The Best Private Trips to Book in Southern Europe
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 Southern 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.
Seductive Southern Italy
Discover the true meaning of la dolce vita on this 10-day itinerary, which explores the very best of Italy’s western and eastern coastlines. Things kick off in lively Naples, where a street food tour serves as the perfect introduction to Italy. Then you’ll wind along the dreamy Amalfi Coast by road and by boat, stopping off in some of the region’s most charming seaside towns. The journey from west to east is broken up with visits to some of Puglia’s most scenic towns, before eventually reaching the crystal-clear waters and golden beaches of Polignano a Mare. On the east coast you’ll visit a local olive oil farm, as well as the gorgeous city of Lecce, known as the Florence of the South.
From US$2709
Next available from 29th Mar 2024
Secure your spot with a low deposit
Trip highlights and details
STARTS AT
Naples, Italy
ENDS AT
Lecce, Italy
DURATION
10
GROUP SIZE
14
PHYSICAL RATING
Easy
STYLE
Discovery
Complete Portugal by Train
In Portugal they know how to enjoy the finer things in life, be it sweet treats, fine wines or scenic sunset spots. All of the above feature on this comprehensive tour of southern Europe’s westernmost nation, starting with the beautiful city of Porto. Having strolled along the charming riverside streets and sampled sweet Port wine, you’ll be whisked out to the spectacular Douro Valley for a boat ride and lunch at a local winery. In Aveiro, Portugal’s answer to Venice, you’ll discover a local sweet delicacy – ovos moles – while the fairytale town of Sintra is likely to dominate your Instagram for a day. The trip ends in the capital, Lisbon, where you’ll gorge on pastel de nata, stroll past pretty landmarks and enjoy a stunning sunset from one of the city’ seven hills.
From US$2029
Next available from 13th Apr 2024
Secure your spot with a low deposit
Trip highlights and details
STARTS AT
Porto, Portugal
ENDS AT
Lisbon, Portugal
DURATION
8
GROUP SIZE
16
PHYSICAL RATING
Light
STYLE
Discovery
Greek Island Odyssey
If the concept of Mediterranean bliss can be distilled into one place, then we reckon it’s Santorini at sunset, when the island’s whitewashed buildings and blue-domed churches are bathed in a warm glow. That moment is usually accompanied with a cocktail on a terrace bar, after a day of classic Greek island indulgence. That’s essentially the final day of our eight-day island-hopping epic in Greece. Your Santorini sunset will be accompanied with recent memories of the Acropolis in Athens, hidden beaches in Milos and a traditional Greek cooking class in Naxos. We’ll certainly raise a glass to that. Will you?
From US$1939
Next available from 28th Apr 2024
Secure your spot with a low deposit
Trip highlights and details
STARTS AT
Athens, Greece
ENDS AT
Athens, Greece
DURATION
9
GROUP SIZE
18
PHYSICAL RATING
Light
STYLE
Discovery
Coastal Croatia
While Italy and Greece tend to steal the headlines, you can make a pretty strong argument that Croatia is Europe’s ultimate seaside destination. This country is almost entirely coastline, and we’ll be tracing its shimmering cerulean waters all the way from Split to Dubrovnik on this eight-day itinerary. If those two gorgeous medieval cities make the bread of this sandwich, then the filling is an island-hopping extravaganza, featuring wines to sip on, oysters to slurp down, and hidden caves to explore by boat. You in?
From US$2169
Next available from 29th Mar 2024
Secure your spot with a low deposit
Trip highlights and details
STARTS AT
Split, Croatia
ENDS AT
Dubrovnik, Croatia
DURATION
8
GROUP SIZE
16
PHYSICAL RATING
Moderate
STYLE
Discovery
Atlantic Azores
Think Southern Europe is all about indulgent slow travel? Think again. Look far off the coast of Portugal and you’ll discover the volcanic archipelago of the Azores, a true adventure playground waiting to be discovered. Our six-day trip is a pretty thorough examination of the main island, São Miguel, which is covered in a bright green coat and endless geological wonders. Explore the surreal volcanic crater lakes of Sete Cidades by bike and kayak, soak in natural hot springs and head to Ribeira dos Caldeirões to go canyoning down slippery ravines and abseiling across a waterfall. You’ll even have the chance to go whale watching on a marine safari. Things get really cool on the last day, when you prep a traditional cozido stew, which will be cooked underground using only natural geothermal heat, and should be ready by the time you’re back from a hike around Furnas Lake.
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
ENDS AT
Ponta Delgada, Portugal
DURATION
6
GROUP SIZE
8
PHYSICAL RATING
Moderate
STYLE
Discovery
Spectacular Sicily
If Italy is a boot, then Sicily is the football it’s kicking. The largest island in the Mediterranean is worthy of a trip of its own, which is why this eight-day itinerary exists. It’s a genuinely thorough exploration of the island, full of foodie experiences and coastal gems. You’ll explore the street food markets of Palermo, the rugged scenery of the Madonie Mountains and the volcanic landscapes of the Aeolian Islands. You’ll hike across Mount Etna and visit Taormina’s ancient Greek amphitheatre, discover more street food in Syracuse and Ortigia, before rounding off the trip with a scenic exploration of the Unesco-listed Val di Noto region, home to a series of gorgeous hilltop Baroque towns, as well as some of the world’s finest chocolate and gelato.
From US$2924
Next available from 20th Apr 2024
Secure your spot with a low deposit
Trip highlights and details
STARTS AT
Palermo, Italy
ENDS AT
Siracusa, Sicily
DURATION
10
GROUP SIZE
14
PHYSICAL RATING
Light
STYLE
Discovery
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.
Read Next
Guides & Tips
Five Places That Look Even More Beautiful Covered in Snow
Guides & Tips
The Best Places in Europe to Visit in 2024
Guides & Tips
The Best Places to Travel in August 2024
Guides & Tips
The Best Places to Travel in May 2024
Places to Stay
The Best Private Trips to Book for Your Classical Studies Class
Guides & Tips
The Best Private Trips to Book for Your Religious Studies Class
Guides & Tips
The Best Private Trips to Book With Your Support Group
Guides & Tips
The Best Rail Trips to Take in Europe
Guides & Tips
The Best Trips for Sampling Amazing Mediterranean Food
Guides & Tips
The Best European Trips for Foodies
Guides & Tips
The Best Private Trips to Book in Europe
Guides & Tips
The Best Private Trips to Book in Northern Europe
Winter Sale Offers on Our Trips
Incredible Savings
