Itinerary
- Day 1
Paris
You'll arrive in Paris and have time to settle into your hotel at your own pace. Later in the evening, you'll join your Travel Director and fellow guests for a welcome dinner at a local brasserie.
- Start point
- Paris, France (Paris)
- Meals
- Dinner (Welcome dinner at a local brasserie with Travel Director and fellow guests)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Marriott Rive Gauche, Paris)
Optional Activities
- See the Eiffel Tower
- Visit the Louvre
- Explore the Place de la Concorde
- Walk along 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 takes you around Paris starting with the Arc de Triomphe, Champs-Élysées, and Place de la Concorde. The afternoon is free to do what you want, whether that's sitting at a pavement bistro, shopping in the Marais, walking through the Tuileries Gardens, or visiting the Louvre. If you're interested, there's an optional cabaret show in the evening with dinner and live music.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Marriott Rive Gauche, Paris)
Included Activities
- Orientation tour of Paris with Travel Director including Arc de Triomphe, Champs-Élysées, and Place de la Concorde
Optional Activities
- Visit the Louvre Museum
- Explore the Tuileries Gardens
- Browse boutiques in the Marais
- Stroll through the Left Bank
- Attend a Paris cabaret with live music and dinner
Landmarks Arc de Triomphe Champs-Élysées Place de la Concorde Louvre Tuileries Gardens Mona Lisa Winged Victory of Samothrace - Day 3
Paris - Loire Valley - Bordeaux
You'll head south through the Loire Valley, a UNESCO site famous for its gardens. Stop at Château de Chenonceau, which spans across the River Cher, then continue to Bordeaux, an inland port city with distinctive 18th-century architecture.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Novotel Gare St Jean, Bordeaux)
Included Activities
- Scenic drive through Loire Valley UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Visit Château de Chenonceau
Landmarks Château de Chenonceau Loire Valley River Cher - Day 4
Bordeaux - San Sebastián
A local expert guides you through Bordeaux's 18th-century architecture, including the quayside, Grand Theatre, Triangle d'Or, and Esplanade des Quinconces. From there you'll travel to San Sebastián for a progressive dinner through the Old Town, trying pintxos and local Txakoli wine while eating with locals in this Basque tradition.
- Meals
- Dinner (Progressive dinner in the Old Town with pintxos and local Txakoli wine, dining with locals in Basque tradition)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Barceló Costa Vasca, San Sebastián)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Bordeaux with Local Expert covering facades, Grand Theatre, Triangle d'Or, and Esplanade des Quinconces
- Guided walking tour of San Sebastián Old Town
- Progressive dinner with pintxos and local Txakoli wine
Landmarks Grand Theatre Esplanade des Quinconces Plaza de la Constitución - Day 5
San Sebastián - Madrid
You'll travel through northern Spain's mountains and gorges, then across the New Castile plateau to reach Madrid. In the evening there's an optional drive along the city's grand avenues and past the fountains to see Madrid lit up at night.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Barceló Torre de Madrid)
Optional Activities
- Evening drive along grand avenues and past spectacular fountains
Landmarks Sierra de Guadarrama 
- Day 6
Madrid
A local expert shows you Madrid's historic neighborhoods and the Old Quarter. You can visit the Reina Sofía Museum with an art historian to see Picasso's Guernica, or join a neighborhood walking tour learning about social equity and women's movements in Spain.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Barceló Torre de Madrid)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of historic neighbourhoods 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 Guernica - Day 7
Madrid - Barcelona
After crossing the Castilian plain past Zaragoza, you'll arrive in Barcelona. Try local Catalan cuisine for dinner, then head up Montjuïc in the evening to see the city lights sparkling from the mountains down to the sea.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Labtwentytwo, Barcelona, Torre Melina Gran Meliá, Barcelona)
Optional Activities
- Sample local Catalan cuisine
- View the city from Montjuïc heights at night
Landmarks Montjuïc - Day 8
Barcelona
A local expert takes you to the Gothic Quarter and cathedral. From there you'll walk along the Ramblas and Passeig de Gràcia with their flamboyant Modernist buildings, then through the Eixample district to see Gaudí's 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
- View Sagrada Família
Landmarks Gothic Quarter Barcelona Cathedral Ramblas Passeig de Gràcia Eixample Sagrada Família - Day 9
Barcelona - Nice
You'll travel around the Mediterranean to the French Riviera and arrive in Nice. Walk along the Promenade des Anglais and take in the atmosphere of this cosmopolitan city, enjoying the view of the Bay of Angels.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Apollinaire, Nice)
Optional Activities
- Stroll along Promenade des Anglais
- Take in the Bay of Angels
Landmarks Bay of Angels Promenade des Anglais - Day 10
Nice - Monaco
A drive along Monaco's famous Grand Prix circuit is on the agenda. You can choose to visit the Oceanographic Museum with its 6,000 marine species, or see the Royal Palace and 19th-century Monaco Cathedral. The rest of the day is free to enjoy the French Riviera.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Apollinaire, Nice)
Included Activities
- Drive along Monaco Grand Prix circuit
Optional Activities
- Visit Oceanographic Museum of Monaco
- Visit Royal Palace of Monaco
- Visit Monaco Cathedral
Landmarks Monaco Grand Prix Circuit Oceanographic Museum of Monaco Royal Palace of Monaco Monaco Cathedral - Day 11
Monaco - Pisa - Florence
You'll cross into Italy along the Italian Riviera and arrive in Pisa. A local expert shows you the Leaning Tower, the 11th-century cathedral, and the baptistery with its marble and mosaic decorations in the Square of Miracles. Then continue through Tuscany to Florence.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Leaning Tower of Pisa with Local Expert
- See Pisa Cathedral and Baptistery
Landmarks Leaning Tower of Pisa Pisa Cathedral Pisa Baptistery Square of Miracles - Day 12
Florence
Walk with a local expert to see the marble-clad cathedral and baptistery, where Ghiberti's Gates of Paradise are on display. Visit Piazza della Signoria, the political heart of Florence with Renaissance statues like Neptune and David. The afternoon is free for shopping or more exploring.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Villa Neroli, Florence)
Included Activities
- Walking tour with Local Expert to cathedral and baptistery
- Visit Piazza della Signoria and view Renaissance masterpieces
Optional Activities
- Shop in boutiques
- Continue exploring Florence
Landmarks Florence Cathedral Florence Baptistery Gates of Paradise Piazza della Signoria Palazzo Vecchio Neptune Statue David Statue - Day 13
Florence - Rome
Relax while traveling through the Chianti hills and Umbria, then pass the Apennine Mountains to reach Rome. You'll see classic antiquities, medieval buildings, Renaissance palaces, and Baroque churches. A traditional meal at a local restaurant happens in the evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Traditional meal at a local restaurant)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Radisson Blu GHR, Rome)
Landmarks Chianti Umbria Apennine Mountains - Day 14
Rome
A local expert introduces Rome starting with Vatican State. Visit the Vatican Museums, see Michelangelo's ceiling in the Sistine Chapel, and admire his 'Pietà' and Bernini's Papal Altar at St. Peter's Basilica. The afternoon is free to shop or relax at a sidewalk café before an exclusive after-hours visit to the Basilica of Saint Praxedes with its preserved Byzantine mosaics.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Radisson Blu GHR, Rome)
Included Activities
- Guided tour with Local Expert of Vatican State and Vatican Museums
- Visit Sistine Chapel
- Visit St. Peter's Basilica
- Exclusive after-hours visit to Basilica of Saint Praxedes
Optional Activities
- Shop in trendy boutiques
- Relax at a sidewalk café
Landmarks Vatican State Vatican Museums Sistine Chapel St. Peter's Basilica Pietà Basilica of Saint Praxedes - Day 15
Rome
Rome is yours to explore at your own pace. There's an optional trip to Pompeii, the town frozen in time from 79 AD, or you can shop on the Via del Corso, Via Nazionale, or near the Spanish Steps.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Radisson Blu GHR, Rome)
Optional Activities
- Optional excursion to Pompeii
- Shop on Via del Corso
- Explore Via Nazionale
- Browse designer stores near Spanish Steps
Landmarks Pompeii Mount Vesuvius Via del Corso Via Nazionale Spanish Steps - Day 16
Rome - Venice
You'll travel through Tuscan landscapes and past Bologna into the Valley of the River Po, then arrive in Venice by boat. Enjoy a cocktail at sunset with live music from an ensemble, followed by dinner at a local restaurant.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Dinner at a local restaurant, with sunset cocktail and live serenade)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Eurostars Residenza Cannaregio, Venice)
Included Activities
- Arrival in Venice by boat
- Sunset cocktail with live serenade
Landmarks River Po Tuscany - Day 17
Venice
You'll see the Doge's Palace and Bridge of Sighs. Join an experience to watch traditional glassblowers at an arts centre. Take a private cruise to St. Mark's Square to see St. Mark's Basilica and learn about Venice'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 - Ljubljana
Leave Venice by water taxi and travel to Ljubljana, Slovenia's capital. A local expert shows you Prešeren Square with the Triple Bridge, the baroque Franciscan Church, and the Ljubljanica River banks. There's an optional experience to Lake Bled where you can ride a traditional wooden pletna boat across the turquoise glacial waters.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Exe Lev Ljubljana)
Included Activities
- Water taxi from Venice
- Guided tour with Local Expert including Prešeren Square, Triple Bridge, Franciscan Church, and Ljubljanica River banks
Optional Activities
- Visit Lake Bled with traditional wooden pletna ride
Landmarks Prešeren Square Triple Bridge Franciscan Church Ljubljanica River Lake Bled - Day 19
Ljubljana - Maribor - Vienna
You'll follow the Drava River to reach Maribor, a 700-year-old university town. Continue past Graz through Styria's forested mountains 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 there's an optional tour of Schönbrunn Palace and its formal gardens. Later a drive around Vienna's Ring Road shows the Opera House, Hofburg Imperial Residence, and Parliament. Your local expert guides you through the historic Innere Stadt. Visit a traditional Viennese café for coffee and Sachertorte, or alternatively see the Capuchins Crypt where the Habsburgs are buried.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hilton Vienna Park, Hilton Vienna Danube Waterfront)
Included Activities
- Drive around Ring Road with views of Opera House, Hofburg Imperial Residence, and Parliament
- Walking tour with Local Expert through Innere Stadt (first district and historic core)
Optional Activities
- Private tour of Schönbrunn Palace and formal gardens
- Visit traditional Viennese café for coffee and Sachertorte
- Visit Capuchins Crypt, burial place of Habsburg family
Landmarks Ring Road Vienna State Opera House Hofburg Imperial Residence Parliament Building Innere Stadt Schönbrunn Palace Capuchins Crypt Karlskirche - Day 21
Vienna - Salzburg - Innsbruck
You'll pass the Benedictine monastery of Melk before reaching Salzburg, Mozart's birthplace and home to 'The Sound of Music'. A local expert shows you Mirabell Palace's formal gardens where the 'Do, Re, Mi' scene was filmed, Residence Square, the fortress, cathedral, and Mozart's birthplace on Getreidegasse. There's an optional excursion to Eagle's Nest, then travel to Innsbruck to see the Golden Roof and Imperial Palace.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (AC, Innsbruck)
Included Activities
- Visit Melk Benedictine monastery
- Guided tour with Local Expert including Mirabell Palace gardens, Residence Square, fortress, cathedral, and Mozart's birthplace on Getreidegasse
- View Golden Roof and Imperial Palace in Innsbruck
Optional Activities
- Excursion to Eagle's Nest
Landmarks Melk Benedictine Monastery Mirabell Palace Residence Square Salzburg Fortress Salzburg Cathedral Mozart's Birthplace Getreidegasse Eagle's Nest Golden Roof Innsbruck Imperial Palace - Day 22
Innsbruck - Liechtenstein - Lucerne
You'll travel past flower-filled meadows and chalet-style villages through Liechtenstein, stopping in its capital Vaduz. Then cross into Switzerland through the mountains to lakeside Lucerne. Visit the Lion Monument carved into a limestone cliff, honoring Swiss Guards who died in 1792. Choose from several restaurants for your Dine-Around Evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Dine-Around Evening with choice from a selection of restaurants)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Astoria Lucerne)
Included Activities
- Visit Vaduz, Liechtenstein
- View Lucerne Lion Monument
- Dine-Around Evening in Lucerne
Landmarks Vaduz Vaduz Castle Lucerne Lion Monument - Day 23
Lucerne
Go up Mount Stanserhorn on a solar-powered open-top cable car to the summit for mountain views stretching to Alsace and the Black Forest. Walk scenic pathways watching for marmots, and hear a conservation talk from a Swiss ranger. Back in Lucerne, cross the covered Chapel Bridge and see the baroque Jesuit Church. The rest of the day is free for shopping.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Astoria Lucerne)
Included Activities
- Mount Stanserhorn open-top solar-powered cable car experience
- Scenic pathways with wildlife viewing opportunities
- Conservation talk by Swiss ranger
- Lucerne Chapel Bridge and Jesuit Church
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
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 - Rhineland - Amsterdam
See a famous Rhineland castle on a private estate visit and learn about these cultural monuments over wine. Continue to Amsterdam and cruise through the UNESCO canal district. See 16th and 17th-century merchant houses, churches, and the iconic Skinny Bridge. Tonight there's a celebration dinner at a local restaurant with your new friends.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Celebration Dinner at a local restaurant)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Apollo, Amsterdam)
Included Activities
- Private estate viewing of Rhineland castle with wine
- Canal cruise through Amsterdam canal district UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Views of merchant houses, gables, churches, and Skinny Bridge
- Celebration Dinner at a local restaurant
Landmarks Rhineland Castles Middle Rhine Amsterdam Canal District Magere Brug - Day 26
Amsterdam - London
In the morning you'll travel to Brussels for the high-speed Eurostar train to London. Upon arrival you'll be transferred to the Insight Vacations hotel where your trip ends.
- End point
- London, Greater London, England, United Kingdom (London)
- Meals
- Breakfast
