Enchanted Landscapes of Europe

Welcome to Paris. Upon arrival, we transfer you to your hotel, where you’ll have some free time to relax and settle in. In the afternoon, you can find detailed information about the start of your tour on the notice boards located at the hotel reception.
Please note: This tour may have travellers joining or departing at various points along the route, meaning group composition can change during the tour.

We begin the day with a visit to the magnificent Palace of Versailles, famed for its grand architecture and extensive gardens (entrance not included). Upon returning to Paris, we explore Montmartre, a distinctive bohemian district known for its historic association with artists, painters, and vibrant cabarets. To capture the full splendour of the city, we then take a panoramic tour with a local guide, showcasing Paris’s renowned avenues and iconic landmarks. The day concludes with a return to the hotel. In the evening, you may choose to attend an optional variety show.

We begin the day in central Paris with a visit to the iconic Eiffel Tower, where we’ll have tickets included to ascend to the second floor of this famous landmark. Following this, we’ll enjoy a relaxing boat cruise along the Seine, lasting about one hour and fifteen minutes, offering unique views of the city from the river. The afternoon is yours to explore Paris at your leisure. Please note that transfers back to the hotel in the evening are not included. If wait times at the Eiffel Tower are excessive, the visit may be rescheduled to a different time or moved to Sunday for your convenience.

Today, we’ll leave Paris and travel through the Burgundy region, famous for its scenic vineyards and exceptional wines. Our first stop is Beaune, a charming town at the heart of Burgundy, known for its flower-filled streets, historic hospice, and wine museum. You’ll have some free time here for lunch and a stroll. We’ll then continue to Lyon, the ancient capital of Roman Gaul, situated on the banks of the Rhône. Lyon’s historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage site. We’ll take a cable car up to Notre-Dame de Fourvière, offering excellent views over the city. Afterward, you’ll have free time to explore at your own pace. Please note that some of the group may stay overnight in Chambéry, a nearby medieval-style town known for its impressive castle. If so, we’ll travel there in the evening, and you’ll have time to visit Chambéry the following morning.

We leave Lyon this morning and head into Switzerland, arriving in Geneva where we will pass the Palace of Nations, home to the European headquarters of the United Nations. We'll explore the English Garden, famous for its floral clock, and admire the Jet d?Eau, Europe's tallest fountain. After lunch, we continue through the scenic Swiss landscape, travelling alongside Lake Geneva and Lake Neuch?tel. We drive through the picturesque Three Lakes region, framed by vineyards and mountains. We'll stop in Neuch?tel to enjoy a lakeside walk, explore the historic town centre, or visit its impressive 10th-century castle. Our day concludes with arrival in Zurich in the late afternoon. Please note, depending on the group size, the Geneva to Zurich journey may be taken by train, in which case we will not stop in Neuch?tel.

We’ll explore Zurich, Switzerland’s largest city and its financial and cultural centre, known for its exceptional quality of life. Our guided tour will introduce you to the city’s highlights before we board a scenic cruise on Lake Zurich lasting nearly two hours. Along the way, we’ll pause at charming lakeside villages, disembarking at Rapperswil – a picturesque town famed for its medieval castle. From there, we’ll return to Zurich by train, offering a brief experience of Switzerland’s efficient rail system. Note that, depending on group size, transfers to and from the city centre may be made using public transport.

Today’s journey takes us through some of Switzerland’s most breathtaking landscapes, with towering mountains and pristine lakes creating a stunning backdrop. We begin in the Interlaken region, stopping in the charming village of Grindelwald for a coffee break before taking a cable car up the mountain. Once at the top, we follow a winding path to a suspended bridge, which offers spectacular views of the surrounding glaciers—crossing it is an option for the more adventurous. Lunch is included on the mountain before we descend and continue to Lucerne, one of Switzerland’s most picturesque cities, where you’ll have free time to explore its delightful streets and lakeside setting. We then return to Zurich for the evening. The guide will also offer an optional full-day excursion, which starts in the morning and includes free time in Lucerne followed by a rotating cable car ride to the summit of Mount Titlis at over 3,000 metres, where the alpine views are truly remarkable.

We leave Zurich early, crossing the Alps to reach the Italian-speaking region of Switzerland. Our first stop is Bellinzona, known for its three medieval castles, which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. These hilltop fortresses reflect Bellinzona’s historical importance as a strategic Alpine stronghold. You’ll have some free time to explore the charming old town before we continue into Italy. We pause in Como for lunch, a picturesque town famed for its lakeside gardens and striking cathedral. Later, we travel to Milan, where our guide will show us the impressive Piazza del Duomo. You’ll have time to wander the square before we transfer to the hotel for the evening.

Today we travel from Milan to Pisa, where we board a small tourist train to the Piazza dei Miracoli, also known as the Square of Miracles. Here, you’ll have time to admire one of Italy’s most remarkable art complexes, including the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa. Afterwards, we continue to Rome, arriving later in the day for your next adventure.

In the morning, we’ll take a three-hour guided tour of Rome, beginning with a walking exploration of Imperial Rome before continuing by coach to see the city’s key landmarks. We’ll visit the Arch of Constantine, view the exterior of the Colosseum and the Imperial Forums, and pass the Circus Maximus, Baths of Caracalla, Basilica of Saint Mary Major, Pyramid of Cestius, and Castel Sant’Angelo. The tour concludes at Vatican City around 11:00 a.m., where you can choose to join an optional visit to the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel. Later in the day, we’ll transfer you to Trastevere, a vibrant neighbourhood known for its charming restaurants and lively atmosphere. We’ll return to the hotel at approximately 8:30 p.m.

We will transfer you to the airport at the time advised by your guide for the included domestic flight. Upon arrival, a transfer to your hotel will be provided. Your guide will be in touch later in the afternoon, or you can check the hotel reception for information. Please note that domestic flights generally allow one suitcase of up to 20 kg in the hold; any excess baggage must be paid for directly to the airline.

We begin the day with a thorough tour of central Madrid, taking in key landmarks such as Paseo del Prado, the Cibeles and Neptuno fountains, Puerta de Alcalá, Plaza de Colón, and Plaza Mayor. Next, we visit Retiro Park, a tranquil green space in the heart of the city, where we’ll see the lake and the striking Palacio de Cristal. Admission to Santiago Bernabéu Stadium is included—home to Real Madrid, one of the world’s most renowned football clubs. You’ll have the afternoon free to explore Madrid at your own pace. In the evening, we’ll provide a return transfer to the hotel.

We depart Madrid in the morning, travelling through the Castile region towards Aragon. Our first stop is Zaragoza, where we admire the impressive Cathedral-Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar, an important pilgrimage site. We then continue to Poblet Abbey, one of the best-preserved medieval monasteries in Europe, with entrance included. In the evening, we arrive in Barcelona, concluding the day’s journey.

We begin the day with a panoramic tour of Barcelona, a vibrant city renowned for its blend of Mediterranean charm and modernist architecture by Antoni Gaudí. We'll pass through lively areas such as Las Ramblas and see highlights linked to the city's history as host of the World Expositions and the Olympic Games. The tour concludes at Maremagnum, a contemporary leisure and dining complex by the sea near Columbus Square, where you can enjoy a stroll at your own pace. The afternoon is free for you to explore further or relax. We return to the hotel later in the day.

After breakfast, the tour concludes. You will have time to reflect on your experiences and prepare for your onward journey, taking with you lasting memories of your trip.