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Europe Hiking & Adventure Tours

Explore the dramatic landscapes and charming villages of France, Italy, Switzerland and Iceland.

Europe Hiking Adventure Tours v3

Explore the dramatic landscapes and charming villages of France, Italy, Switzerland and Iceland on your unsurpassed Europe hiking adventure.

Join us on a Europe hiking and adventure tour of a lifetime as you explore rugged landscapes on the Tour du Mont Blanc trek, the laid-back lifestyle of the Italian Lake District, the Limestone giants of the Dolomites, or the unique, volcanic landscape of Iceland. You'll become immersed in the European lifestyle, stay in picturesque lodges and enjoy all-encompassing service while savouring each day's activities. All you have to decide is which hiking trip to tick off first!

Not Your Average Adventure Tour

From the minute we pick you up, no thinking needed, just sit back relax and take it all in, we've got you covered!

Small group adventures with boutique and personalized service.

Our expert guides are adaptable, and will create the best experience, no matter what happens.

We’re rated 4.54 stars out of 5 from 17,042 reviews. That’s pretty solid.

Europe Trips

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What people say about our Europe trips

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Croatia Adventure - May 2023

Wonderful trip in every way!

"We cannot say enough good things about our guides, Marko and Daniel. They were… read more

"We cannot say enough good things about our guides, Marko and Daniel. They were knowledgable, professional, friendly and relaxed but on top of every detail. The itinerary was great. I would say the biking was more moderate than easy. Most of our group had e-bikes and were glad they did. There were several long uphill stretches. But Marko was great about picking me up with the van so I wouldn't slow the group down. I will get an e-bike in the future.The buggy ride could've been skipped and replaced with a different activity. read less

5 Stars (40 reviews)

Catherine,

Camino de Santiago Adventure - May 2023

Camino de Santiago

"Excellent trip! Food, guides, and accommodations were awesome. read more

"Excellent trip! Food, guides, and accommodations were awesome. read less

5 Stars (12 reviews)

Nancy,

Netherlands Biking Adventure - April 2023

Amazing Trip

"The bicycling routes were perfectly curated. Our rides included beaches, forests, farms, quaint villages, windmills,… read more

"The bicycling routes were perfectly curated. Our rides included beaches, forests, farms, quaint villages, windmills, canals, dikes, and several surprising sights along the way. We biked a good amount but we spent even more time enjoying meals, breaks, and sight-seeing.

The guides, hotels, meals, and special touches all exceeded expectations. The Dutch people are fantastic and their country is beautiful. Each day was different and very enjoyable. read less

5 Stars (82 reviews)

Kathy,

Netherlands Biking Adventure - April 2023

Fabulous trip through the Netherlands

"This trip exceeded my expectations. Each day was carefully planned out by our knowledgeable… read more

"This trip exceeded my expectations. Each day was carefully planned out by our knowledgeable guides. The accommodations were above average, at times exceptional, and we were surprised with fine dining with wine and cheese tastings, drinks included as part of the package price. Being in a small group of 8 riders and two guides, we bonded interpersonally over a span of 7 days. Guides told us many wonderful stories about their cycling adventures and went out of their way to accommodate our individual needs. I highly recommend this trip. read less

5 Stars (82 reviews)

Elizabeth,

Netherlands Biking Adventure - April 2023

Surprising Trip in The Netherlands

"My trip with Active Adventures truly exceeded my expectations. I felt immersed in the biking… read more

"My trip with Active Adventures truly exceeded my expectations. I felt immersed in the biking culture of The Netherlands during my visit and pampered every day of the tour. From the hotel choices to the biking routes, you can see that the company cares about the comfort of its guests. I’d book with the company again without hesitation! read less

5 Stars (82 reviews)

Camie,

Camino de Santiago Adventure - April 2023

Spring on the Camino

"Northern Spain is extra beautiful in late April/early May. Nice temps, little rain and beautiful… read more

"Northern Spain is extra beautiful in late April/early May. Nice temps, little rain and beautiful wildflowers. Our trip was complemented by 2 very competent and fun guides, David & Gregory. We hiked parts of several Cominos, not stressful, plenty of delicious local cuisine, wine & coffee. Spain was exceptionally clean, modern & friendly. We had a great experience. read less

5 Stars (12 reviews)

Geralyn,

Netherlands Biking Adventure - April 2023

Netherlands 2023

"The trip was professionally run. We had challenges on the trip with strong headwinds,… read more

"The trip was professionally run. We had challenges on the trip with strong headwinds, light to heavy rain and cold temperatures. the guides handled these well, he group giving appropriate breaks to handle these conditions when they occurred. The group was kept together and was managed to offer both desires for challenging segments as well as less challenging ones.

The ride itself was interesting and filled with new experiences. read less

4 Stars (82 reviews)

John,

Netherlands Biking Adventure - April 2023

Netherlands Biking Trip

"The combination of daily biking trips, great meals, and enjoyable conversation made for an exceptional… read more

"The combination of daily biking trips, great meals, and enjoyable conversation made for an exceptional vacation. The trip was thoughtfully organized and executed perfectly. The two guides were knowledgeable and fun travel companions. Kudos to Active Adventures. read less

5 Stars (82 reviews)

Roger,

Netherlands Biking Adventure - April 2023

Netherlands Bike Tour

"Fantastic way to experience the smaller cities, towns and landscape of the Netherlands. While the… read more

"Fantastic way to experience the smaller cities, towns and landscape of the Netherlands. While the scenery is lovely, the outstanding part of the trip is the experienced, dedicated, knowledgeable and hard-working guides. Peter and Thomas are a great pair and clearly love their country and their long time occupations as guides. My first but not my last trip with Active Adventures! read less

5 Stars (82 reviews)

Bradford,

Netherlands Biking Adventure - April 2023

Netherlands Biking Adventure

"Beyond expectations! A trip for a lifetime! The bicycling, cultural and epicurean experiences… read more

"Beyond expectations! A trip for a lifetime! The bicycling, cultural and epicurean experiences far exceeded the itinerary. The guides, Tom and Peter, were equally outstanding as they were our ambassadors to this life changing experience; their personable characters, genuine and authentic demeanors, knowledge based on all platforms, and gentle persona enhanced the overall encounters on this journey. The entire experience was a fulfillment. read less

5 Stars (82 reviews)

William,

Camino de Santiago Adventure - April 2023

History and hiking perfectly combined

"Truly enjoyable hike through highlights of the Camino with passionate stories (and some facts!) from… read more

"Truly enjoyable hike through highlights of the Camino with passionate stories (and some facts!) from our amazing guide Camilo. As always, Active Adventures combines continuity of trip leader with local guides in nearly every stop. These people are passionate about their place and deeply authentic in sharing their knowledge. The hiking is balanced and mostly flat with incredible vistas. We left in awe of the history of northern Spain and grateful to have experienced it with a great group! read less

4 Stars (12 reviews)

Jason,

Camino de Santiago Adventure - April 2023

We lucked out with the best guides

"I highly recommend Camilo Sousa as a main guide for a Camino de Santiago trip--he… read more

"I highly recommend Camilo Sousa as a main guide for a Camino de Santiago trip--he is the most passionate, funny, knowledgable and kind guide I could've hoped for. The secondary guide Sagra also was excellent. We are so grateful for all they did for us to make a memorable, special experience. read less

4 Stars (12 reviews)

Sarah,

Netherlands Biking Adventure - April 2023

Biking thru Netherlands

"Excellent bike trip and experience!

I was very impressed by Active Adventures. The guides, bicycles, support,… read more

"Excellent bike trip and experience!

I was very impressed by Active Adventures. The guides, bicycles, support, bike paths, scenery, history and cultural backgrounds, accommodations and food were all first class. We were guided by Tom Litjens and Peter van Glabbeek. Both of these men were excellent guides; very friendly, personable, knowledgeable and fun. It was a pleasure to meet them. We had 8 riders in our group and it was a good size to get to know everyone.

Bikes: Cannondale, all great quality, shifted very well, no mechanical issues, with pannier with side bag storage, as well as front handlebar storage. Bikes were lined up ready to ride every morning; storage of the bikes in the evening was secured by Tom and Peter.

Daily directions (extremely concise and detailed) and briefings were provided for self guided experience, although we chose to remain as a single group for the most part. Points of interest, historical and cultural attractions were replete along the daily routes. I especially enjoyed the Stork Restoration Center.

Snacks/water were available on periodic stops along the routes daily.

Meals as provided were all excellent and provided opportunities to try many types of food. My wife is a vegetarian and there was always consideration to accommodate her needs. (I think only one meal was on our own.) We would constantly mix up seating for the opportunity to meet/speak with the guides and members of the group.

Lodging/service was excellent throughout with the various hotels and a chateau lodge.

The bike path infrastructure in the Netherlands is the best that I have experienced (I have ridden in France, Italy, Germany, Spain, Austria, Norway, and extensively in the US). The paths took us along tulip fields, wooded/forested areas, canals, towns, windmills, wind turbines, villages, dams (dikes), open fields, etc.

Support: although we had excellent weather, we did face some strong winds. Some of the riders were transferred by van for short periods to provide a rest. It was comforting to know that support was available,able in the event of severe rain/wind or mechanical issue- No one had a mechanical issue.
read less

5 Stars (82 reviews)

John,

Netherlands Biking Adventure - April 2023

Attention to details

"Our April 15-22, 2023 biking adventure was almost perfect: the perfect temperature to bike (no… read more

"Our April 15-22, 2023 biking adventure was almost perfect: the perfect temperature to bike (no sweating), mostly sunny, perfect tulip time, great traveling group (just 4 couples and two amazing guides), history, landscape, wildlife, exquisite food, and a challenging enough ride to enjoy a celebratory beer and great night's sleep! read less

5 Stars (82 reviews)

Nan,

Croatia Adventure - January 2023

croatia trip with Marco and Marco

"Amazing trip . Our guides were excellent and their attention to our itinerary and their… read more

"Amazing trip . Our guides were excellent and their attention to our itinerary and their knowledge of the local area and history of croatia were fantastic! Could not have asked for a better guided trip read less

5 Stars (40 reviews)

Anita, United States

Camino de Santiago Adventure - November 2022

Buen Camino

"Had an excellent trip with our guide Camilo! Great food and excellent hikes. Camillo was… read more

"Had an excellent trip with our guide Camilo! Great food and excellent hikes. Camillo was a blast, with great stories and local information. Trip was well organized and a tip of the hat to our driver Oskar! read less

5 Stars (12 reviews)

Dave, United States

Camino de Santiago Adventure - November 2022

Best hits of the Camino

"Our trek with Camillo and Active Adventures was a well-curated journey through the "best hits"… read more

"Our trek with Camillo and Active Adventures was a well-curated journey through the "best hits" of the Camino de Santiago. Starting on the Northern Way, taking scenic hikes on the Ancient Way, and finishing with the masses of pilgrims on the French way gave us a good sense of the different paths and scenery. Camillo was knowledgable and provided outstanding information and context for the trek and food along the way. Would highly recommend 10/10 read less

5 Stars (12 reviews)

Janet, United States

Camino de Santiago Adventure - October 2022

Excellent trip of Northern Spain

"This trip was our 2nd with Active and just like the first was really well… read more

"This trip was our 2nd with Active and just like the first was really well organized and gave us an excellent all encompassing experience of Northern Spain and the different trails of the Camino de Santiago. Our guide was wonderful and we experienced truly special days full of beauty, delicious food, cultural exposure and tranquility. read less

4 Stars (12 reviews)

Claire, United States

Our Mont Blanc Circuit... from a Guide's Perspective

Austin PIF 2

Take 10% off the trip price when you book a trip and pay in full.

By paying in full we are able to pass on savings to our guests, but please note that by opting for this payment plan, your booking becomes non-refundable, non-cancellable, and non-changeable. 

We highly recommend that you purchase Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) insurance. We recommend Redpoint Insurance – you can find details here.

T+Cs Apply.

BOOKING CONDITIONS

Europe Adventure Travel Tips & Blogs

Epic and Adventurous: The Best Hikes in Europe

Alpine meadows, rugged coastlines, volcanic moonscapes, hospitable villages, and waterfalls abound; Europe has spectacular scenery…

Hike, Bike and Paddle Croatia - Active Trave Adventures Podcast

Looking to explore Croatia in an active way? Listen to Kit Parks from Active Travel…

Where to Travel in 2022: Top Adventure Trip for Each Month

So, you're ready to make 2022 a year of incredible adventures? Dust off the hiking…

Podcast: Kit Parks Tell Us all About her Dolomiti Adventure

Kit Parks, from Active Travel Adventures, tells us everything about her Dolomites Adventure.  Here's the full…

Travelling to Europe During the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Insider Guide

Since July 2021, we've been back exploring the breathtaking trails and charming villages of Europe.…

Hiking Iceland: The Best Day and Multi-day Hikes

Iceland is a hiker's paradise. Its vast wilderness calls to be discovered, and with endless…

Dolomites Hiking Guide: Best Hikes in the Dolomites

Ahhh the Dolomites! Arguably one of the most stunning mountain ranges in the world, you'll…

Top 5 Open Destinations to Visit in 2022: Where Can Americans Travel?

The light at the end of the tunnel is finally here and keen travellers are…

The Eight Best Things to Do in the Dolomites, Italy

Pictures of the towering rock monoliths of the Italian Dolomites are everywhere. You’ve no doubt…

Podcast: Annie Allen talks with Kit about her 'Dolomiti' adventure in the Italian Dolomites

 

Most awesome active adventure“This trip was perfect, just the right amount of physical exertion, combined…

Meet Your Europe Adventure Guides

Europe Adventure Travel FAQs

Do I need a visa to visit Europe?

It is your responsibility stay up to date on the latest visa and entry requirements for your destination. Please use the CIBT entry tracker on our website as a guideline or visit the relevant immigration webpage for more information regarding this.

What about vaccinations in Europe?

You don't need any vaccinations for Western Europe. Easy!

Do you recommend buying travel insurance?

As an Active Adventures traveller, It’s essential you take out travel insurance to cover the likes of personal injury, medical expenses, trip cancellation for your travel with us. Please head to our Travel Insurance page for more in-depth information and insurance provider options. It’s also important to check your insurance covers all the activities you’ll be partaking in, in case you’re travelling to altitude or looking at extreme sports.

Can you help me find international flights to Europe?

We recommend booking your flights through our preferred travel partner – Fuzion Travel. They’re our experienced hand-picked experts in travel, passionate about what they do, and will tailor-make your flight itinerary to match your Active Adventures tour. Get in touch with them directly by email – [email protected] fuziontravel.co.nz or on +1-833-244-5886. Let them know your preferred travel plans, including any stopovers or extra nights’ accommodation, and they’ll put everything in place for you. They offer a total travel solution and five star service that you’ll want to tell your friends about!

What's included on your Europe trips?

Accommodation

On your Europe trip you'll stay in a variety of places depending on the destination and activities. For the most part you'll stay in nice, locally owned, beautiful family run hotels in great locations, with private bathrooms, free wifi, great breakfasts and warm local hospitality. Whilst in more remote areas we use rifugios or backcountry cabins - in the Alps these rifugios are more like hotels with private bathrooms and all the mod cons! Whereas in Iceland they're more rustic with outhouse bathrooms (flush toilets) and gas heating. 

Transport

Your transport will be a mixture of private van, private bus, bike, kayak and your very own two feet on our trips in Europe. You'll spend most time hiking, biking or paddling everywhere though!   All your transport is included from the start of your trip and we'll drop you at the airport at the end. The details are all listed in the trip specific itineraries.

Meals

All your meals are included as described in the itinerary except on your free days. We have found that people enjoy checking out what is on offer by themselves sometimes, so you can go and see what's out there! On every other day and especially after any long hikes, we've chosen places to eat that can cater for our hearty appetites, work well with our small groups (they know we are coming) and provide us with an authentic destination specific culinary experience. There are always options for you, so you can either be brave or choose something more familiar. You can be assured that on all our trips we will make sure you are very well fed, and Europe's vast array of cuisine won't disappoint you!

Trip leaders

Our trips are all led by an experienced Trip Leader. Our Trip Leaders are very proud to work with Active Adventures and often lead our trips for many years, for which we are very lucky and very grateful, as it means we're able to consistently offer a fantastic level of service. They work closely with our local specialist guides to provide you with a seamless, fun, exciting and memorable trip. They will happily share with you as much or as little as you want to know about the history, culture, social aspects and lifestyle of the country you are visiting.

What rooming is provided on your Europe trips?

Our trip fares are based on a twin-share rate (two people per room), though in some places we use two-bedroom units, in which case you may be sharing a separate bathroom between two to four people. In certain places, ie; the refuge/refugio’s and mountain cabin’s, there will be shared rooms with up to 10 people and a large bathroom with private cubicles which is shared by everyone at that accommodation.

Do you charge a forced single supplement if I'm a solo traveller?

Most other travel companies charge all solo travellers a single supplement fee. We don't! When it comes to accommodation, our trip fares are based on a twin-share rate, which means we'll match you up with another person of the same gender to share a room with. If there's no one suitable to share with, there's no forced single supplement! Having said that, if you specifically request your own room, we can look into availability and there will be an additional single supplement fee.

How many people are there on each of your Europe trips?

We generally take up to 14 people per trip, although this can vary, and all our trips have at least two of our guides to look after you (apart from the occasions we have a small group). We have found that our trips tend to attract a particular kind of person and many people have commented that the social scene was one of the highlights of their trip!

What kind of clothing should I be packing?

Once you've booked your trip, you'll have access to a gear list in your portal on exactly what to bring along. The gear list is carefully thought out to provide you with everything you need to be warm and happy, or cool and relaxed, whatever the weather! So it is best to bring everything we recommend along, if you don't bring everything you need, we can't guarantee your comfort.

Do I need hiking boots or are hiking sneakers okay?

You will need proper hiking boots - trail shoes are not good enough. We'll be taking you to some awesome places where you'll be hiking over a variety of terrain, therefore your boots should have full ankle support and a stiff sole with a high profile tread. It's also important that whichever footwear you decide to bring that it's well broken-in and waterproofed before you come down. If you have good ankles that will be able to cope pretty well with varied terrain, then good hiking shoes should be fine, but if not then hiking boots will give you better support.

What is the food like in Europe?

European cuisine is varied and delicious, usually incorporating lots of fresh produce, cheese, local meats, bread and pastries. Icelandic cuisine is famous for their local seafood, specifically their cod as well as lamb, bread and skyr- a soft yogurt-like cheese. The sheer abundance and variety of produce, wine and meats will satisfy any palate.
Vegetarian options are varied whereas vegan choices are slightly more limited though if you let us know beforehand we’ll make sure you have options! We provide drinking water and you’ll be able to buy espresso and/or alcohol (and other drinks) in most places.
Vegan choices may be limited but we’ll do our best to help find things you may like. While glutenfree meals are possible, there may not be a huge variety available for gluten-free options either - as most local breads and pastries contain gluten. Dinner meals are often very late in the evening too as per the local customs.

What if I need a special diet?

We are accustomed to catering to the following special diets:

• vegan (no meat or animal products)
• vegetarian (no meat products)
• fishatarian (vegetarian, and eat fish)
• no red meat (eat chicken & fish)
• gluten intolerant (no wheat, rye, barley or oats)
• lactose intolerant (no dairy products)

You will get the opportunity to specify your particular requirements when you fill in our pre-trip questionnaire. If you have any other dietary requirements please let us know well in advance, via email or the online questionnaire.

What is the currency in Europe?

The currency in Austria, France, Italy, Spain and The Netherlands is the Euro €, in Croatia it's the Croatian Kuna, in Iceland it’s the Icleandic Króna kr and in Switzerland it’s the Swiss Franc CHF.
In Switzerland if you’re near the border (ie Geneva or while on your Tour du Mont Blanc trip) most places will accept Euro’s for payment, though they’ll charge you extra for this convenience.

How much spending money should I bring and where do I get local currency?

Our trips include all transportation, guiding, meals and activities (except where indicated on the itinerary). The only things you will definitely need cash for are drinks other than water (drinking water is fine to drink from the tap on all our trips), souvenirs and tips. 

Usually the easiest thing to do is use your credit or debit card to withdraw money directly from your home account, in local currency. There are plenty of ATM's and banks in larger towns in Europe, and ATM's will accept all major credit cards and many debit cards. Cash advances are the most convenient way to get cash.

Will the altitude affect me in Europe?

No. even though we're in the Alps, we don't go into any areas where altitude is a major factor. The only place where you'll find altitude is a factor is on the trip up to Aiguille du Midi above Chamonix but you'll be taking a cable car up there and won't be there for too long!

Do I need to speak the local language?

A little would be helpful, especially on arrival and for ordering food in restaurants, but it's certainly not required. English is spoken in most hotels, airports and tourist areas though not everywhere. Our local guides are all fluent native speakers so if you don't have time to learn a little before arrival you don't have to worry... they will take care of everything.

What time zone is Europe in?

For the majority of the summer season Austria, Croatia, France, Italy, Spain, Switzerland and The Netherlands are in the Central European (CET), which is 1 hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) whilst Iceland is on GMT time.

What type of plugs and voltage do you use in Europe?

European countries operate on a 220V AC system with Plug Type C which consists of two round parallel pins while the wall plug has two holes where it is connected.

Will I have access to Internet/WiFi?

WiFi is available almost everywhere in cities and easy enough to find in most towns/villages so you can rely on having regularly access during your trip. If you have data roaming switched on, then you'll be able to use the internet on your smartphone, but beware of the fees! WiFi is available at most of the accommodations that you'll be staying at, sometimes for a small cost so check this out at each location when you arrive.

If I book a trip with my children, will I be sharing a room with them?

Active Adventures & Austin Adventures family vacations are naturally about spending time with family and as such, most families opt to share rooms on our trips. At time of booking, families consisting of four guests with children aged 17 and under will be automatically assigned one shared room. However, the following alternative rooming allocations are available:

  • Families consisting of four guests with all children aged 13 and above are welcome to opt for additional rooms as per advertised double occupancy adult rates.
  • Families consisting of four guests with at least one child aged 12 and under are automatically assigned a shared room. However, families can opt to pay the adult rates for all guests in their family to have an additional room.
  • The same principles apply for families consisting of more than four guests.

Rooming preferences are subject to availability and must be communicated in writing at time of booking. Automatic assignments as per this policy will be applied in the absence of any specification provided by guests. Any request for additional rooms during trips will be at the guests’ own expense and subject to rates made available by the accommodation provider at the time. All minors (guests aged 17 and under) must be accompanied by at least one adult.

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Why Travel With Us

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Experience adventure the way you want

You’ll be inspired and exhilarated, enjoying mind-blowing scenery on foot, in a sea kayak, or by bike - all at your own pace. Get ready for the trip of a lifetime.

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Crafting award-winning trips for decades - the Kiwi way

We're proud of our Kiwi roots and you’ll love our professional, warm and relaxed style of hosting. Plus, we’re always here to help with planning, travel, bookings... even hiking boot recommendations!

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Every detail covered, to maximise your time

As soon as your trip starts, we've got everything covered – top notch meals, comfortable transport, superb accommodation, amazing guides and INCREDIBLE service.

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Group travel for those who aren’t ‘group travellers’

With our small groups of typically no more than 14 (up to 18 max), you'll get to know our team, your fellow travellers, and have the flexibility and freedom to do as much (or as little!) as you like. It’s all about going at your own pace.

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Explore hidden gems through our expert local guides

All our carefully selected guides are highly experienced and have deep personal connections to nature and culture. You’ll enjoy a special experience, authentic local knowledge and an adventure like no other.

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4.85 out of 5 from 6493 reviews. That’s pretty solid.

We could hang around all day telling you how wonderful our trips are... but the best people to hear it from are our guests themselves.