Europe Highlights

Welcome to the Expat Explore Europe Highlights tour! Leaving London behind us, we make our way to Paris, crossing the English Channel and arriving in the ‘City of Lights’ in the afternoon. We'll take you on 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. We'll then travel back to the hotel on Paris' world famous metro system, ready to explore the city further on our free day tomorrow!

The wonderful thing about Paris is that it there is so much to experience, regardless of the time of day, or season. The Seine River is the backbone of the capital, and flows through the heart of the city. The banks are peppered with book sellers and market stalls if you wish to walk. But, why not choose a cruise, and sail your way past the grandeur of the gothic Notre Dame cathedral, to the epic Eiffel Tower? The commentary from the river boats will give you invaluable knowledge and information of the city. Famous architecture is scattered through the city, and ‘strolling’ is the best mode of transport for taking in every ounce of history. Paris Disneyland is perfect for the ‘young at heart’, and is only a short distance away. Your Expat Explore tour leader is brimming with ideas and local knowledge, so that you can get the best out of your time here. Lastly, don’t miss the opportunity to sample such French delicacies as frogs legs and snails!

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 mountain village in the heart of the Jungfrau region. This is one of the most-visited regions of the Alps and also a World Heritage site, containing Europe's largest glacier. Welcome to the Swiss Alps, your home for the next two days!

The day is yours to enjoy the majesty of the Swiss Alps. Be sure to book a spot on the optional excursion to Jungfraujoch, the highest train station in Europe, where you’ll also find a visitor’s centre, lookout point and weather station. The views are simply breath-taking all the way up – don’t be surprised to find yourself pressed up against the train window! Once you’re at the top, take a look at the utterly enormous glacier and enjoy the year-round snowy conditions. This is one trip that you won't forget anytime soon; guaranteed to put your head in the clouds in every way possible!

We're off to Italy! Enjoy more breath-taking mountain views as we drive through Switzerland and on to see the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa! After some free time here (be sure to get the perfect photo!) we travel on to our accommodation in Tuscany, arriving in the late afternoon. Famous for its stunning countryside, fine food and wine, Italy's most beautiful region is guaranteed to delight you.

This morning we leave our accommodation in Tuscany and make for the famous city of Florence for a guided walking tour. Learn about the legacy of the Medicis and see the Duomo and Piazza della Signoria, featuring Michelangelo’s ‘David’. This is the cradle of Renaissance culture – soak it all in while you can! Then it's 'Buon giorno Venice!' Venice is known as one of the world's most romantic cities. Spread across 118 islands, you'll spend the afternoon discovering why this is such a 'must-see' destination, with more art-works per square kilometre than anywhere else on earth! See the famous Rialto Bridge, St Mark's Square, the Bridge of Sighs and the Doge's Palace. Afterwards, sip an espresso, enjoy a cruise along the canals on a gondola or relax and watch the world go by in one of the many piazzas.

Arrivederci, Italy! Heading north toward Germany, you will encounter some of the most beautiful countryside in central Europe. The famous Brenner Pass will appear before you, and simply take your breath away, as we make our way to Austria for a comfort stop to get a taster of Innsbruck and its dramatic mountain backdrop. Arriving in Munich in the afternoon, there is plenty of time for an escorted walking tour of the city centre. A city that exhibits both prosperity and a certain amount of comfort and cosiness, Munich’s apparent contradictions will delight the avid explorer. Along with modern high-powered industry, designer shopping districts and sleek BMWs, you’ll find a wealth of cultural hot-spots. Even with all its smart sophistication, Munich has a certain charm that visitors find irresistible. This evening, enjoy a beer in one of Munich’s traditional beer halls before dinner – a great way to round off the day. Prost!

This morning we board the coach once more as we make for Germany’s famous Rhine Valley! Relax on board a Rhine riverboat as we head to our hotel in the heart of the Rhine Valley. This is the most concentrated stretch of castles in all of Europe, and it also features vineyards, charming medieval towns and lofty cliffs. Learn the story of the castles, many of which are now in ruins since the river barons left long ago. Once the cruise is over we'll visit a local wine merchants for an included wine tasting - if the harvest has been good, you may even get to try eiswein (ice wine), a very sweet dessert wine that is produced in very small quantities as it can only be harvested when the temperature drops below freezing.

After breakfast our journey continues as we drive into the Netherlands, stopping off first at a windmill, after this quick photo stop enjoy a traditional cheese-making demonstration, and learn about how that most quirky and quaint of footwear choices – the clog – is made, before travelling onward to Amsterdam. Here we’ll check in to our hotel before joining a complimentary Amsterdam canal dinner cruise! Watch the city drift past as you sail along, and listen out for tips and interesting insights into the city from your tour leader. Reclaimed from the sea, these canals and massive harbour offer a truly unique way to see some of the city’s highlights. Later on, why not join your tour leader for a walking tour of the infamous Red Light District! The evening is yours – explore the canals and Dam Square, and enjoy your time in this fascinating city.

The last day of your European tour already! After breakfast, we bid farewell to Amsterdam and make our way back to London via the Belgian city of Bruges. Famous for its beer, waffles, chocolate and moules et frites, this is definitely a good place to be if you’ve brought your appetite. An extremely popular medieval city with no shortage of cobblestone streets, historic old churches and lofty towers, this is a great city to explore and a good spot to pick up any last-minute souvenirs. Once you’ve had a look around, it’s back to the coach for the final leg of our journey back to London.