Grand European

The bright lights of London are your launchpad to a grand adventure through Europe. Broaden your horizons and explore the culture and heritage of the British capital or spend your day relaxing after your journey.

Join a Local Specialist this morning to see the iconic sights of London. From Big Ben and the imposing Houses of Parliament that stand alongside the Thames, to regal Buckingham Palace at the end of the grand Mall. Spend the day exploring London's bustling city streets, relax in one of the beautiful Royal Parks or visit one of the captivating museums and galleries for which the city is so famous.

Leave London behind and travel by Eurostar to medieval Bruges. Meet your Local Specialist to explore its canals, lined with centuries-old gabled houses before joining your Travel Director and travel companions for dinner and drinks in beautiful surrounds.

Journey through the Dutch countryside to captivating Amsterdam, see the city's iconic sights from the comfort of a canal boat. At this evening's dinner, we'll Connect With Locals during a Be My Guest experience at the Pauw family dairy farm.

Travel to Germany, arriving at Boppard where you'll board a Rhine cruise past hilltop castles. Admire the magnificent ruined sandstone castle in Heidelberg overlooking the Neckar River en route to your hotel where you'll dine this evening.

Journey through romantic Black Forest landscapes today tales of the Brothers Grimm are your constant companion as you continue through southwest Germany to the Swiss border. See the mighty Rhine Falls plunging dramatically near the town of Schaffhausen before arriving in the medieval city of Lucerne, your home for the next two nights.

See Lucerne's poignant Lion Monument this morning. The mournful mortally wounded lion hewn from sandstone provides a sombre reminder of the brave Swiss Guards who lost their lives defending Louis XVI during the French Revolution. Venture to the flower-lined 14th-century wooden Chapel Bridge, explore Old Town's colorful faades or consider an exhilarating mountain and cruise Optional Experience. This evening we enjoy dinner at our hotel.

Our love affair with the Rhine continues today as we travel to the tiny Principality of Liechtenstein and see its capital, Vaduz, before crossing into Austria. Follow the scenic Arlberg Pass through the Tyrol to Innsbruck, the capital of the Alps where you will see the ornate Golden Roof during an orientation tour. Admire the fascinating crystal installations and browse for precious gifts and souvenirs at the Swarovski Crystal Worlds Store.

Salzburg's extraordinary natural beauty has inspired musical greats and epic films. Join a Local Specialist on a guided walking tour of the city that gave birth to Mozart, featuring locations that music and movie lovers will remember from the famous film, 'The Sound of Music'. This evening, we arrive in the beautiful Baroque city of Vienna, our home for the next two nights.

Join a Local Specialist on a sightseeing tour of one of Europe's most elegant capitals. View the State Opera House, the City Hall, Parliament, the Imperial Boulevards and the Hofburg, the former imperial palace for the Habsburg dynasty. Spend the evening soaking up the melodic charm of what has become the world's music capital, celebrating the talents of old masters and modern icons at open-air concerts, palaces and expansive stages.

Driving through the scenic Austrian Lake District, we cross the Italian border and journey through the Veneto Plains to the Byzantine city of Venice where we'll spend the next two nights.

Today, embark on a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER Experience where you'll Dive Into Culture and witness the centuries-old Venetian tradition of glassblowing, which has been handed down through the generations. The master craftsmen will share how they use the same techniques their forefathers did to create the delicate art adorning homes all around the world. You may be tempted to buy one of the works for your own hope, recognising that through your visit you've had a hand in helping preserve this important cultural heritage of the city. Navigate the bustling waterways by private launch to the gateway of Venice, St. Mark's Square where we tread in the footsteps of Casanova and Marco Polo and admire the sights and sounds of the 'Queen of the Adriatic'. See the ornate Doge's Palace and the Bridge of Sighs. This afternoon is yours to get lost in Venice. Explore the labyrinthine calle in search of the best Venice Spritz in town, watch the sun set over the Grand Canal or consider a cruise to the Island of Burano for a delicious meal.

Journey south to the mystical town of Assisi, where St. Francis was born and laid to rest. Here you'll stroll through the city's streets in the company of a Local Specialist and have an opportunity to visit the Basilica of St. Francis. See the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels and enjoy dinner at your hotel tonight.

Pass the site of the bloody World War II battle of Monte Cassino en route to the Bay of Naples and the lost city of Pompeii where you'll join a Local Specialist who will share the story of this remarkable ancient Roman settlement that was buried in ash following the eruption of Mount Vesuvius.

Cross the enchanting blue water of the Bay of Naples to the Isle of Capri and ascend to Capri by funicular railway where you will join a Local Specialist for a guided walking tour of the town. Spend a leisurely afternoon soaking up la dolce vita in the piazza before sailing back to the mainland. Later, you arrive in Rome, the 'Eternal City', where we will spend the next two nights.

Delve into the delights of Rome with a Local Specialist who will take you on a sightseeing tour. Enjoy sights of the Vatican City, see pilgrims from across the world and visit the Vatican Museums and marvel at Michelangelo's frescoes in the Sistine Chapel. Cross the Tiber River into Ancient Rome to see the Roman Forum, the walls of the mighty Colosseum and enjoy views of Circus Maximus. Delight in the atmosphere of Rome this evening on an Optional Experience relaxing over dinner.

Journey north to Florence where you'll join a Local Specialist for an included walking tour to the Piazza della Signoria, the political hub of this once free republic that became a recognized center for art, architecture and culture. See the beautiful marble Duomo and Baptistery with its famous bronze doors, and the picturesque Ponte Vecchio which straddles the Arno. Learn about the quality and workmanship of one of this city's historic industries at a demonstration of Florentine leathercraft. Spend the rest of the day at your leisure admiring the work of great masters in the Uffizi Gallery, climbing the stone steps to Piazzale Michelangelo for iconic views, or relaxing in the Boboli Gardens.

Explore the city of Pisa and its Square of Miracles, see the famous Leaning Tower which bears this city's name. From Italy to the sun-kissed landscapes of the French Riviera, we stop in the sophisticated Principality of Monaco before continuing to the French Riviera, our home for the next two nights. Enjoy an orientation drive along the scenic Promenade des Anglais, which for centuries has attracted sun-worshipping aristocrats to its shores, and see Place Massena before spending the evening at leisure.

Rub shoulders with artists and actors in the medieval hilltop town of Saint-Paul-de-Vence before enjoying an afternoon at leisure in the French Riviera to indulge in the laid-back seaside atmosphere. Wander along the scenic promenade and embrace cafe culture on the tranquil shores of the Mediterranean, stroll through the chic city streets shopping at the French Riviera's fashionable boutiques or relax on the beach watching the sun set. Or perhaps join an Optional Experience to see spectacular views of one of the most beautiful coastlines in Europe and pay an aromatic visit to the historic Fragonard perfumery to learn how French fragrances are crafted before trying some specialties from the region at a local restaurant.

Travel north to the Papal city of Avignon, an important pilgrimage site. Stop for views of the magnificent Papal Palace and famous Pont d'Avignon before arriving in the capital of the Burgundy wine-producing region, Beaune. Explore the ancient walls and the Old Town, see its characteristic geometrically colored tiled roofs.

Travel north through the vineyards of Burgundy to Paris, your home for the next two nights. The 'City of Lights' shines brightly as you explore its grand boulevards, amble along the Seine or embrace the pageantry of a traditional Parisian cabaret.

Join a Local Specialist soaking up the sights and sounds of one of the world's most romantic cities. See the Champs-lyses and the Eiffel Tower. View Notre Dame Cathedral and enjoy a stroll through the Latin Quarter. Enjoy a free afternoon exploring the city, then conclude the day with an unforgettable dining experience at a local restaurant.

Today, bid farewell to your fellow travelers and Travel Director at the end of your holiday.