European Vistas - 8 days

Welcome to Amsterdam! Meet your tour leader and tour group at the hotel this morning. Then, it’s time for today’s first stop - a local farm where you’ll find out how Dutch cheese and clogs are crafted! Afterwards, choose to continue the Dutch countryside adventures on today’s optional excursion or enjoy a free afternoon. This evening, explore the heart of Amsterdam onboard a canal cruise. This is the best way to be introduced to Amsterdam; a city filled with beautiful 17th century architecture and a unique charm! After the cruise, enjoy a welcome dinner with the group at a local restaurant. The rest of the night is free, this is your chance to explore more of the city! Head to Dam Square or even visit Amsterdam's iconic Red Light District!

Wave farewell to the Netherlands and travel to the Wave farewell to the Netherlands and travel to the Rhine Valley, one of the most picturesque regions of Germany. Arrive in Boppard where the group will enjoy a Rhine Valley wine tasting. Next, board a Rhine Valley riverboat, and cruise the Rhine River. This stretch of river is home to the highest concentration of medieval castles in all of Europe, making for a memorable trip complete with vineyards, lofty cliffs and medieval German towns! Afterwards, visit a local artisan to see how German beer steins and cuckoo clocks are made. After an adventure-filled day, head to the hotel in the Rhine Valley, and enjoy dinner with the group tonight.

It’s time to head off to Innsbruck in Austria, with a stop in Ulm. This historic German city is famous not only as the birthplace of Albert Einstein, but also for having the tallest church steeple in the world! Afterwards, travel onwards to Innsbruck. This Austrian city is one of the few places in the world that has something for everyone! From extreme sports (thanks to the close proximity of the soaring Nordkette Alps) and fascinating historical heritage (courtesy of the legacy of the Habsburgs), to vibrant modern attractions. Embark on an orientation tour of the city followed by free time to explore the city further, at your own pace. This evening, choose to join the optional Tyrol folk evening and dinner; a great taste of Austrian culture!

Leaving Innsbruck behind, journey onward to the enchanting city of Venice! Visit Verona along the way; the setting for the most famous love story of all time, Romeo & Juliet! Next up, arrive in Venice. This floating city is home to timeless waterways and artistic masterpieces – this is a city that will capture your heart and imagination. Start the stay in Venice with an orientation tour traversing the beautiful, narrow alleyways, where you will see sights like St Mark's Square, and the famous Rialto Bridge. The evening is yours to explore this unforgettable city. If you wish to take part in a true Venetian experience, enjoy a traditional gondola ride along the canals, as well as a water taxi trip across the lagoon.

Head back into Alpine territory today, and travel on to Lucerne. Renowned as one of Switzerland's most beautiful cities, this is one place you'll definitely want to have your camera at the ready! 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. Take to the water to enjoy the views on the optional Lake Lucerne cruise. After a short orientation tour with your tour leader, enjoy free time to explore at your leisure, before we jump back on the coach, and continue to our hotel. Look forward to an included dinner tonight.

Take some free time to explore Lucerne this morning. Enjoy a unique Alpine experience by joining the Mount Pilatus excursion; take either the panoramic cable car or the world’s steepest cogwheel railway to the top, and admire the Alpine views along the way. Next up, France is calling! Travel into Burgundy; famous for its great food and wine. Arrive in Dijon, the capital of Burgundy, and enjoy an orientation tour of the city. Dijon is a great place to soak up history, with excellent museums and fabulous Renaissance architecture helping to make this one of the most memorable parts of the entire tour! Not forgetting that it is a centre for delicious food and French wine! Enjoy a group dinner after the orientation tour.

The City of Lights is the next stop! Get ready to visit the home of some of the world's most famous cultural landmarks, museums, galleries, boutiques and more. Arrive, and embark 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 Notre Dame and the Arc de Triomphe! After the driving tour, we'll take an included cruise along the River Seine, sailing past sights including the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre, and picking up a traditional French baguette for lunch onboard. The afternoon is then yours to explore the French capital further, with optional excursions available including the Montparnasse Observation Deck for incredible views of Paris, and a traditional cabaret show.

It's the last leg of our journey already! En route back to the Dutch capital, enjoy a stop in Brussels for a chance to explore the Belgian capital. Wander around the streets, and sample typical Belgian fare; moules et frites, countless varieties of beer, and of course, the famous chocolate and waffles. Perhaps grab some last-minute souvenirs for the folks back home? A photo stop at Brussels’ incredible Atomium is also on the agenda for today. Afterwards, it’s time to continue on to Amsterdam, where the tour officially ends. We hope you've enjoyed this whirlwind tour of Europe! Don’t forget to share your memories with us online using the hashtags #BetterTogether and #TravelMadePossible!