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Essence of Europe

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17 or 19 days

Germany, Austria, Italy, Switzerland, France, England, extension to Scotland


The spires and cobblestones of the Marienplatz in Munich are straight out of the Middle Ages.In Venice, the din of cars and trucks is replaced by the gentle hum of motorboats and water taxis. In Rome, Paris, and London, equally rich histories blend with the buzz of a modern metropolis—the ancient Colosseum and symbolic Arc de Triomphe are a stone’s throw from trendy restaurants and cafés.

Due to national and/or religious holidays, some sites may be closed and your itinerary may be modified on the following dates in 2027: March 19, March 26-29, April 25, May 1, June 2, June 29. These dates fluctuate each year—please contact us for more information.

Image displaying map describing the itinerary of the Essence of Europe tour

Day 1: Fly overnight to Germany

Day 2: Munich

Meet your Tour Director at the destination airport

Take a walking tour of Munich

With your Tour Director you will see:

  • Munich Cathedral
  • New Town Hall
  • Hofbräuhaus

Day 3: Munich

Take a guided tour of Munich

With your expert local guide you will see:

  • Olympic Stadium
  • Residenz
  • Marienplatz

Take an excursion to Dachau

Visit the Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site

Day 4: Munich • Innsbruck • Venice

Travel via Innsbruck to the Venice region

Day 5: Venice

Take a ferry to Venice

See a glass-blowing demonstration

Take a guided tour of Venice

With your expert local guide you will see:

  • St. Mark’s Square
  • Grand Canal

Enjoy a gondola ride 

Travel by water taxi to the island of Burano

Explore Burano on your own

Day 6: Venice • Rome

Travel to Rome by bus

Day 7: Rome

Take a guided tour of Vatican City

With your expert local guide you will visit:

  • Sistine Chapel
  • Vatican Museums

Enjoy time to explore St. Peter's Basilica on your own  

Add this in-depth excursion:


Rome cooking class

Rome cooking class

Discover why food plays such an integral role in Italy’s culture as you dive into this hands-on cooking class. With a local Italian chef as your guide, participate in making several classic Italian recipes. Upon completion, sit down at the table and enjoy the tasty fruits of your labor. 

Day 8: Rome

Take a guided tour of Rome

With your expert local guide you will visit:

  • Roman Forum
  • Colosseum

Take a self-guided walking tour of Rome

You will see:

  • Trevi Fountain
  • Pantheon
  • Piazza Navona
  • Spanish Steps

Take a guided tour of Castel Gandolfo, the Pope’s summer residence on the shores of Lake Albano. Learn about its rich history as you explore:

  • The Papal Palace
  • The Barberini Gardens

Day 9: Rome • Florence

Travel to Florence

Take a guided tour of Florence

With your expert local guide you will see:

  • Piazza della Signoria
  • Ponte Vecchio
  • Basilica of Santa Croce
  • Gates of Paradise

Day 10: Florence • Lucerne region

Travel to the Lucerne region

Day 11: Lucerne region

Take a walking tour of Lucerne

With your Tour Director you will see:

  • Lion Monument
  • Kapellbrücke
  • Lake Lucerne

Ride to the top of a Swiss mountain

Take a cruise on Lake Lucerne

Day 12: Lucerne region • Burgundy region

Travel to the Burgundy region

Take a walking tour of Dijon with your Tour Director

Day 13: Burgundy region • Paris

Travel to Paris

Take a walking tour of Paris

With your Tour Director you will see:

  • Île de la Cité
  • Conciergerie
  • Sainte-Chapelle

Catch a glimpse of Notre-Dame Cathedral

Day 14: Paris

Take a guided tour of Paris

With your expert local guide you will see:

  • Place de la Concorde
  • Champs-Élysées
  • Arc de Triomphe
  • Les Invalides
  • Eiffel Tower

Add this in-depth excursion:


Versailles

Versailles

Enjoy an excursion to the grand palace of Versailles, where Louis XIV held court in the most lavish style imaginable. On a tour, stroll through the elegantly landscaped gardens, the historic Hall of Mirrors, and the ornately decorated State Apartments. Note: Versailles is closed on Mondays.

Day 15: Paris • London

Take the Eurostar to London

Take a walking tour of London with your Tour Director

Day 16: London

Take a guided tour of London

With your expert local guide you will see:

  • Big Ben and Houses of Parliament
  • Piccadilly Circus
  • St. Paul’s Cathedral
  • Westminster Abbey
  • Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace (if scheduled)

Add this in-depth excursion:


Windsor

Windsor

This is your invitation to the Royal Family’s retreat, Windsor Castle! Join a local guide on your half-day excursion to Windsor, built by William the Conqueror in 1070. Priceless objects are found in the State Apartments, from paintings by Rubens to Henry VIII’s sword and suit of armor. You will also see Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House and St. George’s Chapel, the final resting place of many monarchs. 

Day 17: Depart for home


Add 2 more days


Day 17: Edinburgh

Travel by train to Edinburgh

Take a walking tour of Edinburgh

Visit the National Museum of Scotland

Add this in-depth excursion:


Specters of Scotland

Specters of Scotland

 A city that can inspire Robert Louis Stevenson—an Edinburgh native—to create the monstrous Mr. Hyde has to have a deep and dark past. On your ghost tour, experience the twisted, demented, and downright terrifying side of Edinburgh. See bricked over passages and caged crypts, then try to sleep wondering: who are they keeping out… or what are they keeping in? 

Day 18: Edinburgh

Take a guided tour of Edinburgh

Visit Edinburgh Castle

Explore Edinburgh on your own

Day 19: Depart for home



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Your experience includes

Airfare & transportation
Hotels
Regional-style meals
Guided sightseeing
Entrances
Full-time Tour Director
Expert Local Guides
Personalized Learning Support
Continuous Support
Worldwide Presence

Lowest Price

Includes airfare, hotels, meals, full-time Tour Director, and more.

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