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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, a cooking class, 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
2026
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- May 24–Jun 5 (Su–Fr)
- $5,095 + Air
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- May 26–Jun 7 (Tu–Su)
- $5,095 + Air
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- Jun 2–Jun 14 (Tu–Su)
- $5,195 + Air
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- Jun 9–Jun 21 (Tu–Su)
- $5,195 + Air
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- Jun 16–Jun 28 (Tu–Su)
- $5,195 + Air
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- Jun 21–Jul 3 (Su–Fr)
- $5,195 + Air
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- Jun 23–Jul 5 (Tu–Su)
- $5,195 + Air
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- Jun 28–Jul 10 (Su–Fr)
- $5,195 + Air
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- Jun 30–Jul 12 (Tu–Su)
- $5,195 + Air
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- Jul 7–Jul 19 (Tu–Su)
- $5,195 + Air
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- Jul 12–Jul 24 (Su–Fr)
- $5,095 + Air
Opportunity to experience Bastille Day in Paris!
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- Jul 14–Jul 26 (Tu–Su)
- $5,095 + Air
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- Jul 19–Jul 31 (Su–Fr)
- $5,095 + Air
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- Jul 21–Aug 2 (Tu–Su)
- $5,095 + Air
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 2026 Family Europe tour:
- London panoramic bus tour
- Thames River cruise
- Tower of London
- London–Paris Chunnel train
- Seine River cruise
- Paris walking tour
- Château de Fontainebleau
- 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 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 6 other meals
- All tips for guides and driver
- A tour kit including a guidebook 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: This tour is limited to family groups traveling with at least one child between the ages of 8–17. 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 learn to use London's underground transportation system and hop on the Tube. Mind the Gap! This evening, we'll have fun getting to know one another over dinner in an atmospheric pub. Then we'll climb aboard a vintage double-decker bus for a panoramic tour through the heart of the city.
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: a lesson on using the Métro (subway), dinner together on the Left Bank, and a magical view of the Eiffel Tower — 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. Bus: 1 hour. Sleep in Paris.
Day 4: The Historic Heart of Paris
Today we'll take an open-air cruise along the Seine River, gaining an appreciation and introduction to the city's historic monuments and sights. Then 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 Louvre, the Orsay, Orangerie, Rodin, or Pompidou -- reserve in advance), 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 a 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. Boat: 1 hour. No bus. Sleep in Paris.
Day 5: Royal Château and Rural France
This morning we'll meet our driver and bus and leave city life behind. Our first adventure today is a visit to Fontainebleau, one of the largest châteaux in France. You’ll have time to explore the castle’s 1500 rooms, the sprawling courtyards, and gardens. After free time to for lunch in the village, we’ll drive further 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 hearty Swiss 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 finest 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 at our French countryside hotel, where a few two-bedroom family suites share one ensuite bathroom.
Reviews
Tema
Tour: 07/22/25
Overall rating:
It was hectic with a strict schedule.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"We enjoyed Switzerland and the fun medieval play and dinner in Burgandy. "
Karen
Tour: 07/20/25
Overall rating:
Someone in our tour must have had a magical good luck charm. Weather that was nasty cleared just in time, and it wasn't too hot or too cold. Everyone in our group seemed to get along. Even the crowds were less than I expected. And our tour manager, Stephanie, was thoughtful and helpful. Even the occasional little lagniappe was great.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Most everything on the tour was just as I expected--which I think is rare. But the bus trip from Lauterbrunnen to Cinque Terre was a delightful surprise. It had rained enough that there were waterfalls everywhere, and Eric, our bus driver, navigated the hairpin turns and made me feel safe. And our "guess who picked this song" game was entertaining. I expected a boring day on the bus, but it was both beautiful and fun instead."
Tristam
Tour: 07/20/25
Overall rating:
The guides were the best. Stephanie and Stephan were on top of their game. Providing insights, helps, encouragement, and taking the extra steps to keep things enjoyable and understanding what we would experience. The hotels overall were very good with some being exceptional, activities solid with plenty of flexibility for us to make adjustments that aligned with what we wanted to experience.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Several. Alps hike was breathtaking with views and the sounds of cowbells floating up the mountainside, acoustics at the baptistry in Pisa where one lone voice filled the immense room with sound, the medieval castle activity was amazing where we were able to cut our own stone piece and experience what it was really like, and being close up to the artwork and sculptures is incomparable to just seeing it in books or TV. The biggest surprise was that it was so easy to communicate with locals."
James
Tour: 07/20/25
Overall rating:
Great group and great guides. It was as advertised and more. Family has a great time and all the kids in the group bonded well.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"The views of the Alps in Switzerland. The amazing French dinner in Paris. The seafood fest in Florence. The flash art demonstration in Florence. The market town visited on a whim in Burgundy."
Gregg
Tour: 07/15/25
Overall rating:
I treated 11 family members to this Family Tour, including 5 grandkids. The kids got a taste of different cultures in four different countries and loved every minute. We 'experienced' the awe inspiring Swiss Alps, the proper traditions of England, picnic'd at the foot of Eiffel, and soaked up the culture of the Renaissance. The teenage kids came back with a respect and appreciation for Europe that just can't be learned from a text book. Thanks Rick!
Favorite "WOW" moment
"We seemed to have a Wow moment at each stop, and for me, it was exciting to see the kids totally engaged. No grumps, no whinners, and all were anxious to see what tomorrow would bring."
Grant
Tour: 07/15/25
Overall rating:
The whole tour was wonderful. Our family loved the experience and our guides were excellent.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"So many to choose from. The Mona Lisa and the Louvre were pretty impressive."
Frank
Tour: 07/13/25
Overall rating:
It was wonderful to share the experience with my 15-year old grandson and watch hin become the next generation of world travelers. This tour helped prepare him to travel and learn how to appreciate a world outside of his comfort zone.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Without a doubt, walking into the newly restored Notre Dame. Having been in it before, seeing the fire, and now like the Phoenix, seeing it restored was a praise worthy event."
Lisa
Tour: 07/13/25
Overall rating:
I've never been on any kind of travel tour, and not only were the accommodations well thought out, the choices of museums and experiences as well as the schedule (timing and length of) were clearly vetted and well intentioned. The tour leaders I had really added personal touches that I felt like put the experience as one that I will never forget and taught me so much. Clearly the places we visited have deep respect for this company, which means a lot to me as well.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"I'm not sure if it was the way the travel was planned in such a way that it 'built' upon the experiences (Saint Fargeau coming after London and Paris and before Switzerland and Levanto so that the kids could bond), or the fact that we saw some hand-picked, broad experiences across Europe (museums, natural beauty, cities...) or if it was the way that Skyla with David, expertly led and facilitated every experience. Or if it was the way we all learned 'how' to travel from our leaders/the tour. "
Carol
Tour: 07/13/25
Overall rating:
This was our 7th RS Tour, but our first "Family" Tour. My husband and I chose the Family tour because we wanted our 15 year old grandson to experience Europe; to learn to become an independent traveler. We also took along his mother (our daughter) to share a room with him. The tour exceeded ALL our expectations. I liked that it really focused on the "family;" and that it also included activities mainly for the kids.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Riding the cable car from Wengen to Kleine Scheidegg, exiting and seeing the Eiger before you and the valley below and then walking to Männlichen amidst wildflowers and hearing the sound of cow bells, is pure "Heaven on Earth." We were blessed with a beautiful sunny day."
Jayson
Tour: 07/08/25
Overall rating:
Absolutely fantastic trip! The places, our guides, the fellow tour members, all made this a memorable trip. We will be doing more Rick Steves' tours in the future.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"The Saint-Fargeau historical outdoor play celebrating 1000 years of French history. Our Rick Steves' guides and the hotel proprietors made this happen for our tour group and it was amazing."
Nina
Tour: 07/08/25
Overall rating:
Well planned and organized. It had a nice balance of city and rural experiences, especially for the kids. There were several places that we would loved to have stayed longer but that wasn't the purpose of the tour.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Since I had been to every place on the tour previously, except London, that was my wow experience. I liked the double-decker bus ride, touring Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, etc."
Christine
Tour: 07/08/25
Overall rating:
Each of our 9 family members, ages 11-75 enjoyed our tour ,immensely! The logistics, pace, accommodations, experiences and group dynamics were beautifully facilitated by Ragen, Sophie and the entire Rick Steve’s organization!
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Our stay in Burgundy was perfect! From hilarious fun at mid-evil dinner that included wine tasting, costumes, limericks, swimming, soccer, karyoke and dancing, to the local pageant with cast of 600 + ghosts, horses, hunting dogs, gaggle of geese, and many special effects depicting 1,000 years of French history, this was my favorite!"
Megan
Tour: 07/08/25
Overall rating:
The tour was wonderful--so much better than we could have expected! We knew it would be great not having to plan our itinerary, transportation, hotels, etc. We didn't anticipate how much better our tour guide and fellow group members would make the trip. Our guides were incredible, especially in making our kids feel happy and excited rather than stressed out by all the change. The kids loved having a ready made friend group and we got to enjoy our meals so much more while they were occupied.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"It's almost impossible to pick a single moment, but the whole family loved our hike in the Alps. Our guide, Ragan, offered an optional group activity for our free day. The hike was absolutely perfect in length and ease. Our 9-year-old would have been complaining of tired legs and boredom 5 minutes into the hike if it was just our family, but he gleefully led the pack with Ragan and the other kids."
Gary
Tour: 07/06/25
Overall rating:
Janet
Tour: 07/06/25
Overall rating:
This tour was so special. The overall experiences, accommodations, and guides were outstanding! I loved sharing some of the most historic and scenic parts of Europe with my family. So many memories were made and first time moments savored. It offered unforgettable travel experiences that will encourage future world travel for my daughter and grandson.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"There were many wonderful moments, but perhaps my favorite was entering Lauterbrünen Valley. The majestic alps, cascading waterfalls, and quaint villages dotting the hillsides created a stunning scene. I think this may be the most beautiful place that I’ve visited in Europe!"
Cara
Tour: 07/06/25
Overall rating:
I think life-changing is not an overstatement. This was our first time in Europe and our first international trip as a family, and I'm so glad we chose this tour. The itinerary was incredible; the hotels were great; the transitions were smooth; the food was amazing. We learned so much from our guides, who taught us travel skills plus historic and cultural info that made each experience richer. One of our kids is only 8, and the pace and balance of activities vs free time was just right.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"It's hard to choose! I guess for sheer "wow" factor it's hard to beat the Swiss Alps. Photos can't express how stunning the landscape was-- it felt unreal, like being in a storybook. I thought the long bus drives in and out might feel tedious, but no, driving through that scenery was a dream. Just incredible."
Zachary
Tour: 07/06/25
Overall rating:
Favorite "WOW" moment
"The day in the Alps"
Allison
Tour: 07/06/25
Overall rating:
This was one of the best vacations I have ever been on. It was wonderfully planned and led and we will absolutely be looking to do another Rick Steves tour in the future.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Having a “family” tour was wonderful. One of my favorite moments of the trip didn’t take place in a museum or on a tour. Instead it was on a relaxing evening in Saint Fargeau, France when all the kids on the trip really came together for the first time to play a game of soccer on the beautiful grassy area. This opened the door for what turned into many additional memories that the kids on this trip had together. I wish there were additional tour locations for family tours. "
Jeffrey
Tour: 07/01/25
Overall rating:
The trip was fantastic. Great locations, great guides, great group of people!
Favorite "WOW" moment
"The first night in Paris at the Eiffel Tower! It was just the parents and kids hanging out and we really bonded as a group!"
Jennifer
Tour: 07/01/25
Overall rating:
It was everything my 13-year-old and I had hoped and more. We love the introduction to multiple destinations. The guides were great and the other kids and my son got along really well we really enhanced the experience
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Driving into Switzerland! Also hiking in the Cinque Terre between villages."
Elizabeth
Tour: 07/01/25
Overall rating:
Our family tour through Europe was amazing. Our guides Alfio and Rhianne were so helpful and knowledgeable. Our tour family was friendly and great company. There was a perfect mix of planned activities and free time. Overall, a wonderful adventure for our whole family.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Our first night in Paris was a real wow moment. After a delicious dinner we spent the evening waiting for the Eiffel tower to twinkle, enjoying the company of our guides and other families on tour. It was magical!"
Beau
Tour: 07/01/25
Overall rating:
I'mm eleven and this was my first trip to Europe. It was great! I had a lot of fun and learned a lot of things. Our tour guides Alfio & Rhianne are so nice and I love them. Thank you, I can't wait to go back.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"The steak I had in Florence was heaven on Earth. "
Kathy
Tour: 07/01/25
Overall rating:
This was an absolutely incredible tour! I had been to Europe many times but it was my first time taking our kids. This tour was immensely helpful because the transportation and hotels were included. This along with the fabulous and knowledgeable tour guides made the experience unforgettable!
Favorite "WOW" moment
"I loved the two gentlemen in Switzerland that provided a mini concert and dancing. It was awesome! "
McKinley
Tour: 06/29/25
Overall rating:
The destinations, tours, and activities were well planned and coordinated. Our guide Skyla was amazing! She was so helpful, knowledgeable, and personable. All travel days were seamless. Our tour group really bonded and make the trip extra special. Everyone was prompt and “go with the flow.”
Favorite "WOW" moment
"There are too many to choose just one! Hiking in Switzerland, playing in the waves in Levanto, seeing the Eiffel Tower sparkle, having champagne near the Eiffel Tower with our tour group, and seeing the sunset on the bridge in Florence were some of my favorite moments. "
Tjelle
Tour: 06/29/25
Overall rating:
Skyla and Ezter were wonderful guides! Our group was well-supported by them, and because of that we connected well with friendships, stories, and experiences in the trip! It was especially lovely how the children (ages 9 to 18) all got along so well and had such fun together!
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Hard to choose just one favorite! Our first view of the country hotel in Burgundy was amazing: picturesque, colorful, charming! The fragrant trees, peaceful set up of outdoor spaces, and the children loved the pool! Our hosts were welcoming, kind, and had delicious wine and food! The French market the next morning was such fun, and we truly enjoyed the entire experience at Guédelon!"
Nicole
Tour: 06/29/25
Overall rating:
Fantastic experience seeing some European highlights with knowledgable guides! It was an excellent multigenerational tour with the prefect amount of structured and free time. Everyone in our family had a wonderful experience and we look forward to another tour! We felt very well taken care of as relatively inexperienced international travelers
Favorite "WOW" moment
"It's a tie-we had to pivot to Versailles due to the strike at the Louvre. I also thoroughly enjoyed St. Fargeau, this is not something, without the tour, we were likely to find or get to do on our own because of the logistics involved. It felt like a slice of 'real' French life. The hotel was so charming and the town was liek a movie set. "
Kaylyn
Tour: 06/24/25
Overall rating:
Absolutely wonderful trip.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"How well the entire group bonded.. "
Kristen
Tour: 06/24/25
Overall rating:
Most of the accommodations were better than expected. There was a nice variety of activities. The long tour bus stretches were comfortable/interesting. Really appreciated the regular opportunities to do things on our own.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"The scenery in Switzerland"
Stephen
Tour: 06/24/25
Overall rating:
Watching our 17 & 18 yr. old grandchildren experience Europe for the first time was definitely a highlight. During the final dinner of the tour, our granddaughter said she didn't want the trip to end! In Paris we were impressed with Bea's ability to switch up our schedule in order to get us inside Notre Dame! She learned the Cathedral was closing for an event - but thought if we arrived at a.m. opening, we could enter before it closed. It worked! Our entire group was thrilled!
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Definitely the breathtaking Swiss Alps! Our family of 6 were all in agreement."
Christie
Tour: 06/24/25
Overall rating:
Amazing guides. Both Bea and Charlie were full of knowledge and energy.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"I’ve been to all of the locations except London, so seeing London from the double decker was a real treat!"
Nicole
Tour: 06/24/25
Overall rating:
Loved everything about it! Wonderful guides, great accommodations, fantastic experience.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Probably Switzerland - Wengen and the Lauterbrunnen Valley were incredible "
Tammy
Tour: 06/24/25
Overall rating:
I've never done a tour before so didn't know what to expect. Six places in two weeks ended up reminding me of the 1969 movie: "If It's Tuesday, This Must Be Belgium." I would definitely do a Rick Steves' tour again, but not one that moved about so quickly. Our two guides were wonderful and went above and beyond to be accommodating. The weather was awful, setting records for heat, so next time I would NOT go when the places being visited are having their summer weather.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Switzerland. I hadn't been there before and it was even better than I expected. Very scenic, very clean, the people were very helpful and friendly. It was also the least hot of the places we visited."
Mary
Tour: 06/22/25
Overall rating:
There is nothing I didn’t enjoy! Our guides were helpful, fun, and kind. The hotels were comfortable and beautiful. The guided walks were well-balanced with time on our own. The planned activities were so fun! Loved making and Italian meal and enjoying it with our traveling buddies.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"So many! Narrowing it down…the Swiss Alps"
Peter
Tour: 06/22/25
Overall rating:
Tour Guide: Karin Kibby and Apprentice: Luis Morlanes were amazing. Fun, well organized and a pleasure to interact with. All tour members were also fun and great to be around.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Swiss Alps were breathtaking. Italian Riviera was amazing. "
Henry
Tour: 06/22/25
Overall rating:
It was so wonderful! I liked everything except for the flash floods!
Favorite "WOW" moment
"The kids' activities."
Adriane
Tour: 06/22/25
Overall rating:
My overall tour experience was great. Seeing four countries in two weeks was more tiring than I had expected, but the heat wave played a significant role in that. However, it certainly whetted my appetite to return and explore a few countries more in depth. Our tour guides and transportation were top-notch.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"It's so hard to choose! Has to be one of these. Using my high school French to order a baguette in Paris, which tasted amazing. Waking up to the Swiss Alps out my window in Wengen. Rounding a corner in the Accademia and seeing David. Floating in the ocean in Levanto during the heatwave was incredibly refreshing and relaxing."
Violet
Tour: 06/22/25
Overall rating:
It was so beautiful and full of fun things.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Switzerland."
Jerry
Tour: 06/22/25
Overall rating:
Experience of a life time, well put together..
Favorite "WOW" moment
"The hike through the Alps. "
Kati
Tour: 06/22/25
Overall rating:
This tour was such an amazing experience! The way that they arrange the traveling schedule to make the most of the time we had to ensure that we could see as much as possible was very impressive. Everything about this tour from the guides, the other group members and the locations we stayed at was just so special. I will 100% recommend this family tour to everyone I know & I can’t wait for the next one!
Favorite "WOW" moment
"My personal favorite location of this tour was Wengen, Switzerland. We stayed at the most beautiful hotel where the view and the staff were just phenomenal. We took the gondola up to the top of the mountain and were amazed by all of the gorgeous views and had the best day ever. Memories were made with my family and my son that we will cherish forever."
Gloria
Tour: 06/22/25
Overall rating:
Considering the fact that we had our favorite guide, an amazing driver, one of the best tours offered, and our precious family with us, our 11th Rick Steves' tour was the BEST!
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Everyday had a "wow" moment, but watching our group of kids bond and celebrate during the travel experience was "wow"onderful!"
Jeni
Tour: 06/22/25
Overall rating:
This tour was an amazing time spent not just with family but with a guide team, driver, local guides, and lodging hosts that felt like an extension of that family.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Our walk through Florence with our local guide and Karen was one of my son's favorite experiences. Not only was it informative & paved the way for us to enjoy the Statue of David & other sites. Our guide's personalization set us up to enjoy some of the city's best gelato (for my son) & a Negroni at the place of their creation (for me). "
Lonnie
Tour: 06/22/25
Overall rating:
Karin was wonderful. Organized, yet caring. Light-hearted, yet educational. A treasure. She merged the interests of the adults/young people while training Luis. The tour had a great mix of places to visit and Karin ensured that the group had an array of options at each stop when afforded free time. Karin dealt with difficulties with poise In the midst of inordinate temperatures. She keep us cool. Truly outstanding person and guide. 10+- years since our last tour with Karin, no loss of passion.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"After 11 Rick Steves' tours; we took 3 of our daughters and 2 grandsons on this family tour. The "wow" moment was a series of moments as I watched the joy of travel and seeing the world from a "on the ground" perspective arise each day in our family members. This tour has such a wide variety of places to visit and experiences to have. So, if each day does not result in a WOW!, then the fault lies with the traveler and not the tour or such a high quality tour guide as Karin. "
Nicole
Tour: 06/17/25
Overall rating:
Great tour! Amazing guides! Fantastic group of fellow travelers! The group bonded early and really enjoyed each other.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"So many! Burgundy- medieval dinner fun and the kids making a movie. Switzerland hike as a group. Florence art class and cooking class. Jody and Alfio and fellow group members made every day a wow!"
Donna
Tour: 06/17/25
Overall rating:
Great guides - Alfio and Jody were so knowledgable and personable. The rapport between themselves and tour members was exceptional. Dirk, our bus driver demonstrated incredible driving skills through the Swiss Alps. The only reason I did not give an outstanding rating was due to the number of times we had to take public transportation i.e. trams, with our luggage. The last tram ride after the bus dropped us off outside Florence was extremely crowded, very hot, was hard to keep track of kids.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Watching my 11 yo grandson discover Europe, getting his “must see/do” items get checked off one by one: riding a double decker bus, The British Museum/Louvre’s Egyptian collections, Mona Lisa, Eiffel Tower, hiking in the Alps, Flash painting and best of all - bonding with the other kids on the tour - so much so that they all collaborated on movie making project."
Jackson
Tour: 06/15/25
Overall rating:
Mary
Tour: 06/10/25
Overall rating:
Exhausting but rewarding as I watched my 14 year old grandson experience Europe for the first time. I could not have planned & executed such an event, that would have grabbed & held his attention, on my own. Hats off to Joe & Katja, our illustrious leaders, for their professional, thoughtful, kind & whimsical approach to "herding cats" expeditiously across Western Europe.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Observing the kids begin to bond a bit during our walk around Paris and Joe's hands-on demonstration, using the kids as building blocks, of the secret of building Gothic cathedrals. Next to that, it was watching them actually bond when we arrived in Saint Fargeau and they were finally able to relax and play."
Summer
Tour: 06/10/25
Overall rating:
Exceeded my expectations in every way!
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Surprise alp horn performance in Wenken. "
Maureen
Tour: 06/10/25
Overall rating:
This is my 4th Family Tour and 15th overall tour--I have always been so impressed with the attention to detail, the locations of the hotels, the ability to be part of a group for half a day and then have free afternoons, the knowledgeable local and main guides and the feeling that we are not a bunch of tourists, but become more like family.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"My favorite moment was hiking in the Alps with my grandchildren----sharing my love of Gimmelwald and Murran with them. Memories of a lifetime! Also, the cooking class, watching them enjoy the Mediterranean Sea, the chateau in Burgandy with the medieval dinner----every day was a present!"
Alexandra
Tour: 06/10/25
Overall rating:
My overall your experience was amazing. I made memories that will last a lifetime!
Favorite "WOW" moment
"All the family events and activities planned like the medieval dinner, art and carving workshop, and cooking class."
Danica
Tour: 06/10/25
Overall rating:
This tour hit all the highlights of major sites our family has always wanted to see. Our guides, Joe and Katja, took excellent care of us and were helpful resources throughout the trip. It was wonderful to not worry about logistics and lodging. Our hotels were in convenient locations for walking and the Metro. Our group bonded very well and there’s no way I would have been able to visit all of these locations and famous sites without this tour. Our whole family had the trip of a lifetime!
Favorite "WOW" moment
"The scenery in Switzerland was stunning from every angle and vantage point. Our hotel was in an amazing location and the surprise concert with the alphorn, accordion, and yodelers was a wonderful treat. "
Colette
Tour: 06/08/25
Overall rating:
I would recommend Rick Steves tours to everyone.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"The sense of a “tour family” and the overwhelming passion Bea has for her work. "
Marie
Tour: 06/08/25
Overall rating:
Well organized and interesting activities for children teens and adults
Favorite "WOW" moment
"SWITZERLAND! Traveling to this mountainside town was an amazing and unique experience. It's actually beyond words!"
Christopher
Tour: 06/03/25
Overall rating:
It was absolutely phenomenal! Our guides were amazing! The hands-on experiences, historic sites, historic hotels, museums, and food were superb. Our group was super friendly and engaged in every part of the tour. I loved every aspect of the tour. It was perfect!
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Experiencing the Swiss Alps from the Schilthorn summit in person was truly breathtaking! "
Anne
Tour: 06/03/25
Overall rating:
This tour has been a trip our family has been wanting to take for forever and it was well worth the wait! Our tour guides Saso and Janet were just incredible- very knowledgeable and fun! They made touring around Europe a breeze because everything was so well planned out and organized. Our group bonded together right away and truly felt like a family. The kids had so much fun together, whether playing ball in St. Fargeau or trying escargot in Paris. This has been a trip of a lifetime!
Favorite "WOW" moment
"My favorite "wow" moment would have to be hiking to Murren in Switzerland and seeing the cows along the trail, grazing in the green pastures and hearing the sound of their cowbells as they moved. The scenery of the snow covered peaks of the Alps and the wildflower covered pastures altogether seemed surreal! I couldn't believe we were actually there!"
Miriam
Tour: 06/01/25
Overall rating:
We absolutely loved this trip. The guides were outstanding and we made new friends with the travelers.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"We had a lot of wow moments. Some that stand out are the artist and chef in Florence, the Eiffel tower sparking at night from our hotel room, and from the delicious buffet at our first night in Italy. "
Mark
Tour: 06/01/25
Overall rating:
Overall tour was great but some rooms were to small and no AC
Amy
Tour: 05/27/25
Overall rating:
Favorite "WOW" moment
"The whole experience in Switzerland - arriving in the Alps, the view from the hotel, amazing views while hiking."
Matthew
Tour: 05/27/25
Overall rating:
This was our first Rick Steve's tour, but not our first group tour (I recently was on a group trip with my son through his high school and my wife was on an all-female group tour with her mother). The Family Europe tour exceeded our expectations. The structure, pacing, and variety of activities was just right. We had enough time with the group to enjoy each other's company, but also had plenty of free time on our own to explore.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"The entire Lauterbrunnen Valley experience in Switzerland."
Annalise
Tour: 05/27/25
Overall rating:
I like how the family tours have kids around your age and how the group really comes together after a few days together.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"My “wow” moment in the trip was when we went to the mountains in Switzerland."
Debra
Tour: 05/27/25
Overall rating:
Plenty of free time to plan extra things with the grandkids. Jody and Katja were excellent and engaging with the group. Out of 28 members of our group, 4 were kids and they ended up blending into such a cohesive group. This was in large part due to the efforts of Jody and Katja!!!
Favorite "WOW" moment
"There were so many "wow" moments. Levanto, Italy was a fabulous location. Easy walking, many places to eat, and the beach was a big hit with all the families."
Sophia
Tour: 05/25/25
Overall rating:
We really loved our tour, led by our guide Bea. It was a great combination of being led but also having times of freedom to choose what we wanted to do. We really enjoyed our fellow travelers' company - everyone was so easygoing and pleasant to be around. The tour was everything I was hoping for and then some. I will look back at our tour with very fond memories.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"This is a tough one but probably coming upon our lodging at Saint Fargeau. The place was so beautiful and relaxing. The accommodations were very nice, food was excellent, and it was such a nice reprieve from the intensity of the cities before (London, Paris). I think everyone was in agreement we could have stayed there longer if we could. The kids of course loved the pool as well as the wide, open spaces to run around with their new friends while the adults could easily sit back and relax. "
Vicki
Tour: 07/21/24
Overall rating:
As a family tour, it was done very well. The guides were good at engaging the youth in activities and there was plenty of down time for families to do their own thing. The local guides were entertaining, but enlightening at the same time. It was a good mix of popular and out of the way sights.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"There were many, but the view from our room in Wengen, Switzerland was spectacular. That whole area with the Alps and the Swiss chalets is awesome."
Barbara
Tour: 07/21/24
Overall rating:
This was a family trip including my grandchildren ages 9 and 12. It was so much fun for me to watch my grandchildren experience Europe for the first time, learning about different cultures and languages, and using rapid transit (subways and trains) to get around. They were real troopers and had no problem whatsoever carrying their own packs and wheeling their own suitcases from place to place. One of the highlights for them was the buffet-styled breakfasts provided by the various hotels.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Watching my grandchildren participate in the cooking class in Florence. They had a blast with the pasta machine making their own noodles, and putting together cups of tiramisu. They also had a great time learning how to paint their own masterpiece from a real artist in Florence. In Burgundy, the kids on the tour had their own “Olympic Games” including tug of war. A highlight for me was hiking with my grandkids in the Alps between Mannlichen and Klein Scheidigg in Switzerland. So much fun."
Jeff
Tour: 07/21/24
Overall rating:
Yodi and Stephan were great guides and made the tour informative and fun
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Yodelers in Switzerland and hiking in the mountains. Also, loved the group swim in Levanto on the first night in Italy."
Emily
Tour: 07/21/24
Overall rating:
William
Tour: 07/21/24
Overall rating:
This tour was amazing! We loved the tour guides and the itinerary. The whole thing was just truly awesome.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"My favorite wow moment"
Jaime
Tour: 07/21/24
Overall rating:
Our family enjoyed the tour very much. I was worried about the long bus rides but my daughter found a friend to pass the time. My 16 year old son slept and was engaged by the tour guide. We made stops every 2 hours which was great! I did not have to worry about using the emergency bathroom on the bus! We liked the hotels and found the activities the tour provided very god. We also enjoyed our free time and appreciated the fact that the tour guide helped us plan this time!!
Favorite "WOW" moment
"We were in Paris before the Olympics started! Very cool! Then to get to see the sites for the next 2 weeks on TV was neat! But our time together in Italy was amazing. We were able to relax and enjoy each other's company. Cinque Terre was beautiful. We completed a hike between Monterosso and Vernazza and my 16 year old son made sure I was not lagging behind. I personally love to be by the ocean and was able to go into the sea! The Aperol Spritzes were so good too! "
Charles
Tour: 07/16/24
Overall rating:
Weather and circumstances (Olympics...) are beyond one's control. I think the trip would have been truly outstanding if cooler weather had prevailed and the streets of Paris were open to all. For those who are considering this tour don't hesitate just consider the "circumstances" carefully.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"the seafood buffet we had in Levanto Italy...absolutely superb!"
John
Tour: 07/16/24
Overall rating:
The tour functioned well. There were some wonderful experiences and some poor experiences. The changes made because of the Paris Olympics were mostly positive. The first two walking tours were simply a flood of disconnected information with little to tie the information together and included no experiences/visits to provide something to remember. The two great group connecting experiences were left to the last two days.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Fontainebleau"
Marguerite
Tour: 07/16/24
Overall rating:
I liked having all travel arrangements and hotel rooms booked for the 4 counties we visited.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Switzerland and the cooking class in Italy."
Julie
Tour: 07/14/24
Overall rating:
The guides Andrea and Adrianna were excellent. The tour was well organized. We had a great time.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"When we visited the e Cinque Terre, we took a hike from Vernazza to Monterosso. At the top of the hike, we could look back at some absolutely beautiful views of Vernazza. We also hiked down from Kleine Scheidegg to our hotel in Wengen while we were in Switzerland. Having the background of the beautiful Alps with cows with their musical bells grazing along the way seemed surreal. "
Paul
Tour: 07/14/24
Overall rating:
We really had a great time on the family Europe tour. Our tour guides were terrific -- very friendly and knowledgeable. They really made sure there were plenty of options during the open days & afternoons, too.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Hiking in the Lauterbrunnen Valley, near Wengen, was fantastic. I would go back tomorrow if I could. We also really loved Levanto and how it wasn't so crowded and touristy there. I can picture retiring in Levanto."
Debrah
Tour: 07/14/24
Overall rating:
Our tour guides were fantastic! Andrea and Adriana were always there for us. Answering questions, making suggestions, arranging special activities, joining us for social times. And the tour itself was so interesting and exciting. So many cities and locations!
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Every stop had a wow moment! I guess if I have to choose one it would be Switzerland. Seeing the Swiss mountains for the first time as breathtaking! And I love those bells!"
Sergio
Tour: 07/09/24
Overall rating:
The tour guides were amazing. They spoke about history in all cities and countries we visited. They were there to assist and help us all along the way!
Favorite "WOW" moment
"The tour guides, the people on our trip, the places we stayed! Everything was perfect!!!"
Nancy
Tour: 07/09/24
Overall rating:
Loved the tour, we saw so much. Great ground and great guides.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Too many! The Louvre, cruise on the Seine, group meal in Paris, seeing the preparations for the Olympics, the view from our hotel in Switzerland , the kids enjoying the chateau in Burgundy and dressing up. The walk in the Alps. The Beefeater’s tour of the Tower. Seeing a play during our free time in London, the art lesson in Florence. "
Pete
Tour: 07/09/24
Overall rating:
The entire tour was fantastic. I would love for Rick Steves to offer another family tour of Europe.
Heidi
Tour: 07/07/24
Overall rating:
The tour experience was perfect! All group activities were engaging and fun, Karin did an excellent job facilitating a close-knit community with the tour members. The information our guides provided was a great balance to meet the interest level of adults and kids. They were great leaders and heroes for the families!
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Hiking in Switzerland with our guides and group--perfect weather, camaraderie. Ending the day with a fun musical experience that engaged the tour members. And the art experience in Florence--so cool!!!"
Ragen
Tour: 07/07/24
Overall rating:
Great guides, great driver, great group and tour members, great itinerary - so glad there was so many families with kids on the tour.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Too many to choose just one, I'll go with the group. So many wonderful people and so much fun to travel with and get to know."
Lisa
Tour: 07/02/24
Overall rating:
Lisa was an incredible tour guide. I felt safe, relaxed, and joyful with her as our guide. She really has a knack for being organized, calm, and hilarious! Tour guide, Claudia, bent over backward to help up navigate our vegan diet in languages we don't speak. The tour was a perfect blend of planned activities and free time. We were never bored and could rest when we wanted to. It was great traveling with a group, feeling a lot like an extended family, helping each other out.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"You know, it was actually seeing our tour guide, Lisa, being enthusiastically embraced by her international friends she made over the years. It made me feel like we are all a lot more alike than we are different and it was very heartwarming. Another one was taking an evening stroll in Levanto, Italy, and coming across a live concert in the park with locals of all ages ballroom dancing."
Jackson
Tour: 07/02/24
Overall rating:
Lyle
Tour: 07/02/24
Overall rating:
Great cross section of Europe with a perfect simplified history of each country that we went to.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Staying in the rural countryside by Burgundy after having been in the bustling and crowded cities of London and Paris."
Sue
Tour: 07/02/24
Overall rating:
It was special from the start because we got to be part of the memories made by all the families and generations on the tour. Traveling with grandparents, parents and kids was the richest experience we have had on 11 tours, and Lisa had the amazing talent to make it outstanding for all of us!
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Singing Edelweiss as a group in Switzerland with the two gentleman who came to share music with us. It was after dinner, and we were in the beautiful front yard of our hotel. All the kids were sitting together… and I don’t think this Grandma has ever been happier!"
Jonai
Tour: 06/30/24
Overall rating:
I loved the tour. I had very high expectations and this tour surpassed all of them. Our tour guide Skyla was very knowledgeable and helpful through our the whole tour. I was thankful for all the fun breaks and activities strategically placed through out the tour to entertain the children and the adults. I was also thankful for free time at each stop. Sometimes we truly just rested and other times we just checked out the area at our pace or shopped. It was nice to have time to do wanted.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"My favorite experience while on this vacation was actually during our free day in Levanto. I enjoyed two things that we did that day. During the day we took a boat tour of the Cinque Terre and the guide discussed how and when each town was created. They also gave us time to swim/snorkel in the water. They served charcuterie and drinks. This was so relaxing and beautiful. .That evening after a pizza dinner we went to the free beach and collected sea glass and watched the sunset on the sea. "
Erica
Tour: 06/30/24
Overall rating:
It’s hard to put in to words our time on the Family Tour of Europe. We booked it after a recommendation from a family friend who enjoyed the tour a decade ago and had nothing but rave reviews, and we couldn’t agree more! Being a family of introverts, taking a group tour was definitely out of our comfort zone, but beyond happy we did. Everything was perfectly organized, every moment together was so thoughtfully planned and really helped to make us feel at ease. Thank you Skyla, Jana and Richard!
Favorite "WOW" moment
"It’s so hard to pick just one “wow” moment, but walking amongst the mist in the Swiss Alps was simply magical. The cow bells, the friendly people, the pristine water flowing out of front yard troughs was unlike anything I’ve experienced before. It’s a place in this world I absolutely plan to return to! Our family also really enjoyed the group experience at the French Chateau, and who doesn’t love the Cinque Terre!"
Melissa
Tour: 06/30/24
Overall rating:
We had a great trip and Skyla was amazing!!
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Paris and Levanto"
Kris
Tour: 06/30/24
Overall rating:
My family and I had a wonderful experience. I couldn’t imagine having better tour guides. Skylah and Jana were both outstanding. Our bus driver, Richard, was also amazing!
Favorite "WOW" moment
"The boat ride in the cinque terra was the “wow” moment for me."
Dean
Tour: 06/30/24
Overall rating:
It gave us a wonderful overview of some of Europe's highlights in a comfortable and well planned tour.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"We enjoyed every stop, as well as the views while moving, so it's hard to pick out just one "wow" moment. I did appreciate seeing the Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo and David."
Eileen
Tour: 06/30/24
Overall rating:
Great family itinerary, kid friendly activities, patient guides!
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Switzerland landscape"
Carie
Tour: 06/30/24
Overall rating:
We had high expectations and this tour exceeded them! We had so much fun and all the details were taken care of. Skyla, was an absolutely extraordinary guide and Yana was also wonderful! I was worried about the bus riding. But Richard and his bus were simply terrific. So clean and comfortable and the scenery and the entertaining company made the time go so quick. All the tours of the city and the museums were wonderful too. All together a terrific experience!!
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Probably dancing with my husband to an accordion in the lobby of an old hotel in Switzerland!"
Christina
Tour: 06/30/24
Overall rating:
Perfect tour! It was just the vacation we were looking for - the perfect mix of guided tour and free time
Favorite "WOW" moment
"My favorite was probably the Cinque Terra. But I really loved it all!"
Caraline
Tour: 06/30/24
Overall rating:
overall the tour exceeded my expectations and i thought it was a good amount of time in each pace to see the highlights of each city.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"i think seeing the Eiffel tower for the first time was amazing and the tour guide did a great job of explaining it and its history."
Jordan
Tour: 06/30/24
Overall rating:
Nice mix of planned activities versus free time. Great advice on how best to use free time.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"The beautiful mountains in Switzerland and the gorgeous colors of the Cinque Terre"
James
Tour: 06/25/24
Overall rating:
It was amazing
Favorite "WOW" moment
"The Duomo in Italy. The alps in Switzerland"
Ash
Tour: 06/25/24
Overall rating:
Everywhere we went to had very fun food and places to go and our guides made everything as amazing as possible. I got the chance to meet every person in our tour group and everybody was nice and it made the trip even more awesome!
Favorite "WOW" moment
"My favorite part of the tour was Swizerland because the mountains were stunning. I wanted to move there because of how beautiful it was and I definitely want to go back."
Sharon
Tour: 06/23/24
Overall rating:
We loved every minute of it
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Switzerland "
George
Tour: 06/23/24
Overall rating:
organized, informative, great relationships
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Paris "
Roxann
Tour: 06/18/24
Overall rating:
The tour more than fulfilled all of my expectations! The itinerary was wonderful; it allowed us to see so many amazing sights within a relatively short period of time without ever feeling rushed. The guides were fabulous! I was travelling with an 18 year old granddaughter and I feared the Family Tour would have mostly very young children, but it had a wonderful mix of ages. The most special thing for me about the tour was how well the group coalesced; everyone got along amazingly wel!
Favorite "WOW" moment
"My favorite "wow" moment was at the country hotel in St. Fargeau. I had seen most of the other sights before so they didn't wow me on this trip. Everything at the Hôtel les Grand Chênes was wonderful--the room, the food, the beautiful surroundings, the fun medieval dinner, and especially how it gave the young people a chance to bond. It was a well-timed, peaceful break after London and Paris."
Kylie
Tour: 06/16/24
Overall rating:
Our overall tour experience was amazing. We were able to see so many things at each place on the tour. The days were planned out perfectly with group time for sightseeing and experiences and the time on our own was great too. It was a good balance.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"The Swiss Alps were our favorite “wow” moment. The beauty of the area was breathtaking. Our guide suggested a 3 mile hike through the valley and it was our favorite part of the trip. We will be going back."
Glen
Tour: 06/16/24
Overall rating:
Skyla our tour guide was exceptional and one of the best tour leaders my wife & I have ever had. She was optimistic, knowledgeable, informative and provided just the right amount and type of information needed for the group to get the most out of our travels. She has a pleasant speaking voice, is understanding, considerate and had an upbeat manner which put tour members in a cheerful mood. Our fine Belgian bus driver, Erik spoke English, was friendly and became like a fellow tour member.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Hiking in spectacular Lauterbrunnen Valley surrounded by snowcapped mountains, green alpine meadows and towering waterfalls. At night viewing the illuminated Eiffel Tower adorned with Olympic rings. Visiting/experiencing Windsor Castle, Tower of London, London's Natural History Museum, Victoria & Albert Museum, Louvre Museum, Cinque Terre, Florence's Pitti Palace/Gardens, Adam's bus & walking tour of London, lively/older 2nd guide led tour of Florence, some joint dinners were excellent . "
Harry
Tour: 06/16/24
Overall rating:
Transitions from hotels to restaurants, museums and activities were very smooth. Lots of free time and good suggestions of what to do and how to get there from our excellent and friendly guide Skyla.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"I loved the hiking and gondola rides in the Swiss Alps. My granddaughter would probably say the pasta making in Florence and the friendships she made with fellow travelers her age."
Ann
Tour: 06/16/24
Overall rating:
Wonderful group of fellow travelers.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"The beauty of Switzerland when the sun came and the sky was clear. "
Heather
Tour: 06/16/24
Overall rating:
Our guides, Skyla and Luis, were outstanding! They did an excellent job building rapport and keeping the group on schedule.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Specifically in St. Fargeau, Burgandy, France: it was amazing being the only tour group around in the French marketplace and in the mall. We felt so immersed in the French culture with the language, people, and foods surrounding us. It was very memorable! "
Heather
Tour: 06/16/24
Overall rating:
The tour was wonderful! Skyla and Luis were excellent tour guides. We wanted a tour where our 14 year old would meet other kids and bond and this tour delivered. It was a great sampling of what Europe has to offer.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"The medieval dinner at the chateau in Burgundy turned out to be so much fun. Our tour guide, Skyla, was the official hair braider. Seeing everyone dressed up was a hoot and the meal was fantastic. "
Nancy
Tour: 06/11/24
Overall rating:
Malia
Tour: 06/11/24
Overall rating:
Our Guide (Jody) and Guide assistant (Richard) were a phenomenal pair! They really made this trip extra special in their experience, knowledge, guidance and advise and also orchestrating the group to come together very nicely.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Switzerland was never on my radar or bucket list. But after arriving there and being in such jaw dropping natural beauty I must go back for a longer vacation there in the future. The mountains were gorgeous! Also, while we were in Florence my 98 yo grandmother passed away. I heard the news during our art class. The art instructor whisked me and my daughter into her studio and created a flash art masterpiece dedicated to my grandma. She was so sincere and compassionate; it meant the world to us!"
David
Tour: 06/09/24
Overall rating:
This particular tour is a taste test of a wide section of Europe. We were able to live as temporary locals in both fast paced high energy cities like Florence while also unwinding into the backdrop of the beautiful Swiss alps. This tour was exceptional for the tour members who ranged in age from 9 to 70. This was a great experience.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Sitting outside our hotel late a night sipping lemoncello while listening to our guide serenade us with Italian songs played masterfully on his guitar. The scene was so special that a crowd of local Italians stopped and joined in on the party. "
John
Tour: 06/09/24
Overall rating:
Overall great experience. Tour group was friendly and nice, guides were great, bus was comfy, most destinations were exciting and fun. Very few problems or issues.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Top of the Eiffel tower was pretty amazing."
Mandi
Tour: 06/09/24
Overall rating:
The family tour was exceptional. Our guides were fantastic at their jobs and facilitating the group. The kids bonded with other kids in the group almost immediately.
Don
Tour: 06/04/24
Overall rating:
Our little band of travelers had a merry time on our journey across Europe. The experience was heightened by the variety of participants from across America who really bonded. The kids were fantastic and easily melded into a cohesive group. They enjoyed each other and the experiences e all enjoyed.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"There were many and it’s hard to choose a favorite. I loved Florence, and our grandson was wowed by the close up and personal exposure to classical art and the creative genius of so many Renaissance masters. "
Mollie
Tour: 06/04/24
Overall rating:
Judie
Tour: 06/04/24
Overall rating:
The tour did not disappoint, starting with our guides Saso & Togay, the places we visited & experiences we shared. We also had a wonderful group of tour members starting with an 8 year old up to grandparents. Getting to share this experience with my grandchildren & seeing their excitement with each new experience was really special. I am so happy that Rick Steves offers a tour that is geared for families, the experience was thoroughly enjoyable from start to finish
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Their were many wow moments, but my favorite was seeing Guedelon Castle. My oldest granddaughter & I saw it 16 years ago in its early stages of construction so seeing how the construction has progressed was really interesting. What a great history lesson, getting so see first hand the tools & methods that were used for building in the 1200’s."
Richard
Tour: 06/04/24
Overall rating:
We loved this trip. We wanted to introduce our grandchildren to some places in Europe and this was a great selection of cities and experiences.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"I enjoyed the tour of Guedelon. It is fascinating that they are building this 13th century castle the way it was truly built at that time. Passionate guide and thought it was a very unique thing to experience."
Natalie
Tour: 06/04/24
Overall rating:
It was really fun and I learned a lot of interesting facts.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"seeing the crown jewels was really amazing."
Alice
Tour: 06/04/24
Overall rating:
The kids had new experiences - making pasta from scratch, painting by scratching into the paint, and carving a brick. There were opportunities for kids of all ages to learn and the adults had fun too.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"The day at Guedelon was fascinating, but the "dress-up" afterward was such a FUN surprise."
Michael
Tour: 06/02/24
Overall rating:
We had a wonderful time. Great mix of tours and free time. Very informative and engaging guide!
Favorite "WOW" moment
"The beauty of Switzerland."
Mary
Tour: 06/02/24
Overall rating:
We enjoyed seeing wonderful Europe! We felt like we could get a good sample of the folks that live there and have lived there.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"I have wanted to see Switzerland since I was young. So hearing the Swiss cow bells, seeing the amazing mountains and enjoying tasty fondue- well, kinda gets me emotional. Thanks so much for our wonderful guides and all the great experiences! Mary Kay "
Sara
Tour: 06/02/24
Overall rating:
We had a wonderful time. We were a family of 10, with lots of needs. Skyla was a fabulous guide.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"For me, seeing all 10 of our family having a wonderful time despite the range of ages and interests."
Daniel
Tour: 06/02/24
Overall rating:
Our guide, Skyla Sorenson, was wonderful. She was able to communicate with the adults as well as the children. She had or was willing to find answers to all of our quetions. She had great suggestions for things to do during our free time. The itineray, hotels, meals, transportation, and guides were wonderful (with some suggetions I will highlight later). In essence, I would say the trip was outstanding.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"My wife and I have already visied all of the sights through previous Rick Steves Tours. As always my WOW moment is turning the cormer in the Accademia Museum and seeing David. I actually had another motive for this tour. I was bringing my children and grandchildren for their first experience in Europe. I wanted to plant the seed for further interest and exploration. My real WOW moment on this trip was my famiy members talking about all they had seen and wanting "more"."
David
Tour: 06/02/24
Overall rating:
Efficiently saw London, Paris and Florence. Sampled Burgundy and Switzerland and the Italian Riviera. Traveled by bus "feeling" the geography.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Seeing the ancient navigation tools at the Galileo Museum in Florence. "
Amanda
Tour: 06/02/24
Overall rating:
Amazing! So well organized, interesting, great itinerary and amazing tour leader. The tour took ALL the stress of planning away so my daughter and I were able to enjoy all our experiences. Plus we loved the mix of organized guiding and the free time at each location.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Levanto was WOW! Swimming in the Mediterranean with my daughter, then exploring the town on our own including renting bikes over to the the next tiny village."
Shawn
Tour: 06/02/24
Overall rating:
Extremely well organized and operated. Could not have been better.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"The overall scenery of the Lauterbrunnen valley"
Jackie
Tour: 05/28/24
Overall rating:
This tour was a great way to introduce young potential travelers to Europe. It moved along smoothly thanks to our wonderful tour leader Tina and her assistant Katja. What makes a tour go from good to great in my opinion is the leader. And we had one of the best.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"My wow moments would have to be getting to experience this whole trip with my teen granddaughter. "
Donna
Tour: 05/28/24
Overall rating:
It was good except the travel days were a bit long.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Seeing the young kids get to know each other."
Lisa
Tour: 05/28/24
Overall rating:
This was my first trip overseas. The tour was an exceptional introduction to travel abroad and to each of the cities we visited. I would highly recommend the tour experience to any traveler, as it greatly enhanced our experience in each country to have a guide provide us with some of the history and highlights of each and their cultures.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"It's hard to pick just one! The first view of the Eiffel tower was one, the view from our balcony at Hotel Falcon was another, the sites in London that we've seen on TV a hundred times over was another, and watching the kids meld and make friendships at Hotel les Grand Chenes was a real highlight, too! I was also amazed at how quickly the bus rides passed, largely due to our guides' informative talks about what where we were headed. Lots of WOW moments strung together for nearly two weeks. "
Phil
Tour: 05/28/24
Overall rating:
Guides were exemplary. Hotels were average to good, but acceptable for the trip. The food was good to very good (particularly in Paris, Burgundy and Levantine). Activities, history and culture differences were excellent for all including those in their early teens. The group meshed very well. Dreary cold weather broke as we entered Switzerland and the clear crisp vistas were “Wow” moments.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"See above. We also loved watching our grands become more confident, self sufficient, independent and more inquisitive as the trip progressed."
Emma
Tour: 05/28/24
Overall rating:
The tour did a really nice job accommodating my food allergies, which was one of my big concerns before we left home. I liked the format of the tour and saw a lot of places I'd only heard about.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"The view in Wengen from our hotel (Falken)."
John
Tour: 05/28/24
Overall rating:
A trip to Europe and particularly France has always been my wife's dream. I reluctantly went along and by the end of the tour was wanting it to last longer. The food and sights were outstanding and the other people on our tour became like family. We both came back wanting to do another tour in the future.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"London and France were rainy and when we got to Switzerland it was a cloudy day. When we got up the next morning it was crystal clear and the view of the alps outside of our hotel window was stunning. We went hiking that day and the flowers and mountain peaks and the waterfalls in the valley were amazing. Just the perfect day. "
Timothy
Tour: 05/28/24
Overall rating:
It was a wonderful tour. Being able to see as much as we did both with the group and on our own was amazing.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Being able to use the French language I learned 40 years ago in high school with people in Paris and the French country side."
Andrea
Tour: 05/26/24
Overall rating:
Both our tour guides were outstanding. The meals were all good, but our the one in Levanto was above and beyond and the service there was over the top. The service at the hotel was also top notch. The other hotel and meal that was amazing was the Chateau and meal in Burgundy. Everything was amazing there and the owners made us feel right at home. The cooking class and art class in Florence were also wonderful!
Favorite "WOW" moment
"The tour guides and how well they took care of our family and became one of us. Also the chateau in Burgundy, the views in Levanto and Switzerland, and the cooking class in Italy. Just riding through the alps out of Switzerland and into Italy. "
Marie
Tour: 05/26/24
Overall rating:
Thomas
Tour: 05/26/24
Overall rating:
This was our first Rick Steves tour and we’d definitely do one again. We chose the Europe Family tour for the itinerary, even though it was just my husband and I joining, and we’re in our 60’s. We really enjoyed the family dynamics of the rest of the group. With kids along, the activities were engaging for all ages and the younger kids (11-12 yrs old) had great / fun questions.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Switzerland was absolutely beautiful. The weather was rainy and cold but couldn’t dampen the breathtaking waterfalls and mountains."
Dennis
Tour: 05/26/24
Overall rating:
We celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary by taking 14 members of our family to Europe. We had visited most of the locations on the family tour before but wanted to enjoy it through our grandchildren s eyes. it did not disappoint.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"The definite wow moment was going to the top of the Eiffel Tower at 9:00 at night with the lights and sparkles. We also enjoyed our time in Burgandy with the wonderful hospitality, castles and markets."
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
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. "
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! "
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!"
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"
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."
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."
Brynn
Tour: 07/25/23
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. "
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. "
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.