Make It Simple To Choose

Your Best European Sightseeing

European sightseeing doesn't only mean sitting on a bus…

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You can see many cities from many different angles…take your pick or experience them all…

Bike – Walk – Segway – Boat

And on a biking or walking trip you’ll get some exercise as well…

Note that this information is for day trips. Visit the future Special Interest section on this site for multi-day European sightseeing trips - walking, hiking, biking and many other activities.

Four Different Ways for European sightseeing…

1. Guided walking tours...London, Paris, Amsterdam and many more...

   Guided walks are available in most cities in Europe. The trips in larger cities and are organized by private companies. In smaller towns it’s often the local tourist office that offers them.

   Most guided walks last from one to two hours and are inexpensive.

   Your other benefits…

   • Guides are good and often humorous. You’ll enjoy their stories as much as the walks.
   • Flexibility and convenience…you just turn up at the designated starting point at the time stated.

     In many cities no advance bookings are required for this type European sightseeing…if the weather is lousy or you want to sleep in…no problem. You did not register and you did not pay. It’s that simple.

   • If you don’t know what walk to take in London or Paris...these cities have a lot of choices…call or email the operators and tell them your interests and they will suggest the best walk for You!
   • Your fellow walkers…they’re all like you…interesting, adventurers and congenial. People who are fun to “rub elbows with” for a few hours…
   • Lots of savings…London Walks, the major company in London, offers attractions at a discount.

     And the European Travel & Vacation Resource Center will show you that your first walk can be free in many cities!

   Any drawbacks…

   You’ve got to do the walking…that’s all. And if it’s raining you may not want to go. If you want to save even more, get the low-cost Europe Travel Pass and just show up.

   Some companies want you to pay up front for walking, biking and boating trips…I don’t recommend it unless you really want to prepay as much as possible. Otherwise Vive la Flexibility!

2. Guided bike tours

   Your benefits and drawbacks listed with Walking trips apply to Biking and Segway, too.

   You’ll undoubtedly have a great time with a small group of like-minded people from all over the world.

   Bike tours are designed with foreign travelers like you in mind… interesting guides and safe roads for biking. It's not just renting a bike…it’s a fun experience.

   Some cities offer countryside rides in addition to city trips. Would you like to make an interesting day trip from Florence to the Chianti vineyards to taste the wines? Or from Amsterdam through typical flat countryside to small villages north of the city?

   It’s all there for you…and there’s a lot more…

3. Guided Segway experiences

   The Segway is an unusual way to experience a city like Paris, Vienna or Berlin. Imagine you cruising effortlessly on the sidewalks of Paris and through the beautiful parks while your guide gives you a great orientation.

   The Segway is the first kind of self-balancing, personal transportation device that’s designed to operate in any pedestrian environment. The trips last about four hours and the number of participants on each tour is limited.

   Discover what it’s like to be a celebrity turning heads as you you glide by. It’s cool and a lot of Fun!

   Segway trips are quite a bit more expensive than the three other options, however, you can save by booking with the Europe Travel Pass. I'd suggest booking Segway trips in advance.

4. Guided Boat trips, a great adventure…especially when your feet are tired…

   No traveler to Amsterdam should miss a boat ride through the canals.

   Since I’m from Holland I may be a bit biased…but I think it’s one of the best ways for you to enjoy the beautiful canal houses… seeing this old city from a different angle …and not having to walk…not worrying about the frequent rain, etc.

   Boat rides; for example, on the Thames River in London, the Seine River in Paris, or through the canals in Amsterdam generally last about one hour and are very reasonable. A pleasant way to give your feet some needed rest.

   And, at night, when the cities are lit up, you can enjoy a romantic dinner cruise or the regular boat trips.

Should you book your trips in advance from home or when you’re in Europe?

Your only reason to book these types of trips in advance is if you want to pre-pay as many arrangements as possible. The exception is the Segway trips.

As much as I like to encourage the freedom of independent travel and booking tour programs on the spot, I realize that at times you may prefer to book some programs in advance. You have two choices for booking.

1. Booking when you’re in Europe.
   With the Europe Travel Pass you can save on all types of day trips – bus, bike, boat, segway and walk – in the major cities of 24 European countries.
2. Booking before you leave home.
   I suggest booking online with Viator, an international tour broker that offers the same programs but on a confirmed basis. You have to prepay all tours in advance - cancellation is 7 days prior.

• Look at the Europe Travel Pass and European Travel & Vacation Resource Center for the countries you plan to visit.
• Decide what programs you plan to participate in. Do they fit with your schedule? Not all trips operate every day.
• Decide if you want to book them in advance or do you prefer the flexibility.

Whatever European sightseeing trip you take…enjoy it. It’ll be exciting, different and Fun!

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