European Grandeur (Paris, Amsterdam, Summer, Small Groups)

26 days
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4.6/5 Excellent
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Group Tour
See Paris icons like the Champs-Élysées through the eyes of your local expert, enjoy the gastronomic delights of Pintxos tasting tours en route to San Sebastian in Spain and try your hand at Venice glassblowing in Italy, all on the grandest of European tours. From boutique fashionista shopping in the avenues of Paris to Picasso's trail blazing masterpieces in...
19%
$10,828
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Overview

Trip type
Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Highlights

    • Paris: We walk up and down the "quartier" and we see the school, the food stores, the housing situation, the heritage landmarks, the sports facilities and the theaters, in this car-free, pedestrianized, neighborhood. Landmarks will include passages couverts, perhaps also Patrick Blanc's spectacular jardin vertical 'oasis d'Aboukir', the Napoleonic "Egyptian" district etc.
    • Chateau Chenonceau: Visit the majestic Château de Chenonceau, known as the 'Ladies' Château' it perfectly embodies the elegance of 16th century design in the Loire Valley.
    • Bordeaux: Your Local Expert will show you the quayside facades, Grand Theater, Triangle d'Or and magnificent Esplanade des Quinconces.
    • San Sebastián: Led by your Local Expert, enjoy a guided walking tour of the Old Quarter including Plaza de la Constitucion.
    • Madrid: See the highlights of the city with your Local Expert. Visit the Old Town, traveling along the elegant Paseo de la Castellana, past the fountain in the Plaza de Cibeles, the Cervantes Monument and Royal Palace, before crossing the Puerta del Sol.
    • Barcelona: With your Local Expert, drive down Las Ramblas and the elegant Passeig de Gràcia to witness some of the finest Modernist architecture. Journey through the Eixample district to see Gaudi's extraordinary masterpiece, the mesmerizing Sagrada Família.
    • Avignon: View the Pont d'Avignon and walk the medieval narrow streets of the Old Town to the Palais des Papes.
    • Nice: Enjoy exploring the beautiful coastal town of Nice on the French Riviera.
    • Monaco City: Enjoy a drive along part of the Grand Prix circuit and wander the old town with your Travel Director to see the Royal Palace and the yacht-filled harbor.
    • Monaco City: Explore inside Monaco Cathedral.

What's this trip about?

    See Paris icons like the Champs-Élysées through the eyes of your local expert, enjoy the gastronomic delights of Pintxos tasting tours en route to San Sebastian in Spain and try your hand at Venice glassblowing in Italy, all on the grandest of European tours. From boutique fashionista shopping in the avenues of Paris to Picasso's trail blazing masterpieces in Madrid, this cultural tour de force is all encompassing. Barcelona dazzles with Gaudi's unfinished masterpiece—La Sagrada Família, while Avignon serves up a palate tantalizing taste of traditional farm to table cooking. The French Riviera offers an abundance of opulence, with harbors in Nice and Monaco packed to the brim with luxury yachts, and in Vienna the regal history of Austria's Habsburg dynasty fires up the imagination.

Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeGroup - max of 40 people
Age range6 years and up
Flights and transportN/A
Start CityParis
End CityAmsterdam

Travel Themes

  • Cultural
  • Education / Learning

Destinations

  • Europe
  • Austria
  • Switzerland
  • Germany
  • France
  • Liechtenstein
  • Monaco
  • Netherlands
  • Spain
  • Italy
  • Slovenia

Activities

  • Culture
  • Historic sightseeing

Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1: Welcome to Paris

Welcome to Paris, enjoy time at leisure to settle into your hotel. During your time here you will see the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, the Place de la Concorde, the Champs Elysées and Arc de Triomphe. Later, join your Travel Director at a local brasserie in the heart of Paris for a fabulous Welcome Dinner.

Le Méridien Etoile, Paris.

Dinner with Wine

Day 2: Paris, the City of Light

Your exploration of Paris today begins with an Insight Choice. Choose to explore community life in the picturesque Montorgueil district. Alternatively, join a Local Expert, an avid foodie, as you head into areas where Parisians go about their daily lives to explore sm...

Day 3: Onto Bordeaux

Head southwards towards Châteaux Country. Take a scenic drive along the Loire Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The region is known as the Jardins de France for the beautifully maintained gardens that were created on vast estates as outdoor living areas. Visit the...

Day 4: Bordeaux and San Sebastián

Join a Local Expert for a guided tour of France's best 18th century architecture. The facades of the quaysides, the Grand Théâtre, Triangle d'Or and magnificent Esplanade des Quinconces all contribured to Bordeaux earn inclusion on UNESCO's World Heritage list. Next, ...

Day 5: On to Madrid Relaxed Start

Continue along the Guadarrama Mountains to the plateau of New Castile and Spain's elegant capital of Madrid. In the evening, why not see the city lit up it all its glory, with a drive along the grand avenues and past the spectacular fountains?

Hotel Riu Plaza España, Madrid.

Breakfast

Day 6: Madrid Relaxed Start

Enjoy sightseeing with your Local Expert, as they guide you through the most historic neighborhoods in the Spanish capital. Your drive continues through the Old Quarter to discover the origins of the city. Visit the Reina Sofia Museum with an art historian to see Picasso's Guernica.

Hotel Riu Plaza España, Madrid.

Breakfast

Day 7: Madrid and Beautiful Barcelona

Cross the Castilian plain, past Zaragoza, and continue to the vibrant port of Barcelona. In the evening, why not try delicious local Catalan cuisine and as night descends, view the city from the heights of Montjuic, with lights sparkling below from the mountains to sea.

Hilton Barcelona.

Breakfast

Day 8: Barcelona, City of Gaudi Relaxed Start

Join your Local Expert for a view of the Gothic Quarter and the cathedral. Travel by the Ramblas and along the Passeig de Gràcia, adorned with some of the most flamboyant Modernist buildings. Continue through the Eixample district to see Gaudi’s extraordinary masterpiece, the mesmerizing Sagrada Família.

Hilton Barcelona.

Breakfast

Day 9: Avignon, the City of Popes

Journey to Avignon to see the famous Pont d'Avignon, once spanning the Rhône and immortalized in songs. Walk within the medieval narrow streets of the Old Town to stand in the shadow of the old Palais des Papes, resembling a fortress. Learn about olive oil and enjoy a...

Day 10: On the shores of Nice

Journey along the French Riviera to the elegant town of Nice, where the rest of the day is at your leisure to stroll along the fabled Promenade des Anglais or relax on the beach.

Hotel Apollinaire

Breakfast

Day 11: Monaco and Pisa

Travel to Monaco where you are driven along part of the Grand Prix circuit, before walking with your Travel Director through the old town. See the Royal Palace where the Grimaldi family live, the yacht-filled harbor and visit the cathedral, housing the tombs of the la...

Day 12: Renaissance Florence Relaxed Start

Walk with your Local Expert to the marble-clad cathedral and baptistery, where Ghiberti’s Gates of Paradise have been recreated in all their glory. The next stop is Piazza della Signoria, still the political heart of Florence and an open-air gallery of Renaissance mas...

Day 13: The Eternal City of Rome

Relax and enjoy the grand landscapes of the Chianti hills and Umbria, before passing the Apennine Mountains to arrive at the Eternal City, filled with classic antiquities, medieval buildings, Renaissance palaces and Baroque churches. In the evening, enjoy a traditional meal at a local restaurant.

Radisson Blu GHR Rome.

Breakfast, Dinner with Wine

Day 14: Exploring Papal Rome

A Local Expert introduces the grandeur of the city, starting with the Vatican State, the richest community in the world. Visit the Vatican Museums, full of priceless treasures collected by the Popes. Once inside the Sistine Chapel, admire Michelangelo's famous ceiling...

Day 15: Rome at Leisure Relaxed Start

Enjoy Rome at your own pace today. Perhaps take an optional experience to the ill-fated town of Pompeii, frozen in time when it was engulfed by an eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD. Alternatively, spend some time in the boutiques of the Via del Corso, the Via Nazionale or the elegant designer stores near the Spanish Steps.

Radisson Blu GHR Rome.

Breakfast

Day 16: Autostrada del Sole to Venice

Journey through peaceful Tuscan landscapes, to descend past Bologna into the fertile Valley of the River Po. Arrive at the glorious city of Venice by boat and savor a cocktail at sunset whilst you are serenaded by an ensemble of talented musicians, before enjoying dinner at a local restaurant.

Eurostars Residenza Cannaregio, Venice.

Breakfast, Dinner with Wine

Day 17: The Magic of La Serenissima

Wake up ready to embrace this romantic city. Admire the Doge’s Palace and its adjoining Bridge of Sighs. Join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience as you witness the skill of glassblowers on a visit to a traditional arts center, before taking a private cruise to St. Mark'...

Day 18: Venice to elegant Ljubljana Relaxed Start

Depart Venice by water taxi and continue your journey to the Slovenian capital of Ljubljana. A Local Expert shows you Prešeren square with the Triple bridge, baroque Franciscan Church and and the lively banks of Ljubljanica river. Perhaps join an Optional Experience t...

Day 19: Ljubljana to Vienna

Follow the Drava River and cross over the Slovenian border to reach the 700-year-old university town of Maribor. Continue past Graz through Styria's forested mountains and on to Vienna.

Hilton Vienna Park., Hilton Vienna Danube Waterfront

Breakfast

Day 20: Vienna and the Habsburgs Relaxed Start

In the morning, there is the option to join a private tour of Maria Theresa's Schönbrunn Palace and formal gardens. Later, get your camera ready for a drive around the famous Ring Road. This grand boulevard, built alongside the lines of the old city walls, showcases m...

Day 21: Salzburg and onto Innsbruck

Pass the impressive Benedictine monastery of Melk before reaching the enchanting city of Salzburg, birthplace of Mozart and the iconic musical 'The Sound of Music'. A Local Expert will show you the formal gardens of Mirabell Palace, including the fountains and statues...

Day 22: Liechtenstein to Lucerne Relaxed Start

Journey past flower-filled meadows and picturesque chalet-style villages to the Principality of Liechtenstein. Spend some time in its tiny capital, Vaduz, then cross into Switzerland and through glorious mountains to lakeside Lucerne. On arrival, visit Lucerne's proud...

Day 23: Lucerne and Mt Stanserhorn

Explore Mount Stanserhorn on a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, as an open-top cable car powered by solar panels take you up the summit. Breathe in the pristine mountain air and, on a clear day, witness views as far as Alsace and the Black Forest in Germany. Walk along...

Day 24: Legends along the Rhine

Enjoy traveling through Germany and follow the Rhine Valley north to Königswinter.

Maritim Hotel Königswinter.

Breakfast, Dinner with Wine

Day 25: The Canals of Amsterdam

Delight in a private estate viewing of one of the famous Rhineland castles and learn more about these living cultural monuments situated along the Middle Rhine over a glass of wine. Continue your travels to Amsterdam. The best way to see this remarkable city is from t...

Day 26: Depart Amsterdam

After breakfast, transfers arrive at Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport.

Breakfast

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Dates & Availability

Price From $8,803
Price per day$339
Last Updated: 4/17/2024
Start Date
Finish Date
Double
Single
Availability
03 May 2024
29 May 2024
$9,238
$13,931
available
04 May 2024
29 May 2024
$8,803
$13,267
available
17 May 2024
12 Jun 2024
$9,238
$14,282
available
18 May 2024
12 Jun 2024
$8,803
$13,618
available
31 May 2024
26 Jun 2024
$9,238
$13,944
onRequest
01 Jun 2024
26 Jun 2024
$8,803
$13,280
onRequest
28 Jun 2024
24 Jul 2024
$10,804
$15,555
available
29 Jun 2024
24 Jul 2024
$10,293
$14,814
available
26 Jul 2024
21 Aug 2024
$11,494
$16,972
available
27 Jul 2024
21 Aug 2024
$10,994
$16,250
available

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Insight Vacations.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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Tour Operator

Insight Vacations

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As the global leader in premium tours, Insight Vacations delivers all the sights and insights of destinations up close and personal. Each tour is crafted in true comfort and style with premium 5 and 4 star hotels, small groups and customized coaches with extra leg room. The brand’s category leading dining options including the unique dine-around and dine-at-home experiences means that guests enjoy a culinary journey through the places they visit. An extensive Vegetarian option across all tour series further compliments the elevated dining offering. With a Make Travel Matter Experience®, that creates a positive impact for both the visitor and visited, plus also supports the United Nations sustainable Development Goals, included on each and every trip, Insight Vacations leads the way in immersive responsible travel.

Insight Vacations is part of the family-owned and run The Travel Corporation (TTC), driven by service for over one hundred years.

Why we love this operator
They really care about everyone's individual needs on each tour and they have an incredible attention to detail.
What they’re known for
Premium worldwide tours for curious travelers who want to get closer to the destination in comfort and style.

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Logistics

Accommodation

Le Méridien Etoile, Paris. Novotel Bordeaux Gare St Jean Barceló Costa Vasca, San Sebastián. Hotel Riu Plaza España, Madrid. Hilton Barcelona. Novotel Avignon Center Hotel Apollinaire NH Firenze, Florence. Radisson Blu GHR Rome. Eurostars Residenza Cannaregio, Venice. Hotel Lev Ljubljana. Hilton Vienna Park., Hilton Vienna Danube Waterfront AC Hotel Innsbruck. Hotel Astoria, Lucerne. Maritim Hotel Königswinter. Grand Hotel Amrâth Amsterdam.,
Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
Meals Included
  • 8 Dinner with Wine (DW)
  • 25 Breakfast (B)
Age Requirements
6 years and up
Additional Information
Trip ID
insightvacations-SE915ZN119

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