Your itinerary
Day 1
Day 1: Arrive Amsterdam
Welcome to Amsterdam. Spend the day at leisure before meeting your Travel Director this evening. Cruise the city’s charming, tree-lined canals to explore the heart of the Old City, then gather with your fellow travellers for a delightful dinner with wine at a local restaurant.
Meals: Dinner
Day 2
Day 2: Amsterdam to Würzburg
Depart the Dutch capital this morning and journey into the heart of Germany’s romantic Rhine Valley. In Boppard, board a river cruise and glide past vineyard-covered slopes, turreted castles and the legendary Lorelei rock. Among the sights, admire the silhouettes of Burg Rheinfels, Burg Katz and Burg Maus. Later, arrive in Würzburg, a city celebrated for its baroque charm and wine-making heritage.
Meals: Breakfast,Dinner
Day 3
Day 3: Rothenburg and Golden Prague
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?
Meals: Breakfast
Day 4
Day 4: Prague, City of a Hundred Spires
Explore Prague with your choice experience. Choose to walk the courtyards of the castle and visit the imposing St. Vitus Cathedral. Alternatively, join your Local Specialist through the Jewish Quarter and hear about the history, traditions and legends of the Jewish people while you visit the Old‑New Synagogue and the Jewish cemetery. Then, the city is all yours to explore. Perhaps rummage through the antique stores or shop for Bohemian crystal?
Meals: Breakfast
Day 5
Day 5: Through Bohemia to Budapest
Travel to Hungary, following the River Danube to Budapest. In the evening, enjoy a scenic dinner cruise, gliding past UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The city’s spectacular night-time beauty earns it the nickname ‘Pearl of the Danube’.
Meals: Breakfast,Dinner
Day 6
Day 6: Budapest, Queen of the Danube
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 Specialist. 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.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 7
Day 7: The Flavours of Budapest
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.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 8
Day 8: Vienna and the Habsburgs
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 Specialist 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 cosy cafe.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 9
Day 9: Along the shores of Lake Wörthersee to Venice
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 Doge’s Palace and the famous ‘Bridge of Sighs’ to a local restaurant in the heart of the historic centre for a magical dinner.
Meals: Breakfast,Dinner
Day 10
Day 10: The Magic of 'La Serenissima'
In the morning, prepare to embrace this awe-inspiring 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 visit to a traditional Venetian glassblowing workshop, where you’ll see how beautiful, handcrafted glass is made by expert artisans, preserving centuries-old skills. 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 specialities and wine?
Meals: Breakfast
Day 11
Day 11: Journey From Tuscany to Rome
Climbing into the Apennines, you arrive at Fattoria di Bagnolo, a historic Tuscan estate watched over by the Bartolini Baldelli family for generations. A family member welcomes you personally, sharing how the estate moved from Machiavelli’s era to its revival in 1852 as the Marquis’ summer residence. Inside the villa and atmospheric cellars, cool stone, oak barrels and the scent of olive oil anchor you in Tuscan country life before you walk among the vines with the Chianti hills stretching in folds beyond. You taste the estate wines with the family’s own olive oil, then follow the Tiber towards Rome, where the Eternal City waits at the end of the road.
Meals: Breakfast,Lunch
Day 12
Day 12: Rome Sights: Vatican and Colosseum
With fast-track entry, your Local Specialist guides you into the Vatican Museums, where long galleries lead you past Raphael’s works and classical sculptures collected by the Popes. In the Sistine Chapel, its sweep of biblical scenes from Genesis to David and Goliath spreads out above you in intricate colours and immense detail. Continuing to St. Peter’s Basilica, the world’s largest church, you may pause before Michelangelo’s Pietà to notice the detail carved into marble, from the folds of Mary’s robe to the stillness of her face. Across the Tiber, ancient Rome lies in all its ruined glory. You might trace the Colosseum’s tiers of arches and weathered stone before enjoying free time to follow your own curiosity through Rome. On some departures, access to St. Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican Museums may be restricted. You’ll still enjoy the atmosphere of St. Peter’s Square during your visit to the Vatican City, and if tickets are unavailable to the Vatican Museums, you’ll instead explore the Capitoline Museums, home to iconic Roman art and archaeology.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 13
Day 13: Lorenzo’s Farm and Florence Beyond
At Lorenzo’s family farm in Umbria, you join the chef in the kitchen, where flour dusts the table and pasta dough is pressed, folded and cut by hand. His demonstration leads straight into lunch. You sit down to pasta served with Orvieto Classico, the wine cool in the glass and warm steam rising from the plate. Afterwards, you’ll continue to your hotel in Florence, the taste of Umbria still lingering on your tongue.
Meals: Breakfast,Lunch
Day 14
Day 14: Renaissance Florence
Begin the morning by joining a Local Specialist in Florence to view the multicoloured 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. In the afternoon, enjoy free time to explore the Renaissance capital. Perhaps take the opportunity to visit Pisa and see the famous Leaning Tower?
Meals: Breakfast
Day 15
Day 15: Across the Alps to Lucerne
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 travelling 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.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 16
Day 16: Lucerne’s Heights: Stanserhorn and Old Town
On your MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, you ride the solar-powered open-top cable car towards Mount Stanserhorn’s summit, open to the alpine air as cowbells sound from the slopes and the mountains spread wide around you. If the skies are clear, you may look as far as Alsace and the Black Forest in Germany before following the summit pathways in search of marmots and native wildlife. Back in Lucerne, you wander the traffic-free Old Town, passing chocolate shop windows stacked with pralines, truffles and gold-wrapped bars. You could also join today’s Optional Experience into the countryside, travelling by horse-drawn carriage before meeting local farmers. For your Dine-Around Evening, choose from a selection of restaurants and settle in for dinner.
Meals: Breakfast,Dinner
Day 17
Day 17: Journey Through Burgundy to Paris
Crossing rural Burgundy, you watch vine rows comb the countryside on the way to Paris, one of France’s great wine regions slipping past the window. During your time in Paris, you look up through the Eiffel Tower’s ironwork, pass Notre-Dame on the Île de la Cité and follow the Louvre’s long stone façades along the river. Beside the Seine, you’ll travel past bridges arcing over the water before reaching Place de la Concorde, where the obelisk cuts a clean line through the square. Drive along the Champs‑Élysées towards the Arc de Triomphe, then claim the evening for yourself, perhaps slipping into a world-famous cabaret show where velvet seats, stage lights and music carry Paris late into the night.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 18
Day 18: The Flavours of Paris
With your Local Specialist, you’ll cross Paris on a panoramic tour, taking in the iron lattice of the Eiffel Tower, the broad sweep of the Champs‑Élysées and the Arc de Triomphe. At Place de la Concorde, you’ll see one of Paris’s grandest squares and hear how this elegant setting became the site of the guillotine during the French Revolution. Later, settle in at a local restaurant, where good cheer and aromas from the kitchen accompany a dinner of French cuisine.
Meals: Breakfast,Dinner
Day 19
Day 19: Share Farewells to Europe
Share your goodbyes with your travelling companions before boarding the high-speed Eurostar for London. On arrival, your transfer takes you to your London hotel, where your trip ends.
Meals: Breakfast
What’s included
What’s not included
Additional information
Dining Summary
- 6 Dinner (D)
- 18 Breakfast (B)
- 2 Lunch (L)
How You'll Travel
- Business class coach with extended leg room
- Top-rated dining, from farm-to-table to local restaurants
- 4 & 5-star stays
Authentic Dining
- Amsterdam: Toast to the travels ahead during your dinner of modern European cuisine at a local restaurant.
- Budapest: Enjoy a scenic dinner cruise and take in the city’s night time beauty as you float along the Danube.
- Venice: Savour a Venetian dinner with wine in a restaurant in the heart of this historic city.
- Tuscany: Gather at a family-owned estate in the Chianti hills for an intimate tasting of their estate wines, paired with silky extra-virgin olive oil pressed from the surrounding groves. As you sip and swirl, your hosts share the story of this land shaped by sun, stone and centuries of Tuscan know-how, turning a simple glass and drizzle into something far more personal. It is a true taste of Tuscany, enjoyed up close and personal with the people who call it home.
- Umbria: Explore the art of Italian cooking with Chef Lorenzo followed by a tasty lunch.
- Lucerne: Choose from a selection of restaurants on your Dine-Around evening and hand-pick your preferred ambience, cuisine and drinks for an intimate culinary experience.
- Paris: With your newfound friends indulge in refined French cuisine during your dinner at the iconic restaurant L’Alsace.
Trafalgar Choice
- Prague: Stroll through the Jewish Quarter with your Local Specialist to hear how the Jewish community has shaped the history of Prague, and visit the Old-New Synagogue and the Jewish cemetery.
- Prague: Explore Prague with your Local Specialist, walk the courtyards of the Castle, and visit the imposing St. Vitus Cathedral. The city is then yours to explore. Maybe take a river cruise through the heart of the city, or walk in the footsteps of kings along the Royal Route?
Premium Experience
- 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 cosy cafe provides companionship, and promotes well-being and support for the community, in addition to crafting delicious treats.
- Tuscany: Be welcomed like an honoured guest at historic Fattoria di Bagnolo as a member of the noble Bartolini Baldelli family opens the doors to their Tuscan home. Discover a legacy stretching back nearly a thousand years, from Machiavelli’s era to today, as you explore the villa, vineyards and atmospheric cellars, up close and personal with those who call it home.
- Vatican City: Visit the Vatican Museums and witness the genius of Michelangelo in the Sistine Chapel.
Rothenburg ob der Tauber Medieval Town Exploration
Wander lanes lined with half-timbered houses and walk the city walls that once guarded this jewel of the Romantic Road. From market square to watchtowers, every turn reveals centuries-old craftsmanship and storybook scenes.
Seek the storybook Plonlein view, sample a schneeballen pastry and trace the outlines of 14th-century fortifications. Rothenburg’s preservation invites a tangible step back into Germany’s medieval past.
Prague Castle Courtyards & St. Vitus Cathedral (Choice)
Ascend to Hradcany to walk the courtyards of Prague Castle and step inside St. Vitus Cathedral. Soak up sweeping city views before admiring stained glass and soaring Gothic vaults inside Bohemia’s spiritual heart.
From medieval kings to Habsburg emperors, this 1,000-year-old complex anchors Prague’s skyline. Offered as one of your included choice experiences, it balances monumental history with intimate architectural detail.
Prague Jewish Quarter, Old-New Synagogue & Cemetery (Choice)
With a Local Specialist, stroll the Jewish Quarter to visit the Old-New Synagogue and the evocative Old Jewish Cemetery, where weathered headstones lean together across generations.
Hear how Prague’s Jewish community shaped the city’s culture, from merchants and scholars to legends of the Golem. This included choice experience reveals centuries of resilience in prayer halls, ritual artifacts and memory-laden lanes.
Budapest Buda Old Town Walk & Fisherman’s Bastion Views
Explore Buda’s Old Town with a Local Specialist, tracing cobbled streets to Matthias Church and the fairy-tale terraces of Fisherman’s Bastion. Enjoy sweeping Danube views across to Pest’s grand boulevards.
Hear tales of Budapest’s 1873 unification as the Chain Bridge linked two historic halves. Gothic spires and Renaissance facades frame a skyline that glitters by day and glows at night.
Budapest Danube Dinner Cruise by Night
Dine aboard as you embark on a dinner cruise on the Danube, gliding past the UNESCO riverfront. Watch the neo-Gothic Parliament, Buda Castle and the Chain Bridge illuminated in gold.
Strings of lights trace graceful spans as music drifts over the water. Budapest’s moniker, the “Pearl of the Danube,” comes alive in reflections that ripple between banks steeped in history.
Liszt Music Academy Visit & Student Recital
Visit the Liszt Music Academy on a student-led tour through elegant Art Nouveau halls, then settle in for an enchanting recital that showcases the conservatory’s living tradition.
Founded in 1875 by Franz Liszt, this storied institution has shaped generations of composers and virtuosos. Golden acoustics, carved wood and marble details frame a performance that resonates long after the final note.
Vienna Ringstrasse Drive & Innere Stadt Walk with Coffeehouse
Join a guided panoramic tour along the Ringstrasse to see the Hofburg Imperial Residence, Vienna State Opera, Parliament and Karlskirche. Continue on foot into the Innere Stadt’s graceful lanes and courtyards.
Conclude with a Viennese ritual: pause for coffee and cake in a traditional café. Stories of Habsburg ceremony and café culture—now UNESCO-recognized—blend into a portrait of elegant, everyday Vienna.
Venice Private Boat Arrival & Giudecca Canal Orientation
Travel by private boat along the Giudecca Canal, skimming past 13th–18th century palazzi toward the heart of La Serenissima. Your Travel Director’s orientation points out the Doge’s Palace and St Mark’s Square from the water.
Gothic tracery, marble facades and the lagoon’s silver light set a uniquely Venetian welcome. Waterborne arrival reveals the city’s rhythm before you step onto its storied stones.
St Mark’s Square Landmarks & Glassblowing Demonstration
Stand in the grandeur of St Mark’s Square, framed by the Basilica, Campanile and Clock Tower, and see the Doge’s Palace linked to the prisons by the Bridge of Sighs. Continue to witness Venetian glassblowing by master artisans.
Furnaces flare as molten glass becomes delicate art—a craft honed since the 15th century on nearby Murano. This encounter pairs civic splendor with living tradition.
Venetian Serenade Aperitivo & Dinner in the Historic Centre
Settle at a café on St Mark’s Square to sip an aperitivo as a small ensemble plays—an evening custom of the lagoon. Continue to a central trattoria for a Venetian dinner with wine and seasonal specialties.
From spritzes and cicchetti to seafood risotti, flavors echo the Adriatic. The tradition of being serenaded on St Mark’s Square adds a melodic backdrop to a restorative meal.
Fattoria di Bagnolo Estate Tour, Wine & Olive Oil Tasting
At a noble Tuscan estate, be welcomed like an honoured guest by the Bartolini Baldelli family. Explore frescoed rooms and cool cellars before you taste estate wines with fragrant extra-virgin olive oil pressed from surrounding groves.
Steeped in history since the 19th century and linked to earlier Florentine eras, the farm’s stone terraces and Chianti hills tell a story of land, lineage and careful craft.
Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel & St Peter’s Basilica Fast-Track
Enter with fast-track entry to the Vatican’s galleries en route to the Sistine Chapel, where Michelangelo’s frescoes span biblical drama. Continue into St Peter’s Basilica to contemplate the Pietà and the vast baroque nave.
Popes collected antiquities and Renaissance masterworks across centuries. On some departures, if access is restricted, an expertly guided visit to the Capitoline Museums reveals Rome’s iconic art and archaeology instead.
Colosseum Exterior Walk & Roman Forum Viewpoints
Stroll around the Colosseum to trace the ancient amphitheatre’s travertine arches, imagining crowds and gladiators beneath imperial Rome’s gaze. Seek vantage points over the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill.
Built under the Flavians, the stadium anchored public life and spectacle. Weathered stone, brick and marble fragments weave together the city’s layered, enduring story.
Umbrian Farmhouse Cooking with Chef Lorenzo & Lunch
Apron on, join Chef Lorenzo to learn to make fresh pasta at his countryside home. After a hands-on demonstration, sit down to a farm lunch paired with chilled Orvieto Classico.
Warm hospitality, seasonal ingredients and regional recipes showcase Umbrian cucina povera at its most generous, where simple techniques yield soulful flavors.
Florence Walking Tour & Leather and Gold Craft Demonstration
With a Local Specialist, admire the Duomo, Baptistery and Gates of Paradise, Giotto’s Campanile and Piazza della Signoria. In the Santa Croce district, watch Florentine artisans at work in a leather and gold workshop.
Guild traditions and Medici patronage forged a Renaissance city of art and craft. Today’s studios continue techniques that have defined Florentine style for centuries.
Lucerne Old Town, Lion Monument & Chapel Bridge
Walk Lucerne’s murals and guild houses to the solemn Lion Monument, then cross the flower-decked Chapel Bridge to the riverside arcades and the baroque Jesuit Church.
Carved into a limestone cliff, the lion honors Swiss Guards who fell in 1792. Timber trusses painted with historic scenes and the Reuss River’s steady flow capture the city’s lakeside charm.
Stanserhorn Cabrio Cable Car Summit (MAKE TRAVEL MATTER)
Ride the open-top Cabrio cable car, a feat of solar-powered engineering, to Mount Stanserhorn’s airy summit. Follow ridge paths and savor alpine panoramas while listening for marmots on the slopes.
Guided by a Swiss ranger when available, learn about highland flora and wildlife. Your visit supports conservation aligned with UN Sustainable Development Goal 15: Life on Land.
Lucerne Dine-Around Evening
Choose your setting for a curated Dine-Around evening—from rustic Swiss fare to modern alpine cuisine. Compare notes with fellow travelers as you choose your preferred restaurant and sample regional wines.
Independent kitchens across the old town showcase Lucerne’s culinary personality, pairing market-led menus with intimate, local ambiance.
Paris Panoramic Tour: Eiffel Tower, Champs-Élysées & Arc de Triomphe
Cross the city on a guided panoramic tour to see the Eiffel Tower, Place de la Concorde and the Seine’s elegant quays before sweeping up the Champs-Élysées and Arc de Triomphe.
Hear stories of Haussmann’s boulevards and Revolutionary Paris as bridges and monuments knit together both banks. Grand perspectives reveal the city’s symmetry and style.
Parisian Dinner at L’Alsace on the Champs-Élysées
Settle into a Belle Époque brasserie for dinner at L’Alsace, where seafood platters, steak-frites and crème brûlée capture classic French brasserie flair. Raise a glass and toast your journey amid the boulevard’s evening glow.
From tiled floors to mirrored walls, this Paris institution blends timeless dishes with lively street-side theater on the city’s most famous avenue.
Prague Vltava River Cruise by Evening or Day
Vltava River cruise past domes and spires, gliding beneath Charles Bridge as the city’s skyline unfurls. Open-air decks and picture windows frame Prague’s bridges and embankments, the city of a hundred spires reflected in the water.
This is an optional experience at additional cost, bookable on tour. Commentary enriches the views while calm currents create photo-perfect angles of castle and Old Town.
Schönbrunn Palace Private Tour & Gardens
Step behind the yellow facade for a private tour of Schonbrunn Palace, exploring the Habsburgs’ ceremonial rooms and salons. Trace Habsburg splendour from Maria Theresa’s reign to Franz Joseph, then wander manicured Baroque gardens.
This is an optional experience at additional cost, bookable on tour. Hear courtly tales—from imperial balls to Mozart’s childhood appearance—while admiring frescoes, chandeliers and parquetry.
Venice Lagoon Cruise to Burano with Seafood Dinner
Cruise the Venetian lagoon to pastel-hued island of Burano, where lace traditions survive in fishermen’s homes. Stroll canals before settling in for a seafood dinner with local wine.
This is an optional experience at additional cost, bookable on tour. As sunset tints the water, hear how brightly painted facades once guided sailors home across the marshy flats.
Lucerne Countryside by Horse-Drawn Carriage & Farm Visit
Clip-clop along country lanes on a horse-drawn carriage ride past meadows and chalets. At a working homestead, meet local farmers and sample seasonal produce with views of the Swiss countryside.
This is an optional experience at additional cost, bookable on tour. Photo stops reveal lake-and-mountain panoramas that define central Switzerland’s rural charm.
Paris Cabaret Evening with Champagne
Slip into a historic venue for a Paris cabaret evening of dancers, live music and dazzling costumes. Clink glasses of champagne as the curtain rises on a glittering revue steeped in Belle Époque spirit.
This is an optional experience at additional cost, bookable on tour. Transfers are arranged, allowing you to relax into a quintessentially Parisian night out.
Operated By
Insight Vacations
Amsterdam Canal Cruise through the Old City
Discover the Dutch capital from the water as you cruise Amsterdam’s canals beneath graceful arching bridges. Glide past Golden Age gabled mansions, slender warehouses and waterside cafés while tree-lined quays reflect in the ripples of the UNESCO-listed canal ring.
Absorb centuries of mercantile history as skippers point out landmarks like the Westerkerk and the Anne Frank House. The city’s intimate scale and soft light reveal a serene Amsterdam few see from the street.
Amsterdam Welcome Dinner at a Local Restaurant
Toast the journey ahead as you meet your Travel Director and fellow guests over a convivial dinner in a neighborhood brasserie. Savor seasonal Dutch-influenced dishes and sample regional wines in a warm setting that sparks easy conversation.
Amsterdam’s relaxed dining culture pairs market-fresh flavors with canal-side ambiance. This hosted evening sets the tone for a sociable, well-paced adventure across Europe.
Middle Rhine Cruise: Boppard to Sankt Goar
Settle on deck to cruise the River Rhine through its most storied stretch. Vine-clad slopes, turreted castles and the legendary Lorelei Rock slide by as you sip a local Riesling, with villages clustered at the water’s edge.
This UNESCO-listed valley once bristled with toll castles—Katz, Maus and Rheinfels among them—guarding trade routes. Hear river legends and admire vineyard-cloaked slopes that have shaped Rhine wines for centuries.
Würzburg Old Town Walk & Alte Mainbrücke Views
Explore Wurzburg’s baroque heart before you stand on the Alte Mainbrucke, its statues watching over the Main River. Gaze up to the Marienberg Fortress cresting vine-terraced hills and feel the Franconian wine heritage in the air.
The bridge’s medieval origins and riverside warehouses recall a trading past. Stroll cobbles, pass chapels and guild houses, and pause for photos and reflection where river, stone and hillside meet.
