Jewel Of Europe

Summary

This 2-week, guided Europe trip is perfect for passionate travellers! See the best of Western and Eastern Europe. Experience Dutch lifestyle in Amsterdam and cruise through Germany’s Rhine Valley. Venture through centuries-old cities like Nuremberg, Prague and Bratislava. Taste Italian cuisine, marvel at the Swiss Alps and explore Paris.

Highlights

• Local guided walking tours of Prague, Florence, Vienna and Ljubljana

• Cruise Amsterdam’s canals and sail along the Rhine River in Germany

• Discover Venice and Budapest

• See the iconic Leaning Tower of Pisa

• Free days in Prague, the Swiss Alps and Paris

• Amsterdam | 07:30 PM (traffic dependent)

DAY 1: Start of tour in Amsterdam

Welcome to Amsterdam! Start your Europe Jewel adventure with a visit to a cheese farm and clog factory in the Dutch countryside. Next, enjoy free time in the lakeside town of Volendam. Then, head to Zaanse Schans, known for its historic windmills and wooden houses. Later, experience an Amsterdam canal cruise. End the day with a delicious welcome dinner.

Meals: Dinner

DAY 2: Amsterdam - Rhine Valley

Continue on to the picturesque Rhine Valley in Germany. Visit a local wine merchant for an included tasting. You may even get to try eiswein (ice wine)! Next, board a riverboat and sail from Boppard to St Goar. With the highest concentration of medieval castles in all of Europe dotted along the riverbanks, this is a cruise to remember!

Meals: Breakfast Dinner

DAY 3: Nuremberg - Prague

This morning, visit the Bavarian city of Nuremberg which was painstakingly rebuilt after WWII. Later, arrive in Prague and embark on a walking tour with a local guide. This enchanting destination will keep your camera clicking! The quirky bars and cobbled lanes add to the city’s charm. Taste authentic Czech cuisine at tonight’s group dinner. Na zdraví!

Meals: Breakfast Dinner

DAY 4: Prague: Free Day

Explore more of Prague on today’s free day. This mesmerising city is described as the “jewel in the crown of Central Europe”. Join Prague+ to discover the city’s rich history and exquisite Prague Castle. Or, join Prague Tastes & Tales for a premier Slivovitz distillery tour and tasting. Tonight, enjoy Czech culture with an optional dinner featuring music, and dancing!

Meals: Breakfast

DAY 5: Bratislava - Vienna

Head for the grandeur of Vienna, visiting Bratislava, Capital of Slovakia on the way. Spot its medieval castle and marvel at Socialist-era architecture. Next stop, Vienna, Austria! Enjoy a guided walking tour of the UNESCO-listed city centre. After tonight’s included dinner, choose to enjoy an orchestra performance. Experience classical music in a venue where Mozart himself once performed!

Meals: Breakfast Dinner

DAY 6: Vienna - Budapest

Bid farewell to Vienna and head to Budapest, Hungary's striking capital. Explore its mix of Baroque, Neoclassical, and Art Nouveau architecture on a locally-guided driving tour. Admire landmarks like St. Stephen’s Basilica and the Houses of Parliament. After free time, opt for a memorable Danube dinner cruise for spectacular views of Budapest at night!

Meals: Breakfast

DAY 7: Lake Balaton - Maribor - Ljubljana

Leave Budapest for Lake Balaton, Central Europe’s largest lake, and a popular summer destination. Visit the charming city of Maribor before arriving in Ljubljana. Enjoy a guided walking tour of the Slovenian capital. Admire its fairytale castle and impressive architecture. Then, opt for an excursion to explore further and taste traditional Slovenian food before returning to the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast

DAY 8: Ljubljana - Postojna - Venice

Before departing Slovenia, visit the town of Postojna. Opt for an unmissable tour of the dazzling Postojna Cave! Next stop is Venice; a city immortalised in literature, film and art thanks to its timeless waterways and artistic masterpieces. Don’t miss the An Evening in Venice optional excursion, featuring a gondola and water taxi cruise, plus a delicious local dinner!

Meals: Breakfast

DAY 9: Florence - Tuscany

Leaving Venice is never easy, but Tuscany is calling! On arrival in Florence, admire panoramic views from Piazzale Michelangelo before embarking on a locally-guided tour. Learn all about this Renaissance city’s fascinating history landmarks. Watch a traditional leather-making demonstration before enjoying free time. Savour a traditional Italian meal before heading to the Tuscan countryside for an overnight stay.

Meals: Breakfast Dinner

DAY 10: Pisa - Swiss Alps

Departing Tuscany, head for one of Europe's most famous buildings. Learn the story behind the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa and snap some photos! Then, journey through stunning Alpine scenery into Switzerland. Marvel at snow-capped mountain views before arriving in a charming Swiss village. Settle in for a two-night stay and enjoy an included dinner this evening.

Meals: Breakfast Dinner

DAY 11: Swiss Alps: Free Day

The Swiss Alps are yours to explore today! The Jungfraujoch: Journey to the Top of Europe optional excursion is highly recommended! Visit the highest train station in Europe, play in the snow, visit the Sphinx Observatory, explore the ice palace, and admire the glacier views! This evening, choose to partake in a classic Swiss fondue dinner.

Meals: Breakfast

DAY 12: Swiss Alps - Paris

It's time for the city of lights and love: Paris! Arriving in the afternoon, embark on a riveting driving tour of the French capital. Get your cameras ready for the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe! Take note of places to visit on tomorrow’s free day. After, sit down for a delicious dinner at a local restaurant.

Meals: Breakfast Dinner

DAY 13: Paris: Free Day

Embrace the magic of Paris! Choose to delve deeper with Paris+ and enjoy visits to a world-famous macaron shop and perfume museum, cruise the River Seine and admire views from Montparnasse Tower. Later, choose to stroll the romantic streets of the Montmartre neighbourhood and enjoy a Parisian dinner. Complete the night with an optional cabaret show!

Meals: Breakfast

DAY 14: Paris - Ghent - Amsterdam

Depart Paris, sit back and relax as the tour travels to today’s first stop - the Belgian city of Ghent. Enjoy free time to explore the medieval city centre and grab a bite to eat. Afterwards, drive back to Amsterdam where the tour comes to an end. Be sure to exchange contact details with your fellow travellers before travelling onwards!

Meals: Breakfast

What's Included

Accommodation

• 13 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)

Meals

• 13 Breakfasts, 7 Dinners 
  *Vegetarian options available for all meals on request

Transport

• Modern air-conditioned coach with reclining seats and toilet onboard 

• Any public transport used as part of the tour (excludes free days) 

Tour Leader

• Fully guided tour with experienced tour leader

• Tour leader will accompany group throughout and manage all logistical details

23 Experiences!

• Enjoy a cheese and clogs demonstration

• Marvel at the stunning scenery in Zaanse Schans

• Visit the lakeside town of Volendam

• Cruise the canals of Amsterdam

• Enjoy a wine tasting in Germany’s Rhine Valley

• Cruise down the Rhine River

• Visit the historic Bavarian city, Nuremberg 

• See the best of Prague on a guided walking tour

• Taste authentic Czech cuisine

• Visit Bratislava; capital of Slovakia

• Enjoy a walking tour of Vienna; Austria's capital

• Drive along and see the best-loved sights in Budapest

• Visit Lake Balaton

• Visit Maribor in Slovenia

• Enjoy a locally guided walking tour of Ljubljana

• Explore Venice, Italy’s floating city

• Locally guided walking tour of Florence

• Watch an Italian leather-making demonstration

• Dinner in Florence

• See the Leaning Tower of Pisa 

• Enjoy a scenic mountain drive to Switzerland

• Enjoy a driving tour of Paris

• Visit the port city of Ghent