DAY 1
15 September 2024
Arrive London
Welcome to England! On arrival at Heathrow Airport, meet your transfer at the airport and be transferred to the hotel.
Hotel(s): Hilton London Olympia or Similar
DAY 2
16 September 2024
London
After a relaxed start to the day, join your TravelDirector and group for an orientation tour and cruise along The River Thames. Look out for London’s most famous sights including Tower Bridge and Big Ben. Enjoy the afternoon to explore London on your own or join an optional tour provided by your Travel Director. Meet up with your fellow travellers in the evening for a group dinner at a traditional local pub.
Meal(s): Breakfast, Dinner.
Hotel(s): Hilton London Olympia or Similar
DAY 3
17 September 2024
London to Paris
Depart London after breakfast this morning, cross the English Channel en route to Paris, ‘The City of Lights and Love’. On arrival check into your hotel and have some time at leisure before rejoining the group for dinner at a local restaurant.
Meal(s): Breakfast, Dinner.
Hotel(s): Mercure Hotel Paris La Defense or
Similar
DAY 4
18 September 2024
Paris Free Day
Enjoy an orientation tour of the French capital this morning, passing many of the city’s most treasured landmarks, including the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame and the Arc de Triomphe. After the city tour, enjoy the day in Paris, free to explore however you choose. Follow the Seine River from neighbourhood to neighbourhood as it flows through the heart of the city. Your travel director will have a choice of optional experiences today for you to choose from. Your Travel Director will have plenty of ideas and local knowledge, including recommendations of special places to eat and drink
Meal(s): Breakfast.
Hotel(s): Mercure Hotel Paris La Defense or Similar
DAY 5
19 September 2024
Paris to Lucerne
We wind our way through the sprawling vineyards of Auxerrois and Burgundy, journeying south past the 15th-century fortress of Châteauneuf and rolling green farmlands into Switzerland bound for Lucerne. Cross the famous wooden Chapel Bridge with its 17th-century paintings and view the mortally wounded lion hewn from rock, paying tribute to the hundreds of brave Swiss Guards who died defending Louis XVI. Dinner this evening will be included.
Meal(s): Breakfast, Dinner.
Hotel(s): Grand Hotel Europe Lucerne or Similar
DAY 6
20 September 2024
Swiss Alps Free Day
Enjoy a full day of free time in Switzerland’s wonderful Alps. Relax and enjoy the amazing views or explore nearby Engelberg; feast on Swiss chocolate fondue, sight-see and do some souvenir shopping, or just wander through the town, taking in the views and fresh, alpine air. Optionally, you can arrange to take up an optional experience offered by your Travel Director.
Meal(s): Breakfast.
Hotel(s): Grand Hotel Europe Lucerne or Similar
DAY 7
21 September 2024
Swiss Alps to Pisa to Montecatini Terme, Tuscany
Leave the mountains after early breakfast this morning, as the coach travels south out of Switzerland and into Italy. Stop for the essential photo opportunity at the Leaning Tower of Pisa! The world-famous 840-year-old Bell Tower is immaculately presented and one of the most popular cultural European landmarks. Onward this afternoon through the remarkable Tuscan region – famous for exquisite wine, food, art and architecture. End the day in Montecatini Terme, a lovely spa town north-west of Florence.
Meal(s): Breakfast.
Hotel(s): Columbia Wellness and Spa or Similar
DAY 8
22 September 2024
Montecatini Terme, Tuscany to Florence to Rome
After the short drive into Florence this morning, explore the stunning Renaissance city on a walking tour with a local specialist. Then, continue through the Italian countryside to incredible Rome, the 2,300-year-old capital of Italy. Upon arrival have time to settle into your hotel and have some free time. Later, rejoin your group for a relaxed group dinner.
Meal(s): Breakfast, Dinner.
Hotel(s): Raganelli Hotel Rome Custom or Similar
DAY 9
23 September 2024
Rome Free Day
Enjoy a slow start today, with the full day free for your own adventures. Relax, or join one of the optional tours your travel director can recommend on the day, such as a guided walking tour or a guided visit to Vatican City, including the Sistine Chapel or a visit to the Colosseum. The meandering streets of the old city are lined with breathtaking architecture, home to many wonderful galleries, museums, shops and gelaterias!
Meal(s): Breakfast, Dinner.
Hotel(s): Raganelli Hotel Rome Custom or
Similar
DAY 10
24 September 2024
Rome to Venice
Rome city makes way for scenery as the coach travels to Venice. See vineyards, orchards and majestic Tuscany, Italy mountains pass by from your vantage point. On arrival into Venice join your Travel Director to see the world-famous St Mark’s Square, Grand Canal and Rialto Bridge. Consider exploring Venice the traditional way – from the canals. The evening is free for you to explore at your own pace and find something delicious for dinner.
Meal(s): Breakfast.
Hotel(s): Apogia Sirio Venice Hotel Mestre or Similar
DAY 11
25 September 2024
Venice to Munich
After breakfast, set off from Venice for another remarkable journey through some of Europe’s finest scenery. Travel through the towering Dolomites and into the lush verdant valleys of Austria and Germany. An orientation tour in Munich will introduce you to the famous Karlsplatz and Marienplatz as well as provide an insight into some of the region’s rich history. Dinner tonight will be enjoyed together at a traditional German beer hall.
Meal(s): Breakfast, Dinner.
Hotel(s): Leonardo Hotel Munich City South or Similar
DAY 12
26 September 2024
Munich to Nuremberg to Rhine Valley
Journey from Munich, stopping in at Nuremberg for a wander around. Enjoy free time to soak up the views and shop for handcrafted souvenirs. Have an included lunch before enjoying a stunning cruise along the Rhine River. This part of the valley is home to the most concentrated stretch of castles in Europe! Take in the views of the striking cliffs, medieval castles and historic vineyards along the riverbanks.
Meal(s): Breakfast, Lunch.
Hotel(s): Leonardo Hotel Frankfurt City or Similar
DAY 13
27 September 2024
Amsterdam
Take a last look at the lush scenery before crossing into the Netherlands and onto Amsterdam where you will spend the next 2 nights. Enjoy an orientation tour of Amsterdam with your Travel Director, later enjoy dinner as a group at one of the fantastic restaurants Amsterdam has to offer.
Meal(s): Breakfast, Dinner.
Hotel(s): Holiday Inn Express Amsterdam or Similar
DAY 14
28 September 2024
Amsterdam Free Day
Get acquainted with Amsterdam’s highlights on a canal cruise this morning. Enjoy sightseeing from the water and learn more about this historic city as you cruise. The rest of the day is free to wander the streets of Amsterdam at your leisure; explore colourful neighbourhoods, sample local food & beers or visit some of the city’s world-famous museums; including the Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh Museum. For something different, join an optional offered by your Travel Director
Meal(s): Breakfast.
Hotel(s): Holiday Inn Express Amsterdam or Similar
DAY 15
29 September 2024
Amsterdam to London
Say farewell to Amsterdam and begin the last leg of your journey back to London. Arrive back in London towards the end of the day and have the evening to explore on your own.
Meal(s): Breakfast, Dinner.
Hotel(s): Hilton London Olympia Hotel or Similar
DAY 16
30 September 2024
Depart London
After breakfast, farewell your group and either be transferred to the airport or go on with your own plans.
Meal(s): Breakfast.