Best of Western Europe - 10 Days

Welcome to London and the first day of your tour! Meet your tour leader at the starting hotel before setting off on the first excursion for today: an orientation tour of the Royal Borough of Greenwich. Learn more about Greenwich’s UNESCO World Heritage Site status, stroll through the historic docklands and see the many beautiful buildings and gardens. This afternoon, enjoy free time to explore at your own pace. Expat Explore recommends joining the London+ optional excursion as a great way to explore more of the city! The excursion tours the famous Cutty Sark ship, includes a cruise on the Thames Clipper from Greenwich to Westminster and visits Westminster Abbey and the Houses of Parliament. Tonight, enjoy an included group dinner at a traditional British pub.

Departing London, you will cross the English Channel and travel on to 'The City of Lights and Love' - Paris! Your experienced tour leader will introduce you to all the key Parisian sites on a relaxing coach tour of the city. Keep an eye out for such iconic landmarks as the Eiffel Tower, The Louvre and Notre Dame - take a mental note of what you wish to explore more further on your free day. This evening 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!

Enjoy a full free day to explore the French capital to your heart’s content! The Seine River is the backbone of the capital, and flows through the heart of the city. Why not choose a cruise, and sail past the grandeur of the gothic Notre Dame cathedral, to the epic Eiffel Tower? 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.

This morning we’ll depart Paris and head east to our first stop in the champagne region of Reims, where we’ll taste one of France’s most famous and highly prized exports - champagne! We’ll then continue our journey to Luxembourg, where you’ll have some free time to explore the capital of one of Europe’s smallest countries; Luxembourg City features a charming Unesco-listed centre with plenty of restaurants and cafés. Our final destination of the day is Heidelberg, Germany’s oldest university town which is renowned for its Altstadt (old town). Your tour leader will take you on an orientation tour of the city centre and give you some free time to explore the old town before we meet back up for dinner.

This morning we head into the heart of Germany’s Schwarzwald (Black Forest), home of delicious Black Forest gâteau, cuckoo clocks and Hansel and Gretel! For those travellers wishing to buy an authentic German cuckoo clock, we’ll make a quick stop at a local family business in the heart of the forest. Arriving on the shores of Lake Titisee, you’ll have some free time to explore the spa town of Titisee and grab some lunch. We’ll then cross into Switzerland and stop off at the stunning Rhine Falls, the largest plain waterfall in Europe. You’ll have some time to explore, with the option to take a boat ride on the falls. On arrival in Lucerne your tour leader will give you a quick orientation tour to introduce you to the city, before we travel on to our accommodation.

Today you’ll have a free day to enjoy the Lucerne region. Renowned as one of Switzerland's most beautiful cities, Lucerne is one place you'll definitely want to have your camera at the ready for! All the ingredients for the quintessentially picturesque Swiss experience are here - a cobalt lake and well-preserved old town complete with waterfront promenades, covered bridges and perfect plazas are surrounded by the natural skyscrapers of the Swiss Alps. It's really no wonder that Goethe, Queen Victoria and Wagner savoured the stunning views that Lucerne has to offer. There's charm and grace around every corner, but it's not all about history - there's certainly enough of a pulse here to keep things current, with carnivals, concerts and exhibitions aplenty.

Four countries in one day! Our first stop is the Alpine principality of Liechtenstein, the sixth smallest nation in the world. Stopping in the capital Vaduz, we'll have some time to stroll around and enjoy the scenery. We’ll then visit Neuschwanstein Castle, a 19th Century German hilltop castle built by Ludwig II of Bavaria, and the inspiration for the famous Disneyland castle. Entrance to the castle is included in the tour package price. Our final destination of the day in Innsbruck, Austria. Home to Austria's third-largest student population, there's no shortage of vibrant bars and beer gardens to enjoy.

This morning we head south into Italy. One of the most visited destinations in the world, Italy serves up centuries of incredible history, rich culture and, of course, fantastic food! As we make our way to Siena we'll stop in Modena, where you'll enjoy a tasting of balsamic vinegar. Arriving in Siena this afternoon, your tour leader will take you on a short orientation tour of the historic city centre, and you'll then have some free time to take photos and explore.

Visit and explore two of the undoubted highlights of the Tuscan region: Pisa and Florence! The Leaning Tower of Pisa is the first stop. It’s a classic sight in Italy that is more than 800 years old. Take a moment to explore the grounds and get that essential travel selfie with the tower. Afterwards, travel through the countryside to Florence, the capital of this region. Take an orientation walking tour of the city to explore its many iconic sights. These include the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, Ponte Vecchio, Piazza della Signoria and the replica of the statue of David. Then head to a genuine Italian leather factory and shop. Italian leather brands have dominated the fashion world for centuries and the quality of handmade leatherware in Tuscany is something to behold. Spend some time over lunch exploring the city at your leisure before returning to Siena.

Your tour finishes today upon arrival in Rome; make sure that you have swapped numbers with your fellow travellers, before you part ways!
This tour includes no Rome hotel accommodation and forms the first half of the full-length Best of Europe 22-day tour, which starts and finishes in London.