Paris to Rome A European Adventure

Welcome to Paris. We arrange your transfer to the hotel, and you have free time to settle in. In the afternoon you will receive information – either directly or via the information board at 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. Please also be aware that depending on group composition, guiding may be in additional languages as well as English.

We travel to the Palace of Versailles – admission not included – to admire its magnificent gardens and rich history. Returning to Paris, we explore Montmartre, the bohemian quarter of artists and cabarets, then take a panoramic city tour with a local guide to showcase grand avenues and iconic monuments before we return to the hotel.

We begin in central Paris with a visit to the Eiffel Tower – tickets to the second floor are included – followed by a relaxing cruise on the Seine of around one hour and fifteen minutes. You have the afternoon free to explore at your own pace – the return to the hotel is not included. If waiting times at the Eiffel Tower are too long, we may reschedule the visit to another time or to Sunday.

Today we journey through Burgundy’s vineyard landscapes to Beaune, a lovely town known for flower filled streets, the historic hospice and a proud wine heritage. After free time for lunch and a stroll, we continue to Lyon, former capital of Roman Gaul on the River Rhône. We take the cable car to Notre Dame de Fourvière for superb city views, then you have time to explore at your leisure. At times part of the group stays in Chambéry, near Lyon – in that case we travel there in the evening for the overnight, and in the morning you have time to visit this medieval style city, capital of Savoy, with its beautiful historic centre and impressive castle.

Today we travel into Switzerland. In Geneva we pass the Palace of Nations, explore the English Garden with its flower clock and admire the Jet d’Eau, the tallest fountain in Europe. After lunch we continue along the shores of Lake Geneva and Lake Neuchâtel, crossing the Three Lakes region amid vineyard clad slopes. We stop in Neuchâtel, where you can wander by the lake, explore the historic centre or visit the beautiful tenth century castle. We arrive in Zurich in the late afternoon. Depending on passenger numbers, the journey from Geneva to Zurich may be by train – in that case there is no stop in Neuchâtel.

With our guide, we explore Zurich, Switzerland’s largest city and a cultural and financial hub. We then enjoy a scenic cruise of nearly two hours on Lake Zurich, with short stops to admire villages along the way, disembarking in Rapperswil, famed for its medieval castle. We return to Zurich by train, a chance to experience Swiss efficiency. Depending on group size, transfers to and from the centre may be by public transport.

Today brings superb alpine scenery of high peaks and clear lakes in the Interlaken region. Our first stop is Grindelwald, with time for a coffee before we take the cable car up the mountain. We follow a path to a suspended bridge – adventurous travellers can cross for spectacular glacier views. Lunch on the mountain is included. We then continue to Lucerne, one of Switzerland’s most beautiful cities, where you have time to explore before returning to Zurich. Your guide may offer an optional full day excursion to Mount Titlis – after free time in Lucerne, you can take the rotating cable car to the summit at over 3,000 metres for outstanding views of the glacier and the Alps.

We leave Zurich early, crossing the Alps into the Italian speaking part of Switzerland. Our first stop is Bellinzona, renowned for its three medieval castles, a UNESCO World Heritage site – you can enjoy free time to wander the charming centre. We then enter Italy and stop in Como for lunch, a jewel of Lombardy known for lakeside gardens and a magnificent cathedral. We continue to Milan, where our guide leads us to the impressive Piazza del Duomo – you have time to look around before we transfer to the hotel.

We travel to Pisa and board the little tourist train to the Piazza dei Miracoli, where you have time to admire one of Italy’s most remarkable artistic ensembles, including the Leaning Tower. We then continue to Rome, arriving later in the day.

In the morning we take a three hour guided tour of the Eternal City, combining a walk through Imperial Rome with a panoramic drive to appreciate one of the most influential cities in Western civilisation. We see the Arch of Constantine, the exterior of the Colosseum and the Imperial Forums, the Circus Maximus, the Baths of Caracalla, the Basilica of Saint Mary Major, the Pyramid of Cestius and Castel Sant’Angelo. The tour ends at Vatican City around 11:00 – afterwards, your guide will offer an optional visit to the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel. In the evening we include a transfer to Trastevere, famed for its cosy restaurants and lively atmosphere – return to the hotel is around 8:30 p.m.

After breakfast, our journey concludes – we hope you leave with wonderful memories.