Bring the kids! Our Family Europe: London to Florence tour delivers a colorful mix of must-see cities (London, Paris, Florence), and stroll-around charms (Burgundy, the Swiss Alps, Italy's Cinque Terre). Along the way, you and your kids will encounter some fascinating bits of art, history, and culture — along with a couple of castles, a boat, a train, a mountain gondola lift, plenty of hiking, and even a swimming pool or two. Let's go: www.ricksteves.com/tours/europe/family-europe-london-florenc

Starting your trip with the guidebook self-guided "city walk" is a great way to orient yourself in a new location. Rick Steves' Europe guide and researcher Pål Johansen (Norway with Pål) started his trip in Athens with the "Athens City Walk," found in the Greece: Athens & the Peloponnese guidebook. It's also the perfect activity to fight jet lag on your first day! Prefer audio? Our free Audio Europe app has 60 self-guided city walks and museum tours, covering Europe's most fascinating destinatio