DAY 1: Amsterdam
![Amsterdam]()
Welcome to the first day of the tour, where you will arrive at the hotel and meet your fellow travellers and your Expat Explore tour leader. This evening, we travel into Amsterdam centre for a canal cruise of Amsterdam. Complete with pizza and ice cream, you will explore the city from a unique perspective and gain an alternative perspective of this eclectic and bohemian city, while drifting past famous landmarks and learning about Amsterdam’s interesting history.
Experiences
Amsterdam Canal Cruise: Sail along Amsterdam's stunning canals at twilight and enjoy a delicious pizza as you cruise. A perfect introduction to Amsterdam, you will cruise along the atmospheric canals.
DAY 2: Amsterdam - Brussels - Paris
![Amsterdam - Brussels - Paris]()
On our journey to Paris, we take a comfort stop at the capital of Belgium, Brussels, where you will see famous landmarks such as the Mannekin Pis statue and the Atomium. In the afternoon we travel on to Paris - 'The City of Lights and Love'. Enjoy a driving tour of the French capital; get your cameras ready - you’ll be seeing some of the city’s most treasured landmarks, including the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame and the Arc de Triomphe! After the driving tour, we'll enjoy dinner at a restaurant in the Latin Quarter, an eclectic, bohemian and historic neighbourhood. Travel back to the hotel on Paris' world-famous metro system, ready to explore the city further on our free day tomorrow!
Experiences
Brussels: Enjoy a comfort stop in the historic capital city of Belgium, Brussels
Enjoy a driving tour of Paris: Spot the Tuileries Gardens, The River Seine, l'Île de la Cité, the Louvre Museum, Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Lovers Bridge, Sacre Coeur, Montmartre, Pigalle (the Red Light District) and the Moulin Rouge!
Included Meals
Accommodationi
Hotel ibis Paris La Défense Centre
B&B Hôtel Paris Porte des Lilas
B&B Hôtel Paris Italie Porte de Choisy
Hôtel Kyriad Paris Nord Porte de Saint Ouen
DAY 3: Paris: Free Day
![Paris: Free Day]()
The wonderful thing about Paris is that it there is so much to experience, regardless of the time of day, or season. You can explore on your own and soak up the city or join a full day of exploration in Paris! The Paris+ excursion will take you to all the iconic sights including the Tuileries Gardens, the Louvre, Notre Dame Cathedral and much more! You will also cruise down the River Seine with an included lunch and get a bird’s eye view from the Montparnasse Observation Deck. In the evening, you have the option to watch a cabaret show or join an evening tour of the fabulous Montmartre area.
Included Meals
Accommodationi
Hotel ibis Paris La Défense Centre
B&B Hôtel Paris Porte des Lilas
B&B Hôtel Paris Italie Porte de Choisy
Hôtel Kyriad Paris Nord Porte de Saint Ouen
Optional Excursions
- Cabaret Show i €70-90
- Paris + Tour i €50
- An Evening in Montmartre i €50
* Stated prices and availability are subject to change.DAY 4: Burgundy - Swiss Alps
![Burgundy - Swiss Alps]()
Au revoir Paris! Today we sample a taste of small-town France with a lunch stop in Burgundy. In the town of Beaune you can visit the beautiful Hospices de Beaune, or try the famous wine. After lunch, we take a long scenic drive across the border into Switzerland and head towards the Swiss Alps for our stay in a typical alpine resort town. Welcome to the Swiss Alps, your home for the next two days!
Experiences
Burgundy lunch stop: Enjoy a stop in Burgundy, a UNESCO World Heritage site and famous wine-producing region. You will have some free time to explore this beautiful medieval town centre and the opportunity to try local food and wine.
Scenic Mountain Drive: Spectacular views as we drive through mountain passes and alongside lakes, breath-taking mountain vistas and scenic views of quaint Swiss towns.
Included Meals
Accommodationi
Hotel Hoheneck
DAY 5: Swiss Alps: Free Day
![Swiss Alps: Free Day]()
It’s a guaranteed snow day! For 365 days of the year, the summit of Jungfraujoch is covered in snow, and your tour leader can arrange a full-day excursion to the top of this mountain in the heart of the Swiss Alps! The journey up the mountain is a highlight in itself, providing panoramic views of mountains, lakes and glaciers. Alternatively, for those who wish to spend their free day exploring the local sights, you can feast on Swiss chocolate fondue, take in a spot of sight-seeing and souvenir shopping, or just wander through the local towns, breathing in that crisp, fresh, Alpine air!
Included Meals
Accommodationi
Hotel Hoheneck
Optional Excursions
* Stated prices and availability are subject to change. DAY 6: Pisa - Tuscany
![Pisa - Tuscany]()
It’s time to swap snow for gelato as you continue your European tour from your mountain adventure towards stunning Italian vistas. Capture your iconic shots at the Leaning Tower of Pisa! A World Heritage UNESCO Site, The Leaning Tower is visited by tourists from every corner of the globe and is one of the most popular cultural European landmarks. Onwards to the exquisite Tuscan region - famous for wine, food, art and architecture. You will settle in Montecatini Terme, a spa town north-west of Florence. Time for a local wine or two.
Experiences
Pisa: Your chance to see the world famous Leaning Tower of Pisa, or even take some iconic pictures of you ‘holding up’ the tower.
Included Meals
Accommodationi
Hotel Belvedere
Hotel Piccadilly
Hotel Nuovo Savi
Hotel Manzoni
Parma & Oriente
Hotel Montebello
DAY 7: Florence - Rome
![Florence - Rome]()
Today, continue through the Tuscan region to the city of Florence, and then on to the capital - Rome! Once in Florence, enjoy a walking tour of this Renaissance city with a professional local guide. The city is home to Michelangelo’s ‘David’. The architecture lining the streets is astounding and so well-preserved, you wouldn’t imagine these buildings are centuries old. Then, continue on to the capital, Rome! This afternoon is the perfect opportunity to take advantage of an optional excursion to visit the Vatican City - the smallest country in the world! Inside the walls, you can visit the Sistine Chapel and see for yourself the famous ceiling painted by Michelangelo, as well as numerous other famous art pieces dotted around the buildings.
Experiences
Walking tour of Florence: The capital city of the Tuscany region of Italy, this is considered to be the birthplace of the Renaissance. A local guide will take you on a walking tour to introduce you to the main sights, including the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, Ponte Vecchio, Piazza della Signoria and the replica statue of David.
Included Meals
Accommodationi
BV Oly Hotel
Hotel Ergife Palace
Hotel Marc'Aurelio
B&B Pietralata
DAY 8: Rome: Free Day
![Rome: Free Day]()
Today is a free day for you to experience Rome's ancient history, exquisite culture and delicious food. The Colosseum is spectacular, offering an unbelievable feeling of drifting backwards in time, to when gladiators, chariots and lions dominated the arena. Your tour leader can arrange for a combined tour of the Colosseum and Roman Forum with an expert local guide. You also have the option of joining our 'Conquer the Capital' excursion, seeing sights including the Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain and Pantheon, and enjoying a delicious lunch and gelato tasting.
Included Meals
Accommodationi
BV Oly Hotel
Hotel Ergife Palace
Hotel Marc'Aurelio
B&B Pietralata
Optional Excursions
- Colosseum & Roman Forum Guided Tour i €45
- Rome - Conquer the Capital i €40
* Stated prices and availability are subject to change.DAY 9: Rome - Venice
![Rome - Venice]()
Take note of the scenery as we make our way to Venice as the diversity of the Italian landscapes will continue to impress. Venice is a unique city, perched across 118 islands, and known for its canals, gondolas, Venetian masks, piazzas, art, traditional glass and lace making. Your tour leader will introduce you to the city with an orientation walk, see the world-famous St Marks Square, Grand Canal and Rialto Bridge. The evening is yours to wine and dine. Then, explore Venice the traditional way - from the canals. Your tour leader can arrange for gondola and water taxi rides that give you a completely different perspective and appreciation for the amazing structure of this unique destination.
Experiences
Orientation tour of Venice: Your tour leader will take you into the heart of this unique floating city for an orientation to help you explore and see St. Mark’s Square, St. Mark’s Basilica, St. Mark’s Museum, Campanile, Doge’s Palace, Rialto Market and Scuola Grande di San Rocco.
Included Meals
Accommodationi
Hotel Ambasciatori & Delfino
Hotel Venezia
Russott Hotel
Optional Excursions
- Trip T-shirt or Hoodie i €21-32
- Venice Gondola Ride i €20
- Venice Water Taxi i €20
* Stated prices and availability are subject to change.DAY 10: Venice - Munich - Bavaria
![Venice - Munich - Bavaria]()
We leave Italy for Munich, the capital of the Bavarian region of Germany. With much of the city having to be restored after WW2, the modern and ancient history of Munich is fascinating, and the appreciation of the effort to rebuild the city is gilded with respect. Your tour leader will take you on an orientation tour of the city, showing you some highlights, including Karlsplatz and Marienplatz, and explaining more of its history. This evening, we will enjoy dinner in a traditional German beer hall. After dinner hop on the coach to your accommodation in Bavaria.
Experiences
Munich orientation tour: your tour leader will take you on an orientation of Munich to get you acquainted with this wonderful German city.
German beer hall: tonight we’ll take you to a traditional German Beer Hall. Sample German beer, along with traditional German cuisine. Prost!
DAY 11: Bavaria - Nuremberg - Berlin
![Bavaria - Nuremberg - Berlin]()
Leaving Bavaria behind, we stop off in picture-perfect Nuremberg. Having served as a residence for German kings over many centuries, Nuremberg was an architectural marvel. Then, on to Berlin, Germany's capital. On arrival, we'll take a driving tour through the city and see some of the city's most famous landmarks. Having prospered until the outbreak of the Second World War, it then endured division during the Cold War, symbolized in the infamous Berlin Wall. This is a fascinating city with a firm understanding of what it takes to rebuild and regenerate - over and over again; the very essence of creativity. Reminders of the past are everywhere, but Berlin has a vibrant culture to enjoy, too.
Experiences
Visit to Nuremberg. We take a comfort stop in this historic Bavarian city. See the medieval castle and take the chance to explore the old town. For hundreds of years, this was a major city in the Holy Roman Empire, and the residence for many of Germany's kings, who often chose to store their crown jewels here. After almost complete destruction during WWII, years of painstaking reconstruction have restored many of the major buildings to their former glory.
Explore Berlin. Join a local guide and learn the amazing history of this vibrant city and visit must-see sights, including Brandenburg Gate, the Reichstag, Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, the Site of Hitler’s Former Bunker, Luftwaffe HQ, 17th June Street, The Berlin Wall, The Former SS Headquarters, and Checkpoint Charlie.
Included Meals
Accommodationi
AMBER ECONTEL Berlin Charlottenburg
Hotel Ibis Berlin Ostbahnhof
Good Morning + City East
DAY 12: Berlin: Free Day
![Berlin: Free Day]()
Today is a free day in Berlin, so take time to investigate some of the sights you would have seen yesterday on the driving tour, or strike out on your own to discover more of the city for yourself - the choice is yours! For an incredible bird's eye view of the city, head up the Berlin TV tower - located close to Alexanderplatz, it has become an icon of the capital. Fancy some museum action? Then head over to the museum island, a collection of five world-famous museums on an island in the heart of Berlin’s city centre. After a day of exploring you may wish to relax or party; Berlin has you covered, with an incredibly vibrant nightlife offering plenty of bars, clubs and shows - from theatre to cabaret.
Included Meals
Accommodationi
AMBER ECONTEL Berlin Charlottenburg
Hotel Ibis Berlin Ostbahnhof
Good Morning + City East
Optional Excursions
- Hop on hop off bus tour i €28
- Berlin+ Tour i €50
* Stated prices and availability are subject to change.DAY 13: Berlin - Amsterdam
![Berlin - Amsterdam]()
This morning, say farewell to Germany and set off on the final leg of the tour and return to the Netherlands. En route, indulge in three of the most iconic Dutch products - cheese, clogs and windmills! Enjoy a very entertaining cheese and clog-making display - both made the traditional way before enjoying a photo stop at a windmill in the Dutch countryside. Check into your hotel and freshen up, before making the most of your last evening of the tour. Why not wander around the city centre - cafés, restaurants and bars will be buzzing with activity and atmosphere. Enjoy an optional farewell dinner at a local Dutch restaurant. This is your last night on tour, so squeeze every last drop out of it!
Experiences
Visit the Riekermolen Windmill: Travel through the Dutch countryside and enjoy a photo stop at an iconic Dutch windmill.
Cheese and clogs demonstration: Enjoy a visit to a local farm and see how these famous shoes are traditionally crafted by hand. You will also see how Dutch cheese is made and get to taste some fantastic cheeses! This is a great place to shop for some unique souvenirs!
Included Meals
Accommodationi
Best Western Plus Plaza Almere
Optional Excursions
* Stated prices and availability are subject to change. DAY 14: End of tour
![End of tour]()
After 14 days of exploring the highlights of Europe, this bucket-list tour comes to an end. This morning the tour concludes in Amsterdam, the Netherland’s bustling capital city. Share memories with your newly-made travel friends over the last breakfast. Don’t forget to swap details with your fellow travellers before your onward journey home!
Experiences
The tour ends after breakfast. Make sure you have exchanged contact details with your new-found travel friends, and share your amazing tour memories with us online using the hashtags #ExpatExplore and #BetterTogether.