Europe for Less

Independent air-and-hotel packages stretch your dollar in these
10 cosmopolitan destinations

By Justin Boyd

Independent tours mix structure and affordability with freedom and flexibility, making them an ideal way to explore the diverse cities of Europe. These prepackaged vacations are offered by a variety of tour operators who are able to negotiate low rates on airfare, hotels and ground transportation, thus passing the savings on to their customers.

Included are daily breakfast, transportation to and from the airport or from one city to the next, and access to a local host who can answer questions and offer sightseeing and dining suggestions. Travelers typically also receive a guided half-day sightseeing excursion, which helps them get oriented. Some deals include museum passes, public transportation passes and theater tickets.

Independent tours are especially attractive to vacationers who wish to see the sights at a more leisurely pace, without a regimented schedule and without traveling within a group. Travelers can spend their entire stay in one city, such as Paris or London, or choose a package that incorporates two or more destinations.

Bill Lester, manager of group sales for Vacations To Go, a national travel agency specializing in cruises, resort stays, and independent and escorted tours, says the appeal of independent vacation packages is undeniable.

"You have the advantage of having everything planned for you, so as soon as you step off the airplane, your tour guide meets you and transfers you to the hotel and all the (travel) arrangements are made between cities," Lester says. "So, the stress of planning or having to schedule all those things on your own is alleviated. Yet you still have the flexibility to do your own thing."

In July 2006, Lester and his girlfriend traveled to Italy for a nine-night stay designed by 78-year-old tour operator Globus. They spent three nights each in Rome, Florence and Venice. After taking a complimentary guided tour the first day in each city, the couple had two additional days in each stop to explore on their own.

"Other than the transfers between cities and a few tours, we were on our own and at our own pace," says Lester of his first trip to Italy. The Colosseum, St. Peter's Square and St. Peter's Basilica in Rome and Michelangelo's "David" in Florence were just some of the attractions the couple saw.

All transfers between the hotels and train stations or airports were included. They traveled between cities by Eurostar rail, and in Venice, water taxis transported the couple from the train station to their hotel, and from the hotel to the airport.

While he enjoyed the freedom to roam Rome and the other cities on his own, Lester says having access to a local host came in handy. "We asked for recommendations on where to eat and directions here and there, so it was nice having that person (available)."

Lester says his only regret about the trip was the timing of it. "We went in the middle of July, which is the peak of the peak season, so it was really crowded."

To avoid the masses, Lester advises going in early spring or fall.

Here are 10 world-renowned European cities that can be visited on an independent tour. For more information, visit Vacations To Go or call (800) 680-2858.



It's the most visited city in the world, and one of the most romantic -- the indelible Eiffel Tower, the Champs-Elysees, the Arch of Triumph and the Notre Dame Cathedral are among chief attractions in the French capital. Paris is an international hub for arts and culture, with its fashion and cuisine on the cutting edge.

There are numerous art galleries and museums to explore, including the world-famous Louvre, which houses Leonardo da Vinci's "Mona Lisa" and the Venus de Milo statue; the Musee d' Orsay with its superb collection of Impressionist works; and the contemporary offerings of the Centre Georges Pompidou. The City of Light has its low-key charms as well: Shop for old prints and books at the booksellers' stalls along the Seine, take in the street market atmosphere of the pedestrian-only Rue Cler, or while away an hour or two in a cafe.

For a list of independent tours in Paris only, click here. For a list of independent tours that visit Paris as well as other cities, click here.



Serving as the capital of England and the United Kingdom, London offers a diverse mixture of cultures to go along with a storied past. Legendary structures such as Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, the Houses of Parliament and Buckingham Palace are just a few of the sights not to be missed when visiting Europe's largest city.

Other landmarks include Tower Bridge, the Tower of London, Windsor Castle, the famous Harrods department store and the London Eye (the world's largest moving wheel, resembling a Ferris wheel). London's multicultural mix is reflected in its rich dining scene, where tearooms, pubs and trendy restaurants helmed by rising young chefs are joined by curry houses and eateries specializing in North African and Middle Eastern fare.

For an exciting year to take a trip across the pond, look ahead to summer 2012, when London hosts the Olympics for the third time, becoming the first city to do so.

For a list of independent tours in London only, click here. For a list of independent tours that visit London as well as other cities, click here.



A city known for its literary heritage, Dublin has been home to such famous authors as James Joyce, Jonathan Swift, Bram Stoker, Oscar Wilde, George Bernard Shaw, William Butler Yeats and Sean O'Casey. Check out the writings, letters, portraits and personal items of some of these well-known figures at the Dublin Writers Museum, the James Joyce Museum and the Shaw Birthplace.

Several museums appeal to history and art buffs, including the National Print Museum, the Irish Museum of Modern Art, the National Gallery of Ireland and three centers of the National Museum of Ireland. Dublin is also home to such architectural gems as St. Patrick's Cathedral and Dublin Castle at the historic heart of the city. Venerable Trinity College safeguards the Book of Kells, a ninth-century illuminated manuscript on display in the Old Library. Those who want to check out the local nightlife can head to one of the city's 1,000-plus pubs.

For a list of independent tours in Dublin, click here.



With its mild climate, Mediterranean charm and well-kept urban beaches such as Barceloneta, Bogatell and Sant Sebastia, Barcelona is one of Europe's most beautiful cities. Located in northeast Spain, it boasts some of the most distinguished museums in the world, including the National Museum of Art of Catalonia, the Barcelona Museum of Contemporary Art and the Picasso Museum, which features early works from legendary artist Pablo Picasso.

The city has a diverse mixture of architecture, from medieval buildings to unique modernist structures. One of the most eye-catching buildings is Antoni Gaudi's Sagrada Familia, an unfinished church with ornate and fanciful embellishments. The Barri Gotic, or Gothic Quarter, encompasses narrow cobbled streets, tranquil squares, churches and antique shops, while La Rambla is a lively, broad boulevard lined with stalls selling books, flowers and birds. For a break, stop in at a tapas bar for several small plates of appetizing dishes.

For a list of independent tours in Barcelona only, click here. For a list of independent tours that visit Barcelona as well as other cities, click here.



Known for its vibrant nightlife, Madrid is one of the largest cosmopolitan cities in Europe. World-class museums include the Prado and the Reina Sofia National Art Center, which counts Picasso's "Guernica" among its collection of contemporary Spanish art. Don't miss the Gran Via (meaning "Great Way"), the city's premier shopping and entertainment district. Another top attraction is the Plaza de Colon, which pays homage to Christopher Columbus and his contribution to Spanish exploration.

Madrid is also home to Las Ventas, the largest bullfighting ring in Spain with a capacity of 25,000. The venue hosts bullfights daily during the Fiesta de San Isidro from March to the middle of June and every Sunday and holiday for the rest of the year.

For a list of independent tours in Madrid only, click here. For a list of independent tours that visit Madrid as well as other cities, click here.



As the saying goes, Rome wasn't built in a day, so it would certainly take longer to see all that the historic capital of Italy has to offer. The famous Colosseum, where gladiators once battled during the height of the Roman Empire, is still an impressive sight. Other ancient Roman ruins on the must-see list include the Pantheon, Trajan's Column, Trajan's Market, the Catacombs of Rome, the Circus Maximus and the Baths of Caracalla.

Vatican City, seated in Rome, attracts tourists from around the world, among them art lovers, historians and pilgrims of the Roman Catholic Church. They come to explore St. Peter's Square and the massive basilica; admire the works of da Vinci, Botticelli and other masters at the Vatican Museums; and gaze up at Michelangelo's ceiling paintings in the Sistine Chapel.

Don't leave the city without throwing a coin into the Trevi Fountain, as this is said to guarantee your return someday.

For a list of independent tours in Rome only, click here. For a list of independent tours that visit Rome as well as other cities, click here.



There is perhaps not a more romantic picture than the sight of gondolas gliding through the canals of Venice. This Italian city was constructed on an archipelago of 18 islands connected by nearly 150 canals and about 400 bridges. Water taxis or water buses known as vaporetti transport natives and visitors alike in this auto-free area.

Gothic architecture is prominent in Venice, most notably at Doge's Palace, most of it built in the 14th century. The often-photographed Bridge of Sighs crosses a narrow canal, connecting the palace to a former prison. Head to the island of Murano to watch glassblowers demonstrate their skill. The Venice Film Festival, the world's oldest and one of the most prestigious film festivals, takes over the city from late August to early September.

For a list of independent tours in Venice only, click here. For a list of independent tours that visit Venice as well as other cities, click here.



On the Vltava River, the capital of the Czech Republic has become one of Europe's most culturally diverse cities, growing in popularity among tourists. Its architecture spans the centuries, with examples of Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, baroque and art nouveau designs. The Guinness Book of World Records has recognized the ninth-century Prague Castle as the largest ancient castle in the world -- head to the 14th-century Charles Bridge for good views of the structure.

Embrace the city's history and culture in the Old Town, which houses some of the city's most famous sights, such as the Astronomical Clock. Contemporary landmarks in Prague include the avant-garde Dancing House, designed by famed architect Frank Gehry to reflect a dancing couple (specifically, Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire); a giant, working metronome; and the Lennon Wall. The latter is covered in John Lennon-inspired graffiti and Beatles lyrics in tribute to the late music legend.

For a list of independent tours in Prague only, click here. For a list of independent tours that visit Prague as well as other cities, click here.



Amsterdam, besides being known for its thriving nightlife, is home to noteworthy museums such as the Rijksmuseum. The Van Gogh Museum features the largest collection of paintings by Dutch artist Vincent Van Gogh, and the Rembrandt House, where Rembrandt lived and painted for many years, is now a museum.

Picturesque row houses line the city's canals; head to Singel No. 7 to see a home that measures just one meter at its narrowest point. Amsterdam boasts 165 canals, and you can travel some of these waterways on a leisurely cruise. Or, rent a pedal boat -- called a canal bike -- for two or four passengers and explore on your own. Singel Canal is home to a colorful floating flower market that dates to 1862.

The capital of the Netherlands is also the site of the Anne Frank House, where a museum commemorates the life and writings of the young girl who, with her family and others, hid from Nazis in a secret annex here during World War II.

For a list of independent tours in Amsterdam only, click here. For a list of independent tours that visit Amsterdam as well as other cities, click here.



Located just north of the Bavarian Alps, Munich stands as one of Europe's most prosperous cities. The Bavarian capital is home to some spectacular churches, including the 15th-century onion-domed Frauenkirche (meaning "Church of Our Lady"), located in the center of the city.

Described as the heart and foundation of Munich, the Marienplatz serves as the town square; a glockenspiel -- or mechanical clock -- plays here three times a day. Another famous landmark is the Olympic Stadium, which hosted the 1972 Summer Olympics. Lovely green spaces include the landscaped parks of Nymphenburg Palace and the Renaissance gardens of the Residenz, which long served as the official home of Bavarian rulers.

To experience Munich during one of its most festive times, plan a stay during the two-week Oktoberfest. At any time of the year, lovers of beer and bratwurst can raise a pint at the Hofbrauhaus, the city's best known drinking establishment.

For a list of independent tours in Munich only, click here. For a list of independent tours that visit Munich as well as other cities, click here.

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