Highlights of Europe featuring London, Paris, Switzerland & Italy

Your comprehensive exploration of Europe's most iconic cities begins today as you arrive in London. Make your way from the airport to your centrally located hotel, where you will meet the Tour Manager and fellow travelers for a welcome meeting detailing the adventures to come.

The area around the hotel is full of archetypal London architecture and you are free to explore at leisure after check-in. There are many museums and galleries nearby housing world-famous artworks and artifacts. Alternatively, enjoy a scenic stroll around Regent's Park or wander amongst the bustling markets of bohemian Camden Town. Harry Potter fans might like to visit King's Cross railway station where you can find Platform 9¾, while Sherlock Holmes' famous address on Baker Street is also within easy reach.

Returning to the hotel this evening, we enjoy our first dinner together as a group. Overnight London. 

• Dinner

Whether you have seen them on TV or read about them in books, London's sites make the city instantly recognizable.

After breakfast, we embark on a morning tour of the British capital. From Tower Bridge to Buckingham Palace, the Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, and all the beautiful and historic buildings that lie between, there is much to uncover. A knowledgeable guide leads us through the city, pointing out all the best attractions and offering little-known facts along the way.

You are welcome to continue exploring independently for the remainder of the day. You could visit a museum, such as the Natural History Museum in South Kensington, near the famed Harrods department store. A memorial garden to Diana, Princess of Wales, can be found near her former residence of Kensington Palace, not far from the colorful street market of Portobello Road in Notting Hill. The cultural South Bank contains the Tate Modern gallery and a replica of Shakespeare's Globe. Around the theaters of the West End and lively Soho, many popular restaurants can be found for dinner tonight. Overnight London.

• Breakfast

A short transfer after breakfast this morning takes us to London St Pancras train station. Boarding the Eurostar, we begin our journey to Paris.

Your seat in Standard Class provides an excellent perspective on the changing scenery during the two-and-a-half-hour route as London's suburbs give way to the Kent countryside. After entering the 31.5-mile Channel Tunnel, we emerge in northern France, where quintessential rural scenes guide us to Paris.

On arrival in the French capital this afternoon, we check in to our hotel before embarking on a highlight of our vacation. This evening, we uncover the beautiful sights of Paris from a dinner cruise on the Seine. From the base of the Eiffel Tower, our stunning journey showcases the buildings that line the river. Sip an aperitif as we set underway, then savor course after course as we sail under historic bridges while the cityscape reveals views of famed locations, including Notre Dame Cathedral. This cruise is truly a romantic introduction to the City of Love. Overnight Paris. 

• Breakfast, Dinner

Brimming with history and well-known landmarks, Paris is explored on a guided coach tour after breakfast. With a front-row seat to this beautiful city's iconic destinations, our sight-seeing takes in Notre Dame Cathedral, the Eiffel Tower and Opera Garnier. The City of Love's most famous boulevard is the tree-lined Champs-Élysées, at one end of which we find the Arc de Triomphe, a national monument.

Afterward, you may continue venturing through the city at your leisure. Perhaps look upon some of the world's most famous paintings at the Louvre, including the Mona Lisa, or wander through the public gardens of the Tuileries or Jardins du Luxembourg. The quaint cobbled streets of hilly Montmartre reveal a bygone Paris. This cultural quarter boasts many galleries, while the Place du Tertre bustles with artists and restaurant-goers. Completed in 1914, the white-domed Sacré Coeur can be found here, too, and incredible views across the roofs of Paris can be admired from the square in front.

Wherever you end up, you can be sure of finding a place to enjoy Paris' gastronomic delights tonight. Overnight Paris.

• Breakfast

A day of scenic travel takes awaits as we leave Paris after breakfast bound for Switzerland.

We can relax aboard the train as our route takes us through picturesque French countryside dotted with small villages and slate-roofed churches. In Basel, just beyond the French-Swiss border, we switch trains and continue into the heart of this mountainous country. Our destination is Lucerne, a beautiful old town nestled on the banks of the lake that shares its name. Surrounded by snowy peaks, Lucerne has an enchanting medieval center with fairytale alpine architecture. It is in the Old Town that we find our hotel. Located a short distance from the train station, this establishment has been in business in this location for more than 500 years.

After checking in, there's time to settle in or explore Lucerne's charming center. Connecting the historic quarters either side of the Reuss River, the city's covered footbridges, Chapel Bridge and Spreuer Bridge date back to the Middle Ages. This evening, we gather for a group dinner in the hotel restaurant. Overnight Lucerne.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Embracing our striking surroundings after breakfast today, we uncover the beauty of the Swiss Alps from the water and mountain summit.

A morning cruise along Lake Lucerne unveils incredible views of the Alps, particularly Mt. Pilatus and the Stanserhorn, and the idyllic blue water they surround. The ancient towns on the lakeshore add an idyllic touch to the vistas. Disembarking in Alpnachstad, we continue on the steepest cogwheel railway in the world to the top of iconic Mt. Pilatus. Traveling at a gradient of up to 48 percent, the cherry-red carriages convey us on a 45-minute journey, which passes through tunnels and showcases the changing alpine landscapes. Once at the top, the views are breathtaking. More than 70 mountain peaks are visible on a clear day, and you can soak them in from the observation deck or one of the hiking trails.

A mixture of cable cars and cogwheel railway see us down the mountainside, before we return to Lucerne by rail. Upon arrival in our lakeside base, you are free to continue exploring. Overnight Lucerne.

• Breakfast

From the snow-capped mountains of Switzerland to the gleaming canals of Venice, today's journey delivers exquisite scenery throughout. After a short rail transfer to Arth-Goldau station, we board a train to Italy, passing through the 35.5-mile Gotthard Base Tunnel on our way to Venice.

The 'Floating City' has long been one of the most recognized locations in Italy. Its buildings, many of which are more than 800-years-old, are spread amongst 118 small islands in the Venetian Lagoon. Even today, traversing this amazing city is best done by boat in its extensive canal system or on foot, crossing bridge after ornate bridge.

We arrive this afternoon and are transferred to our hotel on Venice Lido by boat. Once you have settled in, you have some free time to enjoy our hotel's amenities or explore the stunning surroundings. Located on the beachfront, there are plenty of opportunities to relax and soak in the views of the Adriatic Sea before dinner this evening. Overnight Venice.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Timeless scenes of elegant Venice are explored during a guided tour after breakfast.

From our base on the Lido, we travel by boat to central Venice. An expert guide accompanies us on a two-hour walking tour of the atmospheric streets of Venice. Enroute, we discover how this labyrinth of alleyways and canals fuse together to create one of the world's most unique destinations. Our explorations allow us to uncover the distinct charm of this special city as new delights await round every corner and on each unfolding piazza. Highlights of the tour include Venice's famous bridges and the grand St. Mark's Square. A spectacular exhibition of the city's renowned locations can be found here, from St. Mark's Basilica and the Doge's Palace to Caffe Florian, the world's oldest coffee house.

The rest of the day is free for you to continue sightseeing at your own pace. A private boat transfer to your hotel is available at 3pm, however you are welcome to continue exploring for as long as you would like and can transfer back independently. Overnight Venice.

• Breakfast

Venice's Baroque palazzos and dreaming spires disappear behind us this morning as we travel by train into the heart of Italy. A showcase of Italian landscapes lies ahead as the train passes small villages and great cities, eventually making its way into the rolling hills and evocative countryside of Tuscany.

On arrival in glorious Florence, we dive straight into this noble city's best sights on a walking tour. Known as the 'Jewel of the Renaissance', soak in the art and history of the city while exploring renowned sites and beautiful city squares. Look upon landmarks like the red-tiled exterior of the Duomo Cathedral, the medieval center of Piazza della Signoria, the courtyard of the Uffizi Gallery and ending at the picturesque Ponte Vecchio.

The evening is free to continue exploring this enduring city. Maybe find a restaurant in which to sample steak florentine, the region's most iconic dish, or have some gelato or wine in one of the piazzas, watching as Florence's night scene springs to life. Overnight Florence.

Please Note -  For departures May 9th and June 16th we will stay at The Ambasciatori Hotel in Florence.

For departure September 5th we will stay at Pitti Palace al Ponte Vecchio in Florence.

For departures September 19th and October 3rd we will stay at the Hotel Indigo in Florence.

• Breakfast

Another world-famous Tuscan city is explored today as we take a morning train to Pisa. Filled with incredible sites, we explore many of them on a guided tour.

Our exploration ends at the Piazza dei Miracoli, where we find the city's most well-known attraction, the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Constructed in 1372, this cylindrical bell tower is made of marble and was already tilting when it was completed. There's free time here to get that iconic picture holding the structure. The Piazza dei Miracoli also contains other beautiful sights, including the marble-striped cathedral and the domed baptistry.

After returning to Florence, where there's free time to unwind or continue exploring, a coach picks us up and drives us through the beautiful countryside to the oldest restaurant in Tuscany, the gorgeous Renaissance-era Il Borgo Machiavelli. Once the residence of famous political philosopher, Niccolò Machiavelli, it's now a 'home museum'. We look around the museum and the fascinating cellar of this historical home before indulging in drinks and dinner in a glorious alfresco setting. Overnight Florence.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Leaving Florence after breakfast, a scenic train journey takes us past views of Tuscan vineyards, olive groves and romantic villages enroute to Italy's ancient capital.

Arriving in Rome, we check in to our hotel before immersing ourselves in a city whose appeals span millennia, beginning with the ancient Romans. Our walking tour begins outside the astounding Colosseum as we bask in up-close views of this amphitheater's exterior. The route continues past other Roman sites, including the Roman Forum and the Pantheon. Make a wish in the Trevi Fountain and enjoy a stop at a local coffee shop before our tour concludes in Piazza Navona, home to some of the city's most impressive fountains.

The evening is yours to enjoy the city's ambiance independently. Its allures extend to museums, intricately carved buildings and landmarks sites. Perhaps climb the Spanish Steps or wander through the immaculate gardens at Villa Borghese. Rome's culinary scene is just as captivating as its history and includes many eateries in which to taste local favorites, such as pizza, carbonara and cacio e pepe. Overnight Rome.

• Breakfast

A holy city revered by lovers of art, religion, and architecture alike, the Vatican City is where we begin our day.

A four-hour guided tour reveals the wonders of the Holy See and center of the Roman Catholic religion. Prepare to be in awe as we venture through the gorgeous Sistine Chapel and set our sights upon the world's most well-known fresco, "The Creation of Adam." Our visit also includes admission to the Vatican Museums, including the Gallery of Maps, as we explore the various artifacts and significant artworks housed throughout the museums. There's also the chance to view the grand Pinecone Courtyard, the centerpiece of which is a 13-foot-tall bronze pinecone sculpture dating from the second century.

The afternoon is free for you to explore Rome further, perhaps strolling amongst Roman ruins, uncovering the gems of the city's galleries and museums, or relaxing in a shaded piazza. This evening, we visit a local restaurant for a farewell dinner as a group, savoring delectable cuisine and fantastic Italian wine while celebrating this extraordinary expedition. Overnight Rome.

• Breakfast, Dinner

A continent of iconic cities and spellbinding scenery, Europe has been explored through some of its most famous and spectacular destinations. From the landmarks of London to romantic Paris, the capitals of the UK and France were uncovered on guided tours as well as a dinner cruise along the Seine River. Arriving in Switzerland, immeasurable alpine wonders were revealed as we sailed along Lake Lucerne before boarding the world's steepest cogwheel railway to the summit of Mount Pilatus.

Arriving in Italy, we marveled at Venice's ageless palazzos and picture-perfect canals before the Renaissance jewels of Tuscany were admired in Florence and Pisa. Our final stop was Rome, where we experienced history come to life as we strolled amongst remnants of ancient Rome and basked in the beauty of the Sistine Chapel.

Your grand tour of four European countries comes to a conclusion this morning. Making your way to Rome's international airport, you can begin your journey home.

• Breakfast