Journey on a mesmerizing two-week Europe tour, traversing from London to Paris via Rome, with breathtaking views of the Rhine, Tuscany, and the French Riviera. Witness the iconic highlights of Amsterdam, Venice, and Paris, and delve into centuries of papal history in Rome and Avignon. Cruise down the majestic Rhine River, creating unforgettable memories with newfound friends. Immerse yourself in the diverse landscapes and cultural wonders of Europe on this 14-day adventure, ensuring you don't miss a moment of the continent's charm and allure.
Includes
15 Day Costaver Guided Holiday
14 Nights accommodation at cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
14 Breakfasts, 4 Dinners
Transport by luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries
An expert Travel Director and professional Driver
Audio Headsets provided throughout your holiday to enhance your included sightseeing experiences
City orientation tours
All hotel service charges and tips, baggage handling fees and local taxes
Variety of Optional Experiences
Included sightseeing
In Amsterdam, see the historic city centre
In Venice, cruise by private boat to St. Mark's Square and visit a traditional glassblowing workshop
In Paris, view the Champs-Élysées, Arc de Triomphe and Eiffel Tower on your sightseeing tour
Cruise the romantic Rhine Valley and much more!
Excludes
Flights
Arrival/ departure transfers
Visas
Travel Insurance
Spending money and items of a personal nature
Extras
On occasion, hotels of similar standard and location may be utilised
Choice of Optional Experiences available at an additional cost
Highlights
14 Nights in cherry-picked hotels
18 Meals
City orientation tours
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive Amsterdam
Amsterdam wears its warmth with pride, and it is this gezelligheid you’ll come to remember long after you visit this leafy Dutch city. But first, journey south from London with your Travel Director and fellow travel companions, through the Kent countryside to Dover. Here you’ll board your ferry to Calais, then wind your way through the flat expanses of Belgium and the Netherlands, reaching Amsterdam this afternoon.
Hotel - Ibis Schiphol Amsterdam Airport
Day 2: Amsterdam Orientation
It won’t take long to fall in love with the Dutch capital. Your orientation tour will take you through the city’s historic centre, then perhaps join an Optional Experience to Volendam where the Dutch traditions of cheese and clog making take centre stage or on an optional cruise through the city's canals.
Hotel - Ibis Schiphol Amsterdam Airport
Included Meals - Breakfast
Day 3: Amsterdam – Rhine Cruise – Rhineland
You won't want to blink as you head east into the lush landscapes of Germany and you'd be forgiven for wanting to jump ship and stay forever as you cruise down the Rhine River. With medieval villages, steep vineyards and storybook castles, the Rhine Valley has enchanted painters and writers for centuries. See it in all its glory as you board a leisurely river cruise on one of the best sightseeing tours in Europe, winding your way through romantic Rhineland landscapes.
Hotel - NH Hirschberg
Included Meals - Breakfast, Dinner
Day 4: Rhineland – Lucerne Region
Slice through the heart of Switzerland bound for Lucerne on your very own 'Grand Tour' of Europe. Take a step back in time when you join your Travel Director for an orientation tour, exploring the Old Town, the ancient wooden Chapel Bridge and Lion Monument. The mournful, mortally wounded lion hewn from rock commemorates the sacrifice made by the Swiss Guards who died defending Louis XVI during the French Revolution. This afternoon, you’ll have some time to explore the city your way, perhaps with some retail therapy. You could choose to ascend to the alpine heavens instead, joining an optional scenic cruise across Lake Lucerne to Stans, then travelling by railway and cable car up into the mountains for exhilarating mountain views.
Hotel - SwissEver Zug Swiss Quality Hotel Lucerne
Included Meals - Breakfast, Dinner
Day 5: Lucerne Region – Venice (Oriago)
You'll touch the sky when you follow the St. Gotthard highway, winding past epic mountain scenery south to Chiasso, on the border of Italy. Cross the border and continue past Italy's enchanting Lake District and the Veneto Plains to the 'Queen of the Adriatic', Venice. You'll have some time to explore on your own or perhaps admire the beauty of Venice from its maze of canals. Join an Optional Experience to cruise by private water taxi along Venice's Grand Canal and board a gondola, watching life unfold along the city's narrow calle and magical waterways.
Hotel - LH Hotel Sirio Venice
Included Meals - Breakfast, Dinner
Day 6: Venice Orientation And Free Time
Cruise by private launch to St. Mark's Square. All the main attractions are within walking distance of the Piazza so you'll have easy access to view the famous Byzantine Basilica of St. Mark. Watch talented master craftsmen at work, engaged in the same craft as their ancestors from centuries ago. Witness them crafting the beautiful glass creations that are characteristic of Venice. This afternoon, consider taking an optional cruise across the lagoon to colourful Burano Island.
Hotel - LH Hotel Sirio Venice
Included Meals - Breakfast
Day 7: Venice – Rome
This Europe value tour just keeps getting better and today the 'Eternal City' beckons as you cross the Apennines through Tuscany to Rome. There's time to hit the streets on your own or go for a leisurely stroll to one of the city's thronging piazzas for a spot of people watching. Or consider joining an optional guided sightseeing tour of Rome. Whatever you choose, it’s all about embracing life lived the Italian way – to the fullest.
Accommodation: Raganelli Hotel Rome
Included Meals - Breakfast
Day 8: Rome Sightseeing And Free Time
Meet your Local Specialist for a guided sightseeing tour that begins in the Vatican City. The dome of St. Peter's Basilica looms over the expansive St. Peter's Square - the impressive backdrop for time spent learning about the world's smallest country. Consider an Optional Experience that will reveal the artistry and heritage of the famous Sistine Chapel and Vatican Museums. See Michelangelo's mournful Pietà up close then continue to Ancient Rome, to view the mighty Colosseum, followed by some time to explore on your own. Perhaps join an optional light-hearted meal in the evening, revealing all the flavours that would make any Italian mamma proud.
Accommodation: Raganelli Hotel Rome
Included Meals - Breakfast
Day 9: Rome – Florence
Set your sights firmly on Florence, the birthplace of the Renaissance and a city that has inspired poets, authors and artists for centuries. There are few cities in the world with an artistic legacy equal to that of Florence and now's your chance to experience it in all its glory. Head to Piazzale Michelangelo and see Florence’s signature skyline, then spend your time exploring the city, from the Baptistery and Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore to Giotto’s Bell Tower and Ponte Vecchio. Delve into Florence’s Renaissance heritage by seeing Piazza Santa Croce and its famous church. Later, you can spend a lovely evening in the Tuscan hills by joining an Optional Experience dinner.
Accommodation: Starhotels Vespucci Florence
Included Meals - Breakfast
Day 10: Florence – Pisa – Monaco – French Riviera
If you’ve always dreamed of visiting that famous leaning tower, we’ll take you to snap a few strategic photos featuring you and the extraordinary Leaning Tower of Pisa. Admire Pisa's Romanesque Square of Miracles in all its striped marble glory. Its structures are said to symbolise the three main stages of human life – the Baptistery (birth), the Cathedral (life) and the Camposanto (death). Next, head west to the stylish shores of Monaco. Keep your eyes peeled as you drive along its glitzy boulevards and take in all the sophistication that seems to ooze from every corner. Next stop, the glamorous French Riviera.
Accommodation: Ibis Cannes Mandelieu
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 11: French Riviera Free Time
What a treat! You have a full free day to do as you wish on the French Riviera. There's no shame in spending the day sprawled out on a sun lounger with a cocktail, but if you can tear yourself away from the beach, you may choose to join your fellow travellers for an optional exploration of Saint-Paul-de-Vence. Life is rather idyllic in this enchanting walled hill-town and, like some of its famous residents, you'll want to linger here a little longer. You never know who you might spot seated in those sleek Ferraris and private yachts dotted around the French Riviera.
Accommodation: Ibis Cannes Mandelieu
Included Meals: Breakfast
Day 12: French Riviera – Avignon – Lyon
Today you'll travel to the heart of Provence and the city of Avignon. A brief brush with the Papacy in the 14th century has gifted Avignon with one of the world's most incredible religious architectural legacies. While it may no longer hold the importance that the Vatican does today, views of its Palace of the Popes and St. Bénezet Bridge are just as inspiring. Later today, you’ll arrive in Lyon.
Accommodation: Ibis Styles Hotel Lyon Confluence
Included Meals: Breakfast
Day 13: Lyon – Versailles – Paris
We've then got another treat in store for you today - our Optional Experience Palace of Versailles tour, where you’ll join a Local Specialist to explore the grand Palace of Versailles. Its splendour and beauty was created to reflect the self-proclaimed majesty of King Louis XIV, the 'Sun King'. See the exquisite sprawling gardens and the Hall of Mirrors with its impressive chandeliers and glinting mirrors. Carry on to Paris later to enjoy the city by night.
Accommodation: Novotel Paris Pont de Sèvres
Included Meals: Breakfast
Day 14: Paris Sightseeing And Free Time
The Parisians know a thing or two about beauty, elegance and a life well lived - and you’ll see it all up close with your full day in Paris. Take to the streets on a sightseeing tour with your Travel Director, to see the Arc de Triomphe, the Champs-Élysées and Eiffel Tower. 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 during an optional visit to 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 a real highlight this evening – an optional dinner and cabaret performance.
Accommodation: Novotel Paris Pont de Sèvres
Included Meals: Breakfast
Day 15: Depart Paris
This morning, after breakfast, say farewell to your fellow travellers.
Included Meals: Breakfast
Terms & conditions
Prices are per person twin share/multi share as per itinerary, and are subject to availability and rate of exchange changes. Offers above are a guide only and will vary depending on departure date, our guide price is based on the cheapest departure within the stipulated season and availability is correct at time of loading. Visas may be necessary and insurance is essential. Pentravel and Tour Operator terms and conditions apply, and may be found on our website. Offer can be removed at any time. Pricing varies pending departure date.
Black Friday Deal: Save 10% on select 2025 departures as “Black Friday Deal”. Receive a R1000 Choice Optional Experience credit on all 2025 departures; must mention or enter promo code BF24OEC50 at time of booking. All offers are valid on new bookings only made with deposit between 01 November 2024 and 05 December 2024. Full payment due 120 days prior to departure or at time of booking if booked within 120 days of departure; whichever comes first. Prices are in SA Rands, are per person, land only, based on double occupancy and are subject to availability. If guests change to another tour or date not on sale, they are responsible to pay the difference and adhere to different payment conditions. Discounts are not transferrable. Savings are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. May be combined with 5% Global Tour Rewards savings only, not combinable with group discounts, Future Travel Credit carry forward discount or any other discount or promotion. Other conditions may apply.R3000 per person deposit required at time of booking tours to hold space; some trips require payment in full at time of booking. Savings are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice.
At time of loading this may not be a definite departure. These packages are based on CASH price. E&OE;.