Start your unforgettable European adventure in Amsterdam. If you can tear your eyes from its scenic canals, you'll be staring at the city's teetering gabled homes that proclaim their birthyear with pride on their colourful façades. There's no better way to immerse yourself fully in Amsterdam's gezelligheid than taking an optional canal cruise in a glass-topped boat this evening.
From Amsterdam’s leafy canals to the towering spires of Cologne, your morning will be jam-packed with sights you’ll want to capture on camera as you head east into the lush landscapes of Germany. View the imposing Gothic Cologne Cathedral then head to Boppard where you’ll board your river cruise down the Rhine. Pass storybook villages, terraced vineyards and medieval castles where feuding lords must have surveyed their lands once upon a time. Watch the soul-stirring scenery of the Rhine Valley unfold as you kick back and watch the world go by. Arrive later at your hotel in the Rhineland where you’ll join your travel companions for dinner.
Straight out of a Brothers Grimm fairy tale, Germany’s Black Forest is the perfect backdrop for this morning’s scenic drive. You’ll see why its enchanting landscapes have inspired myths and fables throughout the centuries before crossing into Switzerland. A quick stop in Schaffhausen means there’s time to capture the cascading waters of the Rhine Falls, Europe’s biggest waterfall, before you arrive in the scenic region of Lake Lucerne. This evening, consider an Optional Experience to a Swiss folklore show which will highlight many Swiss traditions including yodelling and alpine horn playing.
Join your Travel Director for an orientation through the Old Town and to the ancient Chapel Bridge and Lion Monument. See the mournful, mortally wounded lion hewn from rock to commemorate the sacrifice made by the Swiss Guards who died defending Louis XVI during the French Revolution, then enjoy some time on your own. You’ll then have the full day to discover why Lucerne earned its place on the 'Grand Tour' of Europe. You could choose to ascend to the alpine heavens, joining an optional scenic cruise across Lake Lucerne, then travel by railway and cable car into the mountains for exhilarating views.
Enjoy a brief second encounter with the Rhine River when you head north, passing Basel en route to France. Admire the scenic views of the Burgundy wine region that follow your journey north to the French capital. Get a head start on your sightseeing and delve into Paris’s grand past, dynamic present and exciting future on your own this evening. Why not join an Optional Experience, including a scenic river cruise and an illuminations drive, stopping at all the best photo spots?
Embrace elegance today with a full day to get under the skin of the City of Lights. Your Travel Director will deliver an excellent introduction during your sightseeing tour which includes views of the Arc de Triomphe, Eiffel Tower and Champs-Élysées. There’s time to see the sights on your own this afternoon. You could choose to hit the shops or tread in the footsteps of Picasso and Dalí in Montmartre, exploring its maze of streets and Artists' Square. Tonight, the frills and flounces of the Can-Can girls at a cabaret promise an entertaining evening should you wish to join this Optional Experience.
After breakfast, say farewell to your fellow travellers at the end of your holiday. Find out more about your available transfers at costsavertour.com/transfers.
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.
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.
Available on Day 1
Experience the picturesque countryside of Holland and the charming atmosphere of vibrant Amsterdam on an immersive tour led by our Local Specialist. Visit a centuries-old farm to taste traditionally made Gouda cheese and see how local artisans create handcrafted wooden shoes. Returning to the city, enjoy a private cruise by glass-roofed boat through the historic canal to soak in the iconic sights of Amsterdam.
Adult Price: € 38
Available on Day 3
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
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 yodeling, flag-throwing and Alpine horn-blowing. Two drinks are also included.
Adult Price: 99 CHF
Available on Day 4
Travel through the rolling green hills of Switzerland in style, as you meet local farmers and enjoy a delightful countryside tour in horse-drawn carriages. Soak up the stunning scenery as we trot around a rural community, en route to a working farm where you’ll savor local refreshments and uncover the charms of country life.
Adult Price: 67 CHF
Embrace the great outdoors as we travel to Mount Pilatus, ascending to the towering summit by a thrilling cog-wheel train. Soak in the spectacular views and breathe in pure air, marveling at the magic of the Swiss scenery. Then, we’ll descend by cable car before taking a scenic lake cruise. It doesn’t get much better than this!
Adult Price: 113 CHF
Available on Day 5
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. Afterward, we’ll drive through the City of Lights to see some of the fascinating sights this beautiful city has to offer. In summer, this trip may take place before sunset.
Adult Price: € 38
Available on Day 6
Many people go to Paris, but only a few are lucky enough to experience what it’s really all about. Join us for a stroll with our Local Specialist through Montmartre – an artists’ village once home to Picasso and Toulouse Lautrec – tucked away from the modern city. The paint will still be wet on the canvasses, as we watch apprentices work before our eyes in the famous Artist’s Square. Mingle, barter, and stand in awe of Sacré Coeur Basilica in this historic, bohemian neighborhood.
Adult Price: € 37
Led by a Local Specialist, you’ll see the 'City of Light' from a new perspective on the Panoramic Observation Deck. You’ll have all of Paris at your feet on the terrace, with unbeatable 360-degree views of the most iconic monuments. Later, you’ll visit the Latin Quarter to stroll through the medieval maze of cobblestone alleyways, with sidewalks bistros, boutiques and hidden squares to explore.
Adult Price: € 38
Ooh, la LA! Get swept away by Can-Can dancers and other dazzling acts at one of Paris’s oldest and most authentic cabaret houses. We’ll dine, pop a few bottles of champagne, and enjoy fun, music and la joie de vivre! Truly a night you’ll never forget.
Adult Price: € 139
Experience the ‘Mode’ in Paris through a picturesque walking tour of the city's hippest haunts, introduced to you by a chic Parisian Fashion Expert. Stroll through the Palais Royal and the "glass tunnels" that run through Parisian buildings, bordered by typical Parisian shops and textile workshops. We'll also stop by Galerie Vivienne, a 19th-century covered passage full of shops.
Adult Price: € 68
Make your Parisian travel dreams a reality, as you explore the famous Montorgueil neighborhood on a foodie walking tour. Led by a knowledgeable guide, you’ll sample some of the city’s finest pastries, bread, charcuterie and cheese – meeting local vendors and artisans along the way! Exploring a beautiful historic neighborhood and sampling authentic French cuisine; this is the life.
Adult Price: € 73