Savour your first taste of Europe's highlights as you arrive in London with a free day to experience much of what this cosmopolitan capital has to offer. Whether you choose to explore the city on foot or hop on a London red bus crisscrossing the capital, you're in for an exhilarating adventure. See royal palaces, visit museums and stroll along the high street, letting your nose lead your decision on where to dine - Chicken Tikka, Chow Mein or the firm favourite fish and chips could be on the menu after a day of pounding the pavements.
Take your time to dig deep and make the most of every minute in the British capital. You'll have a full free day to explore the city your way. History buff? Visit one of the many sensational museums. A culture vulture? Take in a West End show. Keen to sightsee? Hop on the Tube and leap between the city's iconic sights. There's plenty to do and see in London and you won't need permission to fill your day to the brim with special experiences.
This morning meet your Travel Director and fellow travelling companions to board your coach and set off from London. Your journey to the continent begins today. Travelling south through the pretty Kent countryside to Dover. Board your ferry to Calais and leave the chalky White Cliffs behind. Arriving in Paris, you'll have time to explore the 'City of Lights' on your own. The French capital glows bright both day and night, but consider an Optional Experience on the Seine at this evening to make your introduction even more special.
Put the joy in joie de vivre when you embark on a full day to delve into the highlights of Paris. Your sightseeing tour conducted by your Travel Director will take you past the Champs-Élysées, the Arc de Triomphe and the 'Iron Lady' herself, the Eiffel Tower. Relish the afternoon to do as you please. That could mean channelling your inner Parisian and sitting in a leafy park with a baguette and some cheese and wine. Consider an optional tour with a Local Specialist to explore the cobbled streets of Montmartre. Tonight, colourful Can-Can girls will entice you with their remarkable outfits should you choose to join an Optional Experience cabaret show.
Au revoir Paris. The Burgundy wine region and beyond beckons. Head through vineyards and valleys as you journey to Lucerne where a brief orientation will see you view the 14th-century Chapel Bridge spanning the Reuss River. Visit the poignant Lion Monument, hewn from rock to honour the brave Swiss Guards who died defending King Louis XVI during the French Revolution. There's plenty of time later to shop for all your Swiss souvenirs.
With your head in the clouds, you’ll journey via the scenic St. Gotthard Pass into Italy. On your journey south, the soul-stirring landscapes of the Italian lakes stretch ahead as you venture to Venice, the 'Queen of the Adriatic'. The Winged Lion of St. Mark stands guard over the city. There’s no better way to see the sights than gliding gracefully through its canals on a gondola – an Optional Experience that captures the essence of Venice like none other.
Your love affair with Venice continues this morning as you cruise by private launch to St. Mark’s Square and view the city’s iconic sights, including St. Mark’s Basilica, the Doge's Palace and Piazza San Marco. Stand in the centre of the square and capture the historic panorama which Napoleon once called 'the drawing room of Europe'. The exquisite art of glassblowing for which Venice is justifiably famous follows next. You’ll see master craftsmen engaged in the centuries-old craft at a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. Consider an opportunity to visit the colourful fisherman’s island of Burano for an optional meal with drinks or spend the afternoon exploring Venice on your own before heading to Florence.
No expense was spared to exalt the glory of Florence through art and architecture and you’ll see first-hand how this city paved its way to a modern age. Explore the treasures left behind by the Medici dynasty and famous artists like Da Vinci and Michelangelo during an orientation tour which includes a visit to Santa Croce Square, where some of the most famous sons of the Renaissance are buried. Enjoy time to shop for souvenirs or the city’s famous gold and leathercraft before departing for Rome, the 'Eternal City'.
There’s no better way to see Rome than to dive right in, which is what you’ll do when you meet your Local Specialist for a sightseeing tour that begins in Vatican City. The dome of St. Peter’s Basilica looms over the expansive St. Peter’s Square – the impressive backdrop for time spent learning about the world’s smallest country. See Michelangelo’s mournful Pietà up close and consider an Optional Experience that will reveal the artistry and heritage of the famous Sistine Chapel and Vatican Museums. Continue to Ancient Rome, to view the mighty Colosseum, followed by time to explore on your own or perhaps join a light-hearted evening revealing all the flavours that would make any Italian mamma proud.
Say arrivederci to your newfound friends and take a transfer to Fiumicino Airport as the curtain closes on an epic journey from London to Rome. 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 3
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 Light 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 4
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 neighbourhood.
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
No tour of Paris is complete until you’ve enjoyed dinner and cabaret at the world-famous Moulin Rouge! The original Parisian cabaret, immortalized in film by Baz Luhrmann, boasts 60 dancers and entertainers, with more than 1000 costumes to admire as you take in the spectacular show. With wine and champagne included, you’ll toast to an unforgettable evening in Paris.
Adult Price: € 165
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
Available on Day 6
Join us for a breathtaking cruise by private water taxi along Venice's Grand Canal, catching glimpses of impressive sights such as the Palazzi Barbaro, Rialto Bridge and St Mark’s Square. Later on, you’ll glide gracefully on a gondola along Venice’s dreamy, narrow waterways, discovering the irresistible charm of the world-famous canals.
Adult Price: € 76
Available on Day 6
We experience one of the greatest scenic highlights Europe has to offer as we travel to the top of Mt. Stanserhorn by old-timer railway and the world's only Cabrio cable car. At the peak, there's time to enjoy glorious views of the central Alpine chain, explore the hiking trails or just relax at the panoramic terrace before descending.
Adult Price: 78 CHF
Available on Day 7
Discover the Venetian Lagoon by private boat, travelling to the heritage-listed fisherman’s island of Burano. Known for its picturesque, technicolour houses and restaurants serving up fresh seafood, this tour is a must for food lovers and photography buffs alike. Enjoy a delicious meal before cruising back to Venice, taking in magic views of the famous city as we return.
Adult Price: € 72
Available on Day 8
This tour is all about exploring the jewel in Florence’s crown: its Renaissance heritage. Alongside your Local Specialist, you’ll wander the enchanting streets of the city and soak in must-visit sights including Ponte Vecchio, Mercato del Porcellino and Piazza della Signoria. Take in the Duomo, Florence’s spectacularly designed cathedral, before topping off the day with an Italian treat – gelato!
Adult Price: € 42
Available on Day 8
Discover the most charming areas of the city as you explore quintessential Italian piazzas and fountains with a Local Specialist. Wander through the labyrinth of narrow streets and beautiful squares in Rome’s historic center, stopping to marvel at highlights such as the Trevi Fountain, The Pantheon and hidden corners of the Eternal City.
Adult Price: € 33
Available on Day 9
We skip the lines at the Vatican Museums for an enlightening tour led by our Local Specialist, which shows not just the remarkable works of art collected and commissioned over the history of the Papacy, but also Michelangelo’s renowned ceiling frescoes in the Sistine Chapel. Later, we'll hear tales of gladiatorial combat and more on our visit to the Colosseum, again with time-saving VIP entrance.
Adult Price: € 87
Take your tour to the next level as you embrace the Italian way of living la dolce vita, with a light-hearted evening out in the mesmerising city of Rome. Relax and savor delectable Italian dishes such as the iconic Spaghetti Carbonara and Roman-Style Pizza as you enjoy the delights of Roman music in one of our favorite restaurants in the city.
Adult Price: € 62