Essential Europe

Welcome to Madrid! Upon arrival at the airport, we’ll be ready to transfer you to your hotel. You’ll have some free time until the tour begins. Please check the information signs in the hotel reception area for details about the welcome meeting with your guide and fellow travelers.In the evening, we’ll provide a transfer to Plaza Mayor and La Latina, Madrid’s most famous neighborhood for nightlife and tapas restaurants. You can choose to dine at a restaurant of your preference—options include Indian, Chinese, Spanish, and Middle Eastern cuisines.

The morning will begin with a comprehensive tour of central Madrid, featuring highlights like Paseo del Prado, Cibeles, Neptuno, Puerta de Alcalá, Plaza de Colón, and Plaza Mayor. We’ll then visit Retiro Park, a beautiful oasis in the city center, where we’ll see the lake and the Palacio de Cristal. Admission is included to the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, the home of Real Madrid—considered by many to be the best football club in the world. Enjoy the rest of the afternoon at your leisure. In the evening, we’ll provide a return transfer to the hotel.

In the morning, we’ll leave for Aragon, travelling through the lands of Castile. Our first stop will be in Zaragoza to admire the stunning Cathedral-Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar. We’ll then journey to the serene Poblet Abbey, one of the best-preserved medieval monasteries in the world (tickets included). Finally, we’ll head to Barcelona, where we’ll arrive in the evening.

In the morning, we´ll embark on a tour of the City of Counts. This vibrant city, nestled along the Mediterranean Sea, is famous for Gaudi’s modernist architecture, the bustling Ramblas, and its rich history, highlighted by the Universal Exposition and the Olympics hosted here. Barcelona is renowned as one of the most beautiful and fascinating European capitals. In the evening, we’ll leave Barcelona and travel north into Catalonia. Before settling into our hotel, we’ll take a walk in Girona, exploring its historic center, known for its colorful houses, the old Jewish quarter, and its impressive cathedral.

We’ll head to France, traveling through the Provence region. Our first stop will be Arles, a small UNESCO World Heritage city known for its connections to Van Gogh. Here, we can visit the Roman theater and quaint Romanesque churches. There will be time to explore and have lunch. Next, we’ll include a visit to Carrières des Lumières, an incredible underground art experience featuring a captivating display of art, images, and sound in an ancient quarry. We’ll arrive in Chambery, the charming capital of Savoy, for the evening, a medieval style city with beautiful historic center and large castle.Note: If tickets for the Carrières des Lumières show are unavailable due to high demand, we will provide an alternative visit to the Pont du Gard, a famous Roman aqueduct

We’ll journey to Switzerland, arriving in Geneva. With our guide, we’ll go to Palais des Nations (headquarters of the United Nations in Europe), and we’ll see the beautiful English Garden with its flower clock, and admire the Jet d’Eau, the tallest fountain in Europe. Our next stop will be the charming, walled village of Gruyères, world-renowned for its cheese. Nearby, there are some of Switzerland´s major chocolate factories, including Nestlé. Our tour includes admission to the Maison Cailler Chocolate Factory, where you’ll enjoy a sweet tasting experience!We’ll continue our journey along scenic roads, passing through bucolic mountain landscapes and picturesque wooden villages, until we reach Chillon Castle, built on the shores of Lake Geneva (admission included). We’ll arrive in Leysin by mid-afternoon, a charming holiday village with spectacular views of the Rhône Valley and Mont Blanc. Leysin is well-known for its winter sports resort and hiking options. Dinner will be includedNote: Depending on availability, accommodation may sometimes be in another charming Swiss town nestled in the Alps, such as Martigny.

We’ll experience stunning mountain scenery today, so be sure to pack your winter clothes. We’ll ascend to Glacier 3000 by cable car ride, one of the most spectacular spots in Switzerland featuring ice and snow year-round, and where you can walk on the suspended bridge between two mountain peaks, explore the Ice Cathedral, or enjoy the Fun Park. We’ll stop in Interlaken for lunch before traveling to Lucerne, one of the most beautiful cities in Switzerland. In the evening, we’ll arrive in Zurich, with some time to explore the center before heading to the hotel. Note: Occasionally, due to weather conditions such as rain or strong winds, the cable car to Glacier 3000 may not operate.

We’ll depart from Zurich and travel to the French region of Alsace, where we’ll visit its capital, Strasbourg—a charming city that beautifully blends French and German influences. You’ll have time to explore and get to know the city. Afterward, we’ll continue our journey to Paris, arriving in the evening.

We’ll immerse ourselves in the rich history of France at the magnificent Palace of Versailles (admission not included), renowned for its stunning gardens. On our return to Paris, we’ll visit Montmartre, where a cable car (included) will take us up to this charming bohemian neighborhood, famous for its artists, painters, and cabarets. To fully appreciate the grandeur of Paris, we’ll embark on a panoramic city tour with a local guide, showcasing the city’s impressive avenues and iconic monuments. Afterward, we’ll return to the hotel. For those interested, there is an optional variety show in the evening.​

We’ll start our day in central Paris, beginning with a visit to the iconic Eiffel Tower. You´ll have the chance to go up to the second floor of this famous iron landmark (tickets included). Afterwards, we’ll enjoy a relaxing boat cruise along the Seine. You’ll have a free afternoon to explore the city at your own pace.Around 4:00 p.m., we’ll depart Paris and head to Normandy, arriving in Rouen. You´ll have free time to explore the historic center of this vibrant city, which dates back to Roman times and boasts charming medieval architecture and an impressive Gothic cathedral, offering a delightful blend of history and culture.Note: If wait times at the Eiffel Tower are too long, we might reschedule the visit to a different time (or on Sunday) for your convenience.

Today, we’ll have time to take a stroll through the center of Rouen. After this, we’ll travel to northern France. Crossing the English Channel by ferry, we’ll reach Canterbury, the religious capital of England, known for its charming historic center. Our journey will continue to London, where you’ll have some free time in the Tower Bridge area, one of the city´s most iconic symbols, before we head to the hotel.

Discover London on a panoramic tour with a local guide that showcases the city’s culture and history. You’ll see famous sites such as the Parliament, the River Thames, and Buckingham Palace, where you might witness the iconic Changing of the Guard (depending on the dates). In the evening, we’ll establish a meeting point in Piccadilly to take a stroll through Leicester Square, Chinatown, and Soho, areas renowned for their lively atmosphere, theaters, and entertainment options. You’ll have plenty of restaurants to choose from for dinner before we return to the hotel.

In the morning, we’ll visit the British Museum, one of the world´s oldest museums, where we’ll see traces of cultures from all around the world. At lunchtime, after some free time, we’ll head to Camden, a district renowned for its vibrant and eclectic street market. There, you can explore unique items and artifacts from around the globe and enjoy lunch at one of its little restaurants or food stands.Around 4:00 p.m., we’ll depart for Colchester, the oldest recorded town in England, and enjoy a leisurely stroll through its historic streets. We’ll then continue to Harwich to board the ferry for an overnight voyage to the Netherlands, staying in en suite cabins.Important note: Due to the limited number of cabins available on the ferry, the itinerary may be adjusted. We might travel from London to Amsterdam via a daytime ferry, with an overnight stay in Antwerp, or alternatively, take a train or flight to Amsterdam.

Around 8:00 a.m., we’ll arrive in Hoek van Holland (Hook of Holland) and make a stop in Volendam, a picturesque fishing village. Then, we’ll travel to Amsterdam for a panoramic tour of the city, where we’ll see its most iconic landmarks. We’ll also see the famous diamond-cutting technique. For dinner, we’ll provide a transfer to Rembrandtplein, a vibrant area filled with restaurants offering cuisine from all over the world, and located near the famous Red Light District, known for its diverse nightlife.

After breakfast, our journey will come to an end, leaving you with wonderful lasting memories.