If you’re the adventurous sort and in search of the ultimate in European sorjourns this summer, EF Adventures are a brand that need to be well and truly on your radar. They boast a, frankly stellar, line up of trips for the adventure-inclined and they are particularly well stocked in European excursions. Check out our pick of 5 of the best below:
Greece Hiking: Mount Olympus, Meteora & Delphi
9 days | 12 days with Santorini & Athens Coast extension | From $4,999 before flights
Forget your standard-issue, sun-lounger Greek holiday—this is a full-throttle immersion into the country’s most legendary, rugged terrain. You’ll navigate three jaw-dropping landscapes, charting a course from the coastal foothills of Mount Olympus to the otherworldly, towering rock formations of Meteora, before wrapping up on the sacred slopes above Delphi. Naturally, you’ll be guided by local insiders who know these paths as intimately as the ancient myths that birthed them.
Each day serves up a masterclass in off-grid discovery. You’ll find yourself trekking the ancient E4 trail toward the literal home of the gods, catching panoramic clifftop views above the Thessalian Plain alongside historic Byzantine monasteries, and tracing an epic pilgrims’ route from Delphi’s oracle all the way down to the lapping shores of the Gulf of Corinth.
But this itinerary really dials in the experience when you step off the trail. We’re talking exclusive access to a working honey farm in the Olympus foothills, sipping robust volcanic Meteoran wine poured by an expert sommelier at a heritage family winery, and sharing quiet, unforgettable conversations with the clifftop monastic communities that have called these dizzying heights home for centuries. Greece has absolutely no shortage of history, but this is how you experience it with your boots firmly on the ground.
Alps Hiking: France & Switzerland
9 days | 11 days with Grindelwald extension | From $5,899 before flights
If you are looking to tackle the absolute holy grail of European mountain adventure, this epic trek through France and Switzerland is the ultimate blueprint. You’ll route your way through the legendary birthplace of alpinism in Chamonix, hit the sleek, car-free valley of Zermatt, and explore the classic, high-altitude hub of Grindelwald, delivering a front-row seat to the most celebrated landscapes in the Alps.
This isn’t a casual stroll for casual tourists; it’s a full-throttle challenge designed for those who appreciate raw natural beauty and rugged terrain. You’ll find yourself logging serious miles beneath Mont Blanc’s massive glaciated flanks on the Grand Balcon Nord trail, standing face-to-face with the Matterhorn’s iconic, jagged pyramid along Zermatt’s famous 5-Lakes route, and navigating high-altitude tracks where the formidable trio of the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau completely dominate the skyline.
When you aren’t punishing your hiking boots on the trail, you’ll be utilizing some legendary alpine engineering to gain serious elevation. We’re talking about riding Europe’s highest cogwheel railway up to a dizzying 10,180 feet, rocketing straight into the clouds via cable car to the razor-sharp summit of L’Aiguille du Midi, and descending past pristine, crystalline lakes that mirror the giant peaks towering above.
From crushing the technical turns of the legendary Eiger Trail to refueling with artisanal French pastries along Chamonix’s historic cobblestone streets, this journey strikes the perfect balance between pure physical grit and jaw-dropping awe. Grab your technical pack and clear your calendar—the mountains are calling.
Belgium & the Netherlands Biking: Ghent & Gouda
8 days | 10 days with Amsterdam extension | From $5,699 before flights
If you are looking to swap crowded tour buses for the absolute gold standard of two-wheeled exploration, this epic journey through Belgium and the Netherlands is precisely where you need to be. Boasting five days of guided rides across some of the most bicycle-friendly terrain on the planet, this tour delivers a masterclass in low-lands adventure.
You’ll kick things off crushing miles through the Flanders region, where medieval powerhouses like Bruges and Ghent anchor scenic routes packed with historic castles and winding canals. From there, you’ll navigate the mind-bending border town of Baarle-Hertog—where Belgian and Dutch territories zigzag directly through streets and houses in a brilliant maze of enclaves—before pedaling past the iconic, towering windmills of Kinderdijk.
The terrain is gloriously flat, the cycling infrastructure is completely world-class, and the scenery shifts seamlessly from Gothic spires to dramatic landscapes. Depending on when you book your slot, you’ll either witness the visual explosion of millions of blooming tulips at Keukenhof Gardens in the spring or tear through the coastal sand dunes of Scheveningen come summer.
Throw in a behind-the-scenes tour of an unconventional craft brewery, a pitstop at Gouda’s legendary cheese market, and a lazy cruise down historic canals, and you’ve got the ultimate active getaway. Tune your gears, pack your bags, and get ready to roll.
Germany & Austria Multi-Adventure: Bavaria, Tyrol & Salzburg
8 days | 10 days with Munich extension | From $5,799 before flights
Ditch the predictable sightseeing buses and standard tourist trails. If you want to experience the Alps with your adrenaline levels dialed completely to the max, this multi-sport odyssey through Germany and Austria is the ultimate adventure blueprint.
You’ll kick off the action in Bavaria’s rugged Garmisch-Partenkirchen region, crushing scenic trails that look down on the iconic Neuschwanstein Castle before hopping on a high-performance e-bike to tear up alpine terrain with the mighty Zugspitze—Germany’s highest peak—dominating your skyline.
From there, you’ll cross the border into Austria’s formidable Tyrolean Alps to tackle a demanding, high-reward trek up to the legendary Olpererhütte. Perched nearly 7,500 feet above sea level, it serves up jaw-dropping, panoramic glacier views that make a remote peak-side yoga session feel entirely surreal.
When you’re ready for a shot of pure adrenaline, you’ll be navigating intense whitewater rapids on the emerald Saalach River before cooling your jets in Salzburg’s rolling hills, logging some scenic miles on two wheels through the iconic countryside.
Naturally, an expedition of this caliber demands some serious refueling. You’ll be packing away authentic, hearty Bavarian specialties and treating yourself to a well-earned slice of decadent chocolate Sachertorte or two. Grab your technical shell and your most reliable trail shoes—this is how the Alps were meant to be conquered.
Ireland Hiking: Wild Atlantic Way
9 days | 11 days with Galway extension | From $5,419 before flights
Forget the stereotypical tourist coaches and rainy-day cliches. If you want to experience raw, unadulterated coastal grit, Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way is the ultimate hiking blueprint. Tracking 1,600 miles of the country’s brutal, beautiful western coast, this expedition is a dream come true for those who like their adventures served with a side of dramatic Atlantic gale.
You’ll be punishing your trail boots across the emerald hills of County Kerry, the jagged shores of County Mayo, and the completely untamed wilderness of Connemara. This isn’t a casual Sunday stroll; you’ll be logging serious vertical miles through Killarney National Park, scaling the scree slopes of Croagh Patrick (Ireland’s holiest mountain), and charting the dizzying heights of Achill Island, home to the highest sea cliffs in the country.
But this tour really earns its keep when the sun goes down. Once off the rain-swept ridges, you’ll be diving headfirst into local culture across historic hubs like Killarney and Westport.
We’re talking about pulling up a stool in centuries-old, cozy pubs, refueling with hearty traditional fare, and soaking in the legendary warmth of world-class Irish hospitality. Lace up your waterproof boots—the wild west is calling.
