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This is a leisurely and varied tour of Europe, which includes two wonderful cities of Eastern Europe, Prague and Budapest. Whether you are first time travellers to Europe or repeat visitors, you will all enjoy this great tour and with plenty of two night stays it has a more relaxed pace. After crossing the channel to Calais you will travel through Bruges to Brussels for your first night. Then on to Amsterdam and a visit to a fishing village where you will see how clogs and cheese are made. Cruise down the Rhine in Germany and stop at Nuremburg to see the massive town ramparts before continuing east to the Czech border. Travel through beautiful countryside and visit Pilsen, famous for its beer before heading to the ‘golden city’ of Prague. A local guide will introduce the 1,000 year old Prague Castle and St. Vitus’ Cathedral, before going to the Old Town Square with its Astronomical Clock. Travel through Slovakia to Bratislava, the capital, and then on to Budapest in Hungary for an in-depth sightseeing tour. On to Vienna for a waltz in the park and visit the amazing Schonbrunn Palace. In Italy there is plenty of time to enjoy Venice, Rome and Florence and all that these cities have to offer before heading to Switzerland and the magical city of Lucerne. Travel through the wine country of Burgundy to Paris for a fabulous two nights in this amazing city and a fitting end to a wonderful tour before heading back across the channel to London.
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| Tour Operator: | Insight Vacations |
| Duration: | 20 nights |
| Pickup: | London at 0:00AM |
| Drop-off: | London |
| Meals Included: | Breakfasts - 19
Lunches - 0
Dinners - 6 |
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| Itinerary | Accommodation | Attractions |  |
| London |  London is a magnet for tourists, it is a busy, bustling and exciting megalopolis which never stops, a real 24/7 city!! First impressions are an assault on the senses, it is so big and has so many people, so many buses and taxis, so many shops and markets, so many exhibitions and shows, so many anci... |
| Dover |  Dover is located on the south-east coast, approximately 125 kilometres from central London. It is a small seaside town of 30,000 people, and is famous for its white cliffs and being the gateway to England for the last 2000 years. It lies within the County of Kent, which is often called the ‘garden... |
| Calais |  Calais is located on the northern shores of the Nord-Pas de Calais Region of France overlooking the Pas de Calais, or the Straits of Dover. This location is known as the narrowest point at 34 kilometres of La Manche, the English Channel, which joins the Atlantic Ocean to the North Sea, and is one o... |
| Bruges |  Brugge (Bruges in French) is an enchanting and picturesque, historic canal town, that lies within the Province of Flanders of north-western Belgium. As you walk along the banks and across the bridges of the tranquil canals and winding cobbled streets, it is easy to understand why it has been called ... |
Brussels
1 night |  Once seen never forgotten, the Atomium, the unique symbol of Brussels (Bruxelles in French), and one of its most visited tourist attractions!! Built for the 1958 World Expo, this structure represents the structure of a single atomic unit of an iron crystal magnified 165,000,000,000 times (165 billi... |
Amsterdam
1 night |  Amsterdam, nicknamed the ‘Venice of the north’, is the largest city and capital of the Netherlands and is located in the southern regions of the Province of North Holland. It is a busy, cosmopolitan city and a major tourist destination, attracting in excess of 5 million visitors per year!! It is a... |
| Volendam |  Volendam is a small town in North Holland in the Netherlands, and is located just south and adjacent to Edam on the shores of the Ijsselmeer, approximately 20 kilometres from Amsterdam. It was originally the location of the harbour for Edam until 1357 when Edam developed its own harbour. Today Vol... |
| Boppard |  This lovely little town of 17,000 residents stands on the western bank of the majestic River Rhine in the Federal State of Rhineland-Palatinate. The town is located very close to the biggest bend on the river, which is known as the Bopparder Hamm, in an area known as Middle-Rhine, approximately 25 k... |
| Sankt Goar |  Sankt Goar, or St Goar, is a village of 4,000 residents which stands on the western banks of the River Rhine in the Upper Middle Rhine Valley within the Federal State of Rhineland-Palatinate. It is dominated by the awesome ruins of the 13th century Burg Rhinefels, the largest and most imposing cast... |
Wurzburg
1 night |  Straddling the Main River and overlooked by the medieval fortress of Marienberg, Wurzburg is an attractive and historic city and centre of the glorious Falconian wine district. Just over 100 kilometres from Frankfurt the city is located in the far north-western regions of the Federal State of Bavar... |
| Nuremberg |  Nuremberg is an historic city and home to 500,000 residents making it the second largest urban area in the Federal State of Bavaria. It stands on the Pegnitz River and the Rhine-Main-Danube Canal approximately 150 kilometres north-west of Munich. Nuremberg is one of Germany’s better known cities as... |
| Pilsen |  Plzen pronounced Pilsen, is located south-west of Prague and is the commercial, cultural and largest centre in Western Bohemia. Pilsen is known worldwide for Pilsener Beer which was developed here in the mid 19th century and still produces the original Pilsner Urquell Beer from its local brewery. ... |
Prague
2 nights |  Prague is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic with a metropolitan population of approximately 2.3 million residents. It is a beautiful and magical city, a city of bridges that stretch over the Vltava River, a city of cathedrals, gold tipped towers, church spires and home to a maze of... |
| Bratislava |  Dominated by the 17th century hilltop Bratislava Castle, the historic city of Bratislava is located in the heart of Europe at the crossroads of the ancient north-south and east-west trade routes. The city is the capital of Slovakia and is located in the south-west of the country where it straddles ... |
Budapest
2 nights |  Budapest is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Hungary. The city is located on the banks of the River Danube and is backed by the leafy hills of Buda, and historically has been considered to be one of Europe’s major cultural centres. It lies in the Region of Central Hungary, and was fo... |
Vienna
2 nights |  The charming and historic city of Vienna, the capital of the Republic of Austria, lies within the Federal State of Vienna in the eastern regions of the country. It is the largest city in Austria and the administrative, political, economic and cultural centre of the country. Located on the banks of... |
| Carinthian Lakes |  The Carinthian Lake District lies in the southern reaches of the State of Carinthia and is centered around the city of Villach. Although there are an estimated 200 lakes within the district, tourist activity is generally confined to the largest lakes, notably Lake Worth (Worthersee) which is someti... |
Venice
2 nights |  Venice is the capital of the Veneto Region of the Italian Republic, and is located within the Venetian Lagoon which is on the Adriatic coastline in the north-eastern part of the country. The city is one of the world’s great tourist destinations and is on everybody’s list of places to visit!! Well ... |
Rome
2 nights |  Legend has it that Rome was founded on the Palatine Hill on April 21st 753 B.C. by Romulus, who became the first King of Rome. Later as the town grew it encompassed other population centres that had grown on the surrounding hills, and the ‘City of Seven Hills’ was created. The town grew into the f... |
Florence
2 nights |  Straddling the River Arno, Florence is the historic capital of the Tuscany region, which lies on the central west coast of the Italian Republic. Considered to be the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance, the city is the cultural capital of Tuscany and known for its magnificent art and architecture... |
| Milan |  Milan is located on the plains of the River Po in the region of Lombardy in northern Italy, and is the country’s powerhouse, being the hub of the wealthy and productive north!! It is the largest city in Italy at 7.4 million, and the economic and business heart of the nation. Although Rome is the c... |
| Italian Lakes District |  The Italian Lakes District is a large area of outstanding natural beauty which consists of a collection of nearly 300 lakes that lie mostly in the rugged, pre-alpine foothills of the Southern Alps, and covers four regions of northern Italy. This lakeland area is a major tourist attraction and is ho... |
Lucerne
2 nights |  Located roughly an hours drive from Basel and Zurich, Lucerne is in the centre of Switzerland and is known as the gateway to central Switzerland. It lies in an idyllic position on the western edge of Lake Lucerne and straddles the River Reusse, and is surrounded by stunning lakeside and mountain sc... |
| Basel |  Basel is considered to be one of Switzerland’s cultural centres and lies in the border triangle where France, Germany and Switzerland meet. It is a fascinating historic city with many traditions, home to the oldest university in Switzerland (built 1460), and has developed a unique, cosmopolitan and... |
| Burgundy |  The Burgundy wine region is one of the better known wine regions of France. It is famous for its five wine sub-regions which include the Cote d’Or where the most expensive and prized Burgundies are produced - Chablis which produces a dry white wine which is renowned for the purity of its aroma and ... |
Paris
2 nights |  Ah Paris!! What can be said that already hasn’t been? It is a unique, vibrant and exciting city, a city full of atmosphere, a city full of interest, a city with a fantastic cultural heritage. It is above all a city which needs to be experienced, felt, touched and heard, not just seen. Paris is ... |
| Calais | Calais is located on the northern shores of the Nord-Pas de Calais Region of France overlooking the Pas de Calais, or the Straits of Dover. This location is known as the narrowest point at 34 kilometres of La Manche, the English Channel, which joins the Atlantic Ocean to the North Sea, and is one o... |
| Dover | Dover is located on the south-east coast, approximately 125 kilometres from central London. It is a small seaside town of 30,000 people, and is famous for its white cliffs and being the gateway to England for the last 2000 years. It lies within the County of Kent, which is often called the ‘garden... |
| London | London is a magnet for tourists, it is a busy, bustling and exciting megalopolis which never stops, a real 24/7 city!! First impressions are an assault on the senses, it is so big and has so many people, so many buses and taxis, so many shops and markets, so many exhibitions and shows, so many anci... |
Royal Windsor Grand Palace Hotel
1 night | |
Moevenpick City Centre Hotel
1 night |  Located on the waters edge yet within walking distance from the old centre of Amsterdam and the Central Station. The hotel offers elegance and comfort with stunning views over the city. |
Maritim Parkhotel
1 night | |
Hotel Savoy Prague
2 nights | |
Corinthia Grand Hotel Royal
2 nights |  Behind its distinguished façade, located in the heart of Budapest, the old Grand Hotel Royal has been transformed into the superb, modern Corinthia Grand Hotel Royal. This new hotel has become the finest in Budapest and has set a new standard in luxury five star city centre hotels. With its wealth o... |
Hilton Plaza Vienna Hotel
2 nights |  The contemporary Hilton Vienna Plaza hotel is in the heart of commercial Vienna, overlooking the historic Ringstrasse. With plenty of meeting rooms, a business centre and wireless internet access throughout this hotel is perfect for the business traveller. However for the leisure traveller, you w... |
Cavalletto E Doge Orseolo
2 nights | |
Una Hotel Roma
2 nights | |
Palazzo Ricasoli Hotel
2 nights | |
Hotel Astoria Lucerne
2 nights |  The Astoria Hotel is located in the city centre and just minutes from the Lake, It has a rooftop bar with views of Lucerne, as well as great restaurants.
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Pullman Bercy Hotel
2 nights |  The first-class Pullman Paris Bercy hotel is at the heart of the Bercy Village pedestrian complex. A stone's throw from the Grande Bibliothèque, Palais Omnisport stadium and the Bastille and the Marais districts. The hotel is 7 mins from Madeleine churchby metro. The 19,375 sq. ft. modular conventio... |
| Basilica of Santa Maria del Fiore |  |
| Matthias Church |  The ornately decorated Matthias Church (Matyas Templom) of Budapest is officially known as the Church of Our Lady, and is one of the prominent landmarks of this historic city. The church is located in the heart of the Castle District, and was initially founded by King Bela IV and built in the mid 1... |
| Mint Tower - Munttoren or Munt | The Munttoren ("Mint Tower") or Munt is a tower in Amsterdam. It stands on the busy Muntplein square, near the flower market and the start of the Kalverstraat shopping street, where the Amstel river and the Singel canal meet.
The tower was originally part of the Regulierspoort, one of the main gate... |
| Dam Square |  Dam Square or simply 'The Dam' is a town square in Amsterdam. Its famous buildings and frequent events make it one of the most well-known and popular sites in the city.
Dam Square lies in the historical centre of Amsterdam, approximately 750 metres south of Centraal Station. It links the street... |
| St Mark's Basilica |  St Mark's Basilica (Basilica di San Marco a Venezia), the cathedral of Venice, is the most famous of the city's churches and one of the best known examples of Byzantine architecture. It is situated on St Mark's Square, adjacent and connected to the Doge's Palace. It was originally the chapel of the ... |
| Piazza San Marco ( St Mark's Square ) |  St Mark's Square is the central landmark and gathering place for Venice, extremely popular with tourists, photographers and locals. It is the location of the Venetian state and has been the seat of the archbishopric since the 19th century.
The great square overlooks the water, is surrounded by and... |
| Doge's Palace |  |
| Bridge of Sighs |  The Bridge of Sighs is one of many bridges in Venice built in the 16th century. The enclosed bridge is made of white limestone and has windows with stone bars. It passes over the Rio di Palazzo and connects the old prisons to the interrogation rooms in the Doge's Palace. If you purchase a ticket ... |
| Piazza della Signoria |  The Piazza della Signoria has been the political centre of Florence for centuries. It was the scene of great triumphs, such as the return of the Medici in 1530 |
| Heroes' Square |  Heroes’ Square is locally known as Hosok Tere, and is one of the most popular visitor attractions in the city of Budapest. The square stands at the end of Andrassy Avenue and is considered to be one of the most important cultural open-spaces in Budapest. Heroes’ Square is located on the south-west... |
| Chapel Bridge - Kapellbrucke |  Spanning the beautiful waters of the Reuss River as it leaves Lake Lucerne, the attractively roofed Kapellbrucke, or Chapel Bridge, and the adjoining Wasserturm form the highlight of this historic medieval city. This wooden pedestrian bridge, which is recognised as the oldest wooden bridge in Europ... |
| Manneken Pis | Menneken Pis (Dutch for little man pee) is a Brussels landmark. It is a small bronze fountain sculpture depicting a naked little boy urinating into the fountain's basin. There are several legends behind this statue but no-one really knows. There was a similar statue made of stone in the middle of... |
| Eiffel Tower | The Eiffel Tower stands high above the skyline of Paris like a beacon calling visitors to this ‘City of Light’. It is considered to be one of the city’s top five most popular sightseeing destinations with over 6.6 million visitors attracted here during 2009, which means that up to December 2009 and... |
| Arc de Triomphe |  The Arc de Triomphe is a massive historic monument which stands at the western end of the Champs Elysees and is one of the most iconic images of the city of Paris. It is revered by the French, a symbol of their national spirit and the focal point for all state funerals, military achievements and na... |
| Fortress of Marienberg |  The Fortress of Marienberg is the major landmark of the city of Wurzburg, and stands prominently on a hill overlooking the altstadt of Warzburg and the Main River. The fortress served as the principal residence of the Prince-Bishops of Warzburg between 1253 and 1719 and is today open to the public ... |
| Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris |  The 12th century Cathedral of Notre Dame of Paris is one of the iconic images of France. It is an excellent example of French Gothic architecture and known as one of the first Gothic cathedrals to be built. The cathedral stands on the east side of the Ile de la Cite at the very heart of Paris, and... |
| Prague Castle |  Prague Castle is a large complex of buildings which house over 700 rooms and is considered to be the largest medieval castle in Europe and a ‘must see’ for any visitor to Prague. Forming part of the U.N.E.S.C.O. World Heritage Site known as ‘Historic Centre of Prague’ the castle dates from the 9th ... |
| Old Town Hall Tower and Astronomical Clock |  Located at the very heart of historic Prague, the Old Town Square is considered to be one of the most picturesque places in the city. Full of Baroque and Gothic architecture the Old Town Square has served the city as a marketplace since the 12th century when medieval Prague used to be one the major... |
| Mt Pilatus Cog Railway |  The Mount Pilatus Cog Railway, or Pilatusbahn, is the steepest cog, or rack railway in the world, and provides quick and exhilarating access almost to the summit of this popular mountain. The railway operates from the village of Alpnachstad, which can be found at the base of Mount Pilatus on the so... |
| Lion Monument |  Located in a small park just off the Lowenplatz in Lucerne, visitors will be surprised by the sensitive and graceful sculpture of the dying Lion of Lucerne, which is locally known as the Lowendenkmal. This impressive sculpture has been carved into an almost vertical wall of an old sandstone quarry ... |
| Grand Place |  The Grand Place is the central market square of Brussels. It is surrounded by guild houses, the city's Town Hall and the Bread House. The square is the most important tourist destination and most memorable landmark in Brussels next to the Atomium and Manneken Pis. It is a Unesco World Heritage Si... |
| Vienna State Opera |  The Vienna State Opera, or the Wiener Staatsoper, is one of the most important opera houses, and opera companies in the world. The repertoire of the Vienna State Opera covers an impressive cross-section of the full spectrum of operatic literature, and provides a different program every day of the s... |
| Fishermans Bastion | The Fisherman’s Bastion (Halaszbastya) is located directly behind the Matthias Church in the Castle district of Budapest, and overlooks the River Danube. It was designed by Frigyes Schulek to complement the Matthias Church, which he also designed, and was built between 1895 and 1902 in the Neo-Goth... |
| Shonbrunn Palace | The Schloss Schonbrunn or Schonbrunn Palace, is located on the south-western outskirts of Vienna, which together with its ancillary buildings and extensive park is a major landmark of the city. Schonbrunn was the Imperial Summer Palace of the Holy Roman Empire and is a scheduled listed monument, an... |
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