European Dream - End Paris, Small Group
European Dream - End Paris, Small Group
$6295
European Dream - End Paris, Small Group
11 Days Starting in Venice, Italy and ending in Paris, France
Visiting: Venice, Rome, Florence, Lucerne, Paris
Tour operator:
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on the "European Dream - End Paris, Small Group" tour, a captivating journey through Italy, Switzerland, and France. Begin in Venice, where you'll cruise to St. Mark's Square and witness the art of glassblowing. In Rome, explore the Colosseum and enjoy exclusive access to the Basilica of Saint Praxedes. Discover Florence's Renaissance treasures and indulge in Tuscan wine tasting. Ascend Mount Stanserhorn in Switzerland for breathtaking views, and explore Lucerne's charming streets. Conclude in Paris, experiencing its iconic landmarks and culinary delights. Travel in comfort aboard a luxurious coach, with accommodations that blend modern amenities and local charm. This tour offers a perfect blend of cultural exploration, authentic dining, and unforgettable experiences, ensuring a memorable European adventure.
Choice Highlights
- Choose between two carefully selected activities
- Paris: We walk up and down the "quartier" and we see the school, the food stores, the housing situation, the heritage landmarks, the sports facilities and the theatres, in this car-free, pedestrianized, neighbourhood. Landmarks will include passages couverts, perhaps also Patrick Blanc's spectacular jardin vertical 'oasis d'Aboukir', the Napoleonic "Egyptian" district etc.
- Paris: Join a local food lover on a walk through the streets of Paris. Visit a variety of patisseries, boulangeries and chocolatiers and sample local treats and delicacies along the way.
Top Rated Highlights
- Venice: With your Travel Director cruise to St. Mark's Square and see the Doge's Palace, Bridge of Sighs and St. Mark's Basilica.
- Rome: Discover the history, the construction and the legends of the iconic Colosseum as you stroll around the exterior of this amazing structure.
- Florence: Join a Local Expert to view the Multi-coloured marble cathedral, bell tower and baptistery, adorned by Ghiberti's Gates of Paradise. Visit the political heart of the city, Signoria Square. See the area around Santa Croce Basilica, famous for the quality of its luxury goods.
- Florence: See the historic neighbourhood of the Santa Croce Basilica and witness local craftspersons at work during a gold and leatherwork demonstration.
- Lucerne: See the emotive Lion Monument, Jesuit Church and Chapel Bridge.
- Stanserhorn: Journey to the top of Mount Stanserhorn on a panoramic, open-top cable car powered by solar energy, and enjoy spectacular views from the summit.
- Paris: Experience the magic of Paris with Insight Vacations as you explore its iconic sights, landmarks, and charming streets. Meander along the picturesque banks of the River Seine, delving into the rich history of its beautiful bridges and renowned landmarks, including the majestic Notre Dame Cathedral, the Eiffel Tower, the Champs-Élysées, and the Arc de Triomphe. Whether from the comfort of your coach or a scenic vantage point, immerse yourself in the timeless stories that bring this enchanting city to life.
Make Travel Matter
Venice: Witness the ancient skill of glassblowing, now practised by precious few masters. Watch artisans create delicate works of art using rare traditional practices. The workshop's master craftsmen teach visitors about the traditional craft of glassblowing and its history which dates back to the 15th century. Every visit helps to support the workshop and the survival of this traditional craft. This workshop directly supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.
Stanserhorn: Journey to the top of Mount Stanserhorn on a panoramic, open-top cable car powered by solar energy, and enjoy spectacular views from the summit. Walk along beautiful scenic pathways, keeping an eye out for marmots and other native animals, with the chance to hear a conservation talk by a Swiss ranger, to learn about local wildlife and flora. Your visit directly supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 7 & 15: Affordable and Clean Energy & Life on Land.
Authentic Dining
Venice: Join your Travel Director and fellow travellers for a delicious Welcome Dinner at a local restaurant. Sample traditional Venetian fare and soak up the ambiance of this charming city, and get to know each other before you embark on your journey together.
Tuscany: Enjoy a tasting of locally made wines and sample delicious Tuscan snacks in the underground cellar of Machiavelli's home. While here you will visit the Italian gardens and be privy to a private opening of the office where he wrote 'The Prince.'
Umbria: Explore the art of Italian cooking with Chef Lorenzo followed by a tasty lunch.
Lucerne: Choose from a selection of restaurants on your Dine-Around Evening and hand-pick your preferred ambience, cuisine and drinks for an intimate culinary experience.
Paris: Rendezvous with your newfound friends at La Coupole for a rousing dinner with wine.
Insight Choice
Paris: We walk up and down the "quartier" and we see the school, the food stores, the housing situation, the heritage landmarks, the sports facilities and the theatres, in this car-free, pedestrianized, neighbourhood. Landmarks will include passages couverts, perhaps also Patrick Blanc's spectacular jardin vertical 'oasis d'Aboukir', the Napoleonic "Egyptian" district etc.
Paris: Join a local food lover on a walk through the streets of Paris. Visit a variety of patisseries, boulangeries and chocolatiers and sample local treats and delicacies along the way.
Itinerary
Day 1: Welcome To Venice
Location: Venice
Accommodation: Eurostars Residenza Cannaregio, Venice.
Accommodation Name: Eurostars Residenza Cannaregio, Venice
Meals Included: Dinner
Welcome to the Queen of the Adriatic, known for its unique waterscapes and rich cultural heritage. Transfers depart from Venice Airport and journey to the hotel by water taxi. What better way to start your dream holiday than in true Venetian style? Join your Travel Director for a dinner at a local restaurant. Savour a cocktail at twilight whilst being serenaded by an ensemble of talented musicians, and admire the tranquillity of St. Mark's Square long after the day-trippers have gone to their mainland hotels. Return to your canal-side hotel in the quiet, peaceful authentic neighbourhood.
Day 2: The Magic Of 'La Serenissima' Relaxed Start
Location: Venice
Accommodation: Eurostars Residenza Cannaregio, Venice.
Accommodation Name: Eurostars Residenza Cannaregio, Venice
Meals Included: Breakfast
In the morning, prepare to embrace this most romantic city. Visit St. Mark's Square, dominated by its magnificent basilica and overlooked by the great Clock Tower. Also in the square stands the immense Campanile and Doge's Palace which is connected to the ancient prisons by the Bridge of Sighs. Join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience as you witness the skill of glassblowers on a visit to a traditional arts centre. The rest of the day is free. Perhaps shop in the small arcades or why not cruise the Venetian lagoon to the island of Burano for a meal of local specialties and wine?
Day 3: Villa Machiavelli And Rome
Location: Rome
Accommodation: Room 007 Select, Rome.
Accommodation Name: Room 007 Select, Rome
Meals Included: Breakfast
2025 marks a Jubilee Year, a momentous Roman Catholic event celebrated every 25 years, turning Rome into a centre of celebration between December 24, 2024, and December 31, 2025. As festivities unfold, itineraries may be adjusted to ensure you make the most of your time as you visit the Eternal City. Head into the Apennine Mountains and the peaceful landscapes of Tuscany. Meet your local host for a guided tour through the house of the Italian Renaissance diplomat and writer, Nicolo Machiavelli, with an included special opening of his private office where he wrote 'The Prince'. Visit the Italian garden with views of Florence and the historic cellar, which has a secret underground tunnel connecting the cellars to the oldest restaurant in Italy. Savour a tasting of wines made from the vineyards surrounding the home, accompanied by delicious samples of local Tuscan fare. Your journey continues as you follow the course of the Tiber to the Eternal City of Rome. Enjoy a private visit to the Basilica of Saint Praxedes. Gaze in awe at the well preserved Byzantine mosaics, illuminated for this evening's experience, and see the first sculpture by Bernini.
Day 4: Papal And Imperial Rome
Location: Rome
Accommodation: Room 007 Select, Rome.
Accommodation Name: Room 007 Select, Rome
Meals Included: Breakfast
With your Local Expert, visit the Vatican Museums. Insight provides special fast-track entry to avoid the crowds and admire the Papal art collection. Inside the Sistine Chapel, admire Michelangelo's famous ceiling. Continue inside the cavernous St. Peter's Basilica, mother church of the Catholic faith, to see another Michelangelo masterpiece, the Pietà , as well as the splendid dome. Leave Vatican City to cross the Tiber and stand outside the Colosseum, imagining yourself back in the days of the gladiators. The afternoon is at leisure.
Day 5: Umbria And Onto Florence Relaxed Start
Location: Florence
Accommodation: Hotel Adler Cavalieri, Florence.
Accommodation Name: Villa Neroli, Florence
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Meet chef Lorenzo at his family farm in Umbria. Explore the art of Italian cooking during an entertaining pasta demonstration and delicious lunch accompanied by Orvieto Classico wine. Continue on to your hotel in Florence.
Day 6: Renaissance Florence
Location: Florence
Accommodation: Hotel Adler Cavalieri, Florence.
Accommodation Name: Villa Neroli, Florence
Meals Included: Breakfast
Begin the morning by joining a Local Expert in Florence to view the Multi-coloured marble cathedral, bell tower and baptistery adorned by Ghiberti's Gates of Paradise. You also visit the open-air gallery of Renaissance masterpieces in Piazza della Signoria, the political heart of the city. See the area around Santa Croce Basilica, famous for the quality of its luxury goods. In the afternoon, enjoy free time to explore the Renaissance capital. Perhaps take the opportunity to visit Pisa and see the famous Leaning Tower?
Day 7: Across The Alps To Lucerne
Location: Lucerne
Accommodation: Hotel Astoria, Lucerne.
Accommodation Name: Astoria Lucerne
Meals Included: Breakfast
Head north towards the Italian Lake District via Lake Lugano. Continue into the heart of the Swiss Alps, passing through the Saint Gotthard Tunnel, one of the longest road tunnels in the world, before travelling alongside towering mountains and past rushing torrents, down to scenic Lake Lucerne. Upon return in Lucerne, see the town's proud Lion Monument, carved into a limestone cliff and dedicated to the heroic Swiss Guards who died defending King Louis XVI during the French Revolution. Then, take some time to stroll across the covered Chapel Bridge and see the baroque Jesuit Church.
Day 8: Lucerne And Mt. Stanserhorn
Location: Lucerne
Accommodation: Hotel Astoria, Lucerne.
Accommodation Name: Astoria Lucerne
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Explore Mount Stanserhorn on a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, as an open-top cable car powered by solar panels take you up the summit. Breathe in the pristine mountain air and, on a clear day, witness views as far as Alsace and the Black Forest in Germany. Walk along beautiful scenic pathways, keeping an eye out for marmots and other native animals, with the chance to hear a conservation talk by a Swiss ranger, to learn about local wildlife and flora. With the day free, there is plenty of time for shopping for delectable chocolate in the traffic-free Old Town. Perhaps venture into the countryside for a delightful horse-drawn carriage ride and meet the local farmers? At night, you are offered a fine selection of restaurants to choose from for your Dine-Around Evening.
Day 9: Sights And Delights Of Paris
Location: Paris
Accommodation: Le Méridien Etoile, Paris.
Accommodation Name: Le Méridien Etoile, Paris
Meals Included: Breakfast
Journey through the rural French countryside of Burgundy, famous for its vineyards and wines, to arrive in the vibrant City of Light. During your time in Paris, see the impressive Eiffel Tower, the magnificent Notre-Dame Cathedral and the imposing facades of the Louvre. Discover the banks of the Seine with its many romantic bridges, see the obelisk in the centre of the Place de la Concorde and drive along the Champs Élysées to the Arc de Triomphe. With the evening free, there are countless opportunities to enjoy the lively atmosphere of this glittering city. Why not visit one of the world-famous cabaret shows?
Day 10: The Flavours Of Paris
Location: Paris
Accommodation: Le Méridien Etoile, Paris.
Accommodation Name: Le Méridien Etoile, Paris
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Your exploration of Paris today starts with Insight Choice. Choose to explore community life in the picturesque Montorgueil district. Alternatively, join an local food lover as you head into areas where Parisians go about their daily lives to explore small shops and sample local treats and delicacies. In the evening, indulge in refined French cuisine during your dinner at the iconic restaurant La Coupole, frequently visited by the French entertainer Josephine Baker.
Day 11: Au Revoir Paris
Location: Paris
Meals Included: Breakfast
Bid farewell to your travelling companions as your journey comes to an end. Transfers arrive at Charles de Gaulle Airport.
What's Included
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Meals
3 dinners with wine, 10 breakfasts, and 2 lunches with wine are included.
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Activities
Choose between two carefully selected activities in Paris.
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Local Experiences
Join a local food lover on a walk through the streets of Paris, visiting patisseries, boulangeries, and chocolatiers.
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Personal Radio Headsets
Personal radio headsets are provided to give you the freedom to wander during visits to famous highlights without missing any commentary.
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Hotel and Restaurant Tips
Hotel and restaurant tips are included, along with all taxes and porterage charges at hotels.
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Luggage Handling
Your bags will be carried for you and promptly delivered to your hotel door.
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Insight Flourish
From time to time, your Travel Director will delight you with an Insight Flourish, a local specialty representing the destination.
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Wi-Fi
Stay connected with complimentary coach and hotel Wi-Fi (where available).
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Transfers
Transfers are available at scheduled times if your arrival and/or departure flights are as per the itinerary start and end dates.
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Welcome Dinner in Venice
Join your Travel Director and fellow travelers for a delicious Welcome Dinner at a local restaurant in Venice.
What's Not Included
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Flights
Flights to and from the tour start and end locations are not included.
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Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is not included and is recommended to be purchased separately.
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Optional Activities
Optional activities and excursions not mentioned in the itinerary are not included.
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Personal Expenses
Personal expenses such as souvenirs, additional meals, and drinks are not included.
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Visa Fees
Visa fees and requirements are not included and are the responsibility of the traveler.
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Gratuities for Tour Director and Driver
Gratuities for the Tour Director and Driver are not included and are at your discretion.
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Airport Transfers Outside Scheduled Times
Transfers outside the scheduled times or for flights not matching the itinerary start and end dates are not included.
Dining Summary
3 Dinner with Wine (DW)10 Breakfast (B)2 Lunch with Wine (LW)
Additional Included Highlights
Personal radio headsets give you the freedom to wander during visits to famous highlights, without missing any of your Local Expert's fascinating commentary.Hotel and restaurant tips are included - you'll never have to worry about how much to give, nor search for foreign currency. We also include all taxes and porterage charges at hotels.We carry your bags for you and promptly deliver them to your hotel door.From time to time, your Travel Director will delight you with an Insight Flourish, which is a local specialty representing the destination.Stay connected with friends and family with our complimentary coach and hotel Wi-Fi (where available).If your arrival and/or departure flights are as per the itinerary start and end dates, then transfers are available at scheduled times. If your flights are outside these times, or you have booked additional nights accommodation with Insight Vacations, you may purchase transfers or make your own way from/to the airport.
Insight Experiences
Tuscany: Meet your Local Expert for a guided visit through the house of the Italian Renaissance diplomat and writer, Niccolo Machiavelli, with a special opening of his private office where he wrote 'The Prince.'Rome: Enjoy exclusive access to the Basilica of Saint Praxedes during an after-hours visit. This 9th-century basilica’s simple facade guards the world's best-preserved Byzantine mosaics. The history of the church springs to life as you admire the interior’s treasured collection, including Bernini's first sculpture and the renowned mosaics, illuminated for your visit. This once-in-a-lifetime experience is a rare and unforgettable insight into Rome and its religious history.
Well-being
Enjoy the comfort of Insight's luxurious, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and onboard washroom. Our customized luxury coaches are sanitized before the start of your tour and are maintained to very high standards. Physical distancing measures have been implemented on our customized luxury coaches.Hand sanitizer is freely available on board for you to use throughout the day.
Check out our Q&As
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What unique experiences are included in the Venice portion of the tour?
In Venice, you will witness the ancient skill of glassblowing at a traditional arts center, which supports the survival of this craft. You will also enjoy a Welcome Dinner at a local restaurant, sampling traditional Venetian fare.
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What activities are available in Paris during the tour?
In Paris, you can choose between exploring the Montorgueil district to learn about community life or joining a local food lover to explore small shops and sample local treats. Additionally, you will have a dinner at the iconic restaurant La Coupole.
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How does the tour support sustainable practices?
The tour includes a visit to Mount Stanserhorn using a solar-powered open-top cable car, supporting sustainable energy practices. Additionally, the glassblowing demonstration in Venice supports the preservation of traditional crafts.
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What culinary experiences are offered during the tour?
The tour offers a variety of culinary experiences including a Welcome Dinner in Venice, wine tasting in Tuscany, a cooking class in Umbria, and a Dine-Around Evening in Lucerne. In Paris, you will have dinner at La Coupole.
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What are some of the highlights of the tour in Rome?
In Rome, you will have exclusive access to the Basilica of Saint Praxedes during an after-hours visit and explore the Vatican Museums with fast-track entry. You will also stand outside the Colosseum and imagine the days of the gladiators.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
We regret that no refunds can be made for absences from a tour, including experiences such as missed meals or sightseeing.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 1978.
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Insight Vacations is a founding member of the TreadRight Foundation, a joint initiative created by the brands within The Travel Corporation (TTC) almost 15 years ago to ensure our impact through tourism is positive. Our ethos to #MakeTravelMatter guides our decision-making at every level of our business.
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
You have two options as a solo traveller. Either choose to be matched with a same sex partner for a room share - at no extra cost. Or choose a room of your own with a reduced or even free private room upgrade on select tours.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies
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Up to 91 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
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