Itinerary
- Day 1
London to Paris
You'll meet your Travel Director and head to St. Pancras Station to board the Eurostar through the Channel Tunnel toward Paris. The afternoon is free to wander around at your own pace, so you might check out the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame, the Louvre, the Seine bridges, Place de la Concorde's obelisk, Champs-Élysées, or Arc de Triomphe. Later, you'll join your Travel Director for dinner at a local restaurant.
- Meals
- Dinner (Dinner at local restaurant in Paris)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Marriott Rive Gauche, Paris)
Included Activities
- Eurostar train journey from London to Paris via Channel Tunnel
- Dinner at local restaurant in Paris
Optional Activities
- Visit Eiffel Tower
- Visit Notre-Dame Cathedral
- Visit Louvre Museum
- Stroll along River Seine and bridges
- See Place de la Concorde obelisk
- Walk Champs-Élysées
- Visit Arc de Triomphe
Landmarks/POIs Eiffel Tower Notre-Dame Cathedral Louvre River Seine Place de la Concorde Champs-Élysées Arc de Triomphe - Day 2
Paris
Your Travel Director gives you an orientation tour of Paris, covering the Arc de Triomphe, the tree-lined Champs-Élysées, and Place de la Concorde. The afternoon is yours to spend however you like—linger at a pavement bistro, browse boutiques in the Marais, walk through Tuileries Gardens toward the Louvre, or cross to the Left Bank. An optional cabaret evening with costumes, live music, and dinner is available.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Marriott Rive Gauche, Paris)
Included Activities
- Orientation tour of Arc de Triomphe, Champs-Élysées, and Place de la Concorde
Optional Activities
- Visit café for café crème at pavement bistro
- Browse boutiques in the Marais
- Stroll Tuileries Gardens
- Visit Louvre Museum
- Explore Left Bank literary district
- Visit Paris cabaret with live music and dinner
Landmarks/POIs Arc de Triomphe Champs-Élysées Place de la Concorde Marais Tuileries Gardens Louvre Left Bank - Day 3
Paris to Bordeaux
You'll travel south through the Loire Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site called the Jardins de France. The route takes you to Château de Chenonceau, a elegant château that spans the River Cher. From there, continue to Bordeaux, an inland port with distinctive 18th-century character.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Novotel Gare St Jean, Bordeaux)
Included Activities
- Visit Château de Chenonceau
Optional Activities
- Explore Loire Valley gardens
Landmarks/POIs Château de Chenonceau Loire Valley River Cher - Day 4
Bordeaux to San Sebastián
A Local Expert guides you through Bordeaux's 18th-century architecture, including the waterfront, Grand Théâtre, Triangle d'Or, and Esplanade des Quinconces. Later you'll head to San Sebastián for a progressive dinner experience, where you'll enjoy pintxos (Basque-style small snacks) with locals in the Old Town.
- Meals
- Dinner (Progressive dinner with pintxos, dining with locals in Basque tradition, including a variety of finger food delicacies with regional flavor and Txakoli wine), Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Barceló Costa Vasca, San Sebastián)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Bordeaux with Local Expert
- Progressive dinner with pintxos in San Sebastián Old Town with locals
Landmarks/POIs Grand Théâtre Esplanade des Quinconces Old Town, San Sebastián - Day 5
San Sebastián to Madrid
You'll travel through mountain gorges and emerge onto the New Castile plateau to reach Madrid. The route passes through the Sierra de Guadarrama. In the evening, you'll take a drive along Madrid's grand avenues past spectacular fountains to see the city lit up.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Barceló Torre de Madrid)
Optional Activities
- Evening drive along grand avenues and past spectacular fountains
Landmarks/POIs Sierra de Guadarrama 
- Day 6
Madrid
Your Local Expert guides you through Madrid's historic neighborhoods, starting with the Old Quarter to discover the city's origins. You can visit the Reina Sofia Museum with an art historian to see Picasso's Guernica, or choose an alternative neighborhood walking tour focusing on social equity and women's movements in Spain.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Barceló Torre de Madrid)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of historic neighborhoods with Local Expert
- Visit Reina Sofia Museum with art historian to see Picasso's Guernica
Optional Activities
- Neighborhood walking tour discussing social equity and history of women's movements in Spain
Landmarks/POIs Reina Sofia Museum Old Quarter, Madrid - Day 7
Madrid to Barcelona
After crossing the Castilian plain past Zaragoza, you'll arrive in Barcelona. Try local Catalan cuisine in the evening, then head to Montjuïc for night views of the city from the heights, with lights sparkling from the mountains to the sea.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Labtwentytwo, Barcelona, Torre Melina Gran Meliá, Barcelona)
Optional Activities
- Local Catalan cuisine dinner
- View city from Montjuïc heights
Landmarks/POIs Montjuïc - Day 8
Barcelona
Your Local Expert shows you the Gothic Quarter and cathedral. You'll walk along the Ramblas and Passeig de Gràcia, which feature flamboyant Modernist buildings. Continue 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
- Visit Sagrada Família
Landmarks/POIs Gothic Quarter Sagrada Família Ramblas Passeig de Gràcia Eixample - Day 9
Barcelona to Nice
You'll travel around the Mediterranean to the French Riviera and arrive in Nice. From there, walk along the Promenade des Anglais and take in the atmosphere of the Côte d'Azur, one of Europe's popular cosmopolitan destinations.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Apollinaire, Nice)
Optional Activities
- Stroll Promenade des Anglais
- Explore Bay of Angels
Landmarks/POIs Bay of Angels Promenade des Anglais Côte d'Azur - Day 10
Nice
Get ready to explore the Côte d'Azur, long favored by artists and film stars. You'll take a drive along part of Monaco's Grand Prix circuit. Choose between visiting the Oceanographic Museum (with over 6,000 marine species) or the Royal Palace of Monaco and 19th-century cathedral. The rest of the day is free.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Apollinaire, Nice)
Included Activities
- Drive along Monaco's Grand Prix circuit
Optional Activities
- Visit Oceanographic Museum of Monaco
- Visit Royal Palace of Monaco
- Visit Monaco Cathedral
Landmarks/POIs Monaco Grand Prix Circuit Oceanographic Museum of Monaco Royal Palace of Monaco Monaco Cathedral - Day 11
Nice to Florence
You'll cross into Italy and follow the Italian Riviera before arriving in Pisa. At the Square of Miracles, stop to see the Leaning Tower of Pisa with a Local Expert, where Galileo reportedly conducted experiments. Also see the 11th-century cathedral and baptistery with mosaics and marble designs. Then continue through Tuscany to Florence.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Leaning Tower of Pisa with Local Expert
- Visit Pisa Cathedral
- Visit Pisa Baptistery
Landmarks/POIs Leaning Tower of Pisa Pisa Cathedral Pisa Baptistery Square of Miracles Italian Riviera Tuscany 
- Day 12
Florence
Walk with your Local Expert to the marble-clad cathedral and baptistery, where Ghiberti's Gates of Paradise have been recreated. Next is Piazza della Signoria, still the political heart of Florence with statues like Neptune and David along the Palazzo Vecchio. This afternoon you have free time to shop or explore.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Villa Neroli, Florence)
Included Activities
- Guided walk to Florence Cathedral and Baptistery with Local Expert
- Visit Piazza della Signoria with Local Expert
- View statues at Palazzo Vecchio
Optional Activities
- Shopping
- Continue exploring the city
Landmarks/POIs Florence Cathedral Baptistery of Florence Gates of Paradise Piazza della Signoria Palazzo Vecchio - Day 13
Florence to Rome
You'll relax and enjoy the landscapes of the Chianti hills and Umbria, then pass through the Apennine Mountains to reach Rome. The city has classic antiquities, medieval buildings, Renaissance palaces, and Baroque churches. In the evening, enjoy a traditional meal at a local restaurant.
- Meals
- Dinner (Traditional meal at local restaurant), Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Radisson Blu GHR, Rome)
Included Activities
- Dinner at local restaurant in Rome
Landmarks/POIs Chianti Hills Umbria Apennine Mountains - Day 14
Rome
A Local Expert introduces Rome's grandeur, starting with the Vatican State and Vatican Museums. Inside the Sistine Chapel, you'll see Michelangelo's ceiling. Next door is St. Peter's Basilica with Michelangelo's Pieta and Bernini's Papal Altar. The afternoon is free to shop or relax, followed by an exclusive after-hours visit to the Basilica of Saint Praxedes.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Radisson Blu GHR, Rome)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Vatican State with Local Expert
- Visit 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 sidewalk café
Landmarks/POIs Vatican Museums Sistine Chapel St. Peter's Basilica Basilica of Saint Praxedes - Day 15
Rome
Spend the day exploring Rome at your own pace. You can optionally visit Pompeii, the town frozen in time by Vesuvius in 79 AD, or browse boutiques on Via del Corso, Via Nazionale, or near the Spanish Steps.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Radisson Blu GHR, Rome)
Optional Activities
- Visit Pompeii
- Shop on Via del Corso
- Shop on Via Nazionale
- Shop near Spanish Steps
Landmarks/POIs Pompeii Via del Corso Via Nazionale Spanish Steps - Day 16
Rome to Venice
You'll journey through peaceful Tuscan landscapes, then descend past Bologna into the fertile Po River Valley. Arrive in Venice by boat and have a cocktail at sunset while listening to live music, followed by dinner at a local restaurant.
- Meals
- Dinner (Dinner at local restaurant in Venice), Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Eurostars Residenza Cannaregio, Venice)
Included Activities
- Sunset cocktails in Venice with live music ensemble
- Dinner at local restaurant in Venice
Landmarks/POIs Tuscany Bologna Valley of the River Po 
- Day 17
Venice
Start by admiring the Doge's Palace and the Bridge of Sighs. You'll join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER Experience watching glassblowers at a traditional arts centre, then take a private cruise to St. Mark's Square where St. Mark's Basilica showcases the city's former wealth.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Eurostars Residenza Cannaregio, Venice)
Included Activities
- Admire 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/POIs Doge's Palace Bridge of Sighs St. Mark's Square St. Mark's Basilica - Day 18
Venice to Ljubljana
Depart Venice by water taxi and head to Ljubljana. A Local Expert shows you Prešeren Square with the Triple Bridge, the baroque Franciscan Church, and the Ljubljanica River. You can optionally visit Lake Bled, riding in a traditional wooden pletna across the turquoise glacial waters to the island in the middle.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Exe Lev Ljubljana)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Ljubljana with Local Expert
- View Prešeren Square, Triple Bridge, Franciscan Church and Ljubljanica River banks
Optional Activities
- Visit Lake Bled and traditional pletna boat ride to island
Landmarks/POIs Prešeren Square Triple Bridge Franciscan Church Ljubljanica River Lake Bled - Day 19
Ljubljana to Vienna
Follow the Drava River to reach the 700-year-old university town of Maribor. Continue past Graz through Styria's forested mountains on to Vienna.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hilton Vienna Park, Hilton Vienna Danube Waterfront)
Landmarks/POIs 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 gardens. Later, take a drive around the famous Ring Road to see the capital's architectural masterpieces. Walk through Innere Stadt with a Local Expert, visiting a traditional Viennese café or the Capuchins Crypt, burial place of the Habsburgs.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hilton Vienna Park, Hilton Vienna Danube Waterfront)
Included Activities
- Drive around famous Ring Road
- Guided 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
Landmarks/POIs Schönbrunn Palace Ring Road Opera House, Vienna Hofburg Imperial Residence Parliament Building, Vienna Innere Stadt Capuchins Crypt - Day 21
Vienna to Innsbruck
Pass the Benedictine monastery of Melk before reaching Salzburg, birthplace of Mozart and the musical 'The Sound of Music'. A Local Expert shows you Mirabell Palace's gardens (where the 'Do, Re, Mi' scene was filmed), Residence Square, the fortress, the cathedral, and Mozart's birthplace on Getreidegasse. Optionally visit 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
- Visit Mirabell Palace formal gardens
- Visit Residence Square
- View fortress in Salzburg
- Visit Salzburg Cathedral
- Visit Mozart's birthplace
- Tour Golden Roof and Imperial Palace in Innsbruck
Optional Activities
- Excursion to Eagle's Nest
Landmarks/POIs Benedictine Monastery of Melk Mirabell Palace Residence Square, Salzburg Salzburg Fortress Salzburg Cathedral Mozart's Birthplace Getreidegasse Eagle's Nest Golden Roof, Innsbruck Imperial Palace, Innsbruck - Day 22
Innsbruck to Lucerne
Travel past flower-filled meadows and chalet-style villages to Liechtenstein's capital, Vaduz. Then cross into Switzerland and through mountains to Lucerne. Visit the Lion Monument carved into a limestone cliff and dedicated to Swiss Guards who died in 1792. Tonight, choose from a selection of restaurants for your Dine-Around Evening.
- Meals
- Dinner (Dine-Around Evening with choice of fine restaurants offering preferred ambience, cuisine and drinks), Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Astoria Lucerne)
Included Activities
- Visit Lion Monument in Lucerne
- Dine-Around Evening at local restaurants
Optional Activities
- Time in Vaduz, Liechtenstein
Landmarks/POIs Vaduz Vaduz Castle Lion Monument, Lucerne Swiss Alps 
- Day 23
Lucerne
You'll explore Mount Stanserhorn on a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER Experience via a solar-powered cable car to the summit. Take in the mountain air and on clear days see views toward Alsace and the Black Forest. Walk scenic pathways and hear a conservation talk by a Swiss ranger. Back in Lucerne, cross the covered Chapel Bridge and see the baroque Jesuit Church. The afternoon is free for shopping.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Astoria Lucerne)
Included Activities
- Mount Stanserhorn open-top solar-powered cable car experience
- Scenic pathways walk on Mount Stanserhorn with conservation talk by Swiss ranger
- Stroll across Chapel Bridge
- Visit Jesuit Church
Optional Activities
- Shop for watches
- Shop for chocolates
Landmarks/POIs Mount Stanserhorn Chapel Bridge, Lucerne Jesuit Church, Lucerne Alsace Black Forest - 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/POIs Rhine Valley - Day 25
Königswinter to Amsterdam
Experience a private viewing of one of the famous Rhineland castles and learn about these cultural monuments over wine. Then continue to Amsterdam and cruise through the canal district (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), seeing elegant merchant houses from the 16th and 17th centuries. Pass stunning gables and churches including the iconic Skinny Bridge. In the evening, celebrate with new friends at a Celebration Dinner.
- Meals
- Dinner (Celebration Dinner at local restaurant), Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Apollo, Amsterdam)
Included Activities
- Private estate viewing of Rhineland castle with wine
- Canal cruise through Amsterdam's UNESCO Heritage canal district
- Celebration Dinner at local restaurant
Landmarks/POIs Rhineland Castles Middle Rhine Amsterdam Canal District Magere Brug (Skinny Bridge) - Day 26
Amsterdam to London
In the morning, travel to Brussels for your high-speed Eurostar train back to London. On arrival, you'll be transferred to the Insight Vacations London hotel where your trip ends.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Eurostar train journey from Brussels to London
