Itinerary
- Day 1
Paris
After you arrive in Paris, head to your hotel and settle in at your own pace. This evening, your Travel Director takes you to a welcome dinner at a local brasserie, so you'll get to meet the group and start getting oriented to the city.
- Start point
- Paris, France (Paris)
- Meals
- Dinner (Welcome dinner at a local brasserie)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Marriott Rive Gauche, Paris)
Included Activities
- Welcome dinner at a local brasserie with Travel Director and fellow guests
Optional Activities
- See the Eiffel Tower
- Visit the Louvre
- Explore Place de la Concorde
- Stroll the Champs Élysées
- View the Arc de Triomphe
Landmarks Eiffel Tower Louvre Place de la Concorde Champs Élysées Arc de Triomphe - Day 2
Paris
Your Travel Director gives you an orientation covering the Arc de Triomphe, Champs-Élysées, and Place de la Concorde. The afternoon is completely yours to do what appeals to you. You can linger at a pavement bistro, browse boutiques in the Marais, or take a stroll through the Tuileries Gardens. Art lovers head to the Louvre, while others might check out the Left Bank. There's an optional cabaret experience available if you're interested.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Marriott Rive Gauche, Paris)
Included Activities
- Orientation tour with Travel Director including Arc de Triomphe, Champs-Élysées, and Place de la Concorde
Optional Activities
- Café crème at a pavement bistro
- Browse boutiques in the Marais
- Stroll through Tuileries Gardens
- Visit the Louvre to see masterpieces including the Mona Lisa and Winged Victory of Samothrace
- Explore the Left Bank
- Optional Experience at a Paris cabaret with dazzling costumes, live music and sumptuous dinner
Landmarks Arc de Triomphe Champs Élysées Place de la Concorde Marais Tuileries Gardens Louvre Left Bank - Day 3
Paris - Loire Valley - Bordeaux
You'll travel south through the Loire Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Stop at Château de Chenonceau, which spans the River Cher in a really striking way. From there, continue on to Bordeaux, an 18th-century port city inland from the coast, so you'll see some interesting architecture and history along the way.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Novotel Gare St Jean, Bordeaux)
Included Activities
- Scenic drive through Loire Valley
- Visit Château de Chenonceau
Landmarks Loire Valley Château de Chenonceau River Cher - Day 4
Bordeaux - San Sebastián
A Local Expert takes you on a guided tour of Bordeaux's architecture, showing you the quaysides, Grand Theatre, Triangle d'Or, and Esplanade des Quinconces. Later you'll head to San Sebastián and enjoy a progressive dinner of pintxos with locals in the Old Town, drinking local Txakoli wine as you move from spot to spot.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Enjoy an evening of pintxos, dining with locals in this Basque tradition. Your delicious dinner includes a wide variety of finger food delicacies, each with their own regional flavour, flair and presentation.)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Barceló Costa Vasca, San Sebastián)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Bordeaux's 18th-century architecture with Local Expert
- Progressive dinner of pintxos in San Sebastián Old Town with local Txakoli wine
- Guided walking tour of San Sebastián Old Quarter including Plaza de la Constitucion
Landmarks Bordeaux Quaysides Grand Theatre Triangle d'Or Esplanade des Quinconces San Sebastián Old Town Plaza de la Constitucion - Day 5
San Sebastián - Madrid
You'll travel through the mountains and gorges of northern Spain, then emerge onto the plateau of New Castile as you make your way to Madrid. In the evening, take a drive around the city's grand avenues and see the spectacular fountains that light up after dark.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Barceló Torre de Madrid)
Included Activities
- Evening drive along grand avenues and past spectacular fountains in Madrid
Landmarks Sierra de Guadarrama 
- Day 6
Madrid
A Local Expert leads a sightseeing tour of Madrid's Old Town, the elegant Paseo de la Castellana, and Plaza de Cibeles. You'll explore the historic neighbourhoods and discover where the city started in the Old Quarter. Later, visit the Reina Sofía Museum with an art historian who'll walk you through Picasso's Guernica.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Barceló Torre de Madrid)
Included Activities
- Guided sightseeing tour of Old Town, Paseo de la Castellana and Plaza de Cibeles with Local Expert
- Guided tour of Old Quarter to discover the origins of Madrid with Local Expert
- Visit Reina Sofía Museum with an art historian to see Picasso's Guernica
Optional Activities
- Join a neighbourhood walking tour to discuss social equity empowerment and learn about the history of women's movements in Spain
Landmarks Plaza de Cibeles Paseo de la Castellana Reina Sofía Museum Picasso's Guernica - Day 7
Madrid - Barcelona
Cross the Castilian plain, passing through Zaragoza on your way to Barcelona on the coast. Once you arrive, try local Catalan cuisine for dinner and then head up Montjuïc to view the city as the lights begin to sparkle across the mountains and down to the sea.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Labtwentytwo, Barcelona, Torre Melina Gran Meliá, Barcelona)
Optional Activities
- Try delicious local Catalan cuisine
- View the city from the heights of Montjuïc
Landmarks Montjuïc - Day 8
Barcelona
Your Local Expert takes you through the Gothic Quarter and cathedral, then along the Ramblas and Passeig de Gràcia where you'll see the flamboyant Modernist buildings. Continue into the Eixample district to see Gaudí's extraordinary Sagrada Familia, which is quite a sight to take in person.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Labtwentytwo, Barcelona, Torre Melina Gran Meliá, Barcelona)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Gothic Quarter and cathedral with Local Expert
- Travel along Ramblas and Passeig de Gràcia to view Modernist buildings
- Visit Sagrada Familia
Landmarks Gothic Quarter Barcelona Cathedral Ramblas Passeig de Gràcia Eixample Sagrada Familia - Day 9
Barcelona - Nice
You'll journey around the Mediterranean Sea to reach the French Riviera. Arrive in Nice and see the Bay of Angels. Stroll along the Promenade des Anglais to get a feel for the Côte d'Azur atmosphere, with the water and mountains all around you.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Apollinaire, Nice)
Included Activities
- Stroll along Promenade des Anglais
Landmarks Bay of Angels Promenade des Anglais Côte d'Azur - Day 10
Nice - Monaco
After breakfast, explore the glamorous Côte d'Azur. Take a drive along part of Monaco's famous Grand Prix circuit. Then choose your own path: visit the Oceanographic Museum with over 6,000 marine species, or see the Royal Palace of Monaco and the 19th-century Cathedral. The rest of the day is yours to relax and soak up the sun.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Apollinaire, Nice)
Included Activities
- Drive along part of Monaco's Grand Prix circuit
- Insight Choice activity - Visit the Royal Palace of Monaco and 19th-century Monaco Cathedral, final resting place of Princess Grace OR Visit the Oceanographic Museum founded by Prince Albert I in 1910 with over 6,000 marine species
Landmarks Monaco Grand Prix Circuit Royal Palace of Monaco Monaco Cathedral Oceanographic Museum of Monaco - Day 11
Nice - Pisa - Florence
Cross into Italy along the Italian Riviera before arriving in Pisa. Stop at the Square of Miracles to see the Leaning Tower of Pisa along with the 11th-century cathedral and baptistery with their mosaics and marble designs. From there, continue through Tuscany to Florence.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Villa Neroli, Florence)
Included Activities
- Visit Leaning Tower of Pisa with Local Expert
- See the 11th-century cathedral and baptistery in Pisa
Landmarks Square of Miracles Leaning Tower of Pisa Pisa Cathedral Pisa Baptistery - Day 12
Florence
Walk with your Local Expert to Florence's marble-clad cathedral and baptistery where Ghiberti's Gates of Paradise are displayed. Visit Piazza della Signoria, the political heart of the city and really an open-air gallery of Renaissance art. The afternoon is yours to shop or keep exploring at your own pace.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Villa Neroli, Florence)
Included Activities
- Walk to the marble-clad cathedral and baptistery with Local Expert to view Ghiberti's Gates of Paradise
- Visit Piazza della Signoria to see Renaissance masterpieces including statues of Neptune and David along the front of the Palazzo Vecchio
Optional Activities
- Shop in the afternoon
- Continue exploring Florence
Landmarks Florence Cathedral Florence Baptistery Ghiberti's Gates of Paradise Piazza della Signoria Palazzo Vecchio - Day 13
Florence - Rome
Relax today as you travel through the grand landscapes of the Chianti hills and Umbria, then pass the Apennine Mountains before reaching Rome. The city is filled with classic antiquities, medieval buildings, Renaissance palaces, and Baroque churches. Dinner this evening is at a local restaurant where you'll try traditional Roman food.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Radisson Blu GHR, Rome)
Included Activities
- Traditional meal at a local restaurant in Rome
Landmarks Chianti Hills Umbria Apennine Mountains - Day 14
Rome
A Local Expert introduces you to Rome's grandeur, starting with Vatican State. You'll see the Vatican Museums filled with treasures, stand in awe under Michelangelo's ceiling in the Sistine Chapel, and visit St. Peter's Basilica to see Michelangelo's Pieta and Bernini's Papal Altar. The afternoon is yours to shop or relax at a café.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Radisson Blu GHR, Rome)
Included Activities
- Visit the Vatican Museums with Local Expert
- View Michelangelo's ceiling in the Sistine Chapel
- Visit St. Peter's Basilica to admire Michelangelo's Pieta and Bernini's Papal Altar
Optional Activities
- Shop in trendy boutiques
- Relax at a sidewalk café
Landmarks Vatican State Vatican Museums Sistine Chapel St. Peter's Basilica Piazza di Spagna Trevi Fountain Villa Borghese - Day 15
Rome
Today Rome is yours to explore at your own pace. You have the option to visit Pompeii, the town frozen in time after Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD. Or spend your time shopping along Via del Corso, Via Nazionale, or near the Spanish Steps, browsing boutiques and taking in the atmosphere.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Radisson Blu GHR, Rome)
Optional Activities
- Visit Pompeii
- Shop at boutiques on Via del Corso
- Shop at boutiques on Via Nazionale
- Shop at designer stores near the Spanish Steps
Landmarks Pompeii Mount Vesuvius Via del Corso Via Nazionale Spanish Steps - Day 16
Rome - Venice
Travel through peaceful Tuscan landscapes, then past Bologna into the fertile Valley of the River Po. Arrive in Venice by boat. Enjoy a sunset cocktail with musicians serenading you, then have dinner at a local restaurant as you settle into this unique city.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Sunset cocktail at sunset whilst serenaded by an ensemble of talented musicians, followed by dinner at a local restaurant)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Eurostars Residenza Cannaregio, Venice)
Included Activities
- Arrive in Venice by boat
- Sunset cocktail at sunset with live serenade from ensemble of musicians
- Dinner at a local restaurant in Venice
Landmarks Tuscany Bologna River Po - Day 17
Venice
Start your day ready to embrace Venice. Admire the Doge's Palace and the Bridge of Sighs next to it. Watch traditional glassblowers at work at a traditional arts centre. Then take a private cruise to St. Mark's Square to see St. Mark's Basilica and get a sense of the city from the water.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Eurostars Residenza Cannaregio, Venice)
Included Activities
- Visit Doge's Palace
- See Bridge of Sighs
- MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience: Visit a traditional arts centre to witness the skill of glassblowers
- Private cruise to St. Mark's Square
- Visit St. Mark's Basilica
Landmarks Doge's Palace Bridge of Sighs St. Mark's Square St. Mark's Basilica - Day 18
Venice - Ljubljana
Depart Venice by water taxi and continue to Ljubljana, the Slovenian capital. A Local Expert shows you Prešeren Square with the Triple Bridge, the baroque Franciscan Church, and the lively banks of Ljubljanica River. If you're interested, there's an optional visit to the tranquil shores of Lake Bled.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Exe Lev Ljubljana)
Included Activities
- Depart Venice by water taxi
- Guided tour of Ljubljana with Local Expert including Prešeren Square, Triple Bridge, baroque Franciscan Church and Ljubljanica River
Optional Activities
- Optional Experience to Lake Bled to ride in a traditional wooden pletna across turquoise glacial waters towards the island in the middle
Landmarks Prešeren Square Triple Bridge Franciscan Church Ljubljanica River Lake Bled - Day 19
Ljubljana - Vienna
Follow the Drava River to reach Maribor, a university town that's been around for 700 years. Continue past Graz through Styria's forested mountains on to Vienna. The landscape changes quite a bit as you travel, from river valleys to mountains to city.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hilton Vienna Park, Hilton Vienna Danube Waterfront)
Landmarks Drava River Maribor Graz Styria - Day 20
Vienna
In the morning, you can optionally join a private tour of Maria Theresa's Schönbrunn Palace and its formal gardens. Later, drive around Vienna's famous Ring Road to see the Opera House, the magnificent Hofburg Imperial Residence, and Parliament. Your Local Expert takes you on a walk through Innere Stadt, the historic core. Visit a traditional Viennese café for coffee and Sachertorte, or explore the Capuchins Crypt where the Habsburg family is buried.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hilton Vienna Park, Hilton Vienna Danube Waterfront)
Included Activities
- Drive around the famous Ring Road to see Opera House, Hofburg Imperial Residence and Parliament
- Walk through Innere Stadt with Local Expert
- Insight Choice activity - Visit a traditional Viennese café to enjoy coffee and Sachertorte OR Visit Capuchins Crypt, the burial place of the Habsburg family
Optional Activities
- Private tour of Maria Theresa's Schönbrunn Palace and formal gardens
Landmarks Schönbrunn Palace Ring Road Opera House Hofburg Imperial Residence Parliament Innere Stadt Capuchins Crypt Karlskirche - Day 21
Vienna - Salzburg - Innsbruck
Pass the impressive Benedictine monastery of Melk before reaching Salzburg, Mozart's birthplace and home of 'The Sound of Music'. A Local Expert shows you Mirabell Palace gardens with the fountains and statues from the 'Do, Re, Mi' scene, Residence Square, the fortress, cathedral, and Mozart's birthplace on Getreidegasse. Then continue to Innsbruck, surrounded by mountains, to see the Golden Roof and Imperial Palace.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (AC, Innsbruck)
Included Activities
- Visit Melk monastery
- Guided tour of Salzburg with Local Expert including Mirabell Palace formal gardens with fountains and statues from 'Do, Re, Mi' scene, Residence Square, fortress, cathedral and Mozart's birthplace on Getreidegasse
- View the Golden Roof in Innsbruck
- View the Imperial Palace in Innsbruck
Optional Activities
- Join an excursion to the famous Eagle's Nest
Landmarks Melk Monastery Mirabell Palace Residence Square Salzburg Fortress Salzburg Cathedral Mozart's Birthplace Getreidegasse Golden Roof Imperial Palace Innsbruck Eagle's Nest - Day 22
Innsbruck - Liechtenstein - Lucerne
Travel past flower-filled meadows and chalet-style villages to reach the Principality of Liechtenstein. Spend time in Vaduz, the tiny capital. Cross into Switzerland and through glorious mountains to reach Lucerne on the lake. Visit Lucerne's Lion Monument carved into limestone. Tonight, choose from a fine selection of restaurants for a Dine-Around Evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Choose from a selection of restaurants on your Dine-Around evening and hand-pick your preferred ambience, cuisine and drinks for an intimate culinary experience.)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Astoria Lucerne)
Included Activities
- Visit Vaduz, the capital of Liechtenstein
- View Vaduz Castle
- Visit Lion Monument in Lucerne
- Dine-Around Evening with choice of restaurants
Landmarks Liechtenstein Vaduz Vaduz Castle Lion Monument - Day 23
Lucerne
In the morning, explore Mount Stanserhorn on a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER Experience with an open-top cable car powered by solar panels. You'll breathe in pristine mountain air and see views extending to Alsace and the Black Forest. Walk scenic pathways, spot marmots and native animals, and hear a conservation talk from a Swiss ranger. Return to Lucerne to stroll the covered Chapel Bridge and see the baroque Jesuit Church. The rest of the day is at leisure.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Astoria Lucerne)
Included Activities
- MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience: Mount Stanserhorn on panoramic open-top cable car powered by solar energy with spectacular summit views
- Walk scenic mountain pathways at Mount Stanserhorn
- Conservation talk by Swiss ranger about local wildlife and flora at Mount Stanserhorn
- Stroll across covered Chapel Bridge in Lucerne
- Visit baroque Jesuit Church in Lucerne
Optional Activities
- Shop for fine watches
- Shop for delectable chocolates
Landmarks Mount Stanserhorn Chapel Bridge Jesuit Church Alsace Black Forest - Day 24
Lucerne - Rhine Valley - Königswinter
Travel through Germany and follow the Rhine Valley north to Königswinter. You'll see the changing landscape as you head north along this historic river route.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Maritim, Königswinter)
Landmarks Rhine Valley - Day 25
Königswinter - Rhineland - Amsterdam
Enjoy a private estate visit and taste local wine as you explore one of the historic castles along the Middle Rhine. Continue on to Amsterdam where the city is best seen from the water. Board a cruise to see the UNESCO-listed canal district with elegant 16th and 17th-century merchant houses. Celebrate your journey over dinner served on board, passing under graceful bridges and illuminated gables.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Toast the finale of your journey with a special dinner served on board a canal cruise through Amsterdam's UNESCO-listed waterways.)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Apollo, Amsterdam)
Included Activities
- Private estate viewing of one of the Rhineland historic castles along the Middle Rhine
- Glass of local wine at Rhineland castle
- Canal cruise in Amsterdam through UNESCO-listed canal district
- Dinner served on board canal cruise in Amsterdam
Landmarks Rhineland Castles Middle Rhine Amsterdam Canal District - Day 26
Amsterdam - Brussels - London
In the morning, travel to Brussels for your high-speed Eurostar train journey. When you arrive in London, you're transferred to your Insight Vacations hotel where your trip ends.
- End point
- London, Greater London, England, United Kingdom (London)
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Travel to Brussels
- High-speed Eurostar train journey to London
- Transfer to Insight Vacations London hotel
Landmarks Brussels
