Europe Trekker Route with Rome

Upon arrival in London, we’ll transfer you to your hotel where you’ll have some free time to relax and settle in. In the afternoon, you’ll find all the necessary information about the start of your tour displayed on the notice boards at the hotel reception. This is a chance to familiarise yourself with the upcoming itinerary and 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 panoramic tour of London, led by a local guide who will introduce you to the city’s rich culture and history. Highlights include iconic landmarks such as the Houses of Parliament, the River Thames, and Buckingham Palace, where you may have the chance to witness the famed Changing of the Guard, depending on the schedule. In the evening, we’ll meet in Piccadilly to take a walk through Leicester Square, Chinatown, and Soho — vibrant districts known for their theatres, lively streets, and entertainment options. You will have a wide selection of restaurants for dinner before we return to the hotel.

We begin the day 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. Around midday, we have some free time before heading to Camden, a vibrant district famous for its eclectic street market. Here, you can browse a variety of unique items and enjoy lunch at one of the many food stalls or cosy restaurants. At approximately 4:00 p.m., we depart for Colchester, England’s oldest recorded town, where we’ll take a leisurely stroll through the historic streets. Later, we continue to Harwich to board an overnight ferry to the Netherlands, staying in en suite cabins. Please note, due to limited cabins, the itinerary may be adjusted with alternative travel options such as a daytime ferry via Antwerp or a train or flight to Amsterdam.

We arrive in the Netherlands at Hoek van Holland around 8:00 am and begin the day with a visit to Volendam, a charming fishing village known for its traditional harbour and distinctive architecture. Afterwards, we travel to Amsterdam for a guided city tour that highlights diverse attractions – from the iconic windmill and the Rembrandt statue to the modern elegance of the South District, and the historic diamond-cutting district at Museum Square. The tour concludes in the city centre, where we leave the bus and you’ll have free time to explore independently.

After breakfast, we travel to Belgium, heading for Brussels, the nation’s capital and a centre of European institutions. We will admire the impressive Grand Place, a fine example of Flemish Baroque architecture, and stroll past the famous Manneken Pis statue. Brussels offers a unique blend of history, culture, and renowned chocolate traditions. In the afternoon, we continue into France, arriving in Paris by evening.

We begin the day with a visit to the magnificent Palace of Versailles, famed for its opulent architecture and extensive gardens (admission not included). Returning to Paris, we explore Montmartre, a vibrant bohemian district known for its artistic heritage, lively cafés, and historic cabarets. To capture the grandeur of the city, we then enjoy a panoramic tour with a local guide, taking in Paris’s broad avenues and iconic monuments. After the tour, we return to the hotel. For those interested, there is an optional evening variety show to experience Parisian entertainment.

We begin the day in central Paris with a visit to the iconic Eiffel Tower. You’ll have tickets included to ascend to the second floor, taking in its renowned views. Following this, we’ll enjoy a relaxing boat cruise along the Seine, lasting about one hour and fifteen minutes, offering a unique perspective of the city from the water. In the afternoon, you will have free time to explore Paris at your own pace. Please note that if wait times at the Eiffel Tower are extended, we may reschedule the visit to a later time or the following day for your convenience. Transfers back to the hotel this afternoon are not included.

Today we travel through the heart of France’s Burgundy region, famed for its vineyards and exceptional wines. Our first stop is Beaune, a charming town known for its flower-lined streets, the historic hospice, and a wine museum. You’ll have some free time to enjoy lunch and explore at your own pace. Later, we continue to Lyon, once the capital of Roman Gaul and now a UNESCO World Heritage site. We’ll take a cable car to Notre-Dame de Fourvière, where you can admire panoramic views of the city. You’ll have free time afterwards to discover Lyon’s historic centre on your own. Please note, on occasion part of the group will stay overnight in Chambéry, near Lyon, with time the following morning to visit its medieval old town and castle before rejoining the itinerary.

Today we travel to Switzerland, arriving first in Geneva. We'll pass the Palace of Nations, the European headquarters of the United Nations, and visit the picturesque English Garden to see the famous flower clock and the Jet d?Eau, Europe's tallest fountain. After lunch, we continue through scenic Swiss landscapes along Lake Geneva and Lake Neuch?tel, travelling through the Three Lakes region, notable for its vineyards set against mountain views. We'll stop in Neuch?tel, where you can stroll by the lake, explore the historic town centre or visit the 10th-century castle. Our journey concludes in Zurich, where we will arrive in the late afternoon. Depending on the number of travellers, this leg may be completed by train and the stop in Neuch?tel omitted.

We begin with a guided tour of Zurich, Switzerland’s largest city and financial centre, celebrated for its high quality of life. We’ll explore key cultural and historic sites before taking a scenic cruise on Lake Zurich lasting almost two hours. Along the way, we’ll stop briefly in charming lakeside villages, concluding in Rapperswil—a delightful village known for its medieval castle. From there, we return to Zurich by train, offering a glimpse of the Swiss railway’s renowned punctuality and efficiency. Depending on group size, transfers to and from the city centre may be by public transport.

Today we’ll travel through some of Switzerland’s most striking alpine scenery, beginning in the Interlaken region. Our first stop is Grindelwald, where we’ll pause for coffee before taking a cable car high into the mountains. From there, we’ll follow a winding path to a suspended bridge that offers dramatic views of surrounding glaciers — crossing it is an option for those feeling adventurous. Lunch is included on the mountain before we descend and continue to Lucerne. You’ll have time to explore this picturesque city, known for its well-preserved medieval architecture and charming lakefront. We’ll then return to Zurich. The guide will also offer an optional full-day excursion starting in the morning: after some free time in Lucerne, there’s the chance to take a revolving cable car to the summit of Mount Titlis, over 3,000 metres above sea level, with spectacular views of glaciers and the Alps.

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, all UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Perched on surrounding hills, these fortresses reflect Bellinzona’s historic role as a key alpine stronghold. You’ll have some free time to explore the town’s charming streets before we continue into Italy. In Como, known as the jewel of Lombardy, we pause for lunch. This picturesque town is celebrated for its lakeside gardens and impressive cathedral. Afterwards, we proceed to Milan, where our guide leads us to the grand Piazza del Duomo. You will have some time to wander here before transferring to the hotel for the night.

Today we continue to Pisa, where we take a short tourist train to the Piazza dei Miracoli, the Square of Miracles. Here, you’ll have time to admire this remarkable architectural complex, including the renowned Leaning Tower of Pisa. Later in the day, we travel onward to Rome, arriving in the evening.

This morning, we’ll take a three-hour guided tour of Rome, blending a walking exploration of Imperial Rome with a panoramic coach ride to appreciate this ancient city’s remarkable landmarks. Highlights include the Arch of Constantine, the exterior of the Colosseum, the Imperial Forums, Circus Maximus, the Baths of Caracalla, the 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 can join an optional visit to the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel. Later, we’ll provide a transfer to Trastevere, a vibrant neighbourhood known for its charming restaurants and lively atmosphere. We’ll return to the hotel at approximately 8:30 p.m.

After breakfast, we conclude our tour in Rome. You will have time to reflect on your experiences and prepare for your onward travel. We hope you leave with lasting memories of your journey.