EUROPEAN GRANDEUR (START PARIS END AMSTERDAM CLASSIC GROUP)
Description
Itinerary
Price
Hotel
Remarks
Description
Overview
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.
Included/Excluded
Itinerary
Day 1: Welcome to Paris (Dinner with Wine)
- 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.
Day 2: Paris, the City of Light (Breakfast)
- 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 small shops and sample local treats and delicacies.
- With the afternoon free, there are countless opportunities to enjoy the lively atmosphere of this glittering city.
Day 3: Onto Bordeaux (Breakfast)
- 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 majestic Chenonceau Castle, an elegant French château spanning the River Cher.
- Continue on to the bustling seaport of Bordeaux with its unique 18th century character.
Day 4: Bordeaux and San Sebastián (Breakfast/Dinner with Wine)
- 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, continue to picturesque San Sebastián where you will have the chance to dine with the locals in the evening.
- In small groups, wander through the Old Town for a progressive dinner, as you enjoy the gastronomic Basque tradition of pintxos.
- Similar to tapas, enjoy a variety of snack-sized treats to make your meal and be sure to try some of the local Txakoli wine.
Day 5: On to Madrid (Breakfast)
- 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?
Day 6: Madrid (Breakfast)
- 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.
Day 7: Madrid and Beautiful Barcelona (Breakfast)
- 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.
Day 8: Barcelona, City of Gaudi (Breakfast)
- 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 mesmerising Sagrada Família.
Day 9: Avignon, the City of Popes (Breakfast/Dinner with Wine)
- Journey to Avignon to see the famous Pont d’Avignon, once spanning the Rhône and immortalised 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 tasting of the freshest produce.
- After, indulge in a Farm-to-Table dinner, a delicious insight into traditional French home-style cuisine.
Day 10: On the shores of Nice (Breakfast)
- Journey along the French Riviera to the elegant town of Nice.
- The rest of the day is at your leisure to stroll along the fabled Promenade des Anglais or relax on the beach.
Day 11: Monaco and Pisa (Breakfast)
- 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 harbour and visit the cathedral, housing the tombs of the late Prince Rainier and Princess Grace.
- Cross into Italy and follow the arc of the Italian Riviera before arriving in Pisa.
- In the Square of Miracles, stop to see the incredible Leaning Tower of Pisa with a Local Expert, from which Galileo is said to have conducted experiments on velocity and gravity.
- Also see the splendid 11th century cathedral and baptistery, decorated with mosaics and designs in solid marble.
Day 12: Renaissance Florence (Breakfast)
- 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 masterpieces.
- Spend time gazing at statues such as Neptune and David along the front of the Palazzo Vecchio.
- The area around Santa Croce Basilica is famous for the quality of its luxury goods of gold and leather and there’s free time to shop or continue exploring.
Day 13: The Eternal City of Rome (Breakfast/Dinner with Wine)
- 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.
Day 14: Exploring Papal Rome (Breakfast)
- 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.
- Next door, visit St. Peter’s Basilica to admire Michelangelo’s emotive ‘Pieta’ and see Bernini’s intricately carved Papal Altar.
- The afternoon is yours to shop in the trendy boutiques or relax at a sidewalk cafe before our exclusive access to the Basilica of Saint Praxedes during an after-hours visit.
Day 15: Rome at Leisure (Breakfast)
- 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.
Day 16: Autostrada del Sole to Venice (Breakfast/Dinner with Wine)
- 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 savour a cocktail at sunset whilst you are serenaded by an ensemble of talented musicians, before enjoying dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 17: The Magic of La Serenissima (Breakfast)
- 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 centre, before taking a private cruise to St. Mark’s Square where St. Mark’s Basilica exudes the city’s former wealth and power.
Day 18: Venice to elegant Ljubljana (Breakfast)
- 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 to the tranquil shores of Lake Bled?
- Ride in a traditional wooden ‘pletna’ across the turquoise glacial waters towards the tiny island that rises in the middle.
Day 19: Ljubljana to Vienna (Breakfast)
- 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.
Day 20: Vienna and the Habsburgs (Breakfast)
- 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 many of the capital’s architectural masterpieces, including the Opera House, magnificent Hofburg Imperial Residence and Parliament.
- Later, join your Local Expert for a walk through Innere Stadt, the first district and historic core of Vienna.
- Visit a traditional Viennese café to enjoy local specialities of coffee and Sachertorte or visit Capuchins’ Crypt, the burial place of the Habsburg family in Vienna.
Day 21: Salzburg and onto Innsbruck (Breakfast)
- 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 where the ‘Do, Re, Mi’ scene was filmed.
- Cross Residence Square with its fountain, where Maria sings ‘I Have Confidence’ and see the imposing fortress, the immense cathedral and Mozart’s birthplace on the lively Getreidegasse.
- Perhaps join an excursion to the famous Eagle’s Nest?
- Continue to the mountain ringed Tyrolean capital of Innsbruck to see the Golden Roof and Imperial Palace.
Day 22: Liechtenstein to Lucerne (Breakfast)
- 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 Lion Monument, carved into a limestone cliff and dedicated to the heroic Swiss Guards who died defending King Louis XVI during the French Revolution.
Day 23: Lucerne and Mt Stanserhorn (Breakfast/Dinner with Wine)
- 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 beautiful scenic pathways, keeping an eye out for marmots and other native animals, with the chance to hear a conservation talk by a Swiss ranger, to learn about local wildlife and flora.
- With the day free, there is plenty of time for shopping for delectable chocolate and glamorous Swiss watches in the traffic-free Old Town.
- Perhaps venture into the countryside for a delightful horse-drawn carriage ride and meet the local farmers?
- At night, you are offered a fine selection of restaurants to choose from for your Dine-Around Evening.
Day 24: Legends along the Rhine (Breakfast/Dinner with Wine)
- Enjoy travelling through Germany and follow the Rhine Valley north to Königswinter.
Day 25: The Canals of Amsterdam (Breakfast/Dinner with Wine)
- 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 the water as you cruise through the canal district, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Admire the elegant merchant houses from the 16th and 17th centuries, their facades are a reflection of when trade flourished during Amsterdam’s Golden Age.
- Relax as you pass stunning gables, beautiful churches and the iconic Magere Brug, better known as the Skinny Bridge.
- In the evening, toast your adventure and new-found friends during a Celebration Dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 26: Depart Amsterdam (Breakfast)
- After breakfast, transfers arrive at Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport.
Price
PRICE FROM RM44,198 SUBJECT TO DATE AND AVAILABILITY
Hotel
- Day 1 – Day 2: Le Méridien Etoile
- Day 3: Novotel Bordeaux Gare St Jean
- Day 4: Barceló Costa Vasca
- Day 5 – Day 6: Hotel Riu Plaza España
- Day 7 – Day 8: Hilton Barcelona
- Day 9: Novotel Avignon Centre
- Day 10: Apollinaire
- Day 11 – Day 12: NH Firenze
- Day 13 – Day 15: Radisson Blu GHR Rome
- Day 16 – Day 17: Eurostars Residenza Cannaregio
- Day 18: Hotel Lev Ljubljana
- Day 19 – Day 20: Hilton Vienna Park/Hilton Vienna Danube Waterfront (Your hotel will be dependent on your departure date)
- Day 21: AC Hotel Innsbruck
- Day 22 – Day 23: Hotel Astoria
- Day 24: Maritim Hotel Königswinter
- Day 25: Grand Hotel Amrâth Amsterdam
Remarks
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