Itinerary
- Day 1
Rome to Venice
Your tour leader meets you in Rome, then you'll travel to Venice by train or coach. Once you arrive in the floating city built across 118 islands, you have the afternoon and evening free to wander around on your own. Grab lunch at a local spot, catch St. Mark's Square, or just explore the narrow streets and canals at your own pace.
Optional Activities
- Evening in Venice excursion - water taxi and gondola ride with included dinner
Landmarks/POIs St. Mark's Square - Day 2
Venice to Munich
Head north through the Brenner Pass into Austria with beautiful mountain views along the way. You'll stop in Innsbruck for a quick orientation tour and time to check out the Swarovski Crystal store if that interests you. Later you'll arrive in Munich for another orientation covering Bavaria's capital, then sit down to a three-course dinner at a historic restaurant before heading to your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Three-course dinner at a historic local restaurant in Munich)
Included Activities
- Orientation tour of Innsbruck
- Orientation tour of Munich
- Three-course dinner at a historic local restaurant in Munich
Optional Activities
- Visit Swarovski Crystal store in Innsbruck
Landmarks/POIs Brenner Pass Innsbruck - Day 3
Rhine Valley
Travel to the Rhine Valley where you'll board an included riverboat cruise. The boat moves past vineyards, small villages, and castles along the river. After you dock and head back to land, there's a stop at a local winery where you can taste different wines, including the chance to try eiswein, a sweet ice wine made from frozen grapes.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Included riverboat cruise along the Rhine River
- Wine tasting at a local winery in the Rhine Valley
Landmarks/POIs Rhine River - Day 4
Amsterdam
Journey into the Netherlands to see the Riekermolen windmill and watch a demonstration of how they make cheese and wooden clogs in the Dutch countryside. From there you'll head to Amsterdam and check into your hotel, then take an evening canal cruise through the city's waterways. The day ends with dinner at a local restaurant with your group.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Dinner at a local restaurant)
Included Activities
- Visit to Riekermolen windmill
- Included demonstration of cheese and clog making in the Dutch countryside
- Evening canal cruise in Amsterdam
- Dinner at a local restaurant in Amsterdam
Landmarks/POIs Riekermolen - Day 5
Amsterdam to Paris
Travel to Belgium and walk around the medieval city of Ghent, where you can pick up chocolate or Belgian waffles to snack on. Later you'll drive to Paris for a tour showing you famous sites like the Arc de Triomphe and Eiffel Tower from the coach. You'll finish the evening with a group dinner at a local restaurant.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Included group dinner)
Included Activities
- Driving tour of Paris landmarks including Arc de Triomphe and Eiffel Tower
- Included group dinner in Paris
Optional Activities
- Chocolate or traditional Belgian waffle tasting in Ghent
Landmarks/POIs Arc de Triomphe Eiffel Tower - Day 6
Paris
This is your free day in Paris to do what you want. If you prefer structured activities, join the optional Paris Like Locals excursion for macaron tastings, a perfume museum, shopping at Galeries Lafayette, and a Latin Quarter tour. In the evening, you can catch a cabaret show or head to Montmartre to check out the bohemian vibe, or do both.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Paris Like Locals excursion - includes macaron tasting, perfume museum, Galeries Lafayette, and Latin Quarter tour
- Cabaret show in Paris
- Explore Montmartre neighbourhood
Landmarks/POIs Galeries Lafayette Latin Quarter Montmartre - Day 7
Paris to Swiss Alps
Leave Paris and head to Burgundy, stopping in the walled town of Beaune where you can taste local wines and wander around town. Later you'll cross into Switzerland and arrive in the Swiss Alps for a two-night stay. After checking in, you'll have an included dinner with the group to settle in.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Wine tasting in Beaune, Burgundy
- Scenic Swiss mountain drive
- Included group dinner
Optional Activities
- Lunch in Beaune
- Explore Beaune town
Landmarks/POIs Beaune - Day 8
Swiss Alps
You have the full day free in the Swiss Alps. The optional Jungfraujoch journey takes you to Europe's highest train station at 11,333 feet with year-round snow and an ice palace to explore. If that's not your style, walk around local Swiss villages and pick up souvenirs, or just take scenic hikes. Later you can join an optional traditional Swiss fondue dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Jungfraujoch excursion - Europe's highest train station with ice palace and sweeping views
- Shopping for souvenirs in local Swiss villages
- Scenic walks in the Swiss Alps
- Traditional Swiss fondue dinner
Landmarks/POIs Jungfraujoch - Day 9
Swiss Alps to Tuscany
Enjoy one last morning viewing the Swiss Alps before traveling into Italy. You'll stop at Lake Como where the water is crystal clear and surrounded by mountains and charming villages. Grab lunch here and soak in the scenery, then continue to Montecatini Terme in Tuscany and check into your hotel for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit to Lake Como
Optional Activities
- Evening in Montecatini optional excursion - exquisite Tuscan meal
- Explore Montecatini Terme town
Landmarks/POIs Lake Como - Day 10
Pisa to Florence to Rome
Start by visiting the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the famous UNESCO site that tilts at an angle. Move on to Florence for a walking tour with a local guide who'll show you around and point out spots like Ponte Vecchio. You'll visit a shop featuring traditional Tuscan leather and gold work. Free time in Florence lets you explore more or join an optional family-style Tuscan lunch. Later you'll head back to Rome for a group dinner at your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Included group dinner at hotel)
Included Activities
- Visit to Leaning Tower of Pisa
- Walking tour of Florence with local guide including Ponte Vecchio
- Visit to local leather and gold shop in Florence
- Included group dinner at hotel in Rome
Optional Activities
- Optional family-style Tuscan lunch in Florence
Landmarks/POIs Leaning Tower of Pisa Ponte Vecchio - Day 11
Rome
Spend your free day exploring Rome however you'd like. Optional excursions include the Colosseum and Roman Forum where you'll learn about gladiators and emperors, or the Vatican museums if you prefer. The Eternal Rome excursion combines both sites. In the evening, join the Trastevere optional excursion for food and culture in that historic neighborhood, or just explore on your own.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Locally guided tour of Colosseum and Roman Forum
- Vatican museums tour
- Eternal Rome optional excursion - Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Vatican museums
- Evening in Trastevere optional excursion - culinary and cultural exploration
Landmarks/POIs Colosseum Roman Forum Vatican Museums Trastevere - Day 12
Rome
Your tour ends after breakfast. Trade contact information with the people you've met on this trip and join the tour's Facebook group to stay connected and share photos from your adventures.
- Meals
- Breakfast
