken

Tour: 05/24/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was well arranged, the guides were all well informed and engaging in their presentations.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The view of the Lauderbrunn valley from the Shellburn peak."

Larry

Tour: 05/24/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had a lot to see in 2 weeks ands somehow Mark and the intinerary made it happen.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The views in Switzerland blew me away"

Susan

Tour: 05/24/23

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Tour was a great experience. I saw many things I had only seen in movies or read about in books. Other than a disappointing hotel in Rome, I felt like it was a good value for my money. Loved the Tuscany stay and thought Munich and Switzerland were pleasant surprises. Our tour group bonded and enjoyed each other throughout the trip. Some of the most beautiful scenery was from the bus.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I had two major WOW moments. The first was in Munich when we had an EXCELLENT tour guide, Michael. He brought the city's history alive to me. He was engaging and retraced the footsteps of how the Nazi movement began with Hitler. The other WOW moment was driving into Lauterbrunnen. It was beautiful and exceeded my expectations. "

Alan

Tour: 05/24/23

Overall rating: rating 1 of 5

The hotels were sub standard. The restaurants were OK but the food selection was poor. Our tour coordinator, Mark, was not an interesting talker. He spoke in a mono-tone voice that was boring. He led us on several walks where he explained and described nothing, so the customers learned nothing from him during the walks.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Coliseum tour was very good as we had a fantastic local guide who gave us much information and did it in an interesting way. Also the tour in Florence had a terrific local guide who was captivating."

Teresa

Tour: 05/24/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had a great trip. The well paced itinerary gave us the opportunity to enjoy 4 European countries with ample time for personal experiences of our liking.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Switzerland and it’s unbelievable beauty. "

Therese

Tour: 05/24/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was wonderful. I thought the pace was great with the right amount of guided tours and time on our own.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"When we got to Switzerland. The view from the Hotel Oberland was breathtaking."

Sandra

Tour: 05/24/23

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

"I loved the tour. I really enjoyed seeing all the great places. The local tour guides we amazing. We had a great group of people on the tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My favorite "wow" moment was riding the boat into Venice. A close second was the Swiss Alps."

Evie

Tour: 05/24/23

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Overall, this Rick Steves tour provided wonderful experiences that my husband and I would never have known about. We were exposed to a variety of ways to travel around cities, including extensive walking tours. We loved the various demonstrations of mask making, pasta making, and authentic wine tastings.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Venice was a charming city, full of beautiful views, activities and wonderful food. The spectacular waterfalls of Lauterbrunnen was an amazing sight !"

John

Tour: 05/24/23

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The tour was well managed and had seamless travel between countries and cities. Overall , our accommodations were very comfortable. We had a wonderful trip

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Venice was most captivating! It was easy to walk around and find places of interest during our free time. "

Joshua

Tour: 05/24/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

A great tour guide mark, hotels are good. Very crowded at a lot of the exhibits, overwhelmed by so many museums trying to take in everything.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Switzerland I thought was the best of all."

Keith

Tour: 05/22/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Well organized and good balance of group activities and free time. Hit the major highlights at each stop.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Riding water taxis when first entered Venice. "

Sandy

Tour: 05/22/23

Overall rating: rating 3 of 5

It was my first tour to visit Europe. I had gained lots of knowledges of Rome and Paris. Helen I. was our tour guide. She took extra steps to make sure all of us had good time & safe. Wim was our driver. His driving skill was excellent. He drove us to many countries & everybody was safe. On the other hand, I wish RS’d book dinner for all of us when we arrived to the new city. Our bodies were so tired of sitting on the bus for so long, then we had to look for restaurants.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My wow moment was “Vatican City and Vatican Museum.”"

Patricia L

Tour: 05/22/23

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

My experience was absolutely amazing, what I got to do..I got COVID halfway thru and had to leave the tour in Munich. Our guide, Helen was champion with organizing and informing. The hotels were excellently located, clean and perfectly adequate. Great group of fellow travelers, friendly and engaging. The bus was comfy,too.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"So many ! But Venice was my absolute favorite."

Eileen

Tour: 05/22/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Outstanding guides especially Helen and Francesca. Overwhelming access to magnificent art, incredible history, fabulous food and extraordinary sites in two weeks. The tour group was lots of fun - the only downside was the loss of so many to Covid. The tour was very well organized and the Rick Steves app with downloads and his books added a great deal to the overall experience.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were several: the Vatican, St. Peter’s, the museums and the Sistine Chapel, The Pieta and David, and all of Florence, Finally, the amazing vista stop Shilthorn. Dachau was extremely moving but I wouldn’t call it a wow moment."

Mary

Tour: 05/22/23

Overall rating: rating 1 of 5

My daughter and I got covid on the 5th day of the tour. We were sad that all we had for support from Rick Steve's was a 1800 number. I would have liked more info about where to stay to get better and how to buy a hotel and train tour from Rick Steve's other tour lists.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The time we were on the tour was great. Watching the bus leave us in Tuscany with covid was very sad."

Chad

Tour: 05/22/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The locations, the attractions, and especially the tour guide were too notch.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Staying in Lauterbrunnen and hiking the Swiss Alps "

Barb

Tour: 05/15/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our guide was outstanding, very helpful and always with a great sense of humor. I would want her for every trip!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were so many! The statue of David, the Sistine chapel, gondola ride in Venice for a few at the top!"

Jeff

Tour: 05/15/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Once in a lifetime trip! Very consistent with the communication ahead of time

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Venice"

Kathryn

Tour: 05/15/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was the trip of a lifetime! Loved all the destinations on our itinerary and thought we had a good amount of time in each city. Our tour guide, Lisa, was outstanding. She made my first trip to Europe the most memorable experience and I truly appreciate her kindness, knowledge, professionalism and comradery. She is a true gem of a person.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Switzerland. I loved our hotel there. We had the view of a waterfall outside our balcony. Truly unforgettable! "

Shirley

Tour: 05/15/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour exceeded my expectations. The tour was well organized, the tour guide was awesome and the hotels and group dinners were perfectly selected. The itinerary was just the right amount of planned group activities and free time for me.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Climbing the stairway at Sainte-Chapelle and entering the Chapelle Haute. It took my breath away. "

Mark

Tour: 05/15/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great local guides, free time to explore, hotels and lessons on public transportation instead of being ushered around town on a bus. A great leader in Lisa Friend.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were "wow" moments. Not just A moment. The Trummelbach Falls in the Lauterbrunnen valley in Suisse. David in Florence, the Vatican Museum and St. Peter's as a "museum", escargot and wine at an outdoor cafe in Beaune, France."

Margaret

Tour: 05/08/23

Overall rating: rating 3 of 5

I think that it was a tour of a lifetime but I felt that it was a lot of area to cover in the time allotted and had a rushed feeling to it. I didn't feel it was possible to feel totally recovered before the next days onslaught. I was in great physical condition and had a physical prior to the tour and work out twice a week. This was my first trip to Europe as a solo traveler. I felt a little like a fish out of water. I probably would have felt more comfortable on a tour specifically for solos.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Touring the Louvre."

Michael

Tour: 05/08/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Tini & Sanal, our tour leaders were fantastic. A wealth of information & great senses of humor too.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Colosseum in Rome...."

Patti

Tour: 05/08/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our tour guides Tina and Sanel made our experience amazing. We never worried about anything because they took such good care of every detail. They were both so much fun and always helpful and professional!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Switzerland!"

Christi

Tour: 05/08/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This tour exceeded our expectations. Great tour guides and wonderful people in our group. So much fun!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Venice and seeing the beauty of the canals plus the Swiss Alps"

Michelle

Tour: 05/08/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Best of Europe in 14 days

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Trummelbach Falls was glorious."

Tye

Tour: 05/08/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Maggie

Tour: 05/08/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Exceeding our expectations! The well thought out itinerary, the pacing of travel, the wealth of knowledge provided by the RS tour guides as well as local guides, provided for an outstanding experience.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"So many WOW moments. The Lauterbrunnen Valley was one of the most beautiful places we've ever seen, definitely had many wow moments there. The Pantheon in Rome was also a highlight."

Jeff

Tour: 05/08/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our guides made the difference. They were genuinely concerned about the experience for each individual and our entire group. Tina and Sonel were absolutely amazing!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"So many. The entire trip was a “wow” being my first tour of Europe. Each destination had its own unique flavor. "

Angela

Tour: 05/08/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Action packed and loads of fun!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Singing and dancing in Tuscany!"

Judi

Tour: 05/08/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was my first Rick Steve's tour and it was absolutely amazing! Very well organized, phenomenal tour guides, beautiful hotel rooms ... I can't say enough good things about my experience!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The beauty of Rome at night as we walked back to our hotel the first evening."

Christopher

Tour: 05/08/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was amazing the guides were very friendly and knowledgeable about everything we did. They even went out of their way to get us goodies from the area.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Rolling into Switzerland with the low clouds and rain."

Marcia

Tour: 05/08/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I saw everything that I had hoped for and so much more. Every day was exciting and fun.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It's so hard to choose. I'd have to break it down for each category. Scenery: Snow-capped Swiss Alps Art: The Louvre Fun: Dancing at a restaurant in a Tuscan villa. Coffee: Everywhere in Italy Food: France and Italy"

Daniel

Tour: 05/08/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Tour Guides were excellent. Fellow travels in the group were also great

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The totality of the complete trip stands out the most. Great places, with great food and people."

Tatiana

Tour: 05/08/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was a trip of a lifetime for us. Being able to see so many places with very knowledgeable tour guides Tina and Sanel, made it much better than we expected! Excellent itinerary, cities, attractions and restaurants were better than anything we could have chose on our own. We learned about different cultures, history, art, food, life and lots of fun facts (Eurovision!). It was a great immersion in Europe and made us open our eyes to different cultures and rest of the world.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There are too many to mention. We had daily WOW moments! St. Peter's Basilica, Le St Chapelle, The Colosseum, The Pantheon, The Eiffel Tower, The Swiss Alps and 72 waterfalls, David, the rolling hills of Tuscany, The Chateau at Versailles, its gardens and Marie Antoinette Austrian village!!!, BMW World in Munich, Venice, St Mark Square, the bus rides!!! (lots of education and Sanel-Claus passing out treats!) Dancing in Tuscany with Marco playing guitar, the meals!, etc."

Susan

Tour: 04/24/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was my and my husband’s first trip to Europe and we could not have had a better experience. It was a perfect mix of carefully planned group activities and free time. Our tour guide Darija was delightful, so knowledgeable and patient (and funny!). We have been infected with the travel bug!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"St. Basilica,walking through the front doors and being just overwhelmed by the grandeur and beauty. And Switzerland was like a dream with its natural beauty. We had spectacular weather there which made it extra jaw dropping."

Bill

Tour: 04/24/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had a great time, the group was fun, and it exceeded our expectations.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Walking into the Coliseum in Rome. Truly awesome. "

Stephen

Tour: 04/24/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The Best of Europe in 14 Days Tour was fantastic. The guides were excellent. We covered a lot of ground without ever feeling rushed. The time in each destination was a thoughtful mix of walking tours, museums and down time. We had great local guides, welcoming small hotels, and fun group meals.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were many but for me hiking above Lauterbrun in the Swiss Alps on the "vacation from the vacation" day was most impressive."

John

Tour: 04/24/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our leader and guide Daria was just as professional as she was amazing. She was always prepared and no last minute change shook her. I’m positive she handle so much more than we ever saw, which is what makes her a true professional.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The mountains in Switzerland, just an awe inspiring site. Tuscany was also a wow…."

Manuel

Tour: 04/24/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We truly appreciated the EXCELLENCE of the Tour Guide team, and the amount of knowledge and years of experience that it takes to design such a superb tour experience. The Tour seemed to not waste a single hour, and truly maximized and provided exceptional life moments that made our trip very SPECIAL! Thanks Rick Steves & Co!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The whole package. You could FEEL that every HOUR of the day had a purpose, even the "down", "relaxing times"...could NOT even dream of putting together something as well orchestrated as this tour. Well done!"

Shirley

Tour: 04/24/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Visited many places, slipping lines in most. Excellent organization.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Great tour guide, Daria. "

Judy

Tour: 04/24/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our Best of Europe in 14 Days "Re-Do 2023". In 2022, Covid stopped us on day 4 and we had to drop out in Burchio, Italy. This year was very rewarding because we were reunited with last year's excellent tour guide Darija. We also had the pleasure of returning to our Burchio home-away-from-home Hotel Tenuta il Burchio. It was so good to again see Nico and everyone at this beautiful place. In 2023 it was "Paris or Bust" and we did it! Great guides, fun tour members and amazing places.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Four wows for sure. Returning to Burchio, the gondola ride in Venice and Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland. The Alps were absolutely magnificent and our hike to Murren was breathtaking. The last wow has to be Paris. We finally made it to the City of Lights and the Louvre Museum was far more than expected. Art history at it's best."

Malia

Tour: 04/17/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

My family which consisted of two parents and a 20 year old all loved the RS Tour Europe. We found the people on the tour had the same mind set as we did: enjoy and learn about each city for 2 weeks. ANd go with the flow, no matter the weather or any minor hiccup.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Venice. My mom had lived in Italy for 2 years and knew a lot about Venice. It was as beautiful as she described but everyone learned more about this fantastic city from the local guide."

Kathryn

Tour: 04/17/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our experience was absolutely wonderful and far beyond our expectations. Everything was smooth, seamless and stress-free thanks to our fantastic guide, Marijan and our driver, Paul (he is one skilled driver!). Marijan's knowledge absolutely brought history to life and gave deeper meaning to the sites we visited. Having tickets prearranged & group entry at so many museums/sites saved hours. We could not have experienced all we did without the tour!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were truly so many that it's hard to pick one. Everywhere we visited was so unique and offered experiences that should not be missed. But I think the unexpected "wow" was the beauty of the Swiss Alps. Lauterbrunnen (our hotel stay) was the perfect spot to recharge and the views are unbelievable. A trip up the mountain to Murren offered scenery that I thought only existed in fairy tales! I'll never forget it. "

Kimberly

Tour: 04/17/23

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had a great first trip to Europe on the Rick Steve's tour. Saw so many places, loved the hotels that were central in the cities, met great people on our tour, and had wonderful guides. Both our full time guide on our bus and all the local guides were amazing. Nice balance between tour activities and time on our own.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hard to pick just one...loved the Swiss Alps and the Lauterbrunnen Valley - so amazingly beautiful. Venice was great too - loved that as well! "

Todd

Tour: 10/05/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our trip was great! There was no way we'd have been able to see all that we did on our own. We loved that all of the details were taken care of for us.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The night cruise on the Seine River in Paris was amazing!"

Gene

Tour: 10/05/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We were very pleased with the places we toured, the guides, the hotels, the meals and the general organization of the entire package. We enjoyed the diversity of the tour's participants.

Favorite "WOW" moment

" The family farm in the Tuscan hills and the Swiss Alps."

Ann

Tour: 10/05/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great group of travelers and our guide, Filippos, was amazing.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"St. Peter’s Basilica snd seeing Michelangelo’s Pieta."

Joyce

Tour: 10/05/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was amazing. So many beautiful and awe inspiring sites. Our guide Filippos led us through Italy, Germany, Switzerland and France with kindness and precision. I met amazing people and could not imagine a better experience.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I had several. The Colosseum in Rome, the uniqueness of Venice and the inspiring beauty of Switzerland. "

Marsha

Tour: 10/05/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I learned quite a lot from our guide and the guides that met with us on the city tours. Our personal guide was kind and kept us informed as to what to expect each day.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Because we had been on several Rick Steves' tours, I loved going to Paris, France. This was my first time in Paris and I thought it was a beautiful area."

Josephine

Tour: 10/05/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Very good. First time in Europe so everything was new to us. Philipos was great as a guide. So kind and funny and very informative. All the other members of the tour were really nice, friendly, and interesting. It was fun and really a once in a lifetime experience for us.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hard to pick one. Seeing the Eiffel tower for the first time was one. But seeing the Sistine Chapel and Mona Lisa also. How can I say--so many "moments". "

Jacqueline

Tour: 10/05/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was my first Rick Steves tour and it was an incredible journey! This was the Best of Europe Tour and I was thrilled with the adventures we experienced each day. Our tour guide, Filippos was remarkable. He kept our group well organized, always provided us with interesting historical information. He showed a true appreciation of the famous art, local people, local foods and musical arts that related to what we experienced. I feel beyond fortunate to have shared these great times!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were multiple "Wow" moments! I had no idea the Colosseum was so grand! Our Italian guide, Ilaria, was extraordinary! She was fun and I loved listening to her describe the history related to the Colosseum. The statue of David was a "Wow"! So very striking and enormous! The Swiss Alps were incredibly beautiful. Our morning walk to the tram ride up to Murren was magical! Murren was so beautiful! There were many more "Wow" moments, these were just a few that have really stuck with me."

James

Tour: 10/05/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Fabulous! Better than we expected. Even though we had previously been to a few of these cities before, our guides made the visits more informative & fun.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Staying at the agritourismo villa in Tuscany. We loved the stay there."

Amber

Tour: 10/03/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was my 2nd RS tour and by far the best! I truly believe the difference in experiences was due to the guide:Lisa Friend. While my past guide was good Lisa was EXCEPTIONAL. Not only were our planned activities great there were several "surprises". While the negativity of Covid loomed over the trip it did NOT ruin it. In fact it might have helped with the the willingness of the the group to go with the flow. That willingness to expect the unexpected MADE the trip!!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"the Lauterbrunnen Valley was the most spectacular place I have ever been. The scenery was incredible, the accommodations cozy and the easy in getting around the area was awesome. This is a must return spot on my list!"

Theresa

Tour: 10/03/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Wonderful! This was our 2nd RSE tour and it was just as great as the 1st. Very professionally managed. We already have 2 more RSE tours booked for summer 23 and can’t wait! The tour guide (Lisa) and bus driver (Hilda) did an amazing job in ensuring we had the best of experiences during our trip across part of Europe.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"So very difficult to pick one moment when all experiences seem to “Wow” you! Food in Italy (helping Chef during cooking demo in Tuscany) Picking not just 1 but 2 favorite cuckoo clocks in Germany! Watching beautiful waterfalls drop from cliffs in Switzerland! Wine tasting in Beaune, and pastries in Paris (Ooh-la-la!)"

Jeff

Tour: 10/03/22

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Very busy tour - there's a lot to see in Europe! Pace, especially at the start of the tour, is very aggressive to get to all the "must sees" in Rome, Florence, and Venice. Our tour guide was excellent, and the local guides added valuable color to each stop.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Unfortunately, the weather at the tops of the Alps did not cooperate and allow us to go to the top, but the views in and around Lauterbrunnen are jaw-dropping."

Brad

Tour: 09/26/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our fourth Rick Steves tour and they keep exceeding my expectations. Our guide, Keith, was so much fun, knowledgeable and attentive we didn’t want it to end. The sites were amazing and the weather was perfect.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It has been difficult picking out one wow moment but for this tour would have to be stepping onto the viewing platform at the top of the Shihthorn under a perfectly blue sky with almost no one there and running into our previous tour guide, Andrea, who was leading her new group there. "

Pedram

Tour: 09/26/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Keith was phenomenal. the group was amazing. one person (Mary) had covid so we all got it at by the end, that sucked. but overall was a good time.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Eiffel tower twinkling. pizza in the little stop on the way out of Italy. italian country side. David statue. Mona Lisa. "

Donna

Tour: 09/26/22

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Our group and Keith couldn't have been better.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Switzerland! Another day there PLEASE!"

Elizabeth

Tour: 09/26/22

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

It was a wonderful, well organized trip with excellent tour and local guides. The tour provided experiences that I would likely not have been able to do on my own, for instance, getting into the coliseum before the crowds descended.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Switzerland -- the Disneyland of the outdoors. I would like to have spent more time there. "

Janet

Tour: 09/26/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was an amazing adventure from beginning to end. Everything was well planned, our tour guide was so knowledgeable and excellent at bringing our group together and helping all of us with issues that arose, such as losing a museum ticket! Our local guides gave us so much information about the history of the cities and museums. The hotels were all clean and comfortable. They all had good breakfasts, although we all struggled with the coffee machines! I would highly recommend this trip!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Driving through the countryside and seeing the beautiful landscape and small villages was amazing in every country, but the Swiss alps were my “wow” moment."

Amy

Tour: 09/21/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was everything expected and more. Tour Guide and Driver were fantastic, good group of people, and everything we saw, experienced and learned about can't even be described in a few short words.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I think the first day of the tour, when we went inside the Colosseum, that was the moment "we really are here!". "

Teresa

Tour: 09/21/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour took us to amazing places; museums, gardens blooming with color, great places to eat, cooking demos with hands on experiences. There was so much more! Our guides Bea and the bus driver Jon, gave us history lessons for each of our destinations and were very well versed! They encouraged us to explore and enjoy each place we went. They were very patient and shared the questions asked with the group, so we all could learn. They even told us about how to use some of gadgets in our hotels.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My favorite and WOW moment was the Villa we stayed at just outside of Florence Italy. This property is beautiful and restful. The rooms were "old world style", and each room was different. There was window boxes full of flowers which gave the room a sweet smell. The view from this property was of a castle , and at sundown it glowed. Lastly, food was great, cooking demo was so fun, I got to participate in this. At dinner on our last night there, we had a private party with even a live singer. WOW"

Jan

Tour: 09/21/22

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Our two weeks in Europe with our group felt like a whirlwind and at the same time like we spent two months there. The pace was fast and we saw a lot!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My favorite"wow" moment was sitting by the paved trail in Lauterbrunnen Valley, listening to the predominant sounds of rushing water and cowbells. It was magical."

Eileen

Tour: 09/21/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall, it was what I was looking for, anticipated and fulfilled what I wanted to do and experience

Favorite "WOW" moment

"So Many! maybe seeing the ancient city of Rome, it is amazing that Italy preserved and continues to discover and care for these monuments. Actually that goes for all the buildings throughout Europe, coming from a "young" country of the USA where we knock down "old" buildings, it was great to see how Europe cares about their history"

Joseph

Tour: 09/19/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Wonderful and extremely informative while maintaining an entertaining atmosphere country to country thanks to our tour guide Ragen,incredible bus driver Hilda and merry band of travelers. The range of experiences from small road side stops to the largest of cities across Europe was everything we hoped for Our fellow tour members added to this great experience

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Oktoberfest was the best!!!"

Mary

Tour: 09/19/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was my second visit to Europe, with my last trip being 36 years ago. While I do recall many of the magical moments of my first visit all those years ago, being on the Rick Steves' tour with the tour guide as well as the various local tour guides, really allowed me the opportunity to embrace the cultures, languages, sites, and experiences I was exposed to, because I didn't have to think about the planning or schedules, or stress. I just had to be there, take it all in, and enjoy!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I experienced so many 'wow' moments during the 14 day tour, and it is difficult to pinpoint just the one. I think most of my wow moments happened in Italy and Switzerland. Being in Vatican City and St. Peter's Basilica was spiritual and peaceful for me - I felt that I was surrounded by the spirits of past religious figures and history - and all would be good in the world. I was reluctant to leave. "

Pamela

Tour: 09/19/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Although this tour was very active and moved very quickly, everything went without any major hitches and our transition from place to place was generally smooth. Our guides and bus driver were fantastic as well!!!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were so many things that took the breath away, but I loved Venice and hiking in the Swiss alps, even though the weather was not always agreeable, the people and sights were amazing."

Barbara

Tour: 09/19/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The overall tour experience was great from beginning to end. We enjoyed the other tour members, tour guide and bus driver. I looked forward to the itinerary for the next day.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Being inside St. Peter's Basilica and seeing the grandeur of it. Arriving in the Lauterbrunnen Valley seeing the mountains and waterfalls from our hotel room. The Eiffel Tower"

Catherine

Tour: 09/19/22

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

It was a great tour with regards to the cities and countries that we visited. It is a very active tour and the only suggestion that I have would be to slow down the pace of the walking just a bit. I understand that schedules need to be kept - but there is defnititely time enough to slow down some.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Stepping into Piazza del Marco in Venice. Our guide did a fantastic job of "presenting" it to us. It was magical."

Lynnette

Tour: 09/19/22

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The tour kept us very busy. We saw so much and covered four countries. The local guides provided a lot of history and cultural information about each city we visited. The tour was very organized and ran like a well oiled machine.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"We stopped at an American service cemetery in Italy. It was very moving we were given an American flag to place on a grave of our choice. I chose one from my home state of Ohio. "

Craig

Tour: 09/19/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

high energy, physically demanding at times, great guides, great organization, all stops excellent

Favorite "WOW" moment

"switzerland: the visit to the alpine villages, the views, the mountains, just spectacular"

Karen

Tour: 09/19/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was undoubtedly the best vacation ever. We saw so much and had such wonderful experiences. Our group got very close in such a short time. Our Guide Ragen made the trip so much fun.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I loved Switzerland. Even though we had quite a bit of rain, it was so beautiful and peacefull. "

Christine

Tour: 09/19/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great awesome wonderful Guide—Regan!! Great site guides great group of fellow travelers! Tour went fast, always wanted more time/days in places. Best of Europe 14 plus 2 prior 2 post. Couldn’t see all that we wanted But loved what we saw and was amazing!! Our bus driver Hilda, amazing driver and great personality!!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Swiss Alps and the hotel we stayed at ! Gondola ride. Bellini shots with group in St Marks Sq Venice "

Robert

Tour: 09/14/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

being history buffs, we were attracted to this particular tour which showcased the local culture, history and art that personified each of our destination stops. Our chief guide Lisa Friend who was both laugh out loud hysterical but also extraordinarily informative couple with each of our local guides made for the vacation of a lifetime. don't stop. kudos to all.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"all of it. "

Norman

Tour: 09/14/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This is our second tour with Rick Steves' and as before the coordination of all aspects of this 2 weeks in Europe was wonderful.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"When we arrived in Switzerland, the weather was perfect. Clear blue skies, gentle breeze and warm. When we hiked the mountains and were on the train looking straight up at the Eiger peak the sight was clear and perfect. Last time we were there the clouds covered the mountains, not this time."

Senayet

Tour: 09/14/22

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Amazing!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Swiss Alps, Beautiful Nature!"

Marie

Tour: 09/14/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Awesome guides, fabulous tour mates, memorable meals, and tons of pictures! Loved all the hotels being close to the center of each city.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"While taking a simple hike in the Alps, I could see the 3 big snow covered mountains of Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau. They were breath taking as the day was filled with fabulous weather. At each of our prior visits they were covered by fog and clouds. While hiking I met a young man from Singapore and had a delfightful conversation. I got to take a picture for him with Eiger in the background so he could show his family and friends of its beauty. "

Rick

Tour: 09/14/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Just a super experience. People in the group were very nice, guide Lisa was awesome. The places we visited and had local guides for were spot on. Extremely good value I believe.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Nighttime cruise on the Seine in Paris with the view of the sparkling Eiffel Tower."

Joseph

Tour: 09/14/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was an overall great experience. The group was positive and cohesive, there was a good mix of ages and experiences. Our guide Lisa was outstanding. She made the trip fun and interesting she was knowledgeable about different things to do during our free time. Munich was a pleasant surprise and it was fun to be there during Octoberfest.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Swiss alps were amazing and the hike our guide led us on was breathtaking. We had an unscheduled stop at the U.S. military cemetery outside Florence, Coming across the grave of a cousin who died in WW2 was definitely a wow moment for me."

Joe

Tour: 09/12/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We saw such a wide range of wonderful sites - from ancient wonders to modern day Octoberfest! We enjoyed the World War 2 memories, the informative tours, and of course we met many nice people along the way.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Switzerland and the beautiful mountains was definitely a “wow” moment."

Donald

Tour: 09/12/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This tour was one of my life's highlights. I had always wanted to see some of the sights we saw on our trip and I was not disappointed in what I saw.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I had so many "wow" moments that it's hard to say which one was the biggest. I kept a page of my top sights and experiences of the trip and it ended up having 22 entries. Probably one of my most favorite moments was when I saw Michaelangelo's statue of David in the museum in Florence. It was absolutely one of the most dazzling things I have ever seen. Eighteen feet tall made out of a block of stone taking three years to complete then standing outside for 400 years. Wow."

Jennifer

Tour: 09/12/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The beautiful scenery of Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland."

Lindsey

Tour: 09/12/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Keith was amazing and we had a great group as well! It was so fun, it was educational, and I checked off most of my bucket list in one trip!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hard to choose one, but the colloseum and the twinkling Eiffel tower were great! Hands down best experience was St. Peter's Basilica. At first I was bummed it wasn't actually a part of the tour, but we spent FOREVER there and it was my favorite over everything else. "

James

Tour: 09/12/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I had wonderful time. The tour was very comprehensive and covered a lot of information.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Venice and Switzerland. "

Laurie

Tour: 09/07/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Where to begin!? Our guide Beata was stellar- full of historical information, funny, kind and helpful. The itinerary was well balanced between group activities and time on our own and between city and more slow paced areas. The food was varied and gave us a “taste” of each country. Our hotels were varied-quaint and some modern. Our group was convivial, on any morning we could sit down randomly for breakfast and enjoy conversation. We also enjoyed unexpected side trips/treats-Swiss chocolate!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Driving into the Swiss Alps, grandeur surrounding us - the mountains, the green of the lakes and grass. And then the cows, coming down from their mountain pastures, bells clanging and flower bedecked.I was transported to a simpler time. I have to say it is very difficult to choose one moment as there were many and all so different. "

Susan

Tour: 09/07/22

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

I thought the tour overall was quite good. It gave a small glimpse of each country making you want to come back. Especially to the ones you loved

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing the Swiss Alps. Just like you see in the movies, beautiful"

Carol

Tour: 09/07/22

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The tour was great. We loved Bea, our guide, she was outstanding. We enjoyed getting a taste of all the cities we visited along with a deeper cultural understanding of each location. The hotels were nice, food was good and travel group members all very nice too. Our only negative was that the bus did not have a bathroom. Even though we stopped frequently, it was an issue for us as well as other group members we spoke with as we could not stay properly hydrated.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were Many WOW moments! First, seeing the Trevi fountain the first evening was magical. Second was sitting in Piazza San Marco in the afternoon having a drink and listening to the band play, we felt so immersed in the culture of Venice. Third was walking from the hotel seeing the Arc de Triomph at night, all lit up with the cafes packed and Parisians strolling. "

Carol

Tour: 09/07/22

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

We saw so much, it was a whirlwind of amazing experiences.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing Switzerland. It was like we were inside a beautiful postcard of scenery and beauty."

Michael

Tour: 09/05/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Very busy with a lot of experiences. The local guides are all very knowledgeable and interesting. We were very well cared for during the entire trip.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I wanted more time in Lauterbrunnen and Switzerland in general. Just a beautiful place. I will go back and bring my hiking gear."

Elizabeth

Tour: 09/05/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall the tour was wonderful! Memories that will last a lifetime. There were times when the logistics were very annoying (being crammed into metro trains, for example), but overall we had a wonderful time. We were pleased that our group was pretty much like-minded and upbeat throughout. Even though we lost our guide halfway through.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Actual sight - St. Peters Basillica & la Pieta. I could hardly catch my breath as I saw one wonder after another around each corner! Wow experience -Being in Venice! It was absolutely magical walking those narrow cobbled ancient streets, discovering little Campos and restaurants. We felt we had been transported back to a different world! This was also our favorite room, an adorable modern room overlooking the courtyard of the tiny Hotel so Piave! I would recommend this hotel to others."

Mary

Tour: 09/05/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Wonderful, whirlwind experience visiting major sites in Europe.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Many wow moments, particularly the beauty of the Swiss Alps."

Steven

Tour: 09/05/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

great tour, one must be aware, you have to have good walking strength

Favorite "WOW" moment

"swiss alps"

Erik

Tour: 09/05/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was a wonderful experience. The awesome beauty of the Swiss Alps, the magic of Venice at night, the wonders of ancient Rome (colosseum, forum, pantheon), the incredible artwork of the great museums (Rome, Florence, Venice, Paris), and the amazing food and beverages throughout the tour (including Tuscany, Bavaria, and Burgundy). The guides were excellent, the hotels were wonderful, and sharing our experiences with a lot of fun people on the tour bus. Definitely a "bucket list" vacation!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The view of the Swiss Alps from our hotel balcony was breathtaking."

Lamont

Tour: 09/05/22

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Great tour!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Switzerland"

Katie

Tour: 09/05/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We loved everything about the tour, our wonderful guide Margaret and our bus driver Helda, our comfy bus, our amazing hotel rooms and local guides. The sites we were able to see were outstanding.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Of course Switzerland had us all staring in disbelief, so did the drive thru Austria. But Paris captured my heart."

Kevin

Tour: 09/05/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

What a great experience! Can’t say enough good things about the tour guides and our bus driver Hilde (she is a great person and a very skilled driver! Margaret did a great job with the tour (a very caring and knowledgeable person!) and Steve Smith stepped in and did a great job getting us to Paris! Our Paris guide was wonderful as well (name spelling??)

Favorite "WOW" moment

"So many I enjoyed the Vatican, seeing the alps, and Paris. My favorite was probably Venice, theirs something special about the place!"

Alexander

Tour: 09/05/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was very fun one of the best trips iv ever been on. The trip was very well organized and Margret (our tour guide) was super nice and welcoming.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My favorite moment during the trip was Saint Peters Church, the architecture was just so amazing."

Pam

Tour: 08/31/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We saw so much in such a short time!!!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The boat ride in Paris at night and the Gondola Ride in Venice!!!"

Kara

Tour: 08/31/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Memorable, informative and exciting trip. Will do again with Rick Steves.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"All of Italy, and Lauterbrunnen. "

Matt

Tour: 08/31/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Cities and accommodations were beautiful. Our tour guide was amazing and had a wealth of knowledge.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Traveling through the alps."

Jill

Tour: 08/31/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our first group travel experience. We were blown away by how amazing your company takes care of travelers! The hotels were wonderful. Each one unique. We loved the location of the hotels which were typically close to places of interest. Group meals were fun and the quality of food was great.

Tori

Tour: 08/31/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Perfect balance between guided tours and allowing us to explore each city on our own. Our guide, Fillipos, was exceptional. Such an inspirational leader and did a great job of teaching us about the history of each place and making even the most tedious of moments (like long bus rides) enjoyable. My tour group was amazing as well: I appreciated how everyone was so positive all the time.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome and the waterfalls in Lauderbrunnen, Switzerland. "

Cary

Tour: 08/31/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our guide(s) were absolutely terrific. My wife and I loved seeing and learning about the history of each location and the overall scenery.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The view of the Lauterbrunnen Vally from Murren in Switzerland."

David

Tour: 08/31/22

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Another very enjoyable tour, considering the Covid limitations. Fillipos is a very knowledgeable guide, and he worked hard to keep the group informed and entertained on the bus.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Lauterbrenen Valley in the Swiss Alps was breathtaking. "

Jeff

Tour: 08/31/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was such an amazing experience, seeing incredible sights, learning so much from our tour guide as well as the local guides. The format of the tours fosters learning how to travel on your own. Our tour guide Filippos was outstanding I could not recommend his more for any tour!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The BOE 14 tour had so many wow moments it's difficult to pick out just one, from the amazing ancient ruins of Rome, to the beautiful Tuscany agriturismo, the canals of Venice, the incredible works of art in Florence, the breathtaking views in Switzerland and the wonderful Parisian skyline. "

Randy

Tour: 08/31/22

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Saw many sites, learned about the culture including language, food selections and mannerisms. Our guide was extremely helpful and efficient with additional information requested by ourselves and other tour members.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"In Paris we took a river cruise and had a full moon, it was fantastic. "

Meghan

Tour: 08/22/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I booked this trip last minute because I had the time off from work and I saw there were a few seats left, and it was 100% worth it! Our guides, bus driver, tour group, hotels, cities, sights, etc were so great; I can't wait to go back.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Everything in the Lauterbrunnen Valley; opening the doors onto my balcony and seeing a waterfall, hiking to Murren, walking through the valley, seeing Tremmelbach falls. I was sad to leave and wished we would've had more time there, as there was so much more to do! I can't wait to go back to Lauterbrunnen. "

Marjorie

Tour: 08/22/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Amazing tour that was non-stop adventure. Jody our guide was wonderful and made everyone feel comfortable and welcome. Our tour group as well became like family.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Wow moment for me was Lauterbrunnen and hiking with our group."

Kelly

Tour: 08/22/22

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Extremely well-organized. Excellent guides.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Learning about Rome and also seeing Venice."

Timothy

Tour: 08/22/22

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

While fast paced, leaving us rather tired by the end, this tour was a great introduction to multiple cities and European cultures. The guides were amazing and always did their best to keep morale high and provide us the best experience possible.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It is hard to pick one moment. Every stop had a surprise of its own."

Jorge

Tour: 08/22/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

My wife and I had an AMAZING time with Iris and Jody (the tour Directors). They helped create a wonderful and caring experience. We saw more than what we anticipated and experienced a well rounded tour of activities, sites and places that we’ll always cherish.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Swiss Alps were Amazing. We had not experienced anything like that in the past. We saw the best waterfall ever and loved Nature at its best. Secondly was Venice and the beautiful architecture and water ways experience. The Gandolas and the food will have us go back in the future. "

Toby

Tour: 08/22/22

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Really enjoyed the meals, group leaders, guides, sites, hotels, etc.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Sharing meals and wine outside at sunset at our lovely lodging outside of Florence. Incredible!"

Kathleen

Tour: 08/22/22

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Very enjoyable

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Switzerland "

Lisa

Tour: 07/18/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

There was so much packed into 2 weeks! It was a good balance of planned group activities and meals with free time to explore on our own. Our guide gave great suggestions about things to do and see when we weren't with the group. The time on the bus was nice to plan for the next stop, talk to other families and to rest up.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Switzerland! We had clouds on the day we planned a hike but it was still beautiful and we plan to go back someday to spend more time. "

Sue Ellen

Tour: 07/18/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Time was well spent, the tour was organized, informative, fun and the food was great. Most importantly, I had the opportunity to meet a lot of interesting fellow travelers.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Alps in Switzerland "

Melissa

Tour: 07/18/22

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Throughout the 14 days, we were able to see SO much. Although we were there during record-breaking heat, it was still a wonderful experience and one that I won’t forgot!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My favorite “wow” moment was the last night of the tour, when we we were all taking pictures with our friends and waiting for Eiffel Tower to sparkle. "

Catherine

Tour: 07/18/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had a good mix of families with older kids and mixed couples of friends and relatives. While it was uncomfortably hot during most of the tour, we found plenty of shade and opportunities to refresh and rejuvenate. Our guide, Dimitri, was amazing and we lucked out with a second guide, Sanel, who was everyone's best friend, and an excellent bus driver, Joost, who was very much part of our group.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It is hard to pick one "wow" moment, but I would have to say the lunch in Egna, Italy when we were on the way from Venice to Munich. First of all, it was a surprise, and we were thrilled to see one more piece of Italy before saying "Arivaderci". The little town was so picturesque, and the patio restaurant cool and shady. We had delicious pizza and wine, and by this time, midway through our tour, we had bonded as a group. It was one of those unique experiences. "

Lynette

Tour: 07/18/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I’m usually the travel planner for our family and it was a welcome change have the planning and arrangements made by someone else. It was extremely well-organized and our guides were fantastic! I really enjoyed getting to know the others in our tour group. It was great to have tickets and to enter with very little wait. Our Florence tour guide, Cynthia, gave me an appreciation for art with her explanation. I loved the audios we had throughout the tour. It was great always being able to hear!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Venice. Everyone has an idea of what Venice looks like but I really enjoyed experiencing it firsthand. It was extraordinary!"

Mike

Tour: 07/04/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Guides were informative with historical info during the bus rides, local guides interesting and informative for their input. Sights, locations and accommodations were excellent. Tour group was interesting, fun and interactive. Lots of kids which I havent experienced on a tour before, our two were along also, and the kids were all great, 9 teens to early 20s. Made friends on the trip, guides and our driver Paul made us feel that way also. Maridjan the main guide was a rock star.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"All of Italy was excellent, we lucked out and had natural site musical events. St Peters had a big service with beautiful singing and music wafting through the whole basilica. St Marks square had an opera 2 nights we were there. The cow bells while hiking high in Lauterbrunnen valley. Sharing the experience with our teenagers. I Loved the natural scenery in Switzerland. On our last night in Paris our guide recovered a traveler from our groups passport which had been stolen on the subway Amazing!"

Brenda

Tour: 07/04/22

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

This was my 5th Rick Steves tour, and the only one I've taken in the summer. The group was a little more "disconnected" than any other, but fine. The heat and crowds definitely influenced how the tour and our guide presented certain sites. While our tour was not labeled a family tour, it was by default due to the makeup of the group. My kids appreciated that!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Watching my teenagers experience Europe for the first time, gain confidence in getting around on their own in other countries, communicating in different countries in various languages, and becoming intelligent, responsible travelers. Hiking in Switzerland is always a "wow". This time it was also a "wow" because it was such a relief from the heat of Italy! :-) Walking through Vatican City at night (right by our hotel) and the Eiffel tour at night are also hard to beat. "

Fred

Tour: 07/04/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Wonderful, exhausting and educational.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Switzerland. "

Laura L

Tour: 07/04/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was my first trip to Europe and I am glad I went on a Rick Steves Tour. Our guides were amazing! I learned so much which helped put everything I experienced in context.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hiking in the Swiss Alps was a dream come true!"

Douglas

Tour: 07/04/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I enjoy the blend of structured events with free time to explore. Having the dedicated guides and local guides adds a special element to the tour as you get the history of the area, so instead of just seeing a structure, you have the history of what makes that structure special, whether it was good or bad historical events. I also like that the tour takes you to sights you might not see if trying to tour on your own.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"With this being my fourth tour, I really enjoyed the Tuscany night, with the demonstration by the chef and the live entertainment. After a long day, it was just a very relaxing evening."

Donna

Tour: 07/04/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Tour leader: encyclopedic knowledge of history that inspired me to want to read more about about the sights I was seeing. All local guides were great but 3 in particular stand out: Antonella in Rome, Patrick and Eric in Munich. Ok 4 guides, I forgot Sylvie in Paris. Each shared their passion for their cities, shared their knowledge freely I want to return to Munich because of Eric and Patrick.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Wows were frequent: seeing the Dolomites for the first time, being in the Alps, looking out my window seeing Jungfrau…hearing how the done of the Pantheon inspired generations of architects. Reading a book about Winston Churchill’s mother Jennie on the trip and reading that she took an apartment on Rue Tilsit near the Arc while we we’re staying at the hotel Tilsit. Gave me goosebumps "

Dana

Tour: 07/04/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our tour was as good as it gets! We had a wonderful tour guide, bus driver, and good local guides that gave great information. We had just enough independent time to check out things that we wanted. It was well balanced.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I think St Peter's Basilica was the most eye-popping interior and the Colosseum was the next."

Alexander

Tour: 07/04/22

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Julia

Tour: 07/04/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our guide was absolutely spectacular! We always felt informed, safe and excited about our next adventure!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Among other things, I loved hiking in Switzerland. I also loved everything about Venice, especially catching the choir practice in St. Marks Square. It was unforgettable!"

Jack

Tour: 07/04/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Jack is 13, so I'm completing this survey with his feedback :) -mom, Irene Tucker My overall tour experience was epic!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Visiting St. Peter's Basilica in Rome."

David

Tour: 06/29/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We did the Best of Europe 14 day, our guide and the Rick Steve's team were amazing. All the little details, the location, staying central in the heart of each area, the guides information then setting you up to have the best possible experience during your free time. Loved It All and to get to do it with my family was amazing.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Switzerland - Loved arriving in our room, opening the balcony doors and seeing the view (peaks, mountain towns, mountain trains, waterfalls.... all so amazing."

David

Tour: 06/22/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was very organized, fun and informative. The food was great, the guide was friendly, nice, and knowledgeable. The bus however was new but had a toilet that was broken the whole trip and I had to move because I had a broken seat.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The beauty of the Lauterbrunen Valley "

Joe

Tour: 06/22/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was well put together. I cannot believe I saw as much as I did. And the value was incredible.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Lauterbrunnen Valley was just amazing. It looks like the most pleasant place in the world. I could have spent the entire trip there"

Leanna

Tour: 06/22/22

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

It was amazing. We had a lot of fun and saw a lot of things in a relatively short amount of time.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Lauterbrunnen Valley, Switzerland"

Cindy

Tour: 06/20/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The trip and the tour experience was everything that I expected and more. This was my first Rick Steve's tour, and it didn't disappoint in any way. Everything was so well planned out and there was just enough "tour" time and just enough "personal" time. Top notch tour guide in Keith - he's the best. Top notch bus driver in Paul. Top notch local tour guides in every city we visited. Hotels were just perfect.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Lauterbrunnen Switzerland! It was the part of the trip I was most looking forward to and when we got to the hotel the view from our room was just ridiculous. Hiking in the Swiss Alps and hearing the cowbells ringing the following day on a picture-perfect day was over the top."

Lori

Tour: 06/20/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our first trip to Europe & it did not disappoint. The many sights highlighted on the tour and all in one trip was fantastic and yet with all the activity did not seem too rushed.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I certainly have more than one! In particular at our visit to the Sistine Chapel however; it was a sight only seen for me in textbooks. The magnitude of the artistry, the blessings from the priest. It was very moving... Venice was like you see in a postcard, just magical & took my breath away! "

Dave

Tour: 06/20/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Better than I could have ever imagined!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"All of Rome."

Perrie

Tour: 06/20/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great trip overall. Our guide was excellent, the hotels were mostly fine, the itineraries were full and varied (but we still had reasonable chunks of time to ourselves), and the meals were generally good. The sections of the tour when we travelled by bus were comfortable, and our driver was excellent as well. And by sheer luck, we had a travel group (about 28 people) that was full of nice people with whom our time spent was worthwhile and entertaining.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The top of the Arc d' Triomphe in Paris. I expected it to be just a climb to the top of a monument for a view of Paris, but the museum located inside near the top of the monument was extremely helpful in understanding its historical significance. And the view of Paris was great, too!"

Michelle

Tour: 06/20/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

My family loved the mix of time with the group and our guides to get the cultural and historical context to enjoy each place, and then time to independently explore. We are relatively experienced travelers looking for a tour that took the work off our plates, provided independence, and also additional learning and connecting time with our family and others. This tour, with Keith as our outstanding guide and Paul as our driver and "second" guide, provided just the experience we were hoping for!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My favorite "whew!" moment was when all our COVID tests came back negative (all the group could agree on this). My favorite "wow" moments were listening to an Italian musical artist in Tuscany with good wine, friends and a lovely castle in the distance. The layers of Roman history were fascinating. I most loved the land and trails of Lauterbrunnen--gorgeous respite from the cities and perfect place for a picnic. I appreciated the visit to the South Italian US War Memorial, that and Dachau."

Sarah

Tour: 06/20/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Everything!"

Richard

Tour: 06/15/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was great, our tour guide Stephanie was caring, very helpful, made us feel very comfortable

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Swiss Alps, the beautiful Tuscany "

Grace

Tour: 06/15/22

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The Best of Europe in 14 days was a perfect fit for my husband and I to explore Europe for the first time. We liked the balance of scheduled group activities and the peace of being taken care of, along with many independent adventures. Our guide was kind and experienced. She surpassed our expectations. Each day was action packed with wonderful sights! My only regret is not being able to spend more time with each of them. The tour bus was very comfortable and our driver enjoyable. We will return!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"We experienced a continuous string of awe-inducing "wow" moments throughout the trip. It's near impossible to choose. The beauty of Switzerland is hard to beat. It's so beautiful high in the hills (Gimmelwald was my favorite) that it doesn't feel real to the senses. Otherwise, my "wow" was in Venice. We spent an hour in St. Mark's Campanile watching the sun set over the city. Afterward, we savored dinner and music on St. Marks Square. It was one of the evenings I wished would never end!"

Chris

Tour: 06/15/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The whole tour was awesome. Above expectations.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My favorite moment was in Switzerland. Climbing into Trummelbach Falls, just outside Lauterbrunnen, was amazing. "

Jane

Tour: 06/13/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The experience was outstanding. We could not have asked for better travel mates. I was worried our 18 and 20 year olds would not have others there age but our group was 1/2 adults and 1/2 10-20 year olds. Our original tour guide became ill so we had two subs. Sorry he got ill, but our subs were the best. Mattius and Fillipos made the transition seamless.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Our guides were so knowledgeable, Matty and Filipos and well as our local guides. They made history come alive. Matty shared a story with us about his mother and the Berlin airlift to make the youngsters in are group really understand how it directly impacted him and Europe in general. "

Kathryn

Tour: 06/13/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This tour was absolutely wonderful in every way!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Sharing dinner outside at our hotel in Tuscany followed by a private concert by a local guitar musician. As we sang together with the sun setting behind the Tuscan hills waving our lit up cell phones it was, to quite C.S. Lewis, “A shard of paradise.” "

Danielle

Tour: 06/08/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our tour was great. It was a perfect balance of hitting all of the major sites in the cities we visited while also allowing us free time for things that interested us individually. I really genuinely enjoyed our tour group and like getting to know them over the course of our tour. Travel in today's day and age requires flexibility and our tour guide used an analogy we lived by "Be like water not stone." We took that philosophy with us throughout the trip and beyond.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I loved our visit to the Swiss Alps. For our 14 day tour it came right about in the middle of our trip just when we were ready for a little bit of a slower pace. It was a perfect way to recharge and see the iconic Swiss Alps before finishing the tour strong. And that's not to say we took it easy, it just means it is a place with a slower pace which was just what we needed. The Swiss Alps also hit the special place in my heart I have for my quest to hit all of the national parks in the US."

Melinda

Tour: 06/08/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Loved everything about it!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There’s so many!"

Matthew

Tour: 06/08/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

First time to Europe so organization was key. Rick Steves tour did it all and made it go perfectly. Chose all the right hotels, experiences, and balanced free time to create the best first impression possible of the countries we visited.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Most profound for me was walking through the gates of Dachau as first group going in. We were there early and it was a holiday so the atmosphere was as serene and reflective as possible. I was almost brought my knees to experience this reality for the first time. Our guide was insightful, measured, and so morally clear on the conditions that allowed this and the parallels to today. "

Dave

Tour: 06/08/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great tour guides (Lisa & Collen) and bus driver (John) The tour is well planned and any unexpected changes are quickly resolved. The logistics and travel details are all well planned and pre-arranged.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Switzerland's views are amazing. People have asked which city is your favorite but really they were all great. Each city had it's own highlights."

Linda

Tour: 06/08/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was a trip I'll never forget! Trip of a lifetime! Learned a lot. Learned what I would do again and what I wouldn't. Overall a great experience.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Too many WOW moments! But if I had to pick one, Seeing the full moon in Venice as we toured the canals on a boat tour. Again there were so many WOWS, just can't name them all."

Lori

Tour: 06/08/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was great touring with a small group and having the bus to get us from place to place. I think it is the only way to see as many things as we did in 14 days. The people and places were fantastic.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My wow moment was Switzerland. We had been to Lucerne on a previous trip but being able to get up close to the smaller villages we visited was great. Gimmewald was definitely a highlight in that regard."

Butch

Tour: 06/06/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Positives: Outstanding guide Fillipos kept the group positive, cohesive, entertained, & safe Wonderful bus driver Hilde Friendly, fun, highly skilled Great organization, precision, puncuality covering so much in 14 days Excellent local guides Small, friendly group of tour members Fun Chef cooking demonstration in Tuscany, Tim came up short Not having to present a Bio on your Buddy Opportunities: Unlock the bathroom on the bus Provide water, in the room, as in the past. Don't charge on bus.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The hike in the Swiss Alps. Unbelievable views, water falls, paragliders sailing past, and a sense of accomplishment."

Melissa

Tour: 06/06/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had a wonderful and fun time! From start to finish, we felt like we were completely taken cared for. We learned so much in each of the cities we visited.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were a couple of wow moments. First was in Rome walking through the colosseum. Knowing and feeling the history of it all was surreal. Second was in Lauterbrunnen valley and being surrounded by the beauty of the mountains and the waterfalls. Everywhere you looked was amazing. "

Jennifer

Tour: 06/06/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Filippos was amazing as our guide and Hilde did a great job driving our bus. We had great activities planned but also had free time to explore at our own leisure. We were blessed with a fabulous and fun group of fellow travelers and we all enjoyed each others company.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Loved every moment of our trip but was probably most wowed by the drive into the Swiss Alps. It got more breathtaking with every turn in the road. And those waterfalls with the mountains behind them. Unreal! "

Timothy

Tour: 06/06/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The trip far exceeded my expectations.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It is hard to describe because each experience was different, but none was better than the other. If I had to pick it had to be seeing the Swiss Alps in person. It was astonishing."

Michael

Tour: 06/06/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Wonderful, action packed experience with a great group of people (guide and driver included). We couldn’t have asked for a better overall experience. Rick’s tours offer just the right amount of planned excursions and personal downtime. As members of the LGBT+ community, my husband and I chose Rick’s company because of the feelings of acceptance and inclusivity he shares in all his programs. We have never felt more welcome/included!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Having been to Europe before, with another company, my “wow” moment was truly the knowledge of our guide (Filippos) sharing everything about just how easy it is for Americans to be accepted in European cities. From his knowledge of the language and customs, to the local food, we always felt well prepared for our next stop. "

Jennifer

Tour: 05/30/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Wow, what a trip of a lifetime. This was our first RS tour and first trip to Europe. I had stressed over an itinerary when a friend told me about RS. I couldn’t be happier with how well the entire trip went. It was such a luxury not to worry about reservations or transportation. The local tour guides were all so knowledgeable and we appreciated not waiting in lines at museums and historical sites. Our guide Matt, driver Joost and tour group felt like traveling with family.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Swiss Alps were just breathtaking. The view from our balcony looked like a postcard and we truly loved every moment we spent there. It was convenient having a restaurant at the hotel and we enjoyed meeting the owner and even doing our laundry across the street where we met some young travelers staying at the hostel. The views from the restaurant at the Shilthorn were unforgettable. We enjoyed every path we hiked and every cable car ride. "

Linda

Tour: 05/30/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Amazing

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Venice"

Jim

Tour: 05/30/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was strenuous and challenging, but I was made aware of it before I went on the tour. It was full of very interesting things to do and see. Our guide, Matt was very informative and gave us information to enjoy the tour so much more. The local guides were dynamos. Especially our guide in Rome. They were all very informative. Dachau prison camp was very interesting and informative.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There was lots of things I will remember, but I would have to say my "Wow" moment was when I went paragliding over the swiss alps. It was an amazing and invigorating experience and adventure that I will always remember. My favorite place Beaune. Beaune was very quiet but very pleasant place to be."

Elizabeth

Tour: 05/30/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was wonderful. I enjoyed every destination. The breakfasts and dinners were great. I especially loved the dinner our first night in Rome. Matt was an exceptional tour guide. He was very knowledgeable, nice, fun, and helpful. We had a great time.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Driving into Switzerland and seeing the Alps. I especially loved our hotel in Lauterbrunnen. The balcony and view were great. Everything about that town was jaw dropping and beautiful. "

Dennis

Tour: 05/30/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It’s my 5 tour and all have been great looking forward to #6

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Has to be Switzerland "

Susan

Tour: 05/23/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

BRAVO! As first-time travelers, we took this tour as an intro to Europe and it was amazing. The format of this tour helped us feel comfortable in new places and gave us confidence to explore on our own. We were impressed by the knowledge of the RS and local guides, we met wonderful new friends, and we absolutely adored our driver, Paul. This trip was fast paced and allowed us to experience so many things in such a short time. It was the perfect intro to Europe, and we can’t wait to return.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I was wowed from the 1st stroll through Rome to our farewell in Paris. Every place had a wow moment. The art, architecture, history, food, culture… WOW. But to pick one, it has to be Switzerland. The nature and beauty stand in stark contrast to the hustle of the cities. Amidst the mountains there is a feeling that moves you, you feel it, and you realize just how small you really are. We loved the views from the top of the Schilthorn, hiking the trails, and the cowbells – those amazing cowbells. "

Terri

Tour: 05/23/22

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was as described and expected. It was very physical-i.e. lots of walking and sightseeing, and we feel we accomplished a lot in the relatively short visits we had in each location. We thought of it as a sampling of each area and we can now decide where we'd like to return and spend more time.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Swiss Alps were stunning and we were happy we got to go up in the cable cars to the top and it was a clear day."

Diane

Tour: 05/23/22

Overall rating: rating 3 of 5

Wonderful guides, bus driver, and tour group members. We quickly formed a cohesive, caring and fun loving group that made the entire experience enjoyable. Each day was filled with well planned experiences that enhanced my understanding of the history and culture of each area we visited. I appreciated the honest appraisal of the covid situation in our group. I felt we were well informed.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Lauterbrunnen Valley - cable cars to the top and hiking from Murren to the cable car back to Lauterbrunnen. Hiking the lower trails around town....cows parading through town. Magical!"

When To Go & Weather

Any time between April and October is a good time to take a Best of Europe tour. However, the months of April, May, September, and October combine the convenience of peak season with milder weather and generally fewer crowds.

France / Paris

Paris Weather


Switzerland / Bern

Bern Weather


Germany / Munich

Munich Weather


Italy / Venice

Venice Weather


Italy / Florence

Florence Weather


Italy / Rome

Hotels & Flights

Tour Hotels

In case you wish to book pre- or post-tour hotel accommodations, the contact information for the tour's first and last hotels is included in your tour confirmation email, as well as in the Itinerary section of your tour account. One month prior to the tour departure, you'll find the directions to your first tour hotel and a complete list of hotels where we'll be staying in the Documents section of your tour account.

Flights

Our tours don't include airfare, so your flight arrangements are completely up to you.

Most tour members arrange to fly into Rome (FCO) and out of Paris (CDG or ORY) — choose "multicity" on flight-booking websites. Booking round-trip to one city will require a connecting flight, train trip, or additional overnight stay in Europe.

We suggest arriving a day or two before your tour begins to allow ample time to get over jet lag and be well-rested for the first few days of your tour. For more information about transportation options for getting to and from your tour, see your Rick Steves Best of Europe guidebook.