Highlights of Europe (Small Groups, Winter, Start Amsterdam, End London, 14 Days)
Description
Summary
Description
Embark on a 14-day journey through the heart of Europe, exploring the rich history, diverse cultures, and stunning landscapes of the Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Italy, Switzerland, and France. This multi-day tour offers a unique blend of leisure, adventure, and cultural immersion. From the charming canals of Amsterdam to the romantic city of Venice, the rolling hills of Tuscany, the majestic Swiss Alps, and the vibrant city of Paris, every day brings a new adventure. Enjoy authentic local cuisine, visit iconic landmarks, and engage with local communities. With comfortable accommodations, expert guides, and a carefully curated itinerary, this tour promises an unforgettable European experience.
Included
1 night: Movenpick Hotel Amsterdam City Centre
1 night: Crowne Plaza Heidelberg City Centre
1 night: AC Hotel Innsbruck
2 nights: Hotel Indigo Venice - Sant'Elena
2 nights: Welcome Piram Hotel, Rome
2 nights: Hotel Londra, Florence
2 nights: Renaissance Lucerne Hotel
2 nights: Le Méridien Etoile, Paris
6 Dinner with Wine (DW)
13 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.
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!
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 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.
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-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.
Mount Pilatus: Enjoy a spectacular journey to the summit of Mount Pilatus to witness a panorama of snow-capped peaks as you take in the pristine mountain air.
Hand sanitizer is freely available on board for you to use throughout the day.
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.
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.
Map
Attractions
Daily Itinerary
Day 1 – Day 1: Welcome to Amsterdam
- Amsterdam - Arrival day
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- Oude Kerk Amsterdam
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Begin your European adventure in the enchanting city of Amsterdam. Spend the day at leisure, exploring the city's charming streets and canals. In the evening, join your Travel Director for a Welcome Dinner at a local restaurant, where you'll have the opportunity to mingle with your fellow travellers and taste local delicacies.
Day 2 – Day 2: Journey 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. Hear the legend of the Lorelei Rock as you follow the Neckar River to Heidelberg. Here, visit the historic Heidelberg Castle with a Local Expert.
Day 3 – Day 3: From Heidelberg to Innsbruck
- Innsbruck
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- Hospital Church of the Holy Spirit Innsbruck
- Rosengartenschlucht
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Travel through the northern Black Forest and the Bavarian Alps, stopping to admire the royal castles of Hohenschwangau and King Ludwig's Neuschwanstein. Cross the Austrian border to Innsbruck, the Tyrolean capital, where you'll tour the city's architectural gems, including the Imperial Palace and the Golden Roof.
Day 4 – Day 4: From Innsbruck to Venice
- Venice
- Innsbruck
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Continue your journey into Italy, passing through the breathtaking Dolomites. Stop at a family-owned winery in the hills of Conegliano Veneto to learn about prosecco production and enjoy a tasting. Arrive in Venice, the Queen of the Adriatic, in the evening and savour a delicious dinner with wine.
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 local glassblowers at a traditional arts centre, then take a private cruise to St. Mark's Square. Admire the riches of St. Mark's Basilica and the Doge's Palace. 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.
Day 6 – Day 6: From Venice 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 Italian hospitality at its best with a home-cooked meal at a local's home, a perfect end to the day.
Day 7 – Day 7: Exploring Rome
- Rome
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- Vatican Museums
- St Peter's Basilica
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Join a Local Expert for a private tour of the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel, home to priceless art and stunning frescoes. Enjoy fast-track entry and exclusive access to the Bramante Staircase. Visit St. Peter's Basilica, one of the world's largest churches, and the Colosseum, the largest amphitheatre of the Roman Empire. Spend the afternoon at your leisure.
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 the afternoon shopping for gold and leather, for which Florence is famous. In the evening, savour an authentic meal at a local trattoria.
Day 9 – Day 9: Free Day in Florence
- Florence
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Enjoy a free day in the Tuscan capital. Explore the city's magnificent museums and galleries, relax in one of the many street cafes, or continue shopping for quality goods. The choice is yours on how to spend this leisurely day.
Day 10 – Day 10: From Florence to Lucerne
- Lucerne
- Florence
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- Lion Monument
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Travel across the Swiss border to Lucerne. Visit the emotive Lion Monument and stroll across the Chapel Bridge to see the ornate Jesuit Church. The afternoon is at your leisure. You may choose to enjoy a cruise on Lake Lucerne with its dramatic vistas.
Day 11 – Day 11: Exploring Lucerne
- Lucerne
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- Mount Pilatus
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Embark on a scenic journey by cable car to the summit of the stunning Mount Pilatus. Take in the pristine mountain air and spectacular views. Spend the rest of the day at leisure, perhaps venturing into the countryside for a delightful horse-drawn carriage ride and meet the local farmers. In the evening, choose from a selection of hand-picked local restaurants for your dining experience.
Day 12 – Day 12: From Lucerne to Paris
- Paris
- Lucerne
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- Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris
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Journey through the rural French countryside 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. The evening is free for you to enjoy the lively atmosphere of this glittering city.
Day 13 – Day 13: Exploring Paris
- Paris
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- Musée de Montmartre
- Le Cachot
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Enjoy an Insight Choice today. Choose to explore community life in the picturesque Montorgueil district or join a foodie as you explore small shops and sample local treats. In the evening, enjoy a Celebration Dinner at the historic restaurant La Coupole, delighting in French cuisine and delicious wine.
Day 14 – Day 14: From Paris to London
- Paris
- London - Departure day
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Bid farewell to your travelling 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 the Amba Hotel Marble Arch or Amba Hotel Grosvenor (or similar) where your trip ends.
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