Europe Escape

Welcome to day one of your Europe tour! Today, meet your tour leader in Rome. Once the group is gathered, embark on the journey to Venice, a magical city built on a group of 118 small islands. In the evening, enjoy free time to explore the incredible “Floating City” on your own, try a local restaurant or bar or visit some of the city’s top sights such as St. Mark’s Square. The best way to explore Venice is to take to the canals with the optional Evening in Venice optional excursion. View Venice from a completely different perspective with a water taxi and gondola ride before enjoying an included dinner!

• Explore Venice, Italy’s floating city

Today, leave Italy behind and travel north. Take in the spectacular views as the coach traverses along the scenic Brenner Pass into Austria. Arrive in Innsbruck and see some of the sights on a quick orientation tour, after which you will have some free time to visit the Swarovski Crystal store. Hop back onto the coach and head towards the capital of Bavaria, Munich. Experience an orientation tour of this historical German city, which is also the birthplace of BMW and, thanks to Oktoberfest, Adidas’ splash-resistant sneakers! And what better place to sample beer than the city that hosts the world’s most famous beer festival? Enjoy a three-course dinner at a historic local restaurant in Munich before heading to the hotel for the night.

• Marvel at the scenery along Brenner Pass

• Visit Innsbruck; a beautiful Austrian city

• Explore Munich; the capital of Bavaria

• Enjoy a German meal in one of Munich's historic restaurants

Today's itinerary unfolds more of Germany's captivating landscapes, offering unparalleled views of the Rhine Valley during the included riverboat cruise. Arrive in the Rhine Valley and get ready to take in breathtaking scenery encompassing vineyards, villages, and castles as the boat gracefully navigates down the Rhine River. Upon returning to land, explore a local winery for a delightful wine tasting experience, providing insights into the region's wines. With a bit of luck, you may even have the opportunity to sample eiswein (ice wine)! This small-batch wine is a rare treat, produced under precise seasonal conditions.

• Cruise along the Rhine River

• Indulge in a wine tasting in the Rhine Valley

Leaving Germany, the journey continues into the enchanting Netherlands, the land of windmills, cheese, and clogs! Capture a photo at the iconic Riekermolen windmill for a lasting memory. Immerse yourself in the Dutch countryside, where an included demonstration unveils the artistry behind cheese and clog making. Later in the afternoon, it’s time to check into the hotel in Amsterdam. Then, look forward to an evening canal cruise. Glide along the water, delving deeper into the historical allure of the famed canalled city. After, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant with the group before an evening of free time to explore on your own.

• Visit the iconic Riekermolen windmill

• Enjoy a local cheese and clogs demonstration in the Dutch countryside

• Cruise along the Amsterdam canals

Next up, Belgium! More specifically, the enchanting city of Ghent which is renowned for its large medieval marketplaces and public squares. While here, treat yourself to some chocolate or a traditional Belgian waffle! After indulging in these tasty treats, journey on to France and its capital city, Paris. See top sights including the Arc de Triomphe, Eiffel Tower and more Parisian landmarks on a driving tour. Once you have feasted your eyes on Paris, it’s time to feast on an included group dinner.

• Visit Ghent; a beautiful medieval city in Belgium

• Discover the beauty of Paris on a driving tour

Today offers a free day to explore Paris. Either venture out on your own or join the Paris Like Locals excursion for an unforgettable Parisian experience that includes macron tasting, insight into French fragrances at a perfume museum, a visit to Galeries Lafayette, the Latin Quarter, and much more! Tonight you have the option to watch a dazzling cabaret show, spend the evening in the bohemian neighbourhood of Montmartre or both! However you choose to spend this day and evening, Paris is sure to leave you captivated!

Today, leave France behind, but not before stopping in the beautiful wine region of Burgundy. Here, take the opportunity to enjoy some local wines in the picturesque walled town of Beaune before taking some free time to grab lunch or explore the town. Then, board the coach again to head to Switzerland. Look forward to two nights in the exquisite Swiss Alps and look forward to scenic natural wonders like nowhere else on earth. Check into the hotel and enjoy an included dinner with the group tonight.

• Visit Burgundy; a famous French wine region

• Marvel at the views on a scenic Swiss mountain drive

The Swiss Alps are just waiting to be explored and you have a full free day to spend in this gorgeous setting as you wish. Take the highly-rated optional journey to Jungfraujoch, Europe’s highest train station and spend time in the year-round snow. From the ‘Top of Europe’ take photos of the sweeping views and marvel at the ice palace. If you prefer to stay on the ground, spend the day shopping for souvenirs in the local Swiss villages or take a walk and soak in the stunning views. This evening you have the option to enjoy a traditional Swiss fondue dinner.

This morning, take in the last spectacular views of the Swiss Alps before journeying to Italy. En route, stop at the stunning Lake Como region and enjoy free time for lunch. Admire the crystal clear waters of the lake, surrounded by mountains and villages that make for a picturesque setting. Afterwards, head to tonight’s hotel in Montecatini Terme, Tuscany. Either explore the town on your own this evening or join the Evening in Montecatini optional excursion to experience an exquisite Tuscan meal!

• Visit the picturesque Lake Como

Today's first stop is at one of the most iconic sights in Italy - the Leaning Tower of Pisa! Capture this UNESCO World Heritage Site before travelling to Florence. Arrive and set off on a walking tour with a local guide to explore this fascinating city. See famous attractions, including the Ponte Vecchio. Next, visit a local leather and gold shop. The tradition of vegetable tanning is preserved in Tuscany, and tanneries in this region continue to produce some of the highest-quality leather in the world! After this, enjoy free time in Florence or choose to join the optional family-style Tuscan lunch where you can try exquisite local cuisine. Finally, travel back to Rome and enjoy an included group dinner at the hotel tonight.

• See the Leaning Tower of Pisa

• Discover Florence with a local guide

Rome is your playground today with a full free day to explore the Eternal City! Why not join an optional excursion? See iconic sights like the Pantheon and Trevi Fountain and experience an authentic pasta lunch with the Conquer the Capital excursion. Or, you could choose the optional guided tour of the Colosseum and Roman Forum, where you can step back in time to where gladiators and emperors once walked. Later, join the Evening in Trastevere optional excursion to embark on a culinary and cultural exploration of this charming neighbourhood. Alternatively, adventure out on your own. However you choose to spend your day, be sure to try some gelato and bask in the glory of this capital city.

The tour concludes after breakfast today. Don’t forget to get the contact details of your new friends and remember to post in the Facebook Group. Safe travels on your journey home or wherever you may be heading next!