Europe: The Grand Tour

You’re on your way to an incredible journey through Europe. The rich culture and cuisine of France, the famed canals of Amsterdam, and the stunning architecture of Vienna are just some of the highlights to come on this tour to seven European countries: Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, France, Switzerland, Germany, and Austria.
Hotel Name: Maritim Hotel

Narrow canals, stone bridges, and bike-brimmed lanes - this is Amsterdam, the lively starting point of your journey. Check into your hotel* located in a bustling quarter in Amsterdam’s north, a convenient hub for using the city’s public transportation to reach all the must-sees. Get a taste of the local flavors and meet your fellow travelers at a welcome dinner.
Dinner Included

Visit Area: Amsterdam
This is the capital city of The Netherlands, with a population of about 1.5 million in the metro area. It is known for its rings of canals, the Red Light District, the Anne Frank House and its famous museums (Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum, etc.). Amsterdam has a rich history in commerce, mostly due to the country’s colonies all over the world, and this gives the city a fascinating flavor and diverse population even now. There are great restaurants and shopping, and it is a very comfortable place to walk around in. It is also a great starting point from which to explore The Netherlands and beyond.

See the city the way it’s meant to be seen - by canal. On a private boat, cruise under sloping bridges and pass by classic Dutch houses. Then, continue discovering Amsterdam** on a walking tour with a local guide. The remainder of the day is yours to explore this exciting city on your own.

Breakfast Included
Hotel Name: Cardo Hotel

Admittance: Canal Cruise
Take a cruise on Amsterdam's famous canals and get to know the city from the water.

Get off the beaten track and uncover Lier’s rich history. On a guided stroll, explore Lier’s beguinage, where small houses feature biblical scenes upon the doors, and see the historic town hall, formerly a Cloth Hall, among this town’s charming architecture and sights. This afternoon in Brussels, it’s your choice! Explore the famed sights of Brussels on a locally guided tour -OR- follow the Comic Strip Route, discovering street murals and other representations of comic strip heroes throughout the city. Enjoy dinner in a local restaurant in the heart of the town.

Breakfast Included
Dinner Included

Visit Area: Lier

The day is yours to explore more of Brussels and discover its rich history, architecture, gastronomy, and so much more. Or perhaps you will choose to visit the famous site of the Battle of Waterloo, where the Napoleonic Wars came to an end in 1815.

Breakfast Included
Hotel Name: Maison Rouge Hotel & Spa

Admittance: Choice on Tour: Brussels Historic Tour or Comic Book Route

Explore the unique blend of Luxembourg’s historic fortresses, lush landscapes, and cosmopolitan elegance of the only Grand Duchy in the world. In the Old City of Luxembourg, join a local guide and hear the city’s stories as you take in landmarks and memorials, followed by time on your own in this unique capital. This afternoon, make yourself comfortable in your centrally located hotel in Strasbourg, your home for the next three nights. Tonight, experience famous Alsace cuisine at a local restaurant.

Breakfast Included
Dinner Included

Visit Area: Luxembourg
Luxembourg is a landlocked country in Western Europe, bordered by Belgium, Germany and France. It is the second smallest of the European Union member states. The country has an area of 998 square miles. Though small, Luxembourg ranks as one of the top 3 richest countries in the world, with a successful steel, finance and high technology industry. Luxembourg is also considered to be one of the safest countries in the world.

This morning, learn more about the provincial capital of Strasbourg, where centuries of Roman, French, German, and Alsatian influences blend together to lend this city its unique character. Enjoy a guided tour of the Old Quarter, "Petite France," featuring the Cathedral of Notre Dame, considered one of the noblest achievements of Western architecture. The remainder of the day is yours to enjoy the city on your own or perhaps you will choose an optional excursion to traverse the picturesque wine route of the Alsace wine region.

Breakfast Included

Visit Area: Strasbourg
Strasbourg is the capital of the region of Alsace in eastern France and the seat of the European Parliament. It is located just west of the Rhine River and the German border near the Black Forest. The region has been passed back and forth between France and Germany many times over the centuries, but it has remained French since the end of WWII. The whole city center was made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988. It is famous for its 12th-century cathedral (the tallest in the world after the Giza Pyramids when it was completed in 1439), and was the place where Johannes Gutenberg introduced the first movable type printing press.

Traveling from Strasbourg to Basel, take in the beauty that surrounds the rich culture and history of Switzerland and France. The train whisks you through the stunning scenery, as it runs along the Rhine River much of the way. In Basel, wander through the winding streets and alleyways of the well-preserved medieval Old Town as a local guide brings history to life. Explore it further on your own before returning to Strasbourg in the late afternoon.

Breakfast Included
Hotel Name: Eurostars Grand Central Hotel

Visit Area: Basel

This morning, say “au revoir” to France and greet Germany. Visit the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart. Explore the museum’s collection of legendary vehicles on an audio guided tour and have an opportunity for lunch on your own in the museum’s cafeteria, before continuing your journey to the Bavarian capital, Münich. Tonight, enjoy Bavarian specialties during dinner at a restaurant popular among locals.

Breakfast Included
Dinner Included

Admittance: Mercedes-Benz Museum

Explore Bavaria’s capital during a locally guided tour this morning. Explore the Altstadt (Old Town) and the central Marienplatz Square, known for its popular glockenspiel show that chimes and reenacts stories from the 16th century. The rest of the day is yours to enjoy this exciting city.

Breakfast Included
Hotel Name: Intercontinental Hotel

Visit Area: Munich
This is the 3rd largest city in Germany and capital of Bavaria, population about 1.5 million in the city itself. It began as the site of a Benedictine monastery where the old city is today, and the name of the city comes from the word “monk”. It is famous today as the home of Oktoberfest and the Hofbrauhaus, the Glockenspiel clock in the Old Town Hall, its Christmas Market and the headquarters of BMW and Siemens. There are several universities there and it was the site of the 1972 Summer Olympics.

This morning your journey continues to Austria. Explore Salzburg, the “City of Music” and enjoy its’ old-world charm. This evening, Vienna welcomes you with its’ elegant architecture and cobblestone streets. Tonight, join an evening stroll before dinner at a local restaurant.

Breakfast Included
Dinner Included

Visit Area: Salzburg
The name of this city means “Salt Fortress” and it comes from the custom of taxing salt shipments down the Salzach River. It is the 4th largest city in Austria, and the capital of the state of Salzburg. The baroque Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the city sits in a valley surrounded by the Alps. Mozart was born here in the 18th century, and the city was the setting for “The Sound of Music”. Salzburg became part of Austria in the early 19th century, given by Bavaria. Some of the important sights are the Salzburg Castle, Salzburg Cathedral, Mirabell Gardens, the birthplace of Mozart and sites associated with “The Sound of Music.”

This morning, meet your local guide for a scenic walking tour to Vienna’s city center and behold the beautiful architecture, scenic parks, and gothic spires that fill the city. For the rest of the day, take the opportunity to explore Vienna as you wish. Tonight, you may choose to explore the interiors at the magnificent Schönbrunn Palace and listen to a musical performance at the famous Orangerie, where the past comes alive.

Breakfast Included

Visit Area: Vienna
This is the capital city of Austria, located on the Danube, with a population of over 2 million in the metro area. It is known as the “City of Music” because of the numerous famous composers who have lived and worked here, such as Mozart, Haydn, Beethoven and Brahms, and also as the “City of Dreams” as it was home to Sigmund Freud. Some of its primary sights are Schonbrunn Palace, Hofburg Palace, Opera House, Belvedere and St. Stephen’s Cathedral. Vienna is also known for its coffee houses and restaurants.

Choose how you spend your day because it’s your choice! Join a local guide in the Belvedere Museum, home to Gustav Klimt’s iconic painting, The Kiss -OR- stroll through the unique collection of the Kunsthistorisches Museum and savor a taste of Viennese coffee-house culture. Tonight, join your fellow travelers for a farewell dinner and toast to the end of your journey through so many unforgettable destinations of Europe.

Breakfast Included
Dinner Included

Admittance: Choice on Tour: Belvedere Museum or Kunsthistorisches Museum

Your tour ends today.

Breakfast Included