Hi from Rick: Which Best of Europe?
Anytime someone asks, "Which tour of yours is best?" I say that the answer is right there in the name: "The Best of Europe!" Where else can you go from la dolce vita to ooh la la…from David to the Mona Lisa…from romantic Venetian gondola boats to sleek Swiss gondola lifts…and from gelato to fondue to fine Burgundian wine?
But the answer is not quite that easy…because we offer three different Best of Europe tours.
The granddaddy of them all is the Best of Europe in 21 Days tour. This is our longest-running itinerary, which I've lovingly refined and updated since I first drove it in a minibus back in 1978, when our company was born. It's a six-country, three-week romp from Amsterdam to Paris (the long way around), bringing you a dream-come-true mix of must-see cities, countryside charms, and inviting cultures. Just a bunch of predictable European icons? Well…yes! It's the ideal, quick-hitting, "Welcome to Europe" journey.
But of course, we Americans have the shortest vacations in the rich world — and not all of us can swing three weeks off. That's why we also offer the Best of Europe in 14 Days tour, which triages the 21-day tour, covering the top two-thirds of the stops with the same depth (rather than hitting them all on fast-forward). Bustling Rome, twinkling Paris, fairy-tale Bavaria, the scalps of the Alps…If you've got two weeks off and would like a quick survey of marquee Europe, this might just be your perfect trip.
Then there's our Family Europe in 13 Days tour, which starts in London, zips to France via the Chunnel, and then continues to Switzerland and Italy. It's smartly designed for families — however, that doesn't mean the travel experiences are watered down. Look elsewhere for theme parks and kitschy scavenger hunts. With an extra guide on hand to maximize the kid-friendly experience and fun, these artfully crafted, hands-on experiences invite children and parents alike to meaningfully connect with Europe — its story, its culture, and its diversity. You'll still become a temporary local…just with your kids (or grandkids!) at your side. As a parent and grandparent myself, I can personally attest that it's the most rewarding, fun-filled family vacation you can imagine.
So, if you're asking which tour is best, you have my answer. The question now becomes: Which Best of Europe is best for you?
In this month's Tour News, we'll travel through Europe together with a colorful, day-by-day slideshow of our Best of Europe in 21 Days tour, feature an interview with Best of Europe guide Jody van Engelsdorp Gastelaars, share a collection of tour members' "wow" moments, and take an after-dark drive through the floodlit streets of Paris.
Be warned! These "Best of" tours tend to kindle love affairs with Europe, kicking off a lifetime of return trips to the places they introduce and more. If so, we've got plenty of other itineraries for you to explore, and we'd love to be a part of your future travels.
Happy travels,
Rick