Itinerary
- Day 1
Amsterdam
You'll arrive in Amsterdam and meet your Travel Director along with other travelers this afternoon. The orientation tour takes you past those distinctive 17th-century gabled buildings the city's known for. If you're interested, there's a choice experience available this evening to dive into Dutch culture.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Choice Experience to explore Dutch culture
Landmarks/POIs Amsterdam Canal Houses (17th-century gabled façades) - Day 2
Amsterdam
Today focuses on Amsterdam's history and art scene. You can walk around independently to see the gabled houses and canals, or join a choice experience heading to Volendam to watch traditional cheese and clog making. Later in the day, there's an optional Dutch dinner at a historic gable home if that appeals to you.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Orientation tour of Amsterdam (gabled houses, canals, greenspaces)
Optional Activities
- Choice Experience to Volendam (cheese and clog making)
- Optional Dutch dinner in a historic gable home
Landmarks/POIs 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-dotted landscapes. A leisurely river cruise winds through the Rhineland before dinner, giving you time to take in the views.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Leisurely river cruise through Rhine Valley
Landmarks/POIs Rhine Valley - Day 4
Rhine Valley to Lucerne, Switzerland
Travel through Switzerland to Lucerne for a walk of the Old Town with your Travel Director, including the medieval Chapel Bridge. You'll visit the Lion Monument carved from rock to honor Swiss Guards. The afternoon is yours to explore the city on your own, or you can join an optional fondue dinner with a folklore show.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided stroll of Lucerne Old Town
- Visit Chapel Bridge
- Visit Lion Monument
Optional Activities
- Fondue dinner and folklore show
Landmarks/POIs Chapel Bridge (Kapellbrücke) Lion Monument - Day 5
Lucerne
Choice experiences let you explore Lucerne's mountain scenery and lakes. Either take a horse-drawn carriage ride to a working farm in the countryside, or head to Mount Pilatus where you'll ride the world's steepest cog-wheel train up and cable car down, plus a scenic lake cruise.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Choice Experience: Horse-drawn carriage ride to local working farm
- Choice Experience: Mount Pilatus - ascent by cog-wheel train, descent by cable car, scenic lake cruise
Landmarks/POIs Mount Pilatus - Day 6
Lucerne to Venice, Italy
You'll follow the St. Gotthard highway through mountain scenery into Italy's Veneto region heading toward Venice. A choice experience takes you by private water taxi along the Grand Canal to see the palazzi and Rialto bridge. An optional gondola ride through the waterways is also available.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Choice Experience: Private water taxi along Grand Canal
- Optional gondola ride through narrow waterways
Landmarks/POIs Grand Canal Rialto Bridge St Mark's Square (Piazza San Marco) - Day 7
Venice
A private launch brings you to St Mark's Square in Venice, with everything nearby on foot. You'll visit the Byzantine Basilica of St. Mark, then see a glassblowing workshop where master craftsmen work their craft on a make travel matter experience. Later, there's an optional lagoon cruise to colorful Burano Island.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Private launch to St Mark's Square
- Visit Basilica of St. Mark
- MAKE TRAVEL MATTER Experience: Glassblowing workshop with master craftsmen
Optional Activities
- Optional cruise across lagoon to Burano Island
Landmarks/POIs Basilica of St. Mark Burano Island - Day 8
Venice to Opatija to Plitvice, Croatia
You'll say goodbye to Italy and arrive in Opatija, a Croatian coastal town full of Habsburg-era villas. Stroll the historic promenade with time for ice cream or people watching. Later, you'll reach Plitvice, known for its waterfalls that you'll explore tomorrow.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Landmarks/POIs Opatija Plitvice Lakes National Park - Day 9
Plitvice to Dubrovnik, Croatia
On a make travel matter experience, you'll explore UNESCO-listed Plitvice Lakes National Park with a local guide learning about conservation efforts. Easy trails and boardwalks take you through blue-green interconnecting lakes and past waterfalls and caves before continuing to Dubrovnik.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- MAKE TRAVEL MATTER Experience: Guided tour of Plitvice Lakes National Park with Local Guide (conservation, easy trails, boardwalks, lakes, caves, waterfalls)
Landmarks/POIs Plitvice Lakes National Park - Day 10
Dubrovnik
A locally guided tour covers Dubrovnik's key sites including Rector's Palace, Onofrio's Fountain, and the city walls. You'll walk through courtyards and limestone streets from the city's Golden Age. This evening, consider an optional sunset dinner cruise to a secluded bay with Dubrovnik illuminated.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Locally Guided sightseeing tour (Rector's Palace, Onofrio's Fountain, city walls)
Optional Activities
- Optional sunset dinner cruise to secluded bay
Landmarks/POIs Rector's Palace Onofrio's Fountain Dubrovnik City Walls - Day 11
Dubrovnik to Kotor, Montenegro to Tirana, Albania
You'll cross three countries in one day, starting with Montenegro's Kotor Old Town with its winding lanes and seaside views plus time for lunch. Then you'll travel to Tirana, Albania's capital, where you can soak up Skanderbeg Square's atmosphere, check out the pyramid cultural center, or explore local food.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Landmarks/POIs Kotor Old Town Skanderbeg Square - Day 12
Tirana
Tirana's colorful architecture blends Ottoman, Fascist, and Soviet styles. You'll see the Skanderbeg Statue and the Et'hem Bey Mosque, then stroll through the Blloku neighborhood where communist party members once lived.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Exploration of Tirana's colourful architecture (Ottoman, Fascist, Soviet styles)
- Visit Skanderbeg Statue
- View Et'hem Bey Mosque
- Stroll through Blloku neighbourhood
Landmarks/POIs Skanderbeg Statue Et'hem Bey Mosque Blloku Neighbourhood - Day 13
Tirana to Kalambaka, Greece
You'll cross into Greece through the Plains of Thessaly to Kalambaka. An optional tour of the Meteora monasteries is available this afternoon, showing you these structures clinging to massive rock towers. They were rebuilt after WWII destruction and hold a Byzantine church plus museums.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Optional tour of Meteora monasteries (gravity-defying rock towers, Byzantine church, museums)
Landmarks/POIs Meteora Monasteries - Day 14
Kalambaka to Athens, Greece
Welcome to Athens, the Greek capital that once ruled the world. Start your time here with a choice experience taverna evening where you can dance and enjoy drinks with other travelers.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Choice Experience: Taverna evening with dancing and drinks
- Day 15
Athens to Mykonos, Greece
You'll board your cruise heading to Mykonos. Wander the cobbled lanes with whitewashed houses and bright bougainvillea, grab a gyros or do some shopping before boarding for the next leg.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Landmarks/POIs Mykonos - Day 16
Mykonos to Ephesus, Turkey to Patmos, Greece
You'll visit Turkey's included 10th-century remains of Ephesus, walking down the pillar-lined Curetes Street toward the Library of Celsus and viewing what's left of the Temple of Artemis. From there, it's on to Patmos, where disciple John famously wrote the Book of Revelation.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit 10th-century remains of Ephesus
- Walk Curetes Street to Library of Celsus
- View Temple of Artemis remains
Landmarks/POIs 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 and the fifth largest in the Mediterranean. Choose an epic tour to Heraklion to visit King Minos' Palace in Knossos, or drive into the countryside to experience true Cretan lifestyle.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Optional tour to Heraklion and King Minos' Palace in Knossos
- Optional countryside tour to experience Cretan lifestyle
Landmarks/POIs Palace of Knossos Heraklion - Day 18
Crete to Athens to Rome, Italy
After your morning on Crete exploring artistry and archaeology, you'll fly to Rome. Choose to see the city's quintessential piazzas and fountains with a local guide, or explore on your own hitting the Trevi Fountain and Pantheon.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Local Guide tour: Quintessential Italian piazzas and fountains (Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, hidden corners)
Landmarks/POIs Trevi Fountain Pantheon - Day 19
Rome
Your local guide takes you through Vatican City and across the Tiber to see the Colosseum and other Roman Empire sites. A choice experience option visits the Roman Forum to see the seat of power and daily life. Later, explore Rome on your own or have an evening of Italian food and Roman music.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Rome (Vatican City, Colosseum, Roman Empire sites)
Optional Activities
- Choice Experience: Visit Roman Forum (seat of power, markets, daily life)
- Optional evening: Italian dinner with Roman music
Landmarks/POIs Colosseum Roman Forum Vatican City - Day 20
Rome to Florence, Italy
Florence awaits as the birthplace of the Renaissance. You'll see the Baptistery and Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, Giotto's Bell Tower, and Ponte Vecchio with their incredible artistic legacy.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Exploration of Florence (Baptistery, Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, Giotto's Bell Tower, Ponte Vecchio)
Landmarks/POIs Baptistery of Florence Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore Giotto's Bell Tower (Campanile di Giotto) Ponte Vecchio - Day 21
Florence to Pisa to Monaco to French Riviera
Head to Pisa to photograph the Leaning Tower and admire the Romanesque Square of Miracles in striped marble. Then travel west to Monaco's glitzy boulevards before arriving on the French Riviera.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Leaning Tower of Pisa
- View Pisa's Square of Miracles
Landmarks/POIs Leaning Tower of Pisa Square of Miracles (Piazza dei Miracoli) - Day 22
French Riviera
You have a full free day on the French Riviera. Relax on a sun lounger with a cocktail if you like, or join a choice experience to the medieval village of Saint-Paul-de-Vence. The sun-kissed promenades of Nice also await with their Ferraris and private yachts.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Choice Experience: Medieval village of Saint-Paul-de-Vence
Landmarks/POIs Saint-Paul-de-Vence - Day 23
French Riviera to Barcelona, Spain
The Mediterranean coastline stretches ahead along elegant boulevards as you drive toward Spain. You'll arrive in Barcelona with its eclectic mix of old and new.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Day 24
Barcelona
A locally guided tour along Passeig de Gracia shows you Spanish Art Nouveau masterpieces by Gaudi and other architects. You'll see La Sagrada Familia and the waterfront Columbus statue. Later, choose Montserrat monastery for the Black Madonna, explore the Gothic Quarter, or end with flamenco and dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Locally guided tour: Passeig de Gràcia (Spanish Art Nouveau façades, Gaudí)
- Explore La Sagrada Familia
- Visit waterfront and Columbus statue
Optional Activities
- Choice Experience: Montserrat monastery (Black Madonna)
- Optional wandering of Gothic Quarter
- Optional flamenco show with dinner
Landmarks/POIs La Sagrada Familia Passeig de Gràcia Columbus Monument Montserrat Monastery Gothic Quarter (Barri Gòtic) - Day 25
Barcelona to Pamplona, Spain
Barcelona's behind you now as you head west through Catalonia's vineyards toward Pamplona, passing the city of Zaragoza and crossing through Aragon. There's time in one of the bars Hemingway frequented, and an optional tapas and sangria tour is available.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Optional tour: Tapas and Sangria
- Day 26
Pamplona to Biarritz to Bordeaux, France
You'll head to the glamorous seaside town of Biarritz on the Atlantic coast. Relax on a wicker chair in the sun like European royals have since the 1800s. Later, you'll travel back into the rolling countryside of Les Landes toward Bordeaux.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Landmarks/POIs Biarritz - Day 27
Bordeaux to Tours to Paris, France
You'll wind through the French countryside to Tours, the gateway to the Loire Valley with its medieval heart and Renaissance mansions. From there, Paris awaits with its grand streets, Montmartre galleries, and the Eiffel Tower. A choice experience option includes a Seine cruise seeing the illuminated skyline at night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Optional cruise on the Seine (illuminated skyline at night)
Landmarks/POIs Eiffel Tower Montmartre - Day 28
Paris
Parisians know food, fashion, and fun well. Capture photos at the Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe, shop the Champs Elysees. A local guide can take you through Montmartre like in the movie Amelie, or see the city from Montparnasse's observation deck. Tonight, a choice experience cabaret show features can-can dancers.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Exploration of Paris (Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Champs Élysées, iconic landmarks)
Optional Activities
- Optional Local Guide tour: Montmartre (Amelie movie locations, galleries, Artist's Square)
- Optional visit: Montparnasse Panoramic Observation Deck
- Optional stroll: Latin Quarter (bistros, boutiques, hidden squares)
- Choice Experience: Can-Can cabaret show
Landmarks/POIs Arc de Triomphe Champs Élysées Montparnasse Observation Deck Latin Quarter Artist's Square (Place du Tertre) - Day 29
Paris Departure
After breakfast, it's time to say goodbye to your fellow travelers and head home, taking memories from this journey through multiple countries and landscapes.
- Meals
- Breakfast
