Secrets of the Alps and Countryside

Welcome to Prague. Upon arrival at the airport, we will transfer you to your hotel. Please check the information boards at reception for details about the welcome meeting with your guide. In the evening, we will take you to the Old Town Square, a vibrant area full of life and visitors. You can enjoy dinner at one of the many restaurants offering a range of international cuisines, including Czech, Chinese, Indian, and Italian options. Afterwards, we will transfer you back to the hotel.
Please note: This tour may have travellers joining or departing at various points along the route, meaning group composition can change during the tour.

Today, we explore Prague, often hailed as the Baroque jewel of Europe. Our local guide will lead a panoramic tour, showcasing the city’s most remarkable monuments. We’ll visit Prague Castle, with admission included, to discover its impressive architecture and history. Afterwards, we’ll enjoy a relaxing boat trip on the Vltava River, offering a unique perspective of the city’s skyline. In the afternoon, you’ll have free time to explore Prague at your own pace.

We depart early from Prague and travel to Pilsen, located in western Bohemia and famous for its beer heritage. You will have time to explore the historic centre, including the Old Town Square, the cathedral, the Plague Column, and the Renaissance-era town hall. Afterwards, we cross into Germany and follow a section of the Romantic Road to Rothenburg, a well-preserved medieval town often regarded as one of the country’s most beautiful. In the evening, we continue to Frankfurt, Germany’s financial hub. Upon arrival, you will have some free time to enjoy dinner in the historic city centre, which offers a range of international cuisine from Indian and Asian to Italian.

We’ll start the day with a scenic cruise along the Rhine River, sailing between the picturesque villages of Rüdesheim and St. Goar—one of the most beautiful stretches of the river. After the cruise, we’ll continue to Cologne, a city famed for its imposing Gothic cathedral, which dominates the skyline. From Cologne, we’ll proceed to the Netherlands, arriving in Amsterdam in the evening.

We begin the day exploring Zaanse Schans, a picturesque area renowned for its traditional Dutch houses, canals, and working windmills. Next, we visit Volendam, a charming fishing village known for its scenic harbour and historic character. From Volendam, we take a short boat trip to Marken, once an island and now connected to the mainland by a dike. Here, you’ll see houses traditionally built on stilts to protect against flooding. In the afternoon, we enjoy a guided tour of Amsterdam, covering several highlights including its iconic windmill and the Rembrandt statue, the modern elegance of the South District, and the centuries-old tradition of diamond cutting at Museum Square. The tour concludes with a walk into the heart of the city, where you have free time to explore Amsterdam’s canals, markets, and cafés at your own pace.

After breakfast, we travel to Belgium, arriving in Brussels – the country's capital and seat of major European institutions. Here, we admire the striking Grand Place, a fine example of Flemish Baroque architecture, and take a stroll past the famous Manneken Pis statue. Brussels skilfully combines historical charm with a vibrant, multicultural atmosphere and is renowned for its chocolate and modern character. In the afternoon, we continue our journey into France, reaching Paris by evening.

We begin the day by visiting the magnificent Palace of Versailles, a symbol of France’s royal heritage and renowned for its extensive gardens (admission not included). After returning to Paris, we explore Montmartre, an artistic neighbourhood known for its bohemian charm, painters, and historic cabarets. To round off the day, we take a panoramic city tour with a local guide, highlighting Paris’s grand boulevards and iconic landmarks. We then return to the hotel. In the evening, there is an optional variety show for those wishing to experience Parisian entertainment.

We begin the day in central Paris with a visit to the iconic Eiffel Tower, including tickets to ascend to the second floor of this renowned iron landmark. Following this, we will enjoy a leisurely boat cruise along the Seine, lasting approximately one hour and fifteen minutes, providing a unique perspective on the city’s landmarks. The afternoon is free for you to explore Paris at your own pace; please note that transfers back to the hotel are not included. If wait times at the Eiffel Tower are particularly long, we may reschedule the visit to later in the day or on Sunday for your convenience.

Today, we travel through the heart of France’s Bourgogne region, famed for its scenic vineyards and exceptional wines. Our first stop is Beaune, a charming town noted for its colourful streets, historic hospice, and wine museum. After some free time for lunch and a stroll, we continue to Lyon, the former capital of Roman Gaul situated on the Rhône River. Lyon’s historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage site. We’ll take a cable car up to Notre-Dame de Fourvière for panoramic views of the city, followed by some free time to explore at your own pace. Please note, some travellers will stay overnight in Chambéry, near Lyon, where the medieval-style town and its impressive castle can be visited the following morning.

Today we enter Switzerland, arriving in Geneva where we will pass the Palace of Nations, the European headquarters of the United Nations. We'll visit the English Garden to see the famous flower clock and admire the Jet d?Eau, Europe's tallest fountain. After lunch, we continue along scenic routes by Lake Geneva and Lake Neuch?tel through the Three Lakes region, known for its vineyards set against mountain backdrops. We will stop in Neuch?tel, where you can take a stroll by the lake, explore the historic centre, or visit the striking 10th-century castle. Our journey ends in Zurich, arriving in the late afternoon. Please note, depending on group size, this leg may be completed by train without stopping in Neuch?tel.

We’ll explore Zurich, Switzerland’s largest city and its financial and cultural centre, known for its high quality of life. Our guided tour will highlight the city’s key landmarks before we board a scenic two-hour cruise on Lake Zurich. Along the way, we’ll make brief stops at charming lakeside villages. We’ll disembark in Rapperswil, a picturesque town famed for its medieval castle. From there, we’ll return to Zurich by train, experiencing the Swiss railway’s renowned efficiency. Depending on group size, transfers to and from the city centre may be made using public transport.

Today we travel through some of Switzerland’s most impressive landscapes, featuring towering mountains and crystal-clear lakes. Our first stop is Grindelwald in the Interlaken region, where we will pause for coffee before taking a cable car up the mountain. From there, we’ll follow a winding path to a suspended bridge—crossing it is a rewarding experience, offering spectacular views of the surrounding glaciers. Lunch is included on the mountain before we descend. Next, we continue to Lucerne, one of Switzerland’s most picturesque cities, where you will have time to explore the charming streets and waterfront at your own pace. We then return to Zurich for the evening. For those interested, the guide will offer an optional full-day excursion: after some free time in Lucerne, you can take a rotating cable car to the summit of Mount Titlis, over 3,000 metres above sea level, for panoramic views of the glacier and the Alps.

After breakfast, your journey concludes in Zurich, leaving you with lasting memories of your trip.