Includes:
DAY 1: Amsterdam (D)
Welcome to the first day of the tour, arrive at the hotel and meet your fellow travellers and your tour leader. This evening we travel to the centre of Amsterdam for a canal cruise. Complete with pizza and ice cream, you will explore the city from a unique perspective and gain an alternative perspective of this eclectic and bohemian city, whilst drifting past famous landmarks, and learn about Amsterdam’s interesting history. After this great introduction to the tour, why not join your tour leader on a walking tour of the infamous Red Light District?
DAY 2: Visit Brussels and Paris (B & D)
On our journey to Paris, we take a comfort stop at the capital of Belgium, Brussels, where you will see famous landmarks such as the Mannekin Pis statue and the Atomium. In the afternoon we travel to Paris - 'The City of Lights and Love'. We will introduce you to the iconic sights on a relaxing driving tour of the city, where you will cruise past such iconic landmarks as the Eiffel Tower, The Louvre and Notre Dame - taking note of the places you wish to explore more on your free day. After dinner, the rest of the evening is yours to spend as you wish.
DAY 3: Free day in Paris (B)
The wonderful thing about Paris is that it there is so much to experience, regardless of the time of day, or season. The Seine River is the backbone of the capital and flows through the heart of the city. The banks are peppered with booksellers and market stalls if you wish to walk. But, why not choose a cruise, and cruise your way past the grandeur of the gothic Notre Dame cathedral, to the epic Eiffel Tower? The commentary from the riverboats will give you invaluable knowledge and information about the city. For the art buffs amongst you, The Louvre (home of the Mona Lisa) and Montmartre are a classic choice. Famous architecture is scattered through the city, and ‘strolling’ is the best mode of transport for taking in every ounce of history. Paris Disneyland is perfect for the ‘young at heart’, and is only a short distance away. Your tour leader is brimming with ideas and local knowledge so that you can get the best out of your time here. Don’t forget to find out where you can sample such French delicacies as frogs legs and snails - not your typical garden variety...
DAY 4: Visit Switzerland (B & D)
‘Au revoir’ France...You are heading for the hills! Make yourself comfortable, as the drive through the mountain region of Switzerland is a highlight of the day. As you wind your way through the valleys, take in the snow-capped peaks, forests, changing colours of the landscape and picturesque mountain lakes. Once in the heart of the famous Jungfrau Alpine Region, you will check into your mountain village accommodation and enjoy the stunning views. One of the most visited places in the Alps, it is also a World Heritage site, and there are plenty of reasons to charge your cameras in preparation for tomorrow.
DAY 5: Free day in Switzerland (B)
It’s a guaranteed snow day! For 365 days of the year, Jungfraujoch is blessed with snow, and today you have the option to explore the ‘Top of Europe’ on one of our most popular excursions! The journey up the mountain is a highlight in itself, as you take a train to the highest railway station in Europe, and rewarded with the most inspirational views imaginable. This 4000m glacier has a beauty all of its own, and the combination of ice, snow, rock and epic views will stay with you for life. Alternatively, for those who wish to spend their free day exploring the local sights, you can head to Interlaken, feasting on Swiss chocolate fondue, take in a spot of sightseeing and souvenir shopping, or just wander the village, breathing in that crisp, fresh, Alpine air!
DAY 6: Visit Pisa and Tuscany (B)
It’s time to swap snow for gelato as you continue your European tour from your mountain adventure towards stunning Italian vistas. Make sure you prepare your camera for a photo opportunity of a lifetime when we stop at the Leaning Tower of Pisa! This world famous 840-year-old Belltower is immaculately presented, and aching for you to creatively try to ‘push’ it back up, in one of your cleverly crafted photos. A world heritage UNESCO site, The Leaning Tower is visited by tourists from every corner of the globe and is one of the most popular cultural European landmarks. Onwards to the exquisite Tuscan region - famous for wine, food, art and architecture, you will settle in Montecatini Terme, a spa town north-west of Florence. The light here is beautiful at this time of day...time for a local wine or two.
DAY 7: Visit Florence and Rome (B & D)
Today, your Italian adventure continues to amaze as you continue through the Tuscan region to the city of Florence, and then on to the capital of the nation - Rome! Once in Florence, a local guide will show you around on a walking tour of the city. History oozes out of every pore of this artistic and cultural centre - the city is home to Michaelangelo’s ‘David’. The architecture lining the streets is astounding and so well preserved, you wouldn’t imagine these buildings are centuries old. Its then off to Rome, a city so popular and fantastically historical, you will feel like you have stepped back in time. The Italian capital buzzes with activity, tradition, passion, and an energy of its own. Our local Roman tour guide will take you by the hand and proudly introduce you to the locations which make this city so beloved and famous. The Spanish Steps, Pantheon, Piazza Navona, Roman Forum and the Coliseum...just for starters! On the way to your accommodation for the evening, you can start to plan what to do with your free day. Enjoy your meal - Bon Appetite! Tomorrow will be epic!
DAY 8: Free day in Rome (B)
Rome wasn’t built in a day, but luckily you have a free one, in which to explore this Italian capital to your hearts content. The city centre boasts ancient ruins, historical landmarks, religious buildings and a buzzing atmosphere like no other. Today is a perfect opportunity to take advantage of an optional excursion to visit the Vatican City - the smallest country in the world! Inside the walls, you can visit Michelangelo’s painting within the Sistine Chapel, as well as numerous other famous art pieces dotted around the buildings. On this optional excursion, we get there early ahead of the crowds and our guide ensures you will get the most out of visiting the residence of the Pope. The Colosseum is spectacular, and for those who wish to enter, there are fabulous views of the city, and an unbelievable feeling of drifting backwards in time, to when gladiators, chariots and lions dominated the arena. Another feature of Rome is the constant aroma of Italian food and coffee spilling out from the cafes. You will be made to feel very welcome here, and the authenticity of the cuisine is a reflection of the people who serve it to you. Whatever you do, take your time and don’t rush. Enjoy!
DAY 9: Visit Venice (B)
After exploring Rome, you shall now visit Venice on the next leg of your 14-day Europe Tour! Take note of the scenery on the way - vineyards and orchards flash in front of a majestic mountain backdrop. The diversity of the Italian landscapes will continue to impress. Venice is a unique city, perched across 118 islands, and known for its canals, gondolas, Venetian masks, piazzas, art, traditional glass and lace making. Your tour leader will introduce you to the city with an orientation walk so you can use your free time in the early evening to explore. See the world famous St Marks Square, Grand Canal and Rialto Bridge. The evening is yours to enjoy authentic Italian delights, with hundreds of fantastic local restaurants and bars to choose from. After an espresso, explore Venice the traditional way - from the canals. Take a gondola ride which gives you a completely different perspective and appreciation for the amazing structure of this supremely unique location.
DAY 10: Visit Ljubljana (B & D)
We leave Italy for Munich, the capital of the Bavarian region of Germany. With much of the city having to be restored after WW2, the modern and ancient history of Munich is fascinating, and the appreciation of the effort to rebuild the city is gilded with respect. Your tour leader will take you on an orientation tour of the city, showing you some the highlights, including Karlsplatz and Marienplatz, and explaining more of its history. This evening, we will enjoy dinner in a traditional German beer hall.
DAY 11: Bavaria - Nuremberg - Berlin (B & D)
Leaving Bavaria behind, we stop off in picture-perfect Nuremberg. Having served as a residence for German kings over many centuries, Nuremberg was an architectural marvel, and famous for its artists, too. We then drive on to Berlin, Germany's capital. On arrival, we'll take a driving tour through the city and see some of the city's more famous landmarks. Having prospered until the outbreak of the Second World War, it then endured division during the cold war, symbolized in the infamous Berlin Wall. This is a fascinating city with a firm understanding of what it takes to rebuild and regenerate - over and over again; the very essence of creativity. Reminders of the past are everywhere, but Berlin has a vibrant culture to enjoy, too.
DAY 12: Berlin, Free day (B)
Today is a free day in Berlin, so take time to investigate some of the sights you would have seen yesterday on the driving tour, or strike out on your own to discover more of the city for yourself - the choice is yours! For an incredible bird's eye view of the city, head up the Berlin TV tower - located close to Alexanderplatz, it has become an icon of the capital. Fancy some museum action? Then head over to the museum island, a collection of five world-famous museums on an island in the heart of Berlin’s city centre. After a day of exploring you may wish to relax or party; Berlin has you covered, with an incredibly vibrant nightlife offering plenty of bars, clubs and shows - from theatre to cabaret.
DAY 13: Visit Amsterdam (B)
This morning you will say your goodbye’s to Germany on the final leg of your tour as you return to the Netherlands. With your tour leader giving you a rundown on local traditions and culture, you will be given an opportunity to indulge three of the most iconic Dutch products - cheese, clogs and windmills! A very entertaining cheese and clog making display will have you fascinated and wanting to taste the cheese and try on the clogs. Checking into your hotel you have a chance to freshen up, before making the most of your last evening of the tour. Why not wander around the city centre - the cafes, restaurants and bars will be buzzing with activity and atmosphere. This is your last night on tour, so squeeze every last drop out of it!
DAY 14: Tour ends (B)
The tour concludes today after breakfast. Don’t forget to swap details with your fellow travellers before your onward journey home!
Available 2018 Commencement Dates:
About the 14-Day Classic Europe Coach Tour:
The Classic European Tour is an exciting new tour, starting in Amsterdam and covering 8 countries in 14 days! This tour is ideal for any travellers who require a Schengen visa to travel within Europe but don't want to apply for a second visa to enter the UK. The Amsterdam starting point for the tour allows you to be covered by one visa application for the duration of your trip. Highlights of the Classic Europe tour include Brussels, Paris, the Swiss Alps, Rome, Venice, Ljubljana, Salzburg, the Rhine Valley and Munich.
