The Yellow Roads of Europe are the secondary roads marked in yellow on Michelin maps, and are typically less travelled by tourists. Traveling on these roads offers a more authentic and scenic experience, and allows you to immerse yourself in the local culture, gaining a deeper understanding of the places you visit.
Many travellers prefer these routes because they offer a chance to explore picturesque countryside and charming villages off the beaten path and discover hidden gems.
Whether you’re heading to Europe for the first time or looking to expand your European experiences, these “Yellow Roads” journeys will show you the Europe you’ve always wanted to explore.
Three Scenic Land Journeys by Tauck
Adriatic Treasures: Croatia to Venice
13 Days | Dubrovnik, Split, Zagreb, Ljubljana, Rovinj, Pula, Venice | Apr – Jun, Aug – Oct
Small group Departures averaging 24 Tauck guests | From US$8,990 Per Person
Discover history preserved in medieval villages, Roman ruins, and castle keeps, and savour traditions at vineyards, markets, and bakeries.
From the enchanting Dubrovnik, to Split’s tranquil turquoise shores, Zagreb’s raw beauty, Ljubljana’s ruby red wine charm, Istria’s scenic garnet soil, emerald valleys, and sapphire seas, to Venice’s gemstone palaces, winding canals, and exquisite treasures – immerse yourself in these destinations through equally captivating cultural experiences.
Tour Itinerary
Day 1: Welcome to Dubrovnik
Stay in a historic hotel overlooking the Adriatic Sea. An expert lecturer will share insights about the places you will explore, followed by an intimate welcome dinner accompanied by traditional Croatian singing.
Day 2: Old Town Dubrovnik by land & sea
A day of cultural delights including riding a cable car to the top of Mount Srđ to take in the breathtaking views, a walking tour through the Old Town, looking back at the town from a boat ride outside the walls and more.
Day 3: Kotor & Montenegro
Cross into neighbouring Montenegro and explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Kotor. Continue to the village of Perast and sail to the islet of Our Lady of the Rocks.
Day 4: Orašac Village, Mostar & Split
Drive through Dalmatian landscapes of seaside villages and farmland for a family-hosted farm visit in Orašac. Learn about the traditional ways of producing Olive oil and partake in fresh cheese, produce, and bread, accompanied by wine.
Continue on to Bosnia to visit Mostar and the UNESCO World Heritage site of Old Bridge. Complete the day in Split.
Day 5: Meštrović’s art & Diocletian's Palace in Split
See the acclaimed works by Croatia’s sculptor Ivan Meštrović. Then travel to Diocletian’s Palace for a walking tour, this UNESCO World Heritage site was built during the 3rd and 4th centuries. Conclude your day by exploring Split at your leisure.
Day 6: Krka National Park & fly to Zagreb
Visit Krka National Park and see it’s spectacular waterfalls and inherent natural beauty. From there, board a boat and sail to Skradin for a visit to ROCA the House of Dalmatian Smoked Ham where you will experience a wedding-style lunch featuring traditional culinary specialties and entertainment.
Finish the day by flying to Croatia’s capital, Zagreb.
Day 7: Discover Zagreb & meet Croatia’s former Tourism Minister
Zagreb is a blend of old and new, informed by wars and steeped in culture. Start your day by meeting Croatia’s former Minister of Tourism before setting out to explore the city on foot. Local guides will take you on a walking tour that includes the neo-Gothic Cathedral, cheese tasting, the main square and a funicular ride.
The afternoon is free for you to explore the city at your leisure.
Day 8: Trakošćan Castle & Ljubljana
Trakošćan Castle dates back to the 13th century and is one of the most impressive castles in Croatia. When you arrive costumed knights and ladies-in-waiting will welcome you to the castle with a tour followed by lunch inside the Knight’s Hall (opened exclusively for Tauck guests only). Conclude the day in Ljubljana, Slovenia, with a walking tour and a dinner of local cuisine.
Day 9: Ljubljana Castle & Bled Castle
Begin the day at Ljubljana Castle where you will experience panoramic city view’s and enjoy tastings of local cookies, liqueur and honey. Next stop is a country village for a traditional gingerbread-making workshop. In the afternoon visit Bled Castle to see a live printing demonstration, learn about the castle’s famous wines, and visit the museum. Upon returning to Ljubljana, the remainder of the day is yours to enjoy.
Day 10: Postojna Caves & a Truffle farm
Experience an early morning Tauck Exclusive visit to the subterranean world of caverns, halls and passages at Postojna Caves. Follow this with an experience at a family-owned truffle farm where you will learn about the truffle-hunting process and enjoy a taste of this delicacy.
End the day in Rovinj on the Istrian peninsula.
Day 11: Pula and dinner at a local tavern
Visit the great amphitheatre in Pula at the southern tip of the Istrian peninsula. Enjoy lunch at your leisure in the fishing village of Rovinj. In the late afternoon enjoy a guided tour of the House of Batana, dedicated to the flat-bottomed fishing boat that symbolises the towns seafaring traditions. Board a boat for a cruise along the Old Town peninsula to a local tavern for dinner with entertainment.
Day 12: Explore Venice & the Doge’s Palace
Travel from Croatia to Venice, Italy, arriving in the “City of Canals” midday for a walking tour and a visit to the Doge’s Palace. This evening join in a farewell dinner at your historic hotel, just steps away from Piazza San Marco.
Day 13: Journey home from Venice
Tour ends: Venice.
Fly home anytime, a transfer is included from your hotel to the Venice airport.
Activity Level & Pace:
Guests should be able to easily walk one to two miles, which may include climbing one or two flights of stairs and walking over uneven pavement, groomed hiking trails or cobblestones. Standing up to one hour or more may be required.
The pace is often robust – may include long days, active sightseeing, early starts, evening activities, significant travel times.
Provence
8 Days | Aix-en-Provence, Roussillon, St-Rémy, Gordes, Avignon | Apr – Jun, Sep – Oct
Small group Departures averaging 22 Tauck guests | From US$5,590 Per Person
Indulge your passion for food and art in Southern France. Experience Provence’s culinary delights with expert chefs, sommeliers, local markets, immersive cooking classes, and wine tastings.
Explore the paths that inspired Cézanne in Aix-en-Provence, discover contemporary art in a Provençal château, embark on an exclusive tour led by a van Gogh art expert in St. Rémy, picnic in lavender fields, explore Roman ruins, and savor a private winery visit in Châteauneuf-du-Pape.
A sensory journey through Provence’s rich heritage and artistic spirit.
Tour Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Aix-en-Provence
Your travels through Provence begin at 3pm in Aix, strolling its boulevards with a local guide you will take in the same views that inspired many of the great impressionists and post-impressionists such as Cézanne.
Day 2: Cézanne, Château La Coste & more in “Aix”
See the landscapes Cézanne painted, the views of Mont Sainte-Victoire that inspired him, as well as the study where he worked.
Then head to Château La Coste a classic provençal château, vineyard and estate that is surrounded by olive groves, Oaks and Almond trees, and acres of lovingly tended vines. Explore the sculpture gardens, before returning to Aix to explore at your leisure.
Day 3: Gordes & a provençal picnic
Discover Luberon and indulge in a visual feast of fairy tale villages, meadows and moorlands. Then head to Gordes for a late morning stroll around the towns medieval lanes before picking up a traditional picnic lunch at the market.
Day 4: Time stands still in the Luberon
Enjoy a morning hike to the medieval Abbaye de Sénanque. Next, visit Ménerbes featured in Peter Mayle’s book A Year in Provence and enjoy a delicious lunch of typical French Fare. Followed by an easy hike through the quarries of Roussillon. Conclude the day at your leisure.
Day 5: Fontaine-de-Vaucluse, St-Rémy & Glanum
Visit the most powerful spring in France that emerges in Fontaine-de-Vaucluse, once the home of Italian poet Petrarch. Then visit St- Rémy-de-Provence, home to the asylum of Saint-Paul-de-Mausole, where legendary Dutch painter Vincent van Gogh created over 150 works.
Later explore the ruins of the Roman city of Glanum, one of the largest and oldest archaeological sites in France. Complete the day in Le Pontet-Avignon.
Day 6: A day of wining & dining in Avignon
Join a chef on a buying trip to an Avignon market – smelling, tasting and feeling your way through fresh produce, breads, meats and cheeses. Learn the chef’s kitchen secrets as you help prepare a traditional meal in a hands-on cooking lesson. Enjoy this meal alongside fine Rhône wines.
Day 7: Pont du Gard, Avignon & Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Walk the three-level, 2,000-year-old Pont du Gard aqueduct, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and visit it’s museum. Then spend the afternoon exploring Avignon at your leisure, before travelling in the evening to nearby Châteauneuf-du-Pape for a Tauck Exclusive at a private family-owned winery. Celebrate the flavours of Provence as a perfect end to your provençal journey.
Day 8: Au revoir, Provence…
Tour ends: Avignon.
A transfer is included to Marseille Provence Airport.
Activity Level & Pace:
Designed for fit, vigorous travelers capable of easily walking three miles or more. Many days might include active pursuits such as hiking, bicycling or sea kayaking for one to three hours at a time. Guests should be capable of walking three or more miles over terrain including hills and rocky or uneven terrain.
The pace is often robust – may include long days, active sightseeing, early starts, evening activities, significant travel times.
Romantic Germany
14 Days | Oberammergau, Berlin, Munich, Frankfurt, Heidelberg, Rothenburg | May – Oct
From US$7,990 Per Person
Explore Germany’s captivating history and diverse landscapes on scenic “Yellow Roads” through enchanting forests and past medieval castles in towns like Heidelberg, Munich, Frankfurt, Dresden, Rothenburg, and Berlin.
Indulge in a private Rhine cruise, dine in a romantic Black Forest hut, tour Dresden’s Royal Palace – with a private tour of the New Green Vault, and savour a special dinner atop the Reichstag. Germany’s rich cultural tapestry awaits.
There are abundant options to choose from and something exciting every day of this in-depth two-week trip that immerses you in Romantic Germany.
Tour Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive Frankfurt
Join together for a welcome reception and dinner at the luxury Steigenberger Frankfurter Hof in the heart of Frankfurt’s historic and financial district.
Day 2: Cruise the Rhine River to Rüdesheim
Begin with a morning riverboat cruise on the Rhine from St. Goarshausen to Rüdesheim. Glide past green hillsides and romantic castle ruins while you hear the legendary story of the Lorelei.
Explore the wine town of Rüdesheim at your leisure, then return to Frankfurt to explore the local cuisine and nightlife.
Day 3: Medieval Heidelberg to the Black Forest
Travel along the “Yellow Roads” to the enchanting medieval town of Heidelberg, where a tour leads you to the ruins of its Gothic castle.
Spend some free time in town before continuing to your hotel.
Day 4: Mercedes or Cooking demo, Plus the Black Forest
Choose between a self-guided tour of the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart, or an interactive cooking lesson of regional delicacies at the hotel.
Enjoy time at leisure before heading to dinner at a romantic Pudelstein hut in the Black Forest.
Day 5: A castle in Meersburg
Drive the scenic Black Forest into the foothills of the Alps en route to a private vist and lunch at the Meersburg castle.
Continue on to Neuschwanstein.
Day 6: King Ludwig's Palace & Oberammergau
Enjoy a privately guided visit to King Ludwig II’s Linderhof Palace.
Then continue on to Munich, stopping for a visit in the village of Oberammergau where you will have lunch and tour the theatre renowned for it’s Passion Play.
Day 7: A day in Munich / Optional visit to Dachau
Begin the day with a sightseeing tour of Munich, including a visit to the old town hall and to the Nymphenburg Palace.
Spend the remainder of the day exploring at your leisure or choose to join us for a poignant visit to Dachau Memorial site.
Day 8: Rothenburg on the Romantic Road
Visit the medieval town of Rothenburg on Germany’s legendary “Romantic Road”. Explore the sights on your own, including the renowned Gothic cathedral.
Day 9: Horseless carriages & on to Dresden
Ride aboard old-timer Aaglander cars “horseless carriages” to a picnic lunch complete with sparkling wine (weather permitting).
Arrive in Dresden, to spend the evening as you please.
Day 10: A world of art and history in Dresden
Embark on a guided sightseeing tour of the city of Dresden. See much of the cities restored glory after WWII bombing including the Royal Palace which displays some 4,000 works of art.
Tauck’s private tour through the new Green Vault takes in Renaissance and Classicist treasures.
The afternoon and evening are free to explore on your own.
Day 11: Dresden at leisure & on to Berlin
This morning explore Dresden at your leisure, before we travel to the heart of the German capital, Berlin.
Day 12: A day in Germany's capital, Berlin
Join Tauck’s local guide for a tour of remarkable Berlin, including the German and French Cathedrals, Unter den Linden Boulevard, Brandenburg Gate, the Reichstag, and Checkpoint Charlie – the controversial crossing point during the Cold war.
Later explore more of the historic city on your own.
Day 13: Your choice of Berlin Museums
Set off for Berlin’s Museum Island. This UNESCO World Heritage Site houses five museums and priceless cultural treasures that will astonish even the most seasoned museum visitor. You have your choice of guided visits at several museums.
Then join us for a Spree river cruise. Later explore Berlin at your leisure, before joining us for a farewell reception and dinner.
Day 14: Journey Home
Tour Ends: Berlin.
Fly home anytime. A transfer is included to Berlin Brandenburg Airport.
Activity Level & Pace:
Active components such as hiking, bicycling and walking longer distances may be included, and hills and/or uneven terrain may be encountered on several days. Guests should be able to walk two to three miles and stand for long periods of time with no difficulty.
Moderately paced, and may include some early morning hotel departures, one or two on-tour flights, and extended motor coach travel.