The name already tells you that this trip from Paris to Amsterdam is paced to give you a quick taste of Europe. Start with a special welcome dinner with wine at a fine Parisian restaurant on your first night. Enjoy 2-night stays in Paris, Rome, Venice, and Amsterdam, and enjoy major sites like the second floor of the Eiffel Tower in Paris, Michelangelo’s David in Florence, the Colosseum and Sistine Chapel in Rome, and St. Mark’s Square and Doges’ Palace in Venice. In Florence, a special dinner at a local restaurant is included. Sightseeing in all major cities is with a Local Guide. Enjoy an overnight stay in Lugano and Munich, a private boat transfer in Venice, a cruise down the romantic Rhine, and a canal cruise in Amsterdam, as well as stops in Ferrara, Innsbruck, and Germany’s picturesque Rothenburg. This is the best way to see Europe in two weeks!

Day 1 Arrive in Paris, France
The day is free to rest or to start exploring the splendid French capital. At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and traveling companions for a special welcome dinner with wine at one of Paris’ fine restaurants. (Dinner)

Day 2 Paris
Sightseeing with a Local Guide features the Arc de Triomphe, Opéra, Madeleine, Louvre, Notre Dame Cathedral, and Champs-Elysées. For a panoramic view, take the elevator to the second floor of the EIFFEL TOWER. Afternoon at leisure. An optional excursion to the Palace of Versailles is available. Tonight, a lively cabaret show might just be the ticket. (Breakfast)

Day 3 Paris–Lucerne, Switzerland
A comfortable ride skirting Fontainebleau Forest and through the vineyards of Burgundy to the Swiss border. Enjoy vistas of the Alps as you arrive in picture-book Lucerne. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 4 Lucerne–Lugano
Admire Thorwaldsen’s LION MONUMENT and walk through the Old Town, then cross the famous covered CHAPEL BRIDGE to the Jesuit Church. Why not join an optional excursion to the top of the mountain? Next, admire the towering majesty of the Swiss Alps and St. Gotthard on the way to Lake Lugano. You may wish to join an optional boatride followed by dinner on spectacular Lake Lugano. (Breakfast)

Day 5 Lugano–Pisa, Italy–Florence
Past Italy’s commercial capital of Milan, reach Pisa, where you stop for pictures of its amazing Leaning Tower. Arrive in Florence, the “Cradle of the Renaissance.” Time to explore the many gold and leather shops, then, enjoy dinner with Tuscan specialties at a local restaurant. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 6 Florence–Rome
During your walking tour with a Local Guide, visit Michelangelo’s celebrated David in the ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS. Admire the magnificent cathedral, Giotto’s Bell Tower, and the Baptistry’s heavy bronze “Gate of Paradise.” Also visit sculpture-studded SIGNORIA SQUARE. Next, a fast and easy ride on the Highway of the Sun to the “Eternal City.” (Breakfast)

Day 7 Rome
Sightseeing with your Local Guide starts with a visit to the VATICAN MUSEUMS and SISTINE CHAPEL, world famous for Michelangelo’s ceiling paintings. 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. (Breakfast)

Day 8 Rome–Ferrara–Venice
Afternoon break in Ferrara. Walk along the impressive Este Castle to the marble cathedral. Browse through the attractive little shops before continuing to Venice on the Adriatic coast. Exciting optional activities are available. (Breakfast)

Day 9 Venice
Enter Venice in style by PRIVATE BOAT. Highlights of your walking tour with a Local Guide are ST. MARK’S SQUARE and its basilica, lavish DOGES’ PALACE and the BRIDGE OF SIGHS. Also watch skilled GLASSBLOWERS fashion their delicate objects. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 10 Venice–Innsbruck, Austria–Munich, Germany
Leave Italy on spectacular Brenner Pass, which leads through the barrier of the Tyrolean Alps to Austria. In Innsbruck, enjoy a pleasant stroll through quaint medieval lanes to Emperor Maximilian’s GOLDEN ROOF before continuing through the Bavarian Alps to Munich, Germany’s “Secret Capital.” How about a stein of beer and dinner downtown tonight? (Breakfast)

Day 1 1Munich–Rothenburg–Rhineland
Your orientation drive features Munich’s most famous landmarks: Olympic Stadium, 1,000-foot-high Television Tower, and the 17th-century Nymphenburg Palace. Then, continue through the Swabian Jura to Rothenburg for a walking tour of this walled town. Enjoy free time before continuing to the Rhineland. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 12 Rhineland–Cologne–Amsterdam, Holland
This morning’s highlight is a romantic RHINE CRUISE past castle-crested hills, terraced vineyards, and the Lorelei rock. Then, continue to Cologne and visit the awesome twin-spired gothic CATHEDRAL before traveling through the Dutch region best known as the locale of A Bridge Too Far on the way to Amsterdam, capital of Holland. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 13 Amsterdam
A Local Guide shows you the 700-year-old city, including Dam Square with the Royal Palace, and the Rijksmuseum. The highlight is a CANAL CRUISE past patrician mansions, gabled façades, and humpback bridges. Next, visit a major DIAMOND CENTER or one of Amsterdam’s famous museums. The afternoon is at leisure, and an optional excursion to Volendam can be arranged. (Breakfast)

Day 14 Amsterdam
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (Breakfast)

Vacation Highlights

INCLUDED FEATURES

Paris
Welcome dinner at a local restaurant; guided sightseeing, ascend the Eiffel Tower

Lucerne
Walking tour including the Lion Monument and the Chapel Bridge

Pisa
Marvel at the legendary Leaning Tower

Florence
Dinner at a local restaurant; guided sightseeing, visit Michelangelo’s David, and Signoria Square

Rome
Guided sightseeing, visit the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Square and Basilica, the Colosseum and Roman Forum

Ferrara
Walk along Este Castle to the cathedral

Venice
Private boat ride; guided walking tour, visit St. Mark’s Square, Doges’ Palace and the Bridge of Sighs; glassblowers’ demonstration

Innsbruck
Walk through the Old Town to the Golden Roof

Munich
Orientation drive

Rothenburg
Walking tour of the walled town

Rhine Cruise

Cologne
Visit the cathedral

Amsterdam
Guided sightseeing including Dam Square, canal cruise; visit a major diamond center

Headsets throughout the tour

INSIDE VISITS
Inside visits and special features are shown in the description, including admission charges when applicable.

Accommodations

MEALS
Full buffet breakfast; 6 three-course dinners, including a special welcome dinner with wine in Paris and a special Tuscan dinner with wine in Florence

SUPERIOR HOTELS - (D) Deluxe (SF) Superior First-Class (F) First-Class
PARIS Mercure Tour Eiffel Suffren (F), LUCERNE Ameron Flora (F), LUGANO Holiday Inn Lugano Centre (F), FLORENCE Hilton Garden Inn (F), ROME Crowne Plaza St. Peter’s (SF), VENICE Plaza (F) at Mestre, MUNICH Holiday Inn Munich City Centre (F), RHINELAND NH Bingen (F) at Bingen am Rhein, AMSTERDAM NH Carlton (F)

Optional Excursions

Important Note: the following list of optional excursions are examples only for this vacation as they are the excursions that are being offered for this vacation in the current travel year. These optional excursions might or might not be offered next year, as well as new optional excursions might be offered. Information about what optional excursions will be offered for your vacation will be available later this year into next year. If no example excursions are listed, please check back later.

Here's a list of optional excursions you can enjoy during your vacation. Whether it's a special dinner, a local show or a special behind-the-scenes glimpse into an historical site, optional excursions are a wonderful way to enrich your vacation even further. Plus, they give you flexibility. We include the must-see sites and experiences, and we also understand that people take interest in different activities and may want to craft a more personal vacation by hand-picking optional excursions that appeal to them.

Availability is subject to sufficient participation, weather conditions, seasonal suitability, days of operation, group interests, and general feasibility for your vacation. The approximate value listed gives you a good, general idea of what you can expect to pay but may vary once you are on your vacation. Some information provided might be in a foreign currency.

CITY: Amsterdam

Volendam and Dutch Dinner
Visit a Dutch cheese farm and windmill, before enjoying a typical Dutch dinner with drinks in a local restaurant in the quaint fishing village of Volendam.
Approximate value: EUR €54 per person

CITY: Lucerne

Mount Pilatus
A spectacular panoramic view over Central Switzerland from 7,000 feet up, via the world's steepest cogwheel railway (inclination 48 degrees) as well as the silent aerial tramway and panoramic gondolas.
Approximate value: EUR €55 per person

One-Hour Cruise On Lake Lucerne
Board your private motorboat for an enchanting and relaxing one-hour cruise on glassy Lake Lucerne also known as the Vierwaldstättersee or 'Lake of the Four Forest Cantons'. Marvel at the spectacular mountain scenery and admire fjords, bays and rolling meadows. See also the Rütli meadows, where the Swiss Confederation was founded in 1291.
Approximate value: EUR €29 per person

Swiss Folklore Party
A real taste of Switzerland! Swiss folklore, alphorns, yodeling, and traditional instruments entertain you as you enjoy a typical three-course lunch including cheese fondue and two drinks. Note: Depending on the meal schedule of your tour, this excursion may be offered with a full three-course dinner for EUR 69.00 per person.
Approximate value: EUR €55 per person

CITY: Munich

Famous Hofbrauhaus
Enjoy a stein of beer in the Festival Hall of the HOFBRÄUHAUS, where Bavarian musicians and folk dancers never fail to put everyone in a genuine "Oktoberfest" mood.
Approximate value: EUR €26 per person

CITY: Paris

Ville Lumiere - Illumination Drive
Enjoy the illuminations, which reveal the magic and 'grandeur' of the City of Lights; a vision to last a lifetime!
Approximate value: EUR €24 per person

Moulin Rouge
An exciting evening at the world-renowned Parisian cabaret. Dinner with half a bottle of wine is served during the show. A glass of champagne completes your evening in style.
Approximate value: EUR €157 per person

La Nouvelle Eve
No visit to Paris is complete without a night out at the cabaret! A whirling international dinner show (unlimited wine) at Pigalle's one and only LA NOUVELLE EVE.
Approximate value: EUR €117 per person

Versailles (closed on Monday)
A short journey from Paris with your local guide to the lavish 17th-century classical palace built by Sun King Louis XIV, with its magnificent STATE APARTMENTS, Hall of Mirrors, and the Royal Chapel. Time to stroll through parts of the elegant 250-acre GARDENS. Note: This excursion is not available on Mondays and public holidays.
Approximate value: EUR €58 per person

CITY: Rome

Orientation Drive and Roman Dinner
Wander through the Eternal City and be spoiled with Italian specialties and wine at one of Rome's popular restaurants.
Approximate value: EUR €56 per person

Roman Highlights
A guided walking tour takes you to some of the most famous monuments. Admire the Spanish Steps, Via Condotti, Piazza Navona, Parliament, and Pantheon. A four-course dinner including drinks at a popular Roman restaurant can also be added for the total price of EUR 65.00 per person.
Approximate value: EUR €37 per person

Roman Hidden Treasures
Your Tour Director will propose a tailor-made itinerary for your tour that features some of Rome's authentic jewels such as: Trastevere and its basilica of Santa Maria or the baroque district, Campo de' Fiori, the Pantheon and San Luigi dei Francesi with Caravaggio paintings or famous Piazza Navona, Trevi Fountain, Via dei Condotti and Piazza del Popolo with its church of Santa Maria del Popolo and displays of Caravaggio paintings.
Approximate value: EUR €37 per person

CITY: Venice

Gondola Serenade
Enjoy a serenaded ride in a traditional gondola (for 6 people), gliding through centuries-old canals, under famous arched bridges, and past lavish palaces and quaint piazzas.
Approximate value: EUR €37 per person

A Venetian Night Out
Travel by private water taxi along the splendid Grand Canal with its elegant palaces to a fine Venetian restaurant, and taste four mouth-watering courses of local specialties and wine. Later there's time to explore and absorb the romantic and unique atmosphere of Venice by night.
Approximate value: EUR €68 per person

Lagoon Cruise with Lunch or Dinner in Burano
Leave the crowds of Venice behind and appreciate the peaceful vistas of the Lagoon while you glide past the islands of San Giorgio, Santa Elena, and the famous Lido. In the picturesque fishing village of Burano, renowned for its pastel-colored houses, savor a four-course lunch/dinner with drinks included. Afterward there's time to shop and stroll.
Approximate value: EUR €67 per person

PRICES
From approx $2,899 US per person double occupancy