European Capitals An Epic Journey - 26 Days

Welcome to Lisbon. We’ll meet you on arrival and transfer you to your hotel – after that, you’ll have free time to relax or explore nearby. In the afternoon, please check the information boards at hotel reception for details about the start of your tour, including timings and meeting points. Please note: This tour may have travellers joining or departing at various points along the route, meaning group composition can change during the tour. Please also be aware that depending on group composition, guiding may be in additional languages as well as English.

This morning we take a guided sightseeing tour of Lisbon – the city of seven hills – exploring its historic quarters, narrow lanes and iconic tiles, and taking in its distinctive saudade and Atlantic light. We also visit the Belém district, departure point for the Portuguese navigators of the 15th century. The afternoon is yours to explore at your own pace – you might head to Bairro Alto and its viewpoint – or you can join an optional excursion to Sintra, Cascais and Estoril. In the evening we provide a return transfer to the hotel from lively Restauradores Square, lined with bars and cafés.

We depart Portugal early, crossing the scenic Alentejo. We pause in Estremoz – a characterful town crowned by a medieval castle – for a coffee break. Continuing into Spain, we arrive in Cáceres, where you can have lunch and take a stroll through its remarkably well preserved historic centre, renowned for medieval and Renaissance architecture. We then continue to Madrid, reaching the city in the evening, with an included transfer to Plaza Mayor – a lively square packed with restaurants and atmosphere.

We begin with a comprehensive morning tour of central Madrid – taking in the Paseo del Prado, Cibeles, Neptuno, Puerta de Alcalá, Plaza de Colón and Plaza Mayor. We then continue to Retiro Park to see the lake and the Palacio de Cristal. We include admission to the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, home of Real Madrid. You’ll have the afternoon free to explore at your own pace. In the evening, we provide a transfer back to the hotel.

In the morning we leave Madrid, travelling across Castile into Aragón. Our first stop is Zaragoza to admire the Cathedral–Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar. We then continue to Poblet Abbey – among the best preserved medieval monasteries in the world – with admission included. By evening we arrive in Barcelona.

In the morning, we set off on a guided tour of Barcelona – the City of Counts – a vibrant Mediterranean capital celebrated for Gaudí’s modernist architecture, the lively Ramblas and a history marked by the Universal Exposition and the Olympic Games. In the evening, we leave Barcelona and travel north through Catalonia. Before settling into our hotel, we take a stroll through Girona’s historic centre, admiring its colourful houses, the old Jewish quarter and the impressive cathedral.

We leave Girona and cross into France, travelling through Provence. Our first stop is Arles – a UNESCO World Heritage city associated with Van Gogh – where you’ll have time to explore the historic centre and have lunch; you can visit the Roman theatre and the Romanesque churches. We then include entry to Carrières des Lumières, an immersive art experience in a former quarry that blends large‑scale projections with music. We continue to Chambéry, the capital of Savoy, arriving for the evening – a city with medieval character, a beautiful historic centre and a large castle. Note: If tickets for Carrières des Lumières are unavailable due to high demand, we will visit the Pont du Gard instead, a famous Roman aqueduct.

We depart Chambéry for Switzerland and arrive in Geneva. With our guide, we visit the Palais des Nations – the United Nations’ European headquarters – see the English Garden with its flower clock, and admire the Jet d’Eau. We then continue to the walled village of Gruyères, renowned for its cheese, and include admission to Maison Cailler for a visit with chocolate tasting. Our route follows scenic roads through mountain landscapes and traditional wooden villages to Chillon Castle on the shores of Lake Geneva – admission included. We reach Leysin by mid afternoon, a mountain resort with wide views over the Rhône Valley and Mont Blanc. Dinner is included. Note: Depending on availability, we may overnight in another Swiss alpine town such as Martigny.

We leave Leysin for a day of spectacular alpine scenery – please bring warm layers, as we’ll be at altitude. We ascend to Glacier 3000 by cable car to experience ice and snow all year – you can walk the suspended bridge between two peaks, explore the Ice Cathedral or enjoy the Fun Park. We then continue to Interlaken for a lunch stop before travelling on to Lucerne, one of Switzerland’s most beautiful cities. In the evening we arrive in Zurich, with a little time to explore the centre before we head to the hotel.

Note: If adverse weather or other unforeseen circumstances close the Glacier 3000 cable car, we will offer an equally impressive alternative to enjoy the alpine landscapes.

We leave Zurich early, crossing the Alps into the Italian speaking region of Switzerland. Our first stop is Bellinzona, renowned for its three medieval castles – a UNESCO World Heritage site that once guarded this key alpine route. You’ll have free time to stroll the historic centre. We then continue into Italy and pause in Como for lunch. You can explore its lakeside gardens and see the striking cathedral before we travel on to Milan. On arrival, our guide will take us to Piazza del Duomo to admire the city’s monumental heart, after which you’ll have a little free time to wander. We then transfer to the hotel.

We travel south to Pisa, where we ride the small tourist train to Piazza dei Miracoli – you’ll have time to admire this remarkable complex, including the famous Leaning Tower. Afterwards, we continue to Rome, arriving later in the day.

In the morning, we take a three-hour guided tour of Rome – part on foot through Imperial Rome and part by coach for a panoramic overview. We’ll see the Arch of Constantine, the exterior of the Colosseum and the Imperial Forums, Circus Maximus, the Baths of Caracalla, the Basilica of Saint Mary Major, the Pyramid of Cestius and Castel Sant’Angelo. The tour ends at Vatican City around 11:00 am. You can then join an optional visit to the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel offered by our guide.

In the evening, we include a transfer to the lively Trastevere district – known for its cosy restaurants and atmosphere – with return to the hotel around 8:30 pm.

We depart Rome and journey north to Florence. On arrival we go straight to Piazzale Michelangelo for panoramic views of the city, then stroll towards the historic centre. After some free time for lunch, we join a guided walking tour with a local expert, taking in the Ponte Vecchio, the Duomo and Piazza della Signoria. The rest of the afternoon is yours to explore as you wish. In the evening you’ll have plenty of dining options in this area – restaurants offering a wide range of international cuisines.

We leave Florence and cross the Apennines – a scenic run of mountain landscapes – before arriving in Venice. From the mainland, we take a boat across the Giudecca Canal to the island of Venice and meet a local guide for a visit to St Mark’s Square, the city’s historic heart. We then tour a Murano glass workshop to see traditional techniques in action – a craft practised here for centuries. You’ll have free time to explore at your own pace before we return to the mainland for the night. Accommodation will be in the Mestre district.

We depart Venice and cross into Austria, arriving in Innsbruck – the Tyrolean capital – where you have free time to wander the historic centre and stop for lunch. We then continue along scenic mountain roads to Kitzbühel – a renowned ski resort where snow can be enjoyed for much of the year – with time for you to explore. We end the day in Salzburg, arriving by evening. Note: if the group is small, we may travel by train from Venice to Innsbruck.

We spend the morning in Salzburg – Mozart’s city – exploring its elegant Renaissance and Baroque centre beneath the grand castle. We then travel through lakes and mountains to St. Wolfgang, a renowned Austrian pilgrimage town. From there we continue to Traunkirchen on the shores of Lake Traunsee, where an included boat cruise takes us past four of the lake’s castles before we disembark in Gmunden. We then continue to Vienna, arriving in the evening.

We begin with a panoramic tour of Vienna with a local guide, taking in its grand avenues, elegant palaces, expansive parks and lively historic centre. The afternoon is yours to explore at your own pace.

In the evening, we include a transfer to the Grinzing district – a former winegrowing village now within the city – known for its traditional taverns. You’ll have free time to choose where to dine.

After around three hours on the road, we arrive in Budapest, Hungary’s capital. We head straight to the lively Váci utca area, where you have free time to find lunch. We then take an included boat trip on the Danube, with historic Buda on one bank and cosmopolitan Pest on the other – a superb way to take in the city. Afterwards, we begin a panoramic tour of the Queen of the Danube. You’ll have some free time later to explore at your own pace. In the evening, you can opt to join a Magyar show with dinner included.

We depart Budapest early and travel to Bratislava, Slovakia’s capital on the Danube. You’ll have free time to explore its historic centre and choose a spot for lunch. We then continue into the Czech Republic, arriving in Prague in the evening.

Prague – the Baroque jewel of Europe – is ours to explore today. This morning we take a panoramic tour with a local guide, covering the city’s standout sights, and we include entry to Prague Castle for time within the historic complex. Afterwards, we see the city from the water on an included Vltava River boat ride. The afternoon is free – you can continue exploring at your own pace, linger in cafes or browse for souvenirs.

We depart Prague early and travel to Pilsen in western Bohemia – renowned for its beer. You’ll have time to wander the historic centre, including the Old Town Square, the cathedral, the Plague Column and the Renaissance town hall. We then cross into Germany and follow a stretch of the Romantic Road to visit Rothenburg, a fairytale-like town considered one of the country’s most beautiful. After our visit, we continue to Frankfurt, the financial capital of Germany, arriving in the evening. On arrival, you’ll have free time in the historic city centre, where you’ll find a wide choice of restaurants serving Indian, Asian, Italian and international cuisine.

From Frankfurt we travel to the Rhine for a scenic cruise between Rüdesheim and St. Goar – the river’s most picturesque stretch. We then head to Cologne to see its immense Gothic cathedral – before continuing to Holland and arriving in Amsterdam in the evening.

Today we explore some of the Netherlands’ most picturesque spots. We begin at Zaanse Schans – a traditional area of timber houses, canals and windmills – before continuing to Volendam, a scenic fishing village. From here we take a short boat ride to Marken, once an island and now connected to the mainland by a fixed dike, where houses were traditionally built on stilts to protect against flooding.

In the afternoon, we enjoy a guided tour of Amsterdam, taking in a classic windmill view and the Rembrandt statue, the elegance of the South District, and the art of diamond cutting around Museum Square. The visit ends at Central Station – your guide will share practical tips so you can continue exploring the canals, street markets and cafés at your own pace.

After breakfast, we depart Amsterdam for Belgium – it’s just over 200 km to Brussels, the Belgian capital and home to the main European institutions. Before reaching the centre, we make a brief stop to see the Atomium, the city’s most recognisable landmark. In Brussels we admire the magnificent Grand Place – a jewel of Flemish Baroque – and stroll past the Manneken Pis. In the afternoon, we continue into France, arriving in Paris at the end of the day.

We begin at the Palace of Versailles – admission not included – renowned for its magnificent gardens. Returning to Paris, we visit Montmartre, the bohemian neighbourhood famous for its artists, painters and cabarets. To appreciate the city’s scale and sights, we then take a panoramic tour with a local guide, showcasing Paris’s grand avenues and iconic monuments. Afterwards, we return to the hotel. In the evening, you can choose to attend an optional variety show.

We begin in central Paris with a visit to the Eiffel Tower – tickets are included to the second floor. Afterwards, we enjoy a relaxing cruise on the Seine lasting approximately one hour and fifteen minutes. You then have the afternoon free to explore at your own pace – please note the transfer back to the hotel is not included.

If queues at the Eiffel Tower are too long, we may reschedule the visit to a different time – or on Sunday – for your convenience. Our journey then comes to an end, leaving you with wonderful memories. Please check your flight time in case you require an additional night.