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London -
Tower of London -
Eiffel Tower -
Guédelon Castle in France -
Männlichen in the Swiss Alps -
Cinque Terre, Italy -
Pisa's Leaning Tower -
Michelangelo's "David" in Florence -
Gelato Break in Italy
Tour Questions? See our FAQ | Email [email protected]
Family Europe: London to Florence in 13 Days Tour
Rick Steves' Family Europe: London to Florence in 13 Days delivers a colorful mix of must-see cities (London, Paris, Florence) and stroll-around charms (Burgundy, the Swiss Alps, Italy's Cinque Terre). Along the way, you and your kids will encounter some fascinating bits of art, history, and culture — as well as a couple of castles, a boat, a mountain cogwheel train, plenty of hiking, a cooking class, and even a swimming pool or two. And on this tour, kids ages 8–17 get a $200 discount! Join us for Family Europe: London to Florence in 13 Days!
Early Booking Discount: Save $100 on 2026 tours! See details.
Dates & Prices
2025
2026
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- May 24–Jun 5 (Su–Fr)
- $5,095 + Air
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- May 26–Jun 7 (Tu–Su)
- $5,095 + Air
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- Jun 2–Jun 14 (Tu–Su)
- $5,195 + Air
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- Jun 9–Jun 21 (Tu–Su)
- $5,195 + Air
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- Jun 16–Jun 28 (Tu–Su)
- $5,195 + Air
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- Jun 23–Jul 5 (Tu–Su)
- $5,195 + Air
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- Jun 28–Jul 10 (Su–Fr)
- $5,195 + Air
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- Jun 30–Jul 12 (Tu–Su)
- $5,195 + Air
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- Jul 7–Jul 19 (Tu–Su)
- $5,195 + Air
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- Jul 12–Jul 24 (Su–Fr)
- $5,095 + Air
Opportunity to experience Bastille Day in Paris!
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- Jul 14–Jul 26 (Tu–Su)
- $5,095 + Air
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- Jul 19–Jul 31 (Su–Fr)
- $5,095 + Air
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- Jul 21–Aug 2 (Tu–Su)
- $5,095 + Air
What's Included
You'll get at least 18 group sightseeing events — at no extra cost!
Here's what you'll see and do on our 2026 Family Europe tour:
- London panoramic bus tour
- Thames River cruise
- Tower of London
- London–Paris Chunnel train
- Seine River cruise
- Paris walking tour
- Château de Fontainebleau
- Guédelon Castle
- Stone-cutting workshop
- Medieval evening
- Hiking orientation in the Swiss Alps
- Swiss fondue tasting
- Orientation for "vacation" day in the Cinque Terre
- Pisa
- Art class
- Renaissance walking tour
- Accademia Gallery including Michelangelo's David
- Tuscan cooking class
Plus you'll get all this, too.
- A small, friendly group of 24–28 people — half the size of most tour groups
- Kids ages 8 through 17 are welcome — and save $200
- A full-time Rick Steves guide, tour assistant, and local experts — who will make the history, art, culture — and fun! — of Europe come alive for you and your kids
- All group transportation from London to Florence
- 12 nights' accommodations in memorable, family-friendly hotels
- All breakfasts and 6 other meals
- All tips for guides and driver
- A tour kit including a guidebook and a moneybelt
- Guaranteed tour price, locked in the moment you make your deposit
- Tour alum discount of $50 for each tour you've taken 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.
Group sightseeing events subject to change.
Itinerary
Day 1: Welcome to London
Our adventure together begins in the great city of London. We'll meet at 3 p.m. for a brief "Welcome to Europe" meeting at our hotel. After a neighborhood orientation walk, we'll learn to use London's underground transportation system and hop on the Tube. Mind the Gap! This evening, we'll have fun getting to know one another over dinner in an atmospheric pub. Then we'll climb aboard a vintage double-decker bus for a panoramic tour through the heart of the city.
Light walking: 2–4 miles throughout the day on mostly level terrain. Bus: 1 hour. Sleep in London.
Day 2: The Thames and the Tower
This morning is dedicated to the Tower of London, where we'll learn all about England's historic and most notorious castle. After some free time to sneak a peek at the crown jewels and grab some lunch, we'll hop on board a boat and cruise the Thames to Westminster. It's the perfect spot for your guide to orient you for your free afternoon and evening. Explore the neighborhood, including the London Eye, Westminster Abbey, or Buckingham Palace. Or you can walk north past the Churchill War Rooms, 10 Downing Street, and the Horse Guards to Trafalgar Square. Cheerio!
Moderate walking: 2–6 miles throughout the day with some hills and stairs. Boat: ½ hour. No bus. Sleep in London.
Day 3: The Chunnel to Paris
Let's go to France! After breakfast it's all-aboard the sleek Eurostar train to Paris, zooming along at nearly 200 miles per hour beneath the English Channel. In Paris, we'll be met by a comfy sightseeing bus for a rolling introduction to this beautiful city. We'll arrive at our Paris hotel, where you'll have time to unpack and relax a bit before our big evening: a lesson on using the Métro (subway), dinner together on the Left Bank, and a magical view of the Eiffel Tower — the perfect finish for your first day in the City of Light.
Light walking: 2–4 miles throughout the day on mostly level terrain. Train: 2½ hours. Bus: 1 hour. Sleep in Paris.
Day 4: The Historic Heart of Paris
Today we'll take an open-air cruise along the Seine River, gaining an appreciation and introduction to the city's historic monuments and sights. Then we'll explore the birthplace of Paris, the Ile de la Cité. We'll take a walking tour tracing the evolution of Paris, from its Roman roots to its medieval splendor, culminating with the resilient and awe-inspiring Notre-Dame Cathedral. The rest of the day is free for exploring more of Paris on your own. You could visit a museum or two filled with amazing art (the Louvre, the Orsay, Orangerie, Rodin, or Pompidou -- reserve in advance), visit a kid-friendly park (the Tuileries or Luxembourg Gardens), take in the city views (from the Arc de Triomphe, Montmartre, or a department-store rooftop) — and maybe top off tonight with a trip up the Eiffel Tower (avoid lines by reserving in advance). Let the kids decide.
Moderate walking: 2–6 miles throughout the day with some hills and stairs. Boat: 1 hour. No bus. Sleep in Paris.
Day 5: Royal Château and Rural France
This morning we'll meet our driver and bus and leave city life behind. Our first adventure today is a visit to Fontainebleau, one of the largest châteaux in France. You’ll have time to explore the castle’s 1500 rooms, the sprawling courtyards, and gardens. After free time to for lunch in the village, we’ll drive further into the French countryside, passing pastures and châteaux en route to our country hotel in the heart of Burgundy. This stately manor home has a swimming pool and a huge lawn, perfect for kids to play outdoor games this evening. For dinner we'll share a buffet of French specialties.
Moderate walking: 2–6 miles throughout the day with some hills and stairs. Bus: 4 hours. Sleep in St. Fargeau, Burgundy.
Day 6: Building a Medieval Castle
We'll begin today at St. Fargeau's wonderfully French weekly market, a scavenger hunt of Burgundian freshness, perfect for piecing together your picnic lunch. Next is something you'll see nowhere else: the construction site of Guédelon, where a full-size 13th-century castle is being built today — by people in traditional costumes using historically accurate tools — exactly as it would have been 800 years ago. We'll have a guided tour through the site and take part in a hands-on workshop, learning how medieval stone cutters worked their magic. You'll have free time to visit the blacksmith, masons, and rope makers and to explore more on your own. We'll return to our "country estate" in the afternoon with time to relax, swim, or play before we regroup for a medieval-themed dinner together.
Moderate walking: 2–6 miles throughout the day with some hills and stairs. Bus: 1 hour. Sleep in St. Fargeau, Burgundy.
Day 7: Scenic Drive to the Swiss Alps
This morning we'll board our bus and set a course for Switzerland. For lunch, we'll stop and fan out at a typical town's shopping mall (with several places to eat on your own) to get a taste of un-touristy French life. Today's scenic drive is the perfect time to catch up on your journal, play a game with your bus buddies, and learn a few things from your guide about Swiss chocolate. By late afternoon we'll find ourselves in the Berner Oberland's magnificent Lauterbrunnen Valley, flanked by towering, waterfall-laced cliffs. Tonight we'll share a hearty Swiss dinner together at our creaky old chalet nestled in the Lauterbrunnen Valley.
Light walking: 2–4 miles throughout the day on mostly level terrain. Bus: 8 hours. Sleep in the Lauterbrunnen Valley.
Day 8: All Day in the Alps
Don't sleep in this morning — the Alps await! After a hearty breakfast you may want to take a mountain excursion that includes a gondola lift and a scenic 2½-mile walk along the 7,000-foot-high Männlichen ridge to the village of Kleine Scheidegg. It's a great spot for lunch, with spectacular views of Switzerland's most formidable peaks: the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau. From there you can take a cowbell-serenaded hike back down to our hotel — or rest your feet aboard one of the cute local cog-trains that run between the villages. For tonight's dinner, shop at the local grocery store for an evening picnic in the great outdoors.
Light to strenuous walking (your choice). No bus. Sleep in the Lauterbrunnen Valley.
Day 9: Winding Our Way to Italy
This morning we'll have an encore performance of the Alps as we make our way across the mountains and dive into Italy. We'll wind our way down through hills, pristine lakes, and the farms of northern Italy en route to our Mediterranean getaway. This afternoon's destination is the seaside town of Levanto. During today's trip, you'll get a thorough orientation to tomorrow's fun free-day possibilities. Tonight we'll share a tasty dinner together in this corner of Italy, where pesto was invented and the seafood was swimming this morning.
Light walking: 2–4 miles throughout the day on mostly level terrain. Bus: 7 hours. Sleep in Levanto.
Day 10: Free Day in the Cinque Terre
Today is entirely up to you, and each village along the Cinque Terre is just a few minutes away by train. Pick a village to explore, have a meal or two, and become temporary locals…or burn off some energy and enjoy breathtaking views by hiking along the cliffside paths…or get your views from the sea on a scenic boat ride along the coast, past the fishing-boat harbors and hill-hugging villages…or stay closer to home and promenade down Levanto's forgotten 19th-century seaside railway, now wonderfully restored, paved and perfect for biking or walking. Whatever you choose, remember to save time for hanging out on the beach for swimming and sun.
Light to strenuous walking (your choice). No bus. Sleep in Levanto.
Day 11: The Culture and Art of Florence
Rested and refreshed, today we're ready to take on the impressive art and history of Florence. But first, we'll stop in Pisa for lunch and see if its infamous tower is still leaning. We'll continue to Florence, where we'll say ciao to our bus and driver, drop our bags at our hotel, and walk through the San Lorenzo neighborhood's colorful food and craft markets, taking time for a tasting or two along the way. Then we'll drop into a local artisan's studio for a Flash Art class. After learning about this amazing technique, we'll turn the easel around and give the kids a chance to create their own masterpiece. Your evening is free for dinner on your own.
Moderate walking: 2–6 miles throughout the day with some hills and stairs. Bus: 3 hours. Sleep in Florence.
Day 12: Renaissance and Michelangelo's David
This morning we'll meet our local guide for a historical walking tour of Florence, introducing you to the highlights of the Renaissance. We'll learn about life in those world-changing times and gaze at Brunelleschi's magnificent cathedral dome and Ghiberti's amazingly 3-D Baptistery doors. Our walk ends with a bang at the Accademia Gallery, home to Michelangelo's rough-hewn Prisoners and his greatest masterpiece, David. Your afternoon is free to scramble to the top of Brunelleschi's big dome (reserve in advance) or tackle the Uffizi Gallery (reserve in advance) to see the Botticellis, Leonardos, and Raphaels in the finest collection of Italian paintings anywhere. This evening we'll gather for a fun, hands-on cooking class. We’ll enjoy what we prepared at our final dinner together, where we can share our favorite moments and celebrate our friendship.
Moderate walking: 2–6 miles throughout the day with some hills and stairs. No bus. Sleep in Florence.
Day 13: Tour Over After Breakfast
Breakfast is provided, but there are no group activities today. It's a breeze to reach Florence's airport by taxi or public transportation. Your guide will help you with any post-tour planning, leaving you well prepared for the road ahead. Grazie e ciao!
(This tour does not include the Eiffel Tower. To avoid its long lines, 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 Family Europe: London to Florence in 13 Days tour — among other things — you'll need to happily…
- 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.
- Be on your feet, walking and standing, for up to three hours, indoors and outdoors, in all weather conditions.
- Sleep with street noise and no (or weak) air conditioning.
- After orientation and transportation lessons, be able to navigate towns and cities on your own.
- Be able to get up and "at 'em" in the morning, often departing around 8 a.m.
- Be content with the possibility of your family sharing bathroom facilities at our French countryside hotel, where a few two-bedroom family suites share one ensuite bathroom.
Reviews
Barbara
Tour: 07/21/24
Overall rating:
This was a family trip including my grandchildren ages 9 and 12. It was so much fun for me to watch my grandchildren experience Europe for the first time, learning about different cultures and languages, and using rapid transit (subways and trains) to get around. They were real troopers and had no problem whatsoever carrying their own packs and wheeling their own suitcases from place to place. One of the highlights for them was the buffet-styled breakfasts provided by the various hotels.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Watching my grandchildren participate in the cooking class in Florence. They had a blast with the pasta machine making their own noodles, and putting together cups of tiramisu. They also had a great time learning how to paint their own masterpiece from a real artist in Florence. In Burgundy, the kids on the tour had their own “Olympic Games” including tug of war. A highlight for me was hiking with my grandkids in the Alps between Mannlichen and Klein Scheidigg in Switzerland. So much fun."
Jaime
Tour: 07/21/24
Overall rating:
Our family enjoyed the tour very much. I was worried about the long bus rides but my daughter found a friend to pass the time. My 16 year old son slept and was engaged by the tour guide. We made stops every 2 hours which was great! I did not have to worry about using the emergency bathroom on the bus! We liked the hotels and found the activities the tour provided very god. We also enjoyed our free time and appreciated the fact that the tour guide helped us plan this time!!
Favorite "WOW" moment
"We were in Paris before the Olympics started! Very cool! Then to get to see the sites for the next 2 weeks on TV was neat! But our time together in Italy was amazing. We were able to relax and enjoy each other's company. Cinque Terre was beautiful. We completed a hike between Monterosso and Vernazza and my 16 year old son made sure I was not lagging behind. I personally love to be by the ocean and was able to go into the sea! The Aperol Spritzes were so good too! "
Vicki
Tour: 07/21/24
Overall rating:
As a family tour, it was done very well. The guides were good at engaging the youth in activities and there was plenty of down time for families to do their own thing. The local guides were entertaining, but enlightening at the same time. It was a good mix of popular and out of the way sights.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"There were many, but the view from our room in Wengen, Switzerland was spectacular. That whole area with the Alps and the Swiss chalets is awesome."
William
Tour: 07/21/24
Overall rating:
This tour was amazing! We loved the tour guides and the itinerary. The whole thing was just truly awesome.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"My favorite wow moment"
Emily
Tour: 07/21/24
Overall rating:
Jeff
Tour: 07/21/24
Overall rating:
Yodi and Stephan were great guides and made the tour informative and fun
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Yodelers in Switzerland and hiking in the mountains. Also, loved the group swim in Levanto on the first night in Italy."
Marguerite
Tour: 07/16/24
Overall rating:
I liked having all travel arrangements and hotel rooms booked for the 4 counties we visited.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Switzerland and the cooking class in Italy."
John
Tour: 07/16/24
Overall rating:
The tour functioned well. There were some wonderful experiences and some poor experiences. The changes made because of the Paris Olympics were mostly positive. The first two walking tours were simply a flood of disconnected information with little to tie the information together and included no experiences/visits to provide something to remember. The two great group connecting experiences were left to the last two days.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Fontainebleau"
Charles
Tour: 07/16/24
Overall rating:
Weather and circumstances (Olympics...) are beyond one's control. I think the trip would have been truly outstanding if cooler weather had prevailed and the streets of Paris were open to all. For those who are considering this tour don't hesitate just consider the "circumstances" carefully.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"the seafood buffet we had in Levanto Italy...absolutely superb!"
Paul
Tour: 07/14/24
Overall rating:
We really had a great time on the family Europe tour. Our tour guides were terrific -- very friendly and knowledgeable. They really made sure there were plenty of options during the open days & afternoons, too.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Hiking in the Lauterbrunnen Valley, near Wengen, was fantastic. I would go back tomorrow if I could. We also really loved Levanto and how it wasn't so crowded and touristy there. I can picture retiring in Levanto."
Julie
Tour: 07/14/24
Overall rating:
The guides Andrea and Adrianna were excellent. The tour was well organized. We had a great time.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"When we visited the e Cinque Terre, we took a hike from Vernazza to Monterosso. At the top of the hike, we could look back at some absolutely beautiful views of Vernazza. We also hiked down from Kleine Scheidegg to our hotel in Wengen while we were in Switzerland. Having the background of the beautiful Alps with cows with their musical bells grazing along the way seemed surreal. "
Debrah
Tour: 07/14/24
Overall rating:
Our tour guides were fantastic! Andrea and Adriana were always there for us. Answering questions, making suggestions, arranging special activities, joining us for social times. And the tour itself was so interesting and exciting. So many cities and locations!
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Every stop had a wow moment! I guess if I have to choose one it would be Switzerland. Seeing the Swiss mountains for the first time as breathtaking! And I love those bells!"
Sergio
Tour: 07/09/24
Overall rating:
The tour guides were amazing. They spoke about history in all cities and countries we visited. They were there to assist and help us all along the way!
Favorite "WOW" moment
"The tour guides, the people on our trip, the places we stayed! Everything was perfect!!!"
Pete
Tour: 07/09/24
Overall rating:
The entire tour was fantastic. I would love for Rick Steves to offer another family tour of Europe.
Nancy
Tour: 07/09/24
Overall rating:
Loved the tour, we saw so much. Great ground and great guides.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Too many! The Louvre, cruise on the Seine, group meal in Paris, seeing the preparations for the Olympics, the view from our hotel in Switzerland , the kids enjoying the chateau in Burgundy and dressing up. The walk in the Alps. The Beefeater’s tour of the Tower. Seeing a play during our free time in London, the art lesson in Florence. "
Heidi
Tour: 07/07/24
Overall rating:
The tour experience was perfect! All group activities were engaging and fun, Karin did an excellent job facilitating a close-knit community with the tour members. The information our guides provided was a great balance to meet the interest level of adults and kids. They were great leaders and heroes for the families!
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Hiking in Switzerland with our guides and group--perfect weather, camaraderie. Ending the day with a fun musical experience that engaged the tour members. And the art experience in Florence--so cool!!!"
Ragen
Tour: 07/07/24
Overall rating:
Great guides, great driver, great group and tour members, great itinerary - so glad there was so many families with kids on the tour.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Too many to choose just one, I'll go with the group. So many wonderful people and so much fun to travel with and get to know."
Lisa
Tour: 07/02/24
Overall rating:
Lisa was an incredible tour guide. I felt safe, relaxed, and joyful with her as our guide. She really has a knack for being organized, calm, and hilarious! Tour guide, Claudia, bent over backward to help up navigate our vegan diet in languages we don't speak. The tour was a perfect blend of planned activities and free time. We were never bored and could rest when we wanted to. It was great traveling with a group, feeling a lot like an extended family, helping each other out.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"You know, it was actually seeing our tour guide, Lisa, being enthusiastically embraced by her international friends she made over the years. It made me feel like we are all a lot more alike than we are different and it was very heartwarming. Another one was taking an evening stroll in Levanto, Italy, and coming across a live concert in the park with locals of all ages ballroom dancing."
Sue
Tour: 07/02/24
Overall rating:
It was special from the start because we got to be part of the memories made by all the families and generations on the tour. Traveling with grandparents, parents and kids was the richest experience we have had on 11 tours, and Lisa had the amazing talent to make it outstanding for all of us!
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Singing Edelweiss as a group in Switzerland with the two gentleman who came to share music with us. It was after dinner, and we were in the beautiful front yard of our hotel. All the kids were sitting together… and I don’t think this Grandma has ever been happier!"
Jackson
Tour: 07/02/24
Overall rating:
Lyle
Tour: 07/02/24
Overall rating:
Great cross section of Europe with a perfect simplified history of each country that we went to.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Staying in the rural countryside by Burgundy after having been in the bustling and crowded cities of London and Paris."
Eileen
Tour: 06/30/24
Overall rating:
Great family itinerary, kid friendly activities, patient guides!
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Switzerland landscape"
Melissa
Tour: 06/30/24
Overall rating:
We had a great trip and Skyla was amazing!!
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Paris and Levanto"
Dean
Tour: 06/30/24
Overall rating:
It gave us a wonderful overview of some of Europe's highlights in a comfortable and well planned tour.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"We enjoyed every stop, as well as the views while moving, so it's hard to pick out just one "wow" moment. I did appreciate seeing the Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo and David."
Carie
Tour: 06/30/24
Overall rating:
We had high expectations and this tour exceeded them! We had so much fun and all the details were taken care of. Skyla, was an absolutely extraordinary guide and Yana was also wonderful! I was worried about the bus riding. But Richard and his bus were simply terrific. So clean and comfortable and the scenery and the entertaining company made the time go so quick. All the tours of the city and the museums were wonderful too. All together a terrific experience!!
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Probably dancing with my husband to an accordion in the lobby of an old hotel in Switzerland!"
Jonai
Tour: 06/30/24
Overall rating:
I loved the tour. I had very high expectations and this tour surpassed all of them. Our tour guide Skyla was very knowledgeable and helpful through our the whole tour. I was thankful for all the fun breaks and activities strategically placed through out the tour to entertain the children and the adults. I was also thankful for free time at each stop. Sometimes we truly just rested and other times we just checked out the area at our pace or shopped. It was nice to have time to do wanted.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"My favorite experience while on this vacation was actually during our free day in Levanto. I enjoyed two things that we did that day. During the day we took a boat tour of the Cinque Terre and the guide discussed how and when each town was created. They also gave us time to swim/snorkel in the water. They served charcuterie and drinks. This was so relaxing and beautiful. .That evening after a pizza dinner we went to the free beach and collected sea glass and watched the sunset on the sea. "
Erica
Tour: 06/30/24
Overall rating:
It’s hard to put in to words our time on the Family Tour of Europe. We booked it after a recommendation from a family friend who enjoyed the tour a decade ago and had nothing but rave reviews, and we couldn’t agree more! Being a family of introverts, taking a group tour was definitely out of our comfort zone, but beyond happy we did. Everything was perfectly organized, every moment together was so thoughtfully planned and really helped to make us feel at ease. Thank you Skyla, Jana and Richard!
Favorite "WOW" moment
"It’s so hard to pick just one “wow” moment, but walking amongst the mist in the Swiss Alps was simply magical. The cow bells, the friendly people, the pristine water flowing out of front yard troughs was unlike anything I’ve experienced before. It’s a place in this world I absolutely plan to return to! Our family also really enjoyed the group experience at the French Chateau, and who doesn’t love the Cinque Terre!"
Jordan
Tour: 06/30/24
Overall rating:
Nice mix of planned activities versus free time. Great advice on how best to use free time.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"The beautiful mountains in Switzerland and the gorgeous colors of the Cinque Terre"
Caraline
Tour: 06/30/24
Overall rating:
overall the tour exceeded my expectations and i thought it was a good amount of time in each pace to see the highlights of each city.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"i think seeing the Eiffel tower for the first time was amazing and the tour guide did a great job of explaining it and its history."
Christina
Tour: 06/30/24
Overall rating:
Perfect tour! It was just the vacation we were looking for - the perfect mix of guided tour and free time
Favorite "WOW" moment
"My favorite was probably the Cinque Terra. But I really loved it all!"
Kris
Tour: 06/30/24
Overall rating:
My family and I had a wonderful experience. I couldn’t imagine having better tour guides. Skylah and Jana were both outstanding. Our bus driver, Richard, was also amazing!
Favorite "WOW" moment
"The boat ride in the cinque terra was the “wow” moment for me."
James
Tour: 06/25/24
Overall rating:
It was amazing
Favorite "WOW" moment
"The Duomo in Italy. The alps in Switzerland"
Ash
Tour: 06/25/24
Overall rating:
Everywhere we went to had very fun food and places to go and our guides made everything as amazing as possible. I got the chance to meet every person in our tour group and everybody was nice and it made the trip even more awesome!
Favorite "WOW" moment
"My favorite part of the tour was Swizerland because the mountains were stunning. I wanted to move there because of how beautiful it was and I definitely want to go back."
Sharon
Tour: 06/23/24
Overall rating:
We loved every minute of it
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Switzerland "
George
Tour: 06/23/24
Overall rating:
organized, informative, great relationships
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Paris "
Roxann
Tour: 06/18/24
Overall rating:
The tour more than fulfilled all of my expectations! The itinerary was wonderful; it allowed us to see so many amazing sights within a relatively short period of time without ever feeling rushed. The guides were fabulous! I was travelling with an 18 year old granddaughter and I feared the Family Tour would have mostly very young children, but it had a wonderful mix of ages. The most special thing for me about the tour was how well the group coalesced; everyone got along amazingly wel!
Favorite "WOW" moment
"My favorite "wow" moment was at the country hotel in St. Fargeau. I had seen most of the other sights before so they didn't wow me on this trip. Everything at the Hôtel les Grand Chênes was wonderful--the room, the food, the beautiful surroundings, the fun medieval dinner, and especially how it gave the young people a chance to bond. It was a well-timed, peaceful break after London and Paris."
Glen
Tour: 06/16/24
Overall rating:
Skyla our tour guide was exceptional and one of the best tour leaders my wife & I have ever had. She was optimistic, knowledgeable, informative and provided just the right amount and type of information needed for the group to get the most out of our travels. She has a pleasant speaking voice, is understanding, considerate and had an upbeat manner which put tour members in a cheerful mood. Our fine Belgian bus driver, Erik spoke English, was friendly and became like a fellow tour member.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Hiking in spectacular Lauterbrunnen Valley surrounded by snowcapped mountains, green alpine meadows and towering waterfalls. At night viewing the illuminated Eiffel Tower adorned with Olympic rings. Visiting/experiencing Windsor Castle, Tower of London, London's Natural History Museum, Victoria & Albert Museum, Louvre Museum, Cinque Terre, Florence's Pitti Palace/Gardens, Adam's bus & walking tour of London, lively/older 2nd guide led tour of Florence, some joint dinners were excellent . "
Kylie
Tour: 06/16/24
Overall rating:
Our overall tour experience was amazing. We were able to see so many things at each place on the tour. The days were planned out perfectly with group time for sightseeing and experiences and the time on our own was great too. It was a good balance.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"The Swiss Alps were our favorite “wow” moment. The beauty of the area was breathtaking. Our guide suggested a 3 mile hike through the valley and it was our favorite part of the trip. We will be going back."
Heather
Tour: 06/16/24
Overall rating:
The tour was wonderful! Skyla and Luis were excellent tour guides. We wanted a tour where our 14 year old would meet other kids and bond and this tour delivered. It was a great sampling of what Europe has to offer.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"The medieval dinner at the chateau in Burgundy turned out to be so much fun. Our tour guide, Skyla, was the official hair braider. Seeing everyone dressed up was a hoot and the meal was fantastic. "
Harry
Tour: 06/16/24
Overall rating:
Transitions from hotels to restaurants, museums and activities were very smooth. Lots of free time and good suggestions of what to do and how to get there from our excellent and friendly guide Skyla.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"I loved the hiking and gondola rides in the Swiss Alps. My granddaughter would probably say the pasta making in Florence and the friendships she made with fellow travelers her age."
Ann
Tour: 06/16/24
Overall rating:
Wonderful group of fellow travelers.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"The beauty of Switzerland when the sun came and the sky was clear. "
Heather
Tour: 06/16/24
Overall rating:
Our guides, Skyla and Luis, were outstanding! They did an excellent job building rapport and keeping the group on schedule.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Specifically in St. Fargeau, Burgandy, France: it was amazing being the only tour group around in the French marketplace and in the mall. We felt so immersed in the French culture with the language, people, and foods surrounding us. It was very memorable! "
Malia
Tour: 06/11/24
Overall rating:
Our Guide (Jody) and Guide assistant (Richard) were a phenomenal pair! They really made this trip extra special in their experience, knowledge, guidance and advise and also orchestrating the group to come together very nicely.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Switzerland was never on my radar or bucket list. But after arriving there and being in such jaw dropping natural beauty I must go back for a longer vacation there in the future. The mountains were gorgeous! Also, while we were in Florence my 98 yo grandmother passed away. I heard the news during our art class. The art instructor whisked me and my daughter into her studio and created a flash art masterpiece dedicated to my grandma. She was so sincere and compassionate; it meant the world to us!"
Nancy
Tour: 06/11/24
Overall rating:
Mandi
Tour: 06/09/24
Overall rating:
The family tour was exceptional. Our guides were fantastic at their jobs and facilitating the group. The kids bonded with other kids in the group almost immediately.
John
Tour: 06/09/24
Overall rating:
Overall great experience. Tour group was friendly and nice, guides were great, bus was comfy, most destinations were exciting and fun. Very few problems or issues.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Top of the Eiffel tower was pretty amazing."
David
Tour: 06/09/24
Overall rating:
This particular tour is a taste test of a wide section of Europe. We were able to live as temporary locals in both fast paced high energy cities like Florence while also unwinding into the backdrop of the beautiful Swiss alps. This tour was exceptional for the tour members who ranged in age from 9 to 70. This was a great experience.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Sitting outside our hotel late a night sipping lemoncello while listening to our guide serenade us with Italian songs played masterfully on his guitar. The scene was so special that a crowd of local Italians stopped and joined in on the party. "
Richard
Tour: 06/04/24
Overall rating:
We loved this trip. We wanted to introduce our grandchildren to some places in Europe and this was a great selection of cities and experiences.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"I enjoyed the tour of Guedelon. It is fascinating that they are building this 13th century castle the way it was truly built at that time. Passionate guide and thought it was a very unique thing to experience."
Mollie
Tour: 06/04/24
Overall rating:
Natalie
Tour: 06/04/24
Overall rating:
It was really fun and I learned a lot of interesting facts.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"seeing the crown jewels was really amazing."
Alice
Tour: 06/04/24
Overall rating:
The kids had new experiences - making pasta from scratch, painting by scratching into the paint, and carving a brick. There were opportunities for kids of all ages to learn and the adults had fun too.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"The day at Guedelon was fascinating, but the "dress-up" afterward was such a FUN surprise."
Don
Tour: 06/04/24
Overall rating:
Our little band of travelers had a merry time on our journey across Europe. The experience was heightened by the variety of participants from across America who really bonded. The kids were fantastic and easily melded into a cohesive group. They enjoyed each other and the experiences e all enjoyed.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"There were many and it’s hard to choose a favorite. I loved Florence, and our grandson was wowed by the close up and personal exposure to classical art and the creative genius of so many Renaissance masters. "
Judie
Tour: 06/04/24
Overall rating:
The tour did not disappoint, starting with our guides Saso & Togay, the places we visited & experiences we shared. We also had a wonderful group of tour members starting with an 8 year old up to grandparents. Getting to share this experience with my grandchildren & seeing their excitement with each new experience was really special. I am so happy that Rick Steves offers a tour that is geared for families, the experience was thoroughly enjoyable from start to finish
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Their were many wow moments, but my favorite was seeing Guedelon Castle. My oldest granddaughter & I saw it 16 years ago in its early stages of construction so seeing how the construction has progressed was really interesting. What a great history lesson, getting so see first hand the tools & methods that were used for building in the 1200’s."
Mary
Tour: 06/02/24
Overall rating:
We enjoyed seeing wonderful Europe! We felt like we could get a good sample of the folks that live there and have lived there.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"I have wanted to see Switzerland since I was young. So hearing the Swiss cow bells, seeing the amazing mountains and enjoying tasty fondue- well, kinda gets me emotional. Thanks so much for our wonderful guides and all the great experiences! Mary Kay "
Daniel
Tour: 06/02/24
Overall rating:
Our guide, Skyla Sorenson, was wonderful. She was able to communicate with the adults as well as the children. She had or was willing to find answers to all of our quetions. She had great suggestions for things to do during our free time. The itineray, hotels, meals, transportation, and guides were wonderful (with some suggetions I will highlight later). In essence, I would say the trip was outstanding.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"My wife and I have already visied all of the sights through previous Rick Steves Tours. As always my WOW moment is turning the cormer in the Accademia Museum and seeing David. I actually had another motive for this tour. I was bringing my children and grandchildren for their first experience in Europe. I wanted to plant the seed for further interest and exploration. My real WOW moment on this trip was my famiy members talking about all they had seen and wanting "more"."
David
Tour: 06/02/24
Overall rating:
Efficiently saw London, Paris and Florence. Sampled Burgundy and Switzerland and the Italian Riviera. Traveled by bus "feeling" the geography.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Seeing the ancient navigation tools at the Galileo Museum in Florence. "
Sara
Tour: 06/02/24
Overall rating:
We had a wonderful time. We were a family of 10, with lots of needs. Skyla was a fabulous guide.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"For me, seeing all 10 of our family having a wonderful time despite the range of ages and interests."
Amanda
Tour: 06/02/24
Overall rating:
Amazing! So well organized, interesting, great itinerary and amazing tour leader. The tour took ALL the stress of planning away so my daughter and I were able to enjoy all our experiences. Plus we loved the mix of organized guiding and the free time at each location.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Levanto was WOW! Swimming in the Mediterranean with my daughter, then exploring the town on our own including renting bikes over to the the next tiny village."
Shawn
Tour: 06/02/24
Overall rating:
Extremely well organized and operated. Could not have been better.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"The overall scenery of the Lauterbrunnen valley"
Michael
Tour: 06/02/24
Overall rating:
We had a wonderful time. Great mix of tours and free time. Very informative and engaging guide!
Favorite "WOW" moment
"The beauty of Switzerland."
Phil
Tour: 05/28/24
Overall rating:
Guides were exemplary. Hotels were average to good, but acceptable for the trip. The food was good to very good (particularly in Paris, Burgundy and Levantine). Activities, history and culture differences were excellent for all including those in their early teens. The group meshed very well. Dreary cold weather broke as we entered Switzerland and the clear crisp vistas were “Wow” moments.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"See above. We also loved watching our grands become more confident, self sufficient, independent and more inquisitive as the trip progressed."
John
Tour: 05/28/24
Overall rating:
A trip to Europe and particularly France has always been my wife's dream. I reluctantly went along and by the end of the tour was wanting it to last longer. The food and sights were outstanding and the other people on our tour became like family. We both came back wanting to do another tour in the future.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"London and France were rainy and when we got to Switzerland it was a cloudy day. When we got up the next morning it was crystal clear and the view of the alps outside of our hotel window was stunning. We went hiking that day and the flowers and mountain peaks and the waterfalls in the valley were amazing. Just the perfect day. "
Timothy
Tour: 05/28/24
Overall rating:
It was a wonderful tour. Being able to see as much as we did both with the group and on our own was amazing.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Being able to use the French language I learned 40 years ago in high school with people in Paris and the French country side."
Jackie
Tour: 05/28/24
Overall rating:
This tour was a great way to introduce young potential travelers to Europe. It moved along smoothly thanks to our wonderful tour leader Tina and her assistant Katja. What makes a tour go from good to great in my opinion is the leader. And we had one of the best.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"My wow moments would have to be getting to experience this whole trip with my teen granddaughter. "
Lisa
Tour: 05/28/24
Overall rating:
This was my first trip overseas. The tour was an exceptional introduction to travel abroad and to each of the cities we visited. I would highly recommend the tour experience to any traveler, as it greatly enhanced our experience in each country to have a guide provide us with some of the history and highlights of each and their cultures.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"It's hard to pick just one! The first view of the Eiffel tower was one, the view from our balcony at Hotel Falcon was another, the sites in London that we've seen on TV a hundred times over was another, and watching the kids meld and make friendships at Hotel les Grand Chenes was a real highlight, too! I was also amazed at how quickly the bus rides passed, largely due to our guides' informative talks about what where we were headed. Lots of WOW moments strung together for nearly two weeks. "
Donna
Tour: 05/28/24
Overall rating:
It was good except the travel days were a bit long.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Seeing the young kids get to know each other."
Emma
Tour: 05/28/24
Overall rating:
The tour did a really nice job accommodating my food allergies, which was one of my big concerns before we left home. I liked the format of the tour and saw a lot of places I'd only heard about.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"The view in Wengen from our hotel (Falken)."
Thomas
Tour: 05/26/24
Overall rating:
This was our first Rick Steves tour and we’d definitely do one again. We chose the Europe Family tour for the itinerary, even though it was just my husband and I joining, and we’re in our 60’s. We really enjoyed the family dynamics of the rest of the group. With kids along, the activities were engaging for all ages and the younger kids (11-12 yrs old) had great / fun questions.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Switzerland was absolutely beautiful. The weather was rainy and cold but couldn’t dampen the breathtaking waterfalls and mountains."
Dennis
Tour: 05/26/24
Overall rating:
We celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary by taking 14 members of our family to Europe. We had visited most of the locations on the family tour before but wanted to enjoy it through our grandchildren s eyes. it did not disappoint.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"The definite wow moment was going to the top of the Eiffel Tower at 9:00 at night with the lights and sparkles. We also enjoyed our time in Burgandy with the wonderful hospitality, castles and markets."
Marie
Tour: 05/26/24
Overall rating:
Andrea
Tour: 05/26/24
Overall rating:
Both our tour guides were outstanding. The meals were all good, but our the one in Levanto was above and beyond and the service there was over the top. The service at the hotel was also top notch. The other hotel and meal that was amazing was the Chateau and meal in Burgundy. Everything was amazing there and the owners made us feel right at home. The cooking class and art class in Florence were also wonderful!
Favorite "WOW" moment
"The tour guides and how well they took care of our family and became one of us. Also the chateau in Burgundy, the views in Levanto and Switzerland, and the cooking class in Italy. Just riding through the alps out of Switzerland and into Italy. "
Lucile
Tour: 08/01/23
Overall rating:
The tour was Perfectly curated tour - excellent for families with young teen children!
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Switzerland and the Alps"
Cynthia
Tour: 08/01/23
Overall rating:
This tour was absolutely incredible. It was a perfect balance of guided sight seeing and individual time, with pre-arranged transportation, comfortable hotels, and fantastic meals that included wine and drinks for the kids. Our guide was a gem and made the trip truly special. The kids created special friendships, allowing the adults the freedom to enjoy another glass of wine or tea. The tour itself is everything you’d expect from Rick Steves - perfecto!
Favorite "WOW" moment
"There were so many “wow” moments that it’s difficult to pick just one. While visiting the Cinque Terre, we joined another family from our tour and followed a Rick Steves recommendation from his guidebook - we hired a captain and toured the region by boat. Stefano, our Captain, provided us with a wealth of history about the region, stopping at special places along the beach to tell us unique stories and allowing the kids to jump off the boat for a swim. It was magical!"
Julia
Tour: 07/30/23
Overall rating:
it was fun at the end of the tour we were all freinds i really loved it
Favorite "WOW" moment
"my wow moment was when we were in the catacombs, it was super fun"
S Anthony
Tour: 07/30/23
Overall rating:
Fantastic group and world class guides. Great activities for the whole family and delicious food. Highly recommend!
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Seeing the beauty of Switzerland first hand. "
Barbara
Tour: 07/30/23
Overall rating:
It was a great mix of guided and free choice. I learned many things that I did not even know I did not know!
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Hearing the "sound check" at Pisa."
Alice
Tour: 07/30/23
Overall rating:
Jody and Alfio were excellent tour guides, very knowledgeable and the entire tour was well planned out. John the bus driver was very professional and friendly. The views from our hotels were spectacular and the accommodations were unique and charming. Breakfasts at the hotels were plentiful. Dinner choices were excellent and allowed us to taste new things.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"The Eiffel tower lit up and sparkling was one. Another that surprised us was the Pisa tower, size and the tilt was more than expected. Bob really enjoyed the architecture of the old cities."
Chelsea
Tour: 07/30/23
Overall rating:
The group and tour guides were excellent, and I enjoyed the special access that Rick Steves Travel had for some places, especially St. Fargeau.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Loved the views in Switzerland! "
John
Tour: 07/30/23
Overall rating:
We were on the Family Europe tour and really enjoyed every stop in London, Paris, Burgandy, Switzerland, Cinque Terre and Florence.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"The drive leaving Burgandy to Switzerland was a true highlight. I enjoyed the scenic drives between the stops much more than I anticipated!"
Owen
Tour: 07/30/23
Overall rating:
I had a very good time. this was my first rick steves tour. Both of the tour guides were very nice and funny
Favorite "WOW" moment
"the limerick contest."
Nancy
Tour: 07/30/23
Brynn
Tour: 07/25/23
Amy
Tour: 07/25/23
Overall rating:
We saw amazing places, learned about the cultures, met some very lovely people. My daughters are still in contact with some of the friends she made on the trip
Favorite "WOW" moment
"The beauty of thr Swiss Alps was my natural “wow” moment. I also really loved all the extra hands-on experiences that we got from Rick Steves like the cooking class, the flash art, and dressing up in medieval costumes for dinner."
Victor
Tour: 07/23/23
Overall rating:
It was fantastic, I loved the tour guide knowledge. She was very insightful.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Hard to pinpoint a single moment. Florence was my favorite city, the Alps the best hike. "
Mateo
Tour: 07/23/23
Overall rating:
Our family (ranging in age from 12 to 82) loved the experience!
Favorite "WOW" moment
"There were so many. One would be the Guedelon Castle - what a great opportunity to see the building techniques of medieval times!"
Suzan
Tour: 07/18/23
Overall rating:
Well organized. Excellent historical, political and cultural/geographical information of each area during bus time. The folks on our tour combined to make it a great experience.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"The hike from Wengen to Murren to Lauterbrunnen, the tinkling bells of the cows and sheep outside our room, the Alpenhorn concert and the buffet meal at the Hotel Falken Wengen."
Richard
Tour: 07/18/23
Overall rating:
Really terrific tour.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Too many to list. Maybe the views at the Cinque Terre."
Danica
Tour: 07/18/23
Overall rating:
It was absolutely amazing! The tour guides were incredible and it was an amazing group overall.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"The first night we got to Levanto, the buffet and the views from the beach were outstanding. "
Tessa
Tour: 07/18/23
Overall rating:
Very well organized with informative guides. I have only two issues: (1) covers too much ground - perhaps a northern European and Southern European tour and (2) it is hard to arrange a good flight out of Florence.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Levanto"
Lisa
Tour: 07/18/23
Overall rating:
I cannot say enough good things about our family tour. Every detail was perfectly curated with just enough group activities and time for n our own. Our guides Skyla and Claire were so professional, calm and full of information and tips. We felt like one big family on vacation together!
Favorite "WOW" moment
"This is hard because there were so many wow moments. Probably the Cinque Terre was so beautiful and our drive from Switzerland was breath taking. We felt so welcomed at the hotel and in Italy. We adored Levanto."
Kelly
Tour: 07/16/23
Overall rating:
Great tour, our guides were wonderful. Very well organized.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Not sure I can pick one! As a family we tried to pick our favorite, but each city and experience was so different and wonderful. "
Kelly
Tour: 07/16/23
Overall rating:
Our family tour was a great introduction to international traveling with our 4 children. We had an amazing experience. We were able to see and do so much in the 13 day tour! We especially enjoyed how knowledgeable and personable our tour guide, Filippos was. The other families on our tour were great, traveling with a group made our trip so much more fun and memorable.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Our biggest wow moment was looking out of our hotel window in Lauterbrunnen and seeing the view for the first time; it was breathtaking! Switzerland was a family favorite!"
Piper
Tour: 07/11/23
Overall rating:
Our Guides Bea and Alfio were amazing! We later obtained Dave as an assistant guide and he was amazing as well! It takes a special sort to be willing to travel away from their families and you have guides that have an obvious passion for sharing their love of Europe. Not the fault of the guides, but I gave one less from "outstanding" because of my experience at the Louve Museum. My ticket for the Louve was for the wrong day and so I was not able to access any of the museum.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Hiking in the Alps and my family loved the double decker bus tour in London!"
Janet
Tour: 07/11/23
Overall rating:
Overall this was an excellent tour. A few suggestions: 1. Include hotel transfers even if a fee is required; 2. Add an extra day to each country; 3 reduce bus travel to 2 hours and replace with air travel; 4. Purchase speed line passes to museums as a great deal of time was lost waiting in museum lines; 5. Improve meal offerings; 6.Improve hotel offerings as many hotels had water leak issues, power issues and inadequate cooling. Overall it was an amazing experience.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"The Swiss Alps were truly amazing! "
Patrick
Tour: 07/09/23
Overall rating:
Veronica
Tour: 07/09/23
Overall rating:
Fantastic family tour of Europe! The guide, hotels, bus, and itinerary were all amazing!
Favorite "WOW" moment
"When a few of the guys in our group started playing soccer with my nephew in Burgundy to make him feel like "part of the group""
Greg
Tour: 07/09/23
Overall rating:
It was amazing to experience a little of London, Paris, Saint Fargeau, Lauterbrunnen, and Florence in just a few days.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"In the Louvre I saw paintings I had only seen in textbooks."
Jeffrey
Tour: 07/02/23
Overall rating:
The tour was well organized with knowledgeable, friendly and helpful guides. We enjoyed the mix of planned group activities and free time to explore on our own.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Coming up from the Tube station and being wowed by Big Ben, Westminster and Parliament was definitely incredible. The other wow moment was pulling up in Lauterbrunnen, that was stunning. "
Anne
Tour: 07/02/23
Overall rating:
The pacing and information for this family tour was perfect. Our guide was wonderful and took great care to keep us safe during summer crowds as well as provide lots of informative and fun information. We were blessed to travel with 7 families all together that got along very and looked out for each other. We had the only boy in the group, but he is very inquisitive and interested and our guide did a great job of making him feel special. We also were blessed with good weather.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Hard to think of one wow moment since each city and experience is so different, but I think I'll join others in saying Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland. It is a long drive but so worth it and the kids loved it. The Cinque Terre was a close second. I'll cheat on this though - we loved every place and experience! "
Teri
Tour: 06/27/23
Overall rating:
Each day exceeded my expectations! The tour host's history briefs alongside the daily excursions brought new dimension to the whole experience. Our family participated in far more opportunities than we ever could have planned for on our own.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Just one?! Guédelon, being driven around the Arc de Triumph in Paris, the spectacular landscapes of the Alps!"
Matthew
Tour: 06/27/23
Overall rating:
Family tour, great guides, good balance of adult and kid activities, learned a lot.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"I loved the Chateau in France, as did the kids."
Rigel
Tour: 06/25/23
Overall rating:
I had high hopes for this tour...and it EXCEEDED them! Fantastic blend of places (cities, countryside, mountains, beach), wonderful activities that my kids and I could enjoy, great food, and outstanding guides. Good mix of structured and free time. I still can't believe everything we saw, did, and experienced.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Boat trip on the Seine when the sun was setting and the Eiffel Tower lit up! It was absolutely stunning... Closely followed by the glacier-fed mountain waterfalls in Switzerland... And the amazing views of the coastline in Cinque Terre... And the David statute in Florence..."
Gordon
Tour: 06/25/23
Overall rating:
Generally good. Nothing to do with Rick Steve's tours, but Europe is extremely crowded this year, so we felt overwhelmed by the crowds and wall to wall people.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"The view from our room in Switzerland."
Pingyang
Tour: 06/25/23
Overall rating:
Great tour guides and perfect balance of activities and rest days, just that if the breakfast can offer a little bit variety would have been perfect!
Favorite "WOW" moment
"The stone work class, the art class for the kids and the perfect hotel locations as well as the feast at Levanto"
Patricia
Tour: 06/25/23
Overall rating:
The tour was a wonderful experience for the whole family! Mixing busy city experiences with more relaxed country, mountain, and seaside experiences worked well with the grandchildren!
Favorite "WOW" moment
"After touring and enjoying seeing the Eiffel Tower light up in the early evening, my granddaughters wanted to go back later at night to see it twinkling! Their parents made it happen!"
Julie
Tour: 06/25/23
Overall rating:
Loved the tour guides and most of the locations and food
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Almost every stop! It was amazing!"
Paige
Tour: 06/20/23
Overall rating:
This was a once in a lifetime trip for us and I can't imagine it going better. The tour allowed for a lot of free time to do what we wanted and our guide, Ragen, gave us the appropriate direction to appropriately move our family through Europe. Our tour group was phenomenal and our guide encouraged a great culture within the group for travel. He was organized yet fun and treated all members of the group fairly and equally, which is no easy feat!
Favorite "WOW" moment
"I honestly think the coolest part was the combination of all of our experiences. You can't move through Europe in the way that we did and experience all that we did in the time that we had. I am a country person so London and Paris were a lot of stimulation. I was very grateful to spend time in Saint Fargeau in a beautiful airbnb with a pool. I know the non-AC rooms were hot, but the hosts were gracious and baked everything fresh. The property was a breath of fresh air after the city tours. "
Sharon
Tour: 06/20/23
Overall rating:
Shannon
Tour: 06/20/23
Overall rating:
I don't know if there are enough superlatives to describe our experience! From beginning to end, it far exceeded our expectations. From the destinations and hotels to the group activities and tours, it was an amazing experience. Ragen and Adriana are a big part of our enjoyment of the tour. They were both entertaining, inclusive, organized and are simply just incredibly kind people. Our tour group got along so well, which made it very hard to say goodbye on our last night in Florence!
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Since this was my first time in Europe, the whole tour was a "wow" moment! But if I had to pick one, it was seeing the Eiffel Tower light up while on our evening cruise along the Seine River. Truly magical!"
Sarina
Tour: 06/18/23
Overall rating:
It was a wonderful way to introduce my daughter to travel and Europe. We got to see more of Europe then I could have managed traveling as an individual. Our guide Skyla was wonderful! she was positive and knowledgeable, she created an environment that was upbeat and inclusive. The trip made it possible to travel with both my mother and daughter in a way that was exciting and well planned.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Probably the moment we hit the Swiss Alps. The mountains have an unreal quality to them, and hiking with the cows through small mountain top villages was honestly something I had never pictured myself doing."
Eric
Tour: 06/18/23
Overall rating:
We had a wonderful time. Skyla is very good at what she does and was always upbeat and professional. Ellen was was awesome too. We enjoyed the group activities and the other travelers were very nice and interesting people.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"So many wow moments, we can’t pick one."
Alvin
Tour: 06/18/23
Overall rating:
Barbara
Tour: 06/18/23
Overall rating:
Skyla and Ellen were great. I felt taken care of and prepared to travel.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Overall wonderful "
Debra
Tour: 06/18/23
Overall rating:
Perfect blend of hitting the tourist highlights, unique and authentic experiences, personal time to explore on our own, comfortable places to stay, amazing food.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"SO MANY!! Perhaps Guedelon combined with stay at the Burgundy manor"
Mathew
Tour: 06/18/23
Overall rating:
:)
Francis
Tour: 06/18/23
Overall rating:
Fun
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Seeing all the sights"
Angela
Tour: 06/13/23
Overall rating:
It may sound cliché, but we really did experience the trip of a lifetime with our family. Our guides, Jody, Danae, and driver Jost, were expert, friendly, and accommodating. The children on the tour seemed to bond immediately and were delighted to have each other as an alternative to our company. The pace was about right, though strenuous as advertised. There were surprises along the way, and those always introduced us to unforgettable local personalities. I can’t stop raving about the trip.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"For me, there were three unforgettable wow moments. First, I had no idea how captivating Switzerland would be! The Lauterbrunnen Valley is magic. Every morsel of food in Italy was a revelation. Finally, the extreme privilege of traveling and spending time with far-flung family members. A high point of the trip for me was a steamy afternoon spent doing laundry and eating gelato with my parents and brother in the Cinque Terre. As I get older, I place such a premium on the time spent with them."
Joyce
Tour: 06/13/23
Overall rating:
I am an experienced independent European traveler with Rick Steve's guidebooks. This is my first tour. I was completely impressed with the guides, Jody and Danae. They were knowledgeable, kind, organized and went above and beyond. I love how Rick Steves took care of all the little things, yet left us enough free time to explore on our own.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Every day had a "wow" moment. There were the big "wow" moments such as the castle at Guedelon, hiking the alps at Wengen, and swimming in the Mediterranean at Cinque Terre. There were also the little "wow" moments that the guides provided us, such as macarons in Paris, a brown bag lunch because it was a Sunday and the restaurants were closed, and most importantly, my impromptu birthday cake! Jody and Danae are fantastic guides!"
Ryan
Tour: 06/13/23
Overall rating:
Joe
Tour: 06/13/23
Overall rating:
Fantastic opportunity for me and my family. You made traveling in Europe super accessible for a first time European traveler.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"The overall friendship and comradery that developed between both the adults and children. It was great to share the experience with a diverse group."
Polina
Tour: 06/13/23
Overall rating:
Amazing! The kids and adults in the group clicked from day one - seems that Rick Steves invites a certain type of travelers that are fun, open to new people and new experiences.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"The thunderstorm in burgundy, where we were all in medieval costume and everyone immediately pitched in to put up the picnic tent walls while the kids played in the rain. Also, when my 10-year-old returned from Monterosso and the hotel lady in Levanto asked her about her day, my daughter said "wow, she treats us like old friends!""
Jon
Tour: 06/13/23
Overall rating:
Megan
Tour: 06/11/23
Overall rating:
Great itinerary and mix of scheduling, balancing busy cities with quieter, but still scenic, areas. AMAZING tour guides Bea and Stefan were incredible at keeping the group moving, answering questions, and bringing the group together in a very cohesive way. Great balance of planned activities with free time.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Stepping off the cable car in Männlichen and being surrounded by the Alps was unbelievably beautiful. It's almost a waste of time to take pictures because the pure beauty is so hard to capture on camera. Our guide helped us plan our time and we felt like that really allowed us take full advantage of the area. "
Lily
Tour: 06/11/23
Overall rating:
The tour was awesome! We did so many fun things and the dinners were always delicious! The tour guides were amazing and we met so many nice people.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"My "wow" moment was seeing the Swiss alps and hiking in them. We saw so many friendly cows. "
Suzanne
Tour: 06/11/23
Overall rating:
My 8th RS Tour! Brought the family-8 adults and 2 grandkids. Best tour ever to watch family experience Europe for the first time. The itinerary was fabulous-some of my favorite places!
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Eleven year old grandson coming out of the tube in London and saying, “Oh wow!” when he saw Big Ben. "
Kayla
Tour: 06/06/23
Overall rating:
Jennifer
Tour: 06/06/23
Overall rating:
Andrew
Tour: 06/06/23
Overall rating:
Wynette
Tour: 06/06/23
Overall rating:
There were 12 of us from our family who took this trip. We ranged in age from 12-77. It was a total delight and we are still marveling at the experiences we had. This will have been the trip of a lifetime for our family! Thank you!
Favorite "WOW" moment
"On the boat tour of the Seine we were right by the Eiffel Tower when its lights came on! Everyone cheered on the boat. Also the men who provided music and fun at the Falken hotel in the Alps! A great evening of entertainment! So many WOW moments!"
Stacey
Tour: 06/06/23
Overall rating:
This trip is as an experience of a lifetime!
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Seeing Switzerland and Wengen was the most awe inspiring moment for me. "
Ashley
Tour: 06/04/23
Overall rating:
Our guides were wonderful and the experience was fantastic. My 10 year old son told me this trip has changed his life.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Hiking in the Alps. It was so beautiful, it didn't seem real!"
Nelson
Tour: 06/04/23
Overall rating:
Tejas
Tour: 06/04/23
Overall rating:
We had a great time. The tour guide was amazing. All the planned events, sites, dinners were really lovely.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"I loved the group dinners and events."
Jimmy
Tour: 05/30/23
Overall rating:
We had a super time and our tour guides Tina and Richard were superb. Tina's knowledge was very interesting and really enhanced the entire experience. She truly enjoys her fellow travelers and does everything possible to make the trip more fun. you are very lucky to have such a wonderful kindhearted guide we LOVE so much. Not to forget Richard. What A great guy! Also our fellow travelers couldn't have nicer. The kids were well behaved and really enhanced our fun. Thanks for putting it together
Favorite "WOW" moment
"I know the kids enjoyed the countryside visit to the burgundy region. The dress up dinner with the karaoke was really funny, everyone had to sing one song at least. We laughed so hard!! Wow moments was the FANTASTIC Art. Peter in Chains Basilica was especially great. Pope Julius II, the warrior pope, tomb with Michelangelo's Moses.WOW.! Be sure to carry some euro change and for a dollar they will crank up the huge pipe organ with Bach or some other great number. ITs all free admission!!! LOVE"
Natalie
Tour: 05/30/23
Overall rating:
Europe Family Tour was a once in a lifetime trip, exceeded my expectations in every way. Due largely to our tour guide- Tina Hiti , the star.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"So many incredible moments, hard to choose one- walking tour through Paris and group dinner in Paris was fantastic. "
Jennifer
Tour: 05/28/23
Overall rating:
The tour was the perfect blend of organized activities and free time. The activities were geared toward families which was perfect for us. Everything was very well organized and communicated. The accommodations were great and very well located. We would definitely do another family tour.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"All of the kids playing soccer in medieval dress, the scenery in Switzerland, the bus ride down the hill into Cinque Terre but most of all that my kids had friends to share their experiences with "
Jacob
Tour: 05/28/23
Overall rating:
Very well out together, a well thought-out blend of free time and guided tour time, they handles all transport and accommodations superbly and the general layout of the tour was very pleasant
Favorite "WOW" moment
"I wish we could have spent more time in the Lauterbrunnen Valley in Switzerland. That was an incredible choice of places to be, and a refreshing break from all the densely populated cities. A figurative and literal breathe of fresh air. "
Bridget
Tour: 05/28/23
Overall rating:
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Hiking in Switzerland "
When To Go & Weather
Since family vacation time is generally during the summer months, we offer our Family Europe tours in June, July, and early August. June offers milder weather and fewer crowds. In July and August, temperatures can reach the 80s and 90s, but this is also the time that many Europeans go on vacation, leaving the major cities less crowded.
England / London
France / Paris
Switzerland / Bern
Italy / Florence
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 in 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 London (LHR or LGW) and out of Florence (FLR) — 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 strongly 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.