Hotels
There is an excellent selection of modern and traditional hotels, ranging from the contemporary Hilton in the heart of Innsbruck to the traditional Concorde Ambassador in Paris on the main shopping street, Boulevard Haussman, and the Venice Continental dating back in part to the 15th century.
Fellow Passengers
This comprehensive tour attracts first-time travellers who are seeking an introduction to the highlights of Europe. It also appeals to seasoned travellers wishing to revisit the classic European touring route, perhaps taking the chance to return to favourite cities from previous trips to the Continent.
Highlights
Highlights are many: admiring Venice from the gondola, walking down the Spanish Steps, discovering the treasures of Florence, the ride to the summit of Mount Pilatus, the first sight of the Eiffel Tower and the overnight stay in the enchanting city of Salzburg.
Enjoy our Premium Highlights plus these extra tour features
Excursions & Sights
Scenic Drives:
Guided City Tours
Insight's First Class Services
Quality Dining
Notes 14 days Priced from US$3325 Premium Escorted Departs from & returns to London Prices are per person sharing a twin.
Tour departure point This tour departs from the Thistle Marble Arch, our recommended pre/post tour accommodation.
Price quoted in US Dollars (USD) based on land tour only Prices are subject to change without prior notice Terms and conditions apply
14 Days ~ England ~ Belgium ~ Germany ~ Austria ~ Italy ~ Switzerland ~ France
Tour Pace This tour is well balanced with the majority of the one-night stays in the first section, followed by two-night stays in the key cities of Venice, Rome, Lucerne and Paris, where there is ample time to relax or to take optional tours. Travelling days feature frequent rest stops.
Itinerary
LONDON – BRUSSELS
This morning meet your Tour Director and transfer to Dover. Bid farewell to the famous white cliffs as you cross the channel bound for the French port of Calais. Now past historic Dunkirk, famous for its Second World War evacuations, and along the coast to Belgium. At medieval Bruges, walk with your Tour Director along peaceful canals and through the cobbled streets lined with high gabled houses from the Golden Age of the 16th century. In the Market Square there is time to admire the exquisite lace work traditional to the town. Continue to the capital of Brussels, where you visit the Grand Place and see the cheeky Mannekin Pis. Tonight, enjoy a Welcome Drink. Hotel: Renaissance/Sofitel Toison d’Or.
BRUSSELS – RHINELAND
Travel into Germany to view Cologne Cathedral before continuing along the Rhine, via Bonn, to board a Highlight cruise at Boppard. Relax as you glide past medieval castles and steep vineyards to the village of St Goar, near the legendary Loreley Rock. Continue on to Heidelberg, town of the ‘Student Prince’, to see the clifftop castle before arriving at your Rhineland hotel. Hotel: Renaissance Karlsruhe/Radisson Ettlingen. (BB,D)
RHINELAND – INNSBRUCK
Visit Bavaria and fun-loving Munich; see the Olympic Stadium, Hofbrauhaus and visit the Marienplatz with its Glockenspiel. Head into the Alps and over the Austrian border to reach the Tyrolean capital of Innsbruck. Perhaps spend the evening enjoying a fabulous Tyrolean folklore evening. Hotel: Hilton. (BB)
INNSBRUCK – SALZBURG
See the Golden Roof and the Imperial Palace in the old town before visiting the decorative Wilten Basilica and following the Inn Valley to Salzburg. Join a local guide to see the imposing fortress, Mozart’s birthplace and the cathedral. Hotel: Castellani Parkhotel. (BB,D)
SALZBURG – VENICE
This morning a spectacular drive takes you through the Tauern Mountains to the Carinthian Lake District, and on to the Italian border. Follow mountain valleys and cascading streams down to the Veneto Plain on your way to the unique magical, water-bound city of Venice. Hotel: Continental/Mabapa. (BB,D)
VENICE SIGHTSEEING
Cruise by private launch to St Mark’s Square and alight to see the Bridge of Sighs which connects the Doges’ Palace to the prisons. Cross the square to seethe famous Moors, who have been striking the hour for over 500 years, the belltower and the beautiful mosaics of St Mark’s Basilica. After a demonstration of Venetian glass blowing, join an included romantic Premium Highlight gondola ride along the canals. Perhaps consider taking a boat trip to the island of Burano for a delicious seafood meal. (BB)
VENICE – ROME
Head south over the Apennine Mountains and follow the ‘Highway of the Sun’ to Rome. Tonight stroll to the Spanish Steps before your Highlight Dinner of pasta, wine and music. Hotel: Sheraton/Cicerone. (BB,HD)
ROME SIGHTSEEING
Join a local guide to visit St Peter’s Basilica to see Michelangelo’s moving work the ‘Pieta’. Drive across the Tiber to visit the mighty Colosseum, where gladiators fought to the death against armed warriors and wild beasts. Look out over the Roman Forum, once a bustling centre of commerce, law and religion. The afternoon is at leisure. (BB)
ROME – FLORENCE
Drive north into the Chianti Hills and the Renaissance city of Florence. Sightseeing with a local guide takes you to see the original statue of ‘David’ in the Academy Gallery. Afterwards, visit the Cathedral and see Giotto’s belltower, and the Gates of Paradise on the Baptistery. Continue to Signoria Square, lined with many statues. After watching a demonstration of leatherwork, there is time at leisure to shop or perhaps continue sightseeing. Hotel: Sheraton/Villa Gabriele D'Annunzio. (BB,D)
FLORENCE – LUCERNE
Journey north, past the great commercial centre of Milan and the Italian Lake District, to the Swiss border. Take the St Gotthard route and enjoy its Alpine scenery on the way to Lucerne. Hotel: Astoria. (BB)
LUCERNE SIGHTSEEING
Sightseeing in Lucerne begins with a visit to the emotive Lion Monument. See the covered Chapel Bridge and the Jesuit Church, then enjoy a superb Premium Highlight as you ascend Mount Pilatus by cog-wheel railway. From the summit, admire some of the best possible views of the snow-covered Alps. (BB,D)
LUCERNE – PARIS
Pass the Swiss port city of Basel on your way to France. After crossing the wine region of Burgundy, it’s on to glittering Paris for two fabulous nights. Consider spending the evening sampling wonderful French cuisine. Hotel: Concorde Ambassador/Paris Rive Gauche. (BB)
PARIS SIGHTSEEING
A guided sightseeing tour takes you to see the famous Notre Dame Cathedral, the Opera House and on a drive down the Champs Élysées to the Arc de Triomphe. Ascend the Eiffel Tower before visiting the Tomb of Napoleon in the Église du Dôme. As evening falls, there is the chance to see a cabaret show. (BB)
PARIS – LONDON
Cross the World War One battlefields to Calais. Sail across the channel to Dover and continue to London, where the tour comes to an end a short time later. (BB)
GROUP DISCOUNTS 5 OR MORE – SAVE 5% If a group of 5 to 8 people travel together a discount of 5% per person applies to the Land Only portion of your tour. So it pays to get together with your family and friends! SAVE $$$ FOR 9 OR MORE If you have a group of 9 or more people travelling together on the same scheduled tour, then you automatically qualify for big savings! Your savings will be determined by the number of people travelling so ask your Travel Agent for details. You may also reserve a tour departure exclusively for your group! Some restrictions apply. Please ask your Travel Agent to contact our Groups Department. These discounts cannot be combined with Frequent Traveller, Family Savings or Triple Room Discounts. To qualify, names of all passengers travelling must be advised to Insight at the time of booking. Exceptions 1 & 2 apply - see below.
FAMILY SAVINGS YOUNG TRAVELLERS SAVE 10% AGED 5-17 YEARS Travel broadens the mind and enhances those special relationships. Insight offers you the opportunity of sharing your happy holiday memories with your children or grandchildren. This discount applies to the Land Only portion of your tour. Young Travellers must be under the age of 18 years old on the tour departure date, and MUST be accompanied by an adult (limit of one Young Traveller Discount per room). On all escorted tours, children under 5 years old are NOT accepted. The Young Traveller must be the specified age at the time of travel to be eligible for this discount. This discount cannot be combined with our Groups Discount. Exceptions 1 & 2 apply - see below.
SINGLE TRAVELLER SAVING SAVE UP TO $2610 PER PERSON with Insight’s Room Mate Matching service Insight believes travelling solo should not cost you more! That’s why for people travelling alone on an Insight coach tour, we'll match you with someone of the same gender, so you don't have to pay the single room supplement. If we fail to match you, we'll provide a single room at no extra cost. Please note there is a no-smoking policy in all shared rooms. Exceptions 1 & 2 apply - see below.
FREQUENT TRAVELLER SAVING SAVE 5% OFF YOUR NEXT TOUR Most first-time travellers go on vacation with Insight again and again. In recognition of our loyal customers, Insight now extends to all clients automatic membership into our Premier Plus Club, as well as a 5% Discount off the Land portion of their next Insight trip. Enrolment forms and discount vouchers are available from your Tour Director. Insight’s Premier Plus Club & 5% Discount is not available retroactively. Only one voucher is available per person, per tour, per year and only one voucher can be redeemed against each further tour booking. This discount cannot be combined with our Groups Discount Exception 1 applies - see below.
EXTRATOUR DISCOUNTS SAVE $$$ ON YOUR 2ND TOUR Book two Insight vacations, each 7 days or longer and you will receive a reduction of 5% off the cheaper of the two tours. Ask your Travel Agent for suggestions! Both tours must be booked at the same time. This discount is per person. Both tours must comply with Exception 1 - see below.
TRIPLE ROOM DISCOUNTS SAVE $$$ ON YOUR 2ND TOUR When three people travel together and share one room, each of the three enjoys a discount off the tour price. See the Triple Room Reductions on the itinerary of your choice. This discount only applies to tours featuring the “Share a Triple Room” reduction on the itinerary pages. Note the third bed will, on occasions, be a foldaway.
EARLY PAYMENT DISCOUNTS SAVE UP TO 10% Insight sells its tours in many countries worldwide so the most popular tours fill very quickly. Don’t be disappointed, book early! You’ll be assured of the tours you want, and the earlier you pay, the more you SAVE! Here’s how... Pay 4 months prior to tour departure date to SAVE 2.5% Pay 7 months prior to tour departure date to SAVE 5% Pay 10 months prior to tour departure date to SAVE 7.5% Pay 12 months prior to tour departure date to SAVE 10% Tours must be paid in full for this discount to apply. Discounts apply to the land-only portion of your tour. Tour prices may change in future brochures. Exceptions 1 & 2 apply - see below.
COMPLIMENTARY TRANSFERS SAVE UP TO $135 PER COUPLE ON LONDON TAXI FARES
Exceptions: