European Dream

Paris
Loading...
Hit the ground running on this 8-day Europe trip, transporting you to the beating heart of glittering cities and the picture-perfect countryside. You’ll know dreams do come true as you admire Paris, Michelangelo’s talents and lap up lakeside living in Lucerne.

Departure dates

From 27/05/2024 to 28/10/2024

What's included

Highlights.
2 Dinner (D)7 Breakfast (B)1 Lunch (L)Florence: The Pazzi and de Medici feud is brought to light in this visit to the 12th-century Castle of Trebbio where you will enjoy a traditional Tuscan Be My Guest buffet, explore the cellars, and indulge in olive oil and wine tasting.
Rome: During an orientation with your Travel Director see the medieval buildings, Renaissance palaces and Baroque churches scattered throughout the city.
Vatican: Visit Vatican City and tour St.
Peter's Basilica with a Local Specialist.
Witness the early genius of Michelangelo as you take in the Pietà.
Rome: Experience Rome through the eyes of a local, as a passionate Roman guides you past the city's most iconic sites.
Tuscany: View the stunning landscape of Tuscany on your drive today.
Florence: Join a Local Specialist to view the multi-coloured marble cathedral, bell tower and baptistery, adorned by Ghiberti's Gates of Paradise.
Visit the political heart of the city, Signoria Square.
Florence: See the area around Santa Croce Basilica, famous for the quality of its luxury goods, and witness a gold and leatherwork demonstration.
Switzerland: Marvel at the Alpine landscape as you drive past breathtakingly beautiful mountains and valleys.
Lucerne: During an orientation with your Travel Director, see the Lion Monument, Old Town Hall and Chapel Bridge, the oldest wooden covered bridge in Europe.
Paris: Join a Local Specialist to discover the hidden squares and secret lanes of Paris.
Venice: Learn about the history and ancient skill of Venetian glassblowing, playing your role in ensuring the survival of this traditional craft through your visit.
: Explore Rome, Florence, Paris and London with a Local Specialist: Discover Venice and Lucerne: Visit St.
Peter's Basilica in Rome and a glassblowing factory in Venice: View the Colosseum and other ancient sites in Rome, St.
Mark's Basilica in Venice, the Lion Monument and the Chapel Bridge in Lucerne, the Champs-Élysées, the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, the White Cliffs of Dover, Buckingham Palace and the Houses of Parliament in London: See the Tuscan countryside, the vineyards of Burgundy and the Somme Battlefield in France: Scenic Cruise by private launch to St.
Mark's Square in Venice: An expert Travel Director and professional Driver: Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted: All porterage and restaurant gratuities: All hotel tips, charges and local taxes: Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals: Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras: Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing: Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys): Optional Experiences and free time: On occasion, hotels of similar standard and location may be utilised.
.
An expert Travel Director and professional DriverCherry-picked hotels, all tried and trustedAll porterage and restaurant gratuitiesAll hotel tips, charges and local taxesBreakfast daily and up to half of your evening mealsMust-see sightseeing and surprise extrasAudio headsets for flexible sightseeingLuxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)Optional Experiences and free timeOn occasion, hotels of similar standard and location may be utilised.
.

Itinerary / more information

  • Day 1 Ciao Roma! Welcome to the 'Eternal City' - once home to gods and goddesses, emperors, senators and slaves. Explore the city's bustling boulevards and labyrinthine lanes before meeting your fellow travellers and Travel Director at a welcome Dinner. This evening, we embark on an orientation drive revealing some of the city's most celebrated sights.
  • Day 2 The Holy See takes centre stage today as we join a Local Specialist for a sightseeing tour that will see us visit the 16th-century St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican City and witness Michelangelo's sorrowful Piet?, a masterpiece of Renaissance sculpture. We cross the Tiber into Ancient Rome to delve into what was once the largest empire in the world and view such ancient sites as the imposing Colosseum where brave gladiators and slaves duelled to their deaths. Consider an Optional Experience to gain fast-track access to see the magnificent frescoes inside the Sistine Chapel.
  • Day 3 We travel north into the vineyard-clad hills of Tuscany and along the Arno River Valley bound for an unforgettable visit to a 12th-century castle where the Pazzi plot against the ruling Medici family was hatched so many centuries ago. Here you'll Connect With Locals over lunch during an exclusive Be My Guest experience, learning all about the family feud and taking a tour of the castle, including its infamous dungeons. Beyond the extraordinary opportunity to dine in a Tuscan castle, you'll know that your visit is helping to preserve this historic building for generations to come. Continue to Florence, the birthplace of the Renaissance where you'll learn about the quality and workmanship of one of this city's historic industries at a demonstration of Florentine leathercraft. Then, join a Local Specialist for an enchanting encounter with one of the world's cultural centres, admiring the exquisite architecture and artistry around every turn. You won't be able to tear your eyes from the beauty of the marble Duomo and Piazza della Signoria, the political hub of Florence, before arriving at your hotel.
  • Day 4 The romantic island city of Venice is our final destination today. We take to San Marco's waters, cruising the canals and admiring views of the imposing St. Mark's Basilica and ornate Doge's Palace. On this MAKE TRAVEL MATTER(R) Experience, we'll witness the centuries-old art of Venetian glassblowing using the same techniques that have been passed down through the generations. You'll watch master craftsmen shaping the molten glass into the delicate pieces of art that adorn homes the world over, perhaps inspired to buy a souvenir for your own home to remind you of your visit. Later, we'll enjoy an afternoon at leisure to explore narrow calle in search of a cosy bacaro where you can enjoy delicious Venetian cuisine washed down with a Venetian Spritz, or two. Take some time, venture to the enchanting canal-side setting of St. Mark's Square. The sounds of talented musicians, seagulls and lapping water provide the perfect backdrop for a memorable sunset over the Grand Canal.
  • Day 5 We depart Venice, travelling north into the picturesque Italian and Swiss Lake Districts via Como and Lugano. Slicing through the Alps, we arrive in Switzerland and the laid-back lakeside city of Lucerne. The city is perhaps most famous for its solid wooden Chapel Bridge and poignant Lion Monument, a memorial to Swiss Guards. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure, amble through the Old Town or consider joining an Optional Experience and ascend one of the surrounding mountain peaks for panoramic views.
  • Day 6 From Lucerne, we head into France and through the rolling vineyard-clad hills of Burgundy, one of the country's largest wine-producing areas. Arriving in Paris, we enjoy a free evening. Wander up grand boulevards and through quaint squares, grab a bite to eat and sip wine at a cosy bistro or perhaps take a cruise on the Seine followed by a tour of Paris's illuminations.
  • Day 7 Join a Local Specialist today to delve into the artistic and historic treasures of Paris, including views of the elegant Champs ?lys?es, the Arc de Triomphe and the Eiffel Tower. View Notre Dame Cathedral and enjoy a stroll through the Latin Quarter. This afternoon, amble through the city's stylish gardens, avenues and lanes, admiring the sophisticated atmosphere or consider joining an Optional Experience to the exquisite Palace of Versailles.
  • Day 8 After breakfast, we bid our newfound friends a fond farewell as our memorable holiday comes to a close.
  • Prices quoted valid for sale until 13 May 2024 unless otherwise stated or sold out prior.
  • Price is per person and subject to availability. Accommodation (if included) is based on twin share unless otherwise stated.
  • Airfare (including internal flights) is not included unless otherwise stated and, if included, is economy class unless otherwise stated.
  • Local payments, "trip kittys" or food funds may apply and may be payable direct to the supplier on arrival or to your travel agent prior to your departure. Where applicable, these payments are included in the total price quoted.
  • Gratuities are not included unless otherwise stated.
  • Additional conditions and travel restrictions may apply. Please enquire for further details.
  • Prices shown are fully inclusive of taxes, levies and government charges current at time of publication.
  • Additional levies, government charges and other applicable fees may apply and are beyond our control.
  • Seasonal surcharges and blackout dates may apply depending on date of travel.
  • Payments made by credit card will incur a surcharge.
  • Prices shown are for payments made by cash in store or Bpay.
  • These prices are a guide to the best price. Prices are correct as at 08 May 2024 and are subject to change without notice, due to matters outside our control, such as adverse currency fluctuations, fuel surcharges, taxes and airfare increases. Please enquire for further details.

Tell us about your travel plans

Loading...