Arrange small group tours with a guide or map it out yourselves. Purchasing a Eurail Pass prior to arriving allows you to travel throughout Europe. If your group plans to visit several countries, it is best to purchase the Eurail Global pass. Small groups can also benefit from the Eurail Selectpass, which provides unlimited travel between two countries. Visit the tourist information booths at the train station for free maps, discount passes, departure times and daily short-term tours.
For two to four passengers, purchase discount "Rail and Drive" passes. Your group will be able to ride the train and drive a car to your chosen destinations. Your group can also purchase discount tickets called "Lifts and Trains," which allows you to take the train and then a lift ride to locations such as the Swiss Alps. For group adventure seekers, explore Switzerland's Berner Oberland region. Take the Schilthornbahn lift to the 10,000-foot summit of the Shilthorn, where your group can enjoy panoramic views at the Piz Gloria station. There is a solar-powered revolving restaurant and a panorama terrace.
Your small group can book walking or hiking tours, which are generally guided. When making reservations, ask for leisure walking tours or rugged terrain hiking. For example, if you are visiting the French Riviera, take a leisure walking tour throughout Nice, Monaco or Monte Carlo. Some tours offer boat rides back to the point of departure. Your group can also select a specific country such as Spain and take a walking tour along the Costa Brava while enjoying the sites of the Mediterranean Sea, or explore the streets of Barcelona and take in Moorish architecture and history.
Your group can opt to take hiking tours throughout Italy. There are challenging trails such as the Tuscany hill-filled terrain beginning at Montepulciano and ending at Montalcino. For a moderate hike, your group can take the five-hour hiking tour along the Amalfi Coast. The tour starts in Naples and explores towns such as the Isle de Capri, Pompeii and Minori.
Small groups seeking to explore Europe by cycling or biking would benefit by taking guided tours. The trails can be challenging and for first-time group visitors, following bike trail signs and sight-seeing can become cumbersome. Some tours are held during specific time frames such as May through October. Certain months are considered high-peak travel periods and there are more guided group tours to select from. Ask if the tours are leisure such as the trails between Munich, Germany to Salzburg, Austria, where you can enjoy the Bavarian Lake District. Your group can take a rugged terrain cycling tour in France, which begins in the Pyrenees mountains and continues along the French Alps. Attempt a fun- filled Tour de France cycling tour, which ensures your group memorable moments and photos.
Small groups visiting the many museums throughout Europe can benefit by purchasing museum tour entry combo-tickets prior to their arrival. Although each museum offers different packages, it will help your group bypass long lines at well-known locations such as the Louvre in Paris or the Vatican Museum in Rome. You can request English-speaking guided tours or opt to rent audio guides.
