Sightseeing Highlights

Day 1: Arrive London

Keep it real on the vibrant streets of London, where old meets new and best of British icons jostle for your attention. Don’t resist the urge to hit the streets straight out of the starting gate after checking in. There’s something for everyone as you’ll come to discover exploring the capital’s culture, history and scenic spaces. Delve into London’s royal heritage, stroll along the Thames or admire treasures from across the globe in one of its museums before retiring to your neighborhood ‘local’ for a pint or two.

Day 2: London(B)

What a treat! A full free day in London to do as you please. The British capital wears its diversity with pride – an epicentre attracting people from all over the world who are helping to shape its vibrant cosmopolitan spirit. Dive right in and visit all the iconic sights and some hidden surprises, from the British Museum to the London Dungeon. When night falls, head to the bright lights of Soho or pop in to Brick Lane for a curry. You won’t be left empty handed when it comes to grabbing a plate of what London is serving up.

Day 3: London – Paris (B)

Greetings from your Travel Director this morning. For now, London bids you safe travels as you continue south through the Kent countryside to Dover and then on by ferry to Calais. Next stop is Paris, another capital that doesn’t hold back and doesn’t expect you to either. Take a walk through its grand past, dynamic present and exciting future, from the maze of streets that once nurtured great artists in Montmartre to the Eiffel Tower
Hotel: Hampton by Hilton Paris Clichy/Ibis Paris Alésia Montparnasse 14éme or similar

Day 4: Paris sightseeing and free time (B)

Audrey Hepburn described it best when she said: ‘Paris is always a good idea.’ We’re sure you’ll agree. Hit its grand boulevards on a city sightseeing tour with your Travel Director. See the Arc de Triomphe and Champs Élysées then spend the rest of the day discovering the city on your terms. Don’t resist the urge to tread in the footsteps of Picasso and Dalí and visit Montmartre this afternoon, exploring its maze of streets and Artist’s Square. There’s time to shop for artwork and savour some local specialties before considering a real highlight this evening – an optional dinner and cabaret performance.
Hotel: Hampton by Hilton Paris Clichy or similar

Day 5: Paris – Lucerne (B/D)

Journey through the idyllic French countryside before arriving in Lake Lucerne. You’ll want to put the ‘heart’ of Switzerland in your pocket and take its history, culture and epic landscapes with you.
Hotel: SwissEver Zug Swiss Quality Hotel Lucerne/Ibis Luzern Kriens or similar

Day 6: Lucerne orientation and free time (B)

Turn the page to a land of fairy-tale landscapes and medieval history. You have a full day to see the sights and explore Lucerne, starting with a morning orientation including the Chapel Bridge and the Jesuit Church. No visit to Lucerne is complete without a visit to the Lion Monument, built to commemorate the brave Swiss Guards who died defending Louis XVI during the French Revolution. You may be tempted to do some souvenir shopping, but an Optional Experience into the mountains will be hard to resist. Ascend Mount Pilatus by a cog-wheel railway then embark on a scenic lake cruise.
Hotel: SwissEver Zug Swiss Quality Hotel Lucerne/Ibis Luzern Kriens Lucerne or similar

Day 7 – Lucerne – Florence (B/D)

Your journey heads south to the Renaissance city of Florence. Soak up every detail as you admire the city skyline from Piazzale Michelangelo. There’s time to explore Piazza della Signoria, the Duomo and Giotto’s Bell Tower or shop for the bespoke Italian leather goods and fine gold jewellery for which Florence is justifiably famous. You could choose instead to join an Optional Experience revealing the Renaissance heritage of a city which attracted artists, physicists, astronomers and philosophers like Michelangelo, Machiavelli and Galileo.

Day 8: Florence – Rome (B)

Cross the Veneto plain into Tuscany, travelling through Umbria to Lazio and eventually the ‘Eternal City’. If Rome was a person, she would be confident, alluring and complex. You’ll get to know her, and her quirks, over the next two days as you continue to explore Italy. You’ll find reminders of an ancient world, a holy empire and the Renaissance around every turn. You could choose to join a Local Specialist for an optional guided stroll through Rome’s piazzas. Linger in your favourite square, or perhaps enjoy a scoop or three of the local gelato and soak up the effervescent energy of a city that knows how to enjoy life.
Hotel: Raganelli Hotel Rome or similar

Day 9: Rome sightseeing and free time (B)

You could spend a lifetime exploring Rome and just scratch the surface, but with your Local Specialist on hand you’ll dive right into the city’s heart and soul. Head to Vatican City to watch the pigeons and people tread on holy ground, then visit St. Peter’s Basilica and see Michelangelo’s priceless ‘Pietà’. Skip the long queues and choose an Optional Experience to the Vatican Museums. Continue your tour across the Tiber to the Colosseum and other ancient sites, following in the footsteps of Julius Caesar. The rest of the day is yours to explore Rome your way. Consider an optional local dinner followed by a scenic tour of the city by night.
Hotel: Raganelli Hotel Rome or similar

Day 10: Rome – Venice (B)

Journey on to Venice, which bewitches in all her Byzantine glory, softening even the hardest of hearts with her opulence. Highlights include a cruise on a private launch to St. Mark’s Square and views of the magnificent St. Mark’s Basilica and Doge’s Palace. The talents of master craftsmen are the star of the show later as you visit their glassblowing workshop, a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. There’s even time for an optional Gondola and Grand Canal cruise – grand palazzi, churches and ornate bridges line your journey.
Hotel: Hotel San Giuliano or similar

Day 11: Venice – Innsbruck (B/D)

Today you continue along the Inn Valley to the Austrian Tyrol and its capital, Innsbruck, where you can ‘ooh and aah’ at the impressive ski jump and view the famed Golden Roof, constructed from 2,657 copper tiles. Your next stop today is Munich where you can admire the Glockenspiel in the Marienplatz and the Hofbräuhaus. Admire the fascinating crystal installations and browse for precious gifts and souvenirs at the Swarovski Crystal Worlds Store. This evening, an Optional Experience could see you enjoy a lively evening of entertainment during a traditional Tyrolean evening.
Hotel: Bon Alpina Innsbruck

Day 12: Innsbruck – Munich – Rhineland (B/D)

Your first stop today is the main cultural centre of the Rhineland. Suitably inspired by its spires, you’ll board a lazy river cruise down the Rhine past terraced vineyards and fairy-tale castles.
Hotel: Achat Hotel Reilingen Walldorf

Day 13: Rhineland – Cologne – Amsterdam (B)

Your experience of a lifetime ends in the free-thinking capital of the Netherlands. Immerse yourself in Amsterdam’s gezelligheid as you soak up the buzz of the city’s canals, gabled houses and festive squares. There’s no better way to see the capital than from its waterways, so choose an Optional Experience in a glass-topped boat winding through Amsterdam’s historic canal ring.
Hotel: Ibis Schiphol Amsterdam Airport

Day 14: Depart Amsterdam (B)

Say farewell to your Travel Director and travelling companions at the end of an amazing holiday.