Day : 1
Arrive London (2 Nights)
Number of Days : 1
The bright lights of London launch your adventure through Europe. Broaden your horizons and explore the culture and heritage of the British capital or spend your day relaxing after your journey.
Day : 2
London Sightseeing
Number of Days : 1
Join a Local Specialist this morning to see the iconic sights of London. From Big Ben and the imposing Houses of Parliament that stand alongside the Thames, to regal Buckingham Palace at the end of the grand Mall. Spend the day exploring London's bustling city streets, relax in one of the beautiful Royal Parks or visit one of the captivating museums and galleries for which the city is so famous.
Day : 3
London – Amsterdam (2 Nights)
Number of Days : 1
Meet your Travel Director before departing London for mainland Europe. Board your ferry to France, then journey through the Belgian and Dutch countryside bound for Amsterdam, where you'll spend a memorable evening exploring the capital's scenic canals on a Welcome Reception cruise with your fellow travellers.
Day : 4
Amsterdam Orientation and Free Time
Number of Days : 1
Explore the maritime history, tree-lined canals and gabled façades of Amsterdam on an orientation of the city's 17th-century canal ring district. 'Dive Into Culture' and learn about Dutch diamond heritage and traditions during a visit to a diamond-polishing factory. Enjoy the rich aromas and flavours of Dutch cheese this afternoon in Volendam, where you'll 'Dive Into Culture' yet again and gain insights into traditional cheese-making and the crafting of Holland's characteristic wooden clogs.
Day : 5
Amsterdam – Rhine Cruise – Heidelberg – Rhineland
Number of Days : 1
We cross the German border and board a cruise in Boppard. Journeying along the mighty Rhine past vineyard-clad hills and medieval castles, we disembark in St. Goar, avoiding the allure of the legendary Lorelei. We travel past to the university city of Heidelberg to admire its magnificent ruined sandstone castle which stands imposingly overlooking the Neckar River.
Day : 6
Rhineland – Munich – Innsbruck
Number of Days : 1
Arriving in the Bavarian capital of Munich today, we see the Hofbrauhaus, City Hall and iconic Marienplatz with its Glockenspiel. Crossing the Austrian border, we arrive in Innsbruck for an orientation that will include views of St. Jakob's Cathedral and Emperor Maximilian I's glittering Golden Roof. This evening, consider a rousing evening of Tyrolean entertainment.
Day : 7
Innsbruck – Venice (2 Nights)
Number of Days : 1
Cross the snow-capped Alps to Italy today, travelling via the Brenner Pass to Venice, where you will join your travel companions for a delicious Regional Meal at a local restaurant.
Day : 8
Venice Orientation and Free Time
Number of Days : 1
'Dive Into Culture' and gain insights into the centuries-old tradition of Venetian glassblowing. Glide through the waters of the Adriatic by private launch arriving in the gateway of Venice, St. Mark's Square. Delve into the history of this beautiful Byzantine city, see the ornate Doge's Palace, St. Mark's Square and the famous Bridge of Sighs. Spend the rest of your afternoon on your own exploring in the labyrinthine calle of this city of islands.
Day : 9
Venice – Vienna (2 Nights)
Number of Days : 1
Journey through the Veneto plains, across the Styrian Alps and to Austria's imperial capital of Vienna. Celebrate the city's iconic reputation as the world's music capital and perhaps consider an evening Optional Experience including dinner and entertainment.
Day : 10
Vienna Sightseeing and Free Time
Number of Days : 1
Join a Local Specialist on an exploration of this elegant capital, including views of the State Opera House, St. Stephen's Cathedral and the Hofburg, once the home of the powerful Habsburg Dynasty. Spend the rest of your day at leisure, soaking up the cosy coffee culture or visiting such iconic sights as the Schonbrunn Palace with its exquisite gardens. This evening, perhaps indulge in Vienna's intoxicating musical talent, enjoying a concert of classical music at one of the city's concert halls, churches or palaces.
Day : 11
Vienna – Ljubljana
Number of Days : 1
Leave the City of Music behind, crossing the Slovenian border to Ljubljana. Join a Local Specialist for a sightseeing tour and delve into the 'Beloved' city's iconic and unexpected highlights. Wander along the Baroque façades of its Old City and admire the medieval castle that stands till today, the City Hall and Cathedral of St. Nicholas, with its exquisite 18th century frescoes. Good food and good company are guaranteed as we 'Connect With Locals' during a Be My Guest dinner with a local Slovenian family. Learn about their life in one of the world's greenest cities, as well as the role that honey plays in the country's cuisine.
Day : 12
Ljubljana – Plitvice Lakes
Number of Days : 1
Journey across the Croatian border and via Zagreb to Plitvice Lakes National Park, where you'll join a Local Specialist for a guided walking tour. Connect with the exquisite beauty of this UNESCO-listed natural wonder, admiring the cascade of spectacular waterfalls and crystal-clear waters reflecting green, grey and blue against the lush landscape. Witness panoramic views over the park from Tomicevo Pgledalo, then settle in for your overnight stay amidst this stunning backdrop.
Day : 13
Plitvice Lakes – Dubrovnik (2 Nights)
Number of Days : 1
Journey south along the picture-perfect Dalmatian coast, past seaside villages to the ancient city of Dubrovnik - its terracotta rooftops appear to tumble into the waters of the cerulean Adriatic.
Day : 14
Dubrovnik Sightseeing and Free Time
Number of Days : 1
Stroll through the marble streets of the Pearl of the Adriatic on a Small Group Sightseeing tour with a Local Specialist. Admire the Rector's Palace, Onofrio's Fountain and the Franciscan and Dominican monasteries. Consider taking a sunset cruise along the spectacular Dalmatian coast to enjoy a delicious local dinner.
Day : 15
Dubrovnik – Tirana
Number of Days : 1
Journey to Kotor, an enchanting medieval city, perched on the deepest natural fjord-like bay in the Mediterranean. Travel through Montenegro into Albania and overnight in its colourful capital of Tirana. Explore the previously communist-dominated capital with a Local Specialist, including such highlights as the Skanderbeg square and the Palace of Culture. Wander up the main boulevard and see the Prime Ministry building, the Presidential office and the Pyramid Building.
Day : 16
Tirana – Kalambaka
Number of Days : 1
We travel to Greece, enjoying views of the scenic Plains of Thessaly en route to Kalambaka with its gravity-defying Meteora monasteries that cling impressively to immense, rounded rock towers.
Day : 17
Kalambaka – Delphi – Athens (4 Nights)
Number of Days : 1
We cross the fertile Thessaly region and see the battle site at Thermopylae, where the heroic Leonidas and brave Spartans battled against the invading Persians. We arrive at the centre of the world and Mount Parnossos, joining a Local Specialist to explore the ancient sanctuary of Delphi and seat of the most important oracle in the ancient classical world. Wander through the centuries-old ruins of the Sacred Way to the 5th-century Temple of Apollo and marvel at the site where athletes once competed in the Pythian Games held in honour of Apollo and the Arts. We arrive in Athens this evening.
Day : 18
Athens Free Day
Number of Days : 1
Spend the day discovering the birthplace of democracy - a centre for the arts, learning and philosophy. Stroll through the tiny, colourful alleyways of Plaka, join Athenians for a noisy coffee stop at an open-air café. or consider embarking on our three-day Aegean Cruise.
Day : 19
Athens Free Day
Number of Days : 1
Today is yours to embrace the spirited atmosphere of the Greek capital. Venture by funicular to Mount Lycabettus for the most magnificent views of the sprawling city below, watch the pageantry of the changing of the Evzoni or join an Optional Experience.
Day : 20
Athens Free Day
Number of Days : 1
Soak up the sights, sounds and smells of the bustling Central Market this morning, admire the remarkable antiquities and remnants of ancient Greece at the fascinating Acropolis Museum or wander through the colourful stalls of Monastiraki Square on your final day exploring Athens.
Day : 21
Athens Sightseeing – At Sea
Number of Days : 1
Travel to the heart of ancient Athens, back to a time of philosophers and great thinkers. Join a Local Specialist to marvel at the ancient Acropolis, see the Parthenon, dedicated to the goddess Athena, and view the stadium where the first modern Olympic Games took place in 1896. We cross the Corinth Canal that connects the Gulf of Corinth with the Saronic Gulf in the Aegean Sea and board our overnight ferry in Patras en route to Italy.
Day : 22
Ancona – Assisi
Number of Days : 1
Spend today worshipping the sunshine, as we sail up the dramatic Adriatic coast towards Ancona. This evening we arrive in the mystical medieval town of Assisi, the home and final resting place of beloved St. Francis.
Day : 23
Assisi Sightseeing – Sorrento
Number of Days : 1
Join your Local Specialist today and enjoy a sightseeing tour to see the Basilica of St. Francis. We pass the Benedictine Abbey in Monte Cassino before arriving in the sophisticated seaside retreat of Sorrento.
Day : 24
Sorrento – Pompeii – Rome (2 Nights)
Number of Days : 1
We join a Local Specialist in Pompeii to hear the story of this remarkable ancient Roman settlement buried under ash following the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. Continuing through the green and golden countryside of Lazio, we arrive in Rome, the Eternal City this evening.
Day : 25
Rome Sightseeing and Free Time
Number of Days : 1
Visit the centre of Christianity, the Vatican City. 'Dive Into Culture' with your Local Specialist and ascend the spiral staircase designed by famous architect Donato Bramante. Then, admire Michelangelo's exquisite frescoed ceiling of the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica, before crossing the Tiber to visit the Colosseum. Spend the afternoon as you wish. Sit on the Spanish Steps or indulge in a cappuccino on the Piazza Navona. This evening, we enjoy a delicious Regional Meal in Rome.
Day : 26
Rome – Florence Sightseeing
Number of Days : 1
Journeying north through the beautiful landscapes of Umbria and Tuscany, we arrive in the Renaissance city of Florence. Join a Local Specialist for a sightseeing tour of some of the city's iconic sites. View Giotto's Bell Tower and the Baptistery with its renowned bronze doors, and visit Piazza della Signoria. Learn about the quality and workmanship of one of this city's historic industries at a demonstration of Florentine leathercraft.
Day : 27
Florence – Engelberg (2 Nights)
Number of Days : 1
Travel north across the snow-capped Alps into Switzerland, past beautiful Lake Lugano, continuing along the scenic St. Gotthard route into central Switzerland. We spend the next two nights in the popular winter sports resort town of Engelberg.
Day : 28
Lucerne Orientation and Free Time
Number of Days : 1
The lakeside setting of Lucerne is ours to explore today. Pay tribute to the brave Swiss Guard at the Lion Monument and admire the wooden Chapel Bridge with its exquisite ceiling. Spend the rest of the day ambling through the medieval streets with their characteristic painted façades, or perhaps embark on an Operational Experience up one of the surrounding peaks.
Day : 29
Engelberg – Paris (2 Nights)
Number of Days : 1
We cross into France and traverse the rolling Burgundy vineyards en route to the glittering capital of Paris. The City of Light shines brightly tonight as you explore the grand boulevards on your terms. Enjoy dinner at a cosy bistro or consider attending a colourful Parisian Cabaret performance.
Day : 30
Paris Sightseeing and Free Time
Number of Days : 1
Join a Local Specialist today for an informative sightseeing tour of the French capital. Drive along the Champs Élysées and see the Place de la Concorde. Visit the world-famous Notre Dame Cathedral and enjoy a stroll through the Latin Quarter. This evening, we celebrate an epic European voyage with newfound friends and our Travel Director at a Farewell Dinner.
Day : 31
Paris – London
Number of Days : 1
Departing Paris, we head north to Calais and bid France a fond farewell as we board a Eurostar to Dover and return to London.
Day : 32
DEPART LONDON
Number of Days : 1
Enjoy an English breakfast at the end of your holiday.
