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Home > Insight > Europe > European Heritage
We are the World's Largest seller of Insight Tours. Call us and find out why!| European Heritage | Save 10% Off this Tour - GUARANTEED! |
 | | Tour Operator | Insight | | Tour Code | E916M | | Vacation Quality | First Class | | Vacation Type | Tour and Cruise | | Number of Days | 38 | | Starting Price | $9599 (Select Dates)* | | Countries Visited | Austria, Belgium, Croatia, England, France, Germany, Greece, Holland, Italy, Slovenia, Switzerland, Turkey | | City Highlights | Amsterdam, Athens, Bonn, Bruge, Brussels, Capri, Cologne, Dubrovnik, Florence, Innsbruck, Italian Lakes, Kusadasi, Kusadasi, London, Lucerne, Mykonos, Nice, Paris, Patmos, Pompeii, Rhineland, Rhodes, Rome, Salzburg, Sorrento, Split, Venice, Vienna, Zagreb |
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This grand tour has many two-night stays in the major cities and is well paced. There is a relaxing break in the middle of the itinerary with the three night Greek Island cruise.
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ITINERARY
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38 DAYS ~ ENGLAND ~ BELGIUM ~ HOLLAND ~ GERMANY ~ AUSTRIA ~ SLOVENIA ~ CROATIA
~ ALBANIA ~ GREECE ~ TURKEY ~ ITALY ~ FRANCE ~ SWITZERLAND
Tour Pace -This grand tour has many two-night stays in the major
cities and is well paced. There is a relaxing break in the middle of the itinerary with
the three night Greek Island cruise. All the travelling days have frequent stops.
Fellow Passengers - This tour often appeals particularly to
visitors from the southern hemisphere who want to see as much as possible in one trip.
This tour is the most comprehensive on offer and therefore is an ideal choice for
everyone.
DAY 1 – WED – DEPART USA. Overnight flight to London.
DAY 2 – THU – ARRIVE LONDON. Welcome to London! After
checking in to your hotel, the afternoon is at leisure. Why not take a stroll to nearby
Hyde Park.
Hotel: Thistle Marble Arch.
DAY 3 – FRI – LONDON SIGHTSEEING. Your half day
sightseeing tour of London’s West End shows you Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, the
Houses of Parliament, Downing Street, Trafalgar Square and Buckingham Palace.
The afternoon is free to explore or shop. (B)
DAY 4 – LONDON – BRUGES. After a warm welcome from your
Tour Director, travel to Dover to take the ferry to France. Make your way to
Bruges, one of Europe's best preserved medieval towns. Walk along the
canals and cobbled streets lined with high gabled houses. Admire the
exquisite lacework, traditional to the town, and visit the Market Square
dominated by the octagonal belfry of the Market Hall. During your stay your
Tour Director will introduce you to the world of Belgian beer! Handy to know at
tonight’s Welcome Drink.
Hotel: NH Brugge. (CB,D)
DAY 5 – BRUGES – AMSTERDAM. Drive to Amsterdam, a
city with hundreds of tree-lined canals. See Dam Square and the Mint Tower
on your way to a demonstration of diamond cutting. Then spend time at leisure in
this fascinating city.
Hotel: Moevenpick City Centre. (BB)
DAY 6 – AMSTERDAM SIGHTSEEING. Drive through typical Dutch
countryside with its windmills and canals to the old, traditional village
of Volendam, situated on the banks of the Ijsselmeer. Learn how traditional
clogs and cheese are made before returning to your hotel. (BB)
DAY 7 – AMSTERDAM – RHINELAND. Stop for a photo at the
‘Bridge Too Far’ in Arnhem before crossing the German border to
reach Cologne. See the soaring spires of the cathedral, then continue
alongside the river via Bonn, to the scenic Rhine Gorge. Join your
cruise past half-timbered villages and turreted castles perched high above terraced
vineyards. Hotel: Maritim Park hotel. (BB,D)
DAY 8 – RHINELAND – INNSBRUCK. Drive south into the
Bavarian Alps to see King Ludwig’s Neuschwanstein Castle. Take a scenic
alpine drive through the Alps into Austria. Arrive at Innsbruck where you walk
through the Old Town to see the Golden Roof.
Hotel: Hilton. (BB,D)
DAY 9 – INNSBRUCK – VIENNA. Make your way to
Salzburg ‘alive with the Sound of Music’. Walk with your guide
through the Mirabell Gardens and see Mozart’s birthplace. This
afternoon, drive along the Danube Valley, passing Melk Abbey, to stately
Vienna.
Hotel: NH Danube City. (BB)
DAY 10 – VIENNA SIGHTSEEING. With a local guide, visit
Schönbrunn Palace, built as a summer residence for Maria Theresa during the golden
age of the Hapsburg empire. Head into the city centre to tour the Ring Street,
pass the Opera, the soaring spires of the City Hall and the
Parliament. Finish with an explanation of the history and culture of the
Viennese café. (BB)
DAY 11 – VIENNA – ZAGREB. Drive through Styria’s
forested mountains and over the Slovenian border to Maribor. Follow the Drava
River to Croatia and its capital of Zagreb. On a guided tour, see
Roosevelt Square, Ban Josip Jelacic Square and the Cathedral. Move on to
the medieval Upper Town, and its Presidential Palace, Stone Gate, St Marks
Church and the Pope’s Tower.
Hotel: Sheraton. (BB,D)
DAY 12 – ZAGREB – PLITVICE REGION. Time at leisure this
morning. Maybe take an optional excursion to Tito’s home town of Kumrovec before
departing for Plitvice Lakes National Park, one of Europe’s finest natural
wonders. Hotel: Jezero. (BB,D)
DAY 13 – PLITVICE REGION – SPLIT. Today tour Plitvice
Lakes National Park, a Unesco World Heritage Site.Visit Korana Canyon to see the falls
and Tomicevo Pogledalo for views over the park. Drive on to the Dalmatian
coast, and admire the cathedral and Renaissance Cipiko palace in Trogir
before continuing to Split. Some 1700 years ago, the Roman Emperor Diocletian built his
palace here; today you can explore the streets and buildings within that same
palace.
Hotel: Atrium. (BB)
DAY 14 – SPLIT – DUBROVNIK. Visit the old Roman port of
Salona to admire the Roman Baths, Amphitheatre and Necropolis. Continue
through sun-drenched resorts to the 'Pearl of the Adriatic' Dubrovnik, still
surrounded by magnificent battlements.
Hotel: Grand Hotel Park. (BB,D)
DAY 15 – DUBROVNIK SIGHTSEEING. Join a local guide for a
sightseeing tour of the Old Town, seeing Onofrio’s fountain, the
Rector’s Palace, the well preserved city walls, as well as the
Franciscan and Dominican monasteries. The afternoon is at leisure – relax at
an outdoor café, shop in the bazaar and maybe take the ‘Sunset Cruise’
this evening. (BB)
DAY 16 – DUBROVNIK – TIRANA. Over the border, visit the
Old Town of Kotor before continuing through the spectacular scenery of Montenegro
to the border with Albania. Cross into this mysterious emerging country and stay in the
capital of Tirana.
Hotel: Sheraton Hotel & Towers. (BB,D)
DAY 17 – TIRANA – IOANNINA. Head south through the
spectacular scenery to the northern mountainous region of Greece and the resort of
Ioannina. Hotel: Du Lac. (BB,L,D)
DAY 18 – IOANNINA – ATHENS. Take a scenic drive to the
ancient capital of Greece, Athens. From the top of your hotel you can see the Acropolis
and the sea.
Hotel: Metropolitan. (BB)
DAY 19 – ATHENS SIGHTSEEING. This morning your Athens
sightseeing tour offers glory in abundance, from the Parthenon and Acropolis to the the
Temple of Zeus, the Temple of the Wingless Victory and Hadrian’s Arch. The
afternoon is at leisure to explore at your own pace. (BB)
DAY 20 – CRUISING – MYKONOS. Board your cruise
ship and set sail for the Cyclades. Arrive early evening at the lovely island
of Mykonos with its sugarcube houses, duo-tone chapels and white- washed
windmills. The narrow lanes of the town were originally built to discourage the wind and
pirates! Tonight they’re yours to explore. (BB,L,D,S)
DAY 21 – CRUISING – RHODES. Enjoy a full day on
Rhodes, 'the island of roses', once the fortified headquarters of the crusaders and
former home to the Colossus of Rhodes. There is time to explore the Old City or
stroll along the beautiful beaches. Tonight, enjoy a Greek Evening and Dinner
with entertainment. (B,L,HD,S)
DAY 22 – CRUISING – PATMOS – KUSADASI. Dock at the
island of Patmos. St John the Divine was exiled here by the emperor Domitian and
it was during his two year stay that he received his vision of the Apocalypse. Sail to
the Turkish port of Kusadasi to visit the bazaar or perhaps take an excursion to
the ancient ruins of Ephesus. (Shore excursions are bookable on board.) (B,L,D,S)
DAY 23 – AT SEA. The cruise ends in Athens where you join your
transfer coach. Explore the fascinating markets of the Plaka before crossing the
breathtaking Corinth Canal to the Peloponnese region of Greece. At the port of
Patras board your overnight ferry to Italy. (BB)
DAY 24 – SORRENTO. Disembark in Bari and cross the Apennines to
the Italian west coast. Cruise to the magical island of Capri and ascend to Capri town
by funicular railway. Browse in the exclusive boutiques before returning to the
picturesque resort of Sorrento.
Hotel: La Pace. (BB,D)
DAY 25 – SORRENTO AT LEISURE. Time to visit lively Piazza
Tasso to watch the art of ‘intarsio’ wood inlaying. Maybe explore
the Amalfi Coast before returning to the hotel? (BB,D)
DAY 26 – SORRENTO – ROME. Drive to the Roman town of
Pompeii, buried by an eruption of Vesuvius in 79AD. Your local guide leads you through
the cobbled streets, shops, villas and temples as you imagine the plight of the
ill-fated citizens, going about their daily business, in total ignorance of what was to
come. Then it’s on to the ‘Eternal City’ of Rome. Hotel: Grand
Hotel Beverly Hills. (BB)
DAY 27 – ROME SIGHTSEEING. With a local guide, visit the the
superb Vatican Museums and see Michelangelo's famous ceiling in the Sistine Chapel.
Then see Michelangelo’s ‘Pieta’ inside St Peter’s
Basilica. Cross the River Tiber to visit the massive Colosseum and look out over the
Roman Forum. Later, consider visiting the Catacombs. Tonight, enjoy a Dine-Around
evening which offers you a choice of selected restaurants for your dining pleasure. Enjoy
a short group tutorial on the wines that compliment your evening meal. (BB,DA)
DAY 28 – ROME – FLORENCE. Drive north into the beautiful
region of Tuscany and follow the Arno valley to the Renaissance city of Florence.
Hotel: Lorenzo il Magnifico. (BB,D)
DAY 29 – FLORENCE SIGHTSEEING. Explore the riches of the
Renaissance on your Florentine walking tour. Firstly, visit the Academy Museum
with a local guide to see Michelangelo's original ‘David’, then walk on
to the massive domed, marble clad Cathedral. You will see the Baptistry
too, where Ghiberti's ‘Gates of Paradise’ have been recreated in all
their glory. Last stop is Signoria Square, political heart of the city. After a
demonstration of traditional leather work, the rest of the day is at leisure.
(BB)
DAY 30 – FLORENCE – VENICE. Descend the Apennine
Mountains to the flood plains of the River Po for a scenic drive along the
famous Brenta Riviera. See the magnificent classical villas that were once
the summer residences of the Venetian nobility. Finally it’s on to magical
Venice, where the city seems to float on the lagoon. A private launch ferries you
past canals lined with ornate palaces to your hotel, close to St Marks
Square and overlooking a romantic waterfront where gondolas moor for the night.
Hotel: Cavalletto E Doge Orseolo. (BB,D)
DAY 31 – VENICE SIGHTSEEING. Only steps away from your hotel is
St Mark’s Square; see the ornate Basilica, the Doges’
Palace and Bridge of Sighs. Watch Venetian glass being blown before
enjoying a Highlight gondola ride through the canals. (BB)
DAY 32 – VENICE – NICE. Cross the Northern Plain of
Italy, passing Milan en route to Genoa. Take the Highway of the Flowers
past Monaco to the resort of Nice.
Hotel: Radisson SAS. (BB)
DAY 33 – ST PAUL DE VENCE & CANNES EXCURSION. Get to
know the village of St Paul de Vence, revel in its pleasures and experience its art and
lifestyle. Then visit fashionable Cannes, home to the famous film festival.
The rest of the day is at leisure to explore the French Riviera. (BB)
DAY 34 – NICE – LUCERNE. Visit a local French
perfumery before passing through the Italian Lake District en route to the
Swiss Alps and lovely lakeside Lucerne.
Hotel: Astoria. (BB)
DAY 35 – LUCERNE SIGHTSEEING. Ascend Mount Pilatus by
cog-wheel railway for stunning 360 degree views of the Swiss Alps. Later, back in
Lucerne, see the Lion Monument, Jesuit Church and Chapel Bridge before
enjoying some free time to shop. (BB,D)
DAY 36 – LUCERNE – PARIS. Cross the border at Basel and
continue through the wine region of Burgundy to the glittering French capital of
Paris.
Hotel: Pullman Paris Bercy. (BB)
DAY 37 – PARIS SIGHTSEEING. Sightseeing with a local
guide shows you the highlights of the city. See the Gothic Notre Dame
Cathedral, then drive past the facades of the Louvre to the Place de la
Concorde, its centre occupied by a giant Egyptian obelisk. Continue along the
elegant Champs Élysées to Napoleon’s Arc de Triomphe.
Now ascend the Eiffel Tower for fine views over Paris. The afternoon is at
leisure; perhaps some shopping or visit the superb Louvre museum? (BB)
DAY 38 – RETURN TO USA. After breakfast, your departure
transfer will arrive
at Charles de Gaulle Airport at 07:30. (BB)
Notes
Additional visa requirements
Visas may be required for some countries on this tour and may be obtained by your Travel Agent.
***Fuel Surcharge*** There is a fuel surcharge on this tour. The amount of $32 per person will be added to the cost of the tour when you book.
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WHATS INCLUDED
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Highlights - This tour has many highlights including the stunningbeauty of Croatia, the emerging Albania, the delights of the Greek Islands, the artisticheritage of Rome & Florence and the excitement of glittering Paris.
Hotels - The vast majority of the hotels on this tour are modernlike the Sheraton in Zagreb. There is the more classical Lorenzo il Magnifico in Florenceand Sorrento’s La Pace and plus the traditional Cavalletto E Doge Orseolo in theheart of Venice.
Premium Highlights
Embark on a scenic Rhine Cruise past medieval castles, vineyards and breathtakingsceneryIn Vienna, walk in the steps of royalty with your local guide as you visitSchönbrunn PalaceTour the Plitvice Lakes National Park, a scenic wonderland of pristine lakes,waterfalls and forestAscend the Acropolis in Athens to visit the Parthenon, built in honour of the GoddessAthenaCruise to Capri, the Island of Dreams, and ascend to Capri town by funicularrailwayGlimpse a moment of every day Roman life, as you tour the excavations of PompeiiVisit the superb Vatican Museums and admire Michelangelo's ceiling in the SistineChapelExplore the wonders of ancient Rome as you visit the Colosseum and overlook theForumSee Michelangelo's original ‘David’ in Florence’s AcademyMuseumFloat through the romantic canals of Venice in a traditional gondolaEnjoy an exhilarating ride by cog-wheel train and cable-car to the summit of MountPilatusEnjoy panoramic views over Paris from the lofty heights of the Eiffel Tower
Personal Insights
Know your ‘Kwaks’ from your ‘Devils’! Enjoy an introductionto Belgian beerAn entrée to the history and significance of Viennese café cultureDiscover the heritage of contemporary art at medieval hilltop Saint-Paul deVenceEnjoy a short group tutorial on the wines that compliment your evening meal inRome
Additional Excursions & Sights
See the canals of medieval BrugesSee Amsterdam’s Mint Tower & Dam Square and visit the fishing village ofVolendamSee Cologne CathedralSee the castle of NeuschwansteinSee the Golden Roof & Imperial Palace in InnsbruckVisit Salzburg’s Mirabell Gardens and see Mozart’s BirthplaceDrive Vienna’s Ring Road past the Winter Palace & Opera HouseVisit the Slovenian town of MariborSee Zagreb’s Ban Josip Jelacic Square & Cathedral & tour the UpperTown
Additional Excursions & Sights
See the Cipiko Palace & Cathedral in TrogirExplore Split’s historical buildingsSee the Amphitheatre, Roman Baths and Necropolis in SalonaSee Onofrio’s Fountain, Rector’s Palace & the awesome city walls ofDubrovnikAdmire the Franciscan and Dominican monasteries in Dubrovnik Old TownVisit Kotor situated on its fjordSee Hadrian’s Arch & Temple of Zeus in AthensVisit the Greek Islands of Mykonos, Patmos, Rhodes & Turkish port ofKusadasiVisit St Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican City, housing art by MichelangeloVisit the ‘Gates of Paradise’ & Signoria Square in FlorenceDrive the Brenta CanaSee St Mark’s Basilica, Doges’ Palace & Bridge of Sighs inVeniceExcursion to the chic resort of CannesView Lucerne’s Lion Monument & Chapel BridgeSee Notre Dame Cathedral & Arc de Triomphe in Paris
Insight's First Class Services
Escorted by a professional Tour DirectorLuxury air-conditioned 40 seat coach with onboard toiletInsight Hotels include all service charges, taxes and porterage3 night cruise with outside cabin & porthole, including all port taxes & crewgratuitiesInsight Traveller document wallet, map book journal and information packFree London Airport shuttle service, conditions apply, see Savings and ConditionspagesAirport Shuttle departure transfer at a scheduled time on Day 38
Quality Dining
Dine-Around evening at your own choice of restaurant from our selection in Rome(DA)Enjoy a Greek Evening and Dinner with entertainment whilst cruising (HD)1 Continental (CB), 1 Full Breakfast (B) & 34 enhanced or buffet breakfasts (BB),4 lunches (L) and15 three course table d’hôte dinners, or buffets, plus tea or coffee (D)and 3 Suppers (S)
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HOTELS
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LONDON - Thistle Marble Arch
BRUSSELS - Sofitel Toison d’Or
AMSTERDAM - Moevenpick City Centre
RHINELAND -Maritim Parkhotel
INNSBRUCK - Innsbruck
VIENNA - Sofitel
ZAGREB -Sheraton
PLITVICE - Jezero
SPLIT - Atrium
DUBROVNIK - Ariston
TIRANA - Sheraton Hotel & Towers
IOANNINA - Du Lac
ATHENS - Metropolitan
SORRENTO - La Pace
ROME - International Palace
FLORENCE - Sheraton
NICE - Radisson SAS
LUCERNE - Astoria
PARIS - Concorde Saint-Lazare | | ^Top |
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| Apr 12 - May 19, 2009 | Call Us | $9599 | Call Us | $8639 |  | | Apr 26 - Jun 02, 2009 | Call Us | $9850 | Call Us | $8865 | | | May 03 - Jun 09, 2009 | Call Us | $9850 | Call Us | $8865 | | | May 10 - Jun 16, 2009 | Call Us | $9899 | Call Us | $8909 | | | May 17 - Jun 23, 2009 | Call Us | $9850 | Call Us | $8865 | | | May 24 - Jun 30, 2009 | Call Us | $9899 | Call Us | $8909 | | | May 31 - Jul 07, 2009 | Call Us | $9799 | Call Us | $8819 | | | Jun 07 - Jul 14, 2009 | Call Us | $9725 | Call Us | $8753 | | | Jun 14 - Jul 21, 2009 | Call Us | $9850 | Call Us | $8865 | | | Jun 21 - Jul 28, 2009 | Call Us | $9790 | Call Us | $8811 | | | Jun 28 - Aug 04, 2009 | Call Us | $9790 | Call Us | $8811 | | | Jul 05 - Aug 11, 2009 | Call Us | $9750 | Call Us | $8775 | | | Jul 12 - Aug 18, 2009 | Call Us | $9750 | Call Us | $8775 | | | Jul 19 - Aug 25, 2009 | Call Us | $9750 | Call Us | $8775 | | | Jul 26 - Sep 01, 2009 | Call Us | $9750 | Call Us | $8775 | | | Aug 02 - Sep 08, 2009 | Call Us | $9825 | Call Us | $8843 | | | Aug 09 - Sep 15, 2009 | Call Us | $10035 | Call Us | $9032 | | | Aug 16 - Sep 22, 2009 | Call Us | $10075 | Call Us | $9068 | | | Aug 23 - Sep 29, 2009 | Call Us | $10075 | Call Us | $9068 | | | Aug 30 - Oct 06, 2009 | Call Us | $10075 | Call Us | $9068 | | | Sep 06 - Oct 13, 2009 | Call Us | $10325 | Call Us | $9293 | | | Sep 13 - Oct 20, 2009 | Call Us | $9875 | Call Us | $8888 | | | Sep 20 - Oct 27, 2009 | Call Us | $9875 | Call Us | $8888 | |
Note: All prices, itineraries, accommodations and dates are subject to change without notice and at any time by the tour operators. Availability is limited and must be reconfirmed at time of booking. Please call us toll free at 1-800-935-2620 to confirm availability and current pricing on all our discounted specials. The prices on this website are not guaranteed until a deposit has been made. We are not responsible for errors, omissions, or changes in these prices until a booking has been confirmed by one of our agents. Some land prices may include an internal air component and discounts will not be offered on the internal air component. Discounts will not be offered on packages with a land price of less than $500. |
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