DAY 1: Amsterdam
![Amsterdam]()
Welcome to the start of your tour! Arriving in Amsterdam, you'll meet your tour leader at the hotel. Once you've settled in, we'll head in to the centre of Amsterdam to experience the wonders of this fascinating city with an Amsterdam canal dinner cruise. Get on board and have those cameras at the ready – this is the best way to be introduced to Amsterdam, a city of beautiful 17th Century architecture, and a charm all its own. 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 free to explore the canals some more, head to Dam Square, and maybe even wander through Amsterdam's iconic Red Light District!
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 - Rhine Valley
![Amsterdam - Rhine Valley]()
This morning, we’ll take a look at a cheese-making demonstration, revealing how cheese has been made in the traditional way in these parts for many years. Following that, we’ll learn about that most quirky of Dutch footwear choices – the clog – and see how these traditional shoes are carved. Stopping off at a windmill for a photo stop, you’ll be able to appreciate the iconic scenery of the Netherlands. If the season is right, look out for flowers in the fields! Continuing on to the Rhine Valley, we’ll board a Rhine Valley river boat and cruise the Rhine River. With the highest concentration of medieval castles in all of Europe, this is a memorable trip, especially with all the vineyards, cliff faces and medieval German towns! 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
Visit Riekermolen windmill: Capture a memorable moment in front of an iconic windmill.
Cheese and clogs demonstration: See how these famous shoes are traditionally made by hand and taste some fantastic cheeses.
Cruise down the Rhine: Cruise down the Rhine River and see the beautiful scenery and the largest concentration of gothic castles (Sterrenberg, Liebestein, Katz and Fortress 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
Accommodationi
Carat HotelTraube Rudesheim
NH Wiesbaden
DAY 3: Ulm - Innsbruck
![Ulm - Innsbruck]()
Today, we're off to Innsbruck, Austria, taking a comfort stop in Ulm on the way. This historic German city is famous not only as the birthplace of Albert Einstein, but also for having the tallest church steeple in the world! Innsbruck is one of the few places in the world that really can lay claim to having something for everyone. It's not everywhere that offers extreme sports (thanks to the close proximity of the soaring Nordkette Alps), fascinating historical heritage (courtesy of the legacy of the Habsburgs), and vibrant modern attractions too. Your tour leader will introduce you to the city on a quick orientation tour, and then give you free time to explore further. This evening, you can join the optional Tyrol folk evening and dinner.
Experiences
Visit Ulm: Enjoy a comfort stop in this German city, famous as the birthplace of Einstein and for having the tallest church steeple in the world!
Innsbruck: We then travel to Innsbruck where you have some free time this evening. This is where the modern urban environment meets the natural outdoors. Don't miss the opportunity to visit the town square and its famous Goldenes Dachl (Golden Roof).
Included Meals
Accommodationi
Ramada Innsbruck Tivoli
Optional Excursions
- Tyrol Folk Evening & Dinner i €45
* Stated prices and availability are subject to change.DAY 4: Innsbruck - Verona - Venice
![Innsbruck - Verona - Venice]()
Leaving Innsbruck behind us, we journey onward to the enchanting city of Venice, stopping along the way in Verona. The setting for the most famous love story of all time, Romeo & Juliet, one can seek out the balcony where Romeo reportedly wooed his lover. The timeless waterways and artistic masterpieces (more per square kilometre than anywhere else on earth) of Venice make it truly unique – this is a city that will capture your heart and imagination. Being Italian, there’s no shortage of incredible food and culture either! You’ll start your stay in Venice with an orientation tour; see St Mark's Square, the famous Rialto Bridge and the beautiful narrow alleyway. The evening is yours to explore this unforgettable city. If you wish to take part in the true Venice experience, your tour leader can organise a traditional gondola ride along the canals, as well as a water taxi!
Experiences
Verona: We'll have a comfort stop in Verona, during which time you'll be able to explore a little bit of the town. If there's time, try to get to Juliet's balcony, the very balcony where Romeo is said to have wooed his lover in the famous Shakespearean tragedy Romeo and Juliet.
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 San Giuliano
Hotel Venezia
Hotel Ambasciatori & Delfino
Hotel Residence Elite
Optional Excursions
- Venice Gondola Ride i €20
- Venice Water Taxi i €20
* Stated prices and availability are subject to change.DAY 5: Venice - Lucerne - Lake Lucerne
![Venice - Lucerne - Lake Lucerne]()
We're on our way back into Alpine territory once again today as we continue on to Lucerne. Renowned as one of Switzerland's most beautiful cities, this is one place you'll definitely want to have your camera at the ready! All the ingredients for the quintessentially picturesque Swiss experience are here - a cobalt lake and well-preserved old-town complete with waterfront promenades, covered bridges and perfect plazas is surrounded by the natural skyscrapers of the Swiss Alps. It's really no wonder that Goethe, Queen Victoria and Wagner savoured the stunning views that Lucerne has to offer. After a short orientation tour with your tour leader, you'll have some free time to explore at your leisure, before we jump back on the coach and continue to our hotel.
Experiences
Lucerne: Your tour leader will walk you through the centre of Lucerne and point out some of the highlights you can explore further on your free day tomorrow, such as the Lion Monument, Church of St Leodegar and the famous Chapel Bridge.
Optional Excursions
- Lake Lucerne panoramic cruise i €20
* Stated prices and availability are subject to change.DAY 6: Lake Lucerne - Burgundy
![Lake Lucerne - Burgundy]()
Before we travel onward to Burgundy, you'll have the morning to enjoy more of the Lucerne region - why not join our Mount Pilatus optional excursion? Whether you take the world's steepest cogwheel railway from Alpnachstad or the panoramic gondolas and aerial cableway from Kriens, you will travel up through lush meadows carpeted with Alpine flowers, past sparkling mountain streams and fascinating rock faces - the Mount Pilatus optional truly offers that unique Alpine experience! We then leave Switzerland behind and head west into France. If Paris is the place for romance, then Burgundy is the place for two other things the French - and France - are well-known for: great food and wine. You will be staying in the capital of Burgundy, Dijon. A place of tremendous wealth and power and one of the great European centres of art, learning and science, there is plenty to do in Dijon. Beyond the food and wine, this is also the place to soak up history, with excellent museums and fabulous Renaissance architecture helping to make this one of the most memorable parts of the entire tour!
Experiences
Burgundy: Enjoy one of the most famous wine regions of France.
Included Meals
Accommodationi
Ibis Dijon Centre Clemenceau
Optional Excursions
- Panorama Cable Car/Cogwheel Railway to Mount Pilatus i €65
* Stated prices and availability are subject to change.DAY 7: Burgundy - Paris
![Burgundy - Paris]()
The city of lights is our next stop, as we take in the home of some of the world's most famous cultural landmarks, museums, galleries, boutiques and more. On arrival 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 Notre Dame and the Arc de Triomphe! After the driving tour we'll take an included cruise along the River Seine, sailing passed sights including the Eiffel Tower and Louvre, and enjoying a traditional French baguette lunch onboard. The afternoon is then yours to explore the French capital further, with optional excursions available including the Montparnasse Observation Deck for incredible views of Paris, and a traditional cabaret show.
Experiences
Driving tour of Paris: Enjoy a driving tour upon arrival. Spot the Tuileries Gardens, The River Seine, l'Île de la Cité, the Louvre Museum, Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Lovers Bridge, Sacré Cœur, Montmartre, Pigalle (the Red Light District) and the Moulin Rouge!
Cruise along the River Seine: Hop aboard, and enjoy a sightseeing cruise down the River Seine accompanied by a baguette lunch; this is as Parisian as it gets!
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
- Montparnasse to Montmartre i €60
* Stated prices and availability are subject to change.DAY 8: Brussels - Amsterdam
![Brussels - Amsterdam]()
It's the last leg of our journey already! On our way back to the Dutch capital we stop in Brussels for a comfort stop and the chance to explore the Belgian capital. Sample typical Belgian fare (moules et frites, countless varieties of beer, and of course, that famous chocolate), or wander around. Perhaps grab some last-minute souvenirs for the folks back home? We will also take a photo stop at the incredible Atomium. Originally built for the 1958 World's Fair, this unique structure makes for a truly incredible selfie opportunity! After our comfort stop, we continue on to Amsterdam, where our tour officially ends. We hope you've enjoyed this whirlwind tour of Europe!
Experiences
Comfort stop in Brussels: On our way back to Amsterdam, enjoy the European capital on a comfort stop, you will have the opportunity to see the famous town square and sample the local cuisine, and take a photo of the Atomium.