Start designing your Close to Europe tour with a Local Agent

Journeying from south to north, this trip from Rome to Venice will take you along some of the most beautiful artistic cities in Italy, giving you the chance to grab the history, culture and true taste of Italy with both hands.

Aside from the iconic sites, you'll be taken down the quaint small streets that will allow you to discover some hidden gems and most authentic sides of the city and will truly make you fall in love with Italy's charming pace of life.

Stopping at local markets, artisan bakeries and boutique shops, you'll meet the makers that define the grand status “Made In Italy” with delectable food and wines with recipes handed down through generations.

There is more to Tuscany than the famous Florence and Pisa.

This adventure takes you to some of the region's hidden gems, where you can experience local culture, authentic cuisine and stunning sights. Discover the breath-taking views of Lucca, Siena and San Gimignano and learn how the world-famous Chianti wine is made whilst strolling through the vineyards. You will also have time to soak in the Tuscan sun on the beaches of Viareggio - a true gem of Italy.

The adventure of a lifetime, this trip will leave you relaxed as well as entertained and will give you ever-lasting memories.

Immerse yourself in the tranquil atmosphere of the Mediterranean on this Italian adventure that starts in Venice then sweeps you away to the glorious region of Tuscany, where you can discover the vibrant art scene in Florence and taste rare wines in the Chianti vineyards.

You will be lulled into complete relaxation on the Sorrento Coast, where you can explore the radiant Amalfi Coast and the fascinating lost city of Pompeii before journeying to the ancient city of Rome where you will be discovering the heart of the Roman Empire.

Based in the beautiful town of Castellammare di Stabia, you'll spend eight days on this wonderful Gulf of Naples and Amalfi Coast tour!

As opposed to staying in the busy town of Sorrento, in Castellammare di Stabia you'll be able to appreciate all of the beauty that this region offers but it will be a lot more peaceful. The town is surrounded by lush green, fertile hills and nearby you'll find the ruins of Stabiae, Pompeii and the Herculaneum.

Over the eight days, you'll explore the beautiful towns including Positano and Amalfi, you'll also take a boat trip to Capri from Sorrento as well as enjoying a wine tasting there as part of your Amalfi Coast tour. For your dose of ancient history, you'll explore the ruins of Pompeii and Stabiae, ancient settlements that were destroyed by Mount Vesuvius eruptions.

This essential 8-day Sicily tour will take you through the most incredible, must-see locations of this beautiful island. Being at the centre of the Mediterranean sea, it is an island rich in history, culture, art and exquisite food.

Travelling by luxury car, you will have the opportunity to admire the regional capital Palermo with its unique examples of Romanesque and Baroque architecture, the magnificent and well preserved Valley of the Temples, the 3,000-year-old Syracuse World Heritage Site, and the popular Taormina with its ancient and still used Greek theatre.

You'll end this Sicilian adventure with a visit to the tallest and still active volcano in Europe, Mount Etna, to take in the unbelievable sea views and views of the surrounding countryside.

Over 11 days, you'll embark on a wonderful trip from Athens to Santorini and Mykonos!

You'll start off in ancient Athens and explore the historic treasures as well as getting a feel for the modern day city. Highlights of your time in Athens will include exploring the city's most famous sites, a night out on the town Greek-style and a food tour.

Upon leaving Athens, you'll head to the breathtaking island of Santorini, known for the striking whitewashed houses that cling to the cliffs. You'll explore everything Southern Santorini has to offer, enjoy the sunset from an evening sail on a catamaran, and finish off with a wine tour.

Exploring the wonders of Greece will finish with two days in Mykonos where you can relax on the beach or take part in further excursions. Whatever you choose to do, this will be a perfect finish to your Greek holiday.

Discover the fantastic Cinque Terre, a unique landscape which became a national park and UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The seven-day Cinque Terre hiking tour is ideal for all individuals or a couple that loves hiking and discovering interesting itineraries off the beaten track. While exploring the quaint villages and towns of the Cinque Terre, you'll sample local dishes and enjoy fine Italian wines that capture the spirit of the south.

To complete your Cinque Terre experience, you'll hike around the stunning island Palmaria Island, with its varying rugged landscape and cliffs, surrounded by tranquil waters. This hiking tour is the perfect balance of adventure and relaxation, with a little indulgence along the way.

Enjoy the slower pace of life on this tour of the very pretty Amalfi Coast, staying in Maiori, Capri and Sorrento; boating around Amalfi, Ravello and Capri, and even squeezing in a visit to Pompeii.

You will have lots of free time to spend in this dreamy part of Italy to use as suits you best, whether it's lapping up the sun on the beach or poolside, or actively getting cultural by visiting places of historic significance that are spread across this region.

You will end your holiday with some time in Rome before flying home.

Situated between the Alps and the Ligurian Riviera, Piedmont is a region that offers many different experiences, from incredible food and wine to memorable villages and iconic landmarks.

Throughout this five-day northern Italy tour, your activities and destinations will be focused around the history and gastronomy of this region in particular.

In Turin, the rich heritage will occupy your day as you tour the Royal Palace of Turin and dine at Michelin star restaurants. Then moving on to the Langhe area, you'll visit beautiful churches and castles in between tasting the excellent local food and wine at various wineries and famed restaurants.

This Milan, Florence and Venice multi-centre trip is great for you if you want to see several beautiful Italian destinations in one trip without the stress of having to arrange all the details yourself.

You'll spend two nights in each of these famous cities which not only gives you the chance to see iconic landmarks, incredible churches and architecture steeped in history (not to mention the fresh food), but it also gives a true look into three very different cultures that lie within this great country.

You'll begin in Milan and work your way through Italy to Florence and finish in the city built on water, Venice.

Set out on an Athens and Santorini tour during which you'll spend eight days exploring the culture and beauty of Greece.

You'll begin your Greek experience with three days in Athens, where you'll explore the ancient treasures as well as getting a feel for the modern-day city. Highlights of your time in Athens will be exploring the city's most famous sites, a night out Greek-style and a food tour.

Once your time comes to an end in Athens, you'll catch a boat to the breathtaking island of Santorini, known for the striking whitewashed houses that cling to the cliffs. In Santorini, you'll be able to explore the southern part of the island, enjoy a sunset dinner from a catamaran in the bay and explore the vineyards during a wine tour. This will be the perfect finish to your Greek holiday.

Tuscany is one of the most famous and beautiful regions of Italy, home to stunning landscapes of rolling vineyards, traditional houses and quaint medieval hilltop villages and towns. Let yourself be charmed by the rich heritage, delicious food and drink that the region is famous for on this Tuscany wine tour.

During this six-day trip, you will visit Pisa, Lucca, San Gimignano and Montalcino whilst learning all about the rich heritage, the countryside and the gastronomy of Tuscany. This tour also includes a guided tour of Siena and walking tour of Florence.

Embark on a 5-day sea and land adventure of a lifetime around the dazzling Cyclades islands, an undiscovered hiking paradise, renowned for its pristine beaches, rich history and culture, traditional cuisine and friendly locals. No prior sailing experience is required in this multi-level experience in the Aegean Sea.

Along with like-minded travellers, this Cyclades island hopping trip will give you the opportunity to learn to navigate the steadfast sailing boats, hike scenic trails, try SUP (stand up paddleboarding), and connect with local communities, whilst enjoying the caresses of the Aegean winds.

Dive into this 7-day ancient Greece tour and explore the cradle of Western democracy, philosophy and science!

You'll be able to trace 5,000 years of Greek history while exploring the country’s incomparable archaeological treasures, such as the UNESCO-listed classical sites of Mycenae, Epidaurus, Olympia and Delphi.

You'll enjoy a walking tour to the sites of the capital city of Athens, visit the Olympic Games stadium in Olympia, marvel at the temple of Zeus and visit many ancient Greek archaeological sites during your journey.

You'll also visit the breathtaking Meteora to explore its spectacular rock-top monasteries. Greece is full of treasures waiting to transport you back to ancient history as you explore the sites and during this tour, you'll discover some of the most famed historical landmarks.

On this tour, you will embark on a carefully curated magical journey around Moorish Andalucia which will allow you to discover some of Spain’s most famous World Heritage Sites. Accompanied by a local tour leader and guided by art historian experts, you will explore and learn about the history of exceptional places in the region such as Granada’s legendary Alhambra Palace, Cordoba’s distinctive Mosque, and the Seville’s majestic Cathedral.

Andalucia is truly a melting pot of culture where history meets and blends with myth. The cultural influences that have washed over Andalucia since the first paintings were etched on cave walls are many: Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Greeks, Romans, Visigoths, and Vandals.

Ultimately, the most influential of all were the Moors, who named the region “Al-Andalus” and whose 8th-century rule left an indelible imprint on the region’s culture and its customs. This is the legacy that we will explore together on this 8-day Highlights of Andalucia Tour!