Romantic European 20 Day tour from $3968     an Insight Vacations luxury tour

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Tour Highlights

Excellent selection of both modern & traditional hotels, ranging from the  contemporary design & facilities of the Innsbruck Hilton & Paris Sofitel Forum Rive Gauche, to the more traditional Sant Elena on the historic island of  Venice with views across the stunning Venetian Lagoon.

 Fellow Passengers

This tour appeals to the first time visitor to Europe as it gives a comprehensive  introduction to the highlights of Northern & Central Europe. But also appealing to those returning for the second time around whose first visit was in the 'Sixties',  with far less comfortable surroundings!

Highlights

The two night stays in four key cities really make a difference - time to explore & really get the feel of the place! Contrasts are superb on this tour, ranging from the low lands of Holland to the alpine splendours of Innsbruck, & from the picturesque setting of Lucerne to the glittering night-time atmosphere of Paris!

Excursions & Sights

• Visit an Amsterdam Diamond Factory and see Dam Square & the  Mint Tower
• See Cologne Cathedral
• Relax on a scenic Rhine Cruise to the Loreley  Rock
• See the castle of Neuschwanstein
• Scenic drive across the Fern Pass
• See  the Golden Roof in Innsbruck's Old Town & visit the Wilten Basilica Cross the Europa Bridge, highest in Europe, and the Brenner Pass
• Visit Verona to see the ancient  Roman Arena and Juliet's Balcony
• Cruise, with commentary, to St Mark's Square in Venice
• Watch Venetian glass-blowing Travel through the St Gotthard tunnel
• See Lucerne's Lion Monument & Chapel Bridge
• See Notre Dame & drive along the Champs Elysees to the Arc de Triomphe in Paris

Guided City Tours

In depth sightseeing tours in Paris & Salzburg

Orientation  tours in Amsterdam, Cologne, Innsbruck, Venice, Verona & 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 (ask for details)

Quality Dining

Highlight Dinner on a floating restaurant in Amsterdam Harbour

10 enhanced or buffet breakfasts and 5 three course table d'hote dinners, or buffets, plus tea or coffee

Tour Itinenray

Tour Pace

This is a leisurely paced tour with two night stays in the eight key cities, allowing ample time for sightseeing & individual exploration. The travelling  days have been well planned with plenty of stops both for refreshment & photo opportunities.

DAY 1 SUN - LONDON - BRUSSELS

We drive to Dover for our ferry over to France and make our way to medieval Bruges in Belgium. We stroll along cobbled streets and beside peaceful canals. Then it's  on to Brussels to marvel at the gilded buildings in the Grand Place and see the Mannekin Pis statue. Tonight we enjoy a Welcome Drink! Hotel: Marriott.

DAY 2 MON - BRUSSELS - AMSTERDAM

We drive to Amsterdam and pass Dam Square and the Mint tower on our way to a demonstration of diamond cutting. Then we visit the fishing village of Volendam  and learn how clogs and cheese are made before returning to Amsterdam. Hotel: Golden  Tulip Inntel Centre. (BB)

DAY 3 TUE - AMSTERDAM - WURZBURG

We journey into Germany to see Cologne's soaring cathedral. Then we continue via Bonn, to the scenic Rhine Gorge to join our highlight cruise. We glide past  vineyards and medieval castles to see the Loreley Rock. Now it's on to Wurzburg with its Marienberg fortress and statue-lined bridge. Hotel: Wittelsbacher Hoh. (BB,D)

DAY 4 WED - WURZBURG - PRAGUE

This morning we stop in Nuremberg to see the massive town ramparts before continuing east to the Czech border. Then past Pilsen, known for its beer, to the 'golden'  city of Prague. Hotel: Diplomat. (BB,D)

DAY 5 THU - PRAGUE SIGHTSEEING

Our local guide shows us the 1,000 year old Prague Castle and St Vitus' Cathedral  before we descend to the Old Town Square, with its Astronomical Clock. Later, there  is time to shop for fine Bohemian crystal. (BB)

DAY 6 FRI - PRAGUE - BUDAPEST

This morning we drive through the provinceof Moravia into Slovakia, where we stop to visit its capital city, Bratislava. After some free time to explore, we  cross the Hungarian border and follow the River Danube to Budapest. Hotel: Hilton West End. (BB)

DAY 7 SAT - BUDAPEST SIGHTSEEING

With our Budapest guide we see the murals in Matthias Church beside the Fisherman's  Bastion, which affords a grand view over the Danube and the Parliament. We see the  Royal Palace of Buda, then cross over to Pest, where we visit Heroes' Square. Now time at leisure. (BB,D)

DAY 8 SUN - BUDAPEST - VIENNA

Heading out of Budapest, we survey the bridges over the Danube from the lofty  citadel atop Gellert Hill. Then we continue on through peaceful farmland to Austria,  and our hotel in Vienna. Hotel: Hilton Vienna Plaza. (BB)

DAY 9 MON - VIENNA SIGHTSEEING

This morning a Premium Highlight visit takes us inside the fabulous Schonbrunn Palace! Later, our guided city tour shows us the Parliament, Winter Palace and Opera  House. This afternoon we are at leisure. (BB)

DAY 10 TUE - 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: Hungaria Palace. (BB,D)

DAY 11 WED - VENICE SIGHTSEEING

We cruise by private launch to St Mark's Square to see the Doges' Palace, Bridge of Sighs and St Mark's Basilica, followed by a Venetian glass-blowing demonstration.  Now we enjoy a romantic highlight gondola ride along the canals. The afternoon is at leisure. (BB)

DAY 12 THU - VENICE - ROME

Today we head south into the Apennine Mountains and on to the eternal city of  Rome. Tonight, we visit the Trevi Fountain before enjoying our highlight dinner,  with pasta, vino and musica! Hotel: Sheraton Roma. (BB,HD)

DAY 13 FRI - ROME SIGHTSEEING

Today, with our guide, we visit the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, with its vivid depiction of the Creation. We also visit St Peter's Basilica and the Colosseum, then we see the Forum. Now free time to relax or shop! (BB)

DAY 14 SAT - ROME - FLORENCE

This morning we head north into Tuscany. We drive to Piazzale Michelangelo for our first views over Florence. After a leather-work demonstration, we are at leisure to explore this beautiful city. Hotel: Sheraton. (BB,D)

DAY 15 SUN - FLORENCE SIGHTSEEING

Today, our local guide takes us to Santa Croce Basilica to see the tombs of Galileo  and Michelangelo. Then we walk to the Cathedral to see the 'Gates of Paradise' on the Baptistery and finish at Signoria Square. (BB)

DAY 16 MON - FLORENCE - LUCERNE

We head north through the scenic Italian Lake District. We glimpse Lake Como as we cross into Switzerland and enjoy magnificent mountain scenery as we travel  to lakeside Lucerne. Hotel: Astoria. (BB)

DAY 17 TUE - LUCERNE SIGHTSEEING

In Lucerne this morning we see the emotive Lion Monument, the Chapel Bridge and  the Jesuit Church. Now we are treated to an exhilarating trip by cog-wheel train  and cable car to the summit of Mount Pilatus for stunning snow-capped views of the  Alps! (BB,D)

DAY 18 WED - LUCERNE - PARIS

We leave Switzerland and skirt the Jura Mountains into the Burgundy wine region. We then continue to Paris. Hotel: Sofitel Forum Rive Gauche. (BB)

DAY 19 THU - PARIS SIGHTSEEING

Today with our local guide, we see the famous Notre Dame Cathedral before driving  along the Champs Elysees to the Arc de Triomphe. Now we ascend the Eiffel Tower, for views over the city, and we conclude with a visit to Napoleon's Tomb  in the Eglise du Dome. Now there is time at leisure. (BB)

DAY 20 FRI - PARIS - LONDON

We cross the battlefields of WWI en route to Calais, for our voyage back to Dover. A short drive brings us back to London, where our tour comes to an end. (BB)