Grand European
Experience Overview
This Grand European trip has all the 'musts', but also takes you off the beaten path. Discover the gourmet talents of France, the heart of the Black Forest and the moreish delights of Sachertorte in classical Vienna, leaving with a song in your heart and a polka in your step.
Highlights
Dining Summary
- 22 Breakfast (B)
- 7 Dinner (D)
Be My Guest
- Amsterdam: Go Dutch and share a relaxed dinner, savoring delicious local cheeses with the Pauw family on their dairy farm near Amsterdam.
Iconic Experience
- Amsterdam: Cruise along the old waterways with your Travel Director and fellow travelers. Discover the architectural gems of the old city, including mansions dating from the Golden Age of the 17th Century.
- Rhineland: Cruise beneath the semi-ruined castles and terraced vineyards. Sleepy villages slip by as you saunter upstream to the Lorelei Rock where the enchantress lured sailors to their doom.
- Heidelberg: See the magnificent castle built in red sandstone, overlooking the Student Prince’s town.
- Rhine Falls: See these spectacular falls.
- 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.
- Vaduz: Explore Vaduz and admire the Royal family's residence, Vaduz Castle, which overlooks the capital.
- Innsbruck: Nestled amidst majestic mountains, Innsbruck is a beautiful city offering a unique combination of nature, history, and culture. Stroll the streets of the picturesque Old Town and learn about its history with your Travel Director.
- Salzburg: Join your Local Specialist to visit the formal gardens of Mirabell Palace and Residence Square - both locations used in 'The Sound of Music.' See the imposing fortress, the immense cathedral and Mozart's birthplace on the lively Getreidegasse.
- Vienna: Walk through the first district, Inner Stadt, as your Local Specialist reveals the historic core of the city. Tour the Ring Road to see the Hofburg Imperial Residence, Opera House, Parliament Building and Karlskirche.
- Assisi: With a Local Specialist, find out why the Basilica of St. Francis is considered to be one of the crowning artisitic achievements of 13th-century Europe.
- Pompeii: Walk with a Local Specialist through the cobbled streets of this ill-fated town, frozen in time since the 1st century.
- Capri: Join a Local Specialist on a walk through elegant Capri to gain insight into the island's local culture and historic landmarks.
- Rome: Experience Rome through the eyes of a local, as a passionate Roman guides you past the city's most iconic sites.
- Florence: Join a Local Specialist to view the multi-colored 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.
- Pisa: During an orientation, your Travel Director will show you the baptistery, cathedral and the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa.
- Monaco City: See the cathedral where Prince Rainier and Princess Grace were married.
- Nice: Enjoy exploring the beautiful coastal city of Nice on the French Riviera.
- Saint-Paul-de-Vence: Discover the beauty of this hilltop town and gain insight into why it became a refuge for artists.
- Avignon: View the Pont d'Avignon and walk the medieval narrow streets of the Old Town to the Palais des Papes.
- Beaune: Marvel at Beaune's famous renaissance roofing style during an orientation of this wine capital.
- Paris: Join a Local Specialist to discover the hidden squares and secret lanes of Paris.
MAKE TRAVEL MATTER®
- Venice: Discover the ancient skill of Venetian glassblowing and play a part in preserving this traditional craft. Your visit directly supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.
Must-see Highlights
- Fast-track Admission to the Vatican Museums
- Explore London, Bruges, Salzburg, Vienna, Assisi, Pompeii, Capri, Rome, Florence, Paris
- Discover Amsterdam, Heidelberg, Lucerne, Innsbruck, Venice, Pisa, Monaco, Nice, Avignon
- Visit the Rhine Falls at Schaffhausen, Vaduz, a glassblowing factory in Venice, excavations in Pompeii and the Sistine Chapel in Rome, Saint-Paul-de-Vence, Beaune
- View the ancient sites of Rome, the Leaning Tower in Pisa, Avignon's Papal Palace and Pont d' Avignon, Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris
- See the Lorelei Rock in Rhine Valley, Benedictine Abbey of Monte Cassino, vineyards of Burgundy
- Scenic Cruise through Amsterdam's canals, by private launch to St. Mark's Square in Venice, the Rhine River and to the Isle of Capri
Trip Details
Product Code: 28176
Tour Type: Group Tour
Accommodation: Deluxe
Transport: Private
Guide Language: English
Travel Styles:
Family, 55+
Tour Operator:
Trafalgar (CA)
Supplier Code: 265.947B
Starts: London, United Kingdom
Finishes: Paris, France
Duration: 23 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical Rating:
Easy
Includes
Whats Included
- 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)
- Ferry across the Channel from Dover to Calais
- Optional Experiences and free time
- London: The services of a Trafalgar Local Host when you stay at Trafalgar's recommended London hotel
- Eurostar high-speed train from Paris to London
- On occasion, hotels of similar standard and location may be utilized.
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $8,682 ($377 /day)
Itinerary
The bright lights of London are your launchpad to a grand adventure through Europe. Broaden your horizons and explore the culture and heritage of the British capital or spend your day relaxing after your journey.
Accommodation: Melia White House.
Join a Local Specialist this morning to see the iconic sights of London. From Big Ben and the imposing Houses of Parliament that stand alongside the Thames, to regal Buckingham Palace at the end of the grand Mall. Spend the day exploring London's bustling city streets, relax in one of the beautiful Royal Parks or visit one of the captivating museums and galleries for which the city is so famous.
Accommodation: Melia White House.
Meals: Breakfast
Leave London behind and travel by Eurostar to medieval Bruges. Meet your Local Specialist to explore its canals, lined with centuries-old gabled houses before joining your Travel Director and travel companions for dinner and drinks in beautiful surrounds.
Accommodation: De' Medici
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Journey through the Dutch countryside to captivating Amsterdam, see the city's iconic sights from the comfort of a canal boat. At this evening's dinner, we’ll Connect With Locals during a Be My Guest experience at the Pauw family dairy farm.
Accommodation: Mercure City
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Travel to Germany, arriving at Boppard where we board a Rhine cruise past hilltop castles. Admire the magnificent ruined sandstone castle in Heidelberg overlooking the Neckar River en route to your Rhineland hotel where you'll dine this evening.
Accommodation: Holiday Inn Mannheim City – Hauptbahnhof
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Journey through romantic Black Forest landscapes today – tales of the Brothers Grimm are your constant companion as you continue through southwest Germany to the Swiss border. See the mighty Rhine Falls plunging dramatically near the town of Schaffhausen before arriving in the medieval city of Lucerne, your home for the next two nights.
Accommodation: Radisson Blu
Meals: Breakfast
See Lucerne's poignant Lion Monument this morning. The mournful mortally wounded lion hewn from sandstone provides a sombre reminder of the brave Swiss Guards who lost their lives defending Louis XVI during the French Revolution. Venture to the flower-lined 14th-century wooden Chapel Bridge, explore Old Town’s colorful façades or consider an exhilarating mountain and cruise Optional Experience. This evening we enjoy dinner at our hotel.
Accommodation: Radisson Blu
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Our love affair with the Rhine continues today as we travel to the tiny Principality of Liechtenstein and see its capital, Vaduz, before crossing into Austria. Follow the scenic Arlberg Pass through the Tyrol to Innsbruck, the capital of the Alps where you will see the ornate Golden Roof during an orientation tour. Admire the fascinating crystal installations and browse for precious gifts and souvenirs at the Swarovski Crystal Worlds Store.
Accommodation: Grauer Bär
Meals: Breakfast
Salzburg's extraordinary natural beauty has inspired musical greats and epic films. Join a Local Specialist on a guided walking tour of the city that gave birth to Mozart, featuring locations that music and movie lovers will remember from the famous film, 'The Sound of Music'. This evening, we arrive in the beautiful Baroque city of Vienna, our home for the next two nights.
Accommodation: NH Danube City
Meals: Breakfast
Join a Local Specialist on a sightseeing tour of one of Europe's most elegant capitals. View the State Opera House, the City Hall, Parliament, the Imperial Boulevards and the Hofburg, the former imperial palace for the Habsburg dynasty. Spend the evening soaking up the melodic charm of what has become the world's music capital, celebrating the talents of old masters and modern icons at open-air concerts, palaces and expansive stages.
Accommodation: NH Danube City
Meals: Breakfast
Driving through the scenic Austrian Lake District, we cross the Italian border and journey through the Veneto Plains to the Byzantine city of Venice where we'll spend the next two nights.
Accommodation: Le Boulevard Lido
Meals: Breakfast
Today, embark on a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience where you’ll Dive Into Culture and witness the centuries-old Venetian tradition of glassblowing, which has been handed down through the generations. The master craftsmen will share how they use the same techniques their forefathers did to create the delicate art adorning homes all around the world. You may be tempted to buy one of the works for your own hope, recognising that through your visit you’ve had a hand in helping preserve this important cultural heritage of the city. Navigate the bustling waterways by private launch to the gateway of Venice, St. Mark's Square where we tread in the footsteps of Casanova and Marco Polo and admire the sights and sounds of the 'Queen of the Adriatic'. See the ornate Doge's Palace and the Bridge of Sighs. This afternoon is yours to get lost in Venice. Explore the labyrinthine calle in search of the best Venice Spritz in town, watch the sun set over the Grand Canal or consider a cruise to the Island of Burano for a delicious meal.
Accommodation: Le Boulevard Lido
Meals: Breakfast
Journey south to the mystical town of Assisi, where St. Francis was born and laid to rest. Here you'll stroll through the city’s streets in the company of a Local Specialist and have an opportunity to visit the Basilica of St. Francis. See the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels and enjoy dinner at your hotel tonight.
Accommodation: Casa Leonori
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Pass the site of the bloody World War II battle of Monte Cassino en route to the Bay of Naples and the lost city of Pompeii where you'll join a Local Specialist who will share the story of this remarkable ancient Roman settlement that was buried in ash following the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. We continue to the coast and the beautiful seaside resort of Sorrento where we will stay the night in our hotel.
Accommodation: Grand Cesare Augusto
Meals: Breakfast
Cross the enchanting blue water of the Bay of Naples to the Isle of Capri and ascend to Capri by funicular railway where you will join a Local Specialist for a guided walking tour of the town. Spend a leisurely afternoon soaking up la dolce vita in the piazza before sailing back to the mainland. This evening we arrive in Rome, the 'Eternal City', where we will spend the next two nights.
Accommodation: Midas Palace
Meals: Breakfast
Delve into the delights of Rome with a Local Specialist who will take you on a sightseeing tour. Enjoy sights of the Vatican City, see pilgrims from across the world and St Peter's Basilica. Cross the Tiber River into Ancient Rome to see the Roman Forum, the walls of the mighty Colosseum and enjoy views of Circus Maximus. This evening, Roman flavors take center stage with a delicious dinner.
Accommodation: Midas Palace
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Journey north to Florence where you'll join a Local Specialist for an included walking tour to the Piazza della Signoria, the political hub of this once free republic that became a recognised center for art, architecture and culture. See the beautiful marble Duomo and Baptistery with its famous bronze doors, and the picturesque Ponte Vecchio which straddles the Arno. Learn about the quality and workmanship of one of this city's historic industries at a demonstration of Florentine leathercraft. Spend the rest of the day at your leisure admiring the work of great masters in the Uffizi Gallery, climbing the stone steps to Piazzale Michelangelo for iconic views, or relaxing in the Boboli Gardens.
Accommodation: Villa Neroli
Meals: Breakfast
We drive to the city of Pisa and its Square of Miracles to see the famous Leaning Tower which bears this city's name. From Italy to the sun-kissed landscapes of the French Riviera, we stop in the sophisticated Principality of Monaco before continuing to the French Riviera, our home for the next two nights. Enjoy an orientation drive along the scenic Promenade des Anglais, which for centuries has attracted sun-worshipping aristocrats to its shores, and see Place Massena before spending the evening at leisure.
Accommodation: Holiday Inn Nice
Meals: Breakfast
Rub shoulders with artists and actors in the medieval hilltop town of Saint-Paul-de-Vence before enjoying an afternoon at leisure in the French Riviera to indulge in the laid-back seaside atmosphere. Wander along the scenic promenade and embrace café culture on the tranquil shores of the Mediterranean, stroll through the chic city streets shopping at the French Riviera's fashionable boutiques or relax on the beach watching the sun set. Or perhaps join an Optional Experience to see spectacular views of one of the most beautiful coastlines in Europe and pay an aromatic visit to the historic Fragonard perfumery to learn how French fragrances are crafted before trying some specialties from the region at a local restaurant.
Accommodation: Holiday Inn Nice
Meals: Breakfast
Travel north to the Papal city of Avignon, an important pilgrimage site. Stop for views of the magnificent Papal Palace and famous Pont d'Avignon before arriving in the capital of the Burgundy wine-producing region, Beaune. Explore the ancient walls and the Old Town, see its characteristic geometrically colored tiled roofs.
Accommodation: Mercure Center
Meals: Breakfast
Travel north through the vineyards of Burgundy to Paris, your home for the next two nights. The 'City of Lights' shines brightly as you explore its grand boulevards, amble along the Seine or embrace the pageantry of a traditional Parisian cabaret.
Accommodation: Evergreen Laurel
Meals: Breakfast
Join a Local Specialist soaking up the sights and sounds of one of the world's most romantic cities. See the Champs-Élysées and the Eiffel Tower. View Notre Dame Cathedral and enjoy a stroll through the Latin Quarter. Enjoy a free afternoon exploring the city, then conclude the day with an unforgettable dining experience at a local restaurant.
Accommodation: Evergreen Laurel
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Today, bid farewell to your fellow travelers and Travel Director at the end of your holiday.
Meals: Breakfast
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Tour Operator
Trafalgar (CA)
Family owned and run since 1920, The Travel Corporation (TTC) is the world leader in immersive travel experiences across an extensive range of travel categories. Each year TTC's 40 award winning hospitality and travel brands connect over 1 million happy travellers to the world. We give you access to the 12 DMC’s behind these brands, so you can build your business by capitalizing on the extensive experience, local expertise, and financial assurance of TTC. LOCAL EXPERTISE The world leaders in travel for over 100 years, we offer unparalleled local expertise with a global footprint. Our 12 DMCs, led by experienced in-destination teams, deliver experience rich travel solutions in more than 80 countries. Additionally, our market based teams are on hand to support across our 40 offices worldwide
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