Compare European Extravaganza by Europamundo Vacations vs European Dream - End Paris, Small Group by Insight Vacations
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Trip |
5 | Excellent
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5 | Excellent
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Duration | 7 days | 12 days |
Price From | $ 984 | $ 4,425 |
Price Per Day | $ 141 | $ 369 |
Highlights |
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Trip Style | Group tour | Group tour |
Lodging Level | Premium | Premium |
Physical Level |
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Travel Themes |
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Countries Visited | ||
Cities and Attractions |
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Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Airfare included |
Activities |
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Meals Included |
1 Lunch |
N/A |
Description |
European Extravaganza and Enjoy Boat trip across Zurich lake. Journey by train. Enjoy the day in the most populated city of Switzerland, Zurich, the financial and cultural capital of the country. Zurich has twice been declared the city with the best quality of life in the world. |
Live the European dream on this 11-day guided tour. Luxuriate in Rome, explore the Vatican with fast track entry VIP access, take an exhilarating open top cable car up Lucerne's Mt. Stanserhorn in Switzerland and dine in opulence at La Coupole in Paris. Venturing out in Italy, you'll get a genuine taste of fresh local cuisine among the canals of Venice, with an exclusive dining experience at La Fenice restaurant. After your local Travel Director guides you through the stunning vineyard covered plains of Umbria, two all encompassing nights begin in Florence—breathing in an ambience of fine wine, cobbled streets and green marble cathedrals. Paris delivers at the finish with iconic sights, including the Arc de Triomphe, the Louvre, Place de la Concorde and the Champs Élysées. |
Day 1: Zurich
Today’s Highlights: Arrival. Transfer to the hotel.Welcome to Europe!!!. On arrival at the airport we shall be waiting to transfer you to the hotel. You can enjoy free time until your tour starts, information about the meeting place and start time can be found on the information boards in the hotel reception area.
Day 2: Zurich
Today’s Highlights: Boat trip across Zurich lake. Journey by train. We start the day with a stroll in the most populated city of Switzerland, Zurich, the financial and cultural capital of the country. Zurich has twice been declared the city with the best quality of life in the world. After this we will board a boat for a trip on Zurich lake, this will last about two hours. The boat makes brief stops, allowing us to admire the villages along the way. We get off in Rapperswil, a small and highly picturesque village overlooked by its medieval castle. We return to Zurich by train and will see the efficiency and punctuality of the Swiss Railways. Enjoy an evening in the historic centre next to the lake, here you can dine at one of the many restaurants offering a wide range of different cuisines.
Day 3: Zurich - Lucerne - Zurich
Today´S Highlights: Admire the fantastic landscapes. Cable car included to Grindenwald first. Lunch included. Today´s journey has beautiful landscapes with high mountains and lakes. Breathtaking scenery in the region of Interlaken. We will stop in Grindelwald where we will have time for a coffee before taking the cable car up to mountain. We will walk along the winding path which will lead us to the "footbridge over the empty". Dare to walk along the bridge amongst the fantastic scenery enjoying glaciers all around us. We will take lunch up the mountain (included) before heading back down. We continue to Lucerne, one of the most beautiful cities in Switzerland. In the evening we have time to stroll around, enjoying the city and taking dinner before we return to the hotel in Zurich.
Day 4: Zurich - Berne - Paris
Today’s Highlights: Explore Bern, the capital city of Switzerland. We will embark on a scenic journey to Bern, capital city of the confederation built around a bend in the Aare River, with its medieval architecture well preserved in the Old Town. Time to take a stroll. Next, we journey back to France. Enjoy beautiful lake views on our trip to Paris. We will arrive in the evening.
Day 5: Paris
Today’s Highlights: City tour in Paris. Climb to the second floor of the Eiffel Tower. Boat ride along the Seine. Evening transfer. Today we take a guided tour to discover the history, main boulevards and the breathtaking monuments of Paris. We end the visit at the Eiffel Tower. You will have the opportunity to climb up to the second floor of this remarkable metal monument (ticket admission included) . End your visit with a boat cruise along the River Seine, which divides the north of Paris from the south. Enjoy an afternoon of leisure to explore and relax! At sunset enjoy dinner in the Latin Quarter, a very picturesque historic area where a wide variety of international cuisines await you. We will then return to hotel. Note: Sometimes queues to climb the Eiffel Tower are long. For organizational reasons, if deemed appropriate, the climb can be made at a different time of the day (of Monday).
Day 6: Paris
Today’s Highlights: Time at leisure. We will start the day by going to the centre of Paris, to the area of the Louvre Museum. Enjoy some leisure time to explore. If you wish, we can accompany you to Benlux, one of the most complete and best-known perfumeries in Paris. Note: For those who are interested, an optional excursion to Disneyland Paris is available.
Day 7: Paris
After breakfast, end of our services.
Day 1: Welcome to Venice
Welcome to the Queen of the Adriatic, known for its unique waterscapes and rich cultural heritage. Transfers depart from Venice Airport and journey to the hotel by water taxi at 11:00 and 13:00. What better way to start your dream holiday than in true Venetian style? Join your Travel Director at 18:00 for a Welcome Dinner at the magical La Fenice restaurant. Savour a cocktail at twilight whilst being serenaded by an ensemble of talented musicians, and admire the tranquillity of St. Mark's Square long after the day-trippers have gone to their mainland hotels. Return to your hotel by a small canal in the quiet, peaceful authentic Cannaregio neighborhood.
Eurostars Residenza Cannaregio, Venice.
Dinner with Wine
Day 2: The Magic of 'La Serenissima' Relaxed Start
In the morning, prepare to embrace this most romantic city. Your hotel is located on the renowned Grand Canal. Visit St. Mark's Square, dominated by its magnificent basilica and overlooked by the great Clock Tower. Also in the square stands the immense Campanile and Doge's Palace which is connected to the ancient prisons by the Bridge of Sighs. Join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience as you witness the skill of glassblowers on a visit to a traditional arts centre. The rest of the day is free. Perhaps shop in the small arcades or why not cruise the Venetian lagoon to the island of Burano for a meal of local specialties and wine?
Eurostars Residenza Cannaregio, Venice.
Breakfast
Day 3: To the Eternal City of Rome
Head into the Apennine Mountains and the peaceful landscapes of Tuscany. Meet your Local Host for a guided tour through the house of the Italian Renaissance diplomat and writer, Nicolo Machiavelli, with an included special opening of his private office where he wrote 'The Prince'. Visit the Italian garden with views of the Florence Cathedral and the historic cellar, which has a secret underground tunnel connecting the cellars to the oldest restaurant in Italy. Savour a tasting of wines made from the vineyards surrounding the home, accompanied by delicious samples of local Tuscan fare. Your journey continues as you follow the course of the Tiber to your hotel in the Eternal City of Rome.
Veneto Palace Hotel, Rome.
Breakfast, Lunch with Wine
Day 4: Papal and Imperial Rome
With your Local Expert, visit the Vatican Museums. Insight provides special priority entry to avoid the crowds and gives you behind-the-scenes access to the Bramante Staircase, normally off-limits to the public. Inside the Sistine Chapel, admire Michelangelo's famous ceiling. Continue inside the cavernous St. Peter's Basilica, mother church of the Catholic faith, to see another Michelangelo masterpiece, the Pietà, as well as the splendid dome. Leave Vatican City to cross the Tiber and stand outside the Colosseum, imagining yourself back in the days of the gladiators. The afternoon is at leisure.
Veneto Palace Hotel, Rome.
Breakfast
Day 5: Umbria and onto Florence Relaxed Start
Meet chef Lorenzo at his family farm in Umbria. Explore the art of Italian cooking during an entertaining pasta demonstration and delicious Highlight Lunch accompanied by Orvieto Classico wine. Continue on to your hotel in Florence.
Hotel Adler Cavalieri, Florence.
Breakfast, Lunch with Wine
Day 6: Renaissance Florence
With your Local Expert, view the multi-coloured marble cathedral, bell tower and baptistery adorned by Ghiberti's Gates of Paradise. You also visit the open-air gallery of Renaissance masterpieces in Piazza della Signoria and see the area around Santa Croce Basilica, famous for the quality of its luxury goods.In the afternoon, enjoy free time to explore the Renaissance capital. Perhaps take the opportunity to visit the Tuscan town of Pisa and see the Leaning Tower?
Hotel Adler Cavalieri, Florence.
Breakfast
Day 7: Across the Alps to Lucerne
Head north towards the Italian Lake District via Lake Lugano. Continue into the heart of the Swiss Alps, passing through the Saint Gotthard Tunnel, one of the longest road tunnels in the world, before travelling alongside towering mountains and past rushing torrents, down to scenic Lake Lucerne. In Lucerne, see the town's proud Lion Monument, carved into a limestone cliff and dedicated to the heroic Swiss Guards who died defending King Louis XVI during the French Revolution. Then, take some time to stroll across the covered Chapel Bridge and see the baroque Jesuit Church.
Hotel Astoria, Lucerne.
Breakfast
Day 8: Lucerne and Mt. Stanserhorn
In the morning, embark on a scenic journey by funicular railway and open-top cable car to the summit of the stunning Mount Stanserhorn. Breathe in the pristine mountain air and, on a clear day, witness views as far as Alsace and the Black Forest in Germany. Explore Mount Stanserhorn with Insight Choice. Choose to walk along beautiful scenic pathways for a chance to see marmots and other native animals. Alternatively, join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience and hear a conservation talk by a Swiss ranger. With the day free, there is plenty of time for shopping for delectable chocolate in the traffic-free Old Town. Perhaps venture into the countryside for a delightful horse-drawn carriage ride and meet the local farmers? At night, you are offered a fine selection of restaurants to choose from for your Dine-Around Evening.
Hotel Astoria, Lucerne.
Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Day 9: Sights and delights of Paris
Journey through the rural French countryside of Burgundy, famous for its vineyards and wines, to arrive in the vibrant City of Light. During your time in Paris, see the impressive Eiffel Tower, the magnificent Notre-Dame Cathedral and the imposing facades of the Louvre. Discover the banks of the Seine with its many romantic bridges, see the obelisk in the centre of the Place de la Concorde and drive along the Champs Élysées to the Arc de Triomphe. With the evening free, there are countless opportunities to enjoy the lively atmosphere of this glittering city. Why not visit one of the world-famous cabaret shows?
Le Méridien Etoile, Paris.
Breakfast
Day 10: The food and flavours of Paris
Start your day with an Insight Choice. Choose to shop in quaint boutiques like a true Parisian with your Local Expert. Alternatively, join an avid foodie to explore small shops and sample local treats and delicacies. In the evening, indulge in refined French cuisine during your Celebration Dinner at the iconic restaurant La Coupole, frequently visited by the French entertainer Josephine Baker.
Le Méridien Etoile, Paris.
Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Day 11: Au Revoir Paris
Bid farewell to your travelling companions as your journey comes to an end. Transfers arrive at Charles de Gaulle Airport at 08:00 and 11:00.
Breakfast