Romantic European - Start London, End Paris, Small Group
Romantic European - Start London, End Paris, Small Group
19 Days Starting in London, United Kingdom and ending in Paris, France
Visiting: London, Amsterdam, Würzburg, Prague, Budapest, Vienna, Venice, Rome, Vatican City, Florence, Lucerne, Paris
Tour operator:
Tour code:
SE912ZN20
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on a captivating journey through Europe with the "Romantic European" tour, starting in London and concluding in Paris. This small group adventure takes you through 12 enchanting countries, including England, Holland, Germany, and Italy, offering a blend of cultural exploration and luxurious experiences. Travel in style on the high-speed Eurostar and a luxury coach, enjoying guided tours with local experts in iconic cities like Prague, Budapest, and Rome. Delight in authentic dining experiences, from a Venetian celebration dinner to a Tuscan wine tasting. With highlights such as a scenic dinner cruise on the Danube and a cable car ride up Mount Stanserhorn, this tour promises unforgettable memories and breathtaking views. Indulge in the romance of Europe, exploring historic landmarks, savoring local delicacies, and immersing yourself in the vibrant cultures of each destination.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Welcome To London
Location: London
Accommodation Name: Thistle Marble Arch, London
Welcome to London. After checking into your hotel, the afternoon is free to enjoy a city that is famous for its pomp and pageantry. Perhaps relax with a walk along the Serpentine in Hyde Park or window shop in the elegant boutiques of Knightsbridge? Alternatively, you may want to stroll along the Thames to the iconic Tower Bridge and Tower of London.
Day 2: London To Amsterdam
Location: Amsterdam
Accommodation Name: Apollo, Amsterdam
Meals Included: Breakfast
Meet your Travel Director and transfer to London’s St. Pancras Station to board the high-speed Eurostar for a rail journey via the revolutionary Channel Tunnel to Brussels. Board the coach and continue to Amsterdam. This evening, join your Travel Director for a Welcome Reception. Get to know your fellow guests during a cruise, along some of the many quaint, tree-lined canals. Admire the elegant merchant houses from the 16th and 17th centuries, their facades are a reflection of when trade flourished during Amsterdam's Golden Age. Relax as you pass stunning gables, beautiful churches and the iconic Magere Brug, better known as the Skinny Bridge. Disembark and venture to a local restaurant for dinner.
Day 3: Rhine Valley To Würzburg
Location: Würzburg
Accommodation Name: Maritim, Würzburg
Meals Included: Breakfast
Relax with a scenic drive along the Rhine Valley to Würzburg. See the mighty Marienburg Fortress – the immense baroque palace of the Prince Bishops and one of the most important landmarks in Germany. On arrival, visit the imposing Würzburg Residenz, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with a Local Expert. Marvel at intricate decorations and lavish staterooms.
Day 4: Rothenburg And Golden Prague
Location: Prague
Accommodation Name: Royal, Prague
Meals Included: Breakfast
In the morning venture to Rothenburg ob der Tauber, the most well-preserved town on the Romantic Road. Continue east to the Czech border, passing the town of Pilsen renowned for its beer, before reaching the Golden City of Prague. In the evening, perhaps take a river cruise through the heart of the city?
Day 5: Prague, City Of A Hundred Spires
Location: Prague
Accommodation Name: Royal, Prague
Meals Included: Breakfast
Explore Prague with Insight Choice. Choose to walk the courtyards of the Castle and visit the imposing St. Vitus Cathedral. Alternatively, join your Local Expert through the Jewish Quarter and hear about the history, traditions and legends of the Jewish people and taste Trdelník, a traditional Czech pastry. Then, the city is all yours to explore. Perhaps rummage through the renowned antique stores or shop for the finest Bohemian crystal?
Day 6: Through Bohemia To Budapest
Location: Budapest
Accommodation Name: Hilton Garden Inn, Budapest
Meals Included: Breakfast
Start the day with a journey through the beautiful forested countryside of Bohemia. Travel to Hungary, following the River Danube to Budapest. In the evening, join a Local Expert to enjoy a scenic dinner cruise, gliding past UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The city’s spectacular nighttime beauty earns it the nickname 'Pearl of the Danube’.
Day 7: Budapest, Queen Of The Danube
Location: Budapest
Accommodation Name: Hilton Garden Inn, Budapest
Meals Included: Breakfast
Drive along the beautiful Andrassy Avenue to Heroes' Square. Stroll through the alleys of the Old Town of Buda and admire sweeping views from the Fisherman’s Bastion with a Local Expert. Stand atop Gellért Hill where the colossal Liberty Statue stands in front of the Citadella watching over the city. Marvel at extensive panoramic views as you look out over the famous river dividing Buda and Pest - the two sides linked by the mighty Chain Bridge and the elegant, newer Elizabeth Bridge.
Day 8: The Flavors Of Budapest
Location: Vienna
Accommodation Name: Hilton Vienna Park, Hilton Vienna Plaza, Vienna
Meals Included: Breakfast
This morning enjoy a tour of the Liszt Music Academy with a student, followed by an enchanting recital. The university was founded by the piano virtuoso and composer Franz Liszt in 1875. Continue your travels, past the Turul Monument, a large eagle statue overlooking the town of Tatabanya, to the Austrian border and through pleasant farming country to the imperial capital of Vienna.
Day 9: Vienna And The Habsburgs
Location: Vienna
Accommodation Name: Hilton Vienna Park, Hilton Vienna Plaza, Vienna
Meals Included: Breakfast
In the morning, there is the option to join a private tour of Maria Theresa's Schönbrunn Palace and formal gardens. Get your camera ready for a drive around the famous Ring Road. This grand boulevard, built along the lines of the old city walls, showcases many of the capital's architectural masterpieces, including the Opera House, magnificent Hofburg Imperial Residence and Parliament building. Later, join your Local Expert for a walk through Innere Stadt, the first district and historic core of Vienna. Sit down for traditional coffee and cake and mingle with locals at a cozy café. .
Day 10: Along The Shores Of Lake Wörthersee To Venice
Location: Venice
Accommodation Name: Eurostars Residenza Cannaregio, Venice
Meals Included: Breakfast
This day's route takes you past quiet villages, through Styria's forested mountains and into the Carinthian Lake District. Continue past Europe's warmest lake, the Wörthersee, to cross into Italy near Tarvisio. Then follow mountain valleys and cascading streams down to the Veneto Plain en route to the unique city of Venice. Arrive by private boat to your hotel. In the late afternoon and early evening, sip a cocktail on the corner of Piazza San Marco, whilst you are serenaded by an ensemble of talented musicians. Afterwards, stroll past the Doges Palace and the famous 'Bridge of Sighs' to a local restaurant in the heart of the San Marco 'sestieri' for a magical dinner.
Day 11: The Magic Of 'La Serenissima' Relaxed Start
Location: 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 center. 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 12: Villa Machiavelli And Rome
Location: Rome
Accommodation Name: Room 007 Select, Rome
Meals Included: Lunch
2025 marks a Jubilee Year, a momentous Roman Catholic event celebrated every 25 years, turning Rome into a center 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 and the historic cellar, which has a secret underground tunnel connecting the cellars to the oldest restaurant in Italy. Savor 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 13: Papal And Imperial Rome
Location: Vatican City
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 14: Umbria And Onto Florence Relaxed Start
Location: Florence
Accommodation Name: Villa Neroli, Florence
Meals Included: 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 15: Renaissance Florence
Location: Florence
Accommodation Name: Villa Neroli, Florence
Meals Included: Breakfast
Begin the morning by joining a Local Expert in Florence to view the multi-colored 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 16: Across The Alps To Lucerne
Location: 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 traveling alongside towering mountains and past rushing torrents, down to scenic Lake Lucerne. Upon arrival to 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 17: Lucerne And Mt. Stanserhorn
Location: Lucerne
Accommodation Name: Astoria Lucerne
Meals Included: Breakfast
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 18: Sights And Delights Of Paris
Location: 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 center 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 19: Au Revoir Paris
Location: Paris
Meals Included: Breakfast
Bid farewell to your traveling companions as your journey comes to an end. Transfers arrive at Charles de Gaulle Airport.
What's Included
-
Meals
19 Breakfasts, 6 Dinners with Wine, and 2 Lunches with Wine are included.
-
Activities
Choose between two carefully selected activities in various locations.
-
Local Expert Tours
Guided tours with local experts in Prague, Paris, Budapest, Vienna, Venice, Rome, Florence, and more.
-
Personal Radio Headsets
Personal radio headsets are provided for guided tours.
-
Hotel and Restaurant Tips
All hotel and restaurant tips are included.
-
Baggage Handling
Baggage handling and porterage charges at hotels are included.
-
Wi-Fi
Complimentary Wi-Fi on the coach and at hotels (where available).
-
Transfers
Transfers are available at scheduled times for flights arriving and departing as per the itinerary.
-
Welcome Dinner
Welcome Dinner in Amsterdam with modern European cuisine.
-
Scenic Dinner Cruise
Scenic dinner cruise in Budapest along the Danube.
What's Not Included
-
Optional Experiences
Optional experiences such as river cruises, additional tours, and activities are not included.
-
Flights
International and domestic flights are not included.
-
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is not included and is recommended.
-
Personal Expenses
Personal expenses such as souvenirs, additional meals, and drinks are not included.
-
Visa Fees
Visa fees and related expenses are not included.
-
Airport Transfers Outside Scheduled Times
Transfers for flights arriving or departing outside the scheduled times are not included.
Mode of Transport
Travel in style with a high-speed Eurostar train journey from London to Amsterdam, and enjoy the luxury of a 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and onboard washroom for the rest of the tour. Transfers are available at scheduled times for flights arriving and departing as per the itinerary.
Accommodation
Stay in comfort at the Thistle Marble Arch in London, Apollo in Amsterdam, Maritim in Wurzburg, Royal in Prague, Hilton Garden Inn in Budapest, Hilton Vienna Park in Vienna, Eurostars Residenza Cannaregio in Venice, Room 007 Select in Rome, Villa Neroli in Florence, and Astoria Lucerne in Lucerne, with a final stay at Le Méridien Etoile in Paris.
Dining Summary
19 Breakfast (B)5 Dinner with Wine (DW)2 Lunch (L)1 Dinner (D)
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
Budapest: Enjoy a tour of the Liszt Music Academy with a student, followed by an enchanting recital. Producing incredible musical talent, the university was founded by piano virtuoso and composer Franz Liszt in 1875.Vienna: Be pampered with traditional coffee and cake. An experience like no other, this cozy café provides companionship, and promotes well-being and support for the community, in addition to crafting delicious treats.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
-
What unique experiences are included in the tour?
The tour includes several unique experiences such as a visit to a traditional glassblowing workshop in Venice, a guided tour of Nicolo Machiavelli's house in Tuscany with a special opening of his private office, and exclusive access to the Basilica of Saint Praxedes in Rome during an after-hours visit.
-
Are there any special dining experiences on this tour?
Yes, the tour offers several special dining experiences including a Welcome Dinner in Amsterdam, a scenic dinner cruise in Budapest, a Venetian Celebration Dinner in Venice, a wine tasting with Tuscan snacks in Machiavelli's home, and a Dine-Around Evening in Lucerne.
-
What are some of the highlights of the Prague visit?
In Prague, you can choose to walk the courtyards of the Castle and visit St. Vitus Cathedral or explore the Jewish Quarter with a Local Expert and taste Trdelník, a traditional Czech pastry. The city is then yours to explore further.
-
What activities are available in Paris during the tour?
In Paris, you can join a local food lover on a walk through the streets to visit patisseries, boulangeries, and chocolatiers, and sample local treats. You will also explore the city's iconic sights such as the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame Cathedral, and the Arc de Triomphe.
-
What is the transportation like during the tour?
The tour includes travel in a luxurious, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and onboard washroom. There is also a high-speed Eurostar train journey from London to Amsterdam.
-
Are there any cultural or educational experiences included?
Yes, the tour includes cultural and educational experiences such as a tour of the Liszt Music Academy in Budapest, a visit to the Vatican Museums with fast-track entry, and a cooking class with Chef Lorenzo in Umbria.
-
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.
-
How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 1978.
-
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.
-
Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
-
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.
-
What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies
Reviews of this operator
1 Select your preferred date
Book with Confidence
-
Low Deposit
Insight Vacations requires a minimum deposit of 350 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
-
Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of insight vacations charges.
Up to 91 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 90 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 29 days before tour starts: Forfeit 80% of booking price.
At 1 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
-
Terms and Conditions