Europe Jewel - 14 Days

Welcome to Amsterdam, the starting point of your Europe Jewel tour. This morning, we will meet our tour leader and begin with a visit to a traditional cheese farm. You’ll observe demonstrations of cheese-making and clog-making, a craft integral to Dutch heritage. Enjoy some free time for lunch in Volendam, a charming village by the lake known for its picturesque scenery and quaint atmosphere.

Next, we will visit Zaanse Schans, famous for its historic windmills and iconic wooden houses, offering a glimpse into the Netherlands' past. Later, return to Amsterdam for a complimentary canal cruise, where you'll enjoy a two-course dinner whilst taking in the enchanting city views from the water.

Today, we journey to the picturesque Rhine Valley in Germany. On arrival, we visit a local wine merchant for an included wine tasting session, where you'll sample regional wines. If the conditions during the harvest have been favourable, you might even taste eiswein, a unique sweet dessert wine produced only when grapes freeze on the vine.

Next, enjoy a scenic riverboat cruise from Boppard to St. Goar. Along the way, you'll see Europe's highest concentration of Gothic castles perched along the riverbanks, making this cruise an unforgettable highlight.

Today, we travel to Prague with a stop in Nuremberg, a charming Bavarian city meticulously restored after World War II. Once in Prague, we will embark on a guided walking tour, exploring its remarkable architecture, unique bars, and winding cobblestone streets. Renowned for its beer and rich artistic heritage, Prague offers a wealth of cultural experiences. This evening, we gather for a group dinner to enjoy traditional Czech cuisine.

Today is yours to explore the enchanting city of Prague at your leisure, a destination often hailed as the gem of Central Europe. Opt for the Prague+ tour if you wish to delve deeper into the city's storied past and admire its impressive sights.

We'll marvel at the dramatic architecture witnessed in its stunning churches, concert halls, opera houses, and the iconic Prague Castle. This evening, you have the option to enjoy Czech culture through an evening of traditional food, music, and dance.

Today, we travel to the splendid city of Vienna, stopping en route in Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia. Bratislava boasts a charming blend of medieval castles and distinctive Socialist-era architecture, set against a backdrop of mountains and vineyards. We'll explore its historical treasures before progressing to Vienna.

Upon reaching Austria's majestic capital, we'll embark on a guided walking tour through the UNESCO-listed city centre. Here, you'll witness iconic landmarks such as the Hofburg Palace and St. Stephen's Cathedral. In the evening, enjoy an included dinner and afterwards, you may opt to experience an enchanting orchestra performance at the Schönbrunn Palace Orangery.

We depart Vienna and head towards Budapest, the enchanting capital of Hungary, renowned for its stunning location along the Danube River. The city showcases a remarkable mix of Baroque, Neoclassical, and Art Nouveau architecture.

Upon arrival, we embark on a guided driving tour through Budapest’s historic centre. Our journey begins on the Buda side, where we catch glimpses of iconic landmarks like the Houses of Parliament and St. Stephen’s Basilica.

The afternoon is yours to explore at your leisure. In the evening, you might choose to join an optional dinner cruise on the Danube, offering a picturesque conclusion to your Budapest experience.

Depart from Budapest and travel to Lake Balaton, a favourite holiday destination in Hungary. Known for having nearly 200 km of shoreline, Lake Balaton is the largest lake in Central Europe and attracts many visitors during the summer.

Our next stop is Maribor, Slovenia, where you'll have some free time to enjoy lunch at your leisure.

We'll then proceed to Ljubljana, Slovenia's enchanting capital. Here, you will enjoy a guided walking tour led by a local expert, exploring the city's fairytale castle, impressive architecture, and natural attractions.

Afterward, you can choose to participate in an optional excursion to further explore Ljubljana’s offerings and taste traditional Slovenian dishes before returning to the hotel for the night.

Before departing Slovenia, we'll make a stop in Postojna where you can opt for a guided tour of the awe-inspiring Postojna Cave. Next, we head to the mesmerising city of Venice. Renowned in literature, film, and art, Venice offers a unique blend of historic canals and rich artistic heritage.

During your free time, discover the city's allure by visiting iconic sites such as the renowned Piazza San Marco, the stunning Basilica di San Marco, and the historic Palazzo Ducale.

For a memorable evening, consider joining the optional 'An Evening in Venice' excursion. This includes a scenic water taxi cruise, a traditional gondola ride, and a delightful Italian dinner.

Farewell, Venice! Today, we journey towards the enchanting hills of Tuscany, with Florence as our destination. On the way, you will enjoy views of the picturesque countryside, stopping at Piazzale Michelangelo for a stunning panorama of Florence.

Upon arrival, we embark on an engaging walking tour with a local guide, exploring the city's rich Renaissance history and ancient Roman sites. We will observe a traditional leather-making demonstration, showcasing Florence's renowned craftsmanship. The afternoon is yours to explore at leisure.

In the evening, we gather for a traditional Italian dinner at a local restaurant in Florence. Afterwards, we retreat to the serene Tuscan countryside for our overnight stay.

Today, we depart Tuscany for our first stop: the iconic Leaning Tower of Pisa. Here, we’ll have the opportunity to capture memorable photos and learn about the tower’s fascinating history, including how it began to tilt during construction in the 12th century.

Next, we travel to the stunning Swiss Alps. As we journey through breathtaking landscapes, enjoy views of snow-capped peaks and verdant valleys. Upon arrival at our accommodation in a charming Alpine village, we’ll savour a delightful group dinner.

Today is yours to explore the majestic Swiss Alps. Enjoy a leisurely walk through picturesque villages or take in the serenity of the crystal-clear lakes.

For an unforgettable experience, consider joining the optional Jungfraujoch excursion, which takes you to the highest train station in Europe. Here, enjoy snow activities, visit the Sphinx Observatory and the Ice Palace, and take in stunning glacier views.

This evening, you might choose to enjoy a traditional Alpine Dinner Experience, offering the perfect conclusion to your day amidst the Alps. Meals: Breakfast provided.

We start the day early, setting off towards Paris. Upon arriving in the City of Lights, we embark on an engaging driving tour to view its iconic landmarks, including the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe.

Be sure to capture these classic sights and consider which ones you'd like to revisit during tomorrow's free day. This evening, we gather for a group dinner at a local restaurant before heading to the hotel for the night.

Experience the allure of Paris at your leisure today. Opt to join the Paris+ optional excursion for a comprehensive taste of the city's iconic attractions and local flavours. We will visit a famous macaron shop and explore a perfume museum, followed by a sightseeing cruise on the Seine River.

Enjoy some free time in the lively Latin Quarter, a historic area renowned for its vibrant atmosphere and rich cultural heritage. Later, stroll through the enchanting streets of Montmartre before indulging in a traditional Parisian dinner.

To cap off a perfect day, you might choose to attend an optional cabaret show.

Today marks the last day of our Europe Jewel tour. We begin with a relaxing drive to Ghent, a Belgian city renowned for its well-preserved medieval centre. You'll have free time to wander its charming streets and perhaps indulge in some local cuisine.

Later, we travel back to Amsterdam, where the tour concludes. Make sure to exchange contact details with your new friends before you depart.