Day 1 : Journey to Bruges
Leave London behind and travel 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.
Accommodation : De' Medici
Day 2 : Discover Amsterdam’s Canals Connect with Locals
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.
Accommodation : Mercure City
Day 3 : Enjoy a Scenic Cruise in the Rhineland
Travel to Germany, arriving at Boppard where we board a Rhine cruise past hilltop castles. Admire the magnificent ruined sandstone castle in Heidelberg overlooking the Neckar River en route to your Rhineland hotel where you'll dine this evening.
Accommodation : Holiday Inn Mannheim City – Hauptbahnhof
Day 4 : Admire the Black Forest and on to Lucerne
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.
Accommodation : Radisson Blu
Day 5 : Explore Lucerne
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 colourful façades or consider an exhilarating mountain and cruise Optional Experience. This evening we enjoy dinner at our hotel.
Accommodation : Radisson Blu
Day 6 : Uncover Liechtenstein and Innsbruck
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.
Accommodation : Grauer Bär
Day 7 : Take in Salzburg and on to Vienna
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.
Accommodation : NH Danube City
Day 8 : Explore Vienna’s Sights
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.
Accommodation : NH Danube City
Day 9 : Onwards to Venice
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.
Accommodation : Le Boulevard Lido
Day 10 : Discover the Floating City of Venice Make Travel Matter
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.
Accommodation : Le Boulevard Lido
Day 11 : Journey to Assisi
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.
Accommodation : Casa Leonori
Day 12 : Explore Pompeii’s Ruins on the way to Sorrento
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. We continue to the coast and the beautiful seaside resort of Sorrento where we will stay the night in our hotel.
Accommodation : Grand Cesare Augusto
Day 13 : On to the Isle of Capri and Rome
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. This evening we arrive in Rome, the 'Eternal City', where we will spend the next two nights.
Accommodation : Midas Palace
Day 14 : Uncover Ancient Rome
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 St Peter's Basilica. Cross the Tiber River into Ancient Rome to see the Roman Forum, the walls of the mighty Colosseum and enjoy views of Circus Maximus. This evening, Roman flavours and ancient ruins take centre stage as you dine at Ristorante Pancrazio, built over the ruins of the first-century BC Theatre of Pompey and located just a stone’s throw away from where the Emperor Julius Caesar is said to have been assassinated.
Accommodation : Midas Palace
Day 15 : Off to Explore Florence
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 recognised centre 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.
Accommodation : Villa Neroli
Day 16 : Enjoy Pisa, Monaco and the French Riviera
We drive to the city of Pisa and its Square of Miracles to 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.
Accommodation : Holiday Inn Nice
Day 17 : Discover Artistic Saint-Paul-de-Vence
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 café 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 specialities from the region at a local restaurant.
Accommodation : Holiday Inn Nice
Day 18 : Journey through Papal Avignon to Burgundy
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 coloured tiled roofs.
Accommodation : Mercure Centre
Day 19 : Onwards to Paris
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.
Accommodation : Evergreen Laurel
Day 20 : Explore the Sights of Paris
Join a Local Specialist soaking up the sights and sounds of one of the world's most romantic cities. See the Champs-Élysées 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.
Accommodation : Evergreen Laurel
Day 21 : Catch the Eurostar™ to London
Transfers are provided to Paris Gare du Nord station, where you'll board the Eurostar™ train to London. The journey time to London St. Pancras International is 2 hours and 20 minutes.
Accommodation : Melia White House.
Day 22 : Journey Home
Enjoy an English breakfast at the end of your holiday.