Tour 18) The Grand Tour of Western Europe: From London to Paris via the Alps, Austria & Italy – 22 nights / 23 days

Day 1 – Arrival in London
Arrive in London, one of Europe’s most iconic capitals. Depending on arrival time, begin discovering the city independently, perhaps with a walk around Piccadilly Circus, Leicester Square or Covent Garden. Enjoy your first evening in the vibrant British capital. Overnight in London.

Day 2 – London City Tour
Enjoy a full-day sightseeing tour of London, seeing highlights such as Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben. Continue through St. James’s Park, Trafalgar Square and the City of London, with views of St. Paul’s Cathedral and the Tower of London. Overnight in London.

Day 3 – London – Brussels – Bruges
Travel by Eurostar through the Channel Tunnel to Brussels. Discover the Belgian capital, including the magnificent Grand Place, Manneken Pis and the historic center. Continue to Bruges, a beautifully preserved medieval city known for its canals, cobbled streets and picturesque market squares. Enjoy an evening stroll through the atmospheric old town. Overnight in Bruges.

Day 4 – Bruges – Amsterdam
Depart for Amsterdam, the charming Dutch capital. Upon arrival, explore the historic center with its elegant canal houses, picturesque waterways and lively Dam Square. Discover the Jordaan district or enjoy a relaxing canal cruise while admiring Amsterdam’s unique architecture. Overnight in Amsterdam.

Day 5 – Amsterdam – Cologne – Rhine Cruise – Heidelberg – Rhine Valley
Travel to Cologne and admire its impressive Gothic cathedral before continuing along the Rhine. Enjoy a scenic river cruise from Boppard to St. Goar, passing vineyards, castles and the legendary Lorelei Rock. Continue to Heidelberg for a short visit to its romantic old town and castle views, then proceed to the Rhine Valley. Overnight in the Rhine Valley.

Day 6 – Rhine Valley – Black Forest – Rhine Falls – Lucerne
Travel through the scenic Black Forest, a region of wooded hills, traditional villages and cuckoo-clock craftsmanship. Continue to Switzerland and visit the spectacular Rhine Falls near Schaffhausen. The journey then leads through beautiful Swiss landscapes to Lucerne, situated on the shores of Lake Lucerne. Overnight in Lucerne.

Day 7 – Lucerne and Optional Mount Pilatus Excursion
Morning city tour of Lucerne, featuring the Chapel Bridge, Lion Monument and charming medieval old town. Enjoy a cruise on Lake Lucerne before a free afternoon or an optional excursion to Mount Pilatus, offering spectacular Alpine and lake panoramas. Overnight in Lucerne.

Day 8 – Lucerne – Liechtenstein – Vaduz – Innsbruck – Nordkette/Top of Innsbruck – Tyrolean Evening Folk Show
Depart through the Swiss Alps toward the tiny principality of Liechtenstein. Stop in Vaduz, its picturesque capital, to see Vaduz Castle, the cathedral and the town center. Continue into Austria and arrive in Innsbruck in the afternoon. Stroll through the historic center and enjoy a ride up the Nordkette to the “Top of Innsbruck,” weather permitting. In the evening, experience a traditional Tyrolean Folk Show with the Gundolf family and enjoy a delicious local dinner. Overnight in Innsbruck.

Day 9 – Innsbruck – Wattens – Salzburg – Vienna
Visit Wattens and the fascinating Swarovski Crystal Worlds, combining art, crystal and imaginative installations. Continue to Salzburg, birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, for an orientation tour including the historic center, Mirabell Gardens and views of Hohensalzburg Fortress. Continue to Vienna, Austria’s imperial capital. Overnight in Vienna.

Day 10 – Vienna City Tour and Schönbrunn Palace
Enjoy a full-day tour of Vienna, exploring the historic center, St. Stephen’s Cathedral, Hofburg Palace, Ringstrasse and the city’s grand imperial architecture. Visit Schönbrunn Palace, the former summer residence of the Habsburgs, and its magnificent gardens. Overnight in Vienna.

Day 11 – Vienna – Venice
Depart Vienna and travel south toward Italy, arriving in Venice, the extraordinary city built on water. Begin exploring its atmospheric streets and canals, with time to discover the area around St. Mark’s Square, the Grand Canal and Rialto Bridge. Overnight in Venice.

Day 12 – Venice City Tour
Enjoy a full-day sightseeing tour of Venice. Discover St. Mark’s Basilica, Doge’s Palace, St. Mark’s Square and the famous Bridge of Sighs. Wander through the narrow calli and picturesque squares, or take a gondola ride through the canals for a quintessential Venetian experience. Overnight in Venice.

Day 13 – Venice – Assisi
Travel south through the Italian countryside to Assisi, the hilltop town associated with St. Francis. Explore the atmospheric medieval center and visit the impressive Basilica of Saint Francis, renowned for its beautiful frescoes. Enjoy the peaceful streets and panoramic views over Umbria. Overnight in Assisi.

Day 14 – Assisi – Pompeii
Continue south toward Pompeii. Explore the remarkably preserved ancient Roman city, buried by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79. Walk along ancient streets and see villas, temples, theaters and everyday Roman buildings, providing a fascinating glimpse into life nearly 2,000 years ago. Overnight in Pompeii.

Day 15 – Pompeii – Capri – Rome
Continue to the Bay of Naples and travel by boat to the beautiful island of Capri. Enjoy the island’s spectacular scenery, dramatic cliffs and elegant town centers, with optional excursions depending on conditions. Later continue to Rome, the Eternal City, and begin exploring its lively historic center. Overnight in Rome.

Day 16 – Rome City Tour
Full-day sightseeing tour of Rome, discovering landmarks such as the Colosseum, Roman Forum, Trevi Fountain, Pantheon and Piazza Navona. Admire the grandeur of St. Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican area, while experiencing the atmosphere of one of the world’s greatest historic cities. Overnight in Rome.

Day 17 – Rome – Florence
Travel north to Florence, the birthplace of the Renaissance. Visit the historic center and admire the Duomo, Giotto’s Campanile, Baptistery, Piazza della Signoria and Ponte Vecchio. Enjoy time to explore the elegant streets, Renaissance architecture and artisan shops before checking in. Overnight in Florence.

Day 18 – Florence – Italian Riviera – Monaco – French Riviera
Journey northwest along the scenic Italian Riviera before crossing into France. Stop in glamorous Monaco to see Monte Carlo, the harbor and the famous Casino Square. Continue along the Côte d’Azur to your French Riviera base, surrounded by Mediterranean scenery, elegant resorts and beautiful coastal landscapes. Overnight on the French Riviera.

Day 19 – Cannes and Nice
Enjoy a full-day excursion along the French Riviera. In Cannes, stroll along the famous Croisette and see the Palais des Festivals. Continue to Nice, exploring the Old Town, flower market, Place Masséna and the Promenade des Anglais. Enjoy the city’s Mediterranean atmosphere before returning to your hotel. Overnight on the French Riviera.

Day 20 – Saint-Paul-de-Vence – Avignon – Beaune
Visit Saint-Paul-de-Vence, one of France’s most picturesque hilltop villages, famous for its medieval lanes and artistic heritage. Continue to Avignon, former seat of the papacy, to admire the Palais des Papes and famous Pont d’Avignon. Proceed north to Beaune in Burgundy for an orientation tour and evening at leisure. Overnight in Beaune.

Day 21 – Beaune – Paris
Depart Burgundy and travel north to Paris, the French capital. Upon arrival, begin discovering the city independently, perhaps visiting the Champs-Élysées, Place de la Concorde or the Seine riverbanks. Enjoy an evening in the romantic atmosphere of Paris, with its cafés, illuminated monuments and lively boulevards. Overnight in Paris.

Day 22 – Paris City Tour
Enjoy a full-day city tour of Paris, seeing the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Champs-Élysées, Notre-Dame area, Louvre and Place de la Concorde. Discover the historic quarters along the Seine and enjoy time for shopping, cafés or further sightseeing. Overnight in Paris.

Day 23 – Departure from Paris
After breakfast, enjoy any remaining free time in Paris before departing for your onward journey. Depending on your departure time, there may be an opportunity for a final stroll along the Seine or a last French café before transferring to the airport or railway station. Departure from Paris.