European Odyssey Culture and Charm Unveiled - 22 Days

Welcome to Barcelona. On arrival, we’ll transfer you to the hotel – the rest of the day is free for you to relax or take a first stroll. In the afternoon, please check the information boards at hotel reception for details about the start of your tour. 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.

In the morning, we set out on a city tour of Barcelona – the City of Counts – taking in Gaudí’s modernist architecture, the bustling Ramblas and sites connected to the Universal Exposition and the Olympic Games in this Mediterranean capital, widely regarded as one of Europe’s most captivating. In the evening, we leave Barcelona and travel north into Catalonia. Before checking in, we take a stroll through Girona’s historic centre, noted for its colourful riverside houses, the old Jewish quarter and its impressive cathedral.

We travel from Girona into France through the Provence region. Our first stop is Arles, a UNESCO World Heritage town linked to Van Gogh – you can see its Roman theatre and Romanesque churches, and you’ll have time to explore and have lunch. We then include a visit to Carrières des Lumières, an immersive art experience set in a former quarry with striking projections set to music. By evening we arrive in Chambéry, capital of Savoy – a medieval style city with a handsome historic centre and a large castle.

If tickets for Carrières des Lumières are unavailable due to high demand, we will instead visit the Pont du Gard, a renowned Roman aqueduct.

We cross into Switzerland and arrive in Geneva for a guided orientation – we visit the Palais des Nations, see the English Garden with its flower clock, and admire the lakeside Jet d’Eau. We continue to the walled village of Gruyères, renowned for its cheese, where entry to the Maison Cailler chocolate factory is included – enjoy the visit and a tasting.

Our journey then follows scenic roads through mountain landscapes and traditional wooden villages to lakeside Chillon Castle – admission included. We reach Leysin by mid afternoon, a holiday village with sweeping views of the Rhône Valley and Mont Blanc. Dinner is included. Note: Depending on availability, accommodation may be in another Swiss Alpine town such as Martigny.

From Leysin, we head into classic Alpine scenery – pack warm clothing. We ascend by cable car to Glacier 3000, where ice and snow persist all year. Here, you can walk the suspension bridge linking two peaks, explore the Ice Cathedral or try the Fun Park. We then stop in Interlaken for lunch before travelling to Lucerne. In the evening we arrive in Zurich, with a little time to explore the centre before continuing to the hotel.

If adverse weather or other unforeseen circumstances close the Glacier 3000 cable car, we’ll arrange an alternative that still showcases the alpine landscapes.

We depart Zurich early, crossing the Alps into Switzerland’s Italian speaking region. Our first stop is Bellinzona, famed for its three hilltop medieval castles – a UNESCO World Heritage ensemble that reflects its role as a key Alpine stronghold. You’ll have free time to wander the historic centre. We then cross into Italy and pause in Como for lunch – this lakeside town is known for its gardens and its striking cathedral – and you can explore the centre at your own pace. We continue to Milan, where our guide will lead us to Piazza del Duomo. You’ll have time to look around before we transfer you to the hotel.

We travel south from Milan to Pisa, where we board the small tourist train to Piazza dei Miracoli — the Square of Miracles. Here you’ll have free time to take in one of Italy’s most striking architectural ensembles, including the celebrated Leaning Tower of Pisa. We then continue to Rome, arriving later in the day.

This morning we join a guided exploration of the Eternal City lasting around three hours, combining a walking tour of Imperial Rome with a panoramic coach drive. We take in the Arch of Constantine, the exterior of the Colosseum and the Imperial Forums, the Circus Maximus, the Baths of Caracalla, the Basilica of Saint Mary Major, the Pyramid of Cestius and Castel Sant’Angelo. The tour finishes at Vatican City at around 11:00 am, where you can join an optional visit to the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel. In the evening, we include a transfer to the Trastevere neighbourhood – a lively area with cosy restaurants – with return to the hotel at around 8:30 pm.

Leaving Rome, we drive north through scenic landscapes to Florence. On arrival, we head straight to Piazzale Michelangelo for panoramic views of the city, then walk towards the historic centre. You’ll have time for lunch at your own pace before we meet a local expert for a guided walking tour taking in the Ponte Vecchio, the Duomo and Piazza della Signoria. Afterwards, you’ll have free time to explore as you wish. In the evening, you’ll find plenty of dinner options in this district – there are many restaurants offering a range of international cuisines.

Heading north, we cross the Apennines – a scenic journey – and arrive in Venice. We take a boat across the Giudecca Canal to the Island of Venice and, with a local guide, explore St Mark’s Square. We then visit a Murano glass factory to see traditional techniques in action. You have free time to continue exploring at your own pace. Accommodation is in the Mestre district.

We depart Venice and cross into Austria, arriving in Innsbruck, the capital of Tyrol. You’ll have time to wander the historic centre and break for lunch. We then follow scenic mountain roads to Kitzbühel, where you can explore this picturesque village, a renowned ski resort. We continue to Salzburg, arriving by the end of the day. Note – if traveller numbers are low, we may take a train from Venice to Innsbruck.

We spend the morning getting to know Salzburg – Mozart’s city – exploring its elegant Renaissance and Baroque centre beneath the imposing castle. We then travel through lakes and mountains to St Wolfgang, a noted pilgrimage town, before continuing to Traunkirchen on the shores of Lake Traunsee. Here we include a cruise to view four lakeside castles, disembarking in Gmunden, and then continue on to Vienna, arriving in the evening.

This morning we take 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 – an old winegrowing village now part of the city, known for its traditional taverns – where you’ll have free time for dinner.

After around three hours of travel we arrive in Budapest, the capital of Hungary. We begin in the lively Váci utca area, where you’ll have free time for lunch. We then include a cruise on the Danube – with historic Buda on one bank and cosmopolitan Pest on the other – followed by a panoramic tour of the Queen of the Danube. You’ll have free time afterwards. In the evening, you can choose to join an optional Magyar show with dinner.

We leave Budapest early for Bratislava, Slovakia’s capital on the Danube with an attractive historic centre. You’ll have free time to explore and find lunch. We then continue into the Czech Republic, reaching Prague in the evening. On arrival, we include a transfer to Old Town Square – a central spot that offers a great first look at the city’s lively atmosphere. You can choose where to dine, with plenty of restaurants serving Czech, Chinese, Indian and Italian cuisines. Afterwards, we return to the hotel.

Today we explore Prague – a city renowned for its Baroque architecture. With a local guide, we take a panoramic tour of the main sights and include admission to Prague Castle. Afterwards, we enjoy a cruise on the Vltava River for views of the historic centre from the water. The afternoon is free – you can continue exploring at your own pace.

We depart Prague early, stopping in Pilsen in western Bohemia – a city renowned for its beer. You’ll have time to stroll through the historic centre, taking in the Old Town Square, the cathedral, the Plague Column and the Renaissance town hall. We then cross into Germany and follow part of the Romantic Road, visiting Rothenburg, considered one of the most beautiful villages in the country. After our visit, we continue to Frankfurt, Germany’s financial capital. We arrive in the evening and you’ll have free time in the historic centre, where you’ll find plenty of restaurants serving Indian, Asian, Italian and other international cuisines.

We depart Frankfurt and follow the Rhine to Rüdesheim for an included cruise to St Goar – the river’s most picturesque stretch. After disembarking, we travel on to Cologne, noted for its immense Gothic cathedral, then continue across the border to the Netherlands, arriving in Amsterdam in the evening.

We set out to discover classic Holland scenery. First is Zaanse Schans – a photogenic enclave of canals, traditional houses and working windmills. We then continue to Volendam, a scenic fishing village, before taking a short boat across to Marken – once an island and now linked to the mainland by a dike – where homes were traditionally built on stilts to guard against flooding.

In the afternoon, we enjoy a guided tour of Amsterdam, taking in a classic windmill view and the Rembrandt statue, the contemporary elegance of the South District, and the centuries‑old craft of diamond cutting around Museum Square. The day’s programme ends at Central Station – your guide will share practical tips if you’d like to explore the canals, street markets and cafés at your own pace.

After breakfast in Amsterdam, we travel south into Belgium. Just over 200 kilometres later we reach Brussels, the Belgian capital and home to major European institutions. Before heading into the city centre, we make a brief stop to see the Atomium – the city’s most recognisable landmark. In the historic heart of Brussels, we admire the ornate Grand Place and stroll past the symbolic Manneken Pis – a city where history, chocolate and modernity meet. In the afternoon, we continue into France, arriving in Paris by the end of the day.

We begin at the Palace of Versailles – admission not included – to explore one of France’s most celebrated royal residences, renowned for its formal gardens. Returning to Paris, we visit Montmartre, the bohemian neighbourhood long associated with artists and cabarets. To round off the day, we take a panoramic tour with a local guide to see the city’s grand avenues and landmark monuments before returning to the hotel. In the evening, you may choose to attend an optional variety show.

We begin in central Paris with an included visit to the Eiffel Tower – we go up to the second level with tickets provided – followed by a relaxing Seine cruise of around 1 hour 15 minutes. The afternoon is free for you to explore at your own pace – return transfer to the hotel is not included. If waiting times at the Eiffel Tower are very long, we may reschedule the visit to a different time or to Sunday. Our journey ends today, so please check your flight time in case you need an additional night.