HIGHLIGHT

There is an excellent selection of modern hotels like the elegant Vienna Hilton Plaza on the Ringstrasse and the contemporary Hilton in Innsbruck, plus the more traditional style of the Hungaria Palace on the Venice Lido which reflects the elegance of a bygone age.

Fellow Passengers

This is a comprehensive tour for the first-time visitor to Europe who wants to have time to really get to know the key cities, but it is also ideal for those returning to Europe, as it revisits all the Continent’s really classic highlights.

Highlights

There are so many contrasting sights: from the unique lowlands of Holland to the soaring peaks of the Alps which surround Innsbruck and Lucerne. Then there are the historic and artistic sights of Rome and Florence, and the glitter and glam of Monte Carlo and Paris.

Excursions & Sights

• Visit the fishing village of Volendam
• See Amsterdam’s Mint Tower & Dam Square
• See the ‘Bridge too far’
• See Cologne Cathedral
• Visit Heidelberg Castle’s terrace for views over the town
• Visit medieval Rothenburg
• See Munich’s Olympic Stadium, Hofbrauhaus & the Glockenspiel in the Marienplatz
• See the Golden Roof and Imperial Palace & visit the Wilten Basilica in Innsbruck
• See Mozart’s Birthplace and walk through Salzburg’s Old Town to the Cathedral Square
• Drive along Vienna’s Ring Road to see the Parliament, Winter Palace & Opera House
• Cruise to St Mark’s Square to see the Doges’ Palace, Bridge of Sighs & Basilica in Venice
• Visit the vast St Peter’s Basilica, housing art by Bernini and Michelangelo
• Visit Siena to see the black and white Cathedral & the vast Campo Square
• See the Cathedral, ‘Gates of Paradise’ & open-air gallery of Signoria Square in Florence
• See the Leaning Tower of Pisa
• View Lucerne’s Lion Monument
• See Notre Dame & drive along the Champs Élysées to the Arc de Triomphe in Paris
• Demonstrations of diamond cutting & polishing, cheese & clog making in Holland, Venetian glass-blowing, Florentine leather-work, French perfumery

Guided City Tours

• In depth sightseeing tours in Salzburg, Vienna, Rome, Florence & Paris
• Orientation tours in Amsterdam, Cologne, Rothenburg, Munich, Innsbruck, Venice, Siena, Nice & Lucerne

Insight's First Class Services

• Escorted by a professional Tour Director
• Luxury air-conditioned coach with onboard toilet
• First Class hotels with all service charges, taxes and porterage
• Travel bag, document wallet, map book journal and information pack
• Free Airport transfers when booking our London hotel (See Savings page)

Quality Dining

• Highlight Dinner of local cuisine, wine and entertainment in Rome
• 19 enhanced or buffet breakfasts and 7 three course table d'hôte dinners, or buffets, plus tea or coffee

ITINERARY

Tour Pace

This tour has a leisurely pace with two night stays in the eight key cities & overnight stays in the Rhineland, Nördlingen & Innsbruck. Traveling days are well balanced with frequent stops. There is definitely time to truly explore Europe on this tour.

DAY 1 – SUN – LONDON – AMSTERDAM

Travel to Dover and cross the channel to Calais. Then it’s on through Belgium to Amsterdam to enjoy a Welcome Drink. Hotel: Sofitel/Vondel Park Plaza. (dinner)

DAY 2 – MON – AMSTERDAM SIGHTSEEING

Cross Dam Square and pass the Royal Palace to see diamonds being cut and polished. Travel into the countryside to watch cheese and clogs being made, before visiting the fishing village of Volendam. (Buffet breakfast)

DAY 3 – TUE – AMSTERDAM – RHINELAND

Head to Arnhem to view the ‘Bridge Too Far’ and cross the German border to see the soaring spires of Cologne Cathedral. Join a Highlight cruise on the finest stretch of the Rhine River before reaching your hotel. Hotel: Lindenwirt Rudesheim/Hilton Mainz.(Buffet breakfast, dinner)

DAY 4 – WED – RHINELAND – AALEN

Visit Heidelberg’s ruined castle and see the world’s largest wine vat. Move on to medieval Rothenburg, with its city walls, narrow cobbled lanes and Christmas shop, then continue along the Romantic Road to your hotel. Hotel: Ramada Thermen/NH Klosterle Nördlingen. (Buffet breakfast, Three or four course table d'hote or buffet style dinner)

DAY 5 – THU – AALEN – INNSBRUCK

Head south to Munich to see the Olympic Stadium, visit the Marienplatz and its glockenspiel and see the Hofbrauhaus. Cross the Bavarian Alps into Austria and continue to mountain-ringed Innsbruck. Visit the Wilten Basilica and historic Old Town, where you will see its Golden Roof and Imperial Palace. Hotel: Hilton. (Buffet breakfast, dinner)

DAY 6 – FRI – INNSBRUCK – VIENNA

Make your way to Salzburg, for a guided tour. Walk through the Mirabell Gardens for fine views of the city skyline. On the other side of the Salzach see Mozart’s birthplace on the Getreidegasse and the Cathedral in the old town. After some time to explore, continue past Mondsee Lake and along the Danube Valley to the elegant city of Vienna. Hotel: Hilton Plaza/Renaissance. (Buffet breakfast)

DAY 7 – SAT – VIENNA SIGHTSEEING

Visit the fabulous State Apartments of Schönbrunn Palace before taking the Ring Road past the Winter Palace, Parliament building, Opera House and City Hall. The afternoon is at leisure. (Buffet breakfast)

DAY 8 – SUN – VIENNA – VENICE

Cross the Semmering Pass and continue through the Carinthian Lake District into Italy. Your hotel is located on Venice’s fashionable Lido. Hotel: Hungaria Palace. (Buffet breakfast)

DAY 9 – MON – VENICE SIGHTSEEING

Take a private launch to St Mark’s Square to see the Doges’ Palace, Bridge of Sighs and ornate Basilica. See a demonstration of Venetian glass-blowing before taking a highlight ride in a traditional gondola through the silent canals. The afternoon is at leisure to relax and explore; perhaps try a seafood lunch. (Buffet breakfast)

DAY 10 – TUE – VENICE – ROME

Cross the Apennine Mountains into the Tuscan Hills and on to Rome. Tonight, enjoy a stroll to the Spanish Steps before a Highlight dinner, complete with pasta, vino and music. Hotel: Sheraton. (Buffet breakfast, Specialty Highlight Dinner)

DAY 11 – WED – ROME SIGHTSEEING

A local guide reveals Michelangelo’s ‘Pieta’ inside St Peter’s Basilica. Cross the River Tiber to visit the massive Colosseum and we look out over the Roman Forum. Later, consider visiting the Catacombs. (Buffet breakfast)

DAY 12 – THU – ROME – FLORENCE

Visit Siena to see the cathedral and vast Campo square, scene of the festive Palio horse race. Move on through the Chianti vineyards to the Renaissance city of Florence. Hotel: Sheraton/Hilton Garden Inn. (Buffet breakfast, dinner)

DAY 13 – FRI – FLORENCE SIGHTSEEING

With a local guide, visit the Statue of David in the Academy Gallery, and see the Cathedral, Piazza Signoria, and Santa Croce Church. After a leatherwork demonstration, there’s time for more sightseeing. (Buffet breakfast)

DAY 14 – SAT – FLORENCE – NICE

Lend your support to the Leaning Tower of Pisa before following the Italian Riviera coast to France. Stop in Monaco to see its harbour, Monte Carlo Casino and drive the Grand Prix circuit before continuing to elegant Nice. Hotel: Massena/Radisson SAS. (Buffet breakfast)

DAY 15 – SUN – ST PAUL DE VENCE EXCURSION

Visit the medieval town of St Paul de Vence, perched high on the hilltop before spending the afternoon at leisure exploring the French Riviera. (Buffet breakfast)

DAY 16 – MON – NICE – LUCERNE

Visit a French perfumery before passing through the Italian Lake District en route to Switzerland. See stunning Swiss Alpine scenery on the way to your hotel. Hotel: Astoria/Hotel Europe Engelberg. (Buffet breakfast)

DAY 17 – TUE – LUCERNE SIGHTSEEING

Ascend Mount Pilatus by cog-wheel railway for 360 degree views of the Swiss Alps. Back in Lucerne, see the Lion Monument, Jesuit Church and Chapel Bridge before spending free time shopping or relaxing. (Buffet breakfast, dinner)

DAY 18 – WED – LUCERNE – PARIS

Cross the French border at Basel and continue through the Burgundy wine region to the sparkling French capital of Paris. Hotel: Concorde Ambassador. (Buffet breakfast)

DAY 19 – THU – PARIS SIGHTSEEING

With a local guide, see Notre Dame Cathedral and drive along the elegant Champs Élysées to the Arc de Triomphe. Ascend the Eiffel Tower for views over the city, before visiting Napoleon’s tomb. (Buffet breakfast)

DAY 20 – FRI – PARIS – LONDON

Travel through the battlefields of World War One to Calais and your return Channel crossing to Dover. The tour ends after a short drive to London. (Buffet breakfast)

PRICES & DATES

REFERENCE: E913A STARTS: LONDON SUNDAYS

Supplements

Single Room   $1060

Reductions (See Savings page)

Share a Triple Room   SAVE $100 p.p.

Young Traveller 5-17 yrs    SAVE up to $448 p.p.

Early Payment    SAVE up to $448 p.p.

Frequent Traveller    SAVE 5%

Extra Tour Discount   SAVE up to $224 p.p.

Notes

Prices are US$ per person sharing a twin room.

TG These departures are guaranteed to operate.

Tours depart Sundays and return Fridays.

Tour Departure Point

This tour departs from the Crowne Plaza St James, our recommended pre/post tour accommodation. Certain departures will depart from the Millennium Gloucester, (see Savings page for booking details, airport transfers & sightseeing).