18 Days | Best of Europe | London to Paris

 London

A full day to savour a variety of optional activities: take a panoramic tour of London's landmarks, visit the Tower of London, or choose an excursion to Windsor Castle. Tonight, we recommend our optional Taste of London excursion with dinner, followed by a guided illumination cruise on the River Thames.

Meals: Breakfast

London Brussels Amsterdam

Transfer to the railway station and board the Eurostar train to Brussels with your Tour Director. Take a seat on your luxury motorcoach for the drive to the Amsterdam area. Today's Distance by coach: 127 mi/ 203 km.

Meals: Breakfast

Amsterdam Weisbaden, Germany

Today, enjoy sightseeing in Amsterdam with a Local Guide pointing out the city highlights, followed by an included canal cruise to see the city from water level, then stop to watch the cutting and polishing of precious stones at a diamond centre. This afternoon, continue your journey to Wiesbaden. Today's Distance: 258 mi/ 415 km.

Meals: Breakfast

Weisbaden Heidelberg Lucerne, Switzerland

Drive through the picturesque Rhineland and enjoy splendid scenery as you skirt the Rhine river. Next, drive into Germany's oldest university town, Heidelberg, nicely located at the confluence of the Neckar and Rhine Rivers, for a short visit. Continue to the Lucerne area. Today's Distance: 270 mi/ 435 km

Meals: Breakfast

Lucerne, Switzerland

Lucerne is nestled amid its snowcapped Alps, surrounded by its lake, and graced by the clear mountain waters of the Reuss River. Your orientation includes the Lion monument, erected in memory of the 800 Swiss Guards who defended Louis XVI and his wife; and the wooden Chapel bridge. A grand selection of optional activities completes the day: a ride on the "cabrio" cable-car to the summit of Mount Stanserhorn; a cruise on the fjord-like lake; and, of course, time to shop for an authentic Swiss watch.

Meals: Breakfast

Lucerne Verona Venice, Italy

More wonderful alpine scenery as you drive into the mountain ranges that surround the massive St. Gotthard Pass. Continue to the warmer and sunnier ambiance of Canton Ticino, then cross into Italy and drive across the Po Valley to Verona, medieval setting of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. Stroll around the picturesque market square (Piazza delle Erbe) and the cobblestone streets. Tonight, overnight in the Venice area. Today's Distance: 317 mi/ 510 km.

Meals: Breakfast

Venice, Italy

Venice is more like a marvellous film set than a real-life city, with its crisscrossing canals, gondolas and water buses, arched bridges, palaces, and busy little piazzas (squares). Your included orientation starts with a boat ride to St. Mark's Square and is followed by free time to soak up the city's unique atmosphere and a chance to visit a glassblowing workshop. Don't miss out on the optional gondola trip, gliding along the picturesque canals with a local troubadour to serenade you.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Venice Assisi Rome

An interesting drive southward, crossing the rolling Apennines. Stop in medieval Assisi, where St. Francis was born in 1182, and visit the world-famous St. Francis Basilica with its beautiful frescoes by Giotto. Then, head for Rome. Today's Distance: 317 mi/ 510 km.

Meals: Breakfast

Rome

The "Eternal City" is steeped in history, vibrantly alive and exciting, and absolutely unique! Start the included introduction to Rome's landmarks from St. Peter's Square with a Local Guide. Enjoy a drive along the iconic landmarks of the city: the Tiber River, the Caius Cestius Pyramid, the Aurelian Walls, and the Caracalla Baths. Complete the experience with a walk back in time from the Circus Maximus to the Arch of Constantine and to the fascinating Colosseum, symbol of the Roman Empire.

Meals: Breakfast

Rome Pompeii Sorrento

This morning you have an opportunity to visit the treasures of the Vatican Museum and the Sistine Chapel on our optional excursion. Later, travel south all the way today, with the Vesuvius volcano in the distance. Visit Pompeii, where time stopped in 79 AD when the Vesuvius eruption totally buried it. On your included visit to the archaeological site, see the luxurious villas, temples, theatre, and forum. Just a few more miles to reach the lively Sorrento area. Today's Distance: 168 mi/ 270 km.

Meals: Breakfast

Sorrento

Cross the blue sea for a full-day excursion to the legendary island of Capri. Surrounded by rose-tinted rocks, Capri has incredibly beautiful coves of translucent blues and greens. The town, with its pretty piazzetta, maze of streets, fashionable boutiques, and cozy restaurants, is a mecca for the jet set. An optional tour takes you around the island with its steep roads and panoramic views.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Sorrento Florence

An early journey north to Florence. Vistas of rolling hills, austere rows of cypress trees, terraced vineyards, olive groves, and rural villages form the backdrop of your journey through beautiful Tuscany. Arrive in Florence in the afternoon in time to enjoy its magnificent architectural and artistic treasures; the included walking tour with a Local Guide shows the highlights. Today's Distance: 320 mi/ 515 km.

Meals: Breakfast

Florence Pisa Eze French Riviera

Stop in Pisa, where you hop on a mini train to reach the Square of Miracles to see the famous Leaning Tower. Bypassing the great port of Genoa, drive northwest for glimpses of the Italian and French Rivieras. Visit a typical Provence perfume workshop in Eze and later reach the shores of the charming Cote d'Azur. Today's Distance: 273 mi/ 440 km.

Meals: Breakfast

French Riviera Saint Andre les Alpes Grenoble

Taking the Route Napoleon, follow in the footsteps of the French leader as he escaped from exile in Elba. Stop for some crispy fresh air in Saint Andre Les Alpes before reaching Grenoble-an alpine sports mecca and site of the 1968 Winter Olympic Games. Today's Distance: 199 mi/ 320 km.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Grenoble Beaune  Paris

Enjoy the very heart of the Burgundy wine- growing region, making a stop in lovely Beaune, surrounded by some of the world's finest vineyards. Continue northward to the exciting city of Paris, capital of France. Today's Distance: 358 mi/ 577 km.

Meals: Breakfast

Paris

Paris is a world-class city with more familiar landmarks than almost any other city in the world. This morning, see the main sights during the included city tour with a Local Guide. In the afternoon, a chance to feel like a French aristocrat as you join the optional walking tour through the immense Palace of Versailles. This evening, why not join an optional dinner?

Meals: Breakfast

Paris

Your holiday ends after breakfast this morning.

Meals: Breakfast