Compare The Best of Europe by Cosmos
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| Trip |
4 | Great
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| Duration | 18 days |
| Price From | $ 3,699 |
| Price Per Day | $ 206 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Group tour |
| Lodging Level | Standard |
| Physical Level |
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| Travel Themes |
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| Countries Visited | |
| Cities and Attractions |
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| Flights & Transport | No |
| Activities |
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| Meals Included | N/A |
| Description | A European tour should include the most popular and exciting cities, the must-see sights, picturesque scenery, and a mix of culture, history, and just plain fun. This, and more, is what you get on the Best of Europe tour. Visit London, where you could join one of our optional excursions or just discover the city at leisure. From there, cross the Channel on the Eurostar train to Brussels and then continue by coach to discover many diverse continental destinations. Local Guides will tell you all about Amsterdam’s canals; Rome’s St Peter Square; Florence’s Renaissance old city center with a replica of the “David” by Michelangelo; Pompeii, where you’ll see what life was like during the Roman Empire; Paris’s most famous landmarks, and much more. As you journey through Europe, you’ll also enjoy spectacular scenery, such as the picturesque Rhineland with its scenic countryside, historic castles, and charming villages, and breathtaking views of the Italian and French Rivieras. Sit back and relax as you drive past the Burgundy vineyards in France and through gorgeous alpine landscapes from Switzerland to Italy. Marvel at the beauty of Tuscany with its rural villages, rolling hills, vineyards, rows of cypress trees, and olive groves, and stand in awe as you witness the blue sea and amazing views on the Sorrento coast and the legendary island of Capri. Last but not least, you’ll love the green hills and valleys as you travel through Umbria to visit medieval Assisi. All of this and more await you on this dream European vacation designed for value-minded keen travelers! |
Day 1: ARRIVE IN LONDON, ENGLAND
Check into your hotel. In the afternoon, you may want to start exploring the lively British capital. Uniformed hosts and the CosmosGO app are available to help you make the most of your stay.
Day 2: LONDON
A full day to savor a variety of optional activities: take a panoramic tour of London’s landmarks, visit the Tower of London, or choose an excursion to Windsor Castle. Tonight, we recommend our optional Taste of London excursion with dinner, followed by a guided illumination cruise on the River Thames. (Breakfast)
Day 3: LONDON–BRUSSELS–AMSTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS
Transfer to the railway station and board the Eurostar train to Brussels with your Tour Director. Take a seat on your luxury motorcoach for the drive to the Amsterdam area. Today’s Distance by coach: 127 mi/ 203 km (Breakfast)
Day 4: AMSTERDAM–WIESBADEN, GERMANY
Today, enjoy an included canal cruise to see the city from water level with a Local Guide, then stop at a diamond center to watch the cutting and polishing of precious stones. This afternoon, continue your journey to Wiesbaden. Today’s Distance: 258 mi/ 415 km (Breakfast)
Day 5: WIESBADEN–HEIDELBERG–LUCERNE, SWITZERLAND
Drive through the picturesque Rhineland and enjoy splendid scenery as you skirt the Rhine river. Visit Heidelberg, Germany’s oldest university town, located near the confluence of the Neckar and Rhine Rivers, then continue to Switzerland. Today’s Distance: 270 mi/ 435 km (Breakfast)
Day 6: LUCERNE
Lucerne is nestled amid snowcapped Alps, surrounded by a lake, and graced by the clear mountain waters of the Reuss River. Your orientation includes the wooden Chapel bridge and the Lion monument, erected in memory of the 800 Swiss Guards who defended Louis XVI and his wife. A grand selection of optional activities completes the day: a ride on the “cabrio” cable-car to the summit of Mount Stanserhorn; a cruise on the fjord-like lake; and, of course, time to shop for an authentic Swiss watch. (Breakfast)
Day 7: LUCERNE–VERONA, ITALY–VENICE AREA
More wonderful alpine scenery as you drive into the mountain ranges that surround the massive St. Gotthard Pass. Continue to the warmer and sunnier ambiance of Canton Ticino, then cross into Italy and drive across the Po Valley to Verona, medieval setting of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. Stroll around the picturesque market square (Piazza delle Erbe) and the cobblestone streets. Today’s Distance: 317 mi/ 510 km (Breakfast)
Day 8: VENICE AREA
Venice is more like a marvelous film set than a real-life city, with its crisscrossing canals, gondolas and water buses, arched bridges, palaces, and busy little piazzas (squares). Your included orientation starts with a boat ride to St. Mark’s Square and is followed by free time to soak up the city’s unique atmosphere and a chance to visit a glassblowing workshop. Don’t miss out on the optional gondola trip, gliding along the picturesque canals with a local troubadour to serenade you. (Breakfast,Dinner)
Day 9: VENICE AREA–ASSISI–ROME
An interesting drive southward, crossing the rolling Apennines. Stop in medieval Assisi, where St. Francis was born in 1182, and visit the world-famous St. Francis Basilicas with the beautiful frescoes by Giotto. Then, head for Rome.Today’s Distance: 317 mi/ 510 km (Breakfast)
Day 10: ROME
The “Eternal City” is steeped in history, vibrantly alive and exciting, and absolutely unique! Start the included introduction to Rome’s landmarks from St. Peter’s Square with a Local Guide. Enjoy a drive along the iconic landmarks of the city: the Tiber River, the Caius Cestius Pyramid, the Aurelian Walls, and the Caracalla Baths. Complete the experience with a walk back in time from the Circus Maximus to the Arch of Constantine and the fascinating Colosseum, symbol of the Roman Empire.* (Breakfast)
* For operational reasons, changes to the Rome program cannot be excluded.
Day 11: ROME–POMPEII–SORRENTO COAST
Travel south all the way, with the Vesuvius volcano in the distance. Visit Pompeii, where time stopped in 79 AD when the Vesuvius eruption buried the city. On your guided visit to the archaeological site, see the remains of luxurious villas, temples, theater, and forum. From here, it’s just a few more miles to reach the lively Sorrento area.Today’s Distance: 168 mi/ 270 km (Breakfast)
Day 12: SORRENTO COAST. EXCURSION TO CAPRI
Cross the blue sea for a full-day excursion to the legendary island of Capri. Surrounded by rose-tinted rocks, Capri has incredibly beautiful coves of translucent blues and greens. The town, with its pretty piazzetta, maze of streets, fashionable boutiques, and cozy restaurants, is a mecca for the jet set. An optional tour takes you around the island with its steep roads and panoramic views. (Breakfast,Dinner)
Day 13: SORRENTO COAST–FLORENCE
An early journey north to Florence. Vistas of rolling hills, austere rows of cypress trees, terraced vineyards, olive groves, and rural villages form the backdrop of your journey through beautiful Tuscany. Arrive in Florence in the afternoon in time to enjoy its magnificent architectural and artistic treasures; the included walking tour with a Local Guide shows the highlights. Today’s Distance: 320 mi/ 515 km (Breakfast)
Day 14: FLORENCE–PISA–ÈZE, FRANCE–FRENCH RIVIERA
Stop in Pisa, where you hop on a mini train to reach the Square of Miracles to see the famous Leaning Tower. Bypassing the great port of Genoa, drive northwest for glimpses of the Italian and French Rivieras. Visit a typical perfume workshop in Èze and later reach the shores of the charming Côte d’Azur. Today’s Distance: 273 mi/ 440 km (Breakfast)
Day 15: FRENCH RIVIERA–ORANGE–GRENOBLE
Leave the French Riviera and travel through the Provence, stopping in Orange, a hidden treasure featuring an outstanding Roman heritage, and on the more frivolous side, some first-class wines. Overnight in Grenoble—an alpine sports mecca and site of the 1968 Winter Olympic Games.Today’s Distance: 296 mi/ 476 km (Breakfast,Dinner)
Day 16: GRENOBLE–BEAUNE–PARIS
Enjoy the very heart of the Burgundy wine-growing region, making a stop in lovely Beaune, surrounded by some of the world’s finest vineyards. Continue northward to the exciting city of Paris, capital of France. Today’s Distance: 358 mi/ 577 km (Breakfast)
Day 17: PARIS
Paris is a world-class romantic city with many familiar landmarks. This morning, see the main sights during the included city tour with a Local Guide. In the afternoon, a chance to feel like a French aristocrat as you join the optional tour through the immense Palace of Versailles. This evening, why not join an optional dinner? (Breakfast)
Day 18: PARIS
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (Breakfast)
