Europe's Highlight

TOUR DETAILS

Overview:

From its exciting cities to its spectacular scenery, Europe has it all, and on this affordable European tour, you'll see the main highlights. Start in Amsterdam with a scenic canal cruise and end in Paris with a guided tour and time on your own. In between, you’ll discover Germany, Austria, Italy, and Switzerland.

In Amsterdam, Rome, Florence, and Paris, local experts will bring the cities alive, and among other famous sights, you’ll see the Eiffel Tower in Paris; Piazza Signoria in Florence, renowned for its ornate and famous statues; and St. Peter’s Square in Rome, the heart of the Vatican. Other interesting experiences include a boat ride to Venice’s St. Mark’s Square; a visit to Assisi’s Basilica, burial site of St. Francis and home to frescoes by Giotto and a visit to Neuschwanstein Castle, King Ludwig II’s fairy-tale castle nestled in the beautiful Bavarian Alps.

It is not just the cities you’ll see on this European tour; you’ll also see some of Europe's beautiful scenery. A fascinating drive along the Rhine River features quaint towns, castles from the Middle Ages, and villages lining the countryside. Marvel at the gorgeous Swiss Alps. Enjoy the beautiful Tuscany countryside, with its rolling hills, and journey through France’s famous vineyards. Overnight in romantic Lake Como, regarded as one of Europe's most picturesque lakes; spend time in Lucerne, nestled between the Alps and the fjord-like lake; and stop in Interlaken, nestled between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz and surrounded by three mighty mountains.

Europe’s highlights—including historic monuments, must-see attractions, and scenery—are all available on this splendid, value-minded Europe tour!

Tour size: Small Group Discovery

Select Cosmos Europe tours are limited to an average of just 24 guests per tour. There’s always room to roam with extra space between you and other travelers—while still getting up close and personal to the experiences you’ve been dreaming of. Small-Group Discoveries include all the features of a traditional Cosmos European tour, complete with expert Tour Director, Driver, and Local Guides who ensure that your health and safety is our top priority. A Small-Group Discovery Europe vacation is the perfectly sized tour—without the crowds.

Headsets throughout the tour.

ITINERARY

DAY 1 ARRIVE IN THE AMSTERDAM AREA, HOLLAND

Check into your hotel, and start exploring this exciting city with your CosmosGo app. Tonight, meet your Tour Director and fellow travelers.

Meals Included: Dinner

DAY 2 AMSTERDAM

Enjoy sightseeing in Amsterdam with a Local Guide pointing out the city highlights, as well as an included canal cruise to see the town from water level. Then, watch the cutting and polishing of precious stones at a diamond center. Time in the afternoon to explore on your own or join an optional excursion.

Meals included: Breakfast

DAY 3 AMSTERDAM AREA–KARLSRUHE, GERMANY

Traveling through Germany, choose an included scenic drive along the shores of the Rhine or, even more thrilling, the optional Rhine cruise with vistas of the Lorelei rock, hilltop castles, half-timbered wine villages, and terraced vineyards. Spend the night in Karlsruhe.
Today’s Distance: 336 mi/ 540 km

Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner

DAY 4 KARLSRUHE–INNSBRUCK AREA, AUSTRIA

Drive through Baden-Wüttenberg to the foot of the Alps to visit King Ludwig’s magnificent Neuschwanstein castle, Germany’s fairytale castle. Carry on into the verdant Austrian Tyrol.
Today’s Distance: 311 mi/ 500 km

Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner

DAY 5 INNSBRUCK AREA–VENICE AREA, ITALY

Cross the border into Italy to the unique floating city of Venice. This afternoon’s orientation includes a boat ride to St. Mark’s Square, followed by a visit to a traditional glassblowing workshop. Don’t miss out on the romantic optional gondola trip, gliding along the picturesque canals with a local troubadour to serenade you.
Today’s Distance: 242 mi/ 390 km

Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner

DAY 6 VENICE AREA–ASSISI–ROME

An interesting drive southward, cutting across the Po Delta, then through the gentle Umbrian hills to medieval Assisi, where St. Francis was born in 1182. Visit the world-famous St. Francis Basilica with its beautiful frescoes by Giotto, then head for Rome.
Today’s Distance: 345 mi/ 555 km

Meals included: Breakfast

DAY 7 ROME

The “Eternal City” is steeped in history, vibrantly alive and exciting, and absolutely unique! Start the included introduction to Rome’s landmarks from St. Peter’s Square with a Local Guide. Enjoy a drive along the iconic landmarks of the city: the Tiber River, the Caius Cestius Pyramid, the Aurelian Walls and the Caracalla Baths. Complete the experience with a walk back in time from the Circus Maximus to the Arch of Constantine and to the fascinating Colosseum, symbol of the Roman Empire. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to visit the treasures of the Vatican museum and the Sistine Chapel on our optional excursion.

Meals included: Breakfast

DAY 8 ROME–PISA–MONTECATINI

Drive on the Highway of the Sun to Pisa. Hop on a mini train to the Square of Miracles and admire the curious Leaning Tower, a world-favorite photographic subject. Overnight in the spa town of Montecatini.
Today’s Distance: 249 mi/ 400 km

Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner

DAY 9 MONTECATINI–FLORENCE–LAKE COMO

Arrive in Florence. This Renaissance gem and city of the Medicis will keep you enthralled for a whole day. Don’t miss out on the included walking tour with a Local Guide that features most of the city highlights. You will see Piazza Santa Croce; beautiful Piazza Signoria; Palazzo Vecchio and Loggia dei Lanzi. To top it all, see Piazza del Duomo and its cathedral with the Giotto Campanile, and the magnificently carved East Door of the Baptistry, known as the “Gate of Paradise.” Journey northward through the Tuscan hills and across the Apennines to the shores of romantic Lake Como.
Today’s Distance: 252 mi/ 405 km

Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner

DAY 10 LAKE COMO–LUGANO, SWITZERLAND–LUCERNE AREA

Leave beautiful Lake Como and cross the border into Switzerland for a stop in the Italian-speaking town of Lugano. Continue north and, once through Gotthard Tunnel, see more magnificent alpine scenery as you descend to the shores of Lake Lucerne.
Today’s Distance: 137 mi/ 220 km

Meals included: Breakfast

DAY 11 LUCERNE AREA–INTERLAKEN–LAUSANNE AREA

Spend some time in beautiful Lucerne. Later, stop in idyllic Interlaken and follow the shoreline of Lake Thun. A few more miles to Lausanne, overlooking Lake Geneva.
Today’s Distance: 168 mi/ 270 km

Meals included: Breakfast

DAY 12 LAUSANNE AREA–BEAUNE, FRANCE–PARIS

Enjoy vistas of famous vineyards on the way to Beaune. Visit the medieval Burgundian town, known all over the world for its wine production. Take the autoroute to Paris.
Today’s Distance: 385 mi/ 620 km

Meals included: Breakfast

DAY 13 PARIS

Get to know the city of romance with a local expert and see many of the Parisian sites, such as the Eiffel Tower and Champs Elysées. An optional excursion is available to the palace and gardens of Versailles.

Meals included: Breakfast

DAY 14 PARIS

Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.

Meals included: Breakfast

Transportation:

Touring by private, first-class, air-conditioned motorcoach with free Wi-Fi; canal transfer boat in Venice, Pisa mini-train ride