European Explorer 2013
23 days with
Insight Vacations
Rating: 
800-680-2858
800-680-2858
Itinerary
Day 1 - DEPART USA
Board your overnight flight (not included).
Day 2 - ARRIVE LONDON
Welcome to London! After checking in to your hotel, perhaps take a stroll to Buckingham Palace.
Day 3 - LONDON SIGHTSEEING
Your half day sightseeing tour of London’s West End shows you Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, Trafalgar Square and Buckingham Palace. The afternoon is at leisure. (Full Breakfast)
Day 4 - LONDON – AMSTERDAM
Cross the channel to Calais and continue through Belgium into the Netherlands. On arrival in Amsterdam enjoy a Welcome Reception with drink and a light meal. (Continental Breakfast / Welcome Reception)
Day 5 - AMSTERDAM SIGHTSEEING
Cross Dam Square and pass the Royal Palace to see diamonds being cut and polished. Later, choose between an afternoon at leisure to visit the Rijksmuseum or the Anne Frank House, or join us on an included drive through typical Dutch countryside to Volendam. (Buffet Breakfast)
Day 6 - AMSTERDAM – RHINE CRUISE – MAINZ
Head past Arnhem famed for its ‘Bridge Too Far’. Stop in the wine village of Boppard which was founded by the Romans, before joining a highlight cruise on the finest stretch of the Rhine before reaching your Mainz hotel. (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)
Day 7 - MAINZ – ROTHENBURG – WÜRZBURG
Walk through Heidelberg’s Old Town and see the castle before travelling to medieval Rothenburg. Admire the old houses, towers and gateways dating from the 14C. Tonight, in one of Europe’s most beautiful castle hotels, you are treated to regional cuisine, wine and warm-hearted hospitality. (Buffet Breakfast / Highlight Dinner)
Day 8 - WÜRZBURG – MUNICH – SALZBURG
South along the Romantic Road to Munich where an orientation tour shows you the Olympic Stadium, Town Hall and Marienplatz. Enjoy free time for a Bavarian beer before arriving in Salzburg, city of Mozart. (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)
Day 9 - SALZBURG – VIENNA
Walk through the Mirabell Gardens on your guided city tour. Enjoy fine views of the Hohensalzburg Fortress before viewing Mozart’s birthplace on the Getreidegasse and the Cathedral in the old town. After some time to explore, continue past Mondsee Lake and along the Danube Valley to Vienna. (Buffet Breakfast)
Day 10 - VIENNA SIGHTSEEING
Visit the State Apartments of Schönbrunn Palace, Maria Theresa’s summer palace. On a guided city tour, see the Winter Palace, Parliament and Opera House along the Ring Road. (Buffet Breakfast)
Day 11 - VIENNA – VENICE
Cross the Semmering Pass and continue south past enchanting lakes and wooded countryside. Travel through the Carinthian Lake District into Italy. Follow mountain valleys down to the Veneto Plain on your way to your hotel on the Venice Lido. (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)
Day 12 - VENICE SIGHTSEEING
Cruise to St.Mark’s Square and alight to see the Bridge of Sighs which connects the Doges’ Palace to the prisons. In the square, see the bell tower and the beautiful mosaics of St. Mark’s Basilica. After a demonstration of Venetian glass blowing, board a gondola for a serenade through the romantic canals accompanied by musicians. The afternoon is at leisure. (Buffet Breakfast)
Day 13 - VENICE – ROME
Cross the Apennine Mountains into the Tuscan Hills. En route, hear an informative tutorial about the famous Chianti wines that make this region so famous. Continue along the course of the Tiber to the ‘Eternal City’ of Rome. (Buffet Breakfast)
Day 14 - ROME SIGHTSEEING
With your local guide, visit the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel. Next door, tour St Peter’s Basilica, seeing Michelangelo’s Pieta. Cross the Tiber to visit the Colosseum and see the Forum. There is time in the afternoon to relax or explore. (Buffet Breakfast)
Day 15 - ROME – FLORENCE
Classic Tuscan scenery surrounds you on your way to Florence. With a local guide, visit the Academy Gallery to admire Michelangelo’s Statue of David. Then view the Cathedral, Gates of Paradise, Giotto’s Campanile, the open air gallery of Piazza Signoria, and Santa Croce Basilica. After a leatherwork demonstration, there’s time at leisure to explore or shop. (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)
Day 16 - FLORENCE AT LEISURE
A whole day to explore this glorious city, treasure-house of the Italian Renaissance. (Buffet Breakfast)
Day 17 - FLORENCE – PISA – MONACO – NICE
Lend your support to the Leaning Tower of Pisa before following the Italian Riviera coast to France. Stop in Monaco to see its harbour, Monte Carlo Casino and drive along part of the Grand Prix circuit before continuing to elegant Nice. (Buffet Breakfast)
Day 18 - NICE AT LEISURE
Enjoy a whole day at leisure on the Cote d’Azur. Stroll along the Promenade des Anglais, or try the refreshing local rosé wine and an original salade nicoise in the Old Town. (Buffet Breakfast)
Day 19 - NICE – LUCERNE
Visit a French perfumery in the village of Eze before passing through the Italian Lake District en route to Switzerland. See stunning Swiss Alpine scenery on the way to lovely lake side Lucerne. (Buffet Breakfast)
Day 20 - LUCERNE SIGHTSEEING
Ascend by cog-wheel railway to the summit of Mount Pilatus for stunning 360 degree views of the Swiss Alps. Later, back in Lucerne, see the emotive Lion Monument, Jesuit Church and Chapel Bridge before spending your free time shopping or relaxing. Tonight, enjoy a selection of ambience and local cuisine offered on your Dine-Around evening. (Buffet Breakfast / Dine Around)
Day 21 - LUCERNE – PARIS
Cross the French border at Basel and continue through Alsace farmlands to the Burgundy wine region. Your destination is the glittering French capital of Paris. This evening enjoy good food, wine and company at an end-of-tour Celebration Dinner in a Parisian bistro. (Buffet Breakfast / Celebration Dinner)
Day 22 - PARIS SIGHTSEEING
Drive via Notre Dame Cathedral for a private tour of the Louvre Museum. See the Mona Lisa and many more priceless works amassed over the ages by the Kings of France. Sightseeing continues to Place de la Concorde for drive along the grand Champs Élysées to the Arc de Triomphe. Now survey the city from the heights of the Eiffel Tower. The afternoon is at leisure. (Buffet Breakfast)
Day 23 - RETURN TO USA
After breakfast, your departure transfer will arrive at Charles de Gaulle Airport at 08:00. Also available on most departures is a complimentary transfer back to London's Park Plaza Victoria Hotel where you can extend your stay with extra nights. To book this version of the tour please contact reservations. (Buffet Breakfast)
800-680-2858
800-680-2858
Map
800-680-2858
800-680-2858
All This Included
-
A Welcome Reception with light meal (WR)
-
Regional Highlight Dinner at your Wurzburg castle hotel (HD)
-
Dine-Around evening at your own choice of restaurant from our selection in Lucerne (DA)
-
Enjoy an end-of-tour Celebration Dinner with wine in a Parisian restaurant (CD)
-
1 Continental breakfast & 20 Buffet Breakfasts (BB), 4 three-course table d’hôte dinners, or Buffets, plus tea or coffee (D)
-
Escorted by a professional Tour Director
-
Headsets for all guided visits and walking tours
-
Enjoy the unique comfort of Insight’s Luxury air-conditioned 40 seat coach with extended leg room and on-board restroom
-
Insight Hotels include all service charges, taxes and porterage
-
Insight Traveller Welcome pack
-
London Airport transfer service available
800-680-2858
800-680-2858
Highlights
-
Amsterdam: See Dam Square, the Royal Palace and Mint Tower. Visit the fishing village of Volendam. Witness diamond cutting and demonstrations of clog and cheese-making.
-
Boppard: Embark on a Rhine cruise past vineyards and castles.
-
Heidelberg: Walk through the old town and see the castle.
-
Rothenburg: Admire the old houses, towers and gateways.
-
Munich: See the Town Hall in the Marienplatz.
-
Salzburg: Walk through the Mirabell Gardens with a guide, see Mozart’s Birthplace and the Cathedral.
-
Vienna: Visit Schönbrunn Palace with a local guide. See the Parliament, Winter Palace and Opera House.
-
Venice: See the Doges’ Palace, Bridge of Sighs and St Mark’s Basilica. Enjoy a gondola serenade along the atmospheric canals. Venetian glass-blowing demonstration.
-
Rome: Visit the Vatican Museums and St Peters Basilica in the Vatican City. Visit the Colosseum and overlook the Forum.
-
Florence: Visit the Statue of David in the Academy Gallery. View the Cathedral, ‘Gates of Paradise’ and Piazza Signoria. Traditional Florence leather-work demonstration
-
Pisa: See the famous Leaning Tower.
-
Monaco: Visit to the playground of the rich and famous.
-
Lucerne: See Chapel Bridge, Lion Monument & Jesuit Church.Cog-wheel train and cable-car ride to the top of Mount Pilatus.
-
Paris: Visit to the Louvre Museum. See Notre Dame Cathedral, the Place de la Concorde, Opera House, Champs Elysées, Arc de Triomphe. Ascend the Eiffel Tower for views over the city.
-
London: See Westminster Abbey, Big Ben and Buckingham Palace on your London sightseeing tour
800-680-2858
800-680-2858
Accommodations
London: Park Plaza Victoria
Amsterdam: Mövenpick City Centre
Mainz: Hilton
Wurzburg: Schloss Steinburg
Vienna: Hilton Vienna Plaza
Venice: Quattro Fontane
Rome: Romanico Palace
Florence: Londra
Nice: Radisson Blu
Lucerne: Astoria
Paris: Marriott Rive Gauche
800-680-2858
800-680-2858
Notes
-
Prices, itineraries and tour content are based on selected tours featured in Insight's 2012 Europe & Britain brochure. Items such as, but not limited to, hotels, meals, sightseeing inclusions, tour itineraries, transfers and transportation are all subject to change. The final composition of your tour will be published in Insight's 2013 Europe & Britain brochure. By paying your deposit, you are agreeing to accept the finalized version of your tour itinerary.
-
2013 departures are subject to itinerary and price modification. Details will be available in fall 2012.
-
Please ask your Vacations To Go travel counselor for more information.
800-680-2858
800-680-2858
Terms and Conditions
For Insight Vacations
terms and conditions, please click here.
*
The prices shown are U.S. dollars per person, based on double occupancy, and subject to availability. Prices quoted for land/cruise arrangements are subject to increase without notice. Once we have received your deposit, land/cruise prices are guaranteed. Air prices quoted via phone or email are subject to increase and are guaranteed only from the time that full payment is received. Also, air prices or air promotions mentioned on this site or on the phone do not include baggage fees imposed by airlines.
|
