European Discovery (Classic, Start Amsterdam, End Paris, 16 Days)

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Description

Summary

Starts
Amsterdam
Duration
16 days
Languages
English

Description

Embark on a captivating 16-day journey across Europe, immersing yourself in the rich history, diverse cultures, and breathtaking landscapes of the continent. This multi-day tour takes you through the heart of Europe, from the enchanting canals of Amsterdam to the romantic city of Venice, the eternal city of Rome, and the vibrant city of light, Paris. Along the way, you'll explore UNESCO World Heritage Sites, marvel at architectural masterpieces, taste local delicacies, and meet fascinating locals. This tour is designed to offer a perfect blend of guided activities and leisure time, allowing you to explore at your own pace. Whether you're a history buff, a foodie, or a nature lover, this tour offers something for everyone.

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Included

7 Dinner with Wine (DW)

15 Breakfast (B)

Amsterdam: Join your Travel Director and fellow guests at a local restaurant in the heart of Amsterdam for a delightful Welcome Dinner, served with wine.

Salzburg: Relish in the authentic experience of farm-to-table dining.

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: Join an avid local foodie 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.

Paris: Rendezvous with your friends at a typical French bistro for a rousing Celebration Dinner with wine. Bon Appetit!

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Choose between two carefully selected activities

Prague: Stroll through the Jewish Quarter with your Local Expert to hear how the Jewish community has shaped the history of Prague, and taste Trdelník, a traditional Czech pastry.

Prague: Visit the imposing St. Vitus Cathedral and explore the atmospheric courtyards of the historic Prague Castle with your Local Expert.

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 an avid local foodie 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.

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. 

The workshop advances UN Sustainable Development Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.

Stanserhorn: 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.

Amsterdam: Cruise along the old waterways, discovering the architectural gems of the old city, including mansions dating from the Golden Age of the 17th Century.

Wurzburg: Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Würzburg Residence.

Wurzburg: Stand on the statue-lined Alte Mainbrucke and see the Marienburg fortress.

Rothenburg ob der Tauber: Picturesque Rothenburg ob der Tauber is the best-preserved medieval town in Germany and a truly enchanting destination. Step back in time and explore the city walls, towers, and gates around the old town as well as the old town itself.

Salzburg: Join your Local Expert to visit the formal gardens of Mirabell Palace and Residence Square - both locations used in 'The Sound of Music.' You will also see the imposing fortress, the immense cathedral and Mozart's birthplace on the lively Getreidegasse.

Rome: Experience Rome through the eyes of a local, as a passionate Roman guides you through vibrant backstreets, showing you how modern life takes place around ancient treasures.

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.

Cinque Terre: Led by your Local Expert, visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site with dedicated time to explore two of the five charming fishing villages.

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.

Paris: Explore the iconic sights and streets of Paris. See famous landmarks including Notre Dame Cathedral, the Eiffel Tower and the facades of the Louvre. Stroll the banks of the River Seine and admire romantic bridges, and enjoy a drive along the Champs Elysées to the Arc de Triomphe.

"One food I really love introducing my guests to is tramezzini sandwiches because they are a real art form in Venice. For the locals it is a quick inexpensive bite to get them through the day...best eaten standing up at the bar!"

"It's magical to see how a group of guests comes together over the course of our trip. I can always tell when that's happening because suddenly the enthusiasm is palpable."

"Paris is truly a delight to all the senses – seeing the iconic architecture, hearing about the history, smelling the wonderful bakeries and tasting the local specialties during our foodie walk."

Hand sanitizer is freely available on board for you to use throughout the day.

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From time to time, your Travel Director will delight you with an Insight Flourish, which is a local specialty representing the destination.

Venice: With your Travel Director cruise to St. Mark's Square and see the Doge's Palace, Bridge of Sighs and St. Mark's Basilica.

Rome: During your orientation with your Travel Director see the medieval buildings, including Renaissance palaces and Baroque churches, scattered throughout the city.

Lucerne: During your orientation with your Travel Director, see the emotive Lion Monument, Jesuit Church and Chapel Bridge.

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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.

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.

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Würzburg: The Maritim Hotel Würzburg is situated directly in front of the banks of the river Maine and offers views of the imposing Marienberg fortress.

Salzburg: Combining historic substance and modern architecture, the ARCOTEL Castellani is located in green surroundings and only a 15-minute walk from the centre of Salzburg. It features a large garden including a Baroque chapel and a 400-year old linden tree.

Venice: Eurostars Residenza Cannaregio Venice is a hotel with traditional and modern elements complete with a door opening onto a canal.

Florence: Hotel Londra is an elegant hotel situated right in the heart of Florence.

Rapallo: The Grand Hotel Bristol Resort and Spa is a classic property, overlooking the Mediterranean and offering spacious rooms decorated in the Art Nouveau style.

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Map

Attractions

photo of trevi fountain at sunrise beautiful full view, Rome, Italy.Trevi Fountain
Chapel Bridge, Lucerne, Luzern, SwitzerlandChapel Bridge
photo of Side View with the Bell Tower of the Basilica of San Clemente in the Center of Rome on a Background of Partly Cloudy Sky,Rome Italy.Basilica of San Clemente
Piazza del Duomo, San Gimignano, San Gimignano, Siena, Tuscany, ItalyPiazza del Duomo, San Gimignano
photo of Michelangelo Capitoline Steps to Piazza Campidoglio on Capitoline Hill, Rome, Italy.Capitoline Museums
Roman ruins in Rome, ItalyPalatino
Cinque Terre National Park, Vernazza, La Spezia, Liguria, ItalyCinque Terre National Park
Photo of Lucerne dying lion monument, Switzerland.Lion Monument
photo of Night view of piazza San Marco and Doge's Palace (Palazzo Ducale) in Venice, Italy. Architecture and landmark of Venice. Night cityscape of Venice .Doge's Palace
photo of Oude Kerk (Old Church) and Voorburgwal canal in Amsterdam.Oude Kerk
photo of square of signoria in florence at sunrise, Italy.Piazza della Signoria
Photo of detail of the colorful Moorish facade of the Jubilee Synagogue, also known as the Jerusalem Synagogue because of its location on Jerusalem Street in Prague, Czech Republic.Jerusalem Synagogue
photo of piazza navona in Rome, Italy. Rome navona square. Ancient stadium of Rome for athletic contests. Italy architecture and landmark. Piazza navona is one of the main attractions of Rome and Italy.Piazza navona
photo of view of Pantheon in the morning. Rome. Italy.Pantheon
Marienberg FortressMarienberg Fortress
photo of tourists (faces not visible) climbing the cable car in an open car up Mount Stanserhorn in Switzerland and admire the magnificent aerial panorama of central Switzerland, mountains, villages and forest.Stanserhorn
Zell am See Wasserspiele
Photo of famous St. Vitus Cathedral Prague, Czech Republic on a Sunny evening.St Vitus Cathedral
Musée de MontmartreMusée de Montmartre
photo of The traditional bridge of the sighs of Barranco in Lima-PERU .Bridge of Sighs

Daily Itinerary

Day 1

Day 1 – Day 1: Arrival in Amsterdam

  • Amsterdam - Arrival day
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  • Oude Kerk
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Welcome to Amsterdam, the city of canals. Your journey begins with a leisurely day, where you'll meet your Travel Director and fellow travellers over a delightful Welcome Dinner. As the evening unfolds, enjoy a scenic cruise along the quaint, tree-lined canals of the Old City, followed by a sumptuous dinner at a local restaurant.

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Day 2

Day 2 – Day 2: Amsterdam to Würzburg

  • Amsterdam
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Bid farewell to Amsterdam as we cross into Germany and journey through the picturesque Rhine Valley. Arrive in Würzburg, where you'll have time to explore the heart of the Old Town and the 16th-century Alte Mainbrücke. A local expert will guide you through the imposing Würzburg Residenz, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where you'll marvel at its intricate decorations and lavish staterooms.

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Day 3

Day 3 – Day 3: Würzburg to Prague via Rothenburg ob der Tauber

  • Průhonice
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  • Rothenburger Tor
  • Marienberg Fortress
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Today, we venture to Rothenburg ob der Tauber, the most well-preserved town on the Romantic Road. Continue east to the Czech border, passing the town of Pilsen, renowned for its beer. Arrive in the Golden City of Prague, where you have the option to take a river cruise through the heart of the city in the evening.

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Day 4

Day 4 – Day 4: Exploring Prague

  • Průhonice
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  • Prague Jewish Quarter
  • St Vitus Cathedral
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Spend the day exploring Prague, starting with a visit to the courtyards of the Castle and the imposing St. Vitus Cathedral. Alternatively, join a local expert on a tour through the Jewish Quarter, where you'll learn about the history and traditions of the Jewish people and taste Trdelník, a traditional Czech pastry. In the afternoon, marvel at the mighty Marienburg Fortress, one of Germany's most important landmarks. The rest of the day is yours to explore the city at your leisure.

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Day 5

Day 5 – Day 5: Prague to Salzburg

  • Průhonice
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Journey through the Czech Republic and continue south over the Austrian border to Salzburg, the city of Mozart and the 'Sound of Music.' A local expert will show you the formal gardens of Mirabell Palace, Residence Square, and Mozart's birthplace on the lively Getreidegasse. In the evening, experience authentic Farm-to-Table dining at a restaurant in Salzburg, where you'll enjoy the flavours of homemade dishes.

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Day 6

Day 6 – Day 6: Salzburg to Venice

  • Venice
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  • Gasteiner Ache Wasserfall
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Enjoy a leisurely morning in Salzburg before heading to Kehlsteinhaus - the Eagle's Nest, a unique example of historic architecture in a stunning alpine setting. Later, travel down the Tauern Mountains to cross the Italian border and continue to the romantic city of Venice, Queen of the Adriatic. Your hotel is perfectly located in one of the quietest and most authentic Venetian districts.

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Day 7

Day 7 – Day 7: Exploring Venice

  • Venice
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  • Doge's Palace
  • Piazza San Marco
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Embrace the romance of Venice as you explore the city's iconic landmarks, including the immense Campanile, Doge's Palace, and the Bridge of Sighs. Witness the skill of local glassblowers during a visit to a traditional arts centre. The rest of the day is at leisure. Perhaps shop in the small arcades or cruise the Venetian lagoon to the island of Burano for a meal of local specialties and wine.

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Day 8

Day 8 – Day 8: Venice to Rome

  • Venice
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Leave Venice behind as you head into the Apennine Mountains and the peaceful landscapes of Tuscany and Umbria. Continue following the course of the Tiber to your hotel in the Eternal City of Rome. In the evening, enjoy a delightful dinner at a local restaurant.

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Day 9

Day 9 – Day 9: Exploring Rome

Day 9: Exploring Rome

  • Trevi Fountain
  • Pantheon
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Immerse yourself in the art, antiquity, and pizzazz of Rome. Your morning walking tour with a Local Expert includes a private visit to the Basilica of Saint Praxedes, the spectacular Trevi Fountain, and the best-preserved monument from the Roman period - the Pantheon. Enjoy free time to explore Piazza Navona and perhaps join a tour inside the Catacombs with our local expert.

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Day 10

Day 10 – Day 10: Rome to Florence

  • Florence
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  • Basilica of San Clemente
  • Piazza del Duomo, San Gimignano
  • Capitoline Museums
  • Palatino
  • Piazza della Signoria
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Start the day with a visit to the Vatican State, home to priceless treasures collected by the Popes. Admire Michelangelo's famous ceiling in the Sistine Chapel and visit St. Peter's Basilica. Your travels continue through peaceful Umbria and Tuscany, to arrive at the city of Florence. A Local Expert will accompany you to the Duomo and Piazza della Signoria, the political heart of the city.

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Day 11

Day 11 – Day 11: Florence to Rapallo via Cinque Terre

  • Florence
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  • Cinque Terre National Park
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Today, the famous Italian Riviera and the Cinque Terre are the highlights of your journey. Explore this UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Italy's most beautiful landscapes. With a Local Expert, appreciate the views as you approach one of the picturesque fishing villages by boat (weather permitting). Continue by train to Levanto, then on to your resort in Rapallo, where you'll savour authentic Italian cuisine with a delicious dinner.

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Day 12

Day 12 – Day 12: Rapallo to Lake Lucerne

  • Lucerne
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Pass Milan as you head north for the Italian Lake District via Lake Lugano. Continue into the heart of the Swiss Alps, passing through the Saint Gotthard Tunnel, one of the longest road tunnels in the world. Arrive at scenic Lake Lucerne, where you are at leisure for the rest of the afternoon.

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Day 13

Day 13 – Day 13: Exploring Lucerne

  • Lucerne
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  • Chapel Bridge
  • Lion Monument
  • Stanserhorn
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Explore Mount Stanserhorn on a unique open-top cable car ride powered by solar panels. Take in the pristine mountain air and, on a clear day, witness views as far as Alsace and the Black Forest in Germany. Back in Lucerne, see the town's proud Lion Monument, stroll across the covered Chapel Bridge, and see the baroque Jesuit church. The rest of the day is at leisure to shop for fine watches and delectable chocolates.

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Day 14

Day 14 – Day 14: Lucerne to Paris

  • Lucerne
  • Paris
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Journey through the rural French countryside of Burgundy, famous for its vineyards and wines, to arrive in the vibrant City of Light, Paris. During your time in Paris, see the impressive Eiffel Tower, the magnificent Notre-Dame Cathedral, and the imposing facades of the Louvre. Discover the banks of the Seine with its many romantic bridges and drive along the Champs Élysées to the Arc de Triomphe. The evening is free for you to enjoy the lively atmosphere of this glittering city.

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Day 15

Day 15 – Day 15: Exploring Paris

  • Paris
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  • Mosquée d'Évry
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Your exploration of Paris today starts with a choice. Choose to explore community life in the picturesque Montorgueil district or join an avid foodie as you head into areas where Parisians go about their daily lives to explore small shops and sample local treats and delicacies. In the evening, indulge in refined French cuisine during your Celebration Dinner at the iconic restaurant La Coupole, frequently visited by the French entertainer Josephine Baker.

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Day 16

Day 16 – Day 16: Departure from Paris

  • Paris - Departure day
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Bid farewell to your travelling companions as your journey comes to an end. Transfers arrive at Charles de Gaulle Airport.

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