European Charm Tour
From the Alps to the Eiffel Tower
This 12-night guided vacation to Europe offers travelers authentic local experiences in each city visited.
What's Included
Transportation:
- Round-trip economy class air to Amsterdam (AMS) and depart from Paris (CDG)
- Round-trip airport transfers
- Transportation by private first-class air-conditioned motorcoach (with complimentary Wi-Fi)
Accommodations in hotels listed, or similar:
- 2 nights in Amsterdam at the Room Mate Aitana Hotel
- 1 night in Heidelberg, Germany at the NH Heidelberg Hotel
- 2 nights in Oberammergau at the Klosterhotel Ludwig Der Bayer Hotel
- 1 night in Cortina D'Ampezzo, Italy at the Hotel Bellevue
- 2 nights in Venice-Mestre, Italy at the NH Laguna Palace Hotel
- 2 nights in Zermatt, Switzerland at the Walliserhof Hotel
- 2 nights in Paris at the Pullman Paris Bercy Hotel
Guided sightseeing as described in itinerary, including:
- Amsterdam, Heidelberg, Rothenburg, Munich, Oberammergau Area, Neuschwanstein, Innsbruck, Cortina D'Ampezzo, Conegliano, Venice, Lake Maggiore, Tasch-Zermatt-Tasch, and Paris
- Canal cruise in Amsterdam
- Rhine River cruise
- Private boat in Venice
- Mountain train in Zermatt
Other Inclusions:
- Full Buffet Breakfast; 7 three-course dinners with wine, including a welcome dinner in Amsterdam and, a special dinner in Heidelberg; high-speed first-class TGV train.
- Services of a Professional Travel Director; headsets throughout the tour
- Hotel taxes, porterage, tips and service charges
Great Ways to Explore
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You’ll have the opportunity to sightsee Amsterdam, Heidelberg, Venice, Paris and many more charming cities!
Visit the Ettal Abbey, paired with a tasting of the liquor produced by the abbey monks.
-
Drive through the Dolomites in Italy, known as the “Rocky Mountains of Europe.”
-
Travel on a high-speed first-class TGV train from Lausanne to Paris!
-
Guided sightseeing in Venice includes St. Mark’s Square and Doges’ Palace.
This 12-night vacation consists almost entirely of 2-night stays in a variety of famous cities and picturesque towns. In Amsterdam, enjoy guided sightseeing and a canal cruise. Also enjoy a romantic cruise on the Rhine River, an overnight stay in Heidelberg, where dinner with beer at Kulturbrauerei Heidelberg restaurant has been included, and a stop in medieval Rothenburg. In Munich, visit Marienplatz, then stay two nights in Ettal, near the Passion Play village of Oberammergau, and visit beautiful Ettal Abbey, founded in 1330, followed by a tasting of the liquor produced by the abbey monks. Also included is a visit to nearby King Ludwig’s Castle in Neuschwanstein, which was the inspiration for Disney’s Sleeping Beauty Castle. Next, drive through the Alps via Innsbruck to Italy. Enter the Dolomites, the “Rocky Mountains of Europe,” and stay overnight in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy’s most famous ski resort.
Enjoy a Prosecco wine tasting in Conegliano before arriving in Venice, where guided sightseeing includes St. Mark’s Square and Doges’ Palace with the Bridge of Sighs. From Venice, drive to Lake Maggiore, and stop in Stresa, with the possibility to visit enchanting Isola Bella. Then, enter Switzerland, and arrive in car-free Zermatt, at the foot of the Matterhorn, for your overnight stay. In the morning, an optional ride is available on Europe’s highest rack railway to the Gornergrat. Next is French-speaking Montreux, of festival fame, for an overnight stay, before boarding the high-speed first-class TGV train from Lausanne to Paris, where guided sightseeing features a visit to the second floor of the Eiffel Tower. A full day at leisure in the French capital offers the possibility to visit the Palace and Gardens of Versailles, the Louvre Museum, and the artists’ hill of Montmartre.
Please note that some recommendations in the following suggested itinerary may not be included in your package. Check What's Included above for full details on inclusions.
Transportation:
- Round-trip economy class air to Amsterdam (AMS) and depart from Paris (CDG)
- Round-trip airport transfers
- Transportation by private first-class air-conditioned motorcoach (with complimentary Wi-Fi)
Accommodations in hotels listed, or similar:
- 2 nights in Amsterdam at the Room Mate Aitana Hotel
- 1 night in Heidelberg, Germany at the NH Heidelberg Hotel
- 2 nights in Oberammergau at the Klosterhotel Ludwig Der Bayer Hotel
- 1 night in Cortina D'Ampezzo, Italy at the Hotel Bellevue
- 2 nights in Venice-Mestre, Italy at the NH Laguna Palace Hotel
- 2 nights in Zermatt, Switzerland at the Walliserhof Hotel
- 2 nights in Paris at the Pullman Paris Bercy Hotel
Guided sightseeing as described in itinerary, including:
- Amsterdam, Heidelberg, Rothenburg, Munich, Oberammergau Area, Neuschwanstein, Innsbruck, Cortina D'Ampezzo, Conegliano, Venice, Lake Maggiore, Tasch-Zermatt-Tasch, and Paris
- Canal cruise in Amsterdam
- Rhine River cruise
- Private boat in Venice
- Mountain train in Zermatt
Other Inclusions:
- Full Buffet Breakfast; 7 three-course dinners with wine, including a welcome dinner in Amsterdam and, a special dinner in Heidelberg; high-speed first-class TGV train.
- Services of a Professional Travel Director; headsets throughout the tour
- Hotel taxes, porterage, tips and service charges
-
You’ll have the opportunity to sightsee Amsterdam, Heidelberg, Venice, Paris and many more charming cities!
Visit the Ettal Abbey, paired with a tasting of the liquor produced by the abbey monks.
-
Drive through the Dolomites in Italy, known as the “Rocky Mountains of Europe.”
-
Travel on a high-speed first-class TGV train from Lausanne to Paris!
-
Guided sightseeing in Venice includes St. Mark’s Square and Doges’ Palace.
This 12-night vacation consists almost entirely of 2-night stays in a variety of famous cities and picturesque towns. In Amsterdam, enjoy guided sightseeing and a canal cruise. Also enjoy a romantic cruise on the Rhine River, an overnight stay in Heidelberg, where dinner with beer at Kulturbrauerei Heidelberg restaurant has been included, and a stop in medieval Rothenburg. In Munich, visit Marienplatz, then stay two nights in Ettal, near the Passion Play village of Oberammergau, and visit beautiful Ettal Abbey, founded in 1330, followed by a tasting of the liquor produced by the abbey monks. Also included is a visit to nearby King Ludwig’s Castle in Neuschwanstein, which was the inspiration for Disney’s Sleeping Beauty Castle. Next, drive through the Alps via Innsbruck to Italy. Enter the Dolomites, the “Rocky Mountains of Europe,” and stay overnight in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy’s most famous ski resort.
Enjoy a Prosecco wine tasting in Conegliano before arriving in Venice, where guided sightseeing includes St. Mark’s Square and Doges’ Palace with the Bridge of Sighs. From Venice, drive to Lake Maggiore, and stop in Stresa, with the possibility to visit enchanting Isola Bella. Then, enter Switzerland, and arrive in car-free Zermatt, at the foot of the Matterhorn, for your overnight stay. In the morning, an optional ride is available on Europe’s highest rack railway to the Gornergrat. Next is French-speaking Montreux, of festival fame, for an overnight stay, before boarding the high-speed first-class TGV train from Lausanne to Paris, where guided sightseeing features a visit to the second floor of the Eiffel Tower. A full day at leisure in the French capital offers the possibility to visit the Palace and Gardens of Versailles, the Louvre Museum, and the artists’ hill of Montmartre.
Please note that some recommendations in the following suggested itinerary may not be included in your package. Check What's Included above for full details on inclusions.
Day 1. Welcome to Amsterdam!
At 6 pm, meet your travelling companions and Tour Director for a welcome dinner with wine at your hotel. (Dinner)
Check-in - Room Mate Aitana Hotel
A 284 room designer hotel recently built on the new artificial island in the IJ river and offers free Wi-Fi throughout. The hotel boasts a trendy cosmopolitan restaurant, which serves international food, the lounge bar provides a stylish setting for drinks and there is also a fitness center.
Day 2. Amsterdam
See the main sights of the 700-year-old capital with a Local Guide, like the Royal Palace, Mint Tower, the original Heineken Brewery, the Rijksmuseum, and more. Highlight is a leisurely Canal Cruise along the patrician mansions and gabled façades. Also visit a major Diamond Centre. Later, you may wish to join an optional excursion to visit a cheese farm, a clog maker, and a working windmill, followed by dinner in the pretty fishing village of Volendam. (Breakfast)
Day 3. Amsterdam – Heidelberg, Germany
On the way to Germany, pass the Dutch region best known as the locale of A Bridge Too Far. Highlight of the day is a romantic Rhine Cruise past castle-crested cliffs, terraced vineyards, and half-timbered towns. Arrive in Heidelberg, walk the cobblestoned streets of the Old Town and take photographs of its castle. Next, enjoy dinner with beer at Kulturbrauerei Heidelberg restaurant. (Breakfast, Dinner)
Check-in - NH Heidelberg Hotel
The hotel offers a restaurant as well as a bar/lounge where guests can unwind with a drink. This 4-star property offers access to a business center. An Internet point is located on site and high-speed wired and wireless Internet access is complimentary. Event facilities include conference/meeting rooms and banquet facilities. This Heidelberg hotel also offers a sauna, tour/ticket assistance, and laundry facilities. Onsite parking is available for an additional cost.
Day 4. Heidelberg – Rothenburg – Munich – Oberammergau Area
Admire the ramparts, towers, and 16th-century houses in picture-book Rothenburg, famous for Christmas ornaments. Hear why this town was spared during the Thirty Years’ War. Next is Munich, capital of Bavaria. Drive by the Olympic Stadium with its 1,000-foot-high Television Tower, and visit Marienplatz with its Old and New Town Halls before continuing to the peaceful village of Ettal. (Breakfast, Dinner)
Check-in - Klosterhotel Ludwig Der Bayer Hotel
The "Klosterhotel Ludwig der Bayer" is located in Bavaria's Werdenfelser region and offers a wide array arrangements to fit your personal needs and tastes.
Day 5. Oberammergau Area
A special highlight today: visit beautiful Ettal Abbey, nestled at the foothills of the Bavarian Alps. Founded in 1330 by Benedictine monks, the original structure was destroyed by a fire in 1744 and later rebuilt in the baroque style. See the beautiful frescoes that adorn the ceilings and walls, and the marvelous altars. Also on the agenda: a tasting of the liquor produced by the abbey monks. Later, free time in Oberammergau to get acquainted with the history and traditions of this Passion Play village. To round off your stay in this area, maybe join the exciting optional excursions to Linderhof Castle with its beautiful terraced gardens, and a Bavarian dinner to try out traditional dishes and enjoy local entertainment. (Breakfast)
Day 6. Oberammergau Area – Neuschwanstein – Innsbruck, Austria – Cortina D'Ampezzo, Italy
In the heart of the Bavarian Alps you will see two castles practically facing each other. Hohenschwangau is the castle where King Ludwig II grew up, but the most famous one is the one you will visit: a local favorite; Neuschwanstein Castle, which inspired Walt Disney. The castle is featured in the movie The Monuments Men. Next is Innsbruck, capital of the Austrian Tyrol. Stroll through the Old Town to Emperor Maximilian’s Golden Roof. Time to shop for crystal, for which the city is famous, before continuing across spectacular Brenner Pass into Italy and the Dolomites. Overnight is in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy’s most famous ski resort. (Breakfast, Dinner)
Check-in - Hotel Bellevue
Hotel Bellevue is a charming 66 room hotel located in the center of Cortina d'Ampezzo offering traditional comfort with Free Wi-Fi access. The hotel has a restaurant open for lunch and dinner and drinks can be enjoyed at the hotel's bar. Leisure facilities also include a wellness spa with sauna and Turkish bath.
Day 7. Cortina d’Ampezzo – Conegliano – Venice
Drive through the impressive Dolomites, the “Rocky Mountains of Europe,” and stop in Conegliano for a Prosecco Wine Tasting. Continue to Venice, city of romantics. Tonight, you may wish to join our optional excursion: A Venetian Night Out. (Breakfast)
Check-in - NH Laguna Palace Hotel
Modern hotel with conference facilities, moorings for almost 400 boats in adjoining marina; 25 minute shuttle to center of Venice.
Day 8. Venice
Enter in style by Private Boat and meet your Local Guide. Highlights of your walking tour are St. Mark's Square and the byzantine basilica, the Clock Tower, lavish Doges' Palace and the Bridge of Sighs. Also watch a skilled Glassblower fashion delicate objects in an age-old traditional manner. Then, enjoy Venice at your own pace or join an optional gondola ride. (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 9. Venice – Lake Maggiore – Zermatt, Switzerland
A comfortable drive to the Italian-Swiss Lake District. In elegant Stresa at Lake Maggiore, an optional boat ride to enchanting Isola Bella can be arranged before crossing lofty Simplon Pass into the Swiss Valais, an area renowned for its excellent wines and great mountain resorts. To reach the most famous of them, leave the coach behind in Täsch and board a Mountain Train to climb the last few miles up to Zermatt, a picturesque cluster of rustic chalets beneath the Matterhorn. (Breakfast, Dinner)
Check-in - Walliserhof Hotel
Traditional Valaisan Chalet-style Hotel with white plaster & natural wood facade accented by red shutters, & wooden balconies.
Day 10. Zermatt – Montreux
Morning at leisure. A suggestion: ride Europe’s highest rack railway to 10,272-foot Gornergrat for a breathtaking panoramic view of the Alps. Next, motor through the vineyards and apricot groves of the lower Rhone Valley and arrive at Lake Geneva in Montreux, of festival fame. (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 11. Montreux – Lausanne – Paris, France
Drive along the coastline of Lake Geneva, the “Swiss Riviera,” to Lausanne, home to the International Olympic Committee. Here, board the high-speed TGV Train to Paris. On arrival, sightseeing with a Local Guide features the most famous sights: the Opéra, Arc de Triomphe, Champs-Elysées, and more. For a bird’s-eye view, take the elevator to the second floor of Paris’ most famous landmark: the Eiffel Tower. This evening you may wish to try out local specialties at one of Paris’ lively restaurants. (Breakfast)
Check-in - Pullman Paris Bercy Hotel
Day 12. Paris
Another day to enjoy what this extraordinary metropolis has to offer. To enhance your stay, choose from our list of optional excursions: the magnificent Louvre Museum with the Mona Lisa, and the lavish baroque Palace and Gardens of Versailles, built by the Sun King, Louis XIV. Tonight, why not join an optional excursion to visit the artists’ hill of Montmartre, the perfect way to say, “Au revoir, Paris?” (Breakfast)
Day 13. Depart Paris
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (Breakfast)
Fly home!
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