The original grand tour reimagined
People in the 17th and 18th centuries certainly knew how to travel. The term ‘grand tour’ originally referred to trips undertaken by the British nobility and wealthy landed gentry when they came of age. They would head across the continent in search of cultural enlightenment visiting galleries, museums and ancient ruins and attending concerts and social engagements.
Considered by many to be a rite of passage, these epic trips could last between several months and a few years. While holiday allowances today tend not to allow for quite such lengthy tours, we can put together a trip that is no less grand and just as indulgent.
With much of Europe connected by land borders and the rest accessible by boat rides or short flights, Europe is the perfect place for an epic voyage. You can be drifting along Venice’s Grand Canal one day, then hiking through the mountains of Slovenia the next.
For those after a dose of history and culture, the ruins of ancient Greece and Italy await, while art lovers can get lost in Paris‘ museums and galleries and wander through the architectural gems that are scattered all across Spain. Outdoor lovers will relish the opportunity to explore the mountains of Switzerland, the Norwegian Fjords and the coastline of Portugal and when it comes to relaxing, the Greek and Croatian islands are hard to beat.
Even within countries you’ll find regional dialects, local food and drink, and people fiercely proud of their traditions. Every day in Europe brings a different adventure.
We have a team of travel designers passionate about this beautiful continent who know exactly how to get from A to B in comfort and style. The grand tour was made for Europe and is the perfect way to experience its magic.
Highlights
Island hop around some of Greece‘s most stunning islands
Do as the Dutch do and explore Amsterdam by bike
Experience afternoon tea in some of London‘s most quintessential locations
Enjoy some of Europe’s best wine in Champagne, The Douro Valley and Bordeaux
Take to the sky in a hot air balloon over Cappadocia
Melania Siriu
Senior Travel Designer
With such diverse scenery, culture, food and experiences, Europe is the perfect playground for a grand tour. It's home to some of the best beaches for moments of relaxation, exciting cities full of rich history and culture, and some of the best food and drink in the world. No two trips could ever be the same, but one thing is for sure with any trip to Europe - you'll make memories to last a lifetime.
Melania Siriu
Senior Travel Designer
Luxury accommodation in Europe
Why book with Jacada?
Personalised design
We’ll plan your trip around your specific interests, tastes and preferences, providing helpful tips and honest advice based on first-hand knowledge of the destination.
Authentic experiences
Our expert guides and brilliant travel concierges are hand-picked to provide a genuine experience, bringing your destination to life with care and passion.
Responsible travel
Our luxury trips are designed with responsible travel principles that prioritise travel experiences that are both good for you and good for the planet.
Trip Inspiration
Where to go
Split
Dramatically located between pine-strewn mountains and the turquoise sea, the city’s roots stretch right back to ancient Greek colonists and the Roman Emperor Diocletian who retired here in a suitably large palace.
Discover moreDubrovnik
Glimmering on the Adriatic coast, enchanting Dubrovnik is Croatia’s most up-market destination. Lauded by George Bernard Shaw as “Paradise on Earth”, the city delights with its Mediterranean-style culture and the marbled streets of its UNESCO World Heritage old town.
Discover moreParis
A city trapped in the 19th century, dazzling visitors to this day with its charming cityscape. Paris is seductive, stunning whatever the weather, and above all, timeless.
Discover moreBordeaux
Dubbed “the very essence of elegance” by none other than Queen Elizabeth II on her 1992 visit, Bordeaux city shines bright with a grandiose 18th-century harmony epitomised in the beautifully restored neoclassical architecture of its port.
Discover moreChampagne
Just a few hours northeast of Paris, you’ll find the sweeping, lush vineyards of Champagne, best known for its sparkling white wine production that bears the region’s name.
Discover moreMykonos
Mykonos might be one of the smallest islands in the Cyclades complex but it makes up for it in character. Its reputation as a glamorous party destination has stuck since the 50s and while it’s true people here know how to have a good time, the island is incredibly beautiful, its beaches and secluded corners offering refuge to those who seek it.
Discover moreSantorini
Sheer cliffs hundreds of metres high shield coves and beaches made up of red, white and black sand, while pretty villages of limewashed cubic houses creep up the sides, nestled into every nook and cranny.
Discover moreCrete
The island also has a wealth of natural beauty and some of the country’s best beaches.
Discover moreRome
Rome, Italy’s capital and largest city, needs little introduction. One of the most historied locations in the world, we can help you discover its incredible past with a luxury trip focused around expert guided tours and local insight.
Discover moreVenice
Sat within a shallow lagoon between the mouths of Po and Piave rivers, Venice is formed of 118 islands formed by some 170 canals connected by over 400 bridges. The entire city is considered a World Heritage Site, an extraordinary architectural masterpiece in which even the smallest building may contain works by some of the Europe’s greatest artists.
Discover moreFlorence
Surrounded by rolling Tuscan hills, the beautiful city of Florence is one of Europe’s most enchanting and historically influential cities. If anywhere in the world can claim to have shaped modern Western consciousness, it is Florence’s grand piazzas and palazzos.
Discover moreThe Amalfi Coast
Draped along the cliffs on the southern side of the Sorrento Peninsula, between Salerno and the city of Sorrento, the Amalfi Coast is one of the most dramatic and glamorous spots in Italy.
Discover moreLake Como
Lake Como has been a popular retreat since the time of the Roman Empire, and its popularity shows no signs of waning. Everyone from aristocrats to A-listers flock to its shores to enjoy its tranquil waters and beautiful lakeside towns and villas.
Discover moreLisbon
Europe’s second oldest capital, Lisbon is an effortlessly elegant city, full of old-world charm.
Discover morePorto
Portugal‘s second city is one of Europe’s most charming. Built on a steep riverbank, a jumble of colourful medieval houses hug the calm waters of the Douro River where wooden boats bob on the surface and people spill out of its cafes and bars, more often than not with a glass of the wine that gave the city its name.
Discover moreDouro Valley
The Douro River winds its way from the north of Spain, along the Portuguese border and eastward to Porto where it meets the sea. It is most famous for its port, a sweet brandy fortified wine that must originate in this valley to be considered the genuine article.
Discover moreMadrid
When conjuring up an image of Madrid, envisage a beating heart placed squarely at the country’s centre. The Spanish capital is bursting with life and passion and through its well planned streets course Madrilenos, the city’s inhabitants who really know how to live.
Discover moreBarcelona
Catering to every type of traveller, from romantic honeymooners, all-night partiers and beach lovers to art aficionados, foodies, fashionistas and culture hunters, you haven’t really seen Spain without a few days caught up here.
Discover moreSeville
With the Greek demi-god of Hercules as its mythical founder, Seville was pre-destined to be be great.
Discover moreIstanbul
Istanbul is the largest city in Turkey, the boundary between Europe and Asia.
Discover moreCappadocia
Best experienced from a suspended basket, swaying in a cloth of milky clouds at dawn, or within the ghostly cities, tunnelled under the soft ground, Cappadocia is sure to leave even the most experienced traveller dumbfounded.
Discover moreRomania
The Danube River flows in the south of the country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeastern Europe.
Discover moreMeet your Europe team
When to visit
Europe has such a diverse landscape that it’s hard to pick one time of year to visit. Each destination has a different charm during different seasons, but one thing is for sure – you’ll be delighted no matter when you visit.
Spring
March - May
Summer sun
June - August
Winter snow
October - March
Europe Travel Guides
Europe Bucket List: Top 10 things to Do in Europe
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Best European Cities for a Christmas vacation
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The Best Beaches in Europe
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Ireland or Scotland: Where Should I Go?
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The Ultimate Food Guide to Italy
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Our Guide to the Wine Regions of France
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Visiting Sweden in Summer
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Romantic things to do in Turkey
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The Most Beautiful Palaces and Castles in Germany
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Plan your grand tour to Europe
Whatever you want from your European grand tour, our team of expert travel designers are ready to help.
We had an excellent experience booking an epic African journey with Jacada Travel. The trip included visits to seven countries but everything from the logistics, accommodation, transfer staff, guides and support staff was superb, well planned, and perfectly executed. Special thanks to James from Jacada who worked with us from the booking process until we got back home. I would…
Ellie Khoury helped us plan an excellent customized 4 week tour through Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. Gilda Tang was an excellent concierge. Together they worked as a team to smooth the experience.
I usually do all my travel planning independently but found myself desperately in need of time away, without the time to actually plan the trip. I did some research and settled on Jacada based on their other excellent reviews. I used Jacada to help me plan my first trip to SE Asia (Thailand, Laos and Cambodia for 2.5 weeks), which…
Jacada planned us an incredible bucket list trip to Africa. Our travel designers really took time to get to know us, our travel preferences, and what we were looking for, which was so important since it was our first time to Africa and first time booking a trip through a travel company. We didn't know where to start between Southern…
Jacada is beyond incredible and we look forward to planning future adventures with them. Our experience was flawless from beginning to end. Iain listened to our dream trip ideas and came up with a bucket list itinerary to Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Botswana. James took over and guided us with his amazing care til departure. Such peace during our travels…
Plan with peace of mind
When you book a trip in today’s world there’s a lot to think about. But with the right advice and expert planning, you can do it with confidence.
If you book to travel with us but your plans are impacted by circumstances you can’t control, we’ll change your reservation or cancel your booking for a full credit towards future travel.