Itinerary
- Day 1
London to Paris
You'll meet your Travel Director and head to St. Pancras Station to board the high-speed Eurostar train through the Channel Tunnel to Paris. The afternoon is yours to explore at your own pace, so you can see the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Louvre, River Seine bridges, Place de la Concorde with its obelisk, the Champs-Élysées, and the Arc de Triomphe. Later in the evening, you'll join your Travel Director for dinner at a local restaurant.
- Meals
- Dinner (Dinner at a local restaurant in the heart of Paris)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Marriott Rive Gauche, Paris)
Included Activities
- Eurostar train journey London to Paris via Channel Tunnel
- Dinner at a local restaurant in Paris
Optional Activities
- Visit Eiffel Tower
- Visit Notre-Dame Cathedral
- Visit Louvre Museum
- Stroll along River Seine and its bridges
- Visit Place de la Concorde
- Drive along Champs-Élysées
- Visit Arc de Triomphe
Landmarks Eiffel Tower Notre-Dame Cathedral Louvre Museum River Seine Place de la Concorde Champs-Élysées Arc de Triomphe - Day 2
Paris
Your Travel Director introduces you to Paris with an orientation tour that covers the Arc de Triomphe, the tree-lined Champs-Élysées, and Place de la Concorde. The afternoon is free for you to wander around, maybe grab a café crème at a pavement bistro, check out boutiques in the Marais, or walk through the Tuileries Gardens towards the Louvre's glass pyramid. Art lovers can visit the Louvre or explore the literary Left Bank on your own. An optional cabarets experience with live music and dinner is available in the evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Marriott Rive Gauche, Paris)
Included Activities
- Orientation tour of Paris with Travel Director
Optional Activities
- Visit Louvre Museum
- Explore Marais district and boutiques
- Stroll through Tuileries Gardens
- Explore Left Bank literary districts
- Optional cabaret experience with dinner and live music
Landmarks Arc de Triomphe Champs-Élysées Place de la Concorde Tuileries Gardens Louvre Museum - Day 3
Paris to Bordeaux
You'll travel southward through Châteaux Country on a scenic drive along the Loire Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Stop at the Château de Chenonceau, a beautiful 16th-century French château spanning the River Cher. Then head on to Bordeaux, a bustling inland port with distinctive 18th-century character.
- 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 to San Sebastián
A Local Expert leads you on a guided tour of Bordeaux's 18th-century architecture, covering the quaysides, Grand Théâtre, Triangle d'Or, and the magnificent Esplanade des Quinconces. From there, you'll travel to San Sebastián in Spain for a progressive dinner experience. In small groups, you'll wander through the Old Town sampling pintxos, which are Basque snack-sized treats similar to tapas, paired with local Txakoli wine.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Progressive dinner featuring pintxos, dining with locals in Basque tradition, includes variety of finger food delicacies with regional flavours, and local Txakoli wine)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Barceló Costa Vasca, San Sebastián)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Bordeaux's 18th-century architecture with Local Expert
- Walking tour of San Sebastián Old Town
- Progressive dinner featuring pintxos and local Txakoli wine
Landmarks Bordeaux Quaysides Grand Théâtre de Bordeaux Esplanade des Quinconces San Sebastián Old Town Plaza de la Constitución - Day 5
San Sebastián to Madrid
You'll continue through the mountains and gorges of northern Spain, passing through a tunnel in the Sierra de Guadarrama before emerging onto the plateau of New Castile. Madrid, Spain's elegant capital, comes into view. In the evening, you'll take a drive along the city's grand avenues and past spectacular fountains to see Madrid lit up.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Barceló Torre de Madrid)
Optional Activities
- Evening drive along Madrid's grand avenues and past spectacular fountains
Landmarks Sierra de Guadarrama 
- Day 6
Madrid
A Local Expert guides you through Madrid's most historic neighborhoods and the Old Quarter to discover the city's origins. You can visit the Reina Sofía Museum to see Picasso's Guernica with an art historian, or join an alternative neighborhood walking tour that focuses on social equity and the history of women's movements in Spain.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Barceló Torre de Madrid)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Madrid's historic neighbourhoods and Old Quarter with Local Expert
- Visit Reina Sofía Museum with art historian to see Picasso's Guernica
Optional Activities
- Neighbourhood walking tour discussing social equity empowerment and history of women's movements in Spain
Landmarks Reina Sofía Museum - Day 7
Madrid to Barcelona
You'll cross the Castilian plain, passing through Zaragoza, and continue to Barcelona, a vibrant port city. This evening, you'll try delicious local Catalan cuisine, and as night falls, you can view the city from the heights of Montjuïc with lights sparkling below from the mountains to the sea.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Labtwentytwo, Barcelona, Torre Melina Gran Meliá, Barcelona)
Optional Activities
- Dinner featuring local Catalan cuisine
- View Barcelona from Montjuïc at night
Landmarks Montjuïc - Day 8
Barcelona
A Local Expert takes you on a tour of Barcelona's Gothic Quarter and cathedral. You'll travel along the Ramblas and Passeig de Gràcia, admiring flamboyant Modernist buildings. Then you'll continue through the Eixample district to see Gaudí's extraordinary masterpiece, the Sagrada Família.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Labtwentytwo, Barcelona, Torre Melina Gran Meliá, Barcelona)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Gothic Quarter and cathedral with Local Expert
- Drive along Ramblas and Passeig de Gràcia
- Visit Sagrada Família
Landmarks Gothic Quarter Barcelona Cathedral Ramblas Passeig de Gràcia Sagrada Família Eixample District - Day 9
Barcelona to Nice
You'll journey around the Mediterranean Sea to the French Riviera. Once you arrive in Nice, you'll experience the moment you first see the Bay of Angels. Then you'll stroll along the Promenade des Anglais and soak in the atmosphere of the Côte d'Azur.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Apollinaire, Nice)
Optional Activities
- Stroll along Promenade des Anglais
Landmarks Bay of Angels Promenade des Anglais - Day 10
Nice - Monaco
Today you're ready to check out the glamorous Côte d'Azur, a coastline long favored by artists, aristocrats, and film stars. You'll enjoy a drive along part of Monaco's famous Grand Prix circuit. Then choose between visiting the Oceanographic Museum, home to over 6,000 marine species, or the Royal Palace of Monaco and 19th-century Monaco Cathedral. The rest of the day is yours to relax and soak up the sun-drenched elegance.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Apollinaire, Nice)
Included Activities
- Drive along Monaco's Grand Prix circuit
Optional Activities
- Visit Oceanographic Museum of Monaco with grand aquariums of Mediterranean and tropical seas
- Visit Royal Palace of Monaco
- Visit Monaco Cathedral
Landmarks Monaco Grand Prix Circuit Oceanographic Museum Royal Palace of Monaco Monaco Cathedral - Day 11
Nice to Pisa - Florence
You'll cross into Italy and follow the arc of the Italian Riviera before arriving in Pisa. A Local Expert shows you the Square of Miracles with the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the site where Galileo is said to have conducted experiments on velocity and gravity. You'll also see the splendid 11th-century cathedral and baptistery, decorated with mosaics and marble designs. After that, you'll continue through Tuscany to Florence.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Pisa's Leaning Tower with Local Expert
- Visit Pisa Cathedral and baptistery
Landmarks Leaning Tower of Pisa Pisa Cathedral Pisa Baptistery 
- Day 12
Florence
You'll walk with a Local Expert to the marble-clad cathedral and baptistery, where Ghiberti's Gates of Paradise have been recreated. Next, you'll visit Piazza della Signoria, still the political heart of Florence, which serves as an open-air gallery of Renaissance masterpieces with statues like Neptune and David. The afternoon is yours for shopping or exploring at your own pace.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Villa Neroli, Florence)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Florence Cathedral and baptistery with Local Expert
- Visit Piazza della Signoria
Optional Activities
- Shopping
- Further exploration of Florence
Landmarks Florence Cathedral Florence Baptistery Piazza della Signoria Palazzo Vecchio - Day 13
Florence to Rome
You'll relax and enjoy the grand landscapes of the Chianti hills and Umbria, passing the Apennine Mountains on the way to Rome, the Eternal City. Rome is filled with classic antiquities, medieval buildings, Renaissance palaces, and Baroque churches. This evening, you'll have a traditional meal at a local restaurant.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Traditional meal at a local restaurant)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Radisson Blu GHR, Rome)
Included Activities
- Dinner at a local restaurant in Rome
Landmarks Chianti Hills Apennine Mountains - Day 14
Rome
A Local Expert introduces you to Rome's grandeur, starting with the Vatican State. You'll visit the Vatican Museums, full of priceless treasures collected by the Popes. Then you'll admire Michelangelo's famous ceiling in the Sistine Chapel. Next comes St. Peter's Basilica to see Michelangelo's Pietà and Bernini's intricately carved Papal Altar. The afternoon is yours to shop or relax at a sidewalk café before exclusive after-hours access to the Basilica of Saint Praxedes.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Radisson Blu GHR, Rome)
Included Activities
- Visit Vatican Museums
- Visit Sistine Chapel
- Visit St. Peter's Basilica
- Exclusive after-hours visit to Basilica of Saint Praxedes
Optional Activities
- Shopping in trendy boutiques
- Relax at sidewalk cafés
Landmarks Vatican Museums Sistine Chapel St. Peter's Basilica Basilica of Saint Praxedes - Day 15
Rome
Today you have the day at your own pace in Rome. You can optionally visit Pompeii, frozen in time after Vesuvius's eruption in 79 AD, or spend time shopping in the boutiques of Via del Corso, Via Nazionale, or the elegant designer stores near the Spanish Steps.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Radisson Blu GHR, Rome)
Optional Activities
- Optional excursion to Pompeii
- Shopping on Via del Corso
- Shopping on Via Nazionale
- Shopping near Spanish Steps
Landmarks Pompeii Via del Corso Via Nazionale Spanish Steps - Day 16
Rome to Venice
You'll journey through peaceful Tuscan landscapes, past Bologna into the fertile Valley of the River Po. By boat, you'll arrive at Venice and enjoy a cocktail at sunset while talented musicians serenade you, followed by dinner at a local restaurant.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Dinner at a local restaurant in St. Mark's Square at sunset, with sunset cocktails canal-side)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Eurostars Residenza Cannaregio, Venice)
Included Activities
- Arrival in Venice by boat
- Sunset cocktails on canal with live musical serenade
- Dinner at a local restaurant in Venice
Landmarks River Po 
- Day 17
Venice
You're ready to embrace this romantic city. You'll admire the Doge's Palace and the Bridge of Sighs. Then you'll witness the skill of glassblowers at a traditional arts center. A private cruise takes you to St. Mark's Square where St. Mark's Basilica shows off the city's former wealth and power.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Eurostars Residenza Cannaregio, Venice)
Included Activities
- Visit Doge's Palace and Bridge of Sighs
- Visit traditional glassblowing arts centre
- 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 to Ljubljana
You'll depart Venice by water taxi and head 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 the Ljubljanica River. Optionally, you can join an experience to Lake Bled, riding a traditional wooden pletna boat across turquoise glacial waters towards the tiny island in the middle.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Exe Lev Ljubljana)
Included Activities
- Water taxi departure from Venice
- Guided tour of Ljubljana with Local Expert
Optional Activities
- Optional experience to Lake Bled with traditional wooden pletna boat ride
Landmarks Prešeren Square Triple Bridge Franciscan Church Ljubljanica River Lake Bled - Day 19
Ljubljana to Vienna
You'll follow the Drava River to reach Maribor, a 700-year-old university town. After that, you'll continue past Graz through Styria's forested mountains and on to Vienna.
- 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 join a private tour of Maria Theresa's Schönbrunn Palace and its formal gardens. Later, you'll take a drive around the famous Ring Road to see the Opera House, Hofburg Imperial Residence, and Parliament. You'll walk through Innere Stadt, Vienna's historic core, with a Local Expert. Try a traditional Viennese café for coffee and Sachertorte, or choose to visit Capuchins Crypt.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hilton Vienna Park, Hilton Vienna Danube Waterfront)
Included Activities
- Drive around the Ring Road with views of architectural masterpieces
- Walk through Innere Stadt with Local Expert
Optional Activities
- Private tour of Schönbrunn Palace and formal gardens
- Visit traditional Viennese café for coffee and Sachertorte
- Visit Capuchins Crypt, burial place of the Habsburg family
Landmarks Ring Road Vienna Opera House Hofburg Imperial Residence Parliament Building Innere Stadt Schönbrunn Palace Capuchins Crypt - Day 21
Vienna to Salzburg - Innsbruck
You'll pass the impressive Benedictine monastery of Melk and reach Salzburg, birthplace of Mozart and the Sound of Music. A Local Expert shows you Mirabell Palace's formal gardens with fountains and statues, Residence Square, the fortress, the cathedral, and Mozart's birthplace on Getreidegasse. Optionally visit the Eagle's Nest. Then continue to Innsbruck to see the Golden Roof and Imperial Palace.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (AC, Innsbruck)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Salzburg with Local Expert
- View Mirabell Palace formal gardens
- View Residence Square
- View Salzburg Fortress
- View Salzburg Cathedral
- View Mozart's birthplace
Optional Activities
- Excursion to Eagle's Nest
Landmarks Melk Monastery Mirabell Palace Residence Square Salzburg Fortress Salzburg Cathedral Getreidegasse Eagle's Nest Innsbruck Golden Roof Innsbruck Imperial Palace - Day 22
Innsbruck to Lucerne
You'll journey past flower-filled meadows and picturesque chalet-style villages to the Principality of Liechtenstein. Spend time in its tiny capital, Vaduz, then cross into Switzerland through glorious mountains to lakeside Lucerne. You'll visit Lucerne's Lion Monument, carved into limestone and dedicated to Swiss Guards who died defending King Louis XVI. Tonight, choose from a selection of restaurants for your Dine-Around evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Astoria Lucerne)
Included Activities
- Visit to Vaduz, Liechtenstein
- Visit Lion Monument in Lucerne
Optional Activities
- Dine-Around evening with selection of Lucerne restaurants
Landmarks Vaduz Vaduz Castle Lion Monument 
- Day 23
Lucerne
In the morning, you'll explore Mount Stanserhorn on an open-top cable car powered by solar panels. At the summit, you'll take in pristine mountain air and, on clear days, see views as far as Alsace and the Black Forest. You'll walk scenic pathways watching for marmots while a Swiss ranger talks about local wildlife and flora. Back in Lucerne, you'll stroll across the covered Chapel Bridge and see the baroque Jesuit Church.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Astoria Lucerne)
Included Activities
- Mount Stanserhorn experience with solar-powered open-top cable car
- Scenic pathways walk on Mount Stanserhorn
- Conservation talk by Swiss ranger
- Stroll across Chapel Bridge
- Visit Jesuit Church in Lucerne
Optional Activities
- Shopping for watches and chocolates in Lucerne
Landmarks Mount Stanserhorn Chapel Bridge Jesuit Church - Day 24
Lucerne to Königswinter
You'll travel through Germany and follow the Rhine Valley north to Königswinter.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Maritim, Königswinter)
Landmarks Rhine Valley - Day 25
Königswinter to Amsterdam
You'll enjoy a private estate viewing of one of the famous Rhineland castles and learn about these living cultural monuments along the Middle Rhine over a glass of wine. Then you'll continue to Amsterdam and cruise through the canal district, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, admiring elegant merchant houses from the 16th and 17th centuries. You'll pass stunning gables, beautiful churches, and the iconic Skinny Bridge. A Celebration Dinner at a local restaurant toasts your adventure and new-found friends.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Celebration Dinner at a local restaurant in Amsterdam)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Apollo, Amsterdam)
Included Activities
- Private estate viewing of a Rhineland castle with wine
- Private cruise through Amsterdam's canal district
- Celebration Dinner at a local restaurant in Amsterdam
Landmarks Rhineland Castles Amsterdam Canal District Magere Brug - Day 26
Amsterdam to London
In the morning, you'll travel to Brussels for your high-speed Eurostar train journey back to the United Kingdom. Upon arrival, you'll be transferred to the Insight Vacations London hotel where your trip ends.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Eurostar train journey Amsterdam/Brussels to London
