Heart of Europe Grand Tour
Member Savings
Sign in to see which companies give additional
savings to Travelstride Members (it’s free)
Overview
Highlights
- Visit to Heidelberg
- Visit Romantic city of Venice
- Explore a glass-blowing workshop where highly skilled artisans craft anything from delicate figurines to grand, multi-colored chandeliers
- Visit the Swiss Transport Museum, or relax on one of the lovely lakeshore promenades
- Visit the intriguing Hospices Museum
What's this trip about?
Compare to similar trips
Details
Travel Themes
Destinations
Attractions
Activities
Trip includes
- Accommodation: Superior Tourist Class (3-star) and First Class (4-star) hotels
- Meals: The included dinners follow a fixed menu;
- Breakfast Daily: Breakfasts are commonly served buffet style at your hotel
- Tips for all aspects of the tour that are pre-arranged by Image Tours, such as hotels, restaurants and other services.
View Similar Trips
Itinerary
Refer to 'Preparing for your Departure' in your Trip Documents for easy check-in procedures. Take time to relax on your transatlantic flight with the assurance that Image Tours has taken care of all the details.
Meals: Dinner
Upon arrival, clear passport control and collect your luggage. Refer to your “Arrival Instructions” page in your Trip Documents for directions on where and when to meet your tour manager. Board your deluxe motor coach for a pleasant drive through ...
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Today’s visit to Delft provides a charming introduction to your Dutch experience. Prepare to be captivated by the picturesque streets lined with medieval buildings, characteristic canals, friendly cafés offering Dutch pancakes, and i...
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
This morning, make your way to the Belgian province (state) of Flanders and its capital, Antwerp, known for its convivial atmosphere and cozy outdoor cafés. Be sure to try a Belgian waffle. There are also fine lace and irresistible c...
Meals : Breakfast and Dinner
In Germany, some of your travel will be on the Autobahn, the first state-of-the-art superhighway system, which was expanded by Hitler. Near Koblenz, leave the Autobahn and wind through the Rhine River Valley to Boppard. A pleasure b...
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
This morning, travel to the storybook town of Rothenburg, a beautifully preserved medieval village surrounded by the original town walls. When you see the narrow cobblestone streets, distinctive inns, and charming shop fronts, it fee...
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Munich, the elegant capital of Bavaria, lies 60 kilometers (37½ miles) east. Step out for free time at the Marienplatz, a pedestrianonly zone where historic buildings are cleverly interspersed with modern store fronts. The focal poin...
Meals: Breakfast
The peaceful villages tucked in the valleys around Innsbruck provide the perfect location for a relaxing day. If you would like to return to Innsbruck today, hotel staff can assist with taxi or public transportation information. Another choice ...
Meals: Breakfast
Enter Italy via the Europa Bruecke (Bridge), a remarkable feat of mountain highway engineering through the Dolomites, a mountain range known for its reddish appearance. After the customary morning break, you are in for a special treat as you de...
Meals: Breakfast
Today features a full-day visit to the romantic city of Venice, famous for its canals, bridges, colorful gondoliers, and the magnificent St. Mark’s Square. All transportation is done exclusively over water. So, like the Venetians, you’ll take a...
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
The countryside is painted with golden rolling hills, olive groves and sleepy villages as you travel south on the Italian Autostrada del Sol (Highway of the Sun). In the early afternoon make a stop at a charming provincial village be...
Meals: Breakfast
The entire day is devoted to the wonders of Rome. This is an energetic, modern metropolis, yet proudly protective of its abundant historical sites, crowned by the Colosseum (Roman Arena) which dates back to 80 A.D. During the city bus tour, see...
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Return to Rome for further exploration this morning. The best way to see more of this marvelous city is on foot. Sip a cappuccino at the Spanish Steps, stroll through the Piazza Navona, visit the market vendors at the Campo de Fiori,...
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
After breakfast and a short drive, you will be standing in front of the intriguing Leaning Tower of Pisa. Next, travel to Florence for a guided walking tour of the piazzas (town squares), with their countless sculptures and architect...
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Travel north toward the unsurpassed splendor of the Italian and Swiss lake districts. Crossing the border, Switzerland greets you with the contrast of snow-capped peaks as the background to the palm tree-lined Lake Lugano. Often refe...
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Traveling through William Tell country, you descend upon Lake Lucerne. The soaring peaks of Rigi, Stanserhorn and Pilatus, standing guard over this vast water basin, create one of the most imposing sights in Europe. Today's first sto...
Meals: Breakfast
The church bells usher in another glorious day. Follow the Swiss Autobahn to Basel, strategically located where Switzerland, Germany and France meet, and the Rhine River becomes navigable. The mountains give way to hilltop villages and rustic v...
Meals: Breakfast
Around lunch time you will arrive in Paris ... La Ville Lumière (The City of Light). Begin your introduction to Paris in the Montmartre district, where Paris looks as it does in old paintings and artists still display their works. Here you may ...
Meals: Breakfast
A full free day to continue your exploration of Paris. A great way to begin your sightseeing is by joining the optional Seine River Cruise excursion, providing unsurpassed views of some of the city’s major landmarks. During your free time, your...
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
After breakfast, take the high-speed Eurostar train under the English Channel and into London in less than three hours. A motor coach and local guide welcome you and point out London's famous landmarks such as the Houses of Parliamen...
Meals: Breakfast
Spend the day pursuing personal interests. In the morning, the tour manager will offer an optional 'Tower of London' excursion. If you wish to see the Changing of the Guard, check with the hotel because performances are limited to late mornings...
Meals: Breakfast
Transfer to the London airport for the return flight home.
Want a tailor-made trip instead?
Your trip, your way, planned by an expert:
- You choose budget, destinations, activities, transport & lodging type
- Expert designs the itinerary for you, and once approved, takes care of logistics
Dates & Availability
Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Image Tours.
The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.
Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.
Image Tours Reviews & Ratings
i had a wonderful time
In May of 2016 we did the Heart of Europe Grand Tour which started in Amsterdam and ended in London. Both my husband and i had a wonderful time and saw sites we may ...
well informed and comfortable during the tour!
Just got back from 2 wonderful weeks touring Germany, Austria and Switzerland with Image Tours. I researched European tours for months and am so happy I chose Image....
Other Image Tours Reviews
First trip to Europe and London
I would have to say that everything we experienced on our Heart of Europe Grand to include London tour was wonderful. We were always looking forward to the next cou...
Image Tours provided an outstanding tour experience
Image Tours provided an outstanding tour of Scandinavia and the Baltics. Our tour guide, Richard Munning, was terrific. Richard is very knowledgeable of each countr...
Image Tours and the Heart of Europe Tour
Image Tours made my Heart of Europe tour very worthwhile and enjoyable. It was non-stop from the time we got up for breakfast until we hit the pillow that night. T...
Travelers also viewed
Tour Operator
A Tradition of Excellence Since 1939
Roelof Postmaa, Sr., an educator in The Netherlands, founded Image Tours in 1939 in Amsterdam. He began taking his students and their parents on trips as a hobby. Recognizing people’s need for guidance in planning their travels, Mr. Postmaa developed a successful business hosting tours throughout Europe. He firmly believed that travel broadens one’s horizon and enriches one’s mind.
Mr. Postmaa’s son, Roelof Jr., began assisting his father in the family business while still in high school. Roelof Jr. opened an office in Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1960 and began offering the company’s signature HEART OF EUROPE ® tour to groups such as fraternal organizations, employee associations, churches, school choirs, orchestras, and marching bands.
In 1986, the company began partnering with travel agencies to offer their escorted Europe tours to the general public, thereby becoming firmly established throughout the United States. Today, Image Tours is led by Monique Kasmauskis, the daughter of Roelof Jr., and her husband, Mike. They, along with all the Image Tours associates, are dedicated to providing Superior Value with a Personal Touch. Thanks to this dedication, Image is often praised by both travelers and travel agents for courteous service, meticulous traveler preparation, and flawless execution of its tours.
Our Company Started in Amsterdam
Seventy-nine years ago, a Dutch high school teacher and sports coach by the name of Roelof Postmaa took his senior class on a trip to France. The students had a wonderful time and more trips followed. Then, the parents of students asked Mr. Postmaa to organize a trip for them. These early beginnings seeded the tour operating business now known as Image Tours Inc..
Image Tours in the U.S.A.
In 1960 Mr. Postmaa’s son, Roelof (Rudy) Postmaa Jr. opened an office in Grand Rapids, Michigan, with the purpose of offering affordable European tours to American travelers. In 2002, Rudy transferred the management of Image Tours to his daughter and son-in-law, Monique and Mike Kasmauskis.
Superior Value with a Personal Touch
From the very beginning, the goal of Image Tours has been to provide "Superior Value with a Personal Touch." We have always remained loyal to this objective and continue to make every possible effort to provide a comfortable and gratifying travel experience at an affordable price. Our meticulous selection of hotels and service providers translates into the highest quality at the lowest price. In addition, we guarantee the Tour price at time of deposit and the Tour & Air inclusive price at time of final payment.
About Travelstride
Find your perfect trip
Save time
Save money
Travel confidently
Logistics
What's excluded
- Tips for the tour manager and motor coach driver are not included.
Accommodation
20 Breakfasts and 12 Dinners
Extended Tours:
Post-Tour Extension
Do you need more time in the Rhine River Valley or would you like to see a little more of Germany? Image Tours can request an extended stay at the Tour Hotel in Rüdesheim. An independent transfer to the Frankfurt airport can be arranged through the hotel and costs approx € 80 for 2 people. Hotel taxes and daily breakfasts are included.
Optional Excursions:
Bavarian Palace From Innsbruck Area, US $65
Travel via the majestic Seefeld pass to the French rococo palace of Linderhof. The visit will include a guided tour of the ornate palace interior and time to walk through the extravagant gardens. Continue to the village of Oberammergau, known for the elaborate production of the Passion Play performed here every 10 years. After an independent lunch, admire the frescoed buildings. (Maximum elevation 4,000 feet).
Colosseum in Rome, US $85
A guided tour of the Colosseum interior provides insight into the intriguing events and structural mysteries of this famous landmark. Dating from 80 AD, this is one of the greatest works of Roman architecture and engineering.
London Dinner and Theatre in London, US $145
Dine at one of London’s fine restaurants. Then, see a Broadway show in one of the distinctive theatres. Your Confirmation Packet will announce the specific show featured for your tour.
Walking Expectations: An average of three miles per day
Highest Elevation: 3855 feet in the St. Gotthard Tunnel. Some tours take the pass which is 6916 feet, but if you inform the tour manager of elevation concerns at the start of the tour, they will take the tunnel. Switzerland hotels are located as high as 2900 feet
Become a member
- Save up to $700 per person
- Access members-only specials
- Personalize trip recommendations