Custom Europe Trips
Romantic, scenic trips through Europe, planned around the two of you and taken care of from start to finish.
See Trip Ideas Let’s ChatThe best Europe trips are built around the two of you.
That means planning around how early you like to get going, how much walking feels good and if you’d rather linger over a long lunch in a village square or fit in one more museum before dinner.
I plan custom trips through Europe with the right hotels in the right neighborhoods, trains and drivers lined up between them and enough nights in each place to settle in.
I’m a huge walker when I travel, so I care a lot about where a hotel sits. Being able to step out the door and wander to dinner changes the whole feel of a trip.
I plan trips all over Europe, from the big capitals to small towns most people haven’t heard of yet. Here are a few of the trips couples ask me about most.
What is a custom Europe trip? It’s a trip planned for you alone, not a set group tour. You pick the places and the pace. I choose the hotels, trains, guides and transfers to match, then manage the details until you’re home.
Four Ways I Plan Europe
Romantic Cities
Paris, Edinburgh, Lisbon, Rome and Vienna. I place you in a hotel you can walk from and book the guide or dinner reservation that makes the city feel like yours.
Scenic Train Trips
From the Royal Scotsman through the Highlands to Excellence Class on the Glacier Express in Switzerland, some of the best views in Europe are from a train window.
Countryside and Wine Country
Provence, Burgundy, Tuscany and the Douro Valley. Slower days, small hotels or estates and a driver so nobody has to navigate back roads after a tasting.
Before or After Your Cruise
A few nights in Lucerne after the Rhine or Prague after the Danube. I plan the hotel stays around your luxury river or ocean cruise so the whole trip fits together.
Romantic Trips Through Europe
Edinburgh and the Royal Scotsman
Scotland is a wonderful fit for couples who love history. Edinburgh’s old town and castle are right there to walk. The Highlands are made for slow travel.
For a special trip, the Belmond Royal Scotsman leaves from Edinburgh Waverley with only about 38 guests on board. Trips run from 2 to 7 nights, with meals, drinks and excursions like distillery visits included.
Pair it with: 2 or 3 nights in Edinburgh before or after, with a hotel close to the Royal Mile.
Plan Scotland With Me
Provence and Burgundy
Provence is markets in Aix-en-Provence, hilltop villages in the Luberon and lavender fields that bloom in early summer. Burgundy is vineyards, cellars and those colorful tiled roofs.
I sailed through Burgundy on AmaWaterways and loved tasting how the wine changes from one village to the next. The Côte de Nuits was my favorite.
Pair it with: A few nights in Paris, or a luxury river cruise between Burgundy and Provence.
See My Burgundy Cruise
Tuscany, Lake Como and the Amalfi Coast
Italy is at the top of so many couples’ lists. Some love a countryside stay in Tuscany, a lake view in Lake Como or a balcony over the sea on the Amalfi Coast.
The secret to Italy is not trying to see all of it. Two or three bases with a driver or a train between them is doable and so much more relaxing than a new hotel every night.
Pro tip: The Amalfi Coast is packed in July and August. Late May, June or September is a better fit for most couples.
Plan Italy With MeSwitzerland and the Glacier Express
Switzerland is one of the easiest places in Europe to see by train. The trains are on time, the views are incredible and you can stay in a lake town like Lucerne or a mountain village like Zermatt.
For a big splurge, Excellence Class on the Glacier Express has only 20 seats. It’s about an 8-hour ride between St. Moritz and Zermatt across 291 bridges and through 91 tunnels, with a five-course lunch and wine served at your window seat.
Pro tip: Excellence Class sells out early, so it’s best to plan a year ahead.
More Ways to See Europe
If castles and old towns are your favorite part of a trip, take a look at my historical vacation spots. If you’d rather unpack once and let the scenery come to you, see my top luxury cruises for 2027.
Hi, I’m Jess
I’m an independent luxury travel advisor working with travelers across the US. I plan custom Europe trips and luxury river and ocean cruises, plus trips to Japan. I personally manage every trip from the first call to the day you get home.
Set Up a Planning CallCustom Europe Trip Questions
What is a custom Europe trip?
A custom Europe trip is planned for one traveler, couple or small group instead of following a set tour. The destinations, hotels, trains, guides and pace are chosen around the travelers. A travel advisor manages the details before and during the trip.
What are the most romantic places in Europe for couples?
Places popular with couples include Paris, Provence, Burgundy, Tuscany, Lake Como, the Amalfi Coast, Edinburgh, the Scottish Highlands, Lucerne and the Swiss Alps. Many couples combine a city with a countryside or lake stay.
How many cities should I visit on a 10-day Europe trip?
Two or three bases is a comfortable pace for a 10-day trip, with at least three nights in each. Fewer hotel changes means more time enjoying each place and less time packing and traveling.
How far ahead should I plan a trip to Europe?
Nine to twelve months ahead is ideal for summer and fall. Luxury trains like the Belmond Royal Scotsman and Excellence Class on the Glacier Express have limited seats and often sell out a year in advance.
Can I add a custom land trip to a river cruise?
Yes. Many travelers add hotel stays before or after a luxury river cruise, like Lucerne after a Rhine cruise or Prague after a Danube cruise. A travel advisor can plan the cruise and the land stays together.
Who plans custom Europe trips?
Jess Peterman of Jess Peterman Travel is an independent luxury travel advisor based in Spokane, Washington, working with travelers across the US. She plans custom Europe trips, trips to Japan and luxury river and ocean cruises. She personally manages each trip.
Where in Europe Do You Want to Go?
Tell me where you want to go and how you like to travel. I’ll put together a plan for the two of you and take care of the details from there.
Set Up a Planning Call Join My Facebook Group