explore the world while you can  .......

Europe Jewel

13D 12N


United Kingdom / Netherlands / Belgium

France / Switzerland / Germany / Austria / Italy

Day 01 Arrive London/Amsterdam          (D)

 

Upon arrival at London, meet and greet our representative and proceed to Amsterdam, crossing the Straits of Dover channel by the Stena Line, one of the world’s leading ferry operators. It’s a 7-8 hour trip across the North Sea, ferries from England most days leave at either 9am or 11pm. Arrive in Amsterdam, drive through rural France and Belgium, transfer to hotel, check in. Later join a complimentary Amsterdam canal cruise if you arrive in late afternoon.

 

Get on board and enjoy Amsterdam, a city of beautiful 17th Century architecture and a charm of all its own. Watch the city drift past as you sail by Amsterdam's stunning canals at twilight and enjoy delicious pizza as you cruise. A perfect introduction to Amsterdam while cruising along Amsterdam's atmospheric canals and listen out for tips and interesting insights into the city from your tour leader.


You can try out food like Dutch Kroket, Cheese, Bitterballen and Pastries while you are in Amsterdam. Transfer to hotel, have (Dinner). Overnight in Amsterdam.

 

Day 02       Amsterdam/Rhine Valley                                  (B/D)

 

After breakfast, check out and proceed to visit the cheese-making demonstration, taste some fantastic cheeses in these parts for many years and see how these famous shoes are traditionally made by hand.

 

Next, learn about the most quirky of Dutch footwear choices, the clog and see how these traditional shoes are carved. 

 

Later, stop off at the Riekermolen windmill for a photo stop and appreciate Netherland’s famous sceneries. If the season is right, look out for flowers in the fields! Continue on to the Rhine Valley, board a Rhine Valley river boat and sail from St Goar to Boppard. Admire the medieval castles (Sterrenberg, Liebestein, Katz and Fortess Rheinfels) in all of Europe, the vineyards, cliff faces and medieval German towns like neighbouring regions include Riesling, Spätburgunder and Pinot Noir.

  

Later, visit local wine merchants in Rheingau, one of Germany's distinguished wine regions, stretches along the Rhine between Lorch and Hockenheim for wine tasting. If the harvest has been good, get to try eiswein (ice wine), a very sweet dessert wine that is produced in very small quantities as it can only be harvested when the temperature drops below freezing winter months. Have (Dinner) and transfer to hotel. Overnight in Rhine Valley.

Day 03 Rhine Valley/Nuremburg/Prague       (B/D)

 

After breakfast, check out and off to Prague via Nuremburg for a comfort stop, in the Bavarian city, having served as a residence for German kings who often chose to store their crown jewels here over many centuries this was a major city in the Holy Roman Empire, Nuremburg was an architectural marvel, its artists, medieval castle and take the chance to explore the old town. It was heavily bombed during WW2, the city was painstakingly rebuilt, and today has been returned to some of its former glory, many buildings being rebuilt in the original stone.

 

Arriving later in Prague, a beautiful city, boasting elaborate baroque, gothic, art nouveau and cubist architecture, and one that rewards those who explore it with quirky bars, cobbled lanes and courtyards.

  

Evening experience (Dinner) at authentic Czech cuisine at a local restaurant on your first night in Prague, the history of this restaurant dates back hundreds of years and a favourite place for locals. You will also have the option to try the famous Czech Beer.


Take the opportunity to try svíčková na smetaně, a typical Czech dish consisting of beef sirloin in a cream sauce, commonly served with dumplings, cream and cranberries. Transfer to hotel. Overnight in Prague.

 

Day 04 Prague                          (B)

 

After breakfast, proceed with a local guide for a walking tour of the city of Czech Republic, introducing the most popular and well-known sights, including the Old Town Square, Wenceslas Square, St. Vitus Cathedral, Charles Bridge, Church of Our Lady before Týn, Ridolfinum (concert hall) and a view of Prague Castle.

 

Free and easy to explore the city the rest of the day of the ‘Jewel in the Crown’ of Central Europe and find that Prague is just as beautiful as Rome, London and Amsterdam.

 

Start with the Charles Bridge, which joins the old and the new town, and marvel at how Prague’s dramatic history is reflected in the beauty of its churches, opera houses, concert halls and of course Prague castles. Transfer to hotel. Overnight in Prague.

Day 05 Prague/Bratislava/Budapest               (B/L)

 

After breakfast, check out and move on with a local guide to the Slovakian capital, Bratislava, located in a country dominated by mountains, vineyards, ski runs and wilderness, a medieval castle overlooking the old town, along with more recent Socialist-era architecture and also experience an  amazing views from Fisherman's Bastion.

  

Enjoy (Lunch) at Budapest, proceed for a driving tour to a huge number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites with variety of architectural styles adorning the city which promises all manner of untold treasures. It also features hundreds of thermal and mineral springs, bathing in Budapest has been in vogue since Roman times.


Stop at Heroes Square, see Budapest Parliament, St Stephen's Basilica, the State opera, Castle District and Chain Bridge, and then drive along Andrassy Avenue.

 

Hungarian food is something of a revival experience. Explore and be amazed at the bounty of Budapest! While in Budapest, take an opportunity of Hungarian Goulash, a soup or stew of meat and vegetables, seasoned with paprika and other spices.

 

If time favours, you can go for an Optional tour, Danube Evening Cruise - €18 at own cost. Transfer to hotel. Overnight in Budapest.

Day 06 Budapest/Vienna                  (B/L)

 

After breakfast, check out and head on next to Vienna, Austria’s capital city by noon. Have (Lunch) in one of the city’s traditional beer halls.

 

Later, start the tour at the Golden Mile on the Ring Strasse, Parliament, City Hall, Burgtheater, discover the courtyards and passages around the Hofburg Imperial Castle and St. Stephen’s Cathedral which is Vienna’s geographic and historic centre.

 

Continue the walking tour of the city led by an expert local guide to Vienna, a centre for art and culture in Europe for centuries, 'City of Music’ due to its classical heritage and the prodigies that worked there including luminaries like Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert and Brahms to name a few at one time or another. But along with its classical heritage, magnificent concert halls, museums, and Schonbrunn  Palace before reaching the Inner City and one of the best vistas from Belvedere Hill. Also explore vibrant cafés, restaurants and nightclub cultures.

 

If time favours, take an Optional tour, the Mozart Concert - €65 at own cost.

 

Try Vienna’s famous food, like the Schnitzel, a boneless meat, thinned with a meat tenderizer, coated with flour, beaten eggs and bread crumbs, and then fried. Similar to the French dish escalope, it is typically made from chicken, beef, turkey or pork. Have dinner and transfer to hotel. Overnight in Vienna.


Day 07 Vienna/Graz/Ljubljana                             (B)


After breakfast, check out and proceed to Graz a UNESCO listed World Cultural Heritage Site for a comfort stop, Austria’s second-largest, and also one of its liveliest city. Visit the old town and see the Rathaus (town hall) and Schloßberg, a hill dominating the old town with amazing views of the city. Admire the verdant parkland and Renaissance architecture and get a glimpse of the small, fast-flowing river which gushes through the centre.

  

Visit Ljubljana the capital of Slovenia, often thought of as a hidden gem of Europe, with its castles, stunning architecture from 1701 and is a fine example of Baroque architecture and natural beauty, packs a punch more powerful than its small size.

 

Visit the medieval old town, Preseren Square, City Centre, the Riverfront, Dragon Bridge and Cobblers Bridge.

 

Final stop of the day is St. Nicholas Church built in the 13th century to honour St. Nicholas, patron of Fishermen and boatmen if time favours.

 

Optional Excursion is Slovenian Evening - €35 at own cost.

Try out "gostilna" restaurant, a traditional place to enjoy good food and wine in good company which often serves dishes prepared to old recipes using local ingredients. Have diner and transfer to hotel. Overnight in Ljubljana.

Day 08 Ljubljana/Venice                (B)

 

After breakfast, check out and proceed to Venice, a city immortalized in literature, film and art for centuries. Its timeless waterways and artistic masterpieces for more per square km than anywhere else on earth, makes it truly unique which captures your heart and imagination.

 

Take an orientation walk in this unique boating city, explore and see St. Mark’s Square, St. Mark’s Basilica, St. Mark’s Museum, Campanile, Doge’s Palace, Rialto Market and Scuola Grande di San Rocco.

 

Later, in the afternoon, explore the city on your own, take a gondola and water taxi to explore Venice from the water.


Venice has no shortage of incredible food and culture. Try out the famous Pizza with thin, crispy, fresh basil and delicious toppings! Have dinner and transfer to hotel. Overnight in Venice.

 

Day 09 Venice/Florence/Tuscany                 (B)

 

After breakfast, check out and head to the hills of Tuscany, marvel at the countryside considered to be the birthplace of the Renaissance, before heading to Florence.

 

On arrival get a fabulous panoramic view of the city from Piazzale Michelangelo. Later, take a fascinating walking tour of the city with a local guide. Learn about the history of the city and see historical landmarks dating from Roman times to the glory days of the Renaissance.


After exploring Tuscan countryside, proceed for a walking tour with a professional local guide to see Florence's Baptistery, Bell Tower, Gates of Paradise, Brunelleschi's Dome, Piazza della Signoria, Palazzo Vecchio, Ponte Vecchio.

 

Lampredotto is a Florence street food, consisting of the fourth stomach of the cow cooked in a broth and then served with salsa verde or/and spicy sauce. Have dinner and transfer way back to the Tuscan countryside hotel. Overnight in Tuscany.

Day 10 Venice/Pisa/Swiss Alps      (B/D)

 

After breakfast, check out and proceed to Pisa, one of the world’s most famous buildings, the Leaning Tower of Pisa and learn the story behind ‘holding up’ the tower.

 

After Pisa tower, it’s time to cross over to the Alps, enjoy the magic of Switzerland and the scenic mountain drive and the spectacular views, passing through mountain and alongside lakes, breath-taking mountain vistas and scenic views of quaint Swiss towns.

Stay in a typical Swiss Alpine town and enjoy the beauty of the snowcapped mountains and the greenery around Alpine town.

 

The Swiss town’s special delicacy is the Cheese fondue, dip bread and meat into a pot of delicious melted cheese. Have (Dinner) and transfer to hotel. Overnight in the Quint Swiss town.


Day 11 Swiss Alps                       (B/D)

 

After breakfast, proceed for a free and easy day. Explore the splendour of the Alps with an excursion up to Jungfraujoch, the highest train station in Europe. The trip to the top is a real highlight, find yourself pressed up against the windows as the picture-perfect Swiss countryside rolls beneath you.


Look out for quaint villages nestled in the valleys beneath snow-capped peaks and tumbling mountain waterfalls. Once reached the top, enjoy the year-round snow and breathtaking views of the surrounding glaciers and craggy mountain tops. After exploring the glaciers, take the return train down to the lower altitudes for the rest of the afternoon. Take the chance to head onto nearby Interlaken to see the lakes of the region, shop for chocolates and cuckoo clocks or have a fondue! Have Swiss (Dinner) and find your way back to the hotel. Overnight in the Quint Swiss town.

Day 12 Swiss Alps/Paris         (B/D)

 

After early breakfast, check out and proceed to Paris driving through the mountains. Afternoon, head on a driving tour to the French capital, visit the city’s most treasured landmarks, visit the L’Opéra Garnier, the Tuileries Gardens, Place de la Concorde, Hotel de Ville, The River Seine, l'Ile de la Cite, the Louvre Museum, Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Lovers Bridge, Sacre Coeur, Montmartre, Pigalle (the Red Light District) and the Moulin Rouge!.

  

In Paris, it’s not all Òne dining, visit a boulangerie (bakery) and try simple but delicious baguette, croissants and Jambon-beurre sandwiches. After the driving tour, enjoy (Dinner) in the Latin Quarter, an eclectic, bohemian and historic neighbourhood and transfer to hotel. Overnight in Paris.

Day 13 Paris                           (B)

 

After breakfast, check out, and proceed for a free and easy day and explore as you wish. Take an optional Cruise up the River Seine.

 

While cruising, get a glimpse of that most famous avenues, the Champs Elysees, overlooked by the famous Arc de Triomphe. Alternatively, head to the boutiques of La Marais. Or visit the graves of Oscar Wilde and Jim Morrison at Père Lachaise Cemetery, those with a taste for the macabre can even descend to the infamous catacombs, if yuo wish !!!!


Alternatively, stay above ground and explore the museums, people-watch from a roadside café, or simply stroll the city, following in the footsteps of great painters, musicians and writers, till time to transfer to the airport.

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