The Best Private Trips to Book in Northern Europe

The classic way to explore the heartlands of mainland Europe is by using the region’s border-crossing rail networks. Well, why break tradition? This 10-day tour is an ode to the romance of train travel, carving through the countryside of Central Europe to visit five of the continent’s most picturesque capital cities. You’ll meet the many faces of Berlin, sip locally brewed beer and explore gorgeous medieval streets in Prague, while schnitzel and sachertorte awaits in Vienna. After a brief interlude cycling and wine tasting along the Danube, you’ll get back on the tracks to Bratislava – the Slovakian capital is one of Europe’s most underrated – before rounding off the trip in Budapest. There’s plenty to see here, but its soothing thermal baths and atmospheric ruin bars make for a perfect final stop on this Euro rail adventure.

Head all the way east, to the border with Asia, and Europe reaches its tallest heights in the Caucasus Mountains. Nestled amid these giant peaks is the small nation of Georgia, home to one of oldest cultures in the world. This nine-day itinerary explores those ancient traditions alongside some of the most scenic excursions you can have on the continent. In Tbilisi you’ll visit an old farmer’s market and take an authentic cooking class, experience a toastmaster ceremony, learn about ancient winemaking and bread-baking techniques, as well as soaking in the city’s famous sulphur baths. Outside of the capital you’ll visit the Unesco-listed city of Mtskheta, trek the forested hills of Lagodekhi National Park and head high into the Caucasus on a hike up to Trinity Gergeti Church, a fairytale-worthy structure in the shadow of Mount Kazbegi – the fifth highest peak in Europe.