Continental Europe Explorer

Welcome to Berlin. Upon arrival, we will transfer you to your hotel where you can settle in and enjoy some free time. In the afternoon, you will find important information about the start of your tour displayed on the notice boards at the hotel reception, allowing you to prepare 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 begin the day with a guided tour of Berlin, Germany’s vibrant capital. From the comfort of our coach, we’ll pass key sights including Museum Island, the Television Tower, the main shopping streets in the city centre, the old cathedral damaged in World War II, Brandenburg Gate, Reichstag, and the city’s extensive parks. We’ll pause to visit two significant memorials: the Holocaust Memorial and the Berlin Wall Memorial Museum, which offer poignant insights into Germany’s 20th-century history. The afternoon is yours to explore Berlin at your leisure. Early evening, we provide a transfer to the bustling Kantstrasse area, known for its lively dining and entertainment options.

We depart Berlin and travel through forested landscapes to Dresden, a city celebrated for its remarkable architectural and artistic heritage. You’ll have time to explore some of Dresden’s impressive palaces and enjoy lunch at one of its many restaurants or cafés. Later, we continue to the Czech Republic, arriving in Prague. We’ll take you to the lively Old Town Square, a bustling area full of energy and ideal for your first glimpse of the city. You can choose to dine in one of the many nearby restaurants offering a variety of international cuisines, including Czech, Chinese, Indian, and Italian, before we return to the hotel for the evening.

Today, we explore Prague, often called the Baroque jewel of Europe. A local guide will take us on a panoramic tour, showcasing the city’s most remarkable monuments. We’ll visit Prague Castle, with admission included, offering insight into the city’s rich history. Afterwards, enjoy a scenic boat ride on the Vltava River, which is also included. The afternoon is yours to discover Prague’s streets, cafés, and unique atmosphere at your own pace.

We depart early for Bavaria in Germany, arriving in Munich by midday. You’ll have free time to explore the historic city centre and enjoy lunch at your leisure. In the afternoon, we continue into Austria, reaching Innsbruck in the heart of the Alps. Here, you’ll have time to wander through the Old Town and the area around the Golden Roof before dinner.

Begin the day with a visit to the Swarovski Museum in Innsbruck, home to the renowned crystal brand. We’ll explore the impressive gardens and discover the craftsmanship behind the sparkling creations. Afterwards, you’ll have some free time to wander around before we continue our journey to Zurich. The drive offers beautiful views of the Tyrolean Alps. On arrival in Zurich, spend the evening at leisure in the historic city centre by the lake, where a wide range of restaurants serve Indian, Oriental, Italian, Swiss and international cuisine.

Today’s route offers spectacular Alpine scenery with soaring mountains and crystal-clear lakes. We first stop in Grindelwald, where you can enjoy a coffee before we take a cable car up the mountain. From there, we walk along a winding path to a suspended bridge that, for the more adventurous, provides stunning views of the surrounding glaciers. Lunch is included on the mountain before we descend and continue to Lucerne, one of Switzerland’s most picturesque cities. You’ll have free time to explore its charming streets and waterfront at your leisure. We then return to Zurich. There is also an optional full-day excursion offered by the guide, starting in the morning, which includes a visit to Mount Titlis by rotating cable car. At over 3,000 metres above sea level, the summit affords impressive views of the glacier and Alps.

We leave Zurich early and cross the Alps into Switzerland’s Italian-speaking region. Our first stop is Bellinzona, famous for its three medieval castles—UNESCO World Heritage Sites—perched on the hills that once guarded this important alpine stronghold. You’ll have some free time to explore the charming old town. Next, we cross into Italy and pause in the picturesque town of Como for lunch. Nestled beside the lake, Como is renowned for its beautiful gardens and striking cathedral. We then continue to Milan, where the guide will lead a visit to the impressive Piazza del Duomo. After some time to explore this iconic square, we transfer to the hotel for the evening.

Today, we travel from Milan to Pisa, where we take a small tourist train to the Piazza dei Miracoli, known as the Square of Miracles. Here, you’ll have time to admire this remarkable complex, including the famed Leaning Tower of Pisa. Later, we continue to Rome, arriving in the evening.

In the morning, we’ll take a three-hour guided tour of Rome, blending a walking visit through Imperial Rome with a panoramic coach ride to showcase some of the city’s most iconic sites. We’ll see landmarks such as the Arch of Constantine, the exterior of the Colosseum and 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 have the option to join a guided visit of the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel. Later in the day, we’ll transfer you to Trastevere, a lively neighbourhood known for its welcoming restaurants and vibrant atmosphere. We’ll return to the hotel at approximately 8:30 p.m.

We’ll transfer you to the airport at the arranged time to catch your included domestic flight to Madrid. Upon arrival, you’ll be transferred to your hotel. Your guide will get in touch by late afternoon, or you can check the information boards at the hotel reception. Please note that for domestic flights, luggage allowance is generally one suitcase up to 20kg in the hold. Any excess baggage must be paid for directly to the airline.

We begin the day with a comprehensive 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 peaceful green space in the heart of the city, including the lake and the Palacio de Cristal. Admission is included to Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, the home of Real Madrid, widely regarded as one of the world’s leading football clubs. You’ll have the remainder of the afternoon free to explore Madrid at your own pace. In the evening, we provide a transfer back to the hotel for your convenience.

We leave Madrid in the morning and travel through the Castile region towards Aragón. Our first stop is Zaragoza to admire the impressive Cathedral-Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar, an important pilgrimage site and an outstanding example of Baroque architecture. We then continue to Poblet Abbey, one of the best-preserved medieval monasteries, where admission is included. After exploring its serene grounds, we make our way to Barcelona, arriving in the evening.

This morning, we’ll take a panoramic tour of Barcelona, a captivating city on the Mediterranean renowned for Gaudí’s modernist architecture, its bustling Ramblas, and landmarks from the World Expositions and Olympic Games. The tour concludes at Maremagnum, a lively waterfront complex near Columbus Square, where you can enjoy a stroll and explore the area at your own pace. The afternoon is free for you to relax or discover more of the city before we return to the hotel later in the day.

We’ll travel south along the Mediterranean coast, stopping in Peñíscola, a charming medieval walled town set beside inviting beaches, where you’ll have time to explore at your leisure. Continuing on, we arrive in Valencia around lunchtime. In the afternoon, we’ll take a guided tour of this historic port city, known for its more than 2,000 years of history. The city’s landscape is marked by a combination of ancient monuments and striking modern architecture, including the City of Arts and Sciences. After the tour, you’ll have free time to discover Valencia independently before we include a traditional local dinner to round off the day.

We travel through the scenic Valencian Community to Alicante, a coastal city known for its golden beaches and historic quarter. Here, you’ll have free time to explore and visit the imposing Santa Bárbara Castle. Continuing into the arid landscapes of the Murcia region, we pause for lunch before entering Andalusia. Our first stop is Guadix, famed for its inhabited cave houses and a historic centre that blends Renaissance architecture with traditional neighbourhoods, all set against views of the Sierra Nevada. We then proceed to Granada, arriving in the late afternoon, where dinner will be included.

We’ll spend a full day in Granada, beginning with a visit to the magnificent Alhambra Palace and the beautifully maintained Generalife Gardens, both outstanding examples of Moorish architecture. If your tour includes tickets, these are provided to guarantee entry, as visitor numbers are strictly limited. It is essential that accurate personal details are given at the time of booking to secure admission. In the afternoon, you’ll have free time to explore the city at your own pace, including the cathedral, which houses the tombs of the Catholic Monarchs. Should visiting the Alhambra not be possible, we will instead tour Seville’s Royal Alcázar, a site of similar historical and architectural importance.

We leave the Sierra Nevada mountains behind and travel along the Mediterranean’s Tropical Coast, a region known for its year-round mild climate that supports the growth of tropical fruits like guavas, mangoes and avocados, as well as historic sugar cane cultivation. We stop in Nerja, a picturesque coastal town set against striking cliffs, before continuing to Málaga, the lively capital of the Costa del Sol. Here, we enjoy time for lunch and a walk through the charming historic centre. Afterward, we venture into the Andalusian sierras to visit Ronda, a striking white town famous for the dramatic gorge that divides it in two. We then continue on to Seville, arriving in the late afternoon where dinner is included at the hotel.

In the morning, we’ll take you on a guided tour of Seville, exploring its most iconic sights. You’ll visit the cathedral, famous for its soaring Giralda tower, stroll along the banks of the Guadalquivir River, and wander through the historic neighbourhoods of Santa Cruz and Triana. Following the city tour, we’ll enjoy a relaxing boat ride on the Guadalquivir, providing beautiful panoramic views of Seville’s landmarks. In the evening, you can choose to attend a traditional flamenco show at a popular tablao, immersing yourself in this passionate Andalusian art form.

We leave Seville, travelling through gentle rolling hills and open pasturelands into the region of Extremadura. In Mérida, we include admission to the Archaeological Ensemble, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its remarkably preserved Roman Theatre and Amphitheatre. You’ll have time for lunch and a stroll around the lively historic centre, where charming streets are lined with inviting restaurants. We then cross into Portugal, stopping in Évora, another World Heritage Site noted for its whitewashed streets, Renaissance palaces, and impressive cathedral. Later, we continue on to Lisbon, arriving in the evening.

In the morning, we’ll explore Lisbon, Portugal’s capital famously built on seven hills. Discover the city’s narrow streets, distinctive tilework, and unique atmosphere shaped by the traditional feeling of ‘saudade’ and the soft Atlantic light. We’ll visit the historic Belém district, known as the departure point for Portuguese explorers during the 15th century’s Age of Discovery. The afternoon is free for you to wander at your leisure—perhaps head to Bairro Alto and its viewpoint for panoramic city views. Alternatively, you may choose to join an optional excursion to the nearby towns of Sintra, Cascais, and Estoril. In the evening, we’ll reconvene at Restauradores Square, an area buzzing with lively bars and cafés, before returning to the hotel.

After breakfast, your tour concludes in Lisbon. You’ll have time to gather your belongings and prepare for your onward journey, taking with you lasting memories of your travels.