Europe Highlights – Italy Austria Germany Belgium France

Welcome to the historic city of Rome! Today is a day of leisure, allowing you to settle into your hotel or explore the city at your own pace. There are no planned activities, so you're free to relax or start discovering Rome's rich history and vibrant culture.

Today, we journey from Rome to the enchanting city of Venice. Upon arrival, join your tour leader for a walk around the city, taking in iconic sights like St. Mark's Square, the Grand Canal, and the Rialto Bridge. Enjoy a scoop of local gelato and spend the evening exploring the city's culinary scene. You may also choose to explore Venice's canals on a gondola or water taxi for a unique perspective of the city.

Bid farewell to Italy as we journey north towards Germany. Enjoy the stunning scenery as we cross the dramatic Brenner Pass into Innsbruck, Austria. After a brief tour of the city and a visit to the famous Swarovski store, we continue our journey to Munich, the capital of Bavaria. Get to know this fascinating city on an orientation tour and end your day with a taste of authentic beer culture at a traditional beer hall.

Today, we travel towards the majestic Rhine River. Once in the Rhine Valley, we embark on a riverboat cruise, taking in the beautiful scenery and the region's concentration of castles. After the cruise, visit a local wine merchant for a wine tasting session where you can sample eiswein, a dessert wine produced in very small quantities.

We bid goodbye to Germany and continue our journey to the Netherlands. In the Dutch countryside, we'll discover iconic Dutch products - cheese, clogs, and windmills. We'll stop at the famous Riekermolen windmill for some memorable photos and enjoy a cheese and clog-making display. Later, we'll check into our hotel in Amsterdam and embark on a twilight canal cruise, admiring the city's unique architecture and landmarks from the water.

Today, we travel to the stunning Belgian city of Ghent, renowned for its well-preserved medieval architecture. Sample an authentic Belgian waffle and grab some Belgian chocolate before heading to Paris, the 'City of Lights'. Upon arrival, enjoy a driving tour showcasing some of the French capital's top attractions and landmarks. After a day of sightseeing, enjoy a group dinner in the city.

Spend a full day exploring the French capital at your own pace. You can choose to join a full day of exploration in Paris, which includes a macaron tasting, a River Seine lunch cruise, visits to a famous parfumerie, the Champs-Élysées, and much more! In the evening, you may choose to explore the Montmartre neighbourhood or watch an exciting cabaret show.

Today, we leave Paris and head to Burgundy, a stunning winemaking region. Here, we visit the town of Beaune and discover the historic Hospices de Beaune or indulge in some local wine. After lunch, we continue our journey across the border into Switzerland, where we'll spend two nights surrounded by the breathtaking Swiss Alps.

Spend a full day experiencing the wonders of the Swiss Alps. You may choose to join an optional excursion to Jungraujoch, the highest train station in Europe, where you can admire incredible views, play in the year-round snow, and explore the magical ice palace carved into a glacier. Alternatively, you can spend the day exploring local villages or shopping for souvenirs.

Today, we leave the Swiss Alps behind and head towards Italy. Our first stop is the luxurious Lake Como, where you'll have free time for lunch. Next, we visit the iconic Leaning Tower of Pisa before heading to our accommodation in Montecatini Terme, a beautiful Tuscan spa town.

After breakfast, we head to Florence, the 'Jewel of the Renaissance'. A local guide will take us on a walking tour of the city, where we'll see top sights like the Ponte Vecchio and the replica statue of David. After visiting a local leather and gold shop, we'll have some free time to explore before heading back to Rome for an included dinner at the hotel.

Today, you have a full day to explore the 'Eternal City' of Rome. You can join one of the optional excursions on offer, such as a guided tour of the city's most iconic sights, including the Trevi Fountain and Pantheon, followed by an authentic Italian pasta lunch. Alternatively, you can spend the day exploring the city at your own pace.

Your 12-day Europe Escape adventure concludes after breakfast. It's time to say goodbye to your fellow travellers and continue your journey onwards. We hope you've made unforgettable memories and look forward to welcoming you on another tour soon.