The Great Europe Discovery

Welcome to Paris. Upon arrival, we’ll transfer you to your hotel where you can relax and enjoy some free time. In the afternoon, we’ll provide an orientation either in person or via information displays at the hotel reception to help you prepare for the start of your tour.
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 exploring the rich history of France with a visit to the magnificent Palace of Versailles, renowned for its lavish interiors and extensive formal gardens (admission not included). Returning to Paris, we will visit Montmartre, a distinctive bohemian district celebrated for its artistic heritage and lively cabarets. To capture the full splendour of the city, we will then take a panoramic tour with a local guide, passing by Paris’s grand avenues and iconic landmarks. After the tour, we will return to the hotel. In the evening, you may choose to attend an optional variety show for a taste of Parisian entertainment.

We begin the day in central Paris with a visit to the iconic Eiffel Tower, including tickets to the second floor, offering excellent views over the city. Following this, we enjoy a relaxing boat cruise along the Seine, taking in Paris’s famous landmarks from the water. The afternoon is yours to explore Paris at your own pace. At around 4:00 p.m., we depart for Normandy, arriving in Rouen later in the evening. Here, you will have free time to discover Rouen’s historic centre, known for its medieval architecture and striking Gothic cathedral. Please note that if wait times at the Eiffel Tower are excessively long, we may adjust the timing of the visit for your convenience.

This morning we’ll enjoy a leisurely stroll through the historic centre of Rouen, taking in its medieval streets and Gothic architecture. Afterwards, we travel north through France to the coast, where we’ll cross the English Channel by ferry. Upon arrival in England, we’ll visit Canterbury, known for its significant religious heritage and charming old town. Our journey then continues to London, where you’ll have some free time around the iconic Tower Bridge area before we transfer to our hotel for the night.

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

In the morning, we visit the British Museum, one of the world’s oldest and most extensive museums, where we’ll explore artefacts that reflect cultures from across the globe. After some free time for lunch, we head to Camden, a lively district known for its eclectic street market offering a variety of unique items. Here, you can browse the stalls and enjoy lunch at one of the many food stands or restaurants. Around 4:00 p.m., we depart for Colchester, the oldest recorded town in England, where we’ll take a leisurely stroll through its historic streets. Later, we continue to Harwich to board an overnight ferry to the Netherlands, travelling in en suite cabins. Please note, due to limited cabin availability, the itinerary may be adjusted, with alternative options including a daytime ferry crossing to Amsterdam, an overnight stay in Antwerp, or travel by train or flight to Amsterdam.

We arrive at Hoek van Holland in the Netherlands around 8:00 a.m. and begin the day with a visit to Volendam, a charming fishing village known for its traditional harbour and distinctive Dutch architecture. Afterwards, we travel to Amsterdam for a guided city tour that includes several highlights: the iconic windmills, the Rembrandt statue, the modern elegance of the South District, and Museumplein, home to the city’s renowned diamond cutting heritage. The tour concludes as we leave the coach and walk into Amsterdam’s vibrant city centre, where you will have free time to explore at your own pace.

We leave Amsterdam and travel towards Germany, making our first stop in Hamelin, a charming town renowned for its association with the Brothers Grimm fairy tale of the Pied Piper. Here, you can explore the quaint streets and local shops that evoke the story’s atmosphere. We then continue towards Berlin, passing through Marienborn, the former East–West German border crossing. We will arrive in Berlin in the evening, where the remainder of the day is at your leisure.

We explore Berlin with a local guide, beginning with a panoramic coach tour of key sights including Museum Island, the Television Tower, the main shopping streets, the old cathedral—damaged during World War II—the Brandenburg Gate, the Reichstag, and the city’s expansive parks. We pause to visit the Holocaust Memorial and the Berlin Wall Memorial Museum, two poignant reminders of Germany’s 20th-century history. The afternoon is yours to explore Berlin at your own pace. Early evening, we transfer you to the vibrant Kantstrasse area, known for its lively atmosphere and dining options.

We’ll travel through forested landscapes to reach Dresden, a city celebrated for its remarkable architecture and artistic treasures, making it one of Germany’s most visited destinations. You’ll have time to explore some of its impressive palaces and enjoy lunch at one of the local restaurants or cafés. Later, we’ll continue our journey to the Czech Republic, arriving in Prague. Upon arrival, we’ll head to the Old Town Square—an energetic centre filled with vibrant sights and activities, perfect for your first introduction to the city. You’ll find a variety of restaurants nearby offering Czech and international cuisines, including Chinese, Indian, and Italian options. After dinner, we’ll return to the hotel.

Today, we explore Prague, often called the Baroque jewel of Europe. A local guide will lead us on a panoramic tour, highlighting the city’s most remarkable monuments. We’ll visit Prague Castle with admission included, followed by a scenic boat ride along the Vltava River. In the afternoon, you’ll have free time to discover the city at your own pace.

We’ll set off early from Prague and travel to 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 nestled in the heart of the Alps. There will be time to explore this Tyrolean capital, including the Golden Roof area and the charming Old Town, where you can also choose to have dinner before the day concludes.

We begin the day with a visit to the Swarovski Museum, renowned for its dazzling crystal creations. We’ll explore the impressive gardens and learn about the intricate craftsmanship behind the pieces. Following this, you’ll have some free time to wander at leisure before we continue our journey to Zurich, taking in the scenic Tyrolean landscapes along the way. Upon arrival, spend the evening exploring Zurich’s historic centre by the lake, where a wide variety of restaurants offer Indian, Oriental, Italian, international and Swiss cuisine for you to choose from.

Today’s journey showcases Switzerland’s striking alpine scenery with towering mountains and clear lakes. We’ll travel through the Interlaken region, stopping first in the charming village of Grindelwald 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 adventurous travellers can cross to admire spectacular views of the surrounding glaciers. Lunch on the mountain is included. Afterwards, we’ll descend and continue to Lucerne, one of Switzerland’s most picturesque cities, where you’ll have time to explore its delightful streets and historic sights. We’ll then return to Zurich for the evening. For those interested, the guide will offer an optional full-day excursion starting this morning, including free time in Lucerne and a cable car ride to Mount Titlis’s summit at over 3,000 metres, offering stunning glacier and alpine views.

We depart Zurich early, crossing the Alps to reach 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 fortifications, perched on the surrounding hills, reflect the town’s strategic importance in the Alps. You’ll have some free time to explore Bellinzona’s charming historic centre. Next, we travel into Italy to Como for lunch. Known as the gem of Lombardy, Como is treasured for its lakeside gardens and impressive cathedral. We then continue to Milan, where your guide will introduce you to the grandeur of Piazza del Duomo. Afterwards, you’ll have some time to explore this vibrant city before we transfer you to the hotel.

Today, we continue to Pisa, where we’ll take a short ride on a tourist train to the Piazza dei Miracoli, the Square of Miracles. Here, you’ll have time to admire one of Italy’s most remarkable artistic sites, including the iconic Leaning Tower of Pisa. Later, we’ll travel onwards to Rome, arriving in the evening.

In the morning, we’ll take a three-hour guided tour of Rome, combining a walking exploration of Imperial Rome with a panoramic coach ride through the city’s historic heart. You’ll see key 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, 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. We’ll return to the hotel around 8:30 p.m.

We leave Rome this morning and travel north, enjoying the scenic Italian countryside along the way. Upon arrival in Florence, we head straight to Piazzale Michelangelo for sweeping panoramic views of the city. From there, we walk to the historic centre, where after some time for lunch, we take a guided tour with a local expert. Highlights include the Ponte Vecchio, the Cathedral (Duomo), and Piazza della Signoria, showcasing Florence’s rich Renaissance heritage. Afterwards, you’ll have free time to explore and soak up the atmosphere at your own pace. In the evening, the area offers a wide range of restaurants featuring international and local cuisine for you to choose from.

We’ll travel through the striking Apennine mountain range before arriving in Venice. From there, we’ll board a boat to cross the Giudecca Canal and reach the heart of the city. With a local guide, we’ll explore the magnificent St Mark’s Square. Afterwards, we’ll visit the Murano Glass Factory to watch skilled artisans demonstrate techniques behind this renowned craft. You’ll then have some free time to discover Venice at your leisure. Accommodation will be in the Mestre district.

After breakfast, your journey concludes, leaving you with wonderful memories to take home.