Itinerary
- Intro
Introduction
- Day 1
Paris
ParisLandmarks Paris - Day 2
Les Andelys
Les Andelys- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Cruise along the Seine to Les Andelys
- Stroll alongside the river and view limestone cliffs
- Explore the charming centre of Les Andelys
Optional Activities
- Hike to Château Gaillard with 'Richard the Lionheart' medieval-themed walking tour with costumed guide
- Tour of Les Andelys with Château Gaillard with local guide
- Visit to local cider farm to see production and taste Normandy cider
- Explore Château d'Acquigny Gardens with romantic landscapes and botanical collections
- Visit Louviers medieval Norman town to admire picturesque rivers, historic center, and Gothic Church of Notre-Dame
Landmarks Château Gaillard Château d'Acquigny Church of Notre-Dame, Louviers - Day 3
Rouen
Rouen- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Expert lecture - WWI 'A day in the life of a Tommy' with interactive elements (try equipment and taste rations)
Optional Activities
- Rouen city tour - guided walking tour of cathedral district, old marketplace, Saint-Maclou Quarter, Joan of Arc site with free time
- Guided tour of Rouen with Rollo the Viking - authentically dressed guide covering city's Medieval and Viking past with free time
- In the footsteps of Joan of Arc - walking tour through Rouen including St. Ouen Church and Old Market Square
Landmarks Rouen Cathedral Saint-Maclou Quarter Old Market Square St. Ouen Church - Day 4
Rouen
Rouen- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Dessert buffet - exquisite French pastries and cakes with coffee or dessert wine
Optional Activities
- Full day excursion to Somme Battlefields including Newfoundland Memorial Park - visit Australian National Memorial (Sir John Monash Centre), Franco-Australian Museum, Lochnagar Crater, Newfoundland Memorial Park
- Full day excursion to Somme Battlefields including Thiepval - visit Australian National Memorial, Franco-Australian Museum, Caterpillar Valley Cemetery, Thiepval Memorial, Lochnagar Crater
- Claude Monet and the colours of Rouen - walking tour exploring Monet-inspired landmarks including Rouen Cathedral, visit to Musée des Beaux-Arts
Landmarks Rouen Cathedral Musée des Beaux-Arts Newfoundland Memorial Park Thiepval Memorial Lochnagar Crater - Day 5
Honfleur
Honfleur- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided walking tour of Honfleur - Inner Harbour, Church of Sainte-Catherine, Garden of Personalities
- French cheesemaking presentation and tasting - Camembert de Normandie, Pont-l'Évêque, Neufchâtel
- Lecture - Operation Fortitude and daily life during D-Day campaign in World War II
Landmarks Honfleur Inner Harbour Church of Sainte-Catherine Garden of Personalities - Day 6
Honfleur
Honfleur- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Excursion to Normandy Beaches including Omaha Beach (US history focused) - Utah Beach memorial, Sainte-Mère-Église, lunch at local restaurant, Normandy American Cemetery, Omaha Beach Memorial
- Excursion to Normandy Beaches including British Normandy Memorial (UK history focused) - Bayeux, Bayeux War Cemetery, Museum of the Battle of Normandy, Landing Museum at Arromanches, lunch at local restaurant, British Normandy Memorial, Pegasus Bridge & Museum, Ranville War Cemetery
- Excursion to Normandy Beaches including Juno Beach Centre (Canadian history focused) - Abbey d'Ardenne, Juno Beach Centre, lunch at local restaurant, Bény-sur-Mer Canadian Cemetery, Pegasus Bridge & Museum
- Bayeux tour - guided tour of Bayeux including Notre Dame Cathedral (11th-14th century Norman Romanesque and Gothic architecture) with free time to explore
Landmarks Utah Beach Sainte-Mère-Église Omaha Beach Normandy American Cemetery Bayeux Bayeux War Cemetery Notre Dame Cathedral of Bayeux Museum of the Battle of Normandy Arromanches Landing Museum British Normandy Memorial Pegasus Bridge & Museum Ranville War Cemetery Abbey d'Ardenne Juno Beach Centre Bény-sur-Mer Canadian Cemetery - Day 7
Honfleur - Caudebec-en-Caux
Honfleur - Caudebec-en-Caux- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Cycle to Villequier with Victor Hugo Museum - e-bike tour along River Seine (approximately 8 kilometres each way), visit Victor Hugo museum
- Fécamp and Bénédictine Palace - coach transfer to Fécamp, guided tour of 19th-century Bénédictine Palace with tasting of Bénédictine liquor (27 plants and spices)
- Tales of the French Resistance - walking tour covering French Resistance heroism and daring missions during Nazi Occupation
- Normandy Abbey Road - exploration of grand abbeys on the banks of River Seine with local guide covering medieval spiritual history
Landmarks Notre Dame Caudebec-en-Caux Villequier Victor Hugo Museum Fécamp Bénédictine Palace - Day 8
Vernon - La Roche-Guyon
Vernon - La Roche-Guyon- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Scenic Enrich - Classical concert at Château de La Roche-Guyon featuring French composers, with drink, tour of orchard and vegetable gardens
Optional Activities
- Monet's House and Garden - tour of Giverny and Monet's home with Japanese-inspired water garden and lily ponds, free time to explore
- Self-guided cycle from Vernon to Giverny - e-bike tour (approximately 5 kilometres each way) with option to visit Monet's House and Garden or explore town
- On board painting class - inspired by Monet's gardens
Landmarks Monet's House and Garden Giverny Château de La Roche-Guyon - Day 9
Conflans - Paris
Conflans - Paris- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Visit to Auvers-Sur-Oise - tour village where Van Gogh painted final masterpieces, entry to Van Gogh's room (his attic lodging), see Notre Dame de l'Assomption church, free time to explore
- Château de Chantilly - guided tour of magnificent castle built by Henri d'Orléans, view fine art collections, explore gardens, free time (Replaced with Versailles Palace and Garden on Tuesdays)
- Active walk with Musée de la Batellerie - visit Inland Water Transport Museum in Conflans-Sainte-Honorine, explore barge capital history
- Château de Malmaison - tour Napoleon Bonaparte and Josephine de Beauharnais' former residence with neoclassical architecture, museum with furniture, artwork, and personal items from Napoleonic era
Landmarks Auvers-sur-Oise Notre Dame de l'Assomption Château de Chantilly Palace of Versailles Musée de la Batellerie Château de Malmaison - Day 10
Paris
Paris- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Trendy Marais with a local Parisian - guided walking tour of Marais district covering cultures, history, architecture, arts and fashion
- Highlights of Paris city tour - coach tour visiting Eiffel Tower, Champs Élysee, Arc de Triomphe, Concorde Square, Notre-Dame Cathedral (reopened after 2019 fire)
- Opera Garnier - tour of spectacular opera house with ornately decorated rooms, grand staircases, glistening chandeliers commissioned by Emperor Napoleon III
- Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte - coach tour to château 1 hour from Paris, formal gardens that inspired Versailles with symmetrical layout
Landmarks Eiffel Tower Notre-Dame Cathedral Champs-Élysée Arc de Triomphe Concorde Square Opera Garnier Marais District Montmartre Moulin Rouge Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte - Day 11
Paris to Budapest
Paris to Budapest- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Included flight from Paris to Budapest
Landmarks Budapest - Day 12
Budapest
Budapest- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Budapest in depth - coach tour starting in Buda via Várkert Bazár, Margaret Bridge crossing to Pest, Széchenyi Square, Elizabeth Square, piano recital at Institute for the Blind
- Budapest's past and present - walking and coach tour covering communist past, life in European Union, 1956 Hungarian revolution, Jewish cultural events
- Hospital in the Rock - underground labyrinths beneath Castle District, WWII secret hospital later converted to nuclear bunker
- Guided hike of Buda - hiking tour through Buda district seeing Várkert Bazár, landscaped gardens, views over Danube River
- Hungarian culinary market tour - foodie tour visiting Grand Central Market and other locations for local delicacies and traditions
Landmarks Várkert Bazár Margaret Bridge Széchenyi Square Elizabeth Square Hospital in the Rock Grand Central Market Institute for the Blind - Day 13
Vienna
Vienna- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Scenic Enrich - Classical concert at Palais Liechtenstein featuring Strauss and Mozart with orchestra, ballet dancers, vocalists, glass of Austrian Sekt, world-famous art
Landmarks Palais Liechtenstein Vienna - Day 14
Vienna
Vienna- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Cycle to Danube Island - guided e-bike tour to recreational playground with bathing, boating, cycling, beaches, open spaces
- Excursion to Bratislava - travel to Slovakia's capital city since 1993, tour Bratislava Castle, Hlavné Námestie main square, Old Town, Old Town Hall
- Hidden Gems of Vienna - walking tour along Ringstrasse past Austrian Parliament, City Hall (Rathaus) with gothic spires, St. Stephen's Cathedral, Vienna State Opera
- Klosterneuburg Abbey guided tour and wine tasting - Austria's oldest wine estate producing wine 900 years, tour serene halls and Imperial Apartments, guided tasting in historic winery
Landmarks Danube Island Bratislava Bratislava Castle Hlavné Námestie Ringstrasse Austrian Parliament City Hall (Rathaus) St. Stephen's Cathedral Vienna State Opera Klosterneuburg Abbey - Day 15
Krems - Dürnstein
Krems - Dürnstein- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Göttweig Abbey - founded 6th century, rebuilt after 18th century fire, tour magnificent frescoes, Austria's largest Baroque staircase
- Wachau Valley wine tasting - visit local winemaker learning age-old winemaking traditions, sample delicious wines produced on site
- UNESCO Wachau Valley e-bike experience - electronic bicycle tour along Danube to Dürnstein, pass charming villages and vineyard landscapes, stops for breathtaking views
Landmarks Krems Göttweig Abbey Dürnstein Wachau Valley - Day 16
Passau
Passau- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Full day excursion to Salzburg - cross border to Austria, guided tour of art and music scene, Mozart's birthplace, Hohensalzburg Fortress, lunch at local restaurant, free time
- Full day excursion to Ceský Krumlov - travel to World Heritage-listed Czech town, explore with local guide admiring Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque architecture, lunch at local restaurant
- Highlights of Passau - walking tour of brightly coloured buildings lining waterways, visit St. Stephens Cathedral (originally built 450 AD, destroyed by fire 1662, rebuilt Baroque style)
Landmarks Passau St. Stephens Cathedral Salzburg Mozart's Birthplace Hohensalzburg Fortress Ceský Krumlov - Day 17
Regensburg
Regensburg- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Walking tour of Regensburg - guided tour on confluence of three rivers highlighting old stone bridge, Church of St James, Porta Praetoria
- Weltenburg Abbey - ferry through Danube Gorge to Bavaria's oldest monastery (founded approximately 600 AD), explore Abbey and Cloister Church, sample award-winning beer produced since 1050
- Thurn und Taxis active walking tour - walking tour to castle with guided tour, free time, learn about German noble family history (12th century origins)
- Cycle to Walhalla Memorial - cycling through Danube Valley scenery along river and countryside to Walhalla Memorial commissioned by King Ludwig I honouring notable Germans
Landmarks Regensburg Old Stone Bridge Church of St James Porta Praetoria Weltenburg Abbey Danube Gorge Thurn und Taxis Castle Walhalla Memorial - Day 18
Nuremberg
Nuremberg- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Guided tour of Nuremberg Old Town - drive to city centre passing ancient walls, walking tour to see Imperial Castle, St. Egidien's Church, market square
- World War II tour - guided tour highlighting main events during Nazi regime covering this dark period of German history visiting important WWII sites
- Nuremberg's castle and city walls - active walking tour following cobblestone streets surrounding Imperial castle, admire impressive city walls from medieval times
Landmarks Nuremberg Imperial Castle St. Egidien's Church Market Square - Day 19
Bamberg
Bamberg- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Guided tour of Bamberg Old Town - explore Europe's largest intact old town centres with stunning medieval and Baroque buildings
- Excursion to Coburg - coach to Coburg with strong British royal family ties (seat of Prince Albert), tour impressive castle overlooking city (one of Germany's largest, best-preserved forts), museum with carriages, weapons, armoury, paintings by renowned artists
Landmarks Bamberg Town Hall Bamberg Cathedral Little Venice Old Residence New Residence Coburg Coburg Castle - Day 20
Würzburg
Würzburg- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Walking tour and Würzburg Residence - tour Baroque palace surrounded by manicured gardens, view valuable paintings, tapestries, period furniture, short stroll into city for free time
- Romantic Road to Rothenburg - coach to well-preserved medieval old town along famous Romantic Road (important Middle Ages trading route), guided tour with free time to explore
Landmarks Würzburg Würzburg Residence Old Main Bridge Rothenburg - Day 21
Wertheim - Miltenberg
Wertheim - Miltenberg- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Wertheim tour and winery - orientation tour of historic Wertheim with half-timbered houses, free time, visit local winery meeting winemaker learning production process, transfer to Miltenberg
- Gamburg Castle tour - visit Gamburg for guided castle tour, private reception with Baron and Baroness, glass of sparkling wine, learn about modern aristocratic life
- Miltenberg hike - guided hike through elegant Franconian landscape hills and forests, panoramic views of Main River, ancient vineyard terraces, timeless villages
- Tastes & treasures of Miltenberg - seek out town's finest local producers (artisanal butchers, bakers, Schnapps producers), authentic taste of Franconian craftsmanship in cobblestone lanes with half-timbered houses
- Schnapps tasting - visit local schnapps distiller learning production of flavoured liqueur, enjoy tasting of multiple flavours, orientation tour of Miltenberg, free time
Landmarks Wertheim Spitze Turm Gamburg Castle Miltenberg - Day 22
Rüdesheim - Rhine Gorge - Bonn
Rüdesheim - Rhine Gorge - Bonn- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Lavish dinner)
Included Activities
- Scenic cruise through Rhine Gorge - 65-kilometre stretch featuring 40 hilltop castles and fortresses spanning 1000 years, view Lorelei statue dedicated to tragic legend
- Scenic Enrich - Lavish dinner with classical music at La Redoute recital hall in Bonn (built 1792 by last Elector of Cologne)
Optional Activities
- Siegfried's Musikkabinett Museum - introduction to weird and wonderful mechanical musical instruments with local guide, explore on own or take cable car to Niederwald Monument
- Hike & cable car - guided hike through rolling vineyards with spectacular views of countryside and Rhine River, cable car ride up to Niederwald Monument, return to town on foot
Landmarks Rüdesheim Niederwald Monument Siegfried's Musikkabinett Museum Rhine Gorge Lorelei Statue La Redoute Recital Hall Bonn - Day 23
Cologne
Cologne- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Cologne Old Town - tour historic buildings, beautiful squares, World Heritage-listed Cologne Cathedral
Landmarks Cologne Cathedral Cologne Old Town - Day 24
Amsterdam
Amsterdam- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Canal cruise - one-hour cruise along historic canals seeing picturesque sights, Golden Age mansions, grand warehouses, narrow bridges
- Walking tour of Amsterdam - explore maze of canals and bridges in city centre, guide covers history, modern lifestyle, Dutch culture, taste herring local delicacy
- Dutch countryside e-bike tour - small ferry to town outskirts for biking tour with local guide information about everyday Dutch life and bicycle culture
- Excursion to Schermerhorn & Alkmaar - visit village of Schermerhorn with authentic 16th-century windmills, travel to charming Alkmaar town with historic buildings and picturesque canals
Landmarks Amsterdam Schermerhorn Alkmaar - Day 25
Amsterdam
Amsterdam- Meals
- Breakfast
