Grand European Odyssey London to Zurich
Set off on a 12–day journey from London to Zurich – a sweep through cities and Alpine scenery. You’ll explore London’s icons and the British Museum before an overnight ferry to the Netherlands, visiting Volendam and Amsterdam’s canals. Continue via Brussels’ Grand Place to Paris – think Versailles, Montmartre, the Eiffel Tower and a Seine cruise. Then roll through Burgundy to Lyon’s hilltop views. Cross into Switzerland for Geneva’s sights, vineyard–lined roads and time in Zurich – including a lake cruise to Rapperswil. Expect mountain drama in Grindelwald and charming Lucerne, with guided tours balanced by free time. Finish in Zurich feeling well travelled.
For a detailed itinerary and information about visas, money, weather and more.
Tour Overview
Duration
12 daysHotel Rating
3-4 star hotelsStarts
LondonEnds
ZurichMinimum Age
No minimum ageMaximum Age
Tours have upper age limits for several reasons, such as but not limited to: tour pace, activity level, and accommodation standards. If you fall outside of this age limit, we do have lots of other tours in United Kingdom that are suitable for all ages!
Arrival Transfer
YesDeparture Transfer
NoTour Guide
Yes - English speaking guides (guiding may be in additional languages to English)Countries
United Kingdom, Netherlands, Belgium, France, SwitzerlandPassengers
R 51 837,25
R 5 000,00
Tour Style
Group Size
Min 2 / Max 65
Trip Type
Large Coach Tours
Range
This tour is operated by our trusted local partner and has been handpicked by us to deliver you an unforgettable trip.
Guiding Style
This tour includes scheduled sightseeing with expert guides in key destinations as per the Inclusions, as well as transportation (either with a driver or public transport), plus of course your accommodation. There is no single tour guide or tour leader throughout the trip. You’ll have support where it counts, and more freedom in between. Our cruise tours also fall into this category where you will be looked after by a crew. For more information, check the Inclusions of this tour.
Tour Pace
A balanced pace, with a mix of free time and visits to multiple locations, allowing for both relaxation and exploration. Generally doesn't visit more than one or two destinations per day.
Physical Rating
A moderate amount of walking is required during sightseeing, with some free time, offering a balance between activity and relaxation. As a general rule, you should be able to walk 2-kilometres without stopping.
Tour Guide
Yes - English speaking guides (guiding may be in additional languages to English)Group Size
Min 2 / Max 65Range
This tour is operated by our trusted local partner and has been handpicked by us to deliver you an unforgettable trip.
Guiding Style
This tour includes scheduled sightseeing with expert guides in key destinations as per the Inclusions, as well as transportation (either with a driver or public transport), plus of course your accommodation. There is no single tour guide or tour leader throughout the trip. You’ll have support where it counts, and more freedom in between. Our cruise tours also fall into this category where you will be looked after by a crew. For more information, check the Inclusions of this tour.
Tour Pace
A balanced pace, with a mix of free time and visits to multiple locations, allowing for both relaxation and exploration. Generally doesn't visit more than one or two destinations per day.
Physical Rating
A moderate amount of walking is required during sightseeing, with some free time, offering a balance between activity and relaxation. As a general rule, you should be able to walk 2-kilometres without stopping.
Trip Type
Large Coach ToursPlaces You'll See
London
Colchester
Colchester - Volendam Ferry
Volendam
Amsterdam
Bruges
Paris
Burgundy
Beaune
Lyon
Geneva
Zurich
Lucerne
Included
Not Included
Itinerary
Day 1 - London
Welcome to London. We’ll transfer you to the hotel, then you’ll have free time to settle in or explore nearby at your own pace. In the afternoon, please check the information boards at hotel reception for details about 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. Please also be aware that depending on group composition, guiding may be in additional languages as well as English.
Day 2 - London
We explore London on a panoramic tour with a local guide, taking in key sights such as Parliament, the River Thames and Buckingham Palace. If the schedule allows, we may see the Changing of the Guard.In the evening, we’ll set a meeting point in Piccadilly and stroll through Leicester Square, Chinatown and Soho – lively areas known for theatres and entertainment. You’ll have plenty of dinner options before we return to the hotel.
Day 3 - London - Colchester - Colchester - Volendam Ferry
We begin the morning at the British Museum – one of the world’s oldest – to see artefacts that trace cultures from across the globe. Around lunchtime you’ll have free time before we continue to Camden, renowned for its vibrant market – you can browse the eclectic stalls and choose lunch from its food stands or small restaurants. At approximately 16:00 we leave London for Colchester, the oldest recorded town in England, for a relaxed stroll through its historic streets. We then continue to Harwich to board the overnight ferry to the Netherlands – en suite cabins included for a comfortable crossing. Important note: due to limited cabin availability, the route may change. We may instead travel from London to Amsterdam by a daytime ferry with an overnight stay in Antwerp, or take a train or flight to Amsterdam.
Day 4 - Colchester - Volendam Ferry - Volendam - Amsterdam
Around 8 am we arrive at Hoek van Holland in the Netherlands and disembark from the overnight ferry. We continue to Volendam for a visit to this traditional fishing village. Afterwards we travel to Amsterdam for a guided tour that blends classic and contemporary highlights – the iconic image of a windmill and the Rembrandt statue, the elegant South District, and the centuries old craft of diamond cutting around Museum Square. The tour ends at Amsterdam Central Station, where your guide will share practical tips to help you explore the city’s canals and street markets. From here, you can continue discovering Amsterdam at your own pace.
Day 5 - Amsterdam - Brussels - Paris
After breakfast, we drive to Belgium – just over 200 km to Brussels, the capital and seat of major European institutions. Before reaching the city centre, we make a brief stop at the Atomium – Brussels’ most iconic landmark. In the historic heart, we admire the Grand Place, a masterpiece of Flemish Baroque, and stroll past the Manneken Pis. In the afternoon, we continue into France, arriving in Paris at the end of the day.
Day 6 - Paris
We begin with a visit to the Palace of Versailles – admission not included – renowned for its formal gardens. Back in Paris, we explore Montmartre, the city’s bohemian neighbourhood known for its artists and cabarets. We then take a panoramic tour with a local guide to see Paris’s grand avenues and landmark monuments before returning to the hotel. In the evening, you can opt to attend an optional variety show.
Day 7 - Paris
We begin in central Paris with a visit to the Eiffel Tower, including tickets to the second level. Afterwards, we enjoy a relaxing cruise on the Seine lasting about one hour 15 minutes. You then have the afternoon free to explore at your own pace – the return to the hotel is not included. Note: if waiting times at the Eiffel Tower are too long, we may reschedule the visit to a different time or to Sunday.
Day 8 - Paris - Burgundy - Beaune - Lyon
We travel into the heart of France through Burgundy, famed for its vineyards and wines, stopping first in Beaune – a charming town known for its flower-lined streets, historic hospice and wine museum. You’ll have free time for lunch and a stroll before we continue to Lyon on the banks of the Rhône, once the capital of Roman Gaul and home to a UNESCO World Heritage Site in its historic centre. We take the cable car up to Notre-Dame de Fourvière for panoramic views of the city, then you’ll have time to explore at your own pace. In some cases, part of the group stays overnight in Chambéry, near Lyon – if so, we travel there in the evening, and the following morning you’ll have time to visit this medieval-style city, the capital of Savoy, with its beautiful historic centre and impressive castle.
Day 9 - Lyon - Geneva - Zurich
We leave Lyon for Switzerland, arriving in Geneva where we drive past the Palace of Nations – the European headquarters of the United Nations – then stroll through the English Garden to see its flower clock and pause to admire the Jet d’Eau, Europe’s tallest fountain. After lunch, we continue across the country on scenic roads along Lake Geneva and Lake Neuchâtel. We follow the Three Lakes region, with vineyard views backed by mountains, and stop in Neuchâtel where you can wander by the lake, explore the historic centre, or visit the castle dating from the 10th century. We reach Zurich in the late afternoon.Note – Depending on passenger numbers, the Geneva–Zurich sector may be by train, in which case there will be no stop in Neuchâtel.
Day 10 - Zurich
With our guide, we explore Zurich – Switzerland’s most populous city and its financial and cultural heart. Known for its banks, Zurich has twice been recognised for offering one of the best qualities of life in the world.Afterwards, we embark on a scenic cruise of nearly two hours on Lake Zurich, with brief stops to enjoy the villages along the way. We disembark in Rapperswil, a picturesque town renowned for its medieval castle, and return to Zurich by train – a straightforward way to experience the efficiency and punctuality of Swiss rail travel. Depending on group size, transfers to and from the city centre may be by public transport.
Day 11 - Zurich - Lucerne - Zurich
We leave Zurich for a day of Alpine scenery – glassy lakes, soaring peaks and the Interlaken region. Our first stop is Grindelwald for a coffee before we take a cable car up the mountain. At the top, we follow a path to a suspended bridge – cross it for striking glacier views – then sit down to lunch on the mountain, which is included. We descend and continue to Lucerne, one of Switzerland’s most beautiful cities, where you’ll have free time to explore before we return to Zurich.If you prefer, you can join an optional full day excursion to Mount Titlis, starting in the morning. After some free time in Lucerne, you’ll ride a rotating cable car to the summit at over 3,000 metres, with sweeping views of the glacier and the Alps.
Day 12 - Zurich
After breakfast in Zurich, our journey comes to an end – we hope you leave with lasting memories.
Tour Reviews
Extras and add-ons
If you'd like to add extras or add-ons to your booking, you can do this easily during checkout. Just review the available options and select any additional services or upgrades you'd like before completing your purchase.
Pre and Post Tour Accommodation
Extend your tour with us by booking pre and post-accommodation, available at a per-person, per-night rate.
Post-Tour Accommodation - Zurich
Pre-Tour Accommodation - London
Hotels
The hotels listed below are examples which we frequently use on this tour. Alternative hotels of a similar standard may be used instead.
Confirmation of the hotels used may not be available until 48 hours before the tour departs.
If you are interested in booking pre or post-tour accommodation, here are some of the hotels we typically use.
Prices & Dates
Departure dates are guaranteed with 2 travellers. 'Double/Twin' prices are per person when there are 2 people on the same booking sharing a room. 'Single' prices are applicable to anyone wanting the privacy of their own room. 'Triple' prices are per person when there are 3 people on the same booking sharing a room. 'Shared' prices are for solo travellers who are happy to share with another solo traveller of the same sex in a twin room - a single room will be provided at no additional cost if there are no suitable travellers to share with.
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