Itinerary
- Day 1
Amsterdam
You'll land in Amsterdam and have the morning and early afternoon to settle in at your own pace. Later this afternoon you'll meet your Travel Director and other travelers in your group. Then you're taken on an orientation tour where you'll see the iconic 17th-century gabled facades that line the canals. If you're interested, there's a choice experience available this evening to dive into Dutch culture.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Ibis Schiphol)
Optional Activities
- Choice Experience evening to immerse yourself in Dutch culture
- Amsterdam Discovery Canal Cruise - Adults €38.00
Landmarks Amsterdam Canals 
- Day 2
Amsterdam
An orientation tour takes you past the gabled houses and countless canals of Amsterdam, showing you the greenspaces and history of the city. You can spend the day exploring on your own or choose a trip to Volendam where you'll watch cheese and clog making traditions. Later, there's an optional Dutch dinner available in a historic gable home if you're interested.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Ibis Schiphol)
Included Activities
- Orientation tour of Amsterdam
Optional Activities
- Choice Experience to Volendam
- Optional Dutch dinner in a historic gable home
- Dutch Countryside Immersion - Adults €33.00
Landmarks Amsterdam Gabled Houses Volendam - Day 3
Amsterdam to Rhine Valley, Germany
You'll head east into Germany's Rhine Valley with its medieval villages, steep vineyards, and castle-lined landscapes. The afternoon brings a leisurely river cruise through the Rhineland, winding through the valley with dinner served on board as you take in the scenery.
- Meals
- Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (NH Bingen)
Included Activities
- Leisurely river cruise through Rhine Valley
Landmarks Rhine Valley - Day 4
Rhine Valley to Lucerne, Switzerland
After traveling through Switzerland toward Lucerne, a guide takes you on a walking tour of the Old Town including the medieval Chapel Bridge that's spanned the Reuss river since the 1300s. You'll also visit the Lion Monument carved from rock, which commemorates Swiss Guards who died in 1792. The afternoon and evening are yours to explore at your own pace, or you can join an optional fondue dinner with a folklore show.
- Meals
- Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (City Brunnen)
Included Activities
- Guided stroll of Lucerne Old Town
- Visit Chapel Bridge
- Visit Lion Monument
Optional Activities
- Fondue dinner and folklore show
Landmarks Chapel Bridge Lion Monument - Day 5
Lucerne
Today you have choice experiences to explore the mountain heights and lakes around Lucerne. One option is a horse-drawn carriage ride into the countryside to a working farm. Another involves taking the world's steepest cog-wheel train up Mount Pilatus for epic views, then descending by cable car and taking a scenic lake cruise back down.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (City Brunnen)
Optional Activities
- Horse-drawn carriage ride to a local working farm
- Mount Pilatus excursion - ascending by world's steepest cog-wheel train, descending by cable car, scenic lake cruise - Adults CHF118.00
Landmarks Mount Pilatus - Day 6
Lucerne to Venice, Italy
You'll follow the St. Gotthard highway through mountain scenery into Italy and the Veneto region, heading toward Venice. Once there, you'll travel the Grand Canal by private water taxi, seeing the grand palazzi, the Rialto bridge, and St Mark's Square. There's an optional gondola ride available if you want to explore the narrow waterways.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (San Giuliano)
Included Activities
- Private water taxi cruise along Grand Canal
Optional Activities
- Gondola ride through Venice's narrow waterways - Adults €84.00
Landmarks Grand Canal Rialto Bridge St Mark's Square - Day 7
Venice
A private launch brings you to St Mark's Square where main attractions are within walking distance. You'll visit the Byzantine Basilica of St. Mark and wander through the cobbled lanes and shops. You'll also experience a glassblowing workshop where you can watch master craftsmen work, and there's an optional afternoon cruise to Burano Island with its colorful buildings.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (San Giuliano)
Included Activities
- Private launch to St Mark's Square
- Glassblowing workshop - MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience
Optional Activities
- Optional cruise to Burano Island
Landmarks St Mark's Square Basilica of St. Mark Burano Island - Day 8
Venice to Opatija to Plitvice, Croatia
You'll leave Italy and enter Croatia, starting in Opatija with its Habsburg-era villas along the coast. You can stroll the historic promenade, grab ice cream, and people watch along the water. Later you'll arrive in Plitvice, which is home to the waterfalls you'll explore tomorrow.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Big House Plitvička Jezera)
Landmarks Opatija Plitvice Lakes - Day 9
Plitvice to Dubrovnik, Croatia
A local guide takes you through UNESCO-listed Plitvice Lakes National Park on easy trails and boardwalks between the blue-green interconnecting lakes. You'll learn about the park's conservation efforts, duck into cool caves, and gaze up at waterfalls before heading to Dubrovnik later in the day.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Villas Plat)
Included Activities
- Plitvice Lakes National Park guided tour - MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience
Landmarks Plitvice Lakes National Park - Day 10
Dubrovnik, Croatia
This morning a local guide leads a sightseeing tour showing you Rector's Palace, Onofrio's Fountain, the city walls, and the limestone streets from Dubrovnik's Golden Age. Later you can explore on your own, or there's an optional sunset dinner cruise to a secluded bay where you'll see the illuminated city in the background.
- Meals
- Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Villas Plat)
Included Activities
- Locally guided sightseeing tour of Dubrovnik
Optional Activities
- Optional sunset dinner cruise to secluded bay
Landmarks Rector's Palace Onofrio's Fountain Dubrovnik City Walls - Day 11
Dubrovnik, Croatia to Kotor, Montenegro to Tirana, Albania
You'll cross three countries today. After leaving Dubrovnik, you'll stop in Kotor Old Town, Montenegro with its winding lanes, seaside views, and lunch options. Then you'll head to Tirana, Albania's capital, known for its color and creativity. The evening is yours to explore Skanderbeg Square's atmosphere, see the pyramid-turned-cultural hub, or try traditional food like byrek or baklava.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (VH Eurostar)
Landmarks Kotor Old Town Skanderbeg Square - Day 12
Tirana, Albania
You'll explore Tirana's main sights and colorful architecture, a blend of Ottoman, Fascist, and Soviet styles. You'll see the Skanderbeg Statue honoring a national hero and the Et'hem Bey Mosque. There's time to stroll through Blloku, a neighborhood that was once home to communist party members.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (VH Eurostar)
Included Activities
- Guided exploration of Tirana's architecture and landmarks
Landmarks Skanderbeg Statue Et'hem Bey Mosque Blloku Neighbourhood - Day 13
Tirana, Albania to Kalambaka, Greece
Crossing into Greece through the Plains of Thessaly, you'll reach Kalambaka. An optional tour is available to see the Meteora monasteries perched on immense rounded rock towers. These monasteries were rebuilt after World War II and contain a magnificent old Byzantine church plus several museums, including ones focused on old schoolbooks and mushrooms.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Aeton Melathron), Hotel (Aeton Melathron, Famissi Eden)
Optional Activities
- Optional tour of Meteora monasteries
Landmarks Meteora Monasteries Plains of Thessaly - Day 14
Kalambaka to Athens, Greece
Welcome to Athens, Greece's capital and once the center of the ancient world. You'll have several days to explore. Tonight you can tailor your experience with a choice experience at a taverna offering evening entertainment with dancing and drinks.
- Meals
- Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Zafolia, Novotel), Hotel (Novotel, Zafolia)
Optional Activities
- Choice Experience taverna evening with dancing and drinks
Landmarks Athens 
- Day 15
Athens to Mykonos, Greece
You'll set sail for Mykonos on a cruise. Once there, you can get lost in the cobbled lanes with their whitewashed houses and cerise bougainvillea. You'll have time for gyros, shopping, or just wandering before boarding your cruise for the next leg of your journey.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (MV Celestyal Discovery)
Landmarks Mykonos 
- Day 16
Mykonos to Ephesus, Turkey to Patmos, Greece
You'll arrive on Turkish shores for an included visit to the 10th-century remains of Ephesus. Walking down the pillar-lined Curetes Street, you'll see the Library of Celsus and the Temple of Artemis, one of the World's Seven Wonders. Your next stop is Patmos, famous as the place where the disciple John wrote the Book of Revelation.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (MV Celestyal Discovery)
Included Activities
- Visit to ancient Ephesus - 10th century remains
- Curetes Street walk
- Temple of Artemis
Landmarks Ephesus Library of Celsus Temple of Artemis Patmos - Day 17
Patmos to Crete, Greece
You'll start your morning on Crete, Greece's largest island. You can choose to tour the capital city of Heraklion and visit King Minos' Palace in Knossos to learn about Europe's first advanced civilization, or drive deep into the countryside to experience true Cretan lifestyle and traditions.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (MV Celestyal Discovery)
Optional Activities
- Epic tour to Heraklion and King Minos' Palace in Knossos
- Countryside driving tour to experience true Cretan lifestyle
Landmarks Crete Heraklion Palace of Knossos - Day 18
Crete to Athens to Rome, Italy
After exploring Athens' artistic and archaeological treasures, you'll fly to Rome. Once there, you can join a local guide to see quintessential Italian piazzas and fountains like the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon, and hidden corners of the city. The rest of your day is open to explore on your own.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Ergife Palace), Hotel (The Caesar Roma)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Rome's quintessential piazzas and fountains
Optional Activities
- Local guided exploration of Rome's iconic sites
Landmarks Trevi Fountain Pantheon - Day 19
Rome, Italy
Your local guide shows you Vatican City and takes you across the Tiber to see the Colosseum and other sights from the Roman Empire. There's a choice experience available to visit the Roman Forum where power, markets, and daily life centered during ancient times. Later you can explore on your own or enjoy an evening of Italian dishes and Roman music.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Ergife Palace), Hotel (The Caesar Roma)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Rome including Vatican City
- View of Colosseum
Optional Activities
- Choice Experience - Roman Forum visit
- Evening of Italian dishes and Roman music
Landmarks Vatican City Colosseum Roman Forum - Day 20
Rome to Florence, Italy
You'll set your sights on Florence, birthplace of the Renaissance and inspiration for countless poets, authors, and artists. You'll spend time exploring, from the Baptistery and Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore to Giotto's Bell Tower and Ponte Vecchio.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Wall Art)
Landmarks Baptistery of Florence Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore Giotto's Bell Tower Ponte Vecchio - Day 21
Florence to Pisa to French Riviera, France
You'll visit the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa and take strategic photos with this extraordinary landmark. You'll see Pisa's Romanesque Square of Miracles with its striped marble. Then you'll head west to Monaco and the glamorous French Riviera, driving past glitzy boulevards along the way.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Ibis Cannes Mandelieu)
Included Activities
- Visit to Leaning Tower of Pisa
- Square of Miracles in Pisa
Landmarks Leaning Tower of Pisa Square of Miracles Monaco - Day 22
French Riviera, France
You have the full day free on the French Riviera. Relax on a sun lounger with a cocktail, or join a choice experience to the medieval village of Saint-Paul-de-Vence. The sun-kissed promenades of Nice are waiting, and you never know what famous faces you might spot around those sleek cars and private yachts.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Ibis Cannes Mandelieu)
Optional Activities
- Choice Experience - medieval village of Saint-Paul-de-Vence
Landmarks Saint-Paul-de-Vence Nice - Day 23
French Riviera to Barcelona, Spain
The Mediterranean coastline stretches ahead as you drive along elegant boulevards. Keep your cameras ready as you take a scenic route into Spain, stopping in the eclectic city of Barcelona.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (ibis Styles Barcelona Sant Joan Despi), Hotel (Ibis Styles Barcelona Sant Joan Despi)
Landmarks Barcelona - Day 24
Barcelona, Spain
A local guide takes you along Passeig de Gracia to see Spanish Art Nouveau masterpieces by renowned architects like Antoni Gaudi. You'll see La Sagrada Familia, the waterfront, and the Columbus statue. There are optional experiences to visit Montserrat monastery, explore the Gothic Quarter lanes, or see a flamenco show with dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (ibis Styles Barcelona Sant Joan Despi), Hotel (Ibis Styles Barcelona Sant Joan Despi)
Included Activities
- Guided tour along Passeig de Gràcia
- La Sagrada Familia tour
Optional Activities
- Visit to Montserrat monastery
- Wander Gothic Quarter
- Flamenco show with dinner
Landmarks Passeig de Gràcia La Sagrada Familia Columbus Statue Montserrat Monastery Gothic Quarter - Day 25
Barcelona to Pamplona, Spain
After leaving Barcelona, you'll head west with the Pyrenees mountains to your north. You'll wind through Catalonia's vineyards, pass Zaragoza as you cross into Aragon, and reach Pamplona. You can sip a drink in one of the bars Hemingway frequented or choose an optional tapas and sangria experience.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Ibis Styles Noain), Hotel (Azz Pamplona Norte)
Optional Activities
- Optional Tapas and Sangria experience
Landmarks Pyrenees Mountains Zaragoza Ebro River Pamplona - Day 26
Pamplona to Biarritz to Bordeaux, France
You'll head to Biarritz, a glamorous seaside town on the Atlantic coast where European royals have been visiting since the 1800s. Find your favorite spot in the sun, then after some time by the sea, you'll head back into the rolling countryside of Les Landes toward Bordeaux.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Ibis Centre Mériadeck)
Landmarks Biarritz - Day 27
Bordeaux to Tours to Paris, France
You'll wind through the French countryside to Tours, gateway to the Loire Valley. The car-free center has a medieval heart with timber-framed houses and Renaissance mansions. Next you'll reach Paris. You can walk through its grand past and dynamic present, from the streets of Montmartre to the Eiffel Tower. There's an optional Seine cruise available to see the illuminated skyline at night.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Novotel Pont de Sèvres)
Optional Activities
- Seine cruise with illuminated skyline views
Landmarks Tours Loire Valley Montmartre Eiffel Tower - Day 28
Paris, France
Paris offers food, fashion, and fun at every turn. You'll capture photos by the Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe, shop on the Champs Elysees, and optionally explore Montmartre's winding streets with a local guide. You can see the city from Montparnasse's Panoramic Observation Deck or stroll through the Latin Quarter. Tonight there's an optional cabaret show with Can-Can dancers.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Novotel Pont de Sèvres)
Optional Activities
- Local guided tour of Montmartre
- Montparnasse Panoramic Observation Deck visit
- Latin Quarter exploration
- Choice Experience cabaret show with Can-Can dancers
Landmarks Eiffel Tower Arc de Triomphe Champs Élysées Montmartre Montparnasse Latin Quarter - Day 29
Paris, France
All good things come to an end. After breakfast this morning, you'll say farewell to your fellow travelers and conclude your tour.
- Meals
- Breakfast
