European Dream (Classic, 11 Days)
Description
Summary
Description
Embark on a captivating multi-day tour through Europe's most enchanting destinations, where history, culture, and breathtaking landscapes converge. From the romantic canals of Venice to the artistic treasures of Florence, the ancient wonders of Rome, and the alpine beauty of Lucerne, each day promises new discoveries and unforgettable experiences. Conclude your journey in the vibrant city of Paris, where the allure of the City of Light leaves an indelible impression. With expert guides, luxurious accommodations, and immersive activities, this tour offers a perfect blend of exploration and relaxation, ensuring memories that will last a lifetime.
Included
3 Dinner with Wine (DW)
10 Breakfast (B)
2 Lunch with Wine (LW)
Venice: Join your Travel Director and fellow travellers for a delicious Welcome Dinner at a local restaurant. Sample traditional Venetian fare and soak up the ambiance of this charming city, and get to know each other before you embark on your journey together.
Tuscany: Enjoy a tasting of locally made wines and sample delicious Tuscan snacks in the underground cellar of Machiavelli's home. While here you will visit the Italian gardens and be privy to a private opening of the office where he wrote 'The Prince.'
Umbria: Explore the art of Italian cooking with Chef Lorenzo followed by a tasty lunch.
Lucerne: Choose from a selection of restaurants on your Dine-Around Evening and hand-pick your preferred ambience, cuisine and drinks for an intimate culinary experience.
Paris: Rendezvous with your newfound friends at La Coupole for a rousing dinner with wine.
Choose between two carefully selected activities
Paris: We walk up and down the "quartier" and we see the school, the food stores, the housing situation, the heritage landmarks, the sports facilities and the theatres, in this car-free, pedestrianized, neighbourhood. Landmarks will include passages couverts, perhaps also Patrick Blanc's spectacular jardin vertical 'oasis d'Aboukir', the Napoleonic "Egyptian" district etc.
Paris: Join a local food lover on a walk through the streets of Paris. Visit a variety of patisseries, boulangeries and chocolatiers and sample local treats and delicacies along the way.
Personal radio headsets give you the freedom to wander during visits to famous highlights, without missing any of your Local Expert's fascinating commentary.
Hotel and restaurant tips are included - you'll never have to worry about how much to give, nor search for foreign currency. We also include all taxes and porterage charges at hotels.
We carry your bags for you and promptly deliver them to your hotel door.
Tuscany: Meet your Local Expert for a guided visit through the house of the Italian Renaissance diplomat and writer, Niccolo Machiavelli, with a special opening of his private office where he wrote 'The Prince.'
Rome: Enjoy exclusive access to the Basilica of Saint Praxedes during an after-hours visit. This 9th-century basilica’s simple facade guards the world's best-preserved Byzantine mosaics. The history of the church springs to life as you admire the interior’s treasured collection, including Bernini's first sculpture and the renowned mosaics, illuminated for your visit. This once-in-a-lifetime experience is a rare and unforgettable insight into Rome and its religious history.
Venice: Witness the ancient skill of glassblowing, now practised by precious few masters. Watch artisans create delicate works of art using rare traditional practices. The workshop's master craftsmen teach visitors about the traditional craft of glassblowing and its history which dates back to the 15th century. Every visit helps to support the workshop and the survival of this traditional craft. This workshop directly supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.
Stanserhorn: Journey to the top of Mount Stanserhorn on a panoramic, open-top cable car powered by solar energy, and enjoy spectacular views from the summit. Walk along beautiful scenic pathways, keeping an eye out for marmots and other native animals, with the chance to hear a conservation talk by a Swiss ranger, to learn about local wildlife and flora. Your visit directly supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 7 & 15: Affordable and Clean Energy & Life on Land.
Rome: Discover the history, the construction and the legends of the iconic Colosseum as you stroll around the exterior of this amazing structure.
Florence: Join a Local Expert to view the Multi-coloured marble cathedral, bell tower and baptistery, adorned by Ghiberti's Gates of Paradise. Visit the political heart of the city, Signoria Square. See the area around Santa Croce Basilica, famous for the quality of its luxury goods.
Florence: See the historic neighbourhood of the Santa Croce Basilica and witness local craftspersons at work during a gold and leatherwork demonstration.
Lucerne: See the emotive Lion Monument, Jesuit Church and Chapel Bridge.
Stanserhorn: Journey to the top of Mount Stanserhorn on a panoramic, open-top cable car powered by solar energy, and enjoy spectacular views from the summit.
Hand sanitizer is freely available on board for you to use throughout the day.
Stay connected with friends and family with our complimentary coach and hotel Wi-Fi (where available).
If your arrival and/or departure flights are as per the itinerary start and end dates, then transfers are available at scheduled times. If your flights are outside these times, or you have booked additional nights accommodation with Insight Vacations, you may purchase transfers or make your own way from/to the airport.
Paris: Experience the magic of Paris with Insight Vacations as you explore its iconic sights, landmarks, and charming streets. Meander along the picturesque banks of the River Seine, delving into the rich history of its beautiful bridges and renowned landmarks, including the majestic Notre Dame Cathedral, the Eiffel Tower, the Champs-Élysées, and the Arc de Triomphe. Whether from the comfort of your coach or a scenic vantage point, immerse yourself in the timeless stories that bring this enchanting city to life.
Enjoy the comfort of Insight's luxurious, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and onboard washroom. Our customized luxury coaches are sanitized before the start of your tour and are maintained to very high standards. Physical distancing measures have been implemented on our customized luxury coaches.
Venice: A hotel with traditional and modern elements, the Eurostars Residenza Cannaregio is complete with a door opening onto a canal.
Rome: The Veneto Palace Hotel is located in the monumental and unique scenery of ancient Rome, not far from Piazza di Spagna, the Trevi Fountain and Villa Borghese, which is the largest park in central Rome. The guest rooms offer a classic style that blends in perfect harmony with the style of the building.
Florence: The UNA Vittoria Hotel is located in the historic district of San Frediano.
Lucerne: The Hotel Astoria is sat in the middle of all Lucerne has to offer, with magnificent mountains and astonishing culture.
Destinations
Map
Attractions
Daily Itinerary
Day 1 – Day 1: Arrival in Venice
- Venice - Arrival day
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- Piazza San Marco
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Begin your enchanting journey in the mesmerizing city of Venice, where the shimmering canals and historic architecture set the stage for an unforgettable adventure. Upon arrival at Venice Airport, you'll be whisked away by a water taxi to your charming canal-side hotel (or similar). As the sun sets, join your Travel Director for a delightful dinner at a local restaurant, where you'll savor authentic Venetian cuisine. As twilight descends, enjoy a cocktail while being serenaded by talented musicians, soaking in the serene ambiance of St. Mark's Square.
Day 2 – Day 2: Exploring Venice's Treasures
- Venice
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- Doge's Palace
- St Mark's Basilica
- Bridge of Sighs
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Embrace the romance of Venice with a morning visit to the iconic St. Mark's Square, where the majestic basilica and the towering Campanile await. Discover the grandeur of the Doge's Palace and cross the legendary Bridge of Sighs. Experience a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® moment as you witness the artistry of glassblowers at a traditional arts center. The afternoon is yours to explore, perhaps with a cruise to Burano for a taste of local specialties.
Day 3 – Day 3: Tuscany and Rome
- Florence
- Rome
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- Parco della Rocca
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Journey through the serene landscapes of Tuscany to the historic home of Nicolo Machiavelli. Enjoy a guided tour of his residence, including a special visit to his private office. Savor a wine tasting accompanied by Tuscan delicacies. Continue to Rome, the Eternal City, where a private visit to the Basilica of Saint Praxedes awaits, showcasing stunning Byzantine mosaics.
Day 4 – Day 4: Rome's Iconic Landmarks
- Rome
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- Capitoline Museums
- Palatine Hill
- Colosseum
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With a Local Expert, explore the Vatican Museums, bypassing the crowds to admire the Papal art collection. Stand in awe beneath Michelangelo's masterpiece in the Sistine Chapel. Cross the Tiber to the Colosseum, where echoes of gladiatorial combat linger. The afternoon is yours to explore Rome's vibrant streets.
Day 5 – Day 5: Culinary Delights in Umbria
- Florence
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- Croce di Pale
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Meet Chef Lorenzo at his family farm in the heart of Umbria. Delight in a pasta-making demonstration followed by a sumptuous lunch paired with Orvieto Classico wine. Continue to Florence, where your hotel (or similar) awaits.
Day 6 – Day 6: Florence's Renaissance Wonders
- Florence
- Pisa
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- piazza della Signoria
- Pieve di Santa Maria
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Discover Florence's artistic treasures with a Local Expert, including the stunning marble cathedral and the open-air gallery of Piazza della Signoria. Enjoy free time to explore or venture to Pisa to marvel at the Leaning Tower.
Day 7 – Day 7: Swiss Alpine Adventure
- Lugano
- Lucerne
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- Bourbaki Panorama Lucerne
- Lion Monument Lucerne
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Travel through the breathtaking Italian Lake District to the Swiss Alps, passing through the Saint Gotthard Tunnel. Arrive at scenic Lake Lucerne, where you'll visit the poignant Lion Monument and stroll across the historic Chapel Bridge. Enjoy the evening in Lucerne's charming Old Town.
Day 8 – Day 8: Summit of Mount Stanserhorn
- Lucerne
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- Stanserhorn
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Ascend Mount Stanserhorn in an eco-friendly open-top cable car. Revel in panoramic views stretching to Germany's Black Forest. Enjoy free time for shopping or a horse-drawn carriage ride through the countryside. In the evening, choose from a selection of fine dining options for your Dine-Around Evening.
Day 9 – Day 9: Paris, City of Light
- Paris
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- Louvre Museum
- Versailles cathedral
- Eiffel Tower
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Travel through Burgundy's picturesque vineyards to the vibrant city of Paris. Explore iconic landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame Cathedral, and the Louvre. Stroll along the Seine and the Champs Élysées. With the evening free, immerse yourself in Paris's lively atmosphere, perhaps with a visit to a world-renowned cabaret.
Day 10 – Day 10: Parisian Delights
- Paris
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- Musée de Montmartre
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Choose between exploring the charming Montorgueil district or indulging in a culinary tour with a local food enthusiast. In the evening, savor exquisite French cuisine at the iconic La Coupole restaurant, a favorite of Josephine Baker.
Day 11 – Day 11: Farewell to Paris
- Paris - Departure day
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As your extraordinary journey concludes, bid adieu to your fellow travelers. Transfers to Charles de Gaulle Airport mark the end of your unforgettable adventure.
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