Europe Trekker Route with Classical Italy

Upon your arrival in London, we'll transfer you to your hotel where you can settle in and enjoy some free time at your own pace. In the afternoon, you'll find all the details about the start of your tour displayed on notice boards in the hotel reception area, helping you prepare for the days ahead.
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 panoramic tour of London led by a local guide, offering insight into the city's rich culture and history. You'll see iconic landmarks such as the Houses of Parliament, the River Thames, and Buckingham Palace, where you may catch the famous Changing of the Guard ceremony, depending on the schedule. In the evening, we'll meet in Piccadilly to enjoy a stroll through Leicester Square, Chinatown, and Soho - areas known for their vibrant atmosphere, theatres, and entertainment. You'll have a variety of restaurants to choose from for dinner before we return to the hotel.

This morning, we visit the British Museum, one of the world's oldest museums, to explore its extensive collection showcasing cultures from across the globe. After some free time for lunch, we head to Camden, a vibrant district known for its eclectic street market, where you can browse unique stalls and enjoy a meal at one of the many independent eateries. Around 4:00 p.m., we travel to Colchester, England's oldest recorded town, taking a leisurely walk through its historic streets. We then continue to Harwich to board the ferry for an overnight crossing to the Netherlands, staying in en suite cabins. Please note, due to limited cabin availability, the itinerary may be adjusted. In such cases, we might travel from London to Amsterdam by daytime ferry with an overnight stay in Antwerp, or alternatively travel by train or flight to Amsterdam.

We arrive in the Netherlands early this morning at Hoek van Holland. Our first stop is Volendam, a traditional fishing village known for its charming streets and harbour views. From there, we continue to Amsterdam for a guided tour that highlights key sights including the iconic windmills, the statue of Rembrandt, and the modern South District. We also visit Museum Square to see the historic diamond-cutting workshops. The tour concludes with a walk through the city centre, where you will have free time to explore at your leisure.

After breakfast, we depart for Belgium and travel just over 200 kilometres to Brussels, the capital city and home to major European institutions. We will admire the striking Grand Place, a fine example of Flemish Baroque architecture, and stroll past the famous Manneken Pis statue. Brussels offers a blend of history, culture, and renowned chocolate. In the afternoon, we continue into France, arriving in Paris by the end of the day.

We begin the day with a visit to the magnificent Palace of Versailles, renowned for its exquisite gardens and significant place in French history (admission not included). After returning to Paris, we explore Montmartre, a bohemian district celebrated for its artistic heritage, painters, and cabarets. To capture the essence of Paris, we then take a panoramic city tour with a local guide, highlighting grand avenues and iconic landmarks. The day concludes with a return to the hotel. In the evening, you may opt to attend a variety show for a memorable Parisian night.

We begin the day in central Paris with a visit to the iconic Eiffel Tower, where we'll ascend to the second floor - tickets are included. Following this, we'll enjoy a leisurely boat cruise along the Seine, lasting approximately one hour and fifteen minutes, offering a unique perspective of the city's landmarks. The afternoon is yours to explore Paris at your own pace; please note that transfers back to the hotel are not included. If queues at the Eiffel Tower are excessively long, we may reschedule the visit for a different time or the following day to ensure your convenience.

Today, we travel through the heart of France to Burgundy, a region celebrated for its vineyards and distinguished wines. Our first stop is Beaune, a charming town at the centre of Burgundy, known for its flower-lined streets, historic hospice, and wine museum. After some free time for lunch and a leisurely walk, we continue to Lyon, the former capital of Roman Gaul, situated on the banks of the Rhine. Lyon's historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage site. We take a cable car up to Notre-Dame de Fourviere to enjoy stunning views of the city, followed by free time to explore at your own pace. In some cases, part of the group may stay overnight in Chambery, near Lyon, which offers a medieval-style centre and an impressive castle to discover the following morning.

Today we travel to Switzerland. In Geneva, we'll pass the Palace of Nations, the European headquarters of the United Nations, and visit the English Garden, featuring its famous flower clock. We'll also admire the Jet d'Eau, Europe's tallest fountain. After lunch, we continue along scenic routes by Lake Geneva and Lake Neuchatel, passing through the Three Lakes region where vineyards meet mountain vistas. We'll stop in Neuchatel for a lakeside walk, a chance to explore the historic town centre, or a visit to its 10th-century castle. Our day concludes in Zurich, where we arrive in the late afternoon. Please note that, depending on group size, the journey from Geneva to Zurich may be by train, which would mean no stop in Neuchatel.

Today we explore Zurich, Switzerland's largest city and its financial and cultural hub. With a local guide, we'll discover key sights and learn why Zurich has been recognised for its exceptional quality of life. Following the city tour, we embark on a scenic cruise along Lake Zurich lasting nearly two hours, with stops at charming lakeside villages. We disembark in Rapperswil, a picturesque town known for its medieval castle. From there, we return to Zurich by train, experiencing the efficiency and punctuality of the Swiss rail network. Please note that, depending on group size, transfers to and from the city centre may be by public transport.

Today we travel through some of Switzerland's most striking landscapes, featuring towering mountains and clear, pristine lakes. Our first stop is Grindelwald in the Interlaken region, where we'll pause for coffee before taking a cable car up the mountain. From there, we'll follow a winding path to a suspended bridge that offers spectacular views of the glaciers - an optional crossing if you feel adventurous. Lunch on the mountain is included. Later, we continue to Lucerne, one of Switzerland's most beautiful cities, where you'll have free time to explore its charming streets and sights. We'll then return to Zurich. The guide will also offer an optional full-day excursion that begins in the morning, including a visit to Mount Titlis by rotating cable car. At over 3,000 metres, the summit provides breathtaking views of the glacier and surrounding Alps.

We depart Zurich early to cross the Alps and reach Switzerland's Italian-speaking region. Our first stop is Bellinzona, famous for its three medieval castles - a UNESCO World Heritage Site - which stand as reminders of the town's strategic importance in alpine defence. You'll have some free time to explore the charming old town streets. Next, we enter Italy and stop in Como for lunch. Often called the jewel of Lombardy, Como is admired for its beautiful lakeside gardens and stunning cathedral. Later, we continue to Milan, where our guide will take you to the impressive Piazza del Duomo. You'll have some time to explore the area before we transfer you to the hotel for the evening.

Today, we continue to Pisa, where we take a small tourist train to the Piazza dei Miracoli, also known as the Square of Miracles. Here, you'll have time to admire one of Italy's most remarkable art complexes, including the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa. Later, we travel on to Rome, arriving in the evening.

This morning, we embark on a three-hour guided tour of Rome, combining a walking exploration of Imperial Rome with a panoramic bus ride through one of the world's most historic cities. You'll see key landmarks such as 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 around 11:00 a.m. at Vatican City, where your guide will offer an optional visit to the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel. Later in the day, we provide a transfer to Trastevere, a vibrant neighbourhood renowned for its charming restaurants and lively atmosphere. We will return to the hotel at approximately 8:30 p.m.

Today we leave Rome and travel north through the beautiful Italian countryside. On arrival in Florence, we head straight to Piazzale Michelangelo to enjoy panoramic views over the city. From there, we walk into the historic centre where, after some free time for lunch, we take a guided walking tour with a local expert. You'll visit key landmarks including the Ponte Vecchio, the Duomo, and Piazza della Signoria. Florence is often described as an open-air museum, and the tour will showcase its rich artistic and architectural heritage. Afterwards, you'll have some free time to explore further at your own pace. In the evening, the area offers a wide range of restaurants with diverse international cuisine for you to choose from.

Today we travel through the scenic Apennine Mountains before arriving in Venice. We'll take a boat across the Giudecca Canal to the island and explore St. Mark's Square with a local guide. Afterwards, we'll visit the Murano Glass Factory to witness traditional glassmaking techniques in action. You'll then have some free time to discover Venice at your own pace. This evening, we'll stay overnight in the Mestre district.

After breakfast, your tour concludes in Venice. You'll have time to reflect on your experiences and enjoy any last moments in this iconic city before making your own onward arrangements.