Highlights of Europe (Small Groups, Summer, Start Amsterdam, End London, 15 Days)

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Description

Summary

Starts
Amsterdam
Duration
15 days
Languages
English
Difficulty
Easy

Description

Embark on a captivating 15-day journey through the heart of Europe, exploring its rich history, diverse cultures, and stunning landscapes. This multi-day tour takes you from the enchanting canals of Amsterdam to the romantic waterways of Venice, the historic ruins of Rome, the artistic splendor of Florence, the serene beauty of the Italian Lake District, the majestic peaks of the Swiss Alps, and finally, the vibrant streets of Paris. Along the way, you'll enjoy exclusive experiences, such as private tours, local dining experiences, wine tastings, and more. Whether you're a history buff, a foodie, an art lover, or simply an avid traveler, this tour offers something for everyone.

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Included

6 Dinner with Wine (DW)

14 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.

Veneto: Visit a local winery and delight in a tasting of their magnificent prosecco. Meet the vignerons and learn how to make the perfect Bellini.

Rome: Food and family go hand-in-hand in Italy and are pillars of the Italian way of life. Experience it for yourself with an invitation from your local host to join them for a truly Italian, home-cooked meal.

Florence: Enjoy a traditional Bistecca alla Fiorentina dinner in the city known for its delicious cuts of steak.

Baveno: Choose your dining experience from a selection of hand-picked local restaurants, each offering their own unique cuisine and ambience on your Dine-Around Evening.

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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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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14 nights accommodation included

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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.

Heidelberg: Explore one of Germany's most enchanting cities during your orientation with your Travel Director.

Innsbruck: Nestled amidst majestic mountains, Innsbruck is a beautiful city offering a unique combination of nature, history, and culture. Stroll the streets of the picturesque Old Town, with your Travel Director, learn about its history and admire the Baroque and Gothic architecture.

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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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 theaters, in this car-free, pedestrianized, neighborhood. 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.

Heidelberg: Venture inside the magnificent castle built in red sandstone, overlooking the Student Prince’s town. See the massive Heideleberg Tun built into the cellar in 1591, visit the Apothecary Museum and enjoy panoramic views of Heidelberg and the Neckar Valley.

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-colored 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.

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

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Map

Attractions

Schlegeis Alpenstraße - VERBUND Tourismus GmbH, Gemeinde Finkenberg, Bezirk Schwaz, Tyrol, AustriaSchlegeis Alpenstraße - VERBUND Tourismus GmbH
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.St. Clement Basilica
Photo of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris on a bright afternoon in Spring, France.Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris
Photo of Lucerne dying lion monument, Switzerland.Lion Monument
photo of sunrise in san marco square with campanile and san marco's basilica. Panorama of the main square of the old town. Venice, Italy.St. Mark's Square
Heidelberg Palace, Altstadt, Heidelberg, Baden-Württemberg, GermanyHeidelberg Palace
photo of square of signoria in florence at sunrise, Italy.Piazza della Signoria
photo of Colosseum in Rome at sunrise, Italy, Europe.Colosseum
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
photo of The traditional bridge of the sighs of Barranco in Lima-PERU .Bridge of Sighs
Welterbe Kulturlandschaft Oberes MittelrheintalWelterbe Kulturlandschaft Oberes Mittelrheintal

Daily Itinerary

Day 1

Day 1 – Day 1: Welcome to Amsterdam

  • Amsterdam - Arrival day
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Begin your European adventure in the vibrant city of Amsterdam. Spend your day at leisure, exploring the city's charming streets and canals. In the evening, join your Travel Director and fellow travelers for a Welcome Dinner. Cruise along the quaint, tree-lined canals of the Old City before indulging in a delightful dinner at a local restaurant.

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Day 2

Day 2 – Day 2: Journey through the Rhine Valley to Heidelberg

  • Amsterdam
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  • Heidelberg Palace
  • Welterbe Kulturlandschaft Oberes Mittelrheintal
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Embark on a scenic drive through the picturesque Rhine Valley, dotted with quaint villages and hilltop castles. Listen to the legend of the Lorelei Rock as you follow the Neckar River to Heidelberg. Here, you'll visit the historic Heidelberg Castle with a Local Expert.

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Day 3

Day 3 – Day 3: From the Bavarian Alps to Innsbruck

  • Innsbruck
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  • Schlegeis Alpenstraße - VERBUND Tourismus GmbH
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Travel through the northern Black Forest towards the rolling Bavarian Alps. Stop beneath the royal castles of Hohenschwangau and King Ludwig’s Neuschwanstein, which is said to have inspired Walt Disney's iconic castle. Cross the Austrian border to Innsbruck, the Tyrolean capital, and tour the city's architectural gems, including the Imperial Palace, Golden Roof, and the 14th-century houses of the Old Town.

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Day 4

Day 4 – Day 4: From the Dolomites to Venice

  • Venice
  • Innsbruck
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Continue your journey across the Italian border and through the stunning Dolomites. In the hills of Conegliano Veneto, stop at a local family winery to learn about prosecco production and enjoy a tasting. Continue to Venice, the Queen of the Adriatic. In the evening, savor a delightful dinner with wine.

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Day 5

Day 5 – Day 5: Exploring Venice

  • Venice
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  • St. Mark's Square
  • Bridge of Sighs
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Wake up ready to embrace the romantic city of Venice. Witness the skill of glassblowers at a traditional arts center and take a private cruise to St. Mark's Square. Marvel at the city's former wealth and power as you admire St. Mark's Basilica, the Doge's Palace, and the Bridge of Sighs. Spend the rest of the day at leisure, perhaps cruising the Venetian lagoon to the island of Burano for a meal of local specialties and wine.

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Day 6

Day 6 – Day 6: Journey to Rome

  • Rome
  • Venice
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Head into the Apennine Mountains and venture through the peaceful landscapes of Tuscany and Umbria. Follow the course of the Tiber to Rome, the Eternal City. Experience the warmth of Italian hospitality as you're invited into the home of a Roman local for a delicious home-cooked meal.

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Day 7

Day 7 – Day 7: Discovering Rome

  • Rome
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  • St. Clement Basilica
  • Colosseum
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Join a Local Expert for a private tour of the priceless art housed in the Vatican Museums and the frescoes of the Sistine Chapel. Enjoy fast-track entry and exclusive access to the Bramante Staircase. Explore St. Peter's Basilica, one of the largest churches in the world, and cross the River Tiber to see the Colosseum, the largest amphitheatre of the Roman Empire. Spend the afternoon at your leisure.

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Day 8

Day 8 – Day 8: From Rome to Florence

  • Florence
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  • Piazza della Signoria
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Drive to the Chianti Hills and the city of Florence. A Local Expert will accompany you to the Duomo and Piazza della Signoria, the political heart of the city. Spend a leisurely afternoon shopping for quality goods like gold and leather, for which Florence is famous. In the evening, savor an authentic meal at a local trattoria in the heart of Florence.

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Day 9

Day 9 – Day 9: Journey to the Italian Lake District

  • Florence
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Travel past Milan to the beautiful Italian Lake District, a favorite retreat of the rich and famous. Spend the afternoon at leisure in this stunning region, perhaps choosing to take a cruise to the lovely Isola Bella for a guided tour of the palace and botanical gardens. In the evening, enjoy your preferred dining experience from a selection of hand-picked local restaurants.

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Day 10

Day 10 – Day 10: Return to Florence

  • Lucerne
  • Florence
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The day is free for you to fully immerse yourself in the Tuscan capital. Be sure not to miss the magnificent museums and galleries housing some of the most famous works of art in the world. Or perhaps just relax and soak up the atmosphere in one of the many street cafes.

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Day 11

Day 11 – Day 11: From Florence to Lucerne

  • Lucerne
  • Florence
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  • Stanserhorn
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Enjoy your last moments in the charming Italian Lake District before crossing the Swiss border. Explore Mount Stanserhorn on an eco-friendly cable car ride to the summit. Take in the pristine mountain air and, on a clear day, witness views as far as Alsace and the Black Forest in Germany. Continue to lakeside Lucerne where the afternoon is at your leisure. You may choose to enjoy a cruise on Lake Lucerne with its dramatic vistas.

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Day 12

Day 12 – Day 12: Exploring Lucerne

  • Paris
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  • Lion Monument
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Visit the emotive Lion Monument, carved into a limestone cliff, and stroll across the Chapel Bridge to see the ornate Jesuit Church. With the day free, there is plenty of time for shopping for delectable chocolate and glamorous Swiss watches in the traffic-free Old Town. Perhaps venture into the countryside for a delightful horse-drawn carriage ride and meet the local farmers?

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Day 13

Day 13 – Day 13: Journey to Paris

  • Paris
  • Lucerne
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  • Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris
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Journey through the rural French countryside of Alsace and 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. With the evening free, there are countless opportunities to enjoy the lively atmosphere of this glittering city. Why not visit one of the world-famous cabaret shows?

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Day 14

Day 14 – Day 14: Exploring Paris

  • London
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Today you can choose to explore community life in the picturesque Montorgueil district or join a foodie tour to explore small shops and sample local treats and delicacies. In the evening, enjoy a Celebration Dinner at the historic restaurant La Coupole, delighting in French cuisine and delicious wine.

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Day 15

Day 15 – Day 15: Farewell and Return to London

  • London
  • Paris - Departure day
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In the morning, bid farewell to your traveling companions as your journey comes to an end. Travel by high-speed Eurostar train for your journey back to London. On arrival, you are transferred to a London hotel (or similar), where your trip ends.

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