European Treasures

Upon arrival in Paris, we’ll transfer you to your hotel, where you’ll have some free time to settle in and familiarise yourself with the surroundings. In the afternoon, you’ll find all the essential information about the tour’s start displayed on the boards at the hotel reception. This allows you to get organised and ready for the days ahead at your own pace.
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’ll begin the day exploring the grandeur of the Palace of Versailles, famed for its exquisite gardens and significant role in French history (admission not included). After returning to Paris, we’ll visit Montmartre, a distinctive bohemian district known for its artistic heritage and vibrant cabaret scene. To capture the full splendour of the city, we’ll enjoy a panoramic tour with a local guide, passing by Paris’s grand avenues and iconic landmarks. We’ll then return to the hotel for some rest. In the evening, you may choose to attend an optional variety show for a taste of Parisian nightlife.

We begin the day in central Paris with a visit to the iconic Eiffel Tower. We’ll take you up to the second floor of this famous landmark, with tickets included. Afterwards, we’ll enjoy a relaxing boat cruise along the Seine, lasting approximately one hour and fifteen minutes, offering a fresh perspective on the city’s most celebrated sights. The afternoon is yours to explore Paris at your leisure—please note that transfers back to the hotel are not included. If waiting times at the Eiffel Tower are lengthy, we may reschedule the visit for a more convenient time, possibly on Sunday.

Today we travel to the heart of France, passing through the Burgundy region, celebrated for its scenic vineyards and exceptional wines. Our first stop is Beaune, a charming town known for its floral streets, historic hospice, and wine museum. You’ll have time for lunch and a stroll before we continue to Lyon, the former capital of Roman Gaul. Situated on the banks of the Rhône River, Lyon’s historic centre is a designated UNESCO World Heritage site. We’ll take a cable car to Notre-Dame de Fourvière for panoramic views over the city, followed by some free time to explore at your leisure. Note that on occasion, part of the group will stay overnight in Chambéry, a nearby city with a medieval-style centre and impressive castle, where you will have time to visit the following morning.

We travel to Switzerland today, arriving first in Geneva. We pass the Palace of Nations, the European headquarters of the United Nations, before visiting the English Garden to see its famous flower clock and the impressive Jet d?Eau, the tallest fountain in Europe. After lunch, we continue along scenic routes beside Lake Geneva and Lake Neuch?tel, passing through the picturesque Three Lakes region, noted for its vineyards set against the mountains. We stop in Neuch?tel, where you can take a lakeside stroll, explore the historic centre, or visit the beautiful 10th-century castle. Our journey concludes in Zurich in the late afternoon. Depending on the number of travellers, the leg from Geneva to Zurich may be 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 banking sector, Zurich has twice been named the city with the best quality of life worldwide. Following our city tour with the guide, we’ll take a scenic cruise on Lake Zurich lasting nearly two hours, making brief stops to visit some of the charming lakeside villages along the way. We’ll disembark in Rapperswil, a picturesque town famed for its medieval castle. From there, we’ll return to Zurich by train, offering a chance to experience the efficiency and punctuality of the Swiss rail system. Depending on group size, transfers to and from the city centre may be by public transport.

Today we’ll travel through some of Switzerland’s most stunning scenery, with tall mountains and pristine lakes framing our route. Our first stop is Grindelwald in the Interlaken region, where you’ll have time to enjoy a coffee before we take a cable car up the mountain. From there, we’ll follow a winding path to a suspended bridge that offers spectacular glacier views—crossing it is a rewarding experience for those feeling adventurous. Lunch is included on the mountain before we descend. Next, we head to Lucerne, one of Switzerland’s most picturesque cities, where you’ll have free time to wander and soak up the charming atmosphere. We’ll return to Zurich in the evening. For those interested, the guide will offer an optional full-day excursion starting in the morning, featuring a rotating cable car ride to the summit of Mount Titlis, where you can admire breathtaking alpine views from over 3,000 metres above sea level.

We depart Zurich early, crossing the Alps to reach Switzerland’s Italian-speaking region. Our first stop is Bellinzona, famous for its three medieval castles—UNESCO World Heritage Sites—that stand sentinel over the town, reflecting its historic role as an alpine fortress. You’ll have some free time to explore the charming streets of the town centre. Next, we cross into Italy and arrive in Como for lunch. Known as the jewel of Lombardy, Como is celebrated for its lovely lakeside gardens and impressive cathedral. We then continue to Milan, where our guide will show us the striking Piazza del Duomo. You’ll have time to explore the area before we transfer you to the hotel for the night.

We’ll travel from Milan to Pisa, where we take a short tourist train to the Piazza dei Miracoli. Here, you’ll have time to admire this remarkable UNESCO World Heritage site, including the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa and its surrounding architectural treasures. Later, we continue on to Rome, arriving in the early evening.

In the morning, we’ll enjoy a three-hour guided tour of Rome, blending a walking tour through the heart of Imperial Rome with a panoramic bus ride to take in the city’s most significant landmarks. We’ll visit highlights including the Arch of Constantine, the exterior of the Colosseum, the Imperial Forums, Circus Maximus, Baths of Caracalla, Basilica of Saint Mary Major, the 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 of the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel. Later in the day, we’ll provide a transfer to Trastevere, a vibrant district known for its lively atmosphere and inviting restaurants, giving you time to soak up the evening ambiance. We’ll return to the hotel around 8:30 p.m.

After breakfast, your journey concludes, leaving you with unforgettable memories of your time in Rome and beyond.