Journey Through Europe's Iconic Capitals - 16 Days

Welcome to Rome. On arrival, we’ll transfer you to your hotel and help you get settled. Look for the information sign in reception – it lists the timings and activities for your stay. Your tour guide will meet you there at the scheduled time to answer questions and outline what’s ahead.

In the evening, we’ll head to Via Cavour – a lively first taste of the city – where you can choose from a wide range of restaurants serving Italian, Indian, Chinese and international cuisine. 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’ll set out on a three‑hour guided tour of the Eternal City, combining a walk through Imperial Rome with a panoramic coach drive. We’ll 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 ends at Vatican City around 11:00, where your guide will offer an optional visit to the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel if you wish to explore further.

In the evening we’ll include a transfer to Trastevere – a lively neighbourhood known for its cosy restaurants – and return to the hotel around 20:30.

We leave Rome and travel north through scenic landscapes to Florence. On arrival, we head straight to Piazzale Michelangelo for sweeping views of the city. We then walk into the historic centre, where you’ll have time for lunch before we set off on a guided walking tour with a local expert, taking in the Ponte Vecchio, the Duomo and Piazza della Signoria – Florence truly feels like an open air museum. After the tour, you’ll have free time to explore at your own pace. In the evening, you’ll find plenty of dinner options nearby – this district offers many restaurants with a range of international cuisines.

Departing Florence, we cross the Apennines with sweeping mountain views en route to Venice. On arrival, we take a boat across the Giudecca Canal to the island of Venice, then meet a local guide in St Mark’s Square. We visit a Murano glass factory to see traditional techniques in action—afterwards, you’ll have free time to explore at your own pace. Accommodation is in the Mestre district.

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

Today we get to know Austria better. In the morning we explore Salzburg – Mozart’s city – its Renaissance and Baroque centre set in the shadow of the grand castle. We then travel through lakes and mountains to St Wolfgang, a renowned pilgrimage site, before continuing to Traunkirchen beside Lake Traunsee. Here we take an included cruise to see four of the lake’s castles, disembarking in Gmunden, and then continue to Vienna, arriving in the evening.

Vienna – This morning we take a panoramic tour with a local guide, taking in the city’s grand avenues, elegant palaces, large parks and lively centre. The afternoon is yours to explore at your own pace. In the evening we include a transfer to the Grinzing district – once a wine–growing village and now part of the city – known for its traditional taverns, where 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 first to Váci utca – a lively central street – where you’ll have free time for lunch. We then take an included boat trip on the Danube to admire the city from the water, with historic Buda on one bank and cosmopolitan Pest on the other. Afterwards, we begin a panoramic tour of the Queen of the Danube. You’ll have free time later to continue exploring at your own pace. In the evening, you can choose to join an optional Magyar show with dinner included.

We leave Budapest early and travel to Bratislava – Slovakia’s capital on the Danube with an attractive historic centre. You’ll have free time to explore the old streets and choose a spot for lunch. Afterwards, we continue into the Czech Republic, arriving in Prague in the evening.

We explore Prague, the Baroque jewel of Europe, on a panoramic tour with a local guide, taking in its standout landmarks. We include admission to Prague Castle, followed by an included boat ride on the Vltava River for a different perspective of the city. The afternoon is free for you to continue exploring at your own pace.

We leave Prague early and pause in Pilsen – renowned for its beer – where you’ll have time to stroll 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 to visit Rothenburg, considered one of the most beautiful villages in the country, before continuing to Frankfurt, the financial capital of Germany. We arrive in the evening and you’ll have free time to explore the historic centre and choose somewhere for dinner – there are plenty of international options.

From Frankfurt, we travel to the Rhine for a scenic cruise between Rüdesheim and St. Goar – the most picturesque stretch of the river. After disembarking, we continue to Cologne, known for its immense Gothic cathedral, then on to Holland, arriving in Amsterdam in the evening.

We spend the day exploring the Holland of our dreams. We start at Zaanse Schans, known for its traditional houses, canals and windmills, then continue to Volendam, a scenic fishing village. From here we take a short boat ride to Marken – once an island, now connected to the mainland by a fixed dyke – where houses were traditionally built on stilts to protect against flooding.

In the afternoon, we return to Amsterdam for a guided city tour that brings together classic and contemporary highlights. We see a traditional windmill and the Rembrandt statue, pass through the South District, and visit Museum Square to discover the craft of diamond cutting. The tour ends at Central Station – your guide will share practical tips so you can explore Amsterdam’s canals, street markets and cafés.

After breakfast we travel to Belgium – just over 200 km brings us to Brussels, the capital and seat of major European institutions, known for its blend of elegance and multiculturalism. Before reaching the centre we make a brief stop at the Atomium – the city’s most iconic landmark. In the historic heart, we admire the magnificent Grand Place – a Flemish Baroque masterpiece – and stroll past the emblematic Manneken Pis. In the afternoon we continue into France, arriving in Paris towards the end of the day.

We begin at the Palace of Versailles – admission not included – renowned for its expansive gardens. Back in Paris, we visit Montmartre, the city’s bohemian neighbourhood celebrated for its artists and cabarets, then continue with a panoramic tour led by a local guide to take in the city’s grand avenues and iconic monuments. We return to the hotel afterwards. In the evening, you may choose to attend an optional variety show.

We begin in central Paris with a visit to the Eiffel Tower – tickets are included to ascend to the second floor of this iconic iron landmark. We then enjoy a relaxing cruise along the Seine lasting approximately one hour and fifteen minutes. You’ll 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 concludes today; please check your flight time in case you require an additional night.