Suggestions for a shortened RS tour?

There is a search function for tours here. Narrow it down to 8 days and see what appeals.
https://www.ricksteves.com/tours

Hi kartalcott,

My husband and I took a RS 8 day tour of Ireland earlier this year. We had always traveled independently but wanted to see if we would enjoy a guided tour. The tour was fantastic. I am ready to take another! Eight days was just right for us this year. We saw quite a lot during our short trip but I never felt it was too much. Good luck researching what is available. And happy travels.

Traveler Girl

There are also several Rick Steves city tours that are 7 days. I haven’t taken any (yet), but have looked at them. :-)

Loved the 7days in Rome tour a few years ago. Arrived a couple of days early and did a food tour and wandered around some places not on the tour. I stayed at the same hotel as the tour group so didn’t have to change hotels.

I've been on the 8 Days Heart of Ireland tour, 7 Days Best of Rome tour and the 7 Days Best of Paris tour and 10 Days Best of Poland tour. Admittedly, the 10 Days tour is outside your limit.

But there are 8 Days Barcelona/Madrid, 8 Days Prague/Budapest, 9 Days Basque Country tour. I didn't mention the 7 Days Best of London tour and 7 Days Best of Istanbul. There may be other tours I haven't thought of but these will be a start.

I forgot to offer the 8 Days Munich Salzberg and Vienna tour I took in December which was delightful.

The Heart of Scotland in 8 Days is another option.

I do wish they would have some more short tour options, especially adding some later in the year than they have now. Even us retired folks have limitations on being gone that would make shorter tours more attractive, and a willingness to travel in the NOV-DEC timeframe.

We got our feet wet on our first Rick Steves tour with the 8 day Munich, Salzburg and Vienna. We really enjoyed it. Our next tour was the 14 day Ireland, but our friends couldn't take that amount of time, so they just returned from the 7 day Ireland and loved it. And this spring we took the 11 day Holland & Belgium tour. (But maybe too lengthy for your time?) All were terrific.

We enjoyed our 7 day Rome tour. There were a couple parent/child groups, that seemed to be having a good time, and others in the larger group enjoyed having a range of ages.

I have enjoyed the shorter tours in Paris, Rome, Istanbul and Prague/Budapest.

When restricted by work - lack of vaca days - I often look at the shorter trips that occur over national (US) holidays. VFR or MSV over Thanksgiving, for example. I am sure there are plenty of other examples on the schedule. I believe there are often some of the 7 day Rome, London, or Paris tours around Christmas or New Year's. Memorial Day or July 4 may be options, too.

PS, I have taken VFR and MSV and have enjoyed both.

With a week, I would do a "Best of city name" tour. Figuring a week is 9 days with both weekend counted you can do an 8 day tour counting the extra day to reach Europe. This is what you get on a 7 day best of a city tour:

Saturday: Depart
Sunday: you arrive jet lagged about 2pm (RS counts as day 1)
Monday: good tour day (RS day 2)
Tuesday: good tour day (RS day 3)
Wednesday: good tour day (RS day 4)
Thursday: good tour day (RS day 5)
Friday: good tour day (RS day 6)
Saturday: go home (RS counts as day 7)

Basically 5 days in Rome or Paris or London. Not bad.

Add a day to the trip for an 8 day trip, and there are some best of two city tours. But I would look for a tour where the two cities are relatively close .... Barcelona and Madird, yes. Prague and Budapest, no. There are some three city tours in 8 days, but thats really going to be a push.

Add two days for a 9 day trip, and do a region, but I would look for a very tight regeion with that little time.

Option 2, come to Budapest. LOL, you know i had to do that.

Thank you for your suggestions and ideas. I am glad that RS offers shorter tours for those on a limited vacation time. I always appreciate the travelers who take the time to answer on this forum site. I will definitely take your ideas in consideration!