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European Splendor
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European Splendor
Operated by: Trafalgar
11 Days from $4,150 per person
Countries Visited
Italy, Vatican City, Switzerland, France ...more Italy, Vatican City, Switzerland, FranceLocations Visited
Rome, Vatican, Siena, Florence, Pisa, Venice, Lucerne, Paris ...more Rome, Vatican, Siena, Florence, Pisa, Venice, Lucerne, ParisBOOK WITH CONFIDENCE
BOOK WITH CONFIDENCE
✓ Lock in this trip with $250 deposit
✓ Refund Guarantee within 30 days of booking
✓ Flexible changes up to 60 days before your tour departs
✓ Lock in this trip with $250 deposit
✓ Refund Guarantee within 30 days of booking
✓ Flexible changes up to 60 days before your tour departs
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Day 1
Welcome to Rome
Benvenuto a Roma – what was once the 'Capital of the World' is today a vibrant city filled with Italian zest for life and centuries of celebrated history. Enjoy some free time to explore before joining your fellow travellers and Travel Director for a Welcome Reception and orientation drive to kick off your unforgettable European adventure.
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Day 2
Explore the Ancient Sights of Rome
We venture to the centre of Christianity and the great square that bears the name of the first 'bishop of Rome', St. Peter. Join your Local Specialist for a sightseeing tour that includes a visit to St. Peter's Basilica, where we will have an opportunity to see Michelangelo's sorrowful Pietà hewn from the most perfect block of Carrara marble. We cross the Tiber River to see the ancient sites of Rome, including the mighty Colosseum and Circus Maximus. Imagine the thunderous roar of thousands of exhilarated spectators cheering their chosen chariots to victory. This afternoon there is time to explore the city on your terms. Perhaps toss a coin in the Trevi Fountain to secure your return to Rome or embark on an Optional Experience to visit the Vatican and Forum.
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Day 3
Admire Siena on the way to Florence Connect with Locals
We travel into the scenic Tuscan hills to medieval Siena with its honey-stone façades. View the Piazza del Campo, where the exhilarating Palio horse race takes place, and see ornate medieval palaces and the 14th-century marble Duomo. Spend some free time seeking out your favourite hand-painted ceramics to take home as souvenirs. Continue to Florence, the 'Cradle of the Renaissance', where we will spend the next two nights. Tonight we Connect With Locals over dinner for a special Be My Guest experience at a magnificent Tuscan villa.
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Day 4
Discover Renaissance Florence
The extraordinary art and architecture of Florence are celebrated during our guided walking tour with a Local Specialist. We'll view the exquisite marble Duomo and visit Piazza della Signoria with its palazzi and magnificent art, including a replica of Michelangelo's David statue. View the Ponte Vecchio bridge, the only bridge over the River Arno that the fleeing German army did not destroy during World War II, then admire panoramic views of the iconic cityscape from Piazzale Michelangelo. Learn about the quality and workmanship of two of this city's historic industries during demonstrations of Florentine leathercraft and 18-carat gold. Later, you’ll have time to explore the city on your own. Consider a visit to the Uffizi Gallery or wander through the Boboli Gardens of Pitti Palace – the choice is yours.
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Day 5
Onwards to Pisa and Venice
We travel to Pisa today and to the Square of Miracles to view the famous Leaning Tower and Italy's largest Baptistery. Cross the Apennine hills and flat Veneto plains to the island city of Venice. The rest of the day is yours to relax and soak up the sights and sounds of the 'Queen of the Adriatic'. Consider joining an Optional Experience and explore the labyrinthine canals of Venice by gondola before dinner.
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Day 6
Explore the Canals of Venice Make Travel Matter
Embark on today’s unforgettable MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience as you witness first-hand the centuries-old tradition of Venetian glassblowing using the same techniques that have been handed down through the generations. You’ll learn how the master craftsmen shape the molten glass to make the exquisite and delicate works of art that adorn homes all over the world and perhaps be inspired to buy your own souvenir as a reminder of this special visit. Next, take to the water and cruise by private launch to the gateway of Venice, St. Mark's Square. Join your Travel Director to see the iconic and unexpected highlights of the city - the ornate Doge's Palace and Bridge of Sighs, St. Mark's Basilica and the Campanile with its five bells. The rest of the day is yours at leisure or consider joining an Optional Experience to the island of Burano for a delicious traditional meal that would make any Italian mamma proud.
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Day 7
Off to Lucerne
We travel through the Italian Lake District bound for Switzerland this morning, we continue through the alpine landscapes, past Lugano and through the St. Gotthard tunnel into central Switzerland, where we'll spend the next two nights in the medieval lakeside city of Lucerne.
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Day 8
Uncover Lucerne’s Treasures
Enjoy an orientation of Lucerne with your Travel Director. You’ll see the Lion Monument and pay tribute to the Swiss Guards who lost their lives during the French Revolution, before heading to the picturesque wooden Chapel Bridge, lined with pretty pink, white and purple blooms. Spend the rest of the day at leisure ambling past the beautifully painted façades in the Old Town. Shop for luxurious Swiss chocolate or consider joining an Optional Experience to one of the surrounding mountains to admire panoramic views.
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Day 9
Journey to Paris
Cross the French border and what remains of the Maginot Line, journeying through the rolling vineyard-clad hills of Burgundy, one of France's most prominent wine regions. Arriving in Paris later this afternoon, we have the evening at leisure to wander up grand boulevards and admire the vibrant cityscape of one of Europe's most sophisticated cities.
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Day 10
Discover Magical Paris
Join a Local Specialist this morning for a guided tour along the grand Champs-Élysées and Place de la Concorde. View Notre Dame Cathedral and enjoy a stroll through the Latin Quarter. This evening, we join our fellow travellers and Travel Director for a Farewell Dinner celebrating the end of our European adventure.
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Day 11
Au Revoir Paris
For now, it's time to say a fond farewell to our newfound friends and Travel Director at the end of an unforgettable journey. Find out more about available airport transfers at trafalgar.com/freetransfers.
Price Includes
Whats Included
- An expert Travel Director and professional Driver
- Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
- All porterage and restaurant gratuities
- All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
- Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals
- Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras
- Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing
- Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
- Optional Experiences and free time
- Eurostar high-speed train from Paris to London
Dining Summary
- 1 Welcome Reception (WR)
- 10 Breakfast (B)
- 4 Dinner (D)
Be My Guest
- Florence: Eight generations of history with plenty of stories to tell. Enjoy a traditional Be My Guest dinner with the Landi family at their home near Florence, set within a garden of oak trees against the backdrop of Tuscan vineyards and olive groves.
Iconic Experience
- Rome: During an orientation with your Travel Director see the medieval buildings, Renaissance palaces and Baroque churches scattered throughout the city.
- Vatican: Visit Vatican City and tour St. Peter's Basilica with a Local Specialist. Witness the early genius of Michelangelo as you take in the Pietà.
- Rome: Experience Rome through the eyes of a local, as a passionate Roman guides you past the city's most iconic sites.
- Tuscany: View the stunning landscape of Tuscany on your drive today.
- Siena: See the Fountain of Joy, striped cathedral and vast Piazza del Campo.
- Florence: Join a Local Specialist to view the multi-coloured marble cathedral, bell tower and baptistery, adorned by Ghiberti's Gates of Paradise. Visit the political heart of the city, Signoria Square.
- Florence: See the area around Santa Croce Basilica, famous for the quality of its luxury goods, and witness a gold and leatherwork demonstration.
- Pisa: During an orientation, your Travel Director will show you the baptistery, cathedral and the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa.
- Venice: An introductory orientation of Venice reveals the famed canals and labrinthine streets of this eminent city.
- Switzerland: Marvel at the Alpine landscape as you drive past breathtakingly beautiful mountains and valleys.
- Lucerne: During an orientation with your Travel Director, see the Lion Monument, Old Town Hall and Chapel Bridge, the oldest wooden covered bridge in Europe.
- Paris: Join a Local Specialist to discover the hidden squares and secret lanes of Paris.
MAKE TRAVEL MATTER®
- Venice: Learn about the history and ancient skill of Venetian glassblowing, playing your role in ensuring the survival of this traditional craft through your visit.
Must-see Highlights
- : Explore Rome, Florence and Paris with a Local Specialist
- : Discover Siena, Pisa, Venice, Lake Como and Lucerne
- : Visit St. Peter's Basilica in Rome and a glassblowing factory in Venice
- : See the Colosseum in Rome and the vineyards of Burgundy in France
- : Scenic Cruise by private launch to St. Mark's Square in Venice
Whats Included
- : An expert Travel Director and professional Driver
- : Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
- : All porterage and restaurant gratuities
- : All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
- : Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals
- : Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras
- : Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing
- : Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
- : Optional Experiences and free time
- : Eurostar high-speed train from Paris to London
Dates & Prices
Prices shown are per person based on two people sharing a twin room. To request a personalized travel quote, click "Request Quote" and a Travel Specialist will send your custom quote including airfare if requested.
Online Booking Process
Financing from $/month
Optional Add-Ons
Optional Experiences are subject to change. Your Travel Director will supply you with a final list of Optional Experiences available on your trip. Optional Experiences cannot be booked online; they can be purchased during your trip through your Travel Director.
Rome
Available on Day 2
Inside The Vatican & Colosseum
We skip the lines at the Vatican Museums for a tour with our Local Specialist that shows not just remarkable works of art collected and commissioned over the history of the Papacy, but also Michelangelo’s amazing ceiling frescoes in the Sistine Chapel. Later, we hear fascinating tales of gladiatorial combat and more on our visit to the Colosseum, again with a time-saving entrance.
Adult Price: € 90
Available on Day 2
Piazzas and Fountains
Discover the most charming areas in the city with a Local Specialist. Wander through the labyrinth of narrow streets and beautiful squares of Rome's historic centre, leading to highlights such as the Trevi Fountain and the Pantheon, as well as hidden corners of the Eternal City.
Adult Price: € 37
Available on Day 2
Roman Evening with Dinner
Spend a light-hearted evening with us in Rome. Relax and enjoy typical Italian cuisine with drinks and music. Afterwards, we’ll enjoy a drive and provide a glimpse into how Romans enjoy their city.
Adult Price: € 62
Florence
Available on Day 4
Dinner, Wine and Music in the Tuscan Hills
This evening we'll take a scenic drive to experience a fun and relaxed evening at a friendly, typical restaurant in the countryside. The chef will delight our senses with regional dishes, made with freshly-bought ingredients from the local farmers' markets. Your delicious meal will be accompanied by excellent wines from the vineyards for which this area is so well known. In short, a Tuscan dream come true in an authentic setting.
Adult Price: € 65
Available on Day 4
Michelangelo's 'David' & Accademia
Enjoy an insight into the world of Michelangelo and his masterpiece, David. We'll visit the Academy of Fine Arts and its Michelangelo collection, where you'll learn all about the life and works of this immortal Renaissance genius through the expert commentary of our Local Specialist.
Adult Price: € 49
Note: This optional is subject to availability and involves reservations and entrance prepayments. If you decide to cancel this optional, a 50% cancellation fee will be incurred.
Available on Day 4
Discover Palazzo Vecchio
Marvel at the legacy of the Medici as you visit Palazzo Vecchio, the symbol of Florence's political power for over seven centuries. With our Local Specialist we’ll visit the wonderful "Hall of the Five Hundred", dedicated to the Medici popes. We’ll also visit rooms decorated with masterpieces by famous artists of the Renaissance like Michelangelo and Donatello.
Adult Price: € 42
Available on Day 4
Tuscan Dinner at Villa Machiavelli
Through the Chianti hills, we'll drive past vineyards to a delightful hamlet. Our destination is the ancient stone house of Machiavelli, where the great political theorist wrote his immortal work, ‘The Prince'. After a welcome drink and a visit of the villa and its wine-cellars, we'll enjoy the best of Tuscan cuisine accompanied by great music and drinks, including of course, Chianti from the Villa's own vines.
Adult Price: € 68
Venice
Available on Day 5
Gondolas & the Grand Canal
On arrival in Venice, a private boat will be waiting to take you to St Mark's Square, where you’ll enjoy a gondola ride while being serenaded by local musicians. Later, private water taxis will take you along Venice's Grand Canal, where you’ll admire the magnificent palazzos and Rialto Bridge.
Adult Price: € 79
Available on Day 6
Hidden Venice & St. Mark's Basilica
Experience magnificent St. Mark’s Basilica and its glittering gold mosaics the best way possible - with VIP entrance and a Local Specialist! Then delve into the city’s labyrinth of back alleys and canals, bridges and secret squares - enchanting neighbourhoods that you would never find on your own, all explained and brought to life by a true Venetian!
Adult Price: € 34
Available on Day 6
Lagoon Cruise to Burano with Food and Drinks
This afternoon, discover the Venetian Lagoon by private boat. You'll enjoy a delicious meal, with a selection of drinks, on the fisherman's island of Burano, famous for its multi-coloured houses - a photographer's paradise.
Adult Price: € 72
Lucerne
Available on Day 7
Swiss Dinner by the Lake
Tonight, we'll enjoy a delicious Swiss meal that includes the famous Swiss cheese fondue in a typical local restaurant. Its lakeside location and well-placed terrace will ensure a relaxing evening enjoying the hearty Swiss menu. Two drinks are included.
Adult Price: 95 CHF
Available on Day 7
Swiss Folklore Evening And Dinner
Tonight we’ll enjoy a tasty Swiss meal, including the famous Swiss cheese fondue, in a typical restaurant. While enjoying dinner, you can also join in a lively folklore show which includes yodelling, flag-throwing and Alpine horn-blowing. Two drinks are also included.
Adult Price: 99 CHF
Note: Occasionally, this optional may be offered as a lunch for CHF 68.00.
Available on Day 8
Mount Pilatus And Lake Cruise
We’ll ascend by cog-wheel train to Mount Pilatus’ summit, where you’ll have time to explore, admire the views, and breathe the pure air. Then, we’ll descend by cable-car to enjoy a scenic lake cruise.
Adult Price: 113 CHF
Note: On certain departures this Optional may be operated in reverse.
Available on Day 8
Swiss Countryside & Carriages
A chance to get to know the Swiss, you’ll meet local farmers and enjoy a delightful countryside tour in horse-drawn carriages. Soak up the stunning scenery as we trot around a typical rural community, en route to a farm where you’ll savour local drinks and snacks.
Adult Price: 72 CHF
Note: Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Paris
Available on Day 9
Moulin Rouge Cabaret and Dinner
It’s world famous for a reason, and this is your chance to see the real-life inspiration behind the award-winning movie. This Parisian institution features 60 dancers and entertainers with over 1,000 costumes to create a dazzling spectacle. You'll enjoy wine, dinner and Champagne during this unforgettable soirée at the original Parisian Cabaret!
Adult Price: € 165
Available on Day 10
Seine Cruise and Paris Illuminations
To truly see Paris in all its glory, you need to see it from the Seine. Enjoy a cruise along this famous river and take in unmatched views of the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Eiffel Tower. Afterwards, we’ll drive through the City of Lights to see some of the fascinating sights this beautiful city has to offer.
Adult Price: € 43
Note: In summer, this trip may take place before sunset.
Available on Day 10
Versailles Palace and Gardens
Built for the Sun King, Louis XIV, the Palace of Versailles was the envy of every European ruler, but loathed by the French commoners, which lead to the French Revolution. Step inside the opulent world of Versailles and our Local Specialist will take you through the palace’s Hall of Mirrors and State apartments. Then, enjoy free time to wander the symmetrical, tree-lined gardens.
Adult Price: € 73
Note: This optional involves reservation and entrance pre-payments. Cancellation within 24 hours will incur a 50% cancellation fee., , This optional is subject to availability.
Available on Day 10
Montparnasse and Napoleon's Tomb
Take the fastest elevator in Europe to the Panoramic Observation Deck for unbeatable views of the Eiffel Tower and all of the city’s iconic monuments. The highest rooftop terrace in Paris offers a breath-taking 360-degree view, with all of Paris at your feet! We’ll also visit the Dôme des Invalides with our Local Specialist to see Napoleon’s final resting place.
Adult Price: € 51
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