Activities, Day Trips, and Tours in Western Europe

Types of Activities

The countries of Western Europe offer plenty of terrific sights and activities to keep travelers busy. Although these countries tend to be a little more expensive than some other European countries, especially in Eastern and Southern Europe, that doesn't mean that deals can't be found. If you're on a tight budget, plenty of activities and day trips are available at affordable prices, and they are a great deal of fun, too.

Cities

The big cities of Western Europe offer a great mix of historical sights right along with modern conveniences. Urban centers such as Paris, Amsterdam, Berlin, Lyon, and Brussels contain thriving art and music scenes, world-class restaurants, accommodation options for every budget, old world architecture, and more. Where else can you visit cathedrals that are thousands of years old and then partake in a lively resturant and bar scene? Walking tours, Segway tours, bike trips, historical overviews, and other activities await your arrival. And many of these cities also offer cruises along their famous and scenic rivers.

Outdoors

Despite their long history of human settlement and development, the countries of Western Europe offer plenty of outdoor activities. All of these countries have large national park and nature areas where the scenery and wildlife is preserved and protected. It's also possible to experience life as it was hundreds of years ago by visiting rural areas to participate in agricultural based farming homestays. Or, why not hike through a vineyard? Also, in France, Germany, and other countries, travelers can visit ancient castles or the mountains of the interior for hiking, trekking, camping, fishing, or biking.

Winter Sports

The Alps lie at the doorstep of Western Europe, as France, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, and Austria all offer easy access to these world-famous mountains. With snow much of the year, it's no surprise that skiing and snowboarding are popular here.

Water Sports

The coastline of Western European countries is abound with beaches and other water activities such as snorkeling, scuba diving, boating and sailing. Why not visit the French Riviera for some history alongside your beach vacation?

Food and Cuisine

The cities and the rural areas of Western European countries are home to world class culinary treats. The cities of Paris, Lyon, Brussels, and Amsterdam, just to name a few, have multiple restaurants that are world famous. But if you're on a budget, don't worry, there are plenty of hole-in-the-wall places with exquisite options as well. Try out a food tour to hop through a variety of restaurants in one day to taste it all. Or perhaps a bar crawl is more your style? And don't forget about the wineries of France and Germany, too!