Europe is the world's second-smallest continent by surface area, covering about 10,180,000 square kilometres (3,930,000 sq mi) or 2% of the Earth's surface and about 6.8% of its land area. Of Europe's approximately 50 countries, Russia is by far the largest by both area and population, taking up 40% of the continent (although the country has territory in both Europe and Asia), while Vatican City is the smallest. Europe is the third-most populous continent after Asia and Africa, with a population of 739–743 million or about 11% of the world's population.
Europe, in particular ancient Greece, is the birthplace of Western culture. The fall of the Western Roman Empire, during the migration period, marked the end of ancient history and the beginning of an era known as the "middle ages". The Renaissance humanism, exploration, art, and science led the "old continent", and eventually the rest of the world, to the modern era. From this period onwards, Europe played a predominant role in global affairs. Between the 16th and 20th centuries, European nations controlled at various times the Americas, most of Africa, Oceania, and the majority of Asia.
Read more about Europe on Wikipedia
Cruises
9 Nights Italian Riviera & France From Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy - Onboard Celebrity Equinox
Destination: Europe
Ship: Celebrity Equinox7 Nights Best Of Greece From Athens (Piraeus), Greece - Onboard Celebrity Infinity
Destination: Europe
Ship: Celebrity Infinity2026 - 11 Day Cyprus to the Acropolis: Larnaca to Athens (Piraeus) aboard Emerald Kaia (Combo)
From $9,200.00 (USD)
Destination: Europe
Ship: Emerald Kaia
Flight Offers2025 - 8 Day Jewels of the Rhine: Amsterdam to Basel aboard Emerald Sun (Cruise)
From $3,782.00 (USD)
Destination: Europe
Ship: Emerald Sun
Flight OffersSoul Of Civilization - Barcelona Spain to Athens (Piraeus) Greece
From $5,585.00 (USD)
Destination: Europe
Ship: Marina2024 - 15 Day Splendours of Europe: Amsterdam to Budapest aboard Emerald Destiny (Cruise)
From $8,968.00 (USD)
Destination: Europe
Ship: Emerald Destiny
Flight OffersThe Blue Danube - Westbound Aboard ms Savor
From $6,790.00 (USD)
Destination: Europe
Ship: ms Savor
Wind your way past medieval landscapes aboard Tauck's ms Savor or ms Joy to explore five European countries, visit castles and cathedrals, ...2025 - 11 Day Christmas Markets on the Rhine & Lucerne - Zurich: Amsterdam to Zurich aboard Emerald Luna (Cruise)
From $5,422.00 (USD)
Destination: Europe
Ship: Emerald Luna
Flight Offers2027 - 11 Day Egypt to Cyprus via the Suez Canal: Cairo to Larnaca aboard Emerald Kaia (Combo)
From $10,190.00 (USD)
Destination: Europe
Ship: Emerald Kaia
Flight OffersBelgium & Holland in Spring - Northbound Aboard ms Grace
From $5,790.00 (USD)
Destination: Europe
Ship: ms Grace
Historic windmills and flower gardens, world-famous art museums, inside looks at medieval architecture, and an exclusive dinner with live m...2024 - 15 Day Splendours of Europe: Budapest to Amsterdam aboard Emerald Luna (Cruise)
From $6,718.00 (USD)
Destination: Europe
Ship: Emerald Luna
Flight Offers2024 - 8 Day Ionian Sea Adventure: Civitavecchia (Rome) to Athens (Piraeus) aboard Emerald Azzurra (Cruise)
From $7,880.00 (USD)
Destination: Europe
Ship: Emerald Azzurra
Flight Offers2025 - 7 Day Christmas Time on the Danube & Budapest: Vienna to Budapest aboard Emerald Destiny (Cruise)
From $2,861.00 (USD)
Destination: Europe
Ship: Emerald Destiny
Flight OffersFrance, Spain, Italy
From $1,139.00 (USD)
Destination: Europe
Ship: MSC Magnifica2024 - 11 Day Enchantment of Eastern Europe with Budapest and Bucharest: Budapest to Bucharest aboard Emerald Destiny (Cruise)
From $5,242.00 (USD)
Destination: Europe
Ship: Emerald Destiny
Flight Offers
Tours
France Magnifique
From $3,899.00 (USD)
From the royal Palace of Versailles to the enchanting streets of Paris, grab a baguette and rendezvous with the best of France. Explore the former royal court and gardens in Versailles.
Irish Experience
From $3,625.00 (USD)
Tour Type: Regional ExplorerBrochure Type: Ireland and Scotland Tours 2025 v1Explore the Emerald Isle on this most in-depth of Irish experience trips, filled with tales of mythical creatures and the troubled history of an island split in two.
Highlights of France and Barcelona
From $3,968.00 (USD)
Tour Type: Regional ExplorerBrochure Type: TT Europe Summer 2025 v1One of our most popular France and Spain trips, this jam-packed journey from Paris to Barcelona is a feast for every sense, from lunch with locals and elegant chateaux in the Loire Va...
2025 : Best of Ireland South (Tour A)
From $2,395.00 (USD)
Ireland's finest attractions in a week-long trip Give us a week, and we'll tour the best of Ireland with you. Thrill at the amazing Cliffs of Moher and the gorgeous Dingle Peninsula on this perfect introduction to the Emerald Isle.
12 Day Wonders of Northern Italy 2024
From $3,995.00 (USD)
On this Perillo tour, you'll experience firsthand the wonders of Northern Italy.
2025 : Taste of Scotland & Ireland
From $3,195.00 (USD)
The perfect comboSee the most-beloved attractions of two countries at a lively pace. Feast in a medieval castle, cruise Loch Ness, take a jaunting car ride, watch sheepdogs on a farm.
A Week In... Portugal
From $5,190.00 (USD)
Portugal may be small but it's big on vibrant culture, history, and natural beauty that invite intimate exploration.
Holiday Magic: Danube Family River Cruise - Westbound
From $4,590.00 (USD)
Make the holidays even more magical for your family aboard our family river cruise departing December 20 (westbound, from Vienna) aboard ms Savor...
A Week in... The Amalfi Coast, Capri & Rome
From $7,490.00 (USD)
Explore the ruins of Herculaneum, seaside villages of the Amalfi Coast, the alluring Isle of Capri, and the treasures of ancient and Renaissance Rome...
COSMOS 2025: Biblical Israel with Jordan - Faith-Based Travel - Protestant Itinerary (5345)
From $3,189.00 (USD)
PROTESTANT ITINERARY Reconnect spiritually on this biblical tour of Israel and Jordan, starting from modern Tel Aviv and ending in the ancient city of Amman.
2024 : Irish Spirit
From $1,995.00 (USD)
Explore town and countryThis leisurely Irish tour covers the spectacular scenery of the countryside and seaside, with plenty of stops in the Emerald Isle's vibrant towns to stop and exploreTrip Highlights:GlendaloughCliffs of MoherBlarney CastleRing ...
COSMOS 2025: Spain, Portugal & Morocco (6830)
From $2,859.00 (USD)
On our Spain, Portugal, and Morocco tour, experience the rich history and distinct cultures of these three glorious countries.
The Ultimate Alps & Dolomites
From $9,790.00 (USD)
Feast on incredible views as you scale the heights of the Bavarian, Austrian, Italian and Swiss Alps by cable car and more... explore Munich, Salzburg and Lucerne... Time to enjoy an interlude of Alpine magic...
2024: Gourmet Tuscany (6240)
From $1,899.00 (USD)
On this affordable Italy tour small group discovery package, the town of Montecatini serves as your home base from which to venture out to explore the surrounding landscapes of breathtaking Tuscany and getting to know its culinary and wine traditions...
2024 : Irish Legends
From $2,695.00 (USD)
A mythic journey through the Emerald IsleDelve into Ireland and its past on this tour, which mixes in plenty of hidden gems and off-the-beaten-path sights among the tried-and-true favorites.