Highlights of Europe - Start Amsterdam, Return Eurostar, Small Group

Insight Vacations is also known as Insight Tours. Their name was changed some years ago. Insight Vacations features their Insight Vacations Italy at great prices, trips to the Bay of Fundy, to The Baltic, and more. Insights escorted European Tours are a favorite of Pavlus Travel's Travel Agents. All of Insights Tours are discounted at Pavlus, one of their largest sellers in the United States.
Call Us 800.528.9300

Highlights of Europe

Start Amsterdam, Return Eurostar, Small Group



Tour Description:

Experience the best Europe has to offer. Travel from London to Europe on the high-speed Eurostar train. Cruise along the quaint canals in Amsterdam, and travel from Austria, across the Dolomites into Italy. Join a local home dinner in Rome where your host serves up delicious regional dishes. Enjoy VIP Vatican access which allows you to cut the lines to the museums. Then voyage through the Chianti Hills of Florence and the cobbled streets of lakeside Lucerne with a final stop in the city of lights, Paris.

Map for Highlights of Europe - Start Amsterdam, Return Eurostar, Small Group
Click for larger view.

Dates & Pricing

Sunday 23 Jun 24 — Sunday 07 Jul 24Starting at $7,375Check Mark Icon SPECIALGet a Quote
Sunday 29 Sep 24 — Sunday 13 Oct 24Starting at $7,342Check Mark Icon SPECIALGet a Quote
Sunday 03 Nov 24 — Sunday 17 Nov 24Starting at $6,114Check Mark Icon SPECIALGet a Quote
Check Mark Icon Disclaimer: Prices listed are per person, based on double occupancy, and in USD. All promotions are valid for new bookings only, capacity controlled and valid on select dates and departures. Individual Terms and Conditions will apply to all promotions. Any promotion can be withdrawn at any time without notice. Please speak with your Pavlus Travel Planner for complete vendor terms and conditions, including eligible tour and cruise dates.


Destination & Sightseeing

Destination Highlights:

: Personal radio headsets give you the freedom to wander during visits to famous highlights, without missing any of your Local Expert's fascinating commentary.
: Hotel and restaurant tips are included - you'll never have to worry about how much to give, nor search for foreign currency. We also include all taxes and porterage charges at hotels.
: We carry your bags for you and promptly deliver them to your hotel door.
: From time to time, your Travel Director will delight you with an Insight Flourish, which is a local specialty representing the destination.
: Stay connected with friends and family with our complimentary coach and hotel Wi-Fi (where available).
: If your arrival and/or departure flights are as per the itinerary start and end dates, then transfers are available at scheduled times. If your flights are outside these times, or you have booked additional nights accommodation with Insight Vacations, you may purchase transfers or make your own way from/to the airport.

ITINERARY

Welcome to Amsterdam

The Rhine Valley and Heidelberg
Take a scenic drive through the Rhine Valley to see quaint villages, hilltop castles and hear the legend of the Lorelei Rock. Follow the Neckar River to Heidelberg and visit Heidelberg Castle with a Local Expert.

Mountain-ringed Innsbruck
Skirt the northern Black Forest and head towards the rolling Bavarian Alps. Stop beneath the royal castles of Hohenschwangau and King Ludwig’s Neuschwanstein, rumoured to have inspired Walt Disney's iconic castle. Once over the Austrian border, continue to the Tyrolean capital of Innsbruck. Tour the architectural jewels of the city, seeing the Imperial Palace, Golden Roof and the 14th century houses of the Old Town.

Across the Dolomites to Venice Relaxed Start
Continue your journey, crossing the Italian border and on through the Dolomites. Amongst the hills of Conegliano Veneto, stop at a local family winery in Veneto to discover the art of prosecco production. Savor a tasting of these luxurious sparkling wines and discover how to make the perfect Bellini. Continue to the romantic city of Venice, Queen of the Adriatic. In the evening, enjoy a dinner with wine.

The Magic of La Serenissima Relaxed Start
Wake up ready to embrace this romantic city. Join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience as you witness the skill of glassblowers on a visit to a traditional arts center. Take a private cruise to St. Mark's Square where the city's former wealth and power is evidenced by the riches of St. Mark's Basilica. Admire the Doge's Palace and its adjoining Bridge of Sighs. With the rest of the day free, why not cruise the Venetian lagoon to the island of Burano for a meal of local specialties and wine?

The Eternal City of Rome
Head into the Apennine Mountains and venture through the peaceful landscapes of Tuscany and Umbria. Follow the course of the Tiber to the Eternal City of Rome. Enjoy a private visit to the Basilica of Saint Praxedes, welcomed by the Rector of the basilica. Gaze in awe at the world's best-preserved Byzantine mosaics, illuminated for this evening's experience, and see the first sculpture by Bernini. Italian culture is deeply rooted in hospitality with food, friends and family being central to everyday life. For dinner, you’re invited into the home of a Roman local to experience Italian hospitality at its best.

Papal and Imperial Rome
During your two-night stay, join a Local Expert for a private tour of the priceless art housed in the Vatican Museums and the frescoes of the Sistine Chapel. Your priority visit includes fast-track entry. Then explore St. Peter’s Basilica, one of the largest churches in the world. Cross the River Tiber to see the largest amphitheater of the Roman Empire, the Colosseum and enjoy the afternoon at your leisure.

The Chianti Hills to Florence
Drive to the Chianti Hills and the city of Florence. A Local Expert will accompany you to the Duomo where the Gates of Paradise adorn the baptistery. Continue to Piazza della Signoria, the political heart of the city, lined with fountains and statues it acts as a virtual open-air gallery of Renaissance masterpieces. A leisurely afternoon gives you time to shop for quality goods, like gold and leather, which Florence is famous for. Alternatively, there is the option to visit the Accademia Gallery with an art historian to see Michelangelo's famed masterpiece, 'David.' In the evening, savor an authentic meal at a local trattoria in the heart of Florence.

Free time in Renaissance Florence Relaxed Start
The day is free for you to fully immerse yourself in the Tuscan capital. Be sure not to miss the magnificent museums and galleries housing some of the most famous works of art in the world. Or perhaps just relax and soak up the atmosphere in one of the many street cafe's?

The Alps and on to Lucerne
In the morning, travel across the Swiss border. The emotive Lion Monument, carved into a limestone cliff, is a memorial dedicated to the heroic Swiss Guards who died defending King Louis XVI during the French Revolution, which is a source of great pride to the people of Lucerne. See this beautiful work before strolling across the Chapel Bridge to see the ornate Jesuit Church. The afternoon is at your leisure. You may choose to enjoy a cruise on Lake Lucerne with its dramatic vistas.

Lakeside Lucerne Relaxed Start
Today, appreciate the Alpine terrain as you embark on a scenic journey by cable car to the summit of the stunning Mount Pilatus. Take in the pristine mountain air and spectacular views. With the rest of 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? Later, the choice is yours for your Dine-Around Evening. Enjoy your preferred dining experience from a selection of hand-picked local restaurants, each offering their own unique cuisine and ambience.

Sights and delights of Paris
Journey through the rural French country side of Alsace and Burgundy regions, famous for its vineyards and wines, to arrive in the vibrant City of Light. During your time in Paris, see the impressive Eiffel Tower, the magnificent Notre Dame Cathedral and the imposing facades of the Louvre. Discover the banks of the Seine with its many romantic bridges, see the obelisk in the center of the Place de la Concorde and drive along the Champs Élysées to the Arc de Triomphe. With the evening free, there are countless opportunities to enjoy the lively atmosphere of this glittering city. Why not visit one of the world-famous cabaret shows?

The Food and Flavors of Paris
Today you can enjoy an Insight Choice. Choose to explore community life in the picturesque Montorgueil district. Alternatively, join 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.  In the evening, enjoy a Celebration Dinner at the historic restaurant La Coupole. Delight in French cuisine and delicious wine.

Paris to London
In the morning, there is an included coach transfer to Paris Gare du Nord station for your high speed Eurostar train journey to London. On arrival, you are transferred to your hotel where you enjoy a final day at leisure to enjoy a city that is famous for its pomp and pageantry. Perhaps relax with a walk along the Serpentine in Hyde Park or window shop in the elegant boutiques of Knightsbridge? Alternatively, you may want to stroll along the Thames to the iconic Tower Bridge and Tower of London.

Homeward Bound
Your journey comes to an end after breakfast.

Check Mark Disclaimer: Prices listed are per person, based on double occupancy, and in USD. All promotions are valid for new bookings only, capacity controlled and valid on select dates and departures. Individual Terms and Conditions will apply to all promotions. Any promotion can be withdrawn at any time without notice. Please speak with your Pavlus Travel Planner for complete vendor terms and conditions, including eligible tour and cruise dates.

From experience Pavlus Travel staff have toured with Insight Vacations, they had access to rare and authentic true experiences that are unavailable on most escorted tours. With Insight Tours you will know your destination intimately with a mix of dining experiences, meaningful interactions with your fellow guests, local experts and exciting cultural activities such as playing pétanque or trying your hand at hurling to seeing the Bay of Fundy and its wicked tides. Insight Vacations has some 70 featured escorted tours to many parts of the World. Pavlus Travel is one of the World's largest sellers of Insight Tours and of course a favorite Insight Italy Tours a favorite of so many guests.