Europe Highlights
Europe Highlights
$2845
Europe Highlights
10 Days Starting and ending in Hotel in Rome
Visiting: Rome, Venice, Innsbruck, Munich, Bavaria Region, Rhine Valley, hine Valley, Amsterdam, Ghent, Paris, France, Burgundy, Swiss Alps, Switzerland, Lake Como, Tuscany, Pisa, Florence
Tour operator:
Tour code:
EH
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
10 - 51
Age range:
10-99
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Cultural, Foodie and Wine Tours, Gardens & Nature Tours, History
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on one of the most beloved European tours and see all the top attractions! The tour kicks off in Rome and explores Europe's highlights over 10 exciting days. Discover world-famous sights in France, Switzerland, Italy, Austria, Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium. Take advantage of the opportunity to tick the top attractions off your bucket list, from the Rhine River and the Swiss Alps to the Eiffel Tower and the Venice canals. Indulge in traditional meals, awe at the stunning natural scenery and experience the local culture. Are you ready for an unmissable, jam-packed European discovery?
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Start Of Tour In Rome - Venice
Location: Rome, Venice
The Europe Highlights tour kicks off today! This morning, depart Rome and head to the city famed for gondola rides and canal cruises. As the coach journeys forth, marvel at the sights of orchards, vineyards and mountainous backdrops. This is just the start of Italy's impressive landscapes! Enter Venice and enjoy a free evening to satisfy your wanderlust at your own pace. The bars and restaurants in the area offer the perfect opportunity to try some of the local treats. Why not spend the evening on the unmissable An Evening in Venice optional excursion? Marvel at the famed attractions from the stunning canal.
Explore Venice, Italy’s floating city
Day 2: Innsbruck - Munich - Bavaria Region
Location: Innsbruck, Munich, Bavaria Region
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
SayArrivedercito Italy for now! Marvel at the majestic European countryside as we journey on towards Germany. En route to Austria, be sure to take in the dazzling Brenner Pass. Then, make a stop in Innsbruck known for the spectacular mountain that forms its backdrop. Explore on your own after concluding an orientation tour. This afternoon, arrive in Munich before embarking on an orientation tour through the city. After WW2, many parts of the city were rebuilt, lending Munich its interesting blend of modernity and antiquity. Enjoy a taste of traditional Bavarian cuisine in Munich with an included three-course dinner.
Enjoy a scenic mountain drive through Brenner Pass
Visit the beautiful Austrian city of Innsbruck
See the restored Munich city centre on an orientation tour
Enjoy a German meal in one of Munich's historic restaurants
Day 3: Munich - Rhine Valley
Location: Munich, Rhine Valley
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Carry on the German adventure today as the tour makes its way to the Rhine River's most scenic section. After arriving in the Rhine Valley, journey to the heart of the region onboard a relaxing Rhine riverboat cruise. Marvel at Europe's most concentrated spread of castles as well as picturesque vineyards, quaint towns and towering cliffs. Then, enjoy a wine sampling on a visit to a local winery. Fingers crossed for a good harvest and thateiswein(ice wine) is available to try! Enjoy this sweet wine if you get the chance; it's produced in smaller quantities since it requires temperatures below freezing for the perfect harvest.
Admire the scenery on a Rhine River cruise
Taste local wines in the Rhine Valley
Day 4: Rhine Valley - Amsterdam
Location: hine Valley, Amsterdam
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
The tour departs Germany this morning en route to the Netherlands. On the way to Amsterdam, traverse the picturesque Dutch countryside and snap a photo at the famous Riekermolen windmill. Enjoy a cheese and clog-making presentation before sampling the delectable local cheese. This afternoon, arrive in Amsterdam and feel the heartbeat of this bustling city while exploring in your free time. Then, venture out onto the canal for a twilight cruise. As you proceed past iconic landmarks, collect lasting memories from this unique vantage point of the city. End the day at a local restaurant for an included dinner.
See the iconic Riekermolen windmill
Enjoy a traditional cheese and clogs demonstration
Cruise along the Amsterdam canals
Day 5: Amsterdam - Ghent - Paris
Location: Amsterdam, Ghent, Paris
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Leave the Netherlands behind today as the tour continues to Ghent in Belgium. This harbour city is known for its stunning landscapes, rich culture and remarkably well-preserved medieval architecture. Explore the top attractions on an orientation tour before enjoying free time to roam or find a lunch spot. Take advantage of the opportunity to taste a traditional Belgian waffle! Depart Ghent en route to Paris, the ‘City of Lights’! Explore France's capital on a driving tour, and make sure your cameras are ready to capture the iconic sights such as the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe. End the day enjoying an included dinner with the tour group at a local restaurant.
Visit Ghent; a medieval Belgian city
See iconic landmarks on a driving tour of Paris
Day 6: Paris: Free Day
Location: France, Paris
Meals Included: Breakfast
Paris has plenty to explore, no matter the time of year. Today, discover all that makes Paris magical with free time to explore at leisure. Roam the charming roads, taste traditional French delicacies like escargot or kick back in a local park. Alternatively, choose to join the Paris Like Locals optional excursion and enjoy a full day of exploring the top Paris attractions. Indulge in a macaron tasting, visit a renowned parfumerie and the Latin Quarter, and much more! Tonight, opt for an evening in Montmartre and experience an exhilarating cabaret show. The choice is all yours today!
Day 7: Paris - Burgundy - Swiss Alps
Location: Paris, Burgundy, Swiss Alps
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Bid Parisadieutoday! Experience life in the French region of Burgundy, a famous wine region, and visit Beaune, a lovely town which is home to the Hospices de Beaune. Enjoy free time to grab lunch before embarking on the scenic journey towards Switzerland. Enter the Swiss Alps, where the tour group will stay over for two nights. Say goodbye to bustling cities and welcome the serenity of nature's splendour. In every direction, behold the beauty of snowy peaks, bright blue lakes and breathtaking hikes. Enjoy the crisp, clear air and savour every moment in this dream destination. This evening, dinner is served at the hotel.
Visit Burgundy; a stunning French winemaking region
Enjoy a scenic mountain drive through the Swiss Alps
Day 8: Swiss Alps: Free Day
Location: Switzerland, Swiss Alps
Meals Included: Breakfast
Enjoy a free day in the Swiss Alps and marvel at some of the world's tallest peaks! Choose to journey up Jungfraujoch on a popular optional excursion and marvel at the incredible panoramic views. Enjoy a train or gondola ride to “the top of Europe” and take in splendour all around. With year-round snowfall, this is the perfect opportunity for breathtaking photos! Alternatively, choose to spend the day discovering the top Alpine attractions and charming villages. Tonight, opt for a mouthwatering Swiss fondue for dinner.
Day 9: Swiss Alps - Lake Como - Tuscany
Location: Swiss Alps, Lake Como, Tuscany
Meals Included: Breakfast
Depart the Swiss Alps today and journey towards Italy with a lunch stop at the renowned Lake Como. This immense body of water is framed by beautiful villages, one of which, Laglio, is the address of a luxury villa owned by George Clooney. Then, journey to the stunning Tuscany region, known for its excellent wine, food, art and architecture. Enjoy the spa town of Montecatini Terme thoroughly by choosing to join the evening's optional excursion.
Visit the picturesque Lake Como
Day 10: Tuscany - Pisa - Florence - Rome
Location: Tuscany, Pisa, Florence, Rome
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today starts with a visit to the Leaning Tower of Pisa to capture those must-have pictures! Then, journey to the captivating city of Florence. Enjoy a guided walking tour upon arrival and explore the rich history of this culturally significant city, where Michaelangelo’s 'David' resides and the Renaissance was born. Then, discover the rest of Florence at leisure with some free time. Alternatively, choose to join the Taste of Tuscany optional excursion for an authentic taste of family-style Tuscan cuisine. As the saying foretells, the tour follows the road back to Rome, where it all began and comes to a conclusion. Thank you for travelling with Expat Explore, and have a safe journey ahead!
Explore Florence; the birthplace of the Renaissance
What's Included
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Accommodation
9 nights hotel accommodation in twin rooms with private bathrooms. The majority of our accommodations are of a 3- and 4-star standard, offering excellent value, comfort and convenience
Single travellers have the option to pay a single supplement to ensure a private room (subject to availability) -
Transport
Modern air-conditioned coach with reclining seats and toilet onboard
Any public transport used as part of the tour (excludes free days) -
Meals
9 Breakfasts, 5 Dinners*Vegetarian options available for all meals on request
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Tour Leader
Fully guided tour with experienced tour leader
Tour leader will accompany group throughout and manage all logistical details
What's Not Included
International flightsTravel to the start point and from the end point is not included. We recommend using Skyscanner to find the best deals on international flights.Travel insuranceFor a relatively small price, travel insurance provides you with peace of mind so that you can enjoy your tour without any worries.
All passengers travelling on an Expat Explore tour are required to have valid travel insurance cover and you are responsible for arranging your own insurance.
Mode of Transport
Modern air-conditioned coach with reclining seats and toilet onboard
Any public transport used as part of the tour (excludes free days)
Accommodation
9 nights hotel accommodation in twin rooms with private bathrooms. The majority of our accommodations are of a 3- and 4-star standard, offering excellent value, comfort and convenience
Single travellers have the option to pay a single supplement to ensure a private room (subject to availability)
Traveller Comfort - *COACH* tours
We welcome all travellers on our tours but we would like to ensure that you are as comfortable as possible. In light of this, please ensure that you are happy with the below information and level of fitness required.
Expat Explore tries to be as accommodating as possible, however, our tours are unfortunately not designed for people travelling with wheelchairs or severe mobility issues.
Our tours are fast paced because they are designed for you to see the most a destination has to offer. We also want to ensure that you explore as much as possible, which may require long periods without stops on the coach as we drive to a new destination.
We offer walking tours in most cities (up to 3 hours), and a wheelchair is not always a practical option as there are often cobbled streets and stairs on these tours.
For travellers in wheelchairs, you will only be able to store your wheelchair under the coach with the other luggage. Thus, on the long drives between cities you will not necessarily have access to your wheelchair if we make a quick bathroom stop along the way. Please note that travelling with a wheelchair could prove difficult as our coaches don't have wheelchair lifts, as such you will need to be able to board and alight the coach on your own.
With regards to our accommodation, not all hotels have lifts and this means potentially having to carry bags up and down stairs.
For more information regarding traveller fitness please see our Terms and Conditions.
Health and Fitness
We welcome all travellers on our tours but we would like to ensure that you are as comfortable as possible. In light of this, please ensure that you are happy with the below information and level of fitness required.
Expat Explore tries to be as accommodating as possible, however, our tours are unfortunately not designed for people travelling with wheelchairs or severe mobility issues.
Our tours are fast paced because they are designed for you to see the most a destination has to offer. We also want to ensure that you explore as much as possible, which may require long periods without stops on the coach as we drive to a new destination.
We offer walking tours in most cities (up to 3 hours), and a wheelchair is not always a practical option as there are often cobbled streets and stairs on these tours.
For travellers in wheelchairs, you will only be able to store your wheelchair under the coach with the other luggage. Thus, on the long drives between cities you will not necessarily have access to your wheelchair if we make a quick bathroom stop along the way. Please note that travelling with a wheelchair could prove difficult as our coaches don't have wheelchair lifts, as such you will need to be able to board and alight the coach on your own.
With regards to our accommodation, not all hotels have lifts and this means potentially having to carry bags up and down stairs.
Experiences
Explore Venice, Italy’s floating city
Enjoy a scenic mountain drive through Brenner Pass
Visit the beautiful Austrian city of Innsbruck
See the restored Munich city centre on an orientation tour
Enjoy a German meal in one of Munich's historic restaurants
Admire the scenery on a Rhine River cruise
Taste local wines in the Rhine Valley
See the iconic Riekermolen windmill
Enjoy a traditional cheese and clogs demonstration
Cruise along the Amsterdam canals
Visit Ghent; a medieval Belgian city
See iconic landmarks on a driving tour of Paris
Visit Burgundy; a stunning French winemaking region
Enjoy a scenic mountain drive through the Swiss Alps
Visit the picturesque Lake Como
Explore Florence; the birthplace of the Renaissance
Check out our Q&As
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Are airport transfers included in this tour?
No, you will need to make your own arrangements to get to the meeting point for the first day of your tour. Please see the meeting point information for details on how to reach the meeting point.
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Are all entrance fees included in the price?
No, entrance fees are not included.
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Are all the relevant entry visa’s included in the price of the tour?
No, visas are each traveler’s personal responsibility, and we recommend that plenty of time is allowed for visas to be applied for. When applying for your visa, please ensure that the proper research is carried out before you apply, and that you deal directly with the embassies or certified agents with regard to acquiring correct and timely information. We cannot take responsibility for customers
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Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
Our tours are not suitable for young children, so we set a minimum age limit of 10 years old.
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Are flights included in this tour?
No, you will need to make your own arrangements to get to the meeting destination for the first day of your tour. Make sure you keep departure times and possible delays in mind when booking flights.
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
All our tours are conducted in English.
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Are vaccinations required for this tour?
We are committed to curating excellent travel experiences and to do so we need all of our travelers to feel safe.
In order to ensure the peace of mind and safety of our travelers and staff on board the coach, we are still requesting that all travellers, regardless of their vaccination status, produce a negative Covid test. This test can be a PCR test -
Do you require a visa for this holiday?
Certain nationalities may require a visa(s) for this tour.
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Is free Wi-Fi available in the accommodation used?
All of the hotels on this tour offer Wi-Fi, which is available free of charge as part of your Expat Explore tour.
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Is the tour coach air conditioned?
Yes, Full air-conditioning
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Is there a limit to luggage that can be brought on the tour?
Due to weight and space limitations, you are allowed to bring one main piece of luggage weighing no more than 20kg, and one small soft bag for hand luggage weighing a maximum of 7kg. On all tours, you will have to carry your own luggage (e.g. into hotels and up to your room if hotels don’t have elevators). Please bear this in mind when you are deciding what to pack
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Is there a supplement for solo travellers?
There is an optional single supplement/private room upgrade available for single travellers who wish to have a private room. This can be added at the time of booking or by contacting our customer services team. Please note that the room provided may be a single room with a single bed.
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Is there any free time to explore places during the tour?
Yes, As detailed in the itinerary
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What is the fitness level required to do this tour?
All travellers are required to carry their own bags, get on and off the coach, and use public transport. Our city walking tours can last up to 3 hours and certain places involve walking up and down lots of steps. We want you to enjoy your tour, so read through the itinerary thoroughly and make your own conclusions as to whether you feel that you are fit and healthy enough.
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What is the maximum group size?
It depends on how many other people book! There could be up to 51 other passengers, so you will have the opportunity to make lots of friends!
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What is the standard of the hotels on this tour?
We have searched and invested in excellent accommodation options, either located in cities or well placed with public transport connections. Clean linen, towels is always included. Toiletries (shampoo, shower gel etc) and hair dryers are not always included, so you may wish to bring these with you. Accommodation is provided in twin share en-suite rooms. We use a mix of mostly 2, 3 & 4-star hotels.
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What is the tipping policy?
Whilst we fully understand that some nationalities are not accustomed to tipping, this is a normal part of the culture in many of the countries we visit. Tipping has become an increasingly accepted practice in all areas of the service industry, but particularly in restaurants, bars and taxis worldwide. Expat Explore crew members
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Will I know the names and details of all the accommodation before I depart?
A full list of confirmed accommodation names and addresses for your particular departure will be emailed to you around 1 week before the tour starts.
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Will passengers from another country be participating in the tour?
Our travelers come from all walks of life, with different backgrounds and interests.
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Will there be an escort accompanying this tour?
Our tour leaders come from all walks of life, with different backgrounds and interests. They are all confident and well-travelled with an in-depth knowledge of the destinations they are working in, and a passion for helping you make the most out of your Expat Explore tour.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
If you are travelling alone there is no compulsory charge - you will share a twin room with another passenger of the same gender. There is an optional single supplement/private room upgrade available for single travellers who wish to have a private room. This can be added at the time of booking or by contacting our team.
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Children on tour?
Our tours are not suitable for young children which is why we have a minimum age limit of 10 years old. However, at the discretion of Expat Explore we may consider younger children on certain tours if they meet certain criteria and a request is received in writing via email. Minors (between 10 and 18 years of age) must be accompanied by a parent or guardian who accepts full responsibility for them. Unaccompanied minors will not be accepted on tour. Expat Explore reserves the right to decline any booking at our discretion. Any minor (between 10 and 18 years of age) is priced the same as an adult.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
The health and safety of our travellers and employees are our top priority. Which means, when you travel with us, our enhanced hygiene protocols will ensure you do so in a safe and responsible way - ask for details of current policies.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 2005
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
At Expat Explore we value responsible travel and are committed to exploring the world consciously and kindly. We are proud to make responsible travel possible with a number of our sustainable travel practices!
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Am I contributing to any charity by booking the tour?
Relate is a South African based not-for-profit organisation that Expat Explore supports. The group aims to help those less fortunate create better lives for themselves through a variety of fundraising initiatives. On our South Africa tours, each passenger will receive an Expat Explore branded Relate bracelet. We donate the cost of these bracelets to our chosen Relate charity: the Nelson Mandela Sc
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Free Date Changes
Expat Explore Travel allows you to make 5 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 91 days before the start of the tour.
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Low Deposit
Expat Explore Travel requires a minimum deposit of 10% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of expat explore travel charges.
Up to 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 59 days before tour starts: Forfeit 20% of booking price.
At 44 days before tour starts: Forfeit 40% of booking price.
At 29 days before tour starts: Forfeit 70% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.