See a City Up Close

Make a Discovery

Whether you’re visiting for the first time or the fourth, devote time to really see the city up close: take a special tour, attend an event, dine at an out-of-the-way restaurant, and sample the local libation. Go exploring and you’ll uncover little secrets that other tourists miss.

Tours with a Twist

The best way to get your bearings and visit the major landmarks is by taking a tour. Why not take one on a bike! Mix it up a little. In Budapest, for example, you can spend an afternoon spinning your way through the beautiful city feeling the sun on your face and the wind at your back! Yellow Zebra Bike Tours, Budapest’s original bike company, takes you on an entertaining ride through the history and major sights: Heroes’ Square and City Park, Inner Pest, Walking District, and the Buda Castle District!

A walking tour in Paris will give you an insider’s look at the city’s most popular areas: the Latin Quarter, the Marais and Montmartre. First timers to Paris should shoot for The Latin Quarter which is vibrant and packed with historical monuments! Plus, it’s home to the Sorbonne so you know there’s plenty to see and do and places to go where you can really mix in with the local college crowd. The Quaint Marais Walk leads you through Paris' Jewish section and the Place des Vosges, the center of Parisian culture during the 17th century. Small boutiques and specialty shops abound in this area. The Montmartre Walk explores the rich artistic history of Paris. Wander the cobblestone streets and enjoy the tour guide’s stories as you slowly ascend from the bohemian streets to the highest point in Paris, which offers breathtaking views in all directions.

Or you could take a boat tour. The River Red Rover offers a new perspective of London in a hop-on-hop-off system. You’ll see all of the biggies – Westminster, Tower of London, St. Paul’s Cathedral, etc. – while cruising around the Thames.

Special Events

Take in a play in London’s West End, go to the ballet in Munich, or attend an opera in Vienna. You can find cheap tickets on sale the day of performance – usually at the venue itself or at an appointed ticket counter in the city. You may go to this type of stuff at home or it may be something you usually avoid. Consider this: experiencing a special event in a foreign city is completely different! You’ll be mingling with the locals and chances are that they’ll be intrigued by where you’re from and flattered that you’ve opted for a night of the arts in their home town. You’ll have a great story to share and it’s something your fellow travelers probably passed up during their stop in town.

Pub Crawls

No matter where you stay, particularly in Europe, chances are you’ll be no more than a block from a pub. In fact, you’ll probably be close to several pubs. We recommend going on a good ol’ pub crawl. You can take an organized crawl, which is basically a tour with a lot of beer. Or, you can DIY - you decide where to start/end and how much to drink at each stop. Just remember, as you’re downing pint after pint, that you WILL have to get back to your accommodation eventually. Keep your wits about you. The worst case scenario that we would want for you is a nasty hangover the next day. That said, we’re sure that you’ll have a blast and, as the night wears on, probably become good friends with some of the locals. Nothing brings people together like a pub crawl – lager, bitter, or cider?