Grand Europe Adventure Tour: England, Italy, France, & More

Day 1: International City Arrival

Welcome to the cosmopolitan city brimming with culture, food, and history. The city is decorated with cobblestone streets, antique wooden signs, and an ineffable energy noticeable at all times of the day. The River Thames divides the banks of the cityscape, meandering alongside iconic Parliament under the pointed shadow of the Elizabeth Clock Tower and the pealing bells of Big Ben. A regal atmosphere sweeps across the manicured grounds of Kensington Gardens. It is easy to imagine the gentleman and ladies strolling arm and arm along the pebbled walkway. Blossoming flowers create an inviting fragrance sweeping across the celebrated Orangery Teahouse on the grounds of Kensington Palace.

What s Included: transfer, accommodation

Day 2: The Thick of the City

The pillars of the British Museum bring to light the wealth of artifacts that the museum displays. The glass dome above the main hall brings in natural light, lighting up the gallery and guiding curious visitors into each room. The sun casts a brightness over the energetic streets bringing you one step closer to the city s brilliant past and the collected cultures from around the world.

Your guide will take you to St. Paul s Cathedral, standing atop the city s highest point. The dome stands 365 feet tall and was the tallest building in London from the 18th century until 1962. The Baroque masterpiece dissects the dome with two defined stories topped with a Greek Cross Design. The West front has Renaissance style architecture with elaborate columns flanked by pearled towers. The interior nave has polished tile floors leading to the gilded edges of the dome. The pristine decor adds to the exterior majesty, all wrapped into the building s historic charm.

What s Included: breakfast, tour, accommodation

Day 3: Flemish Pride

In the morning, you make your way to the St. Pancras International station where you board your train to Brussels, Belgium. The high-rises of London s financial district fade behind the green prairies and rolling hills. When you enter the Chunnel, the verdant countryside disappears taking you underneath the English Channel and opening up to the Belgian countryside. The hills have flattened, but the greenery sweeps until the horizon. You exit the train and find the capital of the European Union at your fingertips.

The city has a modern touch, brimming with celebrated cafes, restaurants, and award-winning beer inside Gothic and Baroque majesty. In the heart of Old Town, you find the Grand Place, a large square preserving the city s rich history in the surrounding architecture, including guild houses. Pilasters and balustrades stand out against ornate stonework emblazoned with gold decor. Many of the buildings date back to the 17th century with cultural Flemish influence. The Hotel de Ville was constructed in 1402 as the Town Hall. The Escalier d Honneur contained large murals depicting the grand history of the country.

What s Included: breakfast, dinner, transfer, accommodation

Day 4: Going Dutch

The brilliance of Belgium s royal buildings disappears behind the countryside and the charm of Amsterdam s encircling canals appears. The capital of the Netherlands has numerous art and cultural museums, splendid theaters, and wonderful homes built on sediment sinking to a depth of 59 feet. Bridges wind over the waterways linking 90 islands around the city. Step onto a canal cruise for a different view of the homes and buildings dating back to the 16th century.

The sweet aroma of Dutch pancakes drifts from street-side vendors. The Rijksmuseum was founded in the 19th century with the intention of housing the country s rare art and antiquities. The gallery now displays over 5,000 paintings across 250 rooms, along with 35,000 books and manuscripts. Many of the images captured in the art on the museum walls can be seen from the canal. Your guide points out the most famously captured areas of Amsterdam when you drift past them in the gentle breeze.

What s Included: breakfast, dinner, transfer, accommodation

Day 5: Touching Timber

Today you make your way over the canals and out of Amsterdam crossing the border into Germany. The flatlands of the Netherlands begin to roll into the hills and mountains of the German landscape. After you cruise down the Rhine River, you arrive at Rudesheim, the capital of the Riesling district of Germany. You make your way along the terraced vineyards outside of the town center to take in the stunning view. The air takes on a sumptuous earthy quality. The vines spread across the foothills and absorb the soil s nutrients. The vines have 2,000 years of history in the area, none more famous than the Riesling. Venture up to the Niederwals Monument for a marvelous panorama of the river and the sloping vines of the surrounding wineries. ?

What s Included: breakfast, dinner, transfer, tour, accommodation

Day 6: In and Out of the Woods

In the German countryside, you make your way into the Black Forest, home to the fairytales of the Brothers Grimm. The evergreen canopy stretches over the sky creating a darkening cover. A piney aroma follows you through the verdant forest. After passing through the cuckoo clock capital of Triberg Village, you continue to Rhine Falls. You can hear the water trundling down the mountainside before you see it. The falls cast a mist rising from the Rhine. The water tumbles 75 feet into the connecting river and stretches 450 feet wide. Boulders bisect the water. When you look down into the river, you can see the whitewater calming as it leaves the falls behind.

What s Included: breakfast, transfer, tour, accommodation

Day 7: Alpine Lions

Lucerne stands underneath the towering peak of Mount Pilatus and has a deep connection to its traditions. Old Town stands bright against the glacial waters of Lucerne Lake. Venture out on a guided walking tour of the city, taking you beneath the summit of Mount Pilatus standing 6,982 feet above sea level, and towards the admired Lion Monument. The monument was designed in the 19th century and dedicated to the Swiss Guards who lost their lives in the French Revolution. The lion is etched into the cliff, lying perpendicular to the rocks. His large size emanates nobility. He bows his head with a broken spear in his shoulder. Vines hang down the cliff and move in the breeze. The pond underneath the monument reflects the lion s stoic face. The serene landscape adds to the already poignant atmosphere.

What s Included: breakfast, dinner, tour, accommodation

Day 8: Golden Alpine Roofs

You journey out of Lucerne with the image of the lion monument staying with you. Visit Vaduz, the capital of Liechtenstein, before winding through the Tyrolean Alps and arriving in Innsbruck, Austria. The quaint town held the Winter Olympic Games in 1964. Jagged rock spires of the Nordkette Mountains encircle the cityscape rising to 6,600 feet. Cows roam through the pastures with large bells wrapped around their necks. Picturesque Old Town lingers beneath Habsburg Palace.

You stand in front of the Golden Dachl to find a 15th century roof decorated with 2,738 gilded copper tiles constructed by Emperor Maximilian I. The emperor and his wife would stand out on the balcony to view festivals and tournaments, watching over the square with aplomb. Sculpted reliefs and murals decorate the remainder of the balcony beneath the glittering roof. The beauty of the balustrade is second only to the enchantment of the surrounding city. ?

What s Included: breakfast, transfer, tour, accommodation

Day 9: Joyful Calling

The songs of the Hofbrauhaus repeat in your head in the morning light. You are ready to raise a stein and sing along to the echo of the previous night. You leave the remarkable city of Munich behind and make your way to Vienna, stopping in Salzburg along the way. The city rises over the banks of the Salzach River. The streets ring out with elegant music, always showing pride as the birthplace of Mozart.

The river emerges from the Alps, dominated by Untesberg Peak standing at 6,114 feet above sea level. Old Town contains narrow medieval streets and arcades leading to fabulous courtyards. Mozart was born at Number 9 Getreidegasse in 1756. The canary yellow building is now a museum filled with mementos of the musician s life, including violins and original scores. The air around the city is crisp and cool. You can hear the river s current rush sweep along the riverbanks. The sweet, syrupy scent of marzipan is never far away.

What s Included: breakfast, transfer, tour, accommodation

Day 10: Imperial Remnants

Vienna was once the center of the Habsburg monarchy and capital of music, brimming with names such as Beethoven and Shubert. The sound of your feet echoing against the cobblestone is music to your years. The sound is similar to the energetic movements of the locals on their way to work, university, or to Stephansplatz to meet with friends.

Your guide escorts you through the city to see the fabulous buildings enriched by the past. Stephansdom, also known as St. Stephen s Cathedral was consecrated in the 12th century. The Gothic structure stands 446 feet tall, constructed of limestone. The earthen aroma emanates from the exterior walls. Through the years, the facade has turned a shimmering black. You enter the church and find the faint scent of frankincense wafting across the polished tile floor. The pulpit is Gothic sculpture decorating petals and saints. You can find the tomb of Frederick III, Holy Roman Emperor in the Apostles Choir located in the cathedral s southeast corner.

What s Included: breakfast, tour, accommodation

Day 11: Across the Alps

In the morning, you find the city awake and ready to start the day. Cars and bicycles share the road, and pedestrians stroll along the sidewalk. People take their time, each having somewhere to be but knowing they ll make it soon enough.

You leave Vienna for Venice and replace the cobblestones with mountains. Grass carpets the lush hills and meanders upwards to the rugged foothills. You traverse Semmering Pass, at an altitude of 3,166 feet, taking you through the natural border between Austria and Italy. The evergreen aroma fills the air. Mountain peaks trundle past. The steep slopes flatten, the rivers turn to canals, and you arrive at the opulent city on a lagoon, Venice. The marble paving St. Mark s Square glints in the waning light. The Byzantine domes atop the basilica act like a beacon bringing you to the treasures of the city s past and present beauty.

What s Included: breakfast, transfer, accommodation

Day 12: Venetian Glory Days

The narrow, labyrinthine walkways of the city are a Orient-Travel to get lost in. Each new street takes you to a piece of the city s history, in the footsteps of Casanova and Giorgio Massari. You meet your guide eager to explore the treasured city. Gondolas drift by in the smaller waterways and let the gentle current carry them under the shade of the buildings.

Your guide leads you to the Bridge of Sighs, an enclosed passage constructed with white limestone. Stone bars cover the windows. The bridge was constructed in 1600 and connects the New Prison to Doge s Palace. Convicts would look out the windows at the passing boats, listen to the trickling water and calls of the city before being imprisoned in the palace. The name implies that prisoners would sigh at their final view of Venice before entering their cell. The romantic nature of the story adds to the passionate legends of the Venice. You can pass through the bridge and look out on the canal, noticing the colors of the water before the gray light of the covered bridge takes over.

What s Included: breakfast, dinner, tour, accommodation

Day 13: Castles and Gardens

The opulent memory of Venice lingers in the absence of the lagoon. The waters disappear behind the emerald greenery surrounding the city of Ferrara in the region of Emilia-Romagna. Medieval walls surround the town, and magnificent palaces pepper the interior. Locals glide along the streets on classic bicycles grazing past lush gardens and historical buildings whose patronage came from the Este s, rivals of the Medici s.

The Castello Estense was constructed in the 14th century and originally meant to protect the family from the citizenry. The towers rise over the encompassing moat. A drawbridge connects the pathway to the main gate. White stone creates elegant balconies against the background of strong stone. The city center exudes the wonderment of history and grandeur.

What s Included: breakfast, transfer, tour, accommodation

Day 14: Absorbing the Ancient

Rome is a city set in its ways, stemming from ancient pathways and inspiring buildings, romantic museums, and historic outdoor markets. Intoxicating energy enraptures the streets at all hours of the days. The Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi, known as the Fountain of the Four Rivers, was erected in Piazza Navona in the 17th century, designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini. Representations of the four major rivers of four continents converge around a central Egyptian obelisk. Water trickles down from the stone platform into the shimmering pool.

Your guide takes you through the city, starting at the Vatican Museum, eventually leading you through the inspiring walkways of the Roman Forum. The sprawl of ruins was first erected in the 7th century BC and evolved into a social, political, and commercial hub of the empire. The main thoroughfare of Via Sacra eventually leads to a pathway around the original seat of the Roman Senate. A 75-foot tall Arch stands at the end of the path commemorating the victory over the Parthians.

What s Included: breakfast, tour, accommodation

Day 15: Under the Renaissance Sun

Leaving the history of Rome does not mean that you are leaving history behind. You arrive in Florence and surround yourself with the beauty of the Renaissance. The Tuscan capital winds through stone towers and over cobblestone streets. The Duomo rises over the square with a transcendent dome whose construction began in the 13th century. Brunelleschi designed the unique roof, which remains the largest brick dome in the world. Marble tile paves the interior enriched by the faint fragrance of myrrh. A painting on the wall depicts the layers of Dante s Divine Comedy with the celebrated Florentine poet in the foreground. The scent of fresh gelato and decadent chocolates drifts down Via dei Tavolini. The city is a remarkable treasure, effortlessly embracing modern luxuries in the shell of Renaissance splendor.

What s Included: breakfast, transfer, tour, accommodation

Day 16: Tilting Marbles

In the morning, the city brims with the aroma of fresh brioche and strong espresso. The streets come alive with the sounds of locals heels echoing off of the cobblestone and walls. After breakfast, you make your way to the city of Pisa, home to one of the finest universities in Italy, dating back to 14th century. Your guide leads you to the Piazza dei Miracoli where you find the surprising image of the Leaning Tower of Pisa before you.

The marble tower lists over four degrees perpendicular to the ground and stands just less than 200 feet tall. You see the cathedral in the background and find the marble frame exquisite. The checkered facade was erected in the 11th century and maintains its classic design and distinctive Romanesque ambiance. The gray and white stone offset the pearl color of the Leaning Tower. The large bronze doors create a heavy importance underneath the thin, tiered columns of the facade s upper half. Indelible grace encircles the square and the blossoming antiquity.

What s Included: breakfast, transfer, tour, accommodation

Day 17: At the Water s Edge

The French Riviera is draped in picturesque history, sundrenched homes, towering seaside cliffs, and seductive beaches. The salty aroma of the ocean meets the scent of garlic, tomatoes, wine, and lavender. Olive groves carpet the inland countryside lining sparsely used gravel roads. The soft light around the coastline brought famous artists to the shores, from Renoir to Picasso.

The Romans once occupied southern France and left remarkable monuments behind. Northeast of Nimes you find the Pont du Gard, a three-tiered aqueduct that had belonged to a larger system of channels dating back to the year 19 BC. At the aqueduct s tallest point, it reaches a height of 161 feet, stretching a distance of 907 feet long. Today, you can walk across the tiers to witness the charming panorama overlooking the River Gard. In the evening, the bridge is illuminated with bright floodlights.

What s Included: breakfast, accommodation

Day 18: Elegant Palace Presence

Trade azure waters of French coastline for the ancient papal power bestowed on the city of Avignon. Located on the left bank of the Rhone River, the city maintains its legacy as the second Vatican, home to seven successive popes. The Old City has preserved its 800-year-old stone ramparts. Ancient cobbled streets lead to leafy squares filled with lively cafes.

The Palais des Papes was constructed in the 14th century and remained as the papal seat for over 70 years. The walls are 10 feet thick. Watchtowers rise over the walls and look out over the surrounding landscape. The interior stone halls now lay bare, but with the sheer size of the palace it is easy to imagine the opulence that once filled the interior.

What s Included: breakfast, dinner, transfer, tour, accommodation

Day 19: Power of the Past

Lyon was once the banking stronghold of France and now is the country s third largest city. Gourmet restaurants indulge in fantastical tasting menus. University students dance the night away in elegant clubs and chic bars. Orient-Travel stores offer a unique shopping experience with individualized comfort. After breakfast, your guide leads you to the train station for your relaxing ride to Paris. The lush countryside lines the railway en route to the city of lights.

Upon your arrival, your private transfer escorts you to your hotel. Join an excursion to the Louvre Museum or spend time discovering the city at your own pace. The Cabaret Au Lapin Agile stands on the north side of Montmartre. The venue remains bohemian chic from the day when Matisse and Picasso used to visit. You can lounge in the mood lighting and listen to the music, poems, and laughter of the evening while sipping an absinthe and dreaming of a 1920s Paris.

What s Included: breakfast, tour, transfer, accommodation

Day 20: A City In Light

Wake up to the aromas of fresh coffee and buttery croissants spilling out of local bakeries. Your guide meets you at the hotel for a day in the sun around the shimmering City of Light. You see the Opera and Arc de Triomphe. Stroll down the Champs-Elysees and take in the picturesque view of the Eiffel Tower.

In the 19th arrondissement is the Parc des Buttes-Chaumont. The lesser-known park has lush, sloping grassy hills and a 100-foot waterfall dipping into a serene pond. A Greco-Roman temple stands atop a cliff overlooking the water. You ll even have a tremendous view of Paris where you can look out and see Sacre Coeur rising over the city like a palace.

What s Included: breakfast, dinner, tour, accommodation

Day 21: Endless Adventures

Wake up to the blissful aromas of the city. Chocolate pipes into the center of sweet brioche. Your fingers can get sticky touching a fresh from the oven almond croissant. A freshly brewed cappuccino gives you a creamy texture and foam mustache. You can sit in a local cafe and watch the locals pass by. Paris is a city of magic, inspiring artists and writers, locals and visitors.

Soon your private transfer will meet you at the hotel to take you to the airport for your flight home. For now you can revel in the endless charm of a city that understands taking the time to appreciate pleasure.

What s Included: breakfast, transfer