European Whirl

The vibrant British capital where you will spend the next two nights, enjoying the pomp and pageantry of a city that effortlessly combines old and new.

Join a Local Specialist this morning for a tour to see the iconic sites of London, including Big Ben, the imposing Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey. Spend a leisurely afternoon shopping on Carnaby Street, consider visiting one of London's museums or wander along the Thames watching ambitious Londoners pound the pavements.

This morning, meet your Travel Director before traveling to London's St. Pancras International to board the Eurostar for a high-speed journey to Brussels. Continue by luxury coach to Amsterdam, where you'll enjoy an orientation tour of this historic Dutch city before joining your fellow travelers and Travel Director for a dinner cruise on the canals.

Drive through the landscapes of the Netherlands and Germany, arriving in Boppard where you'll board a cruise along the Rhine River to St. Goar, passing vineyard-clad hills and medieval castles perched above riverside towns. Arriving in the Baroque city of Heidelberg, explore its unexpected highlights before traveling to your hotel.

Crossing the Swabian Alps on the edge of the Black Forest, you'll arrive in the Bavarian capital of Munich. The orientation takes you past the Hofbrauhaus, reputedly the most famous Beerhall in the world, and the neo-Gothic Town Hall which dominates the Marienplatz. We will cross the Austrian border next, arriving in Innsbruck, the capital of the Alps. Admire the Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque architecture of the Old Town, including Emperor Maximilian's famous Golden Roof with its ornate facade and consider an evening of traditional Tyrolean entertainment.

Journey through the emerald-green landscape along the Brenner Pass into Italy and across the Dolomite Mountains to Venice. We cruise the beautiful Venetian lagoon by private launch to the gateway of Venice, St. Mark's Square. View the ornate Doge's Palace and the Bridge of Sighs, so named for the sound made by condemned prisoners as they took one last longing look at their beautiful city before meeting their fate. Enjoy a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER Experience where you'll witness the centuries-old craft of Venetian glassblowing. You'll learn how the master craftsmen shape the molten glass to make the exquisite and delicate works of art that adorn homes all over the world and perhaps be inspired to buy your own souvenir as a reminder of this special visit. There's time later to enjoy the city your way. Get lost in Venice, cross bridges and discover hidden campi where locals share their daily stories over a glass of Venetian Spritz.

Travel south across the Veneto Plain, passing Bologna and the dramatic Apennine Mountains as well as the green and golden fields of Lazio before reaching Rome, the 'Eternal City'. En route, we Connect With Locals over lunch at a Be My Guest experience and enjoy true Tuscan hospitality with a local family on their private estate in the Chianti countryside.

Our first stop today sees us discover the divine beauty of the Vatican City with a Local Specialist. We continue to Ancient Rome to view the Roman Forum, the walls of the iconic Colosseum and Circus Maximus, once the site of exhilarating chariot races centuries ago. The afternoon is yours to explore the city on your terms. Sit on the Spanish Steps savoring a tasty gelato, or shop up a storm on the trendy Via Condotti.

From Rome, we travel north through the rolling countryside of Tuscany and along the Arno valley to the 'Cradle of the Renaissance', Florence. Delve into the rich Medici heritage of this beautiful medieval city with your Local Specialist. Visit the political hub of the city, Piazza della Signoria, with its impressive sculptures and stunning palazzi. View the imposing Duomo, crowned by Brunelleschi's dome, and the Baptistery, renowned for its sculptured bronze doors.

Drive via the scenic Italian Lakes District, across the Alps into beautiful Switzerland, where we'll spend the next two nights in the medieval lakeside city of Lucerne. View the mournful, mortally wounded lion carved from rock to commemorate the Swiss Guards who lost their lives defending Louis XVI. Walk along the flower-lined 14th-century covered Chapel Bridge, crossing the river Reuss.

This morning join an exciting Optional Experience to one of the surrounding peaks for breath taking views of the Swiss countryside. We have some time later to discover the best Swiss chocolates in town.

Crossing the border into France this morning, we travel past the picturesque vineyards and country towns of Burgundy en route to the 'City of Light'. Spend some time this evening strolling along the Seine and grand boulevards in search of a cozy bistro for fine French cuisine or consider an Optional Experience to a colorful Parisian cabaret.

Join a Local Specialist today for a sightseeing tour of this romantic city. View the sophisticated Champs-lyses, Place de la Concorde, the 19th-century Arc de Triomphe, honoring those who fought for France, and Notre Dame Cathedral, then enjoy a stroll through the Latin Quarter. Our European Whirl is almost at its end, we spend the evening with fellow travelers and our Travel Director, enjoying dinner in a local bistro.

Today bid adieu to your fellow travelers and Travel Director at the end of your memorable whirlwind European journey.