Itinerary for Europe Taster Tour • Expat Explore

Start Point
Hotel in Amsterdam,
Hotel to be confirmed
07:00 hrs
Hotel in Paris,
Hotel to be confirmed
17:00 hrs
Outside Hotel Novotel at Greenwich station,
173-185 Greenwich High Road, London, SE10 8JA
06:30 hrs
Hotel lobby, Holiday Inn Express, Greenwich,
85 Bugsby Way, Greenwich, London, SE10 0GD
07:00 hrs
End Point
Greenwich station,
173-185 Greenwich High Road, London, SE10 8JA
18:30 hrs – 21:30 hrs Hotel in Amsterdam,
Hotel to be confirmed
10:00 hrs

Day 1: London - Paris

Welcome to Expat Explore’s Europe Taster! Leaving London behind us, we make our way to Paris, crossing the English Channel. Upon arriving in the ‘City of Lights’, 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. 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!

  • Breakfast:
  • Lunch:
  • Dinner:

Day 1: Amsterdam - Ghent - Paris

Welcome to the Netherlands, where your 7 day tour of Europe starts. Today we will see beautiful countryside as we head from Amsterdam to the Belgian city of Ghent. This picturesque port city is a cultural hub, and is known for its medieval architecture, which remains intact and is remarkably well preserved. We then make our way to Paris, the 'City of Lights'. 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 an included dinner together.

  • Breakfast:
  • Lunch:
  • Dinner:

Day 2: Paris: Free Day

Today is all yours to explore as you wish. If you want to experience and see as much as possible join your tour leader on the Paris+ optional. Explore the bucket-list sights of the Louvre, Tuileries Gardens, Notre Dame Cathedral and more! Enjoy a lunch cruise down the River Seine and marvel at the bird’s eye view from the Montparnasse Observation Deck. In the evening, join a fabulous cabaret show. Or wander around the beautiful streets of the Montmartre area and soak up the vibe.   

  • Breakfast:
  • Lunch:
  • Dinner:

Day 3: Burgundy - Swiss Alps

As we leave Paris behind, we head for Burgundy where we’ll enjoy lunch and a taste of small-town France. In the town of Beaune, you will have time to wander around and even try some delicious wine. After lunch, sit back and enjoy the drive to the border as we make our way to Switzerland and the Swiss Alps! Spend the night in the Jungfrau region - a World Heritage site that is home to Europe's largest glacier. Welcome to your home for the next two days, the Swiss Alps! 

  • Breakfast:
  • Lunch:
  • Dinner:

Day 3: Burgundy - Swiss Alps

As we leave Paris behind, we head for Burgundy where we’ll enjoy lunch and a taste of small-town France. In the town of Beaune, you will have time to wander around and even try some delicious wine. After lunch, sit back and enjoy the drive to the border as we make our way to Switzerland and the Swiss Alps! Spend the night in the Jungfrau region - a World Heritage site that is home to Europe's largest glacier. Welcome to your home for the next two days, the Swiss Alps! 

  • Breakfast:
  • Lunch:
  • Dinner:

Day 4: Swiss Alps: Free Day

The splendour of the Alps is yours today – don’t miss the chance to join our optional excursion up to Jungfraujoch, the highest train station in Europe! The trip to the top is a real highlight! Look out for quaint villages nestled in the valleys beneath snow-capped peaks and tumbling mountain waterfalls. Once we’ve reached the top, enjoy the year-round snow and breathtaking views of the surrounding glaciers and craggy mountaintops. Once you’ve had a chance to explore and capture as many photos as possible, it’s back down to lower altitudes for the rest of the afternoon. Take the chance to head into nearby Interlaken to see the lakes of the region, shop for chocolates or have a fondue!

  • Breakfast:
  • Lunch:
  • Dinner:

Day 5: Swiss Alps - Rhine Valley

This morning we make for Germany’s famous Rhine Valley! Prepare for some incredible views as we leave Switzerland and enter Germany! Relax onboard a Rhine riverboat as we head to our hotel in 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. 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.

  • Breakfast:
  • Lunch:
  • Dinner:

Day 6: Rhine Valley - Amsterdam

The Netherlands is our next 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. We’ll check in to our hotel before joining an Amsterdam canal dinner cruise! Get on board and get those cameras ready; this is the best way to experience the city of Amsterdam, with its 17th-century architecture, fascinating museums and cafes. Watch the city drift past as you sail by, and listen out for tips and interesting insights into the city from your tour leader. The evening is yours – explore the canals and Dam Square, and enjoy your time in this fascinating city.

  • Breakfast:
  • Lunch:
  • Dinner:

Day 7: Bruges - London

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.

  • Breakfast:
  • Lunch:
  • Dinner:

Day 7: End of tour in Amsterdam - Dutch countryside optional excursion

After breakfast, you can join our optional excursion to the Dutch countryside. Join your Tour Leader for an amazing experience. Our first stop is the historical windmill village of Zaanse Schans, where you will discover how windmills were vital to the industrial development of the Netherlands. This is a great chance to get some fabulous photos! A visit to the quaint seaside village of Volendam allows you to stretch your legs, wander the main street filled with cafes, local nick-nacks and admire the sprawling views. After lunch we hop on a ferry to the Waterland town of Marken and admire the characteristic wooden houses. You can walk this tiny island on foot without any problems. Before we depart be sure to pay the 'Paard van Marken' (Horse of Marken) a visit. This lighthouse is a real beauty and the white tower with the red hood is a popular photo scene. We then start the journey back to Amsterdam where we will bid each other farewell. Ensure that you swap numbers with your fellow travellers, before you part ways.

  • Breakfast:
  • Lunch:
  • Dinner:
Last Updated: 2021-3-9 08:56:48

Itinerary for Europe Taster Tour • Expat Explore

Start Point:
Hotel in Amsterdam,
Hotel to be confirmed
07:00 hrs
Hotel in Paris,
Hotel to be confirmed
17:00 hrs
Outside Hotel Novotel at Greenwich station,
173-185 Greenwich High Road, London, SE10 8JA
06:30 hrs
Hotel lobby, Holiday Inn Express, Greenwich,
85 Bugsby Way, Greenwich, London, SE10 0GD
07:00 hrs
End Point:
Greenwich station,
173-185 Greenwich High Road, London, SE10 8JA
18:30 hrs – 21:30 hrs Hotel in Amsterdam,
Hotel to be confirmed
10:00 hrs

DAY 1: London - Paris

Welcome to Expat Explore’s Europe Taster! Leaving London behind us, we make our way to Paris, crossing the English Channel. Upon arriving in the ‘City of Lights’, 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. 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!

Experiences

Driving tour of Paris: Enjoy a driving tour upon arrival - spot the Tuileries Gardens, The River Seine, l'Ile 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
  • Breakfast:
  • Lunch:
  • Dinner:
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 1: Amsterdam - Ghent - Paris

Welcome to the Netherlands, where your 7 day tour of Europe starts. Today we will see beautiful countryside as we head from Amsterdam to the Belgian city of Ghent. This picturesque port city is a cultural hub, and is known for its medieval architecture, which remains intact and is remarkably well preserved. We then make our way to Paris, the 'City of Lights'. 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 an included dinner together.

Experiences

Driving tour of Paris: Enjoy a driving tour upon arrival - spot the Tuileries Gardens, The River Seine, l'Ile 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
  • Breakfast:
  • Lunch:
  • Dinner:
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 2: Paris: Free Day

Today is all yours to explore as you wish. If you want to experience and see as much as possible join your tour leader on the Paris+ optional. Explore the bucket-list sights of the Louvre, Tuileries Gardens, Notre Dame Cathedral and more! Enjoy a lunch cruise down the River Seine and marvel at the bird’s eye view from the Montparnasse Observation Deck. In the evening, join a fabulous cabaret show. Or wander around the beautiful streets of the Montmartre area and soak up the vibe.   

Included Meals
  • Breakfast:
  • Lunch:
  • Dinner:
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: Burgundy - Swiss Alps

As we leave Paris behind, we head for Burgundy where we’ll enjoy lunch and a taste of small-town France. In the town of Beaune, you will have time to wander around and even try some delicious wine. After lunch, sit back and enjoy the drive to the border as we make our way to Switzerland and the Swiss Alps! Spend the night in the Jungfrau region - a World Heritage site that is home to Europe's largest glacier. Welcome to your home for the next two days, the Swiss Alps! 

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 of Switzerland: Spectacular views as we drive through this amazing country alongside lakes, breath-taking mountain vistas and scenic views of quaint Swiss towns.

Included Meals
  • Breakfast:
  • Lunch:
  • Dinner:
Accommodationi

Hotel Residence Grindelwald

The Bear Inn Wilderswil

Ski Lodge Hotel Engelberg

Optional Excursions
  • White-Water River Rafting: i CHF 108
  • Paragliding: i € 155
  • Swiss Dinner: i € 25

* Stated prices and availability are subject to change.

DAY 3: Burgundy - Swiss Alps

As we leave Paris behind, we head for Burgundy where we’ll enjoy lunch and a taste of small-town France. In the town of Beaune, you will have time to wander around and even try some delicious wine. After lunch, sit back and enjoy the drive to the border as we make our way to Switzerland and the Swiss Alps! Spend the night in the Jungfrau region - a World Heritage site that is home to Europe's largest glacier. Welcome to your home for the next two days, the Swiss Alps! 

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 of Switzerland: Spectacular views as we drive through this amazing country alongside lakes, breath-taking mountain vistas and scenic views of quaint Swiss towns.

Included Meals
  • Breakfast:
  • Lunch:
  • Dinner:
Accommodationi

Hotel Residence Grindelwald

The Bear Inn Wilderswil

Ski Lodge Hotel Engelberg

DAY 4: Swiss Alps: Free Day

The splendour of the Alps is yours today – don’t miss the chance to join our optional excursion up to Jungfraujoch, the highest train station in Europe! The trip to the top is a real highlight! Look out for quaint villages nestled in the valleys beneath snow-capped peaks and tumbling mountain waterfalls. Once we’ve reached the top, enjoy the year-round snow and breathtaking views of the surrounding glaciers and craggy mountaintops. Once you’ve had a chance to explore and capture as many photos as possible, it’s back down to lower altitudes for the rest of the afternoon. Take the chance to head into nearby Interlaken to see the lakes of the region, shop for chocolates or have a fondue!

Included Meals
  • Breakfast:
  • Lunch:
  • Dinner:
Accommodationi

Hotel Residence Grindelwald

The Bear Inn Wilderswil

Ski Lodge Hotel Engelberg

DAY 5: Swiss Alps - Rhine Valley

This morning we make for Germany’s famous Rhine Valley! Prepare for some incredible views as we leave Switzerland and enter Germany! Relax onboard a Rhine riverboat as we head to our hotel in 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. 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.

Experiences

River Cruise: Cruise down the Rhine and see the beautiful scenery and the largest concentration of gothic castles (Sterrenberg, Liebestein, Katz and Fortess Rheinfels).

Rhine Valley Wine Tasting: Visit a local wine merchant in one of Germany's most famous wine growing regions, and sample several types of delicious German wine. Popular varieties from the surrounding area and neighbouring regions include Riesling, Spätburgunder and Pinot Noir. The region is also well-known for eiswein (ice wine), a very sweet dessert wine made from grapes harvested in the freezing winter months.

Included Meals
  • Breakfast:
  • Lunch:
  • Dinner:
Accommodationi

Wyndham Garden Koblenz Hotel

Rheinlust Hotel

Seminaris Bad Honnef

DAY 6: Rhine Valley - Amsterdam

The Netherlands is our next 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. We’ll check in to our hotel before joining an Amsterdam canal dinner cruise! Get on board and get those cameras ready; this is the best way to experience the city of Amsterdam, with its 17th-century architecture, fascinating museums and cafes. Watch the city drift past as you sail by, and listen out for tips and interesting insights into the city from your tour leader. The evening is yours – explore the canals and Dam Square, and enjoy your time in this fascinating city.

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
  • Breakfast:
  • Lunch:
  • Dinner:
Accommodationi

Hampton by Hilton Amsterdam Airport Schiphol
Holiday Inn Express Amsterdam - Schiphol
Best Western Plus Plaza Almere

DAY 7: Bruges - London

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.

Experiences

Visit Bruges: A brief stop in this beautiful medieval town with some free time so you could try the signature national dish of frites and moules, see or even climb the Belfry Tower, have a Belgian beer or buy some amazing Belgian chocolate. 

Included Meals
  • Breakfast:
  • Lunch:
  • Dinner:

DAY 7: End of tour in Amsterdam - Dutch countryside optional excursion

After breakfast, you can join our optional excursion to the Dutch countryside. Join your Tour Leader for an amazing experience. Our first stop is the historical windmill village of Zaanse Schans, where you will discover how windmills were vital to the industrial development of the Netherlands. This is a great chance to get some fabulous photos! A visit to the quaint seaside village of Volendam allows you to stretch your legs, wander the main street filled with cafes, local nick-nacks and admire the sprawling views. After lunch we hop on a ferry to the Waterland town of Marken and admire the characteristic wooden houses. You can walk this tiny island on foot without any problems. Before we depart be sure to pay the 'Paard van Marken' (Horse of Marken) a visit. This lighthouse is a real beauty and the white tower with the red hood is a popular photo scene. We then start the journey back to Amsterdam where we will bid each other farewell. Ensure that you swap numbers with your fellow travellers, before you part ways.

Included Meals
  • Breakfast:
  • Lunch:
  • Dinner: