The Best Private Trips to Book in Europe

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Gethin Morgan

Content and CRM Executive

Whether you’re looking to book a private trip with family, friends or a social group, these are the best Culture Trip itineraries you can book in Europe.
There’s plenty of pros for going private. Obviously it means you can keep the guest-list locked down, but it also allows for far greater flexibility on travel dates, group sizes (minimum of 4) and even age requirements. Simply get in touch with our Travel Experts to organise your personalised Culture Trip adventure.

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Palace of Pena in Sintra, Lisbon, Portugal.

Complete Portugal by Train

Sweet treats, sumptuous wines and scenic cities star in this dreamy eight-day Rail Trip through Portugal. The itinerary starts in the charming northern city of Porto, famed for its fortified wine and picturesque riverfront. You’ll discover incredible viewpoints and sip on fine wines in the Douro Valley, gorge on local delicacies in a Venice-like lagoon city and fall in love with the fairytale town of Sintra. The tour ends in the capital, Lisbon, where sunset views, tram rides and an endless supply of pastel de nata await.

From US$2029

Next available from 13th Apr 2024

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Trip highlights and details

STARTS AT

Porto, Portugal

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ENDS AT

Lisbon, Portugal

DURATION

8

GROUP SIZE

16

PHYSICAL RATING

Light

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STYLE

Discovery

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Volcanic Iceland

Nowhere in Europe is quite like Iceland. In fact, nowhere else on Earth is. Our five-day tour of this otherworldly volcanic landscape is jam-packed with adventurous activities and unique experiences. You’ll get a guided tour of the Golden Circle and the Blue Lagoon, but you’ll also visit a black-sand beach, walk behind thundering waterfalls and hike across the frozen tongue of Sólheimajökull. Hot spring soaks, geothermally baked bread and hearty Icelandic dinners will keep you fuelled up for the highlight of the trip – a snowmobile ride across an icy glacier.

From US$2889

Next available from 17th Feb 2024

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Trip highlights and details

STARTS AT

Reykjavik, Iceland

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ENDS AT

Reykjavik, Iceland

DURATION

5

GROUP SIZE

16

PHYSICAL RATING

Moderate

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STYLE

Discovery

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Seductive Southern Italy

When you think of Europe do you picture the quaint coastal towns and sumptuous seafood delights of Italy? If so, this intoxicating 10-day journey across some of the country’s finest stretches of coastline is bound to win your heart. Start in Naples for a street food bonanza before winding along the Amalfi Coast like a classic movie star. We’ll swap the west coast for the east, stopping off in the unique Puglian towns of Matera, Alberobello and Locorotondo on the way. In Puglia the shimmering waters and glorious beaches of Polignano a Mare await, not to mention visits to a local olive oil farm and Lecce, ‘the Florence of the South’.

From US$2709

Next available from 29th Mar 2024

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Trip highlights and details

STARTS AT

Naples, Italy

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ENDS AT

Lecce, Italy

DURATION

10

GROUP SIZE

14

PHYSICAL RATING

Easy

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STYLE

Discovery

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Greek Island Odyssey

To understand the real meaning of Mediterranean bliss, you simply have to embark on a Greek island retreat. This eight-day itinerary gives you more than your money’s worth, starting with a guided tour of the Acropolis in Athens, before setting sail on an island-hopping adventure. First up is Milos, where a boat cruise will help you discover hidden caves and glorious beaches, before moving on to Naxos, where you’ll be treated to a traditional cooking class surrounded by the island’s rolling olive groves and oak tress. The final destination? It could only be Santorini, the most sumptuous of all the Greek isles, and the perfect place to watch the sun go down on a summer holiday you’ll never forget.

From US$1939

Next available from 28th Apr 2024

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Trip highlights and details

STARTS AT

Athens, Greece

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ENDS AT

Athens, Greece

DURATION

9

GROUP SIZE

18

PHYSICAL RATING

Light

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STYLE

Discovery

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Cliffs of Moher, Ireland

Fairytale Ireland

Looking for a bit of inspiration? Ireland has it in buckets, be it from literary trails and old tales in Dublin, to the sheer majesty of the epic Irish coastline. This week-long tour blends the two, starting with a guided tour of Dublin’s old churches, cobbled streets and, of course, the Guinness Factory. Then it’s all about the green green grass of rural island, as we trace the coastline from County Cork and the West Cork Coastal Route, all the way up the Wild Atlantic Way to Galway. Discover the foodie haven of Kinsale, the traditional pubs of Dingle and the awe-inspiring Cliffs of Moher along the way.

From US$3059

Next available from 13th Apr 2024

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Trip highlights and details

STARTS AT

Dublin, Ireland

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ENDS AT

Dublin, Ireland

DURATION

7

GROUP SIZE

16

PHYSICAL RATING

Light

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STYLE

Discovery

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The Alhambra palace in Granada, Spain

City Hopping in Spain by Train

Dive right into the spiritual heart of Spain on this rail adventure from Madrid to the gorgeous cities of Andalusia. In the capital you’ll discover grand works of architecture and embark on a mouthwatering tapas tour, before heading to the beautiful Atocha train station for a journey south to Cordoba. This ancient city has remnants of Roman and Moorish rule all over, with the remarkable mosque-cathedral standing as the ultimate example of Spain’s multicultural history. Next up is the fiery city of Seville, for more delicious tapas and a live flamenco show, before hitting the tracks to Granada, where the city’s striking Alhambra Palace is waiting to be explored. We end the trip in classic European fashion by hitting the seaside, with a guided tour of Malaga and plenty of time to chill on the beach.

From US$3199

Next available from 20th Apr 2024

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Trip highlights and details

STARTS AT

Madrid, Spain

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ENDS AT

Malaga, Andalucia

DURATION

8

GROUP SIZE

16

PHYSICAL RATING

Moderate

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STYLE

Discovery

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Jacobite steam train crosses the Glenfinnan Viaduct, as seen in Harry Potter

Edinburgh and the Scottish Highlands by Train

The rugged landscapes of Scotland are best enjoyed from the comfort of a cosy train carriage, which is why this week-long Rail Trip is the ultimate introduction to Alba. You’ll even enter the country by train, as we start the tour in London, hopping onboard the Caledonian sleeper train, so you can wake up to stunning views of the Scottish countryside. The locomotive highlight of the itinerary is without doubt the Jacobite steam train (AKA the Hogwarts Express), which you’ll get to ride, while other unforgettable experiences include a riverside whisky tasting, a hike in the Cairngorms and a boat trip on the Isle of Skye.

From US$2799

Next available from 29th Apr 2024

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Trip highlights and details

STARTS AT

London, England

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ENDS AT

Edinburgh, Scotland

DURATION

7

GROUP SIZE

18

PHYSICAL RATING

Moderate

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STYLE

Discovery

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A man in an orange kayak paddles by the rocky coastline of Hvar Island, Croatia

Coastal Croatia

The Dalmatian Coast of Croatia is about as glamorous as it gets, as this dreamy eight-day escape proves. Sparkling waters, tiny islands and seafood delicacies are all on the menu as we trace the cerulean shores between two of the country’s most beautiful cities – Split and Dubrovnik. Stops along the way include the unique islands of Vis and Korcula, as well as the charming town of Ston. You’ll discover hidden beaches, previously unheard wine varieties in Lumbarda and the freshest oysters you ever slurped en route to the old medieval walls of Dubrovnik.

From US$2169

Next available from 29th Mar 2024

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Trip highlights and details

STARTS AT

Split, Croatia

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ENDS AT

Dubrovnik, Croatia

DURATION

8

GROUP SIZE

16

PHYSICAL RATING

Moderate

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STYLE

Discovery

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Georgia and the Caucasus

Head right to the eastern fringes of Europe, dipping your toes into the westernmost edges of Asia, and you’ll discover the mountainous gem that is Georgia. Found in the domineering shadow of the Caucasus Mountains, this beautiful nation is home to some of the oldest cultural practices in the world, not to mention some of the most stunning scenery. You’ll discover ancient winemaking and bread-baking traditions, soak in sulphur baths and take a traditional cooking class in Tbilisi, while outdoor adventures include a trek through Lagodekhi National Park and a hike to the fairytale Gergeti Church, found high in the Caucasus in the shadow of Mount Kazbegi.

From US$1199

Next available from 18th May 2024

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Trip highlights and details

STARTS AT

Tbilisi, Georgia

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ENDS AT

Tbilisi, Georgia

DURATION

9

GROUP SIZE

16

PHYSICAL RATING

Moderate

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STYLE

Discovery

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Atlantic Azores

Not many people know that Europe’s ultimate adventure playground lies far off the coast of Portugal, on a volcanic archipelago in the heart of the Atlantic Ocean. The Azores are blanketed in a luscious green coat and embellished with surreal volcanic lakes, epic waterfalls and huge mountain peaks. This six-day itinerary tackles all of its landscapes head on. You’ll cycle around and kayak across the crater lakes of Sete Cidades, go canyoning and abseiling down waterfalls in Ribeira dos Caldeirões, and spot whales on a marine safari. Soothe the muscles in natural hot springs, the soul with a hearty cozido stew, and the mind with a cheeky cocktail-making class.

From US$1529

Next available from 29th Mar 2024

Secure your spot with a low deposit

Trip highlights and details

STARTS AT

Ponta Delgada, Portugal

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ENDS AT

Ponta Delgada, Portugal

DURATION

6

GROUP SIZE

8

PHYSICAL RATING

Moderate

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STYLE

Discovery

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KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?

Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.

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