Compare Best of the West by Euroadventures vs European Affair & The Chelsea Flower Show - 2022 by Insight Vacations
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Trip |
5 | Excellent
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5 | Excellent
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Duration | 11 days | 10 days |
Price From | $ 705 | $ 3,295 |
Price Per Day | $ 64 | $ 330 |
Highlights |
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Trip Style | Group tour | Group tour |
Lodging Level | Standard | Premium |
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Travel Themes |
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Countries Visited | ||
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Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Airfare included |
Activities |
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Meals Included |
8 Breakfasts |
N/A |
Description |
An 11 day & 10 night break trip that is a highlight reel of some of the world’s top destinations featuring 5 of Europe’s best cities! This break trip takes you to Germany's historic and electric capital, Berlin; the intoxicating Dutch capital of Amsterdam with its famous canals & museums; Belgium's best city, Bruges to wander it's cobblestone streets & canals, munch on some fries, waffles and chocolate for a day; the elegant ‘city of lights’, PARIS for two days; and to the pulsating and vibrant Spanish city of Barcelona. This is quintessential Europe at its finest and a trip that will make all others back home jealous! |
Experience the finer things in life as you cruise through the canals of medieval Bruges, admire the Mona Lisa at Le Louvre in Paris and witness the world’s largest flower auction in Amsterdam. Arriving into London, Britain puts its best foot forward with the internationally renowned Chelsea Flower Show. Be on the lookout for the royal, the rich and the famous at the world’s premier garden show before embarking on an exclusive Thames River Dinner Cruise. Hop the English Channel to France and live it up at the Loire Valley Chateaux—where the riverside castles at Chenonceau and Chambord flash back to the heyday of the French royal family. The regality continues with a tour of King Louis XIV’s palace of Versailles before the vacation draws to a close at Monet's Garden and water-lily pond. |
Day 1:
Depart Florence/Rome via luxury coach w/DVD movies. Stops for dinner/bathroom along the way.
*Fly-in package arrival on your own to Berlin with trip starting on Friday (you will be sent exact instructions on how to arrive). Actvities start from Friday when the bus group arrives. If you plan on arriving a day earlier, and would like an extra night of accommodations, please contact us.
Day 2:
Berlin Approximate arrival to the hostel in Berlin 10:00am with time to drop bags (check in to rooms available from 3pm), get some food and freshen up and then head out on our walking tour of Berlin (start time at 12:00pm). Walking tour covers the main sights of historic Berlin (specifically East Berlin and WWII history) from the Brandenburg Gate, Checkpoint Charlie, the Holocaust memorial, Berlin Wall & Topography of Terror and more. After the walking finishes, you will have free time the rest of the day to explore Berlin, souvenir shopping, visit museums, etc. We’ll then meet in the lobby for an optional night out in Berlin and pub crawl!
Day 3:
Berlin Breakfast provided. Free day to explore Berlin, souvenir shopping, visit museums, the famous Berlin Zoo, etc. An optional group dinner at the local beerhall will be offered. After dinner we’ll head out on the town again to check out more of Berlin’s great nightlife!
Day 4:
Amsterdam Breakfast provided, check out and early departure (approx. 7:30am) to Amsterdam. Arrival into Amsterdam at approx. 3:30pm with an offered walk exploring the highlights of the old city center.
Day 5:
Amsterdam Breakfast provided. Optional morning walk through the cities famous canals and to the Heineken experience for those that want to join and enjoy a few local brews (included in the price of admission). After the walking tour finishes, there is free time for the remainder of the day and night.
Day 6
Bruges & Paris Breakfast provided, check out, and morning departure (approx. 8am) to Bruges with arrival at approx. 11am-12pm. Join us for a walk around Bruges, or free to explore on your own (we have approx. 4 hours in Bruges). Meet back at the bus at approx. 4:00 pm for departure to Paris. Arrival into Paris at approximately 9 pm. After arrival and check in to hostel we’ll walk over to see the Eiffel Tower and its amazing light show at night!
Day 7
Paris Breakfast provided followed by walking tour of Paris to see the highlights of this beautiful city. After the walking tour finishes, you’ll have a free afternoon and evening to enjoy Paris.
Day 8
Paris Breakfast provided and check out (store your bags in the luggage room of the hostel). Included transporta:on to the famous palace of Versailles for a morning visit. Early afternoon arrival back to center with several hours to enjoy Paris before evening departure to Barcelona. For those not wanting to go to Versailles it’s a totally free day to explore Paris, go souvenir shopping, visit museums, etc.. Departure for Barcelona at approx. 8pm for overnight ride.
Day 9:
Barcelona Morning arrival to Barcelona and hostel with a little time to drop bags (check in to rooms available from 3pm), get some food and freshen up and then head out on our walking tour of Barcelona. Tour will include stops such as Las Ramblas, the central Boqueria market for a great food stop, Plaza Catalunya and to the Illa de la Discòrdia (Block of Discord) featuring Gaudi’s Casa Batllo and Casa Mila as well as some of Barcelona’s best shopping and ending at the famous Sagrada Familia cathedral. At night we will head to an optional flamenco show, and then out for drinks at some of the many lively bars & clubs!
Day 10:
Barcelona Breakfast provided. Free day to explore Barcelona’s gothic streets, visit museums, go shopping or to the beach! The Euroadventures leader will be offering a late afternoon trip to Gaudi’s Parc Guell to catch the spectacular sunset over the Mediterranean. Free night to rest & relax, enjoy a tapas dinner and/or head out to experience some of Europe’s best nightlife again. .
Day 11:
Meals: Breakfast
Check out and early morning departure back to Italy with late Sunday night arrival.
* Fly-In package departure from Barcelona on your own.
Day 1: Welcome to London
On arrival, you are transferred to your hotel where the rest of the day is at leisure to relax or explore London. This evening join your Travel Director for a Welcome Drink and trip briefing at the hotel.
Day 2: Chelsea Flower Show
Today is dedicated to the famous Chelsea Flower Show, run by the Royal Horticultural Society, this is the ‘mecca’ of all garden shows. Bringing together the very best show gardens, flowers, and gardening from around the world, lose yourself amongst the magnificent floral displays and show gardens. Enjoy elaborate displays featuring courtyard, city and roof gardens, and hear from the experts. This evening dine on a spectacular Thames River Dinner Cruise.
Day 3: London to Amsterdam
Travel to Dover for the channel crossing to Calais, and transfer to Amsterdam. Later we board our canal boat and dine as we gently glide along the canals, past traditional Dutch-gabled houses built right on the water’s edge, and under picturesque bridges.
Day 4: Floriade
Start your day at the famous Aalsmeer Flower Auction, the largest of its kind in the world. Experience the intoxicating bustle of the auction floor and witness the incredible number of blooms sold every day. Later visit the Floriade Expo 2022, a once-in-a-decade horticultural and international garden exposition. The theme is “Growing Green Cities”, you will have time to visit the Green Island and other districts focusing on food, energy and health.
Day 5: Amsterdam to Bruges
Continue to medieval Bruges in Belgium. Stroll along the cobbled streets lined with high, gabled houses from the Golden Age of the 16th century. Visit the market square dominated by the 272ft Belfry of the Market Hall. Then explore Burg Square with its ornate Gothic town hall and glorious frescoes on the walls of the Holy Blood Chapel. Afterwards, enjoy a relaxing canal cruise, followed by a delicious dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 6: Bruges at Leisure
A free day to explore medieval Bruges at your own pace. Don’t forget to try some of the tempting chocolates or beers for which Belgium is renowned for.
Day 7: Bruges to Paris
Depart Bruges for glittering Paris. Enjoy sightseeing with a Local Expert, taking in the imposing facades of the Louvre and Garnier Opera House. See the obelisk in the Place de la Concorde and drive along the Champs Élysées to the Arc de Triomphe and see the Eiffel Tower, completed for the World Exhibition in 1899.
Day 8: Loire Valley Excursion
Today take a day trip from Paris to visit two of the most famous Chateaux of the Loire Valley: the picturesque Château de Chenonceau, and perhaps most magnificent of them all, the Château de Chambord. You’ll witness the glamour and grandeur of French royalty and aristocracy, and gain insights into ‘castle life’ in these iconic Renaissance riverside estates.
Day 9: Versailles and Giverny
Spend the day admiring two of Europe’s most celebrated gardens, Versailles and Giverny. France’s royal history is revealed at King Louis XIV’s majestic palace of Versailles which, along with its magnificent garden, became the quintessential model for palaces in Europe. Visit the luxurious Grand Apartments, the chandelier-lit Hall of Mirrors and the Chapel of Versailles. Then we head to Giverny to view the gardens that inspired many of Impressionist Claude Monet’s paintings.
Day 10: Farewell Paris
Your memorable journey comes to an end as you bid your Travel Director farewell. Transfers arrive at Charles de Gaulle Airport at 08.30 and 11.00.