6 Top Rated European Tours for Seniors

There’s nothing quite like setting off on an unforgettable trip to a faraway and fascinating destination. Traveling has no age limit, and there’s never been a better time to make timeless memories with these top-rated European tours for seniors. 

Few places can compare to Europe’s immersive experiences, educational opportunities, and cultural heritage. Each country showcases passion, art, history, and a lust for life that keeps people returning for more. 

Planning a trip can be time-consuming, but preplanned tours make exploring Europe and its countries convenient and tailor-made to suit any type of traveler. 

These curated tours offer captivating sights, comfortable pacing, and personalized service, allowing a rediscovery of Europe custom-made for your golden years.

Read Next: What is the Best Age to Travel?

Tour Europe With These Top Rated Tours

Promising an exciting and enriching adventure, touring through some of Europe’s highlights will quickly become a cherished experience. Its capital cities’ iconic landmarks, unbridled natural beauty, and vibrant blend of cultures only begin to scratch the surface.

It is time to find your next European dream destination with these expertly crafted tours.

Best of the Balkans – Road Scholar

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Founded as Elderhostel in 1975, today Road Scholar specializes in study tours across 100 countries, serving 80 – 100,000 participants annually. Their success rests on emphasizing lifelong learning and educational expeditions explicitly designed for older travelers.

Handpicked locations across Europe, approved by expert Road Scholar faculty, result in more than 150 distinct trips. 

Venture through the Best of the Balkans. This is a fantastic choice for your next European tour. Allowing you to explore the Balkans, with pricing starting at €4,139 ($4,399) per person, this is a 15-day immersive tour through five countries. 

Presenting this off-the-beaten-path region, this tour consists of 16 nights spent across Montenegro, Croatia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Serbia, and Slovenia. Whether you wander through its classic villages and towns or head into its stunning outdoors, the Balkans rejuvenate the spirit.  

Included in this tour package, you’ll have 33 meals in total, six expert-led lectures, and 18 expert-led field trips under the watch of an experienced Group Leader. Other complimentary inclusions are customary gratuities, Road Scholar Assurance Plan benefits, and taxes.

The Best of Italy – Trafalgar Tours

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A world-renowned name in group travel, Trafalgar Tours offers more than 300 trips to 72 countries spanning six continents. With over 75 years in the business, their dedication to delivering exceptional tours to those aged 50 to 70 is in a league of its own.

Among their European options, it’s their 13-day Best of Italy, priced from €3,258 ($3,465) per person, a group tour that takes the top spot for popularity and quality.

Journey through 15 cities spanning two countries and discover everything Italy is famous for. Marvel at the ancient remnants of Rome, admire the elegance of Renaissance Florence, unwind in the lap of luxury in Capri, and roam through Pompeii.

Included alongside 12 nights of accommodation, 12 breakfasts, and six dinners, various additions make this tour worthwhile. Outstanding features are the assistance of an expert Travel Director, hand-picked hotels, luxury air-conditioned coach transfers, and numerous sightseeing activities.

Untamed Iceland – Overseas Adventure Travel

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Operating under the ownership of the Grand Circle Corporation, Overseas Adventure Travel (O.A.T.) started in 1978 and has since grown to be a trailblazer in small-group travel for travelers over 50.

With a collection of more than 50 land adventures that span the globe, choosing their Untamed Iceland offering promises to be a captivating expedition.

As part of a 16-person group, this 14-day immersion in Icelandic sights, heritage, and culture starts at €5,453 ($5,795) per person and includes international airfare. Iceland is a grand display of unspoiled and surreal landscapes, serving as the ideal escape for outdoor lovers, intrepid explorers, and avid sightseers.

Spend your time discovering some of the country’s most memorable locations, including Selfoss, Stykkisholmur, Daeli, Akureyri, and Reykjavik. 

Completing the package is 12 nights of accommodation, 28 meals, and 25 carefully planned group activities. You’ll also enjoy the benefit of their Day in the Life program, which allows for a more intimate interaction with local culture.

Living in Spain – Smithsonian Journeys

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Similar to Road Scholar, Smithsonian Journeys curates group travel for mature adventurers with a fundamental focus on education. Catering to a worldwide community for over 50 years, their tours are backed by more than 175 years of Smithsonian expertise.

Presenting 90+ unrivaled tours through Europe, there are many standout choices, with their three-week Living in Spain trip steeped in Andalusian charm.

This immersive culture trip into the region’s seamless blend of Spanish and Moorish heritage spans 23 days. From Marbella, you’ll venture to whitewashed Mediterranean Coast villages, the cities of Granada and Malaga, and Spain’s Costa del Sol.

Prices start at €6,104 ($6,490) per person and include 22 nights of accommodation, 21 meals, and various excursions. You can add Special Enrichment Tracks to your tour, including language, cuisine, art, and architecture lessons.

Develop a deeper connection with Andalusia as you undertake walking tours, enjoy flamenco shows, and sample regional wines. Each day is filled with the chance to learn from local experts and invites a thirst for Spanish history.

Classic Greece & Greek Islands Tour – Adventures Abroad

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Focusing on “soft adventures”, Adventures Abroad showcases tours open to adults of all ages while giving special attention to travelers aged 50 and up. They showcase small group packages that span more than 120 countries through 350+ distinct itineraries.

Choosing which of their 85 European tours to go on can be challenging. However, for a genuinely authentic immersion in all things Greece, their Classic Greece & Greek Islands Tour takes first place.

At a starting cost of €6,733 ($7,150) per person, this 20-day tour proves why Greece is such a popular destination. Marvel at the attractions of Athens, learn more about Sparta, see the beauty of Mykonos, bask under the Santorini sun, and roam the historic city of Chania.

As standard inclusions, your trip comes with daily breakfasts and dinners, admission to all itinerary-listed attractions, gratuities, and airport transfers. Each small group (limited to 18) includes accommodation at 3-4 star properties and the assistance of an on-site Tour Leader.

In keeping with its focus on Greek culture, the tour does not include any strenuous activity, but as with most European tours, there is quite a bit of walking involved. The best time to book this one for seasonal travelers is spring or fall.

Grand Tour of Great Britain – EF Go Ahead Tours

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Touring Europe can be many things, an expensive venture, sometimes being one, but that’s not the case with EF Go Ahead Tours. Celebrating interests such as food and wine, culture, diversity, and premium service, they’re an excellent choice for budget-conscious travelers.

An extensive array of 142 tours range from sweeping trips across the continent to more in-depth country-specific voyages. 

Among the best, choose their Grand Tour of Great Britain for your next dream getaway. Group sizes start at 15 up to 38, with 15 days spent exploring Scotland, England, and Wales, with a possible two-day London extension.  

Including 13 nights in handpicked hotels, 13 breakfasts, five dinners with drinks, 11 sightseeing tours, and the guidance of local experts, prices start at €4,572 ($4,859). On your excursion, you’ll see the Scottish capital of Edinburgh, the South of Wales, countryside villages like York, and visits to Bath and London.

Experience a priceless adventure boasting highlights, including Edinburgh Castle, the Roman Baths, Cardiff Castle, Stonehenge, and Trafalgar Square. Note that there are about 1.5 hours of daily walking time during this tour, and the availability of baggage handlers is sometimes limited.

Frequently Asked Questions

Below are answers to frequently asked questions about the top-rated European tours for seniors.

Is 70 Too Old To Travel?

There’s never a wrong age to venture out into the world and experience thrilling adventures through destinations that defy the imagination. Although with age comes specific requirements when traveling, you’re never too old to explore.

Is Traveling Good for Seniors?

Yes, traveling shows many benefits for those in their retirement years. Studies have proven that travel can reduce stress and anxiety, improve cognitive function, and enhance happiness. Beyond the health advantages, seniors who travel gain opportunities for social interaction and personal growth.

How Do I Find a Senior Travel Companion?

The best way to engage with and find a senior travel companion is through joining a travel club. These platforms allow you to connect with like-minded travelers within a larger community, transcending physical borders.

Join Freebird Club to connect with a global community of travelers instantly.

The Best European Tours for Seniors | Wrapped Up

Europe is a destination that demands a yearning for adventure, regardless of age, and encourages an inquisitive mind brimming with curiosity. It’s where special moments are made, from the artistic masterpieces of Italy to the outdoors of the Balkans and the wild beauty of Iceland.

Alongside these, dive into the culture of Spain, the coastal paradise of Greece, and the heritage of Great Britain. Europe is your oyster, and these tours are simply the start.

Prepare for your trip: Make sure you’ve got everything you need with this ultimate travel checklist.