Day 1
Welcome to London
The vibrant British capital where you will spend the next two nights, enjoying the pomp and pageantry of a city that effortlessly combines old and new.
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Accommodation
Park Plaza London Riverbank
The tring-tring of bicycles sounds the start of your European Whirl. Kick back on the canals of Amsterdam and Venice, in the quiet lakeside beauty of Lucerne and among the Tuscan hills near Florence, with flavors of Italian Chianti setting the tone for an unforgettable trip.
Locations Visited
London, Brussels, Amsterdam, Boppard, Sankt Goar, Heidelberg, Munich, Innsbruck, Venice, Rome, Vatican City, Florence, Lucerne, Paris
Countries Visited
England, Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Italy, Vatican City, Switzerland, France
Travel Style
Discovery
Accommodations
13 nights included
Age Requirements
Minimum Age 5
Day 1
The vibrant British capital where you will spend the next two nights, enjoying the pomp and pageantry of a city that effortlessly combines old and new.
Accommodation
Park Plaza London Riverbank
Day 2
Join a Local Specialist this morning for a tour to see the iconic sites of London, including Big Ben, the imposing Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey. Spend a leisurely afternoon shopping on Carnaby Street, consider visiting one of London’s museums or wander along the Thames watching ambitious Londoners pound the pavements.
Accommodation
Park Plaza London Riverbank
Meals
Breakfast
Day 3
This morning we meet our Travel Director before traveling to London's St. Pancras International where we will board the Eurostar™ for a high-speed train journey to Brussels and a luxury coach journey to Amsterdam. Enjoy an orientation of this historic Dutch city before joining your fellow travelers and Travel Director for a dinner cruise on its canals.
Accommodation
Mercure Amsterdam City
Meals
Breakfast
Dinner
Cruise along the old waterways with your Travel Director and fellow travelers. Discover the architectural gems of the old city, including mansions dating from the Golden Age of the 17th Century.
Day 4
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 traveling to your hotel.
Accommodation
Leonardo Hotel Heidelberg
Meals
Breakfast
Dinner
Cruise beneath the semi-ruined castles and terraced vineyards. Sleepy villages slip by as you saunter upstream to the Lorelei Rock where the enchantress lured sailors to their doom.
Explore one of Germany's most enchanting cities during an orientation with your Travel Director.
Day 5
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 facade and consider an evening of traditional Tyrolean entertainment.
Accommodation
Hilton Garden Inn Innsbruck Tivoli
Meals
Breakfast
During your orientation of the city with your Travel Director, see Feldherrnhalle in the Odeonsplatz, the Palace of the Dukes of Wittelsbach, the English Garden, the Hofbräuhaus, St. Peter's Church and the famous Marienplatz.
Nestled amidst majestic mountains, Innsbruck is a beautiful city offering a unique combination of nature, history, and culture. Stroll the streets of the picturesque Old Town and learn about its history with your Travel Director.
Day 6
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. Enjoy a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience where you’ll witness the centuries-old craft 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. 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
Meals
Breakfast
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.
Day 7
2025 marks a Jubilee Year, a momentous Roman Catholic event celebrated every 25 years, turning Rome into a center of celebration between December 24, 2024, and December 31, 2025. As festivities unfold, itineraries may be adjusted to ensure you make the most of your time as you visit the Eternal City.
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
Barceló Aran Mantegna Rome
Meals
Breakfast
Lunch
Eight generations of history with plenty of stories to tell. Enjoy a traditional Be My Guest meal with the Landi family at their home near Florence, set within a garden of oak trees against the backdrop of Tuscan vineyards and olive groves.
Day 8
Our first stop today sees us discover the divine beauty of the Vatican City with a Local Specialist. We continue to Ancient Rome to view the 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 savoring a tasty gelato, or shop up a storm on the trendy Via Condotti.
Accommodation
Barceló Aran Mantegna Rome
Meals
Breakfast
Day 9
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.
Accommodation
FH55 Grand Hotel Mediterraneo Florence
Meals
Breakfast
View the stunning landscape of Tuscany on your drive today.
Join a Local Specialist to view the multi-colored marble cathedral, bell tower and baptistery, adorned by Ghiberti's Gates of Paradise. Visit the political heart of the city, Signoria Square.
Day 10
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 carved 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
Hotel Astoria Lucerne
Meals
Breakfast
Dinner
Marvel at the Alpine landscape as you drive past breathtakingly beautiful mountains and valleys.
Day 11
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
Hotel Astoria Lucerne
Meals
Breakfast
During an orientation with your Travel Director, see the Lion Monument, Old Town Hall and Chapel Bridge, the oldest wooden covered bridge in Europe.
Day 12
Crossing the border into France this morning, we travel past the picturesque vineyards and country towns of Burgundy en route to the 'City of Light'. Spend some time this evening strolling along the Seine and grand boulevards in search of a cozy bistro for fine French cuisine or consider an Optional Experience to a colorful Parisian cabaret.
Accommodation
Renaissance Paris La Défense
Meals
Breakfast
Day 13
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, honoring 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 travelers and our Travel Director, enjoying dinner in a local bistro.
Accommodation
Renaissance Paris La Défense
Meals
Breakfast
Dinner
Join a Local Specialist to discover the hidden squares and secret lanes of Paris.
Day 14
Today bid adieu to your fellow travelers and Travel Director at the end of your memorable whirlwind European journey.
Meals
Breakfast
Title
Explore London, Rome, Florence and Paris
Discover Amsterdam, Heidelberg, Munich, Innsbruck, Venice and Lucerne
Visit a glassblowing factory in Venice
View the canals in Amsterdam, the Golden Roof in Innsbruck, St. Mark's Square in Venice, the ancient sites in Rome, the Chapel Bridge in Lucerne and the Eiffel Tower in Paris
See the Lorelei Rock in Germany and the vineyards of Burgundy
Cruise along the canals of Amsterdam, the Rhine River and by private launch to St. Mark's Square in Venice
An expert Travel Director and professional Driver
On occasion, hotels of similar standard and location may be utilized
Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals
Must-see sightseeing
Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing
Eurostar high-speed train from Paris to London
Optional Experiences and free time
The services of a Trafalgar Local Host when you stay at Trafalgar's recommended London hotel
Trip Notes:
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