Great European Tour
Tour Code: SYM-EUP001
Duration: 20 Days / 19 Nights
Coverage: Paris - London - Berlin - Innsbruck - Rome - Florence - Venice
Day 1: Paris Arrival
TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS: Night-time transfer to the Montmartre neighborhood. Funicular ride (included)
IMPORTANT - IF YOU REQUESTED ADDITIONAL NIGHTS on arrival at the hotel you will have your booking made but the guide of your trip will normally not arrive until the start of the included activities. YOUR TIME BEFORE THIS MOMENT IS THEREFORE FREE. At your hotel they can help you with all the information you need.
NB: The schedules you will find in this itinerary are approximate. The guide, depending on the situation and in order to improve the development of the circuit, may adjust the schedules.
WELCOME TO PARIS!
Transfer from airport to hotel and free time to explore before meeting your guide and fellow travellers. You will receive information about the start of the circuit during the afternoon, or you can check the informative panels in the hotel reception area.
18.30 hrs (approximately) Transfer to the Montmartre quarter, a Bohemian district known for its artists. The visit includes a ride in the funicular railway to the top of the hill which has wonderful views of Paris. Relax and enjoy a delicious dinner in a magical and romantic setting.
Return to hotel.
Day 2: Paris
TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS: City tour in Paris. Boat ride along the Seine. Climb to the second floor of the Eiffel Tower. Evening transfer.
09:00h Comprehensive tour of Paris with a local guide, visiting the Champs Elysees, Arch of Triumph, Concorde Square, Latin Quarter, Luxembourg Palace, Garnier Opera House, Louvre Museum, Notre Dame Cathedral, Town Hall of Paris, Eiffel Tower, etc. Includes admission to the second floor of the Eiffel Tower in the lift.
The visit is followed by a spectacular cruise on the river Seine which divides the north of Paris from the south. Enjoy a free afternoon to explore as you choose.
At sunset enjoy the evening transfer to “Quartier Latin”, a very picturesque area of the historic centre where a wide variety of international cuisines await you. Return to hotel.
Note: Because of the tourist attraction of the Tower, there may be important queues at the time of your access. In order to minimize the problem, in some occasions, the ascent to the Eiffel Tower can be given at another time of your stay in Paris.
Day 3: Paris - Rouen
Total Distance: 140 km
Scenery: Extensive plains of northen France. Rouen.
08.30 hrs.- We go to the centre of Paris, the area of the Louvre Museum. Free time to stroll in the city. If you wish, we can accompany you to Benlux, one of the most complete and best-known perfumeries in Paris.
18.00 hrs.- Paris –we will leave for Rouen.-
20.15 hrs.- Rouen –Arrival to this beautiful city museum with its houses with half-timbered walls, narrow streets and gothic churches.
Accommodation in the city.
Day 4: Rouen - Canterbury - London
Scenery: interesting ferry crossing, green hills in England. Stroll alongside Tower Bridge.
Note: Remember to have your Passport ready, you will need it to cross the British border. -We recommend wearing warm clothing during the crossing. -It is necessary to set your watch back one hour when entering the UK. - The UK currency is the Pound; we recommend you change your currency on the ferry.
Rouen. After breakfast, we have free time to take a stroll in the centre of Rouen to admire its magnificent cathedral and photograph the ancient streets of the historic centre (transfer at 08.15 hrs if the hotel is not located near the centre).
10.00 hrs- Rouen. Departure, we travel to the north of France.
13.00 h. Arrival to the port of Calais where we take the ferry to the UK followed by customs and border formalities. The ferry crossing takes one hour and a half. The ferry is modern and equipped with all commodities (restaurants, bars, areas in which to relax, games rooms, foreign exchange facilitles, shops...).
14.45 h. (15.45 hrs in France): Dover –On arrival, we disembark and then set out for Canterbury.
15.30 hrs- Canterbury- arrival. Free time to stroll around the religious capital of England with a very attractive historic centre.
17.00 hrs- Continuation to London.
18:30 h. London- On arrival in London, before going to the hotel, there will be time around Tower Bridge to see it lip up, to see the modern buildings of the city and have dinner in one of the restaurants of the area.
20.30 hrs- Transfer to the hotel.
Day 5: London
Highlights: Guided tour, changing of the guards, 5 o’clock English tea. Transfer to Soho.
In the early morning, comprehensive tour with local guide, lasting two hours and a half. We will see the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben, Trafalgar Sq., Picadilly Sqare, Oxford Street, Tower of London, Tower Bridge and Buckingham Palace and the famous Changing of the Guard (depending on the time of year). If you wish, later on, we recommend that you go to the "London Eye" ferries wheel.
17:00 h. After a period of free time, we invite all our travelers to a traditional Afternoon Tea.
18.30 h. In the evening, a stroll through Leicester Square, China Town and Soho, with its atmosphere, its theaters and its entertainment. Sit down for dinner at your preferred restaurant (Indian, Chinese, Thai, international, and so on) in the lively district. Return to hotel.
Day 6: London - Colchester - Ferry
Total road distance: 170 km
Scenery: Pleasant hill scenery. Ferry crossing.
Notes: Remember to have your Passport ready, you may need it to leave the UK. -When entering in the Netherlands set your watch forward one hour (if it’s 11 ‘clock in London, it will be 12 o’clock in the Netherlands).
After breakfast, we will go to the British Museum, one of the main and oldest museums in the world where we can see relics from cultures all around the globe. Free time.
At lunch time, we provide transfer to Camden, a district famous for having one of the most varied and extravagant street markets in London where we can see relics from cultures all around the globe. Free time for lunch.
16.00 hrs- Departure.
18.45 hrs- Colchester- arrival the city known as the most ancient of England. Time to stroll.
20.45 hrs- Colchester. Departure, we will leave to Harwich.
21.30 hrs- Harwich- We will board a modern ferry with all the conditions of a cruise in Harwich, and take a night voyage in cabins with bathroom. Departure of the ferry scheduled at 23.00h. Night crossing to Netherlands
Important note: The ferry used has a limited number of cabins. Sometimes, we might change the stage leaving London at 15.00 hrs and taking the railway tunnel under the English Channel and spending the night in Antwerp.
Day 7: Ferry- Volendam - Amsterdam
Total road distance: 130 km
Scenery: Dutch landscapes, plains, canals, mills. Picturesque typical village of Volendam. Visit to Amsterdam. Transfer to Rembrandtplein .
08.30 hrs.- Hoek Van Holland- Arrival and continuation of route.
10.00 hrs.- Volendam – We arrive in this charming fisherman’s village on the Southern Sea.
12.00 hrs.- Volendam – We head to Amsterdam.
12.30 hrs.- Amsterdam – Arrival, time for lunch and comprehensive tour with a local guide, visiting the canal bridges, cathedral and the Royal Palace, the Flower Market and the Museum Quarter. Visit to a diamond-cutting workshop.
At night time for dinner in Rembrandplein with its many restaurants from all corners of the world and near the red light district, with its liberal values. It is very likely that you will have heard about this neighborhood. Return to hotel.
Day 8: Amsterdam - Hamelin - Berlin
Total distance: 685km
Scenery: Fertile lowlands in the Netherlands, German forests.
07:30 h. Amsterdam – We depart for Germany.
12:15 h. Hamelin – Arrival and time to wander through this city, which is mentioned in the famous tale “The Pied Piper of Hamelin” by the Brothers Grimm. Time for lunch.
14:30 h. Departure for Berlin, the capital of Germany.
19.30 h. Berlin – Arrival at the end of the afternoon.
Day 9: Berlin
Highlights: Guided tour, Holocaust Memorial, Berlin Wall Museum.
08:00 h. Comprehensive tour of the most modern city in Europe, and visit to the Museum Island, Brandenburg Gate, Unter den Linden, the Reichstag, Potsdamerplatz and the Zoo. We leave the coach to visit the Holocaust Memorial and Berlin Wall Museum. Berlin bore witness to many significant events of the 20th century.
Free afternoon to explore the city. We recommend you to take a boat trip.
Enjoy an evening in the lively area of Kantstrasse, a district that offers different types of ethnic restaurants to dine in. Return to hotel.
Day 10:Berlin - Dresden - Prague
Total distance: 360km
Scenery: Elbe Valley in Saxony and mountain forests of Bohemia
Note: We remind you that the currency of the Czech Republic is the Koruna. It is advisable to pay in local currency during your stay.
08:00 h. Berlin – We leave for the Elbe Valley, passing through attractive woodland scenery.
10:45 h. Dresden – Time to visit this important cultural city of enormous historical importance. It was rebuilt following the serious damage it suffered after being bombed in 1945. We recommend having lunch at one of the pleasant international restaurants near the river Elbe.
14:00 h. Dresden – Departure. The river Elbe accompanies us along part of the way.
16:15 h. Prague. Arrival. At the end of the afternoon, we provide transport to take you to the Old Town Square. This central location is full of energy and touristic activities. It’s a marvellous place to acquaint ourselves with Prague. Several restaurants offering cuisines from around the world will be waiting to delight your taste buds, including Czech, Chinese, Indian and Italian. Return to hotel.
Day 11: Prague
Today’s highlights: city tour of Prague. Visit to Castle. Boat tour along the river Vltava. Evening transfer.
Note: We recommend you wear comfortable shoes during the walking tour.
07.45 h. Comprehensive tour. Lasting three hours and a half The tour starts off from the “Castel Quarter” (admission included), the political, religious and monumental centre of the capital, and the cathedral, the palaces and viewpoints over the “city of the 100 towers” and explains the history of the country. We then continue our walk through the “Small City” or “Malastrana Quarter”, the city’s Baroque jewel, to the famous “Charles Bridge”.
The city tour is followed by a monumental cruise on the river Vltava.
Free afternoon to continue exploring the city.
In the evening, we enjoy time in the historic city centre and there will be an opportunity for you to enjoy cuisines from around the world. Return to hotel.
Day 12: Prague - Munich - Innsbruck
Total distance: 540km
Forest scenery in Bohemia, valleys with grazing cattle in Bavaria and the Tyrol.
07:30 h. Prague – Departure for Munich, capital of the German region of Bavaria.
12.30 h. Munich – Next to the Olympiapark we will visit the futuristic BMW WELT with its fascinating architecture for multi-use exhibition of BMW, the prestigious German vehicles brand. Free time to stroll through the monumental centre and have lunch at one of the famous traditional beerhouses, accompanied by popular music.
15:00 h. Departure for the Tyrol and Innsbruck
17:15 h. Innsbruck. We will have time to stroll and for dinner in the Golden Roof area at the Old Town where there are many local and international restaurants (Indian, Chinese, Oriental, Italian, etc.) in which to dine. Transfer to hotel.
Day 13: Innsbruck - Swarovski Crystal Museum - Zurich
TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS: Visit to Swarovski Museum. Breathtaking landscapes.
Total distance: 330km.
Scenery: Visit to Swarovski Museum. Journey by train. Breathtaking landscapes. Alpine landscape in Austria, forests and plains.
09:00 h. We leave the hotel
09.30hrs- Swarovski Crystal Museum, we will visit the headquarters of the well-known firm, where we will visit the Gardens and the Museum and see how this crystal is made.
11.15hrs- Swarovski Crystal Museum departure.
11.45 hrs- Innsbruck- Time to stroll in the historic centre of Innsbruck.
15.30hrs- Innsbruck departure. We take an enjoyable journey through wonderful sceneries. T
19.30hrs- ZURICH, enjoy an evening in the historic centre next to the lake, where you can dine at your favorite restaurant (Indian, Oriental, Italian, International, Swiss, etc.).
Note: in some cases the journey from Innsbruck to Zurich may be done by train.
Day 14: Zurich - Grindelwald - Lucerne - Zurich
Total distance: 280 km
TODAY´S HIGHLIGHTS: Admire the fantastic landscapes. Cable car included to Grildelwald first. Lunch included
Note: Wear warm clothing and comfortable shoes to walk and your camera.
Note: Due to weather conditions (strong wind) or maintenance reasons, the cable car may not operate at any time. If this happens, we will provide an alternative lift to another similar place.
08.00 hrs- Zurich- departure to a spectacular stage with beautiful landscapes with high mountains and lakes.
10.30 hrs.- Grindelwald. Time to have a coffee in this mountain resort in the Bernese Alps before taking the cable car to Grindelwald First (ticket included), the largest ski center in the region. We will walk along the path (30 minutes) in which we will have the opportunity in breathtaking alpine landscapes to take the "footbridge over the emptiness" enjoying the glaciers that surround us; Lunch included for all passengers (vegetarian option available).
13.15 hrs- Grindelwald departure. We continue to Lucerne.
15.00 hrs- Lucerne- arrival in time to explore one of the most interesting Swiss cities and see the KapellBrück, covered bridge over the river Reuss, the Town Hall and Square with its Clock Tower and its pedestrian streets and elegant shops. Time to stroll, enjoy the city and dine before returning to the hotel in Zurich.
19:00 h. Return to Zurich.
20.00 h. -Zurich - Zurich.
Day 15: Zurich - Burglen- Morcote - Como - Milan
Total distance: 310 km
Scenery: beautiful Alpine landscapes of mountains and lakes. Take the camera by hand.
Notes: Bring your passport. There may be border controls when entering Italy
08.00 hrs. - Zurich – Departure. Crossing the Swiss Plateau.
09.15 hrs.- Burglen.- Arrival to the tiny village where William Tell was born. We shall see the chapel of the XVI century with paintings illustrating his life.
10.00 hrs.- Burglen- Departure.- Spectacular landscapes crossing the Alps by motorway. We enter the Italian-speaking Switzerland.
12.00 hrs – Morcote. Arrival to this very picturesque village by Lake Lugarno, with its stone houses covered with flowers.
– Departure for the Italian border.
13.45 hrs.- Como- on the shores of its lake, a bustling Italian town with an outstanding Gothic cathedral and life on the shore. Time to have a stroll and for lunch.
15.45 hrs.- Como, departure.
16.45 h. Milan – Arrival, our guide will take us to the impressive Duomo Square. There will be time to dine at the Porta Venecia (Port of Venice) where an outstanding variety of restaurants can be found to delight your palate. From restaurants serving Swiss and Italian food, to French, Chinese and international food. Transfer to hotel. Transfer to hotel about 20.00 hrs.
Day 16: Milan - Pisa - Rome
Total distance: 640 km
Scenery: surprising scenery along the coast of Liguria and the Tuscan Apennines.
08.00 hrs- We leave the Italian financial capital towards Pisa.
11.30 hrs- Pisa –On a little touristic train we will travel to the Piazza Dei Miracoli (Square of Miracles) where there will be time to admire one of the most alluring and beautiful art complexes in Italy, including the well-known Leaning Tower of Pisa.
13.30 hrs- Pisa – Departure for Rome, passing through ancient Etruscan regions.
20:15 h. Rome - Arrival.
Note: This stage may have a different schedule (arriving somewhat later to Pisa and Rome) for the meeting en route of travelers coming from Nice.
Day 17: Rome
Highlights: city tour of Rome. Roman Coliseum (admission price included) and Vatican City.
The morning starts with an early interesting city tour of the “Eternal City”, in which we will visit the Caracalla Baths, Venice Square, Circo Massimo, the Capitoline Hill and St. John Lateran. We enter the tiny state of the Vatican. The Vatican City is a principal centre of Christianity in the world. You will be able to visit St. Peter’s Basilica. Admission to the Coliseum included. This building, which dates from the first century, was built for the purpose of organising entertainment for the Romans, such as gladiator combats. We have the chance to learn about the ancient society of the Roman Empire.
18:30 h. Transfer to Via Cavour, which has many local restaurants and others that serve international cuisine, including Indian and Chinese. Return to hotel.
Day 18: Rome - Florence
Total distance: 320km
Scenery: Apennine Mountains and Tuscan vineyards.
Note: We recommend you wear comfortable shoes as the tour of Florence involves walking.
08:00h Rome – Departure, passing through the Tiber Valley.
12:15h Florence – Our first contact with the Renaissance city is Piazzale Michelangelo, a viewpoint with marvellous views of the city. Don’t forget to take your camera!
Walking tour with local guide, lasting two and a half hours. We visit the Duomo, Piazza della Signoria, Ponte Vechio, Straw Market, Piazza Republica, Palacio Vecchio. Free afternoon to explore and visit the city’s historical markets and museums.
The city has many restaurants that offer a wide variety of local and international food, where you can dine. Return to hotel.
Day 19: Florence - Venice
Total distance: 310km
Scenery: we cross the Apennines and the Po Valley.
08.15h Florencia – Departure, passing through mountain scenery.
12:00 h Venice – Arrival at Tronchetto Gate where we take the boat and cross the Grand Canal to the Island of Venice. Comprehensive tour with a local guide to St. Mark’s Square and the interior of St. Mark’s Basilica (admission included). Visit to the Murano Glass Factory where we will see a demonstration of how this ancient glass is made. Free afternoon.
19:00h Return to firm land and transfer to hotel. Dinner in the Mestre district, which has many local and international restaurants.
Day 20: Venice
After breakfast, end of our services.
Inclusions
Travel by bus with English speaking guide, basic travel insurance and breakfast buffet.
Includes arrival transfer
City tour in: PARIS, LONDON, AMSTERDAM, BERLIN, PRAGUE, ROME, FLORENCE, VENICE
Boat: Boat Trip along River Seine in Paris in PARIS, Vltava River in Prague in PRAGUE, Vaporetto in Venice in VENICE
Evening transfer: Montmartre District of Paris in PARIS, Latin Quartier of Paris in PARIS, London Bridge in London in LONDON, Leicester/ Soho area in London in LONDON, Rembrandtplein in Amsterdam in AMSTERDAM, Kantstrasse area in Berlin in BERLIN, Via Cavour in Rome in ROME
Transfer: Candem district in London in LONDON, Piazzale Michelangelo in Florence in FLORENCE
Ticket admission: 2nd Floor Eiffel Tower in Paris in PARIS, Traditional Afternoon Tea in London in LONDON, Diamond Cutting Workshop in Amsterdam in AMSTERDAM, Holocaust Memorial and Berlin Wall Museum in Berlin in BERLIN, Prague Castle in PRAGUE, BMW Welt in Munich in MUNICH, Swarovski Crystal Museum in INNSBRUCK, Coliseum of Rome in ROME, Saint Mark´s Basilica and Murano Glass Factory in Venice in VENICE
Train: Innsbruck to Zurich in ZURICH, Piazza dei Miracoli in Pisa in PISA
Ferry: Calais (France) to Dover (UK) in CANTERBURY, Harwich (UK) to Hoek Van Holland (NL) in FERRY COLCHESTER VOLENDAM
Funicular: Montmartre in Paris in PARIS, Cable Car to Grindelwald First in Lucerne
1 Lunch Included in: Lucerne
