Top 10 Countries to Visit on a Tour

Below are 10 of the most popular countries to visit on a guided tour based on recent bookings. These are among our top destinations for itineraries that focus on a single country.

Italy -- Enchanting landscapes, delicious cuisine and the promise of "la dolce vita" draw travelers to Italy. Most itineraries spend time in Rome, Venice and Florence, where art treasures abound (tour guests usually bypass long lines at museums and churches to see the works of Michelangelo, Da Vinci and other masters). Spend time at Tuscan vineyards, explore the cliffside towns of the Cinque Terre and examine the well-preserved ruins of Pompeii.

United States -- Take in the geological wonders of the Southwest's national parks or the brilliant foliage of a New England fall. Photograph glaciers in Alaska and palm-fringed beaches in Hawaii. History buffs will look forward to visits to Gettysburg, Philadelphia and Boston, while those who love beautiful old homes and gardens will enjoy Savannah and Charleston. You also can take a cruise along the Mississippi River and its tributaries, or along the Columbia River in the Pacific Northwest.

Canada -- Soak up the alpine beauty of Banff and Jasper in the Canadian Rockies; rail trips in this region are especially popular. Explore vibrant cities like Vancouver or experience the cowboy culture of Alberta. You can observe polar bears near Churchill in Manitoba in October and November or immerse yourself in the seaside settings of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island.

Ireland -- Picture-perfect scenes await on our Ireland tours: fishing villages tucked into pretty harbors, roads winding through emerald hills and waves crashing into rocky headlands. Many tours spend time in Dublin, where the city's Georgian squares and Trinity College are popular stops. Enjoy amazing views along the Ring of Kerry, visit a whiskey distillery or experience local culture in a neighborhood pub.

Japan -- Tour the exciting cities of Tokyo and Kyoto, ride a high-speed bullet train and explore countryside attractions like Shirakawa-go, a mountain village of thatched-roof dwellings. Itineraries can incorporate visits to temples, palaces and shrines, as well as interesting activities like a traditional tea ceremony, a calligraphy lesson or a cooking class. Some January and February departures head to the magical winter festivals of Sapporo and Otaru.

Scotland -- Stand on the banks of Loch Lomond, immortalized in song, or Loch Ness, famed for its "monster." Ride a ferry to the remote Orkney Islands or tour Stirling Castle, where Mary, Queen of Scots was crowned as an infant. The Old Course in St. Andrews is a shrine for golfers. Many summer departures include tickets to the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, a bagpipe-and-drum extravaganza that is held in August every year.

England -- Tours of England often include stays in London, where guests see quintessential sights like Big Ben, the Tower of London, Westminster Abbey and Buckingham Palace. Beyond the capital, see the mysterious stone circle of Stonehenge, explore ancient Roman ruins and Tudor Row in Chester, spend time in the scenic Lake District or visit Shakespeare's Stratford-upon-Avon.

France -- On these itineraries, most of which start or end in Paris, travelers can explore the gardens of Claude Monet's Giverny, captured in many of the artist's paintings, or stand on the beaches of Normandy, where the Allied invasion began on June 6, 1944. Sample wines in the Loire Valley, discover why Lyon is considered to be the country's gastronomic capital or stroll through the Old Town of Nice. We also offer river cruises on the Seine, Saone, Rhone and other waterways.

Portugal -- Cosmopolitan cities, sunkissed beaches and medieval castles await in Portugal. Most itineraries include a stop in Lisbon, the country's capital, known for its Belem district and Jeronimos Monastery. Other places you might visit include the shrine of Fatima, the sunny Algarve region and charming Evora. Cruises on the Douro River explore Portugal's wine region and often begin or end in Porto, a longtime center for the port wine trade.

Spain -- Spain tours can highlight the impressive Prado museum in Madrid, the enormous Plaza de Espana in Seville and the beautiful buildings of Barcelona, such as La Sagrada Familia, the extraordinary cathedral designed by Antoni Gaudi. Many itineraries incorporate the 13th-century Alhambra palace complex in Granada. There usually are opportunities to take in a flamenco show and tastings of tapas or Rioja wines.