17 days European Interlude
The birthplaces of arts, culture and history are on show in this discovery of Europe, from Amsterdam's charming canal houses with their gabled façades and the imposing Cologne Cathedral to Vienna's Opera House and the exquisite Doge's Palace in Venice. Medieval castles, Baroque palaces and Renaissance masterpieces are yours to explore along this creative pilgrimage.
| Day | Location | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arrive London (2 Nights) | London's historic landmarks are brought to life on your morning sightseeing tour, including Buckingham Palace and Westminster Abbey with a Local Specialist. Spend free time this afternoon exploring the sights of your choice or shop in the West End, Knightsbridge and Bond Street. Meals Full Breakfast |
| 2 | London – Eurostar™ – Amsterdam | This morning meet your Travel Director before travelling to London's St. Pancras International station to board the Eurostar™ for a high-speed train journey to Brussels. Continue by luxury coach to Amsterdam. Enjoy an orientation of the historic city centre, then get to know your fellow travellers and Travel Director on a glass-topped boat as you enjoy a sightseeing cruise Welcome Reception along the city's canals which includes a light supper and welcome drink. Hotel Mercure City Meals Full Breakfast Welcome Reception |
| 3 | London – Eurostar™ – Amsterdam | This morning meet your Travel Director before travelling to London's St. Pancras International station to board the Eurostar™ for a high-speed train journey to Brussels. Continue by luxury coach to Amsterdam. Enjoy an orientation of the historic city centre, then get to know your fellow travellers and Travel Director on a glass-topped boat as you enjoy a sightseeing cruise Welcome Reception along the city's canals which includes a light supper and welcome drink. Hotel Mercure City Meals Full Breakfast Welcome Reception |
| 4 | Amsterdam – Cologne – Rhine Cruise – Mannheim | We travel to Germany this morning to visit one of Europe's most important places of pilgrimage and the final resting place of the Three Wise Men, Cologne Cathedral. Winding our way down the picturesque Rhine River from Boppard to St. Goar, we pass fairy-tale castles, charming medieval towns and vineyard-clad hills. We spend tonight in the Rhinelands, dining at our hotel this evening. Hotel Mercure am Rathaus Meals Buffet Breakfast Dinner |
| 5 | Mannheim – Munich – Innsbruck | Meander through the spectacular Swabian Alps to the Bavarian capital of Munich where we will enjoy an orientation of the city to view the Olympic Stadium and Marienplatz, the heart of the city since the 12th century. Watch the bright sunlight glint on Innsbruck's Golden Roof and marvel at the 18th century Baroque Cathedral of St. Jakob's before indulging in a memorable Be My Guest experience soaking up fine Tyrolean fare and hospitality. Hotel Grauer Bär Meals Buffet Breakfast Be My Guest Dining |
| 6 | Innsbruck – Salzburg – Vienna (2 Nights) | Waltz into the scenic city of Salzburg, the birthplace of Mozart and enjoy a walking tour with your Local Specialist to delve into the romance and beauty of the city's major landmarks, many of which featured in the film 'The Sound of Music'. Winding our way through the lush landscapes of Austria, we travel towards the magical Danube to the imperial city of Vienna where we will spend the next two nights. Hotel Falkensteiner Wien Margareten Meals Buffet Breakfast |
| 7 | Vienna Sightseeing | Explore Baroque splendour on your morning sightseeing tour with a Local Specialist who will share the sights and sounds of this truly beautiful city. View the Opera House, Stadtpark, Parliament and the Hofburg, once the centre of the powerful Habsburg Empire. This afternoon is yours to soak up the elegant coffee culture of Vienna. Indulge in a slice of delicious Sacher-Torte and coffee served with cream, shop on the trendy Kärtnerstrasse or delve into the fascinating musical heritage of a city that was once home to such greats as Beethoven, Brahms and Haydn. Perhaps consider joining an Optional Experience to the opulent Schönbrunn Palace before spending your evening at leisure. Meals Buffet Breakfast |
| 8 | Vienna – Venice (2 Nights) | Journey to the heart of the magnificent Austrian Alps, past the picturesque Austrian Lake District, over the Italian border through the fertile Veneto Plains. We arrive in the romantic island city of Venice, our home for the next two nights. Consider gliding through the canals of Venice from the comfort of a traditional Gondola. Hotel Novotel Venezia Mestre Castellana Meals Buffet Breakfast Dinner with wine |
| 9 | Venice Orientation | Take to the turquoise waters for an exploration of the rich heritage of Venice which kicks off in St. Mark's Square. Admire the beautiful Doge's Palace, St. Mark's Basilica and the Bridge of Sighs, dating back to the 17th century. We travel to Giudecca Island to gain a fascinating Cultural Insight into the fine, centuries-old craft of Venetian glassblowing before enjoying time at leisure to soak up the romantic atmosphere of the Queen of the Adriatic. Consider gliding through the canals of Venice from the comfort of a traditional gondola, walk over the famous Rialto Bridge or consider an Optional Experience to the quaint island of Burano, renowned for its colourful fishermen's houses. Meals Buffet Breakfast |
| 10 | Venice – Rome (2 Nights) | We leave the picturesque backdrop of Venice, travelling through the Po Valley and over the Apennines to the Eternal City of Rome, where we will spend the next two nights. Enjoy an evening discovering the effervescent spirit of a city that never sleeps and embrace la dolce vita around every turn. Hotel Ateneo Garden Palace Meals Buffet Breakfast |
| 11 | Rome Sightseeing | We venture to the centre of Christianity this morning and the home of Michelangelo's Pietà masterpiece in St. Peter's Basilica with your Local Specialist, before crossing the Tiber River to Ancient Rome, see the Colosseum and Circus Maximus before spending the rest of the afternoon at leisure or consider an Optional Experience to view the spectacular frescoed ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. Meals Buffet Breakfast |
| 12 | Rome – Florence Sightseeing | The scenic beauty of Tuscany is our constant companion as we journey north to the beautiful city of Florence, whose Renaissance heritage, art and architecture we will explore on a guided walking tour with a Local Specialist. View the exquisite marble Duomo and Baptistery, with its famous bronze doors, and visit the Piazza della Signoria, what was the political hub of this once 'Free Republic' and is today home to such treasures as the Palazzo Vecchio and a veritable open-air sculpture gallery. We have an opportunity to view the 400-year-old Ponte Vecchio bridge with its centuries-old shopfronts before spending the afternoon at leisure. Visit the charming Boboli Gardens or see to great works by great masters at the Uffizi Gallery. Hotel Nilhotel Meals Buffet Breakfast |
| 13 | Florence – Lucerne (2 Nights) | Driving north past the picturesque Lake Lugano, we wind our way along the scenic St. Gotthard route through the snow-capped Alps to the picturesque town of Lucerne. The evening is yours to enjoy the laidback lakeside atmosphere or perhaps indulge in the rich buttery flavours of cheese fondue during a traditional Swiss folklore evening. Hotel Renaissance Meals Buffet Breakfast |
| 14 | Lucerne Orientation | Visit the mournful mortally wounded lion hewn from rock to commemorate the sacrifice made by the Swiss Guard during the French Revolution and the flower-lined wooden Chapel Bridge spanning the Reuss. Spend the rest of your day at leisure meandering through the cobblestone streets of Old Town Lucerne lined with ornate painted façades or enjoy an Optional Experience to one of the surrounding peaks for breath-taking panoramic views. Meals Buffet Breakfast |
| 15 | Lucerne – Paris (2 Nights) | From Lucerne, we cross into France and journey through the rolling vineyards of Burgundy before arriving in Paris. The City of Light shines bright this evening and is yours to explore at leisure. Watch the pageantry of a traditional Parisian Cabaret, amble along the Seine admiring the city's exquisite architecture or relax at a bistro enjoying the delicious gourmet scene for which France is famous. Hotel Pullman La Defense Meals Buffet Breakfast |
| 16 | Paris Sightseeing | Join a Local Specialist for a morning sightseeing tour to see the iconic sights of Paris, including the Place de la Concorde, Champs Élysées and Arc de Triomphe, remembering those who have fought for France over centuries. Admire stunning views of the Seine, Notre Dame and the Tuileries gardens from the second level of the Eiffel Tower before enjoying the rest of the day at leisure. This evening, we celebrate a memorable holiday with our newfound friends at a Farewell Dinner. Meals Buffet Breakfast Farewell Dinner |
| 17 | Depart Paris | Today bid farewell to your fellow travellers and Travel Director at the end of your memorable holiday. An airport transfer is available. Conditions apply. Meals Buffet Breakfast |