European Explorer 20 Day tour from $4123     an Insight Vacations luxury tour

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Tour Highlights

Hotels

Excellent selection of mainly modern hotels like the elegant Vienna Hilton Plaza on the Ringstrasse & the contemporary Sofitel in Paris, plus the more traditional  style of the Boulevard on the Venice Lido which reflects the elegance of a bygone age.

Fellow Passengers

This tour is a tour for all needs: the comprehensive tour for the first time visitor to Europe who wants to have time to really get to know the key cities, and  the ideal returners tour as it revisits all the classic highlights.

Highlights

So many contrasting sights - from the unique landscape of the lowlands of Holland to the soaring peaks of the Alps which surround Innsbruck & Lucerne,  and the awe inspiring historic & artistic sights of Rome & Florence to the  glittering sights in Monte Carlo & Paris!

Excursions & Sights

• Visit the fishing village of Volendam
• See Amsterdam's  Mint Tower & Dam Square
• See the 'Bridge too far'
• See Cologne Cathedral
• Relax on a scenic Rhine Cruise
• Visit Heidelberg Castle's terrace for views over the town
• Visit medieval Rothenburg
• See Munich's Olympic Stadium, Hofbrauhaus & the Glockenspiel in the Marienplatz
• See the Golden Roof and Imperial Palace & visit the Wilten Basilica in Innsbruck
• See Mozart's Birthplace and walk through Salzburg's Old Town to the Cathedral Square
• Drive along Vienna's Ring Road to see the Parliament, Winter Palace & Opera House
• Cruise to St Mark's Square to see  the Doges' Palace, Bridge of Sighs & Basilica in Venice
• Visit St Peter's Basilica  in the Vatican City
• Visit the Colosseum
• See the Roman Forum
• Visit  Siena to see the black and white Cathedral & the vast Campo Square
• See the Cathedral, 'Gates of Paradise' & open-air gallery of Signoria Square in Florence
• See the  Leaning Tower of Pisa
• See the Casino & drive along Monaco's Grand Prix circuit
• Visit the hilltop town of St Paul de Vence and Cannes
• View Lucerne's Lion Monument
• See Notre Dame & drive along the Champs Elysees  to the Arc de Triomphe in Paris
• Demonstrations of diamond cutting & polishing, cheese & clog making in Holland, Venetian glass-blowing, Florentine leather-work, French perfumery

Guided City Tours

In depth sightseeing tours in Salzburg, Vienna, Rome, Florence & Paris

Orientation tours in Amsterdam, Rothenburg, Munich,Innsbruck, Venice,  Siena, Nice & Lucerne

Insight's First Class Services

• Escorted by a professional Tour Director
• Luxury air-conditioned coach with onboard toilet
• First Class hotels with all service charges, taxes and porterage
• Free Airport transfers when booking our London hotel

Quality Dining

Highlight Dinner of local cuisine, wine and entertainment  in Rome
19 enhanced or buffet breakfasts and 7 three course table d'hote dinners, or buffets, plus tea or coffee

Tour Itinerary

Tour Pace

This tour has a leisurely pace with two night stays in the eight key cities &  overnight stays in the Rhineland, Nordlingen & Innsbruck. Travelling days are well balanced with frequent stops. There is definitely time to truly explore Europe on this tour.

DAY 1 SUN - LONDON - AMSTERDAM

We travel to Dover and cross the channel to Calais. Then it's on through Belgium to Amsterdam. Tonight, we enjoy a Welcome Drink. Hotel: Sofitel. (D)

DAY 2 MON - AMSTERDAM SIGHTSEEING

Today we cross Dam Square past the Royal Palace to see diamonds being cut and  polished. Now we travel into the countryside to watch cheese and clogs being made,  before a visit to the fishing village of Volendam. (BB)

DAY 3 TUE - AMSTERDAM - RHINELAND

First to Arnhem, where we view the 'Bridge too Far' and then cross the German  border to see Cologne Cathedral. Now we join our highlight cruise on the Rhine River  past castles and vineyards, before reaching our Rhineland hotel. Hotel: Ramada  Treff Wiesbaden. (BB,D)

DAY 4 WED - RHINELAND - NORDLINGEN

This morning we visit Heidelberg's ruined castle and see the world's largest wine vat. Now on to Rothenburg, with its city walls, market place and Christmas shop. We drive along the Romantic Road to the fortified town of Nordlingen.  Hotel: NH Klosterle. (BB,D)

DAY 5 THU - NORDLINGEN - INNSBRUCK

We continue south along the Romantic Road to Munich. Here we see the Olympic Stadium and Hofbrauhaus, then visit the Marienplatz with its Glockenspiel and old  and new City Halls. Continuing to Innsbruck, we visit the Wilten Basilica and historic  Old Town, where we see the Golden Roof and Imperial Palace. A Tyrolean folklore  show is an option tonight. Hotel: Hilton. (BB,D)

DAY 6 FRI - INNSBRUCK - VIENNA

Today we make our way to Salzburg for a guided tour. We walk through the Mirabell  Gardens to admire views of the city skyline and see Mozart's Birthplace on the Getreidegasse.  Then, some free time to explore. Now we drive by Mondsee Lake and along the Danube Valley, past Melk Abbey, to Vienna. Hotel: Hilton Vienna Plaza. (BB)

DAY 7 SAT - VIENNA SIGHTSEEING

This morning we visit the fabulous State Apartments of Schonbrunn Palace.  Later, we see the Winter Palace, Parliament building, Opera House and City Hall. This afternoon is at leisure. (BB)

DAY 8 SUN - VIENNA - VENICE

Over the Semmering Pass today, then across the border into Italy. Our hotel is located in beautiful Venice, on the fashionable Lido. Hotel: Le Boulevard. (BB)

DAY 9 MON - VENICE SIGHTSEEING

Our private launch brings us to St Mark's Square to see the Doges' Palace, Bridge  of Sighs and ornate Basilica. Now a demonstration of Venetian glass-blowing before a highlight gondola ride along the canals. Now time at leisure. Perhaps try a seafood  lunch?(BB)

DAY 10 TUE - VENICE - ROME

Across the Apennine Mountains we go, into the Tuscan Hills, and on to Rome. Tonight, we visit Trevi Fountain before enjoying our highlight dinner, with pasta, vino and  musica! Hotel: Sheraton Roma. (BB,HD)

DAY 11 WED - ROME SIGHTSEEING

A local guide reveals Michelangelo's 'Pieta' inside St Peter's Basilica. Then  we cross the River Tiber to visit the massive Colosseum and we look out over the Roman Forum. Later, perhaps visit the Catacombs? (BB)

DAY 12 THU - ROME - FLORENCE

Today we visit Siena, where we see the cathedral and vast Campo square, scene  of the festive Palio horse race. Now on through the Chianti vineyards to our hotel,  where we have dinner tonight. Hotel: Diplomat. (BB,D)

DAY 13 FRI - FLORENCE SIGHTSEEING

With a local guide we visit the Statue of David in the Academy Gallery. Then we see the Cathedral, Piazza Signoria, and Santa Croce Church. After a leatherwork  demonstration there's time to continue sightseeing. (BB)

DAY 14 SAT - FLORENCE - NICE

We lend our support to the Leaning Tower of Pisa, before following the Italian Riviera coast to France. We stop in Monaco to see its harbour, Monte Carlo Casino  and drive along the Grand Prix circuit, before continuing to elegant Nice. Hotel: Massena.  (BB)

DAY 15 SUN - ST PAUL DE VENCE & CANNES EXCURSION

This morning we visit the medieval town of St Paul de Vence, perched high on the hilltop, then on to fashionable Cannes, home of the film festival. The rest  of the day is at leisure to explore the French Riviera. (BB)

DAY 16 MON - NICE - LUCERNE

First we visit a local French perfumery, then we pass through the Italian Lake District en route to the Swiss Alps and lovely lakeside Lucerne. Hotel: Astoria.  (BB)

DAY 17 TUE - LUCERNE SIGHTSEEING

We experience the trip of a lifetime this morning by ascending Mount Pilatus by cog-wheel railway, for 360 degrees views over the Swiss Alps! Later, back in Lucerne we see the Lion Monument, Jesuit Church and Chapel Bridge, before some free  time to shop. (BB,D)

DAY 18 WED - LUCERNE - PARIS

We cross the French border at Basel and continue through the wine growing district of Burgundy to glittering Paris. Hotel: Sofitel Forum Rive Gauche.  (BB)

DAY 19 THU - PARIS SIGHTSEEING

With a local guide we see Notre Dame Cathedral and then drive along the elegant  Champs Elysees to the Arc de Triomphe. Now we ascend the Eiffel Tower,  before visiting Napoleon's Tomb. (BB)

DAY 20 FRI - PARIS - LONDON

We travel through the battlefields of the First World War to Calais, then over the Channel to Dover and continue to London, where our tour ends. (BB)