Best of Europe (Central & Western) - 22 Days

Welcome to the start of your tour! Your tour leader will meet up with you at our accommodation in London during the afternoon, just a subway ride from the must-see sights like Tower Bridge, the Tower of London and Buckingham Palace. This evening your tour leader will take you on an orientation tour of Greenwich. A historic Royal Borough, it is known for its maritime history and for giving its name to the Greenwich Meridian and Greenwich Mean Time. Your tour leader will introduce you to the sights, including the Royal Naval College and the Royal Observatory, and you’ll get an incredible view of the London skyline from Greenwich Park. You’ll have a chance to get to know the other travellers on your tour at the included dinner in a traditional pub.

Departing London, you will cross the English Channel and travel to ‘The City of Lights and Love’ – Paris! Your experienced tour leader will introduce you to all the key Parisian sites on a relaxing coach tour of the city. Keep an eye out for such iconic landmarks as the Eiffel Tower, The Louvre and Notre Dame – take a mental note of what you wish to explore more further on your free day. This evening we’ll enjoy an included dinner

Enjoy a full free day to explore the French capital to your heart’s content! The Seine River is the backbone of the capital, and flows through the heart of the city. Why not choose a cruise, and sail past the grandeur of the gothic Notre Dame cathedral, to the epic Eiffel Tower? Paris Disneyland is perfect for the ‘young at heart’, and is only a short distance away. Your tour leader is brimming with ideas and local knowledge, so that you can get the best out of your time here

This morning we’ll depart Paris and head east to our first stop in the champagne region, where we’ll enjoy a tasting of one of France’s most famous and highly prized exports – champagne! We’ll then continue our journey on to Luxembourg, where you’ll have some free time to explore the capital of one of Europe’s smallest countries; Luxembourg City features a charming Unesco-listed centre with plenty of restaurants and cafés. Our final destination of the day is Heidelberg, Germany’s oldest university town which is renowned for its Altstadt (old town), ruined Renaissance hilltop castle and romantic riverside cityscape.

Our first destination today is the iconic Black Forest, where we’ll take a stop at the spa town of Titisee. Located on the shore of the lake of the same name, you’ll witness stunning views of the cobalt blue water bordered by a dark forest canopy. We’ll then cross the border into Switzerland and stop off at the stunning Rhine Falls, the largest plain waterfall in Europe. You’ll have some time to explore and get a view of the Wörth Castle, before we carry on to Lucerne. Adorned with covered bridges (including the famous Chapel bridge), brightly-coloured houses and delightful waterfront promenades, your tour leader will introduce you to the city before we travel on to our accommodation near Lake Lucerne.

Today you’ll have a free day to enjoy the Lucerne region. Renowned as one of Switzerland’s most beautiful cities, Lucerne is one place you’ll definitely want to have your camera at the ready for! All the ingredients for the quintessentially picturesque Swiss experience are here – a cobalt lake and well-preserved old-town complete with waterfront promenades, covered bridges and perfect plazas is surrounded by the natural skyscrapers of the Swiss Alps. It’s really no wonder that Goethe, Queen Victoria and Wagner savoured the stunning views that Lucerne has to offer. There’s charm and grace around every corner, but it’s not all about history – there’s certainly enough of a pulse here to keep things current, with carnivals, concerts and exhibitions aplenty.

Four countries in one day! Our first stop is the Alpine principality of Liechtenstein, the sixth-smallest nation in the world. Stopping in the capital Vaduz, we’ll have some time to stroll around and enjoy the scenery. We’ll then visit Neuschwanstein Castle, a 19th Century German hilltop castle built by Ludwig II of Bavaria, and the inspiration for the famous Disneyland castle. Entrance to the castle is included in the tour package price. Our final destination of the day is Innsbruck, Austria. Home to Austria’s third-largest student population, there’s no shortage of vibrant bars and beer gardens to enjoy.

Today we head south into Italy. One of the most visited destinations in the world, Italy serves up centuries of incredible history, rich culture and, of course, fantastic food! This afternoon we’ll arrive at our accommodation in Tuscany, a region known for its beautiful landscapes, world-class art and superb cuisine, where you will have free time to explore

Today we’ll explore the undoubted highlights of Tuscany; Pisa and Florence! Now over 800 years old, the Leaning Tower of Pisa is a classic sight in Italy and well worth a visit to get a few shots of one of Italy’s most famous icons. On arrival in Florence, we’ll take a guided walking tour of the city accompanied by an expert local guide, who will introduce you to all the sights, including Ponte Vecchio, Florence Cathedral and the Basilica of Santa Croce. You’ll then have some free time to explore – why not see Michelangelo’s David in the Galleria dell’Accademia? This evening we’ll return to our accommodation in Tuscany

There is more of Italy to see – we’re off to the capital, Rome! This European metropolis buzzes with activity, tradition, passion, and energy of its own. Our local Roman tour guide will introduce you to the city and its many historic sites, including the Spanish Steps, Pantheon, Piazza Navona, Roman Forum and the Colosseum. This afternoon you’ll have the opportunity to visit the Vatican City – the smallest country in the world! You’ll jump the queues and be taken round by an expert guide, and once inside the walls you can explore St Peter’s Basilica and see Michelangelo’s artwork in the Sistine Chapel.

Rome boasts ancient ruins, historical landmarks, religious buildings and a buzz like no other, and you’ve got a full free day to explore! The Colosseum and Roman Forum is a popular choice. Those wishing to enter will not only be rewarded with fabulous views of the city, but also an unbelievable feeling of drifting backwards in time, to when gladiators, chariots and lions dominated the arena. Another feature of Rome is the constant aroma of Italian food and coffee spilling out from the cafés. One of the best areas for sampling authentic Roman food is in Trastevere where restaurants, favoured by the locals, serve original and classic dishes you may not find elsewhere. Enjoy!

Leaving the churches and basilicas behind, today we head to the canals of Venice! On arrival we’ll take an orientation walking tour with your tour leader, who will show you the sights including the Rialto Bridge and St Mark’s Square. You’ll also have the option to explore Venice the traditional way – from the canals on a gondola ride, which gives you a completely different perspective and appreciation for the amazing structure of this unique destination.

Our first destination of the day is a comfort stop in the Slovenian capital Ljubljana. Often thought of as a hidden gem of Europe, its castles, stunning architecture and natural beauty mean it packs a punch more powerful than its small size would suggest. We then drive on to Zagreb; Croatia’s capital offers an interesting mix of Hapsburg and Communist architecture. We’ll check into the hotel and have some time to freshen up before the included dinner this evening

Today we’ll cross into Hungary and head for the capital, Budapest. Cited as one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, it straddles the historic Danube River and boasts numerous UNESCO World Heritage Sites – its natural geo-thermal springs are a highlight. Enjoy a driving tour of the city, and then use your free time this evening to explore, or join our optional excursion to the Széchenyi Medicinal Bath, one of the most famous icons of the city and Europe’s largest medicinal bath.

Moving on to the Slovakian capital, Bratislava! Located in a country dominated by mountains, vineyards, ski runs and wilderness, Bratislava is a charming city. Here you’ll find medieval castles overlooking the old town, along with more recent Socialist-era architecture. Early afternoon we’ll make our way to Vienna, where a local guide will take us on a walking and driving tour of the Austrian capital. As a centre for art and culture in Europe for centuries, Vienna was host to some of the world’s leading musical minds at one time or another – including luminaries like Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven. But along with its classical heritage, magnificent concert halls, palaces and museums, Vienna is also a modern city, with a vibrant café, restaurant and nightlife cultur

Enjoy a free day to explore Vienna! Awash with imperial splendour, Vienna was once the centre of the powerful Habsburg monarchy, which dominated central Europe from the 16th-18th centuries. History fans should check out the incredible palaces of the era – Schönbrunn Palace and the Belvedere.

Our first destination today is a lunch stop in the German city of Dresden. Virtually rebuilt from the ground up after bombing attacks in WW2 destroyed the city centre, Dresden is immaculate and stylish. Try some of the local German food – such as Bratwurst, and have a wander around the beautifully paved streets. We’ll then carry on to the capital of Germany, Berlin. A local guide will introduce you to the city on a walking tour – visiting such poignant locations as the Brandenburg Gate, the Reichstag, Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, the site of Hitler’s former bunker and Checkpoint Charlie.

Enjoy a free day to further explore the history of the German capital. The Berlin Wall stands as a sombre reminder of the controls imposed on Berlin during and after WW2, however the bright street art that adorns it today seems to give it a peaceful purpose. Berlin also offers numerous free museums and galleries to visit, which all contribute to the understanding of this city’s modern history.

This morning, we’ll say our goodbyes to Germany as we journey on to the Netherlands, where you will notice the landscape change to windmills and waterways, as you approach the city of Amsterdam. This evening we’ll enjoy a canal cruise, which includes dinner and is accompanied by interesting commentary about the cities development and history. After seeing the bridges and city from the waterside it’s time for your tour leader to take you on an included walking tour of the infamous Red Light District. Afterwards, you are free to hit the cafés, bars and coffee shops

There is so much to see and do in Amsterdam! The city is very picturesque but also bohemian in nature. The streets are full of museums, shopping, and unusual architecture. Take notice of the older, slender canal-side buildings which lean forward – this is so that furniture can be hoisted on a pulley up to the top window because the buildings are too narrow to carry it up the stairs! The Anne Frank Museum and original house is a favourite amongst tourists, and other recommended sights include the Oude Kerk (Old Church – located in the Red Light District) and Waterlooplein, which is a permanent market renown for unusual second hand goods, jewellery and art. Alternatively, wander the canals and enjoy the local cafes. Just watch out for the bicycles – they rule the streets!

After your Amsterdam adventure, you have one more stop before you set off for the UK. The Belgian city of Bruges is small but picturesque, with breath taking architecture and a wonderful personality. Described as the ‘Venice of the North’, take some time to stretch your legs and indulge in a spot of sightseeing. After your visit, you will then be on your way back to London, crossing the English Channel on the way. This is the perfect time to exchange contact details with new friends and travel buddies as you prepare to disembark in the capital. Make sure you upload the highlights of your Best of Europe tour onto our Facebook page, and we look forward to having you on tour with us again soon.