The delightful chime of bicycle bells marks the beginning of your European adventure. Relax as you glide along the canals of Amsterdam and Venice, soak in the serene lakeside landscapes of Lucerne, and savor the tranquility among the picturesque Tuscan hills near Florence. Let the flavors of Italian Chianti set the stage for a truly memorable journey.
Includes
12 Day Trafalgar Guided Holiday
11 Nights in cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
11 Breakfasts, 1 Lunch, 3 Dinners
Transport by luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
All porterage and restaurant gratuities
All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras
Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing
Optional Experiences at an additional cost during your free time
Sightseeing Highlights
Explore Rome, Florence and Paris with a Local Specialist
Discover Amsterdam, Heidelberg, Munich, Innsbruck, Venice and Lucerne
Visit a glassblowing factory in Venice and St. Peter's Basilica in Rome
Scenic Cruise along the canals of Amsterdam, the Rhine River and by private launch to St. Mark's Square in Venice 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
Optional Experiences available at an additional cost
Not all departure dates are definite at time of loading, please enquire with one of our agents
Highlights
11 Nights in cherry-picked hotels
15 Meals
Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras
Itinerary
Day 1: Amsterdam
Enjoy an orientation of this historic Dutch city before joining your fellow travellers and Travel Director for a dinner cruise on its canals.
Accommodation: Mercure Amsterdam City
Included Meals: Dinner
Day 2: Journey to the Rhineland and a Scenic Cruise
Driving through the lush landscapes of The Netherlands and Germany, we arrive in Boppard where we board a cruise along the Rhine to St. Goar, passing vineyard-clad hills and medieval castles perched above riverside towns. Arriving in the Baroque city of Heidelberg, we explore its unexpected highlights before travelling to your hotel.
Accommodation: Hotel Sinsheim
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 3: Off to Innsbruck
Crossing the Swabian Alps on the edge of the Black Forest, we arrive in the Bavarian capital of Munich. Our orientation takes us past the Hofbrauhaus, reputedly the most famous Beerhall in the world, and the neo-Gothic Town Hall which dominates the Marienplatz. We cross the Austrian border next, arriving in Innsbruck, the capital of the Alps. Admire the Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque architecture of the Old Town, including Emperor Maximilian's famous Golden Roof with its ornate façade and consider an evening of traditional Tyrolean entertainment.
Accommodation: Tivoli Hotel Innsbruck
Included Meals: Breakfast
Day 4: Onwards to the Canals of Venice
Journey through the emerald-green landscape along the Brenner Pass into Italy and across the Dolomite Mountains to Venice. We cruise the beautiful Venetian lagoon by private launch to the gateway of Venice, St. Mark's Square. View the ornate Doge's Palace and the Bridge of Sighs, so named for the sound made by condemned prisoners as they took one last longing look at their beautiful city before meeting their fate. There’s time later to enjoy the city your way. Get lost in Venice, cross bridges and discover hidden campi where locals share their daily stories over a glass of Venetian Spritz.
Accommodation: Novotel Venezia Mestre Castellana Venice
Included Meals: Breakfast
Day 5: All Roads Lead to Rome
Travel south across the Veneto Plain, passing Bologna and the dramatic Apennine Mountains as well as the green and golden fields of Lazio before reaching Rome, the 'Eternal City'. En route, we Connect With Locals over lunch at a Be My Guest experience and enjoy true Tuscan hospitality with a local family on their private estate in the Chianti countryside.
Accommodation: A.Roma Lifestyle Hotel Rome
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 6: Discover Ancient Rome and the Vatican City
Our first stop today sees us discover the divine beauty of the Vatican City. We'll visit St. Peter's Basilica with a Local Specialist to view Michelangelo's Renaissance masterpiece, the Pietà. We continue to Ancient Rome to view Roman Forum, the walls of the iconic Colosseum and Circus Maximus, once the site of exhilarating chariot races centuries ago. The afternoon is yours to explore the city on your terms. Sit on the Spanish Steps savouring a tasty gelato, shop up a storm on the trendy Via Condotti or perhaps join an Optional Experience to see the magnificent frescoed ceiling of the Sistine Chapel.
Accommodation: A.Roma Lifestyle Hotel Rome
Included Meals: Breakfast
Day 7: Continue to Renaissance Florence
From Rome, we travel north through the rolling countryside of Tuscany and along the Arno valley to the 'Cradle of the Renaissance', Florence. Delve into the rich Medici heritage of this beautiful medieval city with your Local Specialist. Visit the political hub of the city, Piazza della Signoria, with its impressive sculptures and stunning palazzi. View the imposing Duomo, crowned by Brunelleschi’s dome, and the Baptistery, renowned for its sculptured bronze doors.
Your hotel will be dependent on your departure date
Accommodation: Hilton Florence Metropole
Included Meals: Breakfast
Day 8: Across the Alps to Lucerne
Drive via the scenic Italian Lakes District, across the Alps into beautiful Switzerland, where we'll spend the next two nights in the medieval lakeside city of Lucerne. View the mournful, mortally wounded lion hewn from rock to commemorate the Swiss Guards who lost their lives defending Louis XVI. Walk along the flower-lined 14th-century covered Chapel Bridge, crossing the river Reuss.
Accommodation: Grand Hotel Europe Lucerne
Included Meals: Breakfast
Day 9: Explore Lucerne
This morning join an exciting Optional Experience to one of the surrounding peaks for breath taking views of the Swiss countryside. We have some time later to discover the best Swiss chocolates in town.
Accommodation: Grand Hotel Europe Lucerne
Included Meals: Breakfast
Day 10: On to Captivating Paris
Crossing the border into France this morning, we travel past the picturesque vineyards and country towns of Burgundy en route to the 'City of Lights'. Spend some time this evening strolling along the Seine and grand boulevards in search of a cosy bistro for fine French cuisine or consider an Optional Experience to a colourful Parisian cabaret.
Accommodation: Evergreen Laurel Hotel Paris
Included Meals: Breakfast
Day 11: Discover the Sights of Paris
Join a Local Specialist today for a sightseeing tour of this romantic city. View the sophisticated Champs-Élysées, Place de la Concorde, the 19th-century Arc de Triomphe, honouring those who fought for France, and Notre Dame Cathedral, then enjoy a stroll through the Latin Quarter. Our European Whirl is almost at its end, we spend the evening with fellow travellers and our Travel Director, enjoying a Farewell Dinner in a local bistro.
Accommodation: Evergreen Laurel Hotel Paris
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 12: Farewell Paris
Today bid adieu to your fellow travellers and Travel Director at the end of your memorable experience.
Departure Transfer: Arrive at Charles de Gaulle airport at 08:00
Included Meals: Breakfast
Terms & conditions
Prices are per person twin share, include discounts, 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 can be requested. Excludes flights, transfers, visas, travel insurance and anything not mentioned. Savings are not valid on all itineraries and/or departure dates, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn/changed at any time without notice. High season supplements and block out dates may apply, pricing varies pending departure date. Package excludes flights. You can do optional free-time add-on experiences in your free time and pay for them as you travel (additional costs apply). Trafalgar reserves the right to withdraw promotional offers and adjust savings anytime. All savings / discounts mentioned have already been included in the advertised price. Pentravel and Tour Operator reserves the right to withdraw or amend promotional offers at any time. Other conditions may apply. Advertised price is based on 29 January 2025 departure. At time of loading this is a non-definite departure. These packages are based on CASH price. E&OE;.