Jewels of Europe

Welcome to Paris. Upon arrival, we will transfer you to your hotel where you’ll have some free time to settle in. Later in the afternoon, you’ll receive all the essential information about the start of your tour, either in person or via notices displayed at the hotel reception. This will help you prepare for the exciting 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 visit to the Palace of Versailles, a symbol of French history and grandeur known for its magnificent gardens (admission not included). Upon returning to Paris, we explore Montmartre, a lively bohemian district celebrated for its artistic heritage and vibrant cabarets. To capture the full scale of Paris, we take a panoramic city tour with a local guide, viewing the city’s grand avenues and iconic landmarks. The day concludes with a return to the hotel, and for those interested, an optional variety show is available in the evening.

We begin the day in central Paris with a visit to the iconic Eiffel Tower, including admission to the second floor, allowing time to take in the views from this famous landmark. Following this, we enjoy a leisurely boat cruise along the Seine River, showcasing the city from a unique perspective. The afternoon is yours to explore Paris at your own pace. Around 4:00 p.m., we depart Paris and travel to Normandy, arriving in Rouen. You’ll have free time to wander through Rouen’s historic centre, known for its rich Roman origins, charming medieval streets, and the impressive Gothic cathedral that stands as a testament to its cultural heritage. Please note, if wait times at the Eiffel Tower are long, we may reschedule the visit to a different time or to Sunday for your convenience.

This morning, we’ll enjoy a leisurely walk through the historic centre of Rouen, taking in its medieval streets and Gothic cathedral. Afterwards, we’ll travel north through France and cross the English Channel by ferry. Upon arrival in Canterbury, known as England’s religious heart, you’ll have time to explore its charming historic city centre. We’ll then continue on to London, where you’ll have some free time around the iconic Tower Bridge before we head to the hotel for the night.

We’ll explore London on a panoramic tour with a local guide, taking in key landmarks such as the Houses of Parliament, the River Thames, and Buckingham Palace, where you may see the Changing of the Guard depending on the schedule. In the evening, we’ll meet in Piccadilly and enjoy a leisurely walk through Leicester Square, Chinatown, and Soho—areas known for their vibrant nightlife, theatres, and dining options. You’ll have plenty of choice for dinner before we return to the hotel.

On day six, we begin with a visit to the British Museum, one of the world’s oldest museums, where we’ll explore exhibits showcasing cultures from across the globe. Following some free time at lunchtime, we head to Camden, a vibrant district known for its eclectic street market. Here, you can browse unique items and enjoy lunch at one of the many small restaurants or food stalls. At around 4:00 p.m., we depart for Colchester, England’s oldest recorded town, where we take a leisurely stroll 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 that due to limited cabin availability, the itinerary may be adjusted, with possible alternatives including daytime ferry travel via Amsterdam and an overnight stay in Antwerp, or travel by train or flight to Amsterdam.

We arrive in the Netherlands at Hoek van Holland around 8 a.m., then visit Volendam – a picturesque fishing village known for its traditional atmosphere. Afterwards, we travel to Amsterdam for a guided tour that highlights key city features: the iconic windmill, the Rembrandt statue, the modern elegance of the South District, and the historic diamond-cutting area around Museum Square. The tour concludes with a walk into the city centre, where it ends, leaving you free to explore at your leisure.

We leave Amsterdam and head into Germany, stopping first in Hamelin. This picturesque town’s streets and shops recall the famous Brothers Grimm tale of the Pied Piper. We then continue towards Berlin, passing Marienborn, the former border crossing that divided East and West Germany until reunification in 1990. We arrive in Berlin in the evening, ready for the next stage of our journey.

We’ll explore Berlin with a local guide, viewing key landmarks from our coach including Museum Island, the Television Tower, the city centre’s main shopping streets, the old cathedral ruined in World War II, the Brandenburg Gate, the Reichstag, and the city’s spacious parks. We’ll stop to visit the Holocaust Memorial and the Berlin Wall Memorial Museum—two poignant sites that reflect Germany’s complex history. You’ll have the afternoon free to discover the city at your own pace before we provide a transfer to the vibrant Kantstrasse area for the evening.

We’ll travel through scenic forests to Dresden, renowned for its remarkable architectural and artistic heritage, making it one of Germany’s most visited cities. You’ll have time to explore some of its impressive palaces and enjoy lunch at one of the city’s numerous restaurants or cafés. Later, we’ll continue onwards to the Czech Republic, arriving in Prague. We’ll visit the lively Old Town Square, a perfect introduction to the city’s vibrant atmosphere and rich history. You can choose to dine at a range of restaurants offering Czech, Chinese, Indian, Italian, and other international cuisines before we return to the hotel.

Today, we explore Prague, often called the Baroque jewel of Europe. A local guide will lead a panoramic tour of the city’s most notable monuments, including a visit to Prague Castle, with admission included. After the castle, we’ll enjoy a scenic boat ride on the Vltava River, also included. In the afternoon, you’ll have free time to discover more of Prague at your leisure.

We depart early for Bavaria, arriving in Munich around 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, the capital of Tyrol, nestled in the heart of the Alps. You’ll have the opportunity to explore the charming Old Town and the famous Golden Roof area, with time to enjoy dinner before we return to the hotel.

We begin the day with a visit to the Swarovski Museum, home to the famous crystal brand. We’ll explore the impressive gardens and learn about the craftsmanship behind these exquisite creations. Afterwards, you’ll have some free time to wander before we continue our journey to Zurich, enjoying the scenic Tyrolean landscape along the way. On arrival, spend the evening at your leisure in Zurich’s historic lakeside centre, where a wide range of restaurants offers Indian, Oriental, Italian, international, and Swiss cuisine.

Today’s journey brings you through some of Switzerland’s most stunning landscapes, dominated by soaring mountains and crystal-clear lakes. We first visit Grindelwald, where there will be time for a coffee before taking a cable car to the mountain. From the summit, we walk a winding path to a suspended bridge, offering dramatic views of the surrounding glaciers—those keen on adventure can cross the bridge to fully experience the scene. Lunch is included on the mountain before we descend and continue to Lucerne. This charming city, famed for its well-preserved medieval architecture and lakeside setting, offers you free time to explore at your own pace. We then return to Zurich. For those interested, the guide will suggest an optional full-day excursion starting in the morning, which includes free time in Lucerne followed by a rotating cable car ride to the summit of Mount Titlis. At over 3,000 metres, the alpine views of glaciers and the surrounding Alps are spectacular.

We’ll depart Zurich early, crossing the Alps into the Italian-speaking region of Switzerland. Our first stop is Bellinzona, famed for its three medieval castles that are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. These hilltop fortresses underscore Bellinzona’s historic role as an alpine stronghold. You’ll have some free time to explore the charming streets of the town centre. Next, we enter Italy and stop in Como for lunch. Known as the jewel of Lombardy, Como is celebrated for its lakeside gardens and striking cathedral. We then continue to Milan, where our guide will take us to the impressive Piazza del Duomo. You’ll have time to explore this vibrant square before we transfer you to the hotel.

Today we travel from Milan to Pisa. Upon arrival, we’ll take a short ride on a tourist train to the Piazza dei Miracoli, the Square of Miracles, where you’ll have time to admire this remarkable complex of art and architecture, including the world-famous Leaning Tower of Pisa. Later, we continue to Rome, arriving in the evening.

In the morning, we’ll embark on a three-hour guided tour of Rome, combining a walking route through the heart of Imperial Rome with a panoramic coach ride. You’ll see iconic sites including the Arch of Constantine, the exterior of the Colosseum, the Imperial Forums, Circus Maximus, Baths of Caracalla, Basilica of Saint Mary Major, Pyramid of Cestius, and Castel Sant’Angelo. The tour concludes at Vatican City around 11:00 a.m., where there is an optional visit to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel. Later, we’ll transfer you to the vibrant Trastevere district, renowned for its charming restaurants and lively atmosphere. We’ll return to the hotel by approximately 8:30 p.m.

After breakfast, your tour concludes, leaving you with lasting memories of your journey.