Compare Classic Europe by Expat Explore

Day 1: Amsterdam

Welcome to the first day of the tour, where you will arrive at the hotel and meet your fellow travellers and your Expat Explore tour leader. This evening, we travel into Amsterdam centre for a canal cruise of Amsterdam. Complete with pizza and ice cream, you will explore the city from a unique perspective and gain an alternative perspective of this eclectic and bohemian city, while drifting past famous landmarks, and learning about Amsterdam’s interesting history.

Experiences
Amsterdam Canal Cruise - Sail along Amsterdam's stunning canals at twilight and enjoy a delicious pizza as you cruise.  A perfect  introduction to Amsterdam you will cruise along Amsterdam's atmospheric canals. Choose from different types of pizza, Ben and Jerry's ice cream,  and upgrade to include unlimited soft drinks, beer and wine. 

Accommodation
Hampton by Hilton Schipol Airport
Extra Information
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner

Day 2: Amsterdam - Paris

On our journey to Paris, we take a comfort stop at the capital of Belgium, Brussels, where you will see famous landmarks such as the Mannekin Pis statue and the Atomium. In the afternoon we travel on to Paris - 'The City of Lights and Love'. We'll take you on a driving tour of the French capital; get your cameras ready - you’ll be seeing some of the city’s most treasured landmarks, including the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame and the Arc de Triomphe! After the driving tour we'll enjoy dinner at a restaurant in the Latin Quarter, an eclectic, bohemian and historic neighbourhood. We'll then travel back to the hotel on Paris' world famous metro system, ready to explore the city further on our free day tomorrow!

Experiences
Comfort stop in the historic capital city of Belgium, Brussels
Driving Tour of Paris. We’ll take a driving tour of this famous city when you arrive. Look out for L’Opéra Garnier, the Tuileries Gardens, Place de la Concorde, Hotel de Ville, The River Seine, l'Ile de la Cite, the Louvre Museum, Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Lovers Bridge, Sacre Coeur, Montmartre, Pigalle (the Red Light District) and the Moulin Rouge!

Accommodation
Ibis la Defense
B&B Porte Des Lilas
B&B Paris Malakof
Ibis Paris La Villette Cité des Sciences
B&B Paris Italie Porte de Choisy
B&B Hôtel Orly Chevilly
Other Foods to try
It's not all fine dining - visit a boulangerie (bakery) and try simple but delicious baguette, croisants and Jambon-beurre sandwiches.
Extra Information
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner

Day 3: Paris - Free day

The wonderful thing about Paris is that it there is so much to experience, regardless of the time of day, or season. The Seine River is the backbone of the capital, and flows through the heart of the city. The banks are peppered with book sellers and market stalls if you wish to walk. But, why not choose a cruise, and cruise your way past the grandeur of the gothic Notre Dame cathedral, to the epic Eiffel Tower? The commentary from the river boats will give you invaluable knowledge and information of the city. For the art buffs amongst you, The Louvre (home of the Mona Lisa) and Montmartre are a classic choice. Famous architecture is scattered through the city, and ‘strolling’ is the best mode of transport for taking in every ounce of history. Paris Disneyland is perfect for the ‘young at heart’, and is only a short distance away. Your Expat Explore tour leader is brimming with ideas and local knowledge, so that you can get the best out of your time here. Don’t forget to find out where you can sample such French delicacies as frogs legs and snails - not your typical garden variety!
Attractions to discover in your free time
Arc de Triomphe Daily, 1 October - 31 March 10:00-22:30, 1 April - 30 September 10:00-23:00 with a last entry 45 minutes before closing time, Closed on 1st January, 1st May, 8th May (morning), 14th July, 11th November (morning), 25th December Full price: 12 EUR, Reduced: 9 EUR
Eiffel Tower Summer - Lift: 09:00-00:45 with a last entry at 23:00 (top), Stairs: 09:00-00:45 with a last entry at 00:00; Rest of the year: Lift: 09:30-23:45 with a last entry at 11:00/10:30 (top), Stairs: 09:30-18:30 with a last entry at 18:00 Admission (lift): Adults: 25 EUR, Between 12-24 yrs: 12.5 EUR, Under 4 yrs: Free
Disneyland Paris Daily 10:00 - 19:00
(Click here for info) varies
Musée d'Orsay Various times: 09:30 - 18:00 Adults €13 ; Students (18-25) €8.50 ; Children (under 18) Free
Sacré Coeur Daily 06:00 - 22:00 Free
Notre Dame Daily 07:45 - 18:45, Sat & Sun 07:45 - 19:15 Free
Rodin Museum Tue-Sun 10:00 – 17.45 Adults €6 ; Students (18-25 yrs) €5 ; Children (under 18) Free
Louvre Various times 09:00 - 18:00 (Closed Tues) Adults €15 ; Children (under 18) Free
Sainte-Chapelle Daily 09:30 - 18:00 Adults €8.50 ; Children (under 18) Free
Catacombes Tue-Sun 10:00 - 20:30 (last entry 19:00) Adults €13; Children (under 18) Free
Panthéon Daily 10:00 - 18:00 Adults €7 ; Children (under 18) Free
Place de la Concorde Varies Free
Jardin des Tuileries Various times 08:30 - 17:00 Free
Jardin du Luxembourg Various times 08:30 - 17:00 Free
Orangerie Museum Wed-Mon 09:00 - 18:00 Adults €11.00 ; Children €8.50
Optional Excursions
Paris + Tour €50
River Seine Cruise €12
Cabaret Show €70-90
Montparnasse Observation Deck €15
An Evening in Montmartre €40
* Stated prices and availability are subject to change.

Day 4: Burgundy - Swiss Alps

Au revoir Paris! Today we sample a taste of small town France with a lunch stop in Burgundy. In the town of Beaune you can visit the beautiful Hospices de Beaune, or try the famous wine. After lunch we take a long scenic drive across the border into Switzerland and head towards the Swiss Alps for our stay in a typical alpine resort town. Welcome to the Swiss Alps, your home for the next two days!

Experiences
Burgundy lunch stop: enjoy a stop in Burgundy, a UNESCO World Heritage site and famous wine-producing region. You will have some free time to explore this beautiful medieval town centre and the opportunity to try local food and wine.
Scenic Mountain Drive: spectacular views as we drive through mountain passes and alongside lakes, breath-taking mountain vistas and scenic views of quaint Swiss towns.

Accommodation
Hotel Hoheneck Engelberg
Other Foods to try
Cheese fondue - dip bread and meat into a pot of delicous melted cheese.
Extra Information
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner

Day 5: Swiss Alps - Free day

It’s a guaranteed snow day! For 365 days of the year, the summit of Mount Titlis is covered in snow, and your tour leader can arrange a full day excursion to the top of this mountain in the heart of the Swiss Alps! The journey up the mountain is a highlight in itself, providing panoramic views of mountains, lakes and glaciers. Alternatively, for those who wishing to spend their free day exploring the local sights, you can explore Engelberg, feast on Swiss chocolate fondue, take in a spot of sight-seeing and souvenir shopping, or just wander through the town, breathing in that crisp, fresh, Alpine air!
Optional Excursions
Mount Titlis €100
* Stated prices and availability are subject to change.

Day 6: Pisa - Tuscany

It’s time to swap snow for gelato as you continue your European tour from your mountain adventure towards stunning Italian vistas. Make sure you prepare you camera for a photo opportunity of a lifetime when we stop at the Leaning Tower of Pisa! This world-famous 840 year old Bell Tower is immaculately presented, and aching for you to creatively try to ‘push’ it back up, in one of your cleverly crafted photos. A World Heritage UNESCO Site, The Leaning Tower is visited by tourists from every corner of the globe, and is one of the most popular cultural European landmarks. Onwards to the exquisite Tuscan region - famous for wine, food, art and architecture. You will settle in Montecatini Terme, a spa town north-west of Florence. The light here is beautiful at this time of day... time for a local wine or two.

Experiences
Your chance to see the world famous Leaning Tower of Pisa, or even take some iconic pictures of you ‘holding up’ the tower.  
Optional Excursions
Tuscan Dinner €22
* Stated prices and availability are subject to change.

Accommodation
Hotel Massimo d'Azeglio
Hotel Meridiana Florence
Other Foods to try
Lampredotto is a Florence street food, consisting of the fourth stomach of the cow cooked in a broth and then served with salsa verde or/and spicy sauce.
Extra Information
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner

Day 7: Florence - Rome

Today, your Italian adventure continues to amaze, as you continue through the Tuscan region to the city of Florence, and then on to the capital of the nation - Rome! Once in Florence, a local guide will show you around on a walking tour of the city. History oozes out of every pore of this artistic and cultural centre - the city is home to Michelangelo’s ‘David’. The architecture lining the streets is astounding and so well-preserved, you wouldn’t imagine these buildings are centuries old. We then continue on to the capital, Rome! This afternoon is the perfect opportunity to take advantage of an optional excursion to visit the Vatican City - the smallest country in the world! Inside the walls, you can visit the Sistine Chapel and see for yourself the famous ceiling painted by Michelangelo, as well as numerous other famous art pieces dotted around the buildings.

Experiences
Walking Tour of Florence: The capital city of the Tuscan region of Italy, this is considered to be the birthplace of the Renaissance. We will take you on a walking tour with a professional local guide where you will see Florence's Baptistery, Bell Tower, Gates of Paradise, Brunelleschi's Dome, Piazza della Signoria, Palazzo Vecchio, Ponte Vecchio.
Optional Excursions
Vatican City guided tour €50
* Stated prices and availability are subject to change.

Accommodation
Hotel Cristoforo Colombo
Hotel Club House Roma
Hotel American Palace
Other Foods to try
Typically based on seasonal ingredients prepared in a simple way, with lots of vegetables (peas, artichokes and beans), meat (lamb and goat) and cheeses (Pecorino romano and ricotta).
Extra Information
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner

Day 8: Rome - Free day

Today is a free day for you to experience Rome's ancient history, exquisite culture and delicious food. The Colosseum is spectacular, offering an unbelievable feeling of drifting backwards in time, to when gladiators, chariots and lions dominated the arena. Your tour leader can arrange for a combined tour of the Colosseum and Roman Forum with an expert local guide. You also have the option of joining our 'Conquer the Capital' excursion, seeing sights including the Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain and Pantheon, and enjoying a delicious lunch and gelato tasting.
Attractions to discover in your free time
Roman Forum - Palatine Museum - Coliseum Various 08:30-19:30 € various
Castel Sant'Angelo Apr-Sep: 09:00-19:00 | Oct-Mar: 09:00-14:00 Adults €8, Children €6
Catacombs Thu-Tue: 09:00-12:00 & 14:00-17:00 Adults €8, Children (7-15 yrs) €5
Saint Peter Basilica April-Sep: 07:00-19:00 | Oct-Mar: 07:00-18:00 Free
Saint Peter Cupola (tower) April-Sep: 08:00-18:00 | Oct-Mar: 08:00-18:45 €6 steps / €7 elevator
Optional Excursions
Colosseum & Roman Forum Guided Tour €35
Rome - Conquer the Capital €40
* Stated prices and availability are subject to change.

Day 9: Rome - Venice

Take note of the scenery as we make our way to Venice - vineyards and orchards flash in front of a majestic mountain backdrop. The diversity of the Italian landscapes will continue to impress. Venice is a unique city, perched across 118 islands, and known for its canals, gondolas, Venetian masks, piazzas, art, traditional glass and lace making. Your tour leader will introduce you to the city with an orientation walk so you can use your free time in the early evening to explore. See the world-famous St Marks Square, Grand Canal and Rialto Bridge. The evening is yours to wine and dine, with hundreds of local restaurants and bars on offer. After an espresso, explore Venice the traditional way - from the canals. Your tour leader can arrange for gondola and water taxi rides that give you a completely different perspective and appreciation for the amazing structure of this unique destination.

Experiences
Orientation tour of Venice: Your tour leader will take you into the heart of this unique floating city for an orientation to help you explore and see St. Mark’s Square, St. Mark’s Basilica, St. Mark’s Museum, Doge’s Palace, Rialto Market and Scuola Grande di San Rocco. 
Optional Excursions
Trip T-shirt or Hoodie €21-32
Venice Gondola Ride €20
Venice Water Taxi €20
* Stated prices and availability are subject to change.

Accommodation
Elite Residence Hotel
NH Laguna Palace
Hotel Complex Ambasciatori & Delfino
Hotel Venezia
Other Foods to try
Pizza. Thin, crispy, fresh basil and delicious toppings!
Extra Information
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner

Day 10: Venice - Munich - Bavaria

We leave Italy for Munich, the capital of the Bavarian region of Germany. With much of the city having to be restored after WW2, the modern and ancient history of Munich is fascinating, and the appreciation of the effort to rebuild the city is gilded with respect. Your tour leader will take you on an orientation tour of the city, showing you some the highlights, including Karlsplatz and Marienplatz, and explaining more of its history. This evening, we will enjoy dinner in a traditional German beer hall.

Experiences
Your tour leader will take you on an orientation tour of Munich, the capital and largest city of the German state of Bavaria. You will see Karlsplatz and Marienplatz, New Town Hall, Church of our Lady, and if you visit in the winter the traditional German Christmas markets.
We take you to visit a traditional beer hall and sample some German food and drink, including famous German sausages (vegetarian options available) and beer.

Accommodation
ACHAT Premium München-Süd
Atrium Im Park Regensburg
AZIMUT Hotel Munich City East
Econtel Munich
Hotel Dolomit
ibis Augsburg Hauptbahnhof
Ibis Muenchen City
ibis Nuernberg City am Plaerrer
Intercity Augsburg
Super 8 City West
Other Foods to try
Tonight you will enjoy dinner in a traditional beerhall. Dishes include typical German favourites, such as a sausages with sauerkraut, chicken with potato salad, and potato dumplings with sauerkraut (vegetarian option).
Extra Information
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner

Day 11: Bavaria - Nuremberg - Berlin

Leaving Bavaria behind, we stop off in picture-perfect Nuremberg. Having served as a residence for German kings over many centuries, Nuremberg was an architectural marvel, and famous for its artists, too. We then drive on to Berlin, Germany's capital. On arrival, we'll take a driving tour through the city and see some of the city's more famous landmarks. Having prospered until the outbreak of the Second World War, it then endured division during the cold war, symbolized in the infamous Berlin Wall. This is a fascinating city with a firm understanding of what it takes to rebuild and regenerate - over and over again; the very essence of creativity. Reminders of the past are everywhere, but Berlin has a vibrant culture to enjoy, too.

Experiences
Enjoy a driving tour of Berlin to learn about the amazing history of this vibrant city.

Accommodation
IBIS Berlin Ostbahnhof
Ibis Berlin City West
Grand City Berlin City East
Tryp by Wyndham City East
Other Foods to try
Currywurst - German sausage covered in a mixture of ketchup, Worcester sauce, and curry powder.
Extra Information
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner

Day 12: Berlin - Free day

Today is a free day in Berlin, so take time to investigate some of the sights you would have seen yesterday on the driving tour, or strike out on your own to discover more of the city for yourself - the choice is yours! For an incredible bird's eye view of the city, head up the Berlin TV tower - located close to Alexanderplatz, it has become an icon of the capital. Fancy some museum action? Then head over to the museum island, a collection of five world-famous museums on an island in the heart of Berlin’s city centre. After a day of exploring you may wish to relax or party; Berlin has you covered, with an incredibly vibrant nightlife offering plenty of bars, clubs and shows - from theatre to cabaret.
Optional Excursions
Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp Memorial €30
Hop on hop off bus tour €30
* Stated prices and availability are subject to change.

Day 13: Berlin - Amsterdam

This morning, you will say your goodbyes to Germany on the final leg of your tour as you return to the Netherlands. With your Expat Explore tour leader giving you a run down on local traditions and culture, you will be given an opportunity to indulge three of the most iconic Dutch products - cheese, clogs and windmills! A very entertaining cheese and clog making display will have you fascinated and wanting to taste the cheese and try on the clogs. Checking into your hotel you have a chance to freshen up, before making the most of your last evening of the tour. Why not wander round the city centre - the cafes, restaurants and bars will be buzzing with activity and atmosphere. This is your last night on tour, so squeeze every last drop out of it!

Experiences
Visit to a Windmill, cheese and clogs demonstration. Cheese and clogs demonstration – see how these famous shoes are traditionally made by hand and taste some fantastic cheeses. Of course the chance to shop and get those unique souvenirs.
Optional Excursions
Farewell dinner €30
* Stated prices and availability are subject to change.

Accommodation
Hampton by Hilton Schipol Airport
Holiday Inn Amsterdam Schiphol
Other Foods to try
Dutch Kroket, cheese, bitterballen and pastries!
Extra Information
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner

Day 14: End of tour

The tour concludes today in Amsterdam after breakfast. Don’t forget to swap details with your fellow travellers before your onward journey home!

Experiences
If you would like to extend your stay in Amsterdam after the tour, please contact us to confirm the hotel.
Other Foods to try
Dutch Kroket, cheese, bitterballen and pastries!
Extra Information
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner