ROMANTIC EUROPEAN

Your itinerary

Tour Pace

This is a leisurely paced tour with two-night stays in the eight key cities, allowing ample time for sightseeing and exploration. The travelling days have been well planned with plenty of stops both for refreshment and photo opportunities.

DAY 1 – SUN – LONDON – BRUSSELS

From the London departure hotel drive to Dover and taking the ferry to France, make your way to medieval Bruges in Belgium, where you can stroll along cobbled streets and beside peaceful canals. Then it’s on to Brussels to marvel at the gilded buildings in the Grand Place and to see the Mannekin Pis statue. As evening falls, enjoy a Welcome Drink. Hotel: Marriott/Sofitel Toison d’Or.

DAY 2 – MON – BRUSSELS – AMSTERDAM

Drive to Amsterdam and pass Dam Square and the Mint tower en route to a demonstration of diamond cutting. Visit the fishing village of Volendam and learn how clogs and cheese are made before returning to Amsterdam. Hotel: Eden Rembrandt Sq. (BB)

DAY 3 – TUE – AMSTERDAM – WüRZBURG

Head into Germany to see Cologne’s soaring Gothic cathedral. Continue via Bonn to the scenic Rhine Gorge to join your Highlight cruise. Glide past vineyards and medieval castles to see the Loreley Rock before continuing on to Würzburg with its Baroque Residenz palace, Marienberg fortress and statue-lined bridge.
Hotel: Maritim/Wittelsbacher Hoh. (BB,D)

DAY 4 – WED – WüRZBURG – PRAGUE

Stop in Nuremberg to see the massive town ramparts before continuing east to the Czech border. Pass Pilsen, known for its beer, to reach the ‘golden city’ of Prague. Hotel: Diplomat/Crowne Plaza. (BB,D)

DAY 5 – THU – PRAGUE SIGHTSEEING

A local guide introduces the 1,000-year-old Prague Castle and St Vitus’ Cathedral before descending to the Old Town Square, with its Astronomical Clock. Later, there is time to shop for fine Bohemian crystal. (BB)

DAY 6 – FRI – PRAGUE – BUDAPEST

Drive through the province of Moravia into Slovakia and stop in its capital, Bratislava. After free time to explore, cross into Hungary and follow the River Danube to Budapest. Hotel: Hilton West End. (BB)

DAY 7 – SAT – BUDAPEST SIGHTSEEING

With a Budapest guide, see the murals in Matthias Church beside the Fisherman’s Bastion, which affords a grand view over the Danube and the Parliament. See the Royal Palace of Buda, then cross over to Pest to visit Heroes’ Square. Spend the afternoon at leisure. (BB,D)

DAY 8 – SUN – BUDAPEST – VIENNA

Heading out of Budapest, survey the bridges over the Danube from the lofty citadel atop Gellert Hill. Continue on through peaceful Austrian farmland to Vienna. Hotel: Hilton Plaza/Vienna Hilton (BB)

DAY 9 – MON – VIENNA SIGHTSEEING

A Premium Highlight visit takes you inside the fabulous Schönbrunn Palace. On a guided city tour, see the Parliament, Winter Palace and Opera House along the Ring Road. Spend the afternoon at leisure. (BB)

DAY 10 – TUE – VIENNA – VENICE

Cross over the Semmering Pass and across the border into Italy. Arrive at your hotel on Venice’s fashionable Lido. Hotel: Hungaria Palace. (BB,D)

DAY 11 – WED – VENICE SIGHTSEEING

Cruise by private launch to St Mark’s Square to see the Doges’ Palace, Bridge of Sighs and St Mark’s Basilica, followed by a Venetian glass-blowing demonstration. Enjoy a fascinating Highlight gondola ride along the canals. The afternoon is at leisure. (BB)

DAY 12 – THU – VENICE – ROME

Head south into the Apennine Mountains and on to the eternal city of Rome. Visit the Spanish Steps before enjoying our Highlight Dinner, with pasta, vino and music. Hotel: Sheraton. (BB,HD)

DAY 13 – FRI – ROME SIGHTSEEING

Join a local guide to visit the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, with its vivid depiction of the Creation. Visit St Peter’s Basilica before entering the Colosseum and seeing the Forum. The afternoon is at leisure. (BB)

DAY 14 – SAT – ROME – FLORENCE

Head north into Tuscany, driving to Piazzale Michelangelo for views over Florence. After a leather-work demonstration, spend the afternoon exploring this beautiful city. Hotel: Hilton Metropole/Sheraton. (BB,D)

DAY 15 – SUN – FLORENCE SIGHTSEEING

A local guide takes you to Santa Croce Basilica to see the tombs of Galileo and Michelangelo, and then walk to the Cathedral to see the ‘Gates of Paradise’ on the Baptistery, finishing at Signoria Square. (BB)

DAY 16 – MON – FLORENCE – LUCERNE

Head north through the scenic Italian Lake District, glimpsing Lake Como as you cross into Switzerland. Enjoy magnificent mountain scenery as you travel on to lake-side Lucerne. Hotel: Astoria. (BB)

DAY 17 – TUE – LUCERNE SIGHTSEEING

In Lucerne, see the emotive Lion Monument, the Chapel Bridge and the Jesuit Church. Then you are treated to an exhilarating trip by cog-wheel train and cable-car to the summit of Mount Pilatus to take in stunning snow-capped views of the Alps. (BB,D)

DAY 18 – WED – LUCERNE – PARIS

Leave Switzerland and skirt the Jura Mountains into the Burgundy wine region before continuing on to Paris. Hotel: Sofitel Bercy. (BB)

DAY 19 – THU – PARIS SIGHTSEEING

Join a local guide to see the famous Notre Dame Cathedral before driving along the Champs Élysées to the Arc de Triomphe. Ascend the Eiffel Tower for views over the city, conclude the tour with a visit to Napoleon’s Tomb in the Église du Dôme. The evening is yours to enjoy. (BB)

DAY 20 – FRI – PARIS – LONDON

Cross the battlefields of World War One en route to Calais and your voyage back to Dover. The tour ends after a short drive back to London. (BB)

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