Eastern Europe Budget Small Group Tours & Trips

Highlights

• Spend a full day exploring the green island of Mljet – with its small seaside villages, lush national park trails, shimmering waters and largely untouched environment, you’ll never want to leave!
• Snack on salty cheese made from sheep’s milk during a trip to the karst island of Pag, where a determined group of islanders wring themselves a living from the barren, rocky landscape.
• A guided tour of the 4th-century Diocletian’s Palace in Split reveals not just Roman-era beauty, but also the local businesses that operate in the alleyways and cellars of this epic structure.
• Gaze over the beautiful hillside, lavender fields and vineyards of Hvar Island during a leisurely organic dinner at an agriturismo.
• Stroll through Plitvice Lakes National Park, marvelling at luminous lakes and waterfalls that seem to have been sketched by an artist.

Highlights

• Follow the Danube downstream, passing romantic castles, small villages and lowland forests – the best way to see Eastern Europe is on two wheels!
• Cycle leafy paths away from the traffic of main roads and cities, from vibrant Vienna to cosmopolitan Bratislava and bohemian Budapest. Away from the tourists, you’ll have a better chance of connecting with local cultures!
• Spend some time at the domed Basilica of Esztergom – the biggest church in Hungary – and see how it’s reflected in the still waters of the Danube Bend. Then, make your way into Budapest and indulge in one of the steaming public baths.
• See the Roman remains at Carnuntum – one of Austria's most important archaeological sites. Wander the ruins and reconstructions and then hop back on your bike to the Slovak border.
• Straddle the borders of Hungary and Slovakia in the historic spa town of Komarom and soothe your sore muscles during one of the optional spa visits.

Highlights

• Take in some of Germany’s best views from the heights of Bastei – a towering sandstone formation home to a medieval castle.
• Immerse yourself in the bohemian vibes of the Czech Republic, soak up the smooth sounds of jazz at a low-lit bar in Prague and sample locally made pilsners.
• Discover the artistic history of unique Vienna – the perfect blend of modern and historic personality – then enjoy some kaffe and kuchen (coffee and cake) at a local café that empowers older residents with employment and purpose.
• Find the best Belgium fries in Brussels and wander the incredible façade of the Grand Palace as you get lost in the quaint city streets.
• Make cross-country travel a breeze with a European trip including train travel. Enjoy extra time to sit back, relax, play games with your fellow travellers or watch the changing scenery roll by.

Highlights

• Rich in history, art, architecture, cuisine and nightlife, Budapest is a hot European destination. The Museum of Fine Arts offers free English tours that reveal the famous artwork of Monet, Manet and Goya, just to name a few
• A homestay with a family in the Saxon village of Viscri in Romania offers insight into local life and the chance to sample some delicious home-cooked food
• This trip takes you to a mix of exciting capital cities and quaint mountain villages through Eastern Europe all the way to the transcontinental Istanbul.
• Transylvania is drenched in history and myth. Discover the medieval city of Sighisoara, the birthplace of one of Romania's most infamous figures, Vlad the Impaler - better known as the inspiration for Count Dracula
• Journey deep into the forested valley of Rila to find the Monastery of Saint Ivan. Over 1,000 years old, this spectacular building is one of Bulgaria's most important cultural, historical and architectural monuments

Highlights

• Experience an authentic taste of the Balkans and a look at local life when you dine in family homes in Ohrid, Lake Prespa and Dihovo.
• Take in a cooking demonstration in the village of Dolno Dupeni, then get a fresh taste of homemade North Macedonian cuisine.
• See behind the scenes of local produce when you visit a centuries-old smokehouse, an olive mill, an apple farm and meet a local beekeeper for a honey tasting.
• Explore the stunning landscapes and charming cities of the region, discovering the legendary Rozafa Fortress and going on guided tours of Prizren and Skopje.
• Try the most iconic foods of Croatia, Macedonia, Montenegro and Kosovo, including smoked and barbecued meats, cheese, honey, apples and locally produced wine.

Highlights

• Join a local guide and cafe-hop your way around Alingsas, a town known as the Capital of Fika (Swedish cafe and food culture). Learn of the local love affair with coffee, discover the story behind the cafe culture and, of course, treat your tastebuds to sweet Swedish delicacies.
• Take a ferry to Vrango Island, a stunning fishing town in the Gothenburg Archipelago, and discover this rocky nature haven by kayak (summer months only).
• Aukstaitija National Park offers unique opportunities for both action and relaxation. Kayak across pristine lakes, indulge in home-cooked meals or cleanse yourself in a traditional sauna.
• Norway's fjords feature some of the most stunning scenery on Earth. Cruise past waterfalls and snow-capped peaks through the narrow Naeroyfjord.
• Follow your local guide along the narrow, winding roads through genuine villages, past the typical red painted cottages and explore unique sights around Siljan lake rural settlements. You'll even get a chance to meet and mingle with the locals living in these villages.

Highlights

• Discover the magical Cesky Krumlov – you'd be forgiven for thinking you were in a fairytale, as this place is filled with medieval buildings, lush countryside and the flowing Vltava River.
• Step into the pages of a fable on the shore of Slovenia’s Lake Bled – home to the bluest waters you might ever see. Explore the church on the island, walk around the lake surrounded by mountains and treat yourself to a slice of cream cake.
• Eat your way through Europe with a local leader who knows all the best spots. Enjoy langos in Budapest, try Zapiekanka in Krakow, have dinner at a classic Polish milk bar and find delicious street food in Italy and Prague.
• Explore Berlin, where history and modern culture intertwine. If it’s nightlife you’re after, Germany’s capital is home to thriving bars, underground clubs and an alternative scene not to be missed.
• Dive into Prague, Vienna, Budapest, Venice and Krakow – with two nights spent in almost every destination and loads of free time, you can eat, shop and sightsee at your own pace and not just catch a glimpse from a bus window!

Highlights

• Cycle across the largest island of the Dalmatia region – Brac. With its cypress forests, orange and olive trees and glowing white pebble beaches, this area couldn’t be a more beautiful place to go riding.
• Soak up a full day to explore Hvar Island at your own pace – why not check out the Hvar Spanjola fortress, go on a short hike or relax by one of the sparkling bays, it’s up to you!
• Enjoy a group picnic and an optional wine tasting experience after your scenic ride through the verdant Peljesac isthmus – a hilly Croatian peninsula jutting into the Adriatic.
• Spend your days cycling and your nights relaxing. Treat yourself to harbourside dinners, tastings, traditional cuisines and famed local wines in Bol, Hvar and Korcula.
• Make your way to the medieval walls of Dubrovnik, and if you’ve got time, why not traverse to the top of Srd Hil and appreciate the view of Old Dubrovnik, its harbour and the azure Adriatic Sea.