Itinerary
- Day 1
London to Amsterdam
You'll meet your Travel Director and head to St. Pancras Station to board the high-speed Eurostar through the Channel Tunnel to Amsterdam. After arriving, you'll enjoy a Welcome Dinner cruise along Amsterdam's tree-lined canals with dinner and wine at a local restaurant.
- Meals
- Dinner (Welcome Dinner with wine at local restaurant in Amsterdam)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hilton, Amsterdam)
Included Activities
- Eurostar train journey through Channel Tunnel from London to Amsterdam
- Canal cruise along Amsterdam's Old City waterways
- Welcome Dinner with wine at local restaurant
Landmarks St. Pancras Station Channel Tunnel 
- Day 2
Amsterdam
Start with an optional morning visit to the Van Loon Museum if you'd like. Later, you'll explore the newly refurbished Rijksmuseum with a Local Expert, where you'll see masterpieces including Rembrandt's 'Night Watch' and works by Van Gogh and Vermeer.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hilton, Amsterdam)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Rijksmuseum with Local Expert
Optional Activities
- Visit to Van Loon Museum
Landmarks Van Loon Museum Rijksmuseum - Day 3
Amsterdam to Würzburg
You'll travel through the Rhine Valley into Germany, reaching Würzburg. There you'll stroll through the Old Town down to the Alte Mainbrücke, a 16th-century bridge with sandstone statues. You'll then tour the imposing Würzburg Residenz, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its intricate decorations and lavish staterooms.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Maritim, Würzburg)
Included Activities
- Coach journey through Rhine Valley
- Stroll through Würzburg Old Town
- Visit to Alte Mainbrücke (16th century bridge)
- Guided tour of Würzburg Residenz (UNESCO World Heritage Site) with Local Expert
Landmarks Alte Mainbrücke Würzburg Residenz Marienburg Fortress - Day 4
Würzburg to Prague
Heading east takes you to Rothenburg ob der Tauber, the best-preserved medieval town on the Romantic Road. You'll continue towards the Czech border, passing through Pilsen famous for its beer, before arriving in Prague, the Golden City. An optional river cruise through the heart of the city is available in the evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (NH Collection Prague City.)
Included Activities
- Visit to Rothenburg ob der Tauber - best-preserved medieval town in Germany
- Pass through Pilsen
Optional Activities
- River cruise through Prague
Landmarks Rothenburg ob der Tauber Pilsen 
- Day 5
Prague
You'll choose between Insight Choice activities in Prague. Either explore Prague Castle courtyards and St. Vitus Cathedral, or walk through the Jewish Quarter with a Local Expert to learn about Jewish history while tasting traditional Trdelnék Czech pastry. In the afternoon, you'll visit Marienburg Fortress. The evening is yours, with an optional experience available in the Czech countryside.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (NH Collection Prague City.)
Included Activities
- Choice of two guided activities: (1) Prague Castle courtyards and St. Vitus Cathedral OR (2) Jewish Quarter walking tour with Local Expert and traditional Trdelník pastry tasting
- Visit to Marienburg Fortress - baroque palace of the Prince Bishops
Optional Activities
- Evening experience in Czech countryside
Landmarks Prague Castle St. Vitus Cathedral Jewish Quarter Marienburg Fortress 
- Day 6
Prague to Salzburg
You'll travel south through the Czech Republic and cross into Austria, arriving in Salzburg, the city of Mozart and 'The Sound of Music.' You'll explore the formal gardens of Mirabell Palace where the 'Do, Re, Mi' scene was filmed, see Residence Square with its fountain, and tour Mozart's birthplace on Getreidegasse. You'll visit the fortress and cathedral, then enjoy an authentic farm-to-table dinner featuring homemade Austrian dishes.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Farm-to-Table dining with authentic homemade Austrian dishes)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Wyndham Grand Salzburg Conference Center)
Included Activities
- Coach journey through Czech Republic to Salzburg
- Guided tour of Mirabell Palace formal gardens with Local Expert - locations from 'Sound of Music'
- Visit to Residence Square and fountain
- View of imposing fortress, immense cathedral and Mozart's birthplace on Getreidegasse
- Farm-to-Table dinner with homemade Austrian dishes
Landmarks Mirabell Palace Residence Square Salzburg Fortress Salzburg Cathedral Mozart's Birthplace - Day 7
Salzburg to Venice
After a leisurely morning in Salzburg shopping for local marzipan specialties, you can optionally visit Kehlsteinhaus for impressive alpine views. You'll travel through the Tauern Mountains and cross the Italian border to reach Venice, the romantic Queen of the Adriatic. Your hotel sits in one of Venice's quietest, most peaceful and authentic districts.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Eurostars Residenza Cannaregio, Venice)
Included Activities
- Morning in Salzburg for shopping
Optional Activities
- Visit to Kehlsteinhaus (Eagle's Nest) for alpine views
Landmarks Kehlsteinhaus (Eagle's Nest) Tauern Mountains 
- Day 8
Venice
You'll explore St. Mark's Square, seeing the Campanile and Doge's Palace connected by the Bridge of Sighs to the ancient prisons. You'll experience traditional glassblowing at an arts center as part of a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER experience. The rest of the day you'll spend at leisure exploring the small arcades or taking a cruise to the island of Burano for local specialties and wine.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Eurostars Residenza Cannaregio, Venice)
Included Activities
- Visit to St. Mark's Square - Campanile and Doge's Palace
- Tour of Bridge of Sighs
- MAKE TRAVEL MATTER Experience: traditional glassblowing demonstration at arts center
Optional Activities
- Shopping in small arcades
- Cruise to island of Burano for local specialties and wine
Landmarks St. Mark's Square Campanile di San Marco Doge's Palace Bridge of Sighs Burano - Day 9
Venice to Rome
You'll travel through the Apennine Mountains into the peaceful landscapes of Tuscany and Umbria, following the course of the Tiber River to Rome, the Eternal City. You'll settle in and enjoy dinner at a local restaurant this evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Bettoja Massimo D'Azeglio, Rome)
Included Activities
- Coach journey through Apennine Mountains, Tuscany and Umbria to Rome
- Dinner at local restaurant
Landmarks Apennine Mountains - Day 10
Rome
A morning walking tour with a Local Expert covers art, antiquity, piazzas and palaces throughout Rome. You'll toss a coin into the spectacular Trevi Fountain and visit the Pantheon, the best-preserved monument from the Roman period. Free time in Piazza Navona lets you experience the city like a Roman. This evening, you'll enjoy a private after-hours visit to the Basilica of Saint Praxedes, where the Rector welcomes you to admire 9th-century Byzantine mosaics and historic chapels.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Villa Neroli, Florence)
Included Activities
- Morning walking tour of Rome with Local Expert
- Visit to Trevi Fountain
- Visit to Pantheon - best-preserved Roman monument
- Free time in Piazza Navona
- Private after-hours visit to Basilica of Saint Praxedes with Rector welcome, featuring 9th-century Byzantine mosaics
Landmarks Trevi Fountain Pantheon Piazza Navona Basilica of Saint Praxedes - Day 11
Rome to Florence
You'll begin with a morning visit to Vatican City with a Local Expert, exploring the Vatican Museums and viewing Michelangelo's famous Sistine Chapel ceiling (note: if Vatican tickets are unavailable due to Jubilee year demand, you'll visit the Capitoline Museums instead). After, you'll travel through Umbria and Tuscany to Florence, exploring the Duomo with its Gates of Paradise, visiting Piazza della Signoria with Renaissance fountains and statues, and seeing Santa Croce Basilica.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Villa Neroli, Florence)
Included Activities
- Visit to Vatican Museums with Local Expert
- Visit to Sistine Chapel - Michelangelo's famous ceiling
- Visit to St. Peter's Basilica
- Coach journey through Umbria and Tuscany to Florence
- Guided tour of Florence Duomo with Local Expert
- Visit to Gates of Paradise at baptistery
- Visit to Piazza della Signoria
- Visit to Santa Croce Basilica
Landmarks Vatican Museums Sistine Chapel St. Peter's Basilica Capitoline Museums Florence Cathedral (Duomo) Gates of Paradise Piazza della Signoria Santa Croce Basilica - Day 12
Florence to Santa Margherita Ligure
You'll head to the Italian Riviera and UNESCO World Heritage Site Cinque Terre, one of Italy's most beautiful landscapes. With a Local Expert, you'll approach one of the fishing villages by boat (weather permitting) and appreciate the views. You'll explore the medieval quarter or enjoy the sandy beach, then continue to your resort in Santa Margherita Ligure for an authentic Italian dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Authentic Italian cuisine)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (B and B Park Hotel Suiss, Santa Margherita Ligure)
Included Activities
- Travel to Cinque Terre UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Guided tour approaching fishing village by boat with Local Expert (weather permitting)
- Exploration of medieval quarter or beach
- Coach journey to Santa Margherita Ligure
- Dinner with authentic Italian cuisine
Landmarks Cinque Terre Santa Margherita Ligure - Day 13
Santa Margherita Ligure to Lucerne
Passing Milan, you'll head north into the Italian Lake District via Lake Lugano. You'll continue into the heart of the Swiss Alps, passing through the Saint Gotthard Tunnel, one of the longest road tunnels in the world. You'll travel alongside towering mountains and rushing torrents, descending to scenic Lake Lucerne where you'll have leisure time for the rest of the afternoon.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Astoria Lucerne)
Included Activities
- Coach journey through Italian Lake District and Lake Lugano
- Passage through Saint Gotthard Tunnel
- Travel through Swiss Alps scenery to Lake Lucerne
Landmarks Lake Lugano Saint Gotthard Tunnel Lake Lucerne 
- Day 14
Lucerne
You'll explore Mount Stanserhorn on a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER Experience, riding an open-top solar-powered cable car to the summit. You'll take in pristine mountain air and see views across Alsace and the Black Forest on clear days. You'll walk scenic pathways spotting marmots and hear a conservation talk by a Swiss ranger. Back in Lucerne, you'll see the Lion Monument, stroll the covered Chapel Bridge and the baroque Jesuit Church. You'll have leisure time for shopping and choose from restaurants for a Dine-Around Evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Dine-Around Evening - choice of fine selection of restaurants)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Astoria Lucerne)
Included Activities
- MAKE TRAVEL MATTER Experience: Mount Stanserhorn exploration
- Open-top solar-powered cable car to summit
- Scenic pathways walk with conservation talk by Swiss ranger
- Visit to Lion Monument
- Stroll across Chapel Bridge
- Visit to baroque Jesuit Church
- Dine-Around Evening with multiple restaurant choices
Optional Activities
- Shopping for watches and fine chocolates
Landmarks Mount Stanserhorn Lion Monument Chapel Bridge Jesuit Church - Day 15
Lucerne to Paris
You'll journey through the rural French countryside of Burgundy, famous for its vineyards and wines, arriving in Paris, the City of Light. You'll see the impressive Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame Cathedral and the Louvre's imposing facades. You'll discover the banks of the Seine with romantic bridges, the obelisk at Place de la Concorde, and drive along the Champs-Élysées to the Arc de Triomphe. The evening is free to enjoy the lively atmosphere, including optional world-famous cabaret shows.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Le Méridien Etoile, Paris)
Included Activities
- Coach journey through Burgundy vineyards region to Paris
- Views of Eiffel Tower
- Visit to Notre-Dame Cathedral
- Views of Louvre facades
- Exploration of Seine banks and romantic bridges
- Visit to Place de la Concorde with obelisk
- Drive along Champs-Élysées to Arc de Triomphe
Optional Activities
- World-famous cabaret shows
Landmarks Eiffel Tower Notre-Dame Cathedral Louvre Seine River Place de la Concorde Champs-Élysées Arc de Triomphe - Day 16
Paris
You'll explore Paris with Insight Choice. Either discover community life in the picturesque Montorgueil pedestrianized district with its schools, food stores, heritage landmarks and theaters, or join a local food lover exploring areas where Parisians shop, sampling treats at patisseries, boulangeries and chocolatiers. In the evening, you'll enjoy refined French cuisine at the iconic restaurant L'Alsace, frequently visited by French entertainer Josephine Baker.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Refined French cuisine at iconic restaurant L'Alsace)
Included Activities
- Choice of two guided activities: (1) Montorgueil district exploration (car-free, pedestrianized neighborhood with passages couverts, Patrick Blanc's jardin vertical 'oasis d'Aboukir', Napoleonic Egyptian district) OR (2) Food lover's walk through Paris streets visiting patisseries, boulangeries and chocolatiers
- Dinner at iconic restaurant L'Alsace with refined French cuisine
Landmarks Montorgueil L'Alsace Restaurant
