Highlights of Europe (Classic, Summer, Start Amsterdam, End London, 13 Days)

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Description

Summary

Starts
London
Duration
13 days
Languages
English
Difficulty
Easy

Description

Embark on a captivating 13-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 perfect blend of leisure, adventure, and cultural immersion. From the charming canals of Amsterdam to the romantic waterways of Venice, the majestic Alps of Bavaria to the serene lakes of Switzerland, and the timeless elegance of Paris, every day brings a new discovery. Enjoy exclusive experiences like private tours, local dining experiences, wine tastings, and more. Stay in comfortable accommodations, enjoy delicious meals, and let our expert Travel Director guide you through the best each destination has to offer.

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Included

12 night accommodation

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6 Dinner with Wine (DW)

12 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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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.

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-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.

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.

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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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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Map

Attractions

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.Notre-Dame de Paris
photo of Hohenschwangau Castle in winter in Germany.Hohenschwangau Castle
Photo of Lucerne dying lion monument, Switzerland.Lion Monument Lucerne
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.Piazza San Marco
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

  • London
  • Amsterdam - Arrival day
  • More

Begin your European adventure in the vibrant city of Amsterdam. Spend the day at leisure, exploring the city's charming, tree-lined canals and the heart of the Old City. In the evening, join your Travel Director and fellow travelers for a Welcome Dinner at a local restaurant, where you can enjoy a delightful meal and wine.

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Day 2

Day 2 – Day 2: Journey to Heidelberg

  • Amsterdam
  • More
  • Heidelberg Palace
  • Welterbe Kulturlandschaft Oberes Mittelrheintal
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Take 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. Visit the iconic Heidelberg Castle with a Local Expert and immerse yourself in the city's rich history.

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Day 3

Day 3 – Day 3: Bavarian Alps to Innsbruck

  • Innsbruck
  • More
  • Hohenschwangau Castle
  • Neuschwanstein Castle
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Skirt the northern Black Forest and head towards the rolling Bavarian Alps. Stop beneath the royal castles of Hohenschwangau and King Ludwig’s Neuschwanstein, rumored to have inspired Walt Disney's iconic castle. Once over the Austrian border, continue to the Tyrolean capital of Innsbruck. Tour the architectural jewels of the city, including the Imperial Palace and the Golden Roof.

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Day 4

Day 4 – Day 4: Innsbruck to Venice

  • Venice
  • Innsbruck
  • More
  • Venetian Arsenal
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Continue your journey, crossing the Italian border and on through the breathtaking Dolomites. Amongst the hills of Conegliano Veneto, stop at a local family winery to discover the art of prosecco production and savor a tasting of these luxurious sparkling wines. Continue to the romantic city of Venice, Queen of the Adriatic. In the evening, enjoy a delightful dinner with wine.

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Day 5

Day 5 – Day 5: Exploring Venice

  • Burano
  • Venice
  • More
  • Doge's Palace
  • Piazza San Marco
  • St Mark's Basilica
  • Bridge of Sighs
  • More

Wake up ready to embrace the romantic city of Venice. Join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience as you witness the skill of glassblowers at a traditional arts center. Take a private cruise to St. Mark's Square where the city's former wealth and power is evidenced by the riches of St. Mark's Basilica. Admire the Doge's Palace and its adjoining Bridge of Sighs. With the rest of the day free, why not cruise 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: Venice to Rome

  • Rome
  • Venice
  • More
  • Archbasilica of St. John Lateran
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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 the Eternal City of Rome. Enjoy a private visit to the Basilica of Saint Praxedes, welcomed by the Rector of the basilica. Gaze in awe at the world's best-preserved Byzantine mosaics, illuminated for this evening's experience, and see the first sculpture by Bernini. For dinner, you’re invited into the home of a Roman local to experience Italian hospitality at its best.

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Day 7

Day 7 – Day 7: Discovering Rome

  • Rome
  • More
  • St. Clement Basilica
  • Capitoline Museums
  • Palatine Hill
  • Colosseum
  • More

During your two-night stay, join a Local Expert for a private tour of the priceless art housed in the Vatican Museums and the frescoes of the Sistine Chapel. Your priority visit includes fast-track entry. Then explore St. Peter’s Basilica, one of the largest churches in the world. Cross the River Tiber to see the largest amphitheatre of the Roman Empire, the Colosseum and enjoy the afternoon at your leisure.

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Day 8

Day 8 – Day 8: Rome to Florence

  • Florence
  • Rome
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  • Piazza del Duomo, San Gimignano
  • Galleria dell'Accademia
  • 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 where the Gates of Paradise adorn the baptistery. Continue to Piazza della Signoria, the political heart of the city, lined with fountains and statues it acts as a virtual open-air gallery of Renaissance masterpieces. A leisurely afternoon gives you time to shop for quality goods, like gold and leather, which Florence is famous for. 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: Florence to Italian Lake District

  • Milan
  • Florence
  • More
  • Life Electric
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Travel past Milan, the capital of Lombardy, as you journey north to the beautiful Italian Lake District, a favorite retreat of the rich and famous where Alpine scenery combines with luxuriant subtropical vegetation. Relax and enjoy an afternoon at leisure at this popular resort and beautiful lake. Perhaps choose to take a cruise to the lovely Isola Bella for a guided tour of the incredible palace and stunning Botanical Gardens? Later, the choice is yours for your Dine-Around Evening. Enjoy your preferred dining experience from a selection of hand-picked local restaurants, each offering their own unique cuisine and ambience.

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Day 10

Day 10 – Day 10: Italian Lake District to Lucerne

  • Lucerne
  • More
  • Lake Brienz
  • Stanserhorn
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In the morning, enjoy your last moments among the charming Italian Lake District before your travels continue across the Swiss border. Explore Mount Stanserhorn on a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, as an open-top cable car powered by solar panels take you up 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 11

Day 11 – Day 11: Exploring Lucerne

  • Lucerne
  • More
  • Chapel Bridge
  • Jesuitenkirche Hl. Franz Xaver
  • Lion Monument Lucerne
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The emotive Lion Monument, carved into a limestone cliff, is a memorial dedicated to the heroic Swiss Guards who died defending King Louis XVI during the French Revolution, which is a source of great pride to the people of Lucerne. See this beautiful work before strolling 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 12

Day 12 – Day 12: Lucerne to Paris

  • Paris
  • Lucerne
  • More
  • place de la Concorde
  • Champ de Mars
  • Louvre Museum
  • Versailles cathedral
  • Arc de Triomphe
  • Eiffel Tower
  • More

Journey through the rural French countryside of Alsace and Burgundy regions, 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, see the obelisk in the center of the Place de la Concorde 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 13

Day 13 – Day 13: Exploring Paris

  • Paris - Departure day
  • More
  • Musée de Montmartre
  • Le Cachot
  • More

Today you can enjoy an Insight Choice. Choose to explore community life in the picturesque Montorgueil district. Alternatively, 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, enjoy a Celebration Dinner at the historic restaurant La Coupole. Delight in French cuisine and delicious wine.

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