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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, 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!
Dates & Prices
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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 Family Europe tour:
- London panoramic bus tour
- Thames River cruise
- Tower of London
- London–Paris Chunnel train
- Seine River cruise
- Paris walking tour
- Louvre Museum
- 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 half your dinners
- 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
- 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 climb aboard a vintage double-decker bus for a panoramic tour into the heart of the city. This evening, we'll have fun getting to know one another over dinner together.
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: learning to use the Métro (subway), dinner together on the Left Bank, and an open-air evening cruise along the Seine River — 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. Boat: 1 hour. Bus: 1 hour. Sleep in Paris.
Day 4: The Historic Heart of Paris
Today 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 Orsay, Orangerie, Rodin, or Pompidou), 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 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. No bus. Sleep in Paris.
Day 5: Masterpieces and Rural France
Our morning begins with a visit to the magnificent Louvre Museum. With your smartphone in hand and the Rick Steves Audio Europe™ app, Rick's voice will guide you through the Louvre's timeless treasures, including Mona Lisa, Winged Victory, Venus de Milo, and other great works of art. After free time for lunch on your own in the Louvre's family-friendly food court, we'll meet our driver and bus for the rest of the tour. Then we'll leave city life behind as we head 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 fondue-tasting and a hearty 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 greatest 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 on this tour.
Reviews
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!"
Nancy
Tour: 07/30/23
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."
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"
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!"
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! "
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."
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."
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. "
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!"
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."
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"
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. "
Richard
Tour: 07/18/23
Overall rating:
Really terrific tour.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Too many to list. Maybe the views at the Cinque Terre."
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."
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! "
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."
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""
Patrick
Tour: 07/09/23
Overall rating:
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..."
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!"
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"
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."
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. "
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!"
Sharon
Tour: 06/20/23
Overall rating:
Francis
Tour: 06/18/23
Overall rating:
Fun
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Seeing all the sights"
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"
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 "
Mathew
Tour: 06/18/23
Overall rating:
:)
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."
Jon
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."
Ryan
Tour: 06/13/23
Overall rating:
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!"
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!""
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."
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. "
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. "
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!"
Kayla
Tour: 06/06/23
Overall rating:
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. "
Jennifer
Tour: 06/06/23
Overall rating:
Andrew
Tour: 06/06/23
Overall rating:
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."
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. "
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"
Bridget
Tour: 05/28/23
Overall rating:
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Hiking in Switzerland "
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. "
Michelle
Tour: 08/02/22
Overall rating:
Day one, our guide let us know that he was "done". This set the tone for the rest of the tour. Having a child on the ASD spectrum who can be struggle with volume control or withholding enthusiasm for things, we thought this tour would be a good fit. We spent the entire time trying to contain our child from irritating others. The group of kids were patient and our son had the time of his life. We were stressed the entire time.
Jim
Tour: 08/02/22
Overall rating:
It was our first trip to Europe and it did not disappoint. I really enjoyed the family experience and I know my daughters especially enjoyed meeting new friends.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Walking as a group to the Eiffel Tower and seeing it for the first time in the evening. My wife had told the tours guides that it was my birthday and they broke out the champagne and everyone sang Happy Birthday with the Eiffel Tower in the background. It was a very special moment. "
Sharon
Tour: 08/02/22
Overall rating:
Most places visited were outstanding & itinerary good when followed. Local guides were usually excellent. It was challenging, good experience to use th tubes in London and Metro in Paris. Our free time was useful. Main guide, Martin was good & bad, acted in goofy excentric manner at times. He gave our group wrong starting breakfast time on 3-4 days. In Pisa the tour bus left for 2 hours for what he said was a quick bathroom break. He was informative,witty; then sarcastic,cynical,jaded.
Favorite "WOW" moment
" Visiting Tower of London, cruising Seine at night with sparkling Eiffel Tower, Sound of Music sensations while hiking in the Swiss Alps. Enjoying fabulous Louvre art collections, being captivated by the colorful enchanting setting in the Cinque Terre, in Monterosso eating tasty gelato by moonlight over the Ligurian Sea. First sight of Pisa's Leaning Tower, Cathedral & Baptistry. Pitti Palace and Gardens on our own. Florence Walking tour provided by enthusiastic, articulate local guide. "
Shelley
Tour: 07/31/22
Overall rating:
The hotels and sights were wonderful. I liked the small hotels with staff who welcomed the tour - clearly the company has great relationships. Palazzo del Borgo was my favorite. The balance of programmed time versus free time was good. Sometimes there was too much repetitive instruction from the guide about subways, museum entrances, currency, schedules etc. I understand it needs to be clear to all but so much repetition became frustrating and time-wasting.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Everything about the Swiss Alps. "
Virginia
Tour: 07/31/22
Overall rating:
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Standing in the ocean at Cinque Terra"
Lisa
Tour: 07/31/22
Overall rating:
We booked our trip fully familiar with the expectations of Rick Steve's tours in terms of luggage, accommodations, activity level, group interactions, etc. We were able to see far more on our tour, and accomplish far more in terms of experiences, than I'd have been able to compile on my own. The kids and I were all amazed.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Our favorite activity was seeing the castle-build at Guedelon, and favorite sight-seeing was probably David, at the Accademia. "
Barb
Tour: 07/26/22
Overall rating:
The Family Tour was perfect for us. The meals and accommodations were great. Our tour leaders were awesome and really helped make our trip so memorable. The amount of free time was good and added flexibility to the schedule.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"The “wow” moment was staying in Wengen Switzerland. The gondola ride up the mountain and hike we’re amazing. Our hotel was lovely and our meal together was fantastic. "
Wyatt
Tour: 07/26/22
Overall rating:
We had an awesome vacation. The places we visited were wonderful, the food was excellent and the people (guides, guests and locals) were all quite charming.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"That’s a tough one because this trip was one big wow after another. I must say that Wengen, Switzerland was the biggest surprise. The beauty of the Alps was an unexpected surprise. "
Jackijean
Tour: 07/24/22
Overall rating:
I thought it was well paced so we could see lots of countries and places. I thought Bea and Andrea were really good leaders.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"I loved the pool in St Fargeau! And the beach at Cinque Terre."
Jeannie
Tour: 07/24/22
Overall rating:
Everything went so smoothly. Fantastic guides and individualized experiences.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Comparing macarons from a French bakery to McDonalds. My daughter makes macarons, so this was such a treat for her. "
Christine
Tour: 07/19/22
Overall rating:
Wonderful tour. Great guides. Hotels were in very good locations. Food was excellent. Only unhappiness with meals was the advertised fondue dinner in Switzerland that we were greatly looking forward to. It was actually only an appetizer With everyone getting one dip in the cheese. Just enough “kids” activities to keep teens engaged. We thought there was a good mix of tour time & on your own time. Would definitely do again & recommend to others.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Lauterbrunnen valley was magnificent. Loved our time there"
Christie
Tour: 07/19/22
Overall rating:
Christy
Tour: 07/19/22
Overall rating:
Having my two granddaughters with me was magic. Being able to celebrate my 80th birthday in Paris with champagne and a sparkling Eiffel Tower, well, talk about magic! Being able to take a Rick Steves Tour at this stage of life is such a gift. The group we traveled with was certainly a Rick Steves group. They were friendly, attentive, adventurous and caring. This is my 6th Rick Steves Tour. Four were with grandchildren starting 12 years ago so I have a frame of reference.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"My birthday in Paris not planned asI was initially on waiting lists. Serendipity?"
Laurie
Tour: 07/17/22
Overall rating:
Taking our adult daughter and our 11-year old granddaughter on this family trip was totally wonderful! It was fast-paced as we had a lot of ground to cover from London all the way down to Florence. In true Rick Steve’s’ fashion, we had so many authentic experiences from medieval stone-carving, to painting and cooking with master artists. We loved our guides, Tina and Danae, and they kept us on track and informed and delighted.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"As dusk fell and we were walking back from a fabulous dinner in Monterosso in the Cinque Terre, a musician on the walkway above the Mediterranean was playing lovely music on his keyboard. The music, the warm sea air, the village lights reflecting on the water, and the good company made for a magical, nearly indescribable moment in time. "
Connie
Tour: 07/17/22
Overall rating:
I thought the cooking class we had in Florence for our last meal was the BEST way to end the tour and I think that’s how all tours should end! I’m having a hard time talking about the “overall” experience because the weather was record breaking hot in London and Paris to the point it was intolerable. The rest of the trip it was just miserably hot! Except for London hotel all others didn’t seem to be RS level. Disappointing! This was our 9th tour. Tina and Danai was wonderful!
Jodi
Tour: 07/17/22
Overall rating:
We participated in the family tour from London to Florence. It was an arduous trip during Europe’s unanticipated July heat wave, thus we spent a great deal of time inside. The guides were remarkably knowledgeable and quite good with the children.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"The tour had several hands on activities for the families. These were the highlights of the tour."
Joanna
Tour: 07/10/22
Overall rating:
My family and I had a great time. The tour was a good balance of seeing sites and museums and fun things that my kids really enjoyed. They also enjoyed that there were so many other kids around their age on the tour that they were able to spend time with.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Hiking in the Swiss Alps was amazing! The views were incredible and our guide did a great job of taking us on easy trails. We also enjoyed taking the cog train and stopping at different villages on the way back to our hote."
Judith
Tour: 07/03/22
Overall rating:
We had a very good group on this tour plus two capable, informative, amusing and helpful guides.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"The color and variety of meadow wildflowers in the Lauterbrunnen Valley."
Matthew
Tour: 06/28/22
Overall rating:
Ben and Karin were awesome guides. Our family of four, Mom, Dad, two kids 15 & 18 went to Euope together for the first time. Mom and Dad had been to Europe a few times together and separately before the kids were born. The tour experience exceeded our expectations.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"There were so many. I think the cooking class and family style meal with our tour group on the last night was fun and helped us celebrate our time together. "
Amanda
Tour: 06/28/22
Overall rating:
Our overall tour experience was fantastic. Very well organized, wonderful guides and bus driver, exciting itinerary, and a joy to share these European adventures with our 2 children and other members of our tour group.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"There were so many but our Italian cooking class and group meal on the last night was an experience we will always remember."
Lana
Tour: 06/28/22
Overall rating:
I am 12 years old and was one of the kids on the tour, I loved the activities, they were so much fun, but didn't love the city walking tours, except to talk to the other kids. The museums were very cool but it was hard to understand all of the information about them.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"I loved the cows in Switzerland! Wow! And swimming in the crystal-clear water in Monterosso, and how we got to go to so many famous monuments like Big Ben, the Thames River boat trip, the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Leaning Tower of Pisa, awesome! Really loved the art class and cooking class. Loved the Chateau in Burgundy and time with my new friends to play and run around. "
Patricia
Tour: 06/28/22
Overall rating:
I appreciate the fact Karin (and Ben for part of the trip) went out of their way to create opportunities that involved the kids on the tour as well as the adults. They made each stop, as well as the. Us rides, memorable.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"The free day in Switzerland was cloudy, so the mountains were barely visible to us on our hike. The next morning we awoke to gorgeous clear skies and breathtaking mountain vistas that had been there all along but were just now visible. "
Allan
Tour: 06/28/22
Overall rating:
I had a wonderful time on the family tour. The itinerary allowed us to see many iconic European destinations and my children had an experience of a lifetime!
Favorite "WOW" moment
"My favorite moment of the entire tour was visiting Trommelbach Falls in Switzerland. The walk through the valley was incredible and the falls were truly awe inspiring. "
Claire
Tour: 06/28/22
Overall rating:
Lynn
Tour: 06/26/22
Overall rating:
All went very smoothly. Weather was beautiful. Fellow travelers were delightful. Guides were great. Sites were terrific.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Switzerland. Amazing scenery. Lots to do. Very pleasant and relaxing. "
Suzanne
Tour: 06/21/22
Overall rating:
Our tour was everything I’d hoped for and more. The itinerary was great. Our guides were cheerful and helpful, and great at giving us the knowledge and confidence to venture out on our own. We enjoyed our travels without worrying about logistics. The tour was excellently balanced between time on our own to explore what we wanted to see at our own pace, and time with the group - getting to know our fellow tour members and share our impressions and experiences of what we were seeing and doing.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"The scenery in Lauterbrunnen and Wengen, Switzerland. Even in the clouds and rain, it was breathtaking. "
Joseph
Tour: 06/21/22
Overall rating:
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Switzerland's Oberland region, Seeing the Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau peaks. "
Michele
Tour: 06/21/22
This is our second Rick Steves' tour. We had such a good experience on the first one, we decided to do it again and bring the kids. This was also a great experience. We saw a lot, it was well organized, and everyone had fun.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Seeing the Eiffel Tower from the Reine river boat cruise, hiking through the Swiss Alps, the sunset in Florence was breathtaking."
Ava
Tour: 06/21/22
Overall rating:
The tour was a great "sampler" and included activities for all ages. The tour guide was knowledgeable and helpful in answering questions.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Seeing the Swiss Alps was incredible. The hotel was located in a perfect spot to see the mountains everyday."
Katherin
Tour: 06/19/22
Overall rating:
My family normally travels independently so this was a different experience for us but it ended up working out. We really enjoyed getting to know the other people in our group and experiencing things with them.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"There were several moments that stand out but I loved hiking in the Swiss mountains. My oldest daughter's favorite moment was Medieval night in France and my other daughter loved swimming in Cinque Terre."
Jerome
Tour: 06/19/22
Overall rating:
Took the family Europe Tour with our teenage granddaughter. Had a great time even with other kids around. Ragen was our Guide and kept everyone organized, safe, and in good spirits - kids and parents. The Tour exceeded our expectations in every way.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"The spectacular sights in Switzerland were most impressive and made us want to return. "
Michael
Tour: 06/19/22
Overall rating:
We had the bonus of two wonderful and attentive guides instead of one on our Family Tour. Despite Covid, the trip was well organized, and our family received an excellent sampling of contrasts between large cities and small towns. Very educational for the kids as well.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"I'd say our family was most impressed with the time we had in Switzerland. It is one thing to watch videos of the mountains, but from a Wisconsinite's perspective, BEING in the mountains and sleeping in a mountain town were highlights that can't be experienced in any other manner. The late evening alp horn concert capped off a beautiful evening."
Anne
Tour: 06/19/22
Overall rating:
The tour was a wonderful introduction to Europe for our kids. Our guides Ragen and Jesus are a great team and we appreciate how helpful they were in making sure our COVID-anxious son felt comfortable in group settings. I was hesitant about the 2 longer bus days but they turned out very manageable with plenty of diversions. We especially enjoyed the hotels in St. Fargeau and Wengen due to their kid-friendly outdoor spaces. We are already planning our next Rick Steves Tour!
Favorite "WOW" moment
"I can only narrow it down to two favorite "wow" moments. The hike between Monterosso and Vernazza in the Cinque Terre (an on-your-own hike). And waking to the sound of the birds and an amazing view from our room in the Alps."
Amy
Tour: 06/19/22
Overall rating:
My husband and I took our two teenage sons on the trip. Each one of us had an amazing experience. I enjoyed the opportunity to experience these beautiful places for myself but also watching my son’s experience them as well.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"All of Switzerland is “wow!” Everywhere you look there is beauty. The hike in Switzerland was quite an amazing experience for us all. "
Lynda
Tour: 06/14/22
Overall rating:
Guides, bus driver, local guides outstanding. Hotels were interesting and comfortable. Downtime was appreciated for a tour with families.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Surprise parade of neighborhood rivalries in Florence."
Anna
Tour: 06/14/22
Overall rating:
We really enjoyed being with other families with children the same ages as ours. Our guides Ben and Andrea were excellent. They worked hard to ensure we had a fantastic vacation despite challenges with the heat, Covid, some tour tickets (and probably other things that I was never even aware of).
Favorite "WOW" moment
"The Lauterbrunnen Valley was breathtaking. I enjoyed all the unique hotels, especially our hotel in Florence. Our meal in Cinque Terre was fantastic as well. "
Dania
Tour: 06/14/22
Overall rating:
Fantastic tour with a terrific guide and friendly families. The tour is well paced considering the variety of experiences you have across four countries in just 13 days. If another family tour itinerary returns some day, I hope to sign up!
Favorite "WOW" moment
"The unexpected parade in Florence was a treat. I really enjoyed watching the kids dance in the gorgeous Alps while the alphorn played. "
Chad
Tour: 06/14/22
Overall rating:
Mind blowing, I'm so ignorant.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Seeing swiss alps"
Amanda
Tour: 06/14/22
Overall rating:
Really great! The RS tour guides were knowledgeable, kind, helpful and funny. The guides that we partnered w/ (Beefeaters at the Tower, medieval castle, and in Firenze) were informative and skilled at keeping the pace and information entertaining for all ages. The Louvre was a little too much time and to little guidance for younger kids. Required walking was easily done, and we all enjoyed the freedom to wall and explore more on "free" days.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"The Swiss Alps. They were the favorite of my whole family. I've never seen something so beautiful and awe-inspiring in person. "
Mary
Tour: 06/05/22
Overall rating:
Despite COVID & masks, it was a delight to meet new temporary friends and experience group travel with other families. Our guides, Ragen & Bea, made it all look easy, and I know it wasn't. Skipping our way across Europe in 2 weeks is not for the feint of heart, and my grandson & I had an amazing time doing just that with our group. Watching him see Europe for the first time was awesome.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Seeing the kids really come together as friends at St Fargeau stands out, after London & Paris. From then on they traveled as a friendly "pack". The other "wow" moments were watching my grandson experience Europe for the first time, which were numerous and priceless."
Germain
Tour: 06/05/22
Overall rating:
We had such a great time! Saw 4 countries in 2 weeks, and we didn’t have to worry about logistics
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Switzerland Alps!! Just as beautiful as the photos we had seen. Amazing!"
Molly
Tour: 06/05/22
Overall rating:
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.