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Fall in love with Europe during this 20 day romantic tour with Insight. Admire Venice, Rome, Paris and more!
Itinerary
Day 1: LONDON – BRUGES – BRUSSELS
Transfer to Dover and set sail from the white cliffs over to France. Drive into Belgium for a stop in medieval Bruges. Stroll by canals and along cobbled streets to the Main Square. Continue to Brussels to visit the Grand Place, voted Europe’s most beautiful square, and the cheeky Mannekin Pis statue. Tonight, enjoy a Welcome Reception with drink and a light meal.(Welcome Reception)
Day 2: BRUSSELS – AMSTERDAM
Drive to Amsterdam and pass Dam Square and the Mint Tower en route to a demonstration of diamond cutting. Visit the fishing village of Volendam and learn how clogs and cheese are made before returning to Amsterdam.(Buffet Breakfast)
Day 3: AMSTERDAM – WÜRZBURG
Head into Germany and continue to Boppard in the romantic Rhine Gorge. Time free to explore this quaint village before joining your Rhine river cruise past vineyards and medieval castles to the Loreley Rock. Continue on to Würzburg with its baroque Residenz Palace, Marienberg fortress and statue-lined bridge in the old town.(Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)
Day 4: WÜRZBURG – NUREMBERG – PRAGUE
Stop in Nuremberg to see the charming blend of stone and timbered dwellings and the massive town ramparts before continuing east to the Czech border. Pass the town of Pilsen, renowned for its beer, to reach the ‘golden city’ of Prague.(Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)
Day 5: PRAGUE SIGHTSEEING
Join a local guide who’ll take you through the 1,000-year-old Prague Castle to St Vitus’ Cathedral. Admire the views over the city then descend to the Old Town Square, with its Astronomical Clock. Later, there is time to shop for fine Bohemian crystal.(Buffet Breakfast)
Day 6: PRAGUE – BRATISLAVA – BUDAPEST
Drive through the wine-producing area of South Moravia into Slovakia and stop in its fortified capital, Bratislava. After free time to explore, cross into Hungary and follow the River Danube to Budapest.(Buffet Breakfast)
Day 7: BUDAPEST SIGHTSEEING
With a guide, walk through the old Castle District to visit Matthias Church and look out over the Danube and Parliament from the Fisherman’s Bastion. Then drive down elegant Andrassy boulevard to visit Heroes’ Square. The afternoon is at leisure.(Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)
Day 8: BUDAPEST – VIENNA
Survey the bridges over the Danube from Gellert Hill before heading out of Budapest. Drive to the Austrian border and on to the imperial capital of Vienna.(Buffet Breakfast)
Day 9: VIENNA SIGHTSEEING
Join a local guide for a tour of Schönbrunn Palace, full of frescoed ceilings, crystal chandeliers, mirrors and ornaments. Your guided city tour continues around the Ring Road, seeing the Parliament, Winter Palace and Opera House. The afternoon is at leisure.(Buffet Breakfast)
Day 10: VIENNA – VENICE
Drive through forested mountains down to the Carinthian Lake District. Cross the border into Italy and continue to the unique city of Venice where your hotel is only moments away from the marble saloon of St Mark’s Square. Maybe stroll there tonight for a drink under the stars - its magic!(Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)
Day 11: VENICE SIGHTSEEING
In St Mark’s Square, see the dazzling domed basilica. The Bridge of Sighs is around the back of the Doges’ Palace. After a demonstration of Venetian glass-blowing, enjoy a highlight gondola serenade along the romantic canals. The afternoon is at leisure.(Buffet Breakfast)
Day 12: VENICE – ROME
Head south into the Apennine Mountains and the peaceful landscapes of Tuscany. En route, hear an informative tutorial about the famous Chianti wines that make this region so famous. Follow the course of the Tiber to your hotel in the Eternal City of Rome.(Buffet Breakfast)
Day 13: ROME SIGHTSEEING
Join a local guide to visit the Vatican Museums and see Michelangelo’s ceiling in the Sistine Chapel. Continue inside the cavernous St Peter’s Basilica. Leave the Vatican City and cross the Tiber to visit the mighty Colosseum and see the Forum. The afternoon is at leisure.(Buffet Breakfast)
Day 14: ROME – FLORENCE
Drive north into Tuscany and Piazzale Michelangelo for panoramic views over Florence. This afternoon a local guide takes you to Santa Croce Basilica to see the tombs of Galileo and Michelangelo. Continue to the Cathedral where the ‘Gates of Paradise’ adorn the Baptistry. Visit the open-air gallery of sculpture in Signoria Square and witness a leather-work demonstration.(Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)
Day 15: FLORENCE AT LEISURE
Enjoy a whole day at leisure in the Renaissance capital. Explore the museums, have lunch al fresco or perhaps venture into the beautiful Tuscan countryside. The choice is all yours!(Buffet Breakfast)
Day 16: FLORENCE – LUCERNE
Head north through the scenic Italian Lake District, glimpsing Lake Como as you cross into Switzerland. Enjoy magnificent mountain scenery as you travel on to lake-side Lucerne.(Buffet Breakfast)
Day 17: LUCERNE SIGHTSEEING
View the emotive Lion Monument before enjoying some time shopping or strolling along the Chapel Bridge to the Jesuit Church. Embark on an excursion to the summit of Mount Pilatus for views over the snow-capped Jungfrau and Eiger peaks before returning to Lucerne. Tonight, on your Dine-Around evening you are offered a selection of restaurants for your dining pleasure.(Buffet Breakfast / Dine Around)
Day 18: LUCERNE – PARIS
Drive to Basel before crossing the Rhine to enter France. Travel through the wine-growing Burgundy region to Paris. This evening enjoy good food, wine and company at an end-of-tour Celebration Dinner in a Parisian bistro.(Buffet Breakfast / Celebration Dinner)
Day 19: PARIS SIGHTSEEING
Drive via Notre Dame Cathedral for a private tour of the Louvre Museum. See the Mona Lisa and many more priceless works amassed over the ages by the Kings of France. Sightseeing continues to Place de la Concorde for drive along the grand Champs Élysées to the Arc de Triomphe. Now survey the city from the heights of the Eiffel Tower. The afternoon is at leisure.(Buffet Breakfast)
Day 20: PARIS – LONDON
Cross the World War One battlefields of the Somme to arrive at the port of Calais for your return Channel crossing to England. The tour ends after a short drive back to London.(Buffet Breakfast) |
