Itinerary
- Day 1
Amsterdam
You'll arrive in Amsterdam and have the day to yourself for walking around this canal-filled city at your own pace. This evening, join your Travel Director and other travelers for a Welcome Dinner cruise along the tree-lined canals in the Old City, where wine will be served at a local restaurant.
- Meals
- Dinner (Welcome Dinner with wine at local restaurant in heart of Amsterdam, served during canal cruise)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hilton, Amsterdam)
Included Activities
- Welcome Dinner cruise along Amsterdam canals with wine at local restaurant
- Cruise along waterways discovering architectural gems including 17th Century Golden Age mansions
Landmarks Amsterdam Old City - Day 2
Amsterdam to Heidelberg
Head through the Rhine Valley, passing small villages and castles perched on hillsides while learning about the legend of Lorelei Rock. After that, follow the Neckar River to Heidelberg and visit Heidelberg Castle with a Local Expert who'll fill in the details about this significant site.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Marriott, Heidelberg)
Included Activities
- Orientation in Heidelberg with Travel Director exploring one of Germany's most enchanting cities
- Visit to Heidelberg Castle including massive Heidelberg Tun (1591), Apothecary Museum, and panoramic views of Heidelberg and Neckar Valley
Landmarks Rhine Valley Lorelei Rock Heidelberg Castle Neckar Valley 
- Day 3
Heidelberg to Innsbruck
Travel north through the Black Forest toward the Bavarian Alps. Stop to see Hohenschwangau and Neuschwanstein Castle (said to have inspired Disney's castle). Then cross into Austria and reach Innsbruck for a tour of the Imperial Palace, the Golden Roof, and 14th-century houses in the Old Town.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (AC, Innsbruck)
Included Activities
- Orientation in Innsbruck with Travel Director including stroll through picturesque Old Town
- Tour of Innsbruck's architectural jewels: Imperial Palace, Golden Roof, and 14th century houses of the Old Town
Optional Activities
- Tyrolean Evening & Dinner featuring dancers in national costume, yodelling and traditional Tyrolean entertainment with drinks included - EUR 67.00
Landmarks Black Forest Bavarian Alps Hohenschwangau Castle Neuschwanstein Castle Innsbruck Old Town Imperial Palace, Innsbruck Golden Roof, Innsbruck 
- Day 4
Innsbruck to Venice
Cross into Italy and drive through the Dolomites mountains. You'll stop at a local family winery in Conegliano Veneto to see how prosecco is made and taste these sparkling wines. Then continue to Venice for dinner with wine in the evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Dinner with wine in Venice)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Indigo - Sant'Elena, Venice)
Included Activities
- Visit to local family winery in Veneto with prosecco tasting and meeting the vignerons to learn prosecco production
- Dinner with wine in Venice
Optional Activities
- Gondolas and the Grand Canal - scenic cruise by private water taxi along Venice's Grand Canal viewing palazzi and Rialto Bridge, followed by gondola ride through narrow waterways - EUR 70.00
- Hidden Venice - walk through lesser known quarters with Local Expert exploring back lanes and small squares with local history - EUR 34.00
- Burano Excursion & Meal - private cruise around Venetian lagoon islands to Burano with superb meal sampling local specialities and wine included - EUR 72.00
Landmarks Dolomites Conegliano Veneto Venice 
- Day 5
Venice
See traditional glassblowing at a workshop today, then take a private cruise to St. Mark's Square to see St. Mark's Basilica, the Doge's Palace, and the Bridge of Sighs. After that, the rest of the day is yours to explore Venice however you'd like.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Indigo - Sant'Elena, Venice)
Included Activities
- MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience: Visit traditional glassblowing workshop to witness skill of glassblowers creating delicate works of art using rare traditional practices from 15th century
- Private cruise to St. Mark's Square viewing St. Mark's Basilica, Doge's Palace, and Bridge of Sighs with Travel Director
Optional Activities
- Cruise Venetian lagoon to island of Burano for meal of local specialties and wine
Landmarks Traditional Glassblowing Workshop, Venice St. Mark's Square St. Mark's Basilica Doge's Palace Bridge of Sighs Burano Island - Day 6
Venice to Rome
Drive through the Apennine Mountains into Tuscany and Umbria, following the Tiber River toward Rome. Visit the Basilica of Saint Praxedes for a private after-hours tour of Byzantine mosaics and Bernini's first sculpture, specially lit for your visit. Finish with an authentic home-cooked dinner hosted by a Roman.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Authentic home-cooked Italian meal at home of Roman local experiencing Italian hospitality with food and family central to Italian way of life)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Room 007 Select, Rome)
Included Activities
- Private after-hours visit to Basilica of Saint Praxedes with exclusive access to world's best-preserved Byzantine mosaics, illuminated for visit, and Bernini's first sculpture, welcomed by Rector of basilica
- Dinner experience in home of Roman local to experience authentic Italian hospitality and home-cooked meal
Optional Activities
- Piazzas & Fountains - guided walk through cobblestoned streets with Local Expert including Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, Piazza Navona, and Bernini's Fountain of Four Rivers - EUR 33.00
- Roman Dinner Party - evening of delicious Roman cuisine with drinks and Italian ambiance - EUR 62.00
Landmarks Apennine Mountains Tuscany Umbria Tiber River Basilica of Saint Praxedes Trevi Fountain Pantheon Piazza Navona Fountain of Four Rivers - Day 7
Rome
During your two nights in Rome, a Local Expert takes you through the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel frescoes, then to St. Peter's Basilica. In the afternoon, head across the Tiber to see the Colosseum before having free time to explore on your own.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Room 007 Select, Rome)
Included Activities
- Tour of Vatican Museums with Local Expert
- Tour of Sistine Chapel frescoes with Local Expert
- Tour of St. Peter's Basilica
- Exterior visit to Colosseum - discover history, construction and legends of iconic Colosseum with stroll around this amazing structure
Optional Activities
- Guided Visit to the Colosseum - step back in time with Local Expert to explore Roman Empire history including Arch of Constantine with priority reserved entrance and tales of gladiatorial combat - EUR 53.00. Note: Subject to availability, involves reservations and entrance prepayments. 50% cancellation fee if cancelled.
Landmarks Vatican Museums Sistine Chapel St. Peter's Basilica Colosseum Arch of Constantine 
- Day 8
Rome to Florence
Head north through the Chianti Hills to Florence. A Local Expert shows you the Duomo and baptistery with its famous Gates of Paradise, then Piazza della Signoria with its fountains and statues. Spend the afternoon shopping for gold and leather, then have dinner at a local trattoria in the city center.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Traditional Bistecca alla Fiorentina dinner at local trattoria in heart of Florence)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (NH Firenze, Florence)
Included Activities
- Tour with Local Expert to Duomo including Gates of Paradise at baptistery
- Visit to Piazza della Signoria, political heart of the city
- Tour of area around Santa Croce Basilica famous for quality of luxury goods
- Authentic dinner at local trattoria in heart of Florence
Optional Activities
- Jewels of the Renaissance - priority reserved entry into Accademia Gallery with Local Expert to view Renaissance masterpieces including 15th & 16th Century Florentine paintings and Michelangelo's David, unfinished Prisoners, and other works - EUR 47.00. Note: Involves reservations and entrance prepayments. 50% cancellation fee if cancelled.
Landmarks Chianti Hills Florence Duomo Gates of Paradise, Florence Piazza della Signoria Santa Croce Basilica Accademia Gallery, Florence Michelangelo's David 
- Day 9
Florence to Italian Lakes
Travel north past Milan into the Italian Lake District where the Alps meet subtropical plants. You'll have the afternoon free to relax or take optional activities like a cruise to Isola Bella. In the evening, choose from hand-picked local restaurants for dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Dine-Around Evening - choice of dining experience from selection of hand-picked local restaurants, each offering unique cuisine and ambience)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Simplon, Baveno)
Optional Activities
- Cruise to lovely Isola Bella for guided tour of incredible palace and stunning Botanical Gardens - EUR 45.00
Landmarks Milan Lombardy Italian Lake District Isola Bella 
- Day 10
Italian Lakes to Lucerne
Ride an open-top solar-powered cable car up Mount Stanserhorn for mountain air and views toward Alsace and the Black Forest on clear days. Walk scenic trails and spot marmots, with an optional talk from a Swiss ranger about conservation. Then head to lakeside Lucerne with the afternoon at leisure.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Astoria, Lucerne)
Included Activities
- MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience: Mount Stanserhorn panoramic open-top cable car powered by solar energy to summit with spectacular views
- Walk along beautiful scenic pathways on Mount Stanserhorn keeping an eye out for marmots and native animals
- Conservation talk by Swiss ranger about local wildlife and flora
Optional Activities
- Cruise on Lake Lucerne to enjoy dramatic vistas
Landmarks Mount Stanserhorn Alsace Black Forest Lake Lucerne Lucerne 
- Day 11
Lucerne
See the Lion Monument carved into limestone cliffs as a memorial to Swiss Guards, then stroll across the Chapel Bridge to the ornate Jesuit Church. Most of the day is free for shopping traditional chocolate and watches in the car-free Old Town or exploring the countryside with optional activities.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Astoria, Lucerne)
Included Activities
- See the Lion Monument carved into limestone cliff, memorial to heroic Swiss Guards
- Stroll across Chapel Bridge to see ornate Jesuit Church
Optional Activities
- Horse-drawn carriage ride through countryside to meet local farmers - CHF 67.00
- Lake Lucerne Cruise and Drinks - gentle cruise on Lake Lucerne to see spectacular homes on scenic shores with two drinks served during trip - CHF 49.00
Landmarks Lion Monument, Lucerne Chapel Bridge, Lucerne Jesuit Church, Lucerne Lucerne Old Town - Day 12
Lucerne to Paris
Drive through rural Alsace and Burgundy regions known for vineyards, arriving in Paris. You'll see the Eiffel Tower, walk along the Seine banks with its bridges, view Place de la Concorde, and drive the Champs-Élysées toward the Arc de Triomphe. The evening is free, with world-famous cabarets available.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Marriott Rive Gauche, Paris)
Included Activities
- See impressive Eiffel Tower
- Discover banks of the Seine with many romantic bridges
- See obelisk in center of Place de la Concorde
- Drive along Champs-Élysées to Arc de Triomphe
Optional Activities
- Seine Cruise and Illuminations - specially-designed sightseeing boat cruise along Seine beneath famous bridges appreciating Left and Right Banks, Île de la Cité and St Louis, followed by illuminations tour with Champs-Élysées and Eiffel Tower lit in glory - EUR 38.00
- Moulin Rouge Cabaret and Dinner - dinner and cabaret including wine and champagne at world-famous Moulin Rouge with 60 dancers and entertainers and over 1000 costumes - EUR 165.00
- Montmartre Village & Artists Square - discover bohemian quarter of Montmartre with Local Expert including Place du Tertre historic haunt of Toulouse Lautrec, Picasso, and Utrillo with option to browse original art or have street artist capture your likeness, close to Sacré-Coeur Basilica views - EUR 37.00
- Nouvelle Eve Dinner and Cabaret - one of oldest and most elegant revue theatres with meeting Director and two cast members before four-course dinner with wine and world-famous Can-Can entertainment - EUR 139.00
Landmarks Alsace Burgundy Eiffel Tower Seine River Place de la Concorde Champs-Élysées Arc de Triomphe Île de la Cité St Louis Island Moulin Rouge Montmartre Place du Tertre Sacré-Coeur Basilica Nouvelle Eve - Day 13
Paris
Choose your own experience today: explore Montorgueil to see how locals live, or join a food enthusiast on a walk through Paris neighborhoods where residents shop, sampling local treats at small shops. Later, have dinner at the historic La Coupole restaurant with fellow travelers.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Dinner at historic restaurant La Coupole with French cuisine and delicious wine)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Marriott Rive Gauche, Paris)
Included Activities
- Insight Choice - Option 1: Explore community life in picturesque Montorgueil district
- Insight Choice - Option 2: Walk with food lover through areas where Parisians go about daily lives exploring small shops and sampling local treats and delicacies
- Dinner at historic restaurant La Coupole with French cuisine and delicious wine
Landmarks Montorgueil District La Coupole - Day 14
Paris to Departure
Say goodbye to your traveling companions as your journey ends. Transfers will take you to Charles de Gaulle Airport for your departure.
Landmarks Charles de Gaulle Airport
