Europe is the world's most visited travel destination for Australian travellers — and with good reason. From the timeless ruins of Rome and the sun-drenched islands of Greece to the boulevards of Paris, the shores of Croatia, and the fjords of Norway, no other continent packs so much history, culture, food, and natural beauty into one place. Cooee Tours has been designing European tours for Australians for over 35 years, and we know how to make every single day count.
Whether you want a guided small group tour through the great capitals, a luxury river cruise along the Rhine or Danube, a romantic Italian escape through Tuscany and the Amalfi Coast, or a fully custom itinerary built around your wishlist — our Brisbane-based European specialists handle everything from flights to final dinner reservation.
Handpicked countries where Australian travellers consistently have the most extraordinary experiences.
Food, art, history and la dolce vita
Walk the cobblestones of Rome, float through Venice's canals, taste your way through Tuscany's vineyards, hike the Cinque Terre path, and wind along the dramatic Amalfi Coast. Italy rewards every traveller, every time.
Islands, ancients and Mediterranean magic
Explore the Acropolis at sunrise, island-hop from Santorini to Mykonos and Crete, dine on fresh seafood at a harbour-side taverna, and swim in some of the clearest water on earth.
Art, cuisine, wine and the City of Light
Marvel at the Louvre, stroll the Champs-Élysées, cruise the Seine, then escape Paris for the lavender fields of Provence, the vineyards of Bordeaux, or the châteaux of the Loire Valley.
Adriatic coastline, walled cities, island escapes
Walk the medieval walls of Dubrovnik, sail the Dalmatian islands, explore Diocletian's Palace in Split, and swim the turquoise cascades of Plitvice Lakes National Park.
Flamenco, tapas, Gaudí and golden beaches
Marvel at Gaudí's Barcelona, feast on pintxos in San Sebastián, lose yourself in the Alhambra, watch flamenco in Seville, and sip Rioja straight from La Rioja wine country.
Fjords, northern lights and midnight sun
Sail the dramatic Geirangerfjord, chase the northern lights from Tromsø, explore Viking history in Oslo, and witness the midnight sun casting golden light across the Arctic landscape.
Atlantic coast, port wine and fado melodies
Ride Lisbon's famous yellow trams, tour the grand palaces of Sintra, sip port wine along the Douro River, and relax on the golden Algarve beaches — Europe's best-value destination.
Castles, beer halls, Beethoven and Christmas markets
Visit Neuschwanstein Castle, drink dark beer in Munich's famous beer halls, tour Berlin's historic monuments, waltz through Vienna's grand boulevards, and experience Europe's most magical Christmas markets.
Fully guided itineraries with all logistics included — from first day to last.
We build these extraordinary moments into every European tour we design.
The Colosseum at sunrise, the Acropolis before the crowds, Pompeii's frozen streets, Stonehenge at dawn — history made vivid by expert guides who bring story to every stone.
Cooking classes in Tuscany, pasta-making in Bologna, wine tasting in Burgundy, pintxos bars in San Sebastián, olive oil tours in Crete. Europe is an education in eating exceptionally well.
Nuremberg, Vienna, Strasbourg, and Prague light up from late November through December with mulled wine, hand-carved ornaments, and festive magic that no brochure can quite capture.
Book a Christmas Market Tour →Float past medieval castles on the Rhine, dock in Budapest's thermal city on the Danube, wind through Port wine country on the Douro — see Europe's heartland from the water.
Explore River Cruises →Lavender fields in Provence, tulips in bloom across the Netherlands, the Swiss Alps in summer, the Scottish Highlands in any season — Europe's landscapes are as spectacular as its cities.
An evening at La Scala in Milan, flamenco in Seville, the Vienna Philharmonic, the Edinburgh Festival — culture runs through every European city like a current you can feel.
Small-ship river cruising is the most civilised way to experience Europe's heartland. Unpack once, wake up in a new city each morning, and glide past medieval castles, vineyard terraces, and fairy-tale villages from your private cabin deck. No airports, no luggage transfers — just Europe at its own peaceful pace.
All Cooee Tours river cruises include cabin accommodation, all meals, guided shore excursions, wine with dinner, and port charges. We partner with premium lines operating intimate ships of 100–150 guests maximum.
These are examples — every tour can be fully customised to your dates, pace, and interests.
7 countries · London to Rome · Max 16 guests
Italy only · Rome to Amalfi · Max 12 guests
Greece only · Athens to Crete · Max 14 guests
Europe has four very distinct travel seasons — each with its own rewards for Australian visitors.
April – May
Europe's most beautiful season — wildflowers, comfortable temperatures 15–22°C, tulips in Holland, cherry blossoms in Paris, and far fewer crowds than summer. Shoulder-season prices apply.
June – August
Long days, Mediterranean warmth, and the Greek islands at their glittering best. Temperatures reach 28–35°C in southern Europe. Book well in advance — this is the most popular season for Australian travellers.
September – October
Golden light, harvest festivals, grape-picking in Tuscany and Burgundy, fewer crowds at the major sites, and warm enough weather for comfortable sightseeing. The connoisseur's choice for Europe travel.
November – March
Europe transforms in winter — Christmas markets in Germany and Austria are unmissable from late November. Ski resorts open across the Alps. Northern lights peak in Scandinavia. Cities are quieter and prices drop significantly.
Australian passport holders enjoy excellent access to Europe. Here's what you need to know.
Australian passport holders can enter all 27 Schengen countries — including France, Italy, Spain, Germany, Greece, Netherlands, Portugal and more — visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. No pre-application required.
The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) will require a simple online pre-registration before travel to the Schengen Area. It costs €7 and is valid for 3 years. Cooee Tours assists all guests with ETIAS applications as part of our booking service.
Since January 2025, Australians visiting the United Kingdom require an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). It costs £10, is applied for online, and is valid for multiple trips over 2 years. We handle this for all UK-bound guests.
Croatia joined the Schengen Area in January 2023, making Adriatic itineraries combining Croatia with Italy, Slovenia, and Greece seamless. No internal border checks — your 90-day Schengen allowance covers Croatia too.
Cooee Tours manages all ETIAS, UK ETA, and any other entry requirements as part of your booking. You focus on packing — we handle the red tape.
Five decades of sending Australians to Europe — here's what makes us different.
Every destination we recommend has been personally visited and vetted by our team. Our European specialists have lived and worked in Europe — they know which hotel has the best breakfast view and which market opens on Tuesdays.
Maximum 16 guests means we skip the tourist queues, access places large groups never see, eat at restaurants that don't do bus groups, and you actually hear the guide when they're speaking. Small group travel is simply better travel.
Our Brisbane office operates around the clock when groups are travelling. Flight cancelled? Strike disrupting the rail network? Unexpected illness? We have contingency plans for every scenario and a real human answers the phone — any time.
We stay in character-rich hotels in the actual city centre — not airport strips or chain hotels on the outskirts. A former Renaissance palazzo in Florence, a harbour-view hotel in Dubrovnik, a boutique castle hotel in the Loire Valley. Location and character matter.
Our local European guides are not just licensed — they're passionate historians, foodies, and storytellers who live where you're visiting. An Athenian showing you the Acropolis. A Roman taking you to their family's trattoria. The difference is palpable.
No hidden fees, no surprise supplements, no single traveller penalties on most tours. Our price includes accommodation, guided excursions, intercity transport, selected meals, and entrance fees. You'll know your total cost before you book — full stop.
Real reviews from Australian travellers who explored Europe with Cooee Tours.
★★★★★The Italian Highlights tour was genuinely life-changing. I've wanted to see the Amalfi Coast my whole life and Cooee delivered it perfectly — not a tourist bus in sight. Our guide Marco knew every back road, every local restaurant, every story behind every church. Just extraordinary.
★★★★★We did the Grand European Tour for our 30th wedding anniversary. Twenty-one days, seven countries — and not one moment that felt rushed or exhausting. The group of 14 became like family by the end. We're already planning the Greece tour for next year. Cooee Tours is simply the best.
★★★★★I was nervous travelling solo for the first time internationally. The Iberian Peninsula tour was the perfect choice — a brilliant group, a patient and funny guide named Isabel, and Spain and Portugal delivered everything the brochure promised and more. Santorini next year. Can't stop now.
Our specialists respond within one business day. No obligation — just expert advice.
Everything Australians want to know before booking a European tour.
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