Essential Europe
Tags:
Cruise; Enjoy England; Family; Ferry; Florence; London; Lucerne; Paris; Rome Tour; Sightseeing tours; Venice;
This 12-day trip is one of our most popular in Europe. It starts with two nights in Rome and ends with two nights in London, with stops in major cities like Florence, Venice, Lucerne, and Paris. All “must-see" features such as St. Peter's, the Sistine Chapel, the Colosseum, Michelangelo's David, ...
Read Full Description- Destination:
-
Florence, Italy; London, United Kingdom; Lucerne, Switzerland; Paris, France; Rome, Italy; Venice, Italy
- Trip Length:
- 12 days
- Price Range:
- From $2000 to $3000 per person See what this includes and what this excludes
- Best Time to Go:
- November, December
- Recommended for:
-
(15-18), (18-24), (25-30), (31-35), (36-40), (41-50), (51-55)
Family Trip, Group Retreat, Trip Around the World
Detailed Trip Description
This 12-day trip is one of our most popular in Europe. It starts with two nights in Rome and ends with two nights in London, with stops in major cities like Florence, Venice, Lucerne, and Paris. All “must-see" features such as St. Peter's, the Sistine Chapel, the Colosseum, Michelangelo's David, St. Mark's Square in Venice, the second floor of the Eiffel Tower in Paris, and St. Paul's in London are included, with a Local Guide in most cities. From Italy, cross the border into subtropical Lugano, Switzerland, then drive through the Alps via the 10-mile St. Gotthard Tunnel and William Tell country to picture-book Lucerne where you have a relaxing 2-night stay before going to Paris. After two nights in Paris, board the Eurostar train for a smooth ride to London. This is a wonderful vacation any time if you want to see the most popular cities of Europe, but especially in the winter without the big crowds!
Trip Itinerary
Day 1 - On the Plane
Commercial Flights
Board your overnight transatlantic flight.
Day 2 - Rome, Italy
Arrival in Rome, Italy.
Hotels
Time to rest or start exploring the Eternal City. At 6 p.m. meet your Tour Director and traveling companions.
Leave the hotel for a special welcome dinner with wine in one of Rome’s lively restaurants. (D)
Day 3 - Rome, Italy
Sightseeing
Sightseeing with your Local Guide starts with a visit to the VATICAN MUSEUMS and SISTINE CHAPEL, world famous for Michelangelo’s ceiling paintings and The Last Judgement. Continue to monumental ST. PETER’S SQUARE and BASILICA. Cross the Tiber and visit the COLOSSEUM and the ROMAN FORUM, where Roman Legions marched in triumph. Then time for independent activities and exciting optional excursion possibilities. (BB)
Day 4 - Florence, Italy
Rome–Florence.
Sightseeing
An easy morning drive north to Florence, cradle of the Renaissance. Follow your Local Guide to visit the ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS with Michelangelo’s celebrated David, the magnificent CATHEDRAL, Giotto’s Bell Tower, the Baptistry’s heavy bronze “Gate of Paradise,” and sculpture-studded SIGNORIA SQUARE.
Shopping
Later take a moment to check out the enticing shops with Florentine leather goods and gold jewelry. (BB,D)
Day 5 - Venice, Italy
Florence–Venice.
Sightseeing
Drive across the wooded Apennine Mountain range and through the lush plains of the mighty River Po to Venice. Enter the city in style by PRIVATE BOAT to ST. MARK’S SQUARE. Admire the Byzantine Basilica, the Clock Tower, lavish Doges’ Palace, and the Bridge of Sighs. Watch skilled GLASSBLOWERS fashion their delicate objects, then time to wander at whim or join an optional gondola serenade. (BB,D)
Day 6 - Lucerne, Switzerland
Venice–Lugano, Switzerland–Lucerne.
Sightseeing
Through the lush Lombardian plains, past the commercial capital of Milan, into Italian-speaking southern Switzerland. Free time for lunch and to check out the chic boutiques in lakeside Lugano. Then admire the towering majesty of the Swiss Alps on the way to Lucerne via the 10-mile St. Gotthard Tunnel and William Tell country. (BB)
Day 7 - Lucerne, Switzerland
Sightseeing
Admire Thorwaldsen’s LION MONUMENT and the ornate patrician houses lining the cobbled streets of the walled Old Town, then cross the famous covered CHAPEL BRIDGE to the Jesuit Church. Afterwards shop for Swiss watches and you may want to join an optional excursion to the top of a mountain! (BB,D)
Day 8 - Paris, France
Lucerne–Paris, France.
Sightseeing
Today cross the border into France and enjoy a fast ride on the modern highway skirting the vineyards of Burgundy and Fontainebleau Forest.
Nightlife
Tonight you are in Paris, the traditional climax of a European tour. (BB)
Day 9 - Paris, France
Sightseeing
Discover the world capital of chic and style with a Local Guide and admire its most famous sights: the Opéra, Arc de Triomphe, Champs-Elysées, Notre Dame Cathedral, and more. For a bird’s-eye view take the elevator to the second floor of Paris’ most famous landmark, the EIFFEL TOWER. An optional excursion to the lavish baroque Palace of Versailles is available.
Nightlife
Tonight, a lively cabaret show might just be the ticket. (BB)
Day 10 - London, United Kingdom
Paris–London, England.
Trains
Board the EUROSTAR TRAIN to London, arriving in the afternoon. (BB)
Day 11 - London, United Kingdom
Sightseeing
Sightseeing with a Local Guide includes all the famous landmarks: Knightsbridge with Harrods, the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben beside the River Thames, Westminster Abbey, Whitehall’s mounted horseguards and the Prime Minister’s Downing Street, and Buckingham Palace. Highlights are a visit to ST. PAUL’S CATHEDRAL and the ceremonial pageantry of the Changing of the Guard, if held. Afternoon at leisure. (FB)
Day 12 - London, United Kingdom
Departure flight.
Airport Transfers
Your homebound flight arrives the same day. (FB)
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Accommodation for 10 nights. Meals : 8 buffet breakfasts (BB); 2 full English breakfasts (FB); 4 three-course dinners (D), including a special welcome dinner with wine in Rome. Prices are per person, land or cruise only, based on double occupancy. Entrance fees as mentioned in the itinerary, Transfers & sightseeing as per itinerary.
Budget Excludes:
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