Central Europe Highlights

Welcome to Prague. Upon your arrival at the airport, we'll transfer you directly to your hotel. Please check the information boards in the hotel reception for details about the welcome meeting with your guide. In the evening, we'll take you to the vibrant Old Town Square, a popular area bustling with visitors. You can choose to dine at one of the many restaurants offering a range of international cuisines, including Czech, Chinese, Indian, and Italian. After dinner, we'll provide transport 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'll explore Prague, often called the Baroque jewel of Europe. Our local guide will lead a panoramic tour of the city, showcasing its most remarkable monuments. We'll visit Prague Castle, with admission included, before enjoying a relaxing boat ride on the Vltava River. In the afternoon, you'll have free time to discover the city at your own pace.

We'll depart early and travel to Bavaria, 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 and arrive in Innsbruck, nestled in the heart of the Alps. You'll have time to discover the charming Old Town and the famous Golden Roof area, where you can choose to have dinner before returning to the hotel.

We begin the day with a visit to the Swarovski Museum, renowned for its exquisite crystal creations. Together, we'll explore the impressive gardens and learn about the craftsmanship behind the famous Swarovski pieces. Afterwards, you'll have some free time to stroll around the area before we continue our journey to Zurich. En route, enjoy the striking Tyrolean scenery as we travel. Once in Zurich, spend the evening at your leisure in the historic city centre by the lake, where you can choose from a wide range of restaurants offering Indian, Oriental, Italian, International and Swiss cuisine.

Today's route showcases some of Switzerland's most striking landscapes - towering mountains and crystal-clear lakes. We'll begin in the Interlaken region with a stop in Grindelwald, where we'll pause for coffee before taking a cable car up the mountain. From the summit, we'll follow a winding path to a suspended bridge. Those feeling adventurous can cross it to enjoy spectacular views of the surrounding glaciers. Lunch is included atop the mountain before we descend. Later, we'll visit Lucerne, one of Switzerland's most beautiful cities, where you'll have free time to explore its charming streets and architecture. We'll then return to Zurich for the evening. For those interested, the guide will offer an optional full-day excursion starting in the morning, 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, to experience breathtaking glacier and Alp views.

We depart Zurich early, crossing the Alps into the Italian-speaking region of Switzerland. Our first stop is Bellinzona, famous for its trio of medieval castles recognised as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. These hilltop fortresses reflect Bellinzona's historical role as a key alpine stronghold. You'll have some free time to explore the picturesque old town and its charming streets. Next, we cross into Italy and visit Como, often called the jewel of Lombardy, known for its beautiful lakefront gardens and striking cathedral. Here, you'll enjoy lunch at your leisure. We then continue to Milan, where our guide will take us to the impressive Piazza del Duomo. You'll have some time to wander the area before we transfer you to your hotel for the evening.

Today we travel from Milan to Pisa and then on to Rome. Upon arriving in Pisa, we'll take a small tourist train to the Piazza dei Miracoli, where you'll have time to admire this renowned art complex, including the famous Leaning Tower. Later, we continue to Rome, arriving in the evening to settle in for the next stage of your journey.

In the morning, we'll take a three-hour guided tour of Rome, combining a walking tour through Imperial Rome with a panoramic bus ride to give you a broad view of this ancient city. Highlights include 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 may choose to join an optional visit to the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel. Later in the day, we'll transfer you to the vibrant Trastevere district, known for its inviting restaurants and lively atmosphere, before returning to the hotel around 8:30 p.m.

We leave Rome this morning and travel north, enjoying the changing landscapes along the way. Upon arrival in Florence, we visit Piazzale Michelangelo to take in spectacular panoramic views of the city. From there, we stroll down to the historic centre for a guided walking tour led by a local expert. Highlights include the Ponte Vecchio, the Duomo, and Piazza della Signoria - a cityscape that truly feels like an open-air museum. After the tour, you'll have some free time to explore Florence at your leisure. In the evening, you can choose from a wide range of restaurants offering various international cuisines in this vibrant district.

Today, we travel from Florence to Venice, crossing the scenic Apennine Mountains. Upon arrival, we take a boat across the Giudecca Canal to Venice's island centre. With a local guide, we explore the remarkable St Mark's Square before visiting the Murano Glass Factory to see traditional glass-making techniques in action. You'll then have some free time to wander and discover the city at your own pace. Accommodation is provided in the Mestre district.

We leave Venice this morning and travel to Austria. On arrival in Innsbruck, the Tyrolean capital, we'll enjoy some time to stroll through the historic city centre and have lunch. Afterwards, we'll continue along scenic mountain roads to Kitzbuhel, a charming alpine village renowned as a year-round ski resort. You'll have free time to explore before we travel on to Salzburg, arriving by evening. Please note, if the group is small, the transfer from Venice to Innsbruck may be by train.

Today, we'll explore Austria more deeply, beginning with a morning tour of Salzburg, the birthplace of Mozart. You'll see the city's striking Renaissance and Baroque architecture, all dominated by the imposing fortress overlooking the old town. Afterwards, we travel through scenic lakes and mountains to St Wolfgang, a well-known pilgrimage site. Next, we visit Traunkirchen on the shores of Lake Traunsee, where we'll take an included boat cruise to admire four lakeside castles before disembarking at Gmunden. From there, we continue to Vienna, arriving in the evening.

Today, we'll take a panoramic tour of Vienna with a local guide, exploring its grand avenues, stunning palaces, expansive parks, and vibrant city centre. In the afternoon, you'll have free time to discover the city at your own pace. In the evening, we'll transfer you to the Grinzing district - formerly a wine-growing village now part of Vienna, where you can enjoy an evening meal in one of its traditional taverns before returning to the hotel.

After breakfast, our tour concludes, leaving you with a collection of memorable experiences to cherish from your journey.