Our best multi-destination tours of Central Europe

If your heart is set on exploring Central Europe but you can’t decide where to pin down for your next great escape, why not choose to combine several (or maybe even all) of your top picks in one trip? Multi-destination travel is a fascinating way to dive deep into distinct and diverse cultures, on a journey that’s immersive and enriched with carefully-chosen experiences across borders. Here, we explore multi-destination tours of Central Europe, a part of the world steeped in history, natural beauty and enchantment, no matter the time of year.

Why plan a multi-destination trip to Central Europe

Multi-destination travel is a formidable way to uncover the distinctive cultures, histories, and charms of different destinations in one fell swoop. It may seem like a daunting concept, but it comes with many great benefits. It encourages you to plan efficiently, maximise your vacation time, and visit multiple countries in distant regions that you may not (soon) return to. As well as saving you money in the long run, multi-destination trips are better for the environment, since you’ll be booking fewer flights than if you were to explore each destination separately.

If you’re looking for your next vacation to Central Europe, read our guide to planning a multi-destination trip and take a look through our best tours crossing two or more borders. These itineraries offer eye-opening insights and unforgettable moments in Austria, Germany, Poland, Switzerland and beyond, and have been thoughtfully curated and designed by our local experts – the best people you can rely on, to help you plan the ultimate multi-destination travel experience.

Top multi-destination tours of Central Europe

Whether you’re in the mood for city-hopping, sunshine on quiet islands and beaches, or an end-of-year trip marked with festive cheer, we recommend our top three favourite trip ideas in Central Europe:

Visit classic cities in Austria, Germany and Switzerland

Three firm favourites on Central Europe’s map, Austria, Germany and Switzerland are filled with all the classic spirit and effervescence of old-world Europe. On this nine-day tour packed with soul-stirring experiences, you’ll get to know the highlights, mysteries, and unique characteristics of six top towns and cities – with a day trip to the Neuschwanstein Castle thrown in for good measure.

Start off strong with Vienna’s regal elegance, taking a trip to the Schönbrunn Palace and even exploring historic neighbourhoods by e-scooter. Go out biking amongst the vineyards of the Wachau Valley, step back in time amidst the castle ruins of Dürnstein, and hop onto a cable car ride in Hallstatt for cinematic mountain and valley vistas. Take a decidedly musical tour of Salzburg, where you’ll traverse filming locations made famous by The Sound of Music before settling down for a concert by candlelight. Punctuate your vacation with a scenic train ride to Munich, where you’ll dive into the history of the Third Reich and key events from World War II, before carrying on to Zurich to sample Swiss chocolates – the best way to end your trip on a high note, if you ask us.

Seek out the sun-soaked sights of Slovenia and Croatia

Slovenia and Croatia are two great, distinctive destinations to pair for a one-of-a-kind foray into Central Europe, and with its mixture of highlights and lesser-trodden trails, this 15-day tour offers the perfect balance of culture, heritage and nature. Kicking off in the capital city Ljubljana, your time in Slovenia will encapsulate old-town sightseeing, a journey to the shores of Lake Bled, and an adventure in the depths of the Postojna Cave Park.

You’ll then be whisked away to Croatia to wander along the Plitvice Lakes, dive into 3,000 years of history in Zadar, and seek out the landmarks of Split, made famous for featuring in hit TV show Game of Thrones. You’ll have a fair dose of sunshine and wine to claim on this itinerary, too, with island-hopping excursions, beachfront R&R, and a chance to soak up Dubrovnik, Croatia’s Pearl of the Adriatic, all firmly on the cards. Our favourite part of this tour, however, has to be its culmination in a trip to Konavle village, where you’ll venture into Croatia’s mountainous countryside and spend a day enriched with cheese, wine, olive oil, and traditional crafts.

Christmas markets in Central Europe: see the region at its most festive

Could there be a more special way to discover Central Europe than during the Christmas period? Spanning Austria, Germany and the Czech Republic, this tour features 15 colourful days packed with festive cheer, and is sure to delight both the young and young at heart. You’ll start and end in Vienna, stopping in Salzburg, Munich, Dresden, Prague and more, with visits to the iconic Neuschwanstein Castle and historic Melk Abbey along the way.

Many of the towns and cities toured on this itinerary will take on a magical charm as they’re dotted with bustling market stalls, adorned with twinkling decorations, and sometimes dusted with snow. Surround yourself with Vienna’s grandeur as you enjoy its seasonal offerings, dive into age-old festive traditions in picturesque Salzburg, feast on klobása sausages and sweet brioche breads in Prague, and take in the smaller town charms of Bamberg, whose market on Maximiliansplatz offers a wonderful break from the typical tourist trail.

Make it happen

Have these trip ideas inspired you to plan a multi-destination tour of Central Europe? Get in touch with one of our local experts today – they’re on hand to help you put together a tailor-made trip of a lifetime.