Europe Tours

The French Riviera has long attracted artists, gardeners and travellers with its extraordinary combination of sunshine, dramatic coastlines and wonderfully varied landscapes. Here, generations of passionate gardeners have created remarkable gardens where exotic plants flourish in the Mediterranean climate, from botanical collections to elegant estates overlooking the sea. Enjoy a full day at the spectacular Menton Lemon Festival, when the town bursts into colour with elaborate floats, sculptures and displays celebrating the humble citrus fruit. Alongside the festivities, discover the exceptional gardens of the Riviera, including the Fondation Ephrussi de Rothschild with its magnificent sea views, the richly planted Hanbury Gardens just across the Italian border and the Jardin Exotique d’Èze perched above the Mediterranean. From Villa Thuret and Serre de la Madone to the gardens of Monte Carlo and La Mouissone, uncover a fascinating world of plants, design and creativity.

There’s still time to discover in 2026. Selected departures are still available – simply call 1-800-759-7715 to find out more. Learn more about Pompeii at the recently excavated villas. Nowhere in the world could give a deeper insight into Roman life than the dramatic seaside towns of Pompeii and Herculaneum. Before the eruption of Vesuvius, these were thriving, lively seaside towns – Pompeii, a trading town equipped with many bars, shops and brothels, while Herculaneum was an affluent elegant town. All this came to an abrupt halt, however, one autumnal day in AD 79 when Vesuvius, which had done little more than rumble for years, erupted with cataclysmic force. Two thousand years later, the sites of the Bay of Naples confront the modern visitor with a vivid, haunting immediacy like nothing else in the ancient world. In some cases, we even know the names, professions and personal histories of the people who owned the villas and shops we visit, with our expert guide lecturer illuminating the ordinary people of Pompeii, Herculaneum and beyond. This is an exciting time for visitors to these Vesuvian towns, as new discoveries are constantly being made and new houses constantly opened up. Lose yourself in the past, walking the ancient streets in the footsteps of gladiators, slaves, senators and citizens.

There’s still time to discover in 2026. Selected departures are still available – simply call 1-800-759-7715 to find out more. Rome is one of the most charismatic and engaging of the great cities of the world, her monuments an omnipresent testament to a past in which she controlled an empire reaching from Scotland to Syria. Surprisingly, it is also an intimate city – the historic centre is small and it is easy to understand based on the ancient layout. This tour is the perfect introduction to the ‘Eternal City’ in the company of archaeologist and historians who illuminate the triumphs, tragedies and political intrigue that characterised the Roman Empire.

This tour travels through the Douro Valley, taking in the stunning almond blossom vistas which are comparable with the more famous cherry blossoms in Japan, but a lot closer to home. Spend some time exploring the vibrant city of Porto with its UNESCO World Heritage Centre – the Ribeira district is home to colourful houses, narrow cobbled streets and a surfeit of Portuguese charm. Departing from the city, we enjoy a scenic train ride through the Douro Valley with its spectacular vistas and ranks of flowering almond trees. Our destination is Vila Nova de Foz Coa, whose almond trees bloom with delicate pink and white flowers into a magnificent sight to behold. We also visit some of the Douro Valley’s notable manor houses, including Casa Mateus and Casa do Campo, as well as some of the area’s fascinating gardens.

The Etruscans are one of the great forgotten civilisations. Conquest by the Romans meant that the Etruscans only appeared as incidental participants in early histories, but they had in fact flourished throughout the first millennium BCE in a group of prosperous city states which were sophisticated, cosmopolitan and influential. Their settlements, their artefacts and even their cemeteries testify to this and as we travel through the lovely countryside of Tuscany and northern Lazio, the Etruscans are abundantly on show, if you know where to look.