We were happy with our Insight High Value trip to Great Britain and Ireland and would now like to sample Europe. We could take 21-24 days and wonder if anyone has any tour they would recommend--or vise-versa

Hi Dan,
We did the 20 day discovery tour with Insight. It was great. We also went to Barcelona and Madrid. Toledo in Madrid was a great optional. The city is so historic and beautiful.20 days is not long enough, I would like to do a month next time.
Good luck with your holiday.

We just returned from The Country Roads of Europe. It was a 15 day tour. Quite demanding to accomplish the amount of miles traveled. We did, however, have two night stays in key places. It was a perfect introduction to Europe.

The "Country Roads" were lovely and scenic. Certainly didn't miss anything, and the tour was enhanced with all of the quaint extra stops and visits.

We did decline to participate in quite a few of the optional extras. Opting to explore and have quiet breakfasts and dinners together.

Actually made the tour less stessfull time-wise. Sometimes it's just nice to kick-back and take that long shower. Gives one a whole new outlook after a day's traveling.

All in all, I would have to give this tour a very high mark. I think that "Country Roads" are the only way to go...And....

Don't even get me started about Paris, or London...... Could spend weeks and weeks in both places... Even took the Metro!

Hope this gives you some helpful info!

Christy

Hi,

My only experience of Europe was on the Romantic European tour which my husband and I took in August of this year. It was an absolutely incredible introduction to Europe, and I would highly recommend it. I have been hoping to find time to write a journal for the benefit of anyone else wondering, but so far it hasn't happened.

Some highlights included Budapest - an awe-inspiring, beautiful, and certainly romantic, city; Paris - what can I say, except that I fell in love; the Tuscan village of St. Gimignano (this was an optional, and my personal favorite part of the tour); a cruise down the Rhine all the while looking at medieval castles - I could go on.
This tour also includes Prague, and while we did see some wonderful sights, such as the Castle Area, the flood prevented us from visiting the Old Town. All reports are that it is a "magical" place, though. All together, we visited 11 countries, and something like 22 cities in 22 days...

Of course, our tour director, Dawn Simonelli, was absolutely wonderful, as was our driver, Jean. Dawn is the type of TD to go above and beyond (if I ever write that journal, you'll see exactly what I mean). We also had THE BEST tour mates, made up of some fellow Canadians (hi, Calgary!), a few Americans (hello!), and the best lot of Australians you could meet (what is that saying?? Oy,Oy,Oy)

Anyway, if you have any specific questions, feel free to post your email and I can contact you.

Alison

Hey Dan,

Why don't you try one of Insight's winter tours. We went on the 10 day "Winter Wonderland tour last March and had a better than expected good time. This year we are going on the March 14, 2003 "Amazing Spain and Portugal" (10 days) These winter trips are an exceptional value and the crowds are non-existent. The wife and I are going on this trip for about $1050 each including round trip air on British Airways from Orlando Fl. to Madrid Spain. We have included a 5-day stopover in London on the return trip. (No additional charge from British Airways). Max

Hi Dan - we've just returned from Highlights of Europe and highly recommend it as a terrific intro. as it really does cover the highlights! Unless you're looking for country roads and a quieter pace, or southern France or Spain, this tour is spectacular! You can add on in Paris to see Normandy or Brittany if you wish. (We'll have to combine that with another trip to London someday.)

We loved the changes in culture and scenery as we traveled from Belgium south to Bavaria, saw the best of Austria (excluding Vienna, but had been there before) and then 5 wonderful nights in Italy - again, just the highlights - Venice, Rome, and Florence. Our guide planned a surprise visit to Pisa before reaching the wonderful excursion to the center of Switzerland and perhaps the best of all - Lucerne!! Then on to Paris. It just kept getting better and better. Best part?? ALL OF IT!!!! Where shall be go next? Probably Great Britain and Ireland - the exact opposite of what you are doing.

BJ

Dan, I would thoroughly recommend the High Value European Legend Tour 24 days. It was a great tour which included Spain and definitely go to Toledo and Pompeii.
Regards