Best European Tours: Our Honest Picks by Traveller Type
Here’s the thing about “best European tours” lists. Most of them rank tours as if everyone has the same budget, the same holiday allowance and the same idea of a good day. You don’t. A retired couple with three weeks free wants something very different from two friends grabbing a long weekend.
So instead of one list, we’ve matched our own tours to the type of trip you’re actually planning. Every price below is the starting price listed on our website, and we’ve done the per-day maths so you can compare fairly.
A quick word on who’s behind this page. Red Tours runs escorted and guided tours across Europe and worldwide, from 3-day short breaks to multi-week grand tours. We handpick our hotels, our tours are led by highly trained, experienced Tour Managers, and we list starting prices openly on redtours.co.uk, so what you read here matches what you’ll see when you book.
The quick answer
| If you want… | Our pick | Length | From (per person) | About per day |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The cheapest way to try a tour | Northern Germany | 3 days | €258 | €86 |
| Best value short break | Northern Portugal | 5 days | €474 | €95 |
| A quick taste of Italy | Beautiful Campania | 4 days | €461 | €115 |
| Several countries in under two weeks | A European Odyssey (Austria, Italy, Switzerland) | 12 days | €1,852 | €154 |
| The full grand tour | Contrasts of Europe | 23 days | €3,564 | €155 |
Prices are listed in euros on redtours.co.uk, were checked on [date] and can change. “About per day” is our own arithmetic from the listed price and length.
Best for first-timers: Northern Germany
Three days, €258. If you’ve never been on an escorted tour, this is the one we’d suggest. It’s long enough to see how a Tour Manager runs the day and whether you like travelling with a group, and short enough that you’re not committing a fortnight to find out.
Best value: Northern Portugal
Five days for €474 works out at about €95 a day, which is the second-lowest daily rate we list. You get two more days than Northern Germany for only €216 more per person.
Best short Italy trip: Beautiful Campania
Four days from €461. It’s the highest daily rate of the short breaks, at about €115, but if Italy is the reason you’re travelling, it’s the shortest way to get there with everything arranged. More on this in our escorted tours of Italy guide.
Best multi-country trip: A European Odyssey
Austria, Italy and Switzerland in 12 days from €1,852. That’s three countries for roughly the daily rate of our longest tour. If you can get two weeks off, it’s the one most people ask us about. Our European multi country tours guide goes deeper.
Best grand tour: Contrasts of Europe
Twenty-three days from €3,564. It’s for people who want one big trip rather than several small ones. Read our grand European tour guide before you commit, especially the bit about annual leave.
Still torn between two tours? Tell us which ones you’re comparing, your dates and who’s travelling, and we’ll tell you honestly which fits better. Call +44 (0)20 3031 6996 or get in touch online.
How we’d choose between them
| Question | If your answer is… | Look at |
|---|---|---|
| How many days can you take? | 3 to 5 | Northern Germany, Beautiful Campania, Northern Portugal |
| 12 | A European Odyssey | |
| 23 | Contrasts of Europe | |
| Do you want one country or several? | One | The short breaks |
| Several | A European Odyssey or Contrasts of Europe | |
| Is lowest daily cost the priority? | Yes | Northern Germany or Northern Portugal |
One thing that surprises people: the longer tours aren’t cheaper per day. Both long tours sit around €154 to €155 a day, higher than the short breaks. So choose the length you want to travel, not the one that looks like a discount.
Ready to book?
Browse our Europe tours or talk to a real person. To get a proper quote on the first call, have these ready:
- Your travel dates, and how flexible they are
- Number of travellers and the room type you want
- Your departure city
- Any dietary or mobility needs
- The two tours you’re torn between
Frequently asked questions
What is the best European tour for a first-timer?
We usually suggest Northern Germany. It’s 3 days from €258 per person, so you can try the escorted format without a big commitment.
Which Red Tours European tour is the best value?
On a per-day basis, Northern Germany (about €86 a day) and Northern Portugal (about €95 a day) are the lowest daily rates we list.
What’s the best tour for seeing several countries?
A European Odyssey covers Austria, Italy and Switzerland in 12 days from €1,852 per person.
Are longer tours cheaper per day?
Not on our listed tours. The 12-day and 23-day tours both work out at about €154 to €155 a day, more than the short breaks.
What standard of hotel can I expect?
We handpick our hotels, with a minimum of 3 to 4 star ratings.
How do I book?
Call +44 (0)20 3031 6996 or email enquiries@redtours.co.uk.
The short version
The best European tour is the one that fits your days, budget and travel style. Short breaks are the cheapest per day, A European Odyssey is the pick for several countries, and Contrasts of Europe is the full grand tour. When you’re ready, browse our Europe tours or call us on +44 (0)20 3031 6996.
Not sure which tour is best for you?
Tell us your dates, who’s travelling and what you’d like to see. We’ll recommend the tour that fits, or tailor one from scratch.
Prefer to talk? Call +44 (0)20 3031 6996 or email enquiries@redtours.co.uk