Journey Through Europe's Iconic Capitals - 9 Days

Welcome to Paris. On arrival, we’ll arrange your transfer to the hotel – then you’ll have some free time to settle in. In the afternoon, we’ll share details about the start of your tour, either in person or via information signs at the hotel reception. 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.

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

We start in central Paris with a visit to the Eiffel Tower – we go up to the second floor, tickets included – then enjoy a relaxing cruise on the Seine. The afternoon is free for you to explore the city at your own pace. Around 4:00 p.m., we depart Paris for Normandy, arriving in Rouen, where you have time to wander the historic centre, which dates back to Roman times and features medieval architecture and an impressive Gothic cathedral. Note: if queues at the Eiffel Tower are too long, we may reschedule the visit to a different time – or on Sunday – for your convenience.

After a relaxed stroll through Rouen’s historic centre, we travel north to the Channel coast and cross to England by ferry. We arrive in Canterbury – England’s religious capital with a charming historic centre – then continue to London. You’ll have free time around the Tower Bridge area – one of the city’s most iconic sights – before we head to the hotel.

We explore London on a panoramic tour with a local guide, taking in major sights – the Houses of Parliament, the River Thames and Buckingham Palace – with the chance to see the Changing of the Guard if it coincides with our visit. In the evening, we meet in Piccadilly for a guided stroll through Leicester Square, Chinatown and Soho, known for their lively atmosphere, theatres and entertainment. You can choose a restaurant for dinner before we return to the hotel.

In the morning, we visit the British Museum – one of the world’s oldest museums – to see collections representing cultures from across the globe. Around lunchtime – after some free time – we head to Camden, known for its vibrant street market. You can browse for unique items and artefacts and choose lunch at one of its small restaurants or street food stalls.

Around 4.00 pm we depart for Colchester – the oldest recorded town in England – for a leisurely stroll through its historic streets. We then continue to Harwich to board the ferry for an overnight crossing to the Netherlands, staying in en suite cabins.

Important note: Because ferry cabins are limited, the itinerary may be adjusted. We might travel from London to Amsterdam by daytime ferry with an overnight stay in Antwerp, or take a train or flight to Amsterdam.

We dock at Hoek van Holland around 8 am and head to Volendam, a traditional fishing village, for a short visit. We then continue to Amsterdam for a guided tour that showcases the city’s contrasts – classic windmill views and the Rembrandt statue, the contemporary elegance of the South District, and the enduring tradition of diamond cutting around Museum Square. The tour finishes at Central Station, where your guide will share practical tips for getting around. You can then explore the canals and street markets independently.

After breakfast, we travel to Belgium. Just over 200 km away lies Brussels – the capital and home to major European institutions. Before we reach the city centre, we make a brief stop at the Atomium, the city’s most iconic landmark. In the centre, we admire the Grand Place – a jewel of Flemish Baroque – and stroll past the Manneken Pis. Brussels brings together history, chocolate and modernity. In the afternoon, we continue into France, arriving in Paris at the end of the day.

After breakfast, we conclude our journey in Paris – we hope you leave with wonderful memories of your trip.