This site is operated by The Travel Corporation, not by Costco. Use of this site (and any destination you reach through this site) is subject to The Travel Corporation’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy, rather than those of Costco.
Skip to content
Call Us:   1300 321 962
Default Photo of camera

European Wonderland

This tour has other variations available

Everyday Price From

$6,750

11 days

No Countries

Overview

Bring history to life on your European travels as you learn about life as a Roman gladiator and try your hand at pizza-making on an epic European family trip filled with carnival masks, medieval castle banquets and tons of fun for the whole family.

Locations Visited

Rome, Vatican City, Siena, Florence, Bologna, Venice, Como, Engelberg, Lucerne, Paris

Countries Visited

Italy, Vatican City, Switzerland, France

Travel Style

Family Experience

Accommodations

10 nights included

Age Requirements

Minimum age 5

map-european-wonderland-guided-tour.jpg

Itinerary

COLLAPSE ALL EXPAND ALL

Day 1

Welcome to Rome

Buckle up Bambini – we're off on a grand adventure through Europe, launching our Family Experience in the 'Eternal City' of Rome. This evening we enjoy dinner with our travel companions, we Dive Into Culture with a Family Fun experience and learn how to make a pizza that would make any Italian mamma proud.

  • Accommodation

    Crowne Plaza Roma - St. Peter's Rome


  • Meals

    Dinner

Highlights

highlights.title

Pizza Making

A cooking experience with all the trimmings! Learn how to make tasty Italian pizza from an expert and then share your masterpiece with the family.

Delve into the open-air museum that is Rome as you join a Local Specialist for a sightseeing tour, before crossing the Tiber into Ancient Rome. Enjoy an in-depth, guided visit to the Colosseum, then take in the sweeping view of Circus Maximus—once the grand stage for celebrated chariot races—from a nearby vantage point.

  • Accommodation

    Crowne Plaza Roma - St. Peter's Rome


  • Meals

    Breakfast

Highlights

highlights.title

Rome City Tour

Experience Rome through the eyes of a local, as a passionate Roman guides you past the city's most iconic sites.

highlights.title

Visit the Colosseum

Follow in the footsteps of gladiators for a deeper insight into life in ancient Rome when you enter the Colosseum.

Explore the medieval playground of Siena, strolling to the shell-shaped Piazza del Campo where you’ll imagine the fun and fanfare that the festive Palio bareback horse race brings to the city twice a year against the backdrop of colourful flags and emblems. You’ll journey to Florence this afternoon where the Cradle of Renaissance comes alive in ways you could never imagine. You’ll go back in time and learn how Florence drove innovation and imagination all those centuries ago. This evening we head to a real 12th-century castle in the Tuscan countryside to Connect With Locals for a Be My Guest dinner. As you walk through its stony halls, you’ll be thrilled to learn about the plot hatched by the Pazzi family against the Medici rulers of Florence centuries ago. You’ll enjoy a delicious meal featuring homegrown produce in the magnificent grand hall and be inspired by the dedication and passion of your hosts, the Baj Macario family who are committed to running the estate in harmony with nature.

  • Accommodation

    FH55 Grand Hotel Mediterraneo Florence


  • Meals

    Breakfast

    Dinner

Highlights

highlights.title

Enjoy a Traditional Tuscan Buffet at the 12th-century Castello del Trebbio

The Pazzi and de Medici feud is brought to light on this visit to the 12th-century Castello del Trebbio. Meet Anna and Alberto, enjoy a traditional Tuscan buffet, explore the cellars, and indulge in olive oil and wine tasting.

highlights.title

See Siena's Highlights

See the Fountain of Joy, striped cathedral and vast Piazza del Campo.

The treasures of the Medici family are on full display as we delve into the centuries of art, architecture and tumultuous history. Join a Local Specialist for a walking tour of the city. Visit the Piazza della Signoria, the hub of the city, and view the magnificent marble Duomo. Learn about the quality and workmanship of two of this city's historic industries at demonstrations of Florentine leathercraft and 18-carat gold. Then, spend the rest of the afternoon at leisure. Why not visit the Boboli Gardens or tick off great masterpieces in the Uffizi Gallery? You could also join an Optional Experience to snap a selfie next to the Leaning Tower of Pisa before returning to Florence and pounding the pavements in search of the city's tastiest gelato.

  • Accommodation

    FH55 Grand Hotel Mediterraneo Florence


  • Meals

    Breakfast

Highlights

highlights.title

Florence City Tour

Join a Local Specialist to view the Multi-coloured marble cathedral, bell tower and baptistery, adorned by Ghiberti's Gates of Paradise. Visit the political heart of the city, Signoria Square.

highlights.title

Florence Leather Demonstration

See the area around Santa Croce Basilica, famous for the quality of its luxury goods, and witness a gold and leatherwork demonstration.

Cross the Apennine Mountains to the city of Bologna where you will join a Local Specialist to view the city's Kissing Towers and Il Gigante, commonly known as Neptune's Fountain. Ditch your diet and indulge in the delicious flavours of what is widely regarded as the gastronomic capital of Italy – chase tortellini around your plate or twirl Spaghetti Bolognese like a local. This afternoon, we arrive in the island city of Venice. Spend a leisurely afternoon exploring with the family or enjoy an Optional Experience gondola ride through Venice's labyrinthine canals.

  • Accommodation

    Novotel Venezia Mestre Castellana


  • Meals

    Breakfast

    Dinner

Highlights

highlights.title

Bologna City Tour

Join a Local Specialist on an exploration of Bologna. See the medieval squares and red-bricked façades of this historic city.  

Take to the water and cruise by private launch to the gateway of Venice, St. Mark's Square. Join your Travel Director to see the iconic and unexpected highlights of the city - the ornate Doge's Palace and Bridge of Sighs, St. Mark's Basilica and the Campanile with its five bells. Enjoy an unforgettable MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience as you witness first-hand the centuries-old tradition of Venetian glassblowing. You’ll learn how the master craftsmen shape the molten glass to make the exquisite and delicate works of art that adorn homes all over the world and perhaps be inspired to buy your own souvenir as a reminder of this special visit. Later, take part in a Family Fun experience to learn about the great Venetian tradition of Carnival Masks, with an opportunity to create your own colourful alter egos. This afternoon, consider a lagoon cruise to the colourful island of Burano, on an Optional Experience, for a mouth-watering meal.

  • Accommodation

    Novotel Venezia Mestre Castellana


  • Meals

    Breakfast

Highlights

highlights.title

Learn about the History and Ancient Skills of Venetian Glassblowing

Discover the ancient skill of Venetian glassblowing and play a part in preserving this traditional craft. Your visit directly supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.

highlights.title

Carnival Masks

Discover the great Venetian tradition of Carnival masks and paint and decorate your own.

highlights.title

Venice Orientation

As you journey along some of the water highways of the city, famous sights such as the Doge's Palace and the Bridge of Sighs come into view and introduce you to Venice before docking near St. Mark's Square.

Travel through the Italian Lake District bound for Switzerland this morning and enjoy some free time for lunch in the laid-back lakeside town of Como, which for centuries has served as the crossroads between Central Europe and the Mediterranean. Continue through Alpine landscapes, past Lugano and through the St. Gotthard tunnel into central Switzerland, before arriving in Engelberg.

  • Accommodation

    H+ Hotel & Spa Engelberg


  • Meals

    Breakfast

Highlights

highlights.title

Explore Como

Take in exquisite views of the lake and its alpine backdrop as you enjoy an orientation of this magnificent town.

highlights.title

Scenic Drive Through the Alps

Take in Alpine views as you travel the Brünig Pass, passing turquoise lakes, pine forests and the dramatic peaks of the Bernese Oberland.

Walk across the flower-lined 14th-century wooden Chapel Bridge and into a land of lakes and lions. See the giant lion hewn from sandstone rock to commemorate the heroism of the Swiss Guards during the French Revolution. Ascend one of the magnificent surrounding mountains during an Optional Experience or spend the afternoon sampling the rich flavours of delicious Swiss chocolate.

  • Accommodation

    H+ Hotel & Spa Engelberg


  • Meals

    Breakfast

    Dinner

Highlights

highlights.title

Lucerne Orientation

During an orientation with your Travel Director, see the Lion Monument, Old Town Hall and Chapel Bridge, the oldest wooden covered bridge in Europe.

From Switzerland, we cross the mighty Rhine River and into France, travelling through the Burgundy wine region to the 'City of Light'. This evening, amble up grand boulevards and through tiny cobblestone lanes in search of the French treasures you'll have an opportunity to sample tomorrow.

  • Accommodation

    Novotel Paris Centre Bercy


  • Meals

    Breakfast

Join a Local Specialist on a guided sightseeing tour which includes a drive along the Champs-Élysées with views of the magnificent Arc de Triomphe and the Eiffel Tower. Now, take to the water for a leisurely cruise on the Seine River with spectacular views of the city's bridges and life on the river. This evening, we close the curtains on an epic family adventure through Europe, celebrating with our travel companions and Travel Director at a special dinner.

  • Accommodation

    Novotel Paris Centre Bercy


  • Meals

    Breakfast

    Dinner

Highlights

highlights.title

Paris City Tour

Join a Local Specialist to discover the hidden squares and secret lanes of Paris.

highlights.title

Seine River Cruise

Admire the famous landmarks of Paris during your leisurely Seine River cruise. 

For now, it's time to say au revoir to your fellow travellers at the end of an unforgettable experience.

  • Meals

    Breakfast

Highlights

Must-see Highlights

  • Explore Rome, Florence, Bologna and Paris

  • Discover Siena, Venice and Lucerne

  • Visit a glassblowing factory and a mask-making studio in Venice

  • View the ancient sites of Rome, St. Mark's Basilica in Venice, scenic Lake Como, the spectacular Alpine scenery of Switzerland, the Chapel Bridge in Lucerne and the Eiffel Tower and Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris

  • See the vineyards of Burgundy and the Somme Battlefields in France

  • Scenic Cruise by private launch to St. Mark's Square in Venice and along the Seine River in Paris

What's Included

Travel Director

  • An expert Travel Director and professional Driver

Hotels

  • Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
  • All porterage and restaurant gratuities
  • All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
  • On occasion, hotels of similar standard and location may be utilised

Meals

  • Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals

Sightseeing

  • Must-see sightseeing

Audio

  • Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing

Transport

  • Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)

Optionals

  • Optional Experiences and free time

Train

  • Eurostar high-speed train from Paris to London

Dates & Prices

Versions of this Tour

We have pre-selected the best options based on your search, however please feel free to adjust them to suit your desires. Please note that changes here will affect availabilty, pricing and trip itinerary.


Clear all

Trip

From Price

European Wonderland

$6,750

European Wonderland With Eurostar™ Extension

$7,450

Results: loading...

Definite Departures Only

Special Offers

Airfare is not included, but can be added to quote upon request.

Tour Version Selected

You have successfully selected a different version of this tour

Terms & Conditions

Trip Notes: 

  • Please note that airfare to and from your start/end destinations are not included in the cost of your trip. 
  • Call 1300 321 962 for great deals from Australia to & from all start/end cities for your selected itinerary. 
  • Internal flights as specified on individual trip itineraries are included as part of the trip price. 

Terms & Conditions: 

  • Prices listed are land only & do not include airfare to and from the start/end of the tour. 
  • Prices listed are per person, based on twin share. If you’re travelling solo, we can pair you with a same-sex roommate at no extra cost or you can upgrade to a single for an additional cost, subject to availability. Please note solo room share is not available on all trips. 
  • Solo travel is not accepted on guided Family Experiences holidays unless travelling as part of a family group.  
  • For departure points and stay longer accommodation options call 1300 321 962 for more details. 
  • ​​'Exclusive Costco Member Price' is available upon member login.  
  • 'Price with Current Deals' reflects applicable promotions. Promotions and savings vary by itinerary, are not valid on all tours/departure dates and are subject to availability. All discounts are for new bookings only, subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Call or request a quote for complete details. 
  • ​​​Trip prices and information are correct at the time of the products going live, however are subject to confirmation - please confirm all details at time of quote and booking.