European Whirl with Eurostar™ Extension
European Whirl with Eurostar™ Extension
European Whirl with Eurostar™ Extension
15 Days Starting and ending in London
Visiting: London, Brussels, Amsterdam, Boppard, Sankt Goar, Heidelberg, Rhineland-Palatinate, Munich, Innsbruck, Venice, Rome, Vatican City, Florence, Lucerne, Paris
Tour operator:
Tour code:
EWHIZN118
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Trip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
The tring-tring of bicycles sounds the start of your European Whirl. Kick back on the canals of Amsterdam and Venice, in the quiet lakeside beauty of Lucerne and among the Tuscan hills near Florence, with flavours of Italian Chianti setting the tone for an unforgettable trip.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Welcome To London
Location: London
Accommodation: The Tower
The vibrant British capital where you will spend the next two nights, enjoying the pomp and pageantry of a city that effortlessly combines old and new.
Day 2: Discover Historic London
Location: London
Accommodation: The Tower
Meals Included: Breakfast
Join a Local Specialist this morning for a tour to see the iconic sites of London, including Big Ben, the imposing Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey. Spend a leisurely afternoon shopping on Carnaby Street, consider visiting one of London’s museums or wander along the Thames watching ambitious Londoners pound the pavements.
Day 3: Eurostar™ To Brussels And On To Amsterdam
Location: London, Brussels, Amsterdam
Accommodation: Mercure City
Meals Included: Breakfast, Welcome Reception
This morning we meet our Travel Director before travelling to London's St. Pancras International where we will board the Eurostar™ for a high-speed train journey to Brussels and a luxury coach journey to Amsterdam. Enjoy an orientation of this historic Dutch city before joining your fellow travellers and Travel Director for a Welcome Reception dinner cruise on its canals.
Day 4: Journey To The Rhineland And A Scenic Cruise
Location: Amsterdam, Boppard, Sankt Goar, Heidelberg, Rhineland-Palatinate
Accommodation: Sinsheim
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Driving through the lush landscapes of the Netherlands and Germany, we arrive in Boppard where we board a cruise along the Rhine to St. Goar, passing vineyard-clad hills and medieval castles perched above riverside towns. Arriving in the Baroque city of Heidelberg, we explore its unexpected highlights before travelling to our Rhineland hotel.
Day 5: Off To Innsbruck
Location: Rhineland-Palatinate, Munich, Innsbruck
Accommodation: Tivoli Innsbruck
Meals Included: Breakfast
Crossing the Swabian Alps on the edge of the Black Forest, we arrive in the Bavarian capital of Munich. Our orientation takes us past the Hofbrauhaus, reputedly the most famous Beerhall in the world, and the neo-Gothic Town Hall which dominates the Marienplatz. We cross the Austrian border next, arriving in Innsbruck, the capital of the Alps. Admire the Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque architecture of the Old Town, including Emperor Maximilian's famous Golden Roof with its ornate façade and consider an evening of traditional Tyrolean entertainment.
Day 6: Onwards To The Canals Of Venice Make Travel Matter
Location: Innsbruck, Venice
Accommodation: Novotel Mestre Castellana
Meals Included: Breakfast
Journey through the emerald-green landscape along the Brenner Pass into Italy and across the Dolomite Mountains to Venice. We cruise the beautiful Venetian lagoon by private launch to the gateway of Venice, St. Mark's Square. View the ornate Doge's Palace and the Bridge of Sighs, so named for the sound made by condemned prisoners as they took one last longing look at their beautiful city before meeting their fate. Enjoy a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience where you’ll witness the centuries-old craft of Venetian glassblowing. You’ll learn how the master craftsmen shape the molten glass to make the exquisite and delicate works of art that adorn homes all over the world and perhaps be inspired to buy your own souvenir as a reminder of this special visit. There’s time later to enjoy the city your way. Get lost in Venice, cross bridges and discover hidden campi where locals share their daily stories over a glass of Venetian Spritz.
Day 7: All Roads Lead To Rome Connect With Locals
Location: Venice, Rome
Accommodation: A. Roma Lifestyle
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Travel south across the Veneto Plain, passing Bologna and the dramatic Apennine Mountains as well as the green and golden fields of Lazio before reaching Rome, the 'Eternal City'. En route, we Connect With Locals over lunch at a Be My Guest experience and enjoy true Tuscan hospitality with a local family on their private estate in the Chianti countryside.
Day 8: Discover Ancient Rome And The Vatican City
Location: Rome, Vatican City, Rome
Accommodation: A. Roma Lifestyle
Meals Included: Breakfast
Our first stop today sees us discover the divine beauty of the Vatican City. We'll visit St. Peter's Basilica with a Local Specialist to view Michelangelo's Renaissance masterpiece, the PietĂ . We continue to Ancient Rome to view Roman Forum, the walls of the iconic Colosseum and Circus Maximus, once the site of exhilarating chariot races centuries ago. The afternoon is yours to explore the city on your terms. Sit on the Spanish Steps savouring a tasty gelato, shop up a storm on the trendy Via Condotti or perhaps join an Optional Experience to see the magnificent frescoed ceiling of the Sistine Chapel.
Day 9: Continue To Renaissance Florence
Location: Rome, Florence
Accommodation: Hilton Metropole
Meals Included: Breakfast
From Rome, we travel north through the rolling countryside of Tuscany and along the Arno valley to the 'Cradle of the Renaissance', Florence. Delve into the rich Medici heritage of this beautiful medieval city with your Local Specialist. Visit the political hub of the city, Piazza della Signoria, with its impressive sculptures and stunning palazzi. View the imposing Duomo, crowned by Brunelleschi’s dome, and the Baptistery, renowned for its sculptured bronze doors.
Day 10: Across The Alps To Lucerne
Location: Florence, Lucerne
Accommodation: Grand Europe
Meals Included: Breakfast
Drive via the scenic Italian Lakes District, across the Alps into beautiful Switzerland, where we'll spend the next two nights in the medieval lakeside city of Lucerne. View the mournful, mortally wounded lion hewn from rock to commemorate the Swiss Guards who lost their lives defending Louis XVI. Walk along the flower-lined 14th-century covered Chapel Bridge, crossing the river Reuss.
Day 11: Explore Lucerne
Location: Lucerne
Accommodation: Grand Europe
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
This morning join an exciting Optional Experience to one of the surrounding peaks for breath taking views of the Swiss countryside. We have some time later to discover the best Swiss chocolates in town.
Day 12: On To Captivating Paris
Location: Lucerne, Paris
Accommodation: Evergreen Laurel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Crossing the border into France this morning, we travel past the picturesque vineyards and country towns of Burgundy en route to the 'City of Lights'. Spend some time this evening strolling along the Seine and grand boulevards in search of a cosy bistro for fine French cuisine or consider an Optional Experience to a colourful Parisian cabaret.
Day 13: Discover The Sights Of Paris
Location: Paris
Accommodation: Evergreen Laurel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Join a Local Specialist today for a sightseeing tour of this romantic city. View the sophisticated Champs-Élysées, Place de la Concorde, the 19th-century Arc de Triomphe, honouring those who fought for France, and Notre Dame Cathedral, then enjoy a stroll through the Latin Quarter. Our European Whirl is almost at its end, we spend the evening with fellow travellers and our Travel Director, enjoying a Farewell Dinner in a local bistro.
Day 14: Catch The Eurostar™ To London
Location: Paris, London
Accommodation: The Tower
Meals Included: Breakfast
Transfers are provided to Paris Gare du Nord station, where you'll board the Eurostar™ train to London. The journey time to London St. Pancras International is 2 hours and 20 minutes. On arrival in London, you are met and transferred to your hotel.
Day 15: Journey Home
Location: London
Meals Included: Breakfast
Enjoy an English breakfast at the end of your holiday.
What's Included
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An expert Travel Director and professional Driver
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All porterage and restaurant gratuities
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Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
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All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
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Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals
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Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras
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Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing
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Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
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Eurostar high-speed train from London to Brussels
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Optional Experiences and free time
Check out our Q&As
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
The beauty of taking a guided holiday with us is that you’ll have the opportunity to meet and travel with people from all over the globe.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Vaccination against Covid-19 is not mandatory to travel with Trafalgar. However, we strongly recommend that guests are vaccinated before travelling. Please note that airlines and/or other authorities may have different requirements. It is the guest's responsibility to comply with these requirements at all times.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 1947
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Trafalgar is a founding partner of the TreadRight Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation established in 2008. So far, the charity has donated more than US$2 million to help underprivileged communities and support sustainable tourism around the world.
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
Reviews of this Operator
Book with Confidence
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Trafalgar allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform trafalgar, 90 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Trafalgar requires a minimum deposit of 200 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of trafalgar charges.
Up to 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.