European Grand Tour

Arrive in Berlin today and check in at the Hampton by Hilton Berlin City West for a two night stay. The city of Berlin is like a living museum of 20th century Europe. From the newly rebuilt Reichstag, famously razed to the ground by the Nazis in 1933, to the Kaiser-Wilhelm Gedächtnis Church whose half bombed spire still dominates the skyline, not to mention the museums and monuments dedicated to the Berlin Wall, the city is endlessly fascinating for anyone interested in recent history. On the other hand, Berlin is also a city of the future, with a vibrant culture and plenty of great galleries, shopping and attractions to while the days away. In the evening, head to the Mitte or Prenzlauer Berg areas of the city for great restaurants and bars. (Overnight in Berlin)

Spend another full day exploring Berlin today. For a further insight into Berlin’s turbulent history, visit the fascinating Checkpoint Charlie or view the vibrantly colored fragments of the Berlin Wall at the East Side Gallery. On a sunny day, spend time strolling through the verdant Tiergarten, or head to the Alexanderplatz Tower to admire the spectacular views over the city. Many of the city’s oldest and finest museums are housed on Museum Island, which is well worth a visiting if you’re a culture vulture. (Overnight in Berlin) B

After breakfast, catch a high speed train for the journey to Amsterdam. On arrival, check in for two nights at the Inntel Amsterdam Centre. Often referred to as ‘the Venice of the North’, Amsterdam has more than one hundred kilometres of canals, around ninety islands and fifteen hundred bridges. The 17th century network of three main canals in the centre has now been granted UNESCO World Heritage status, a makes the perfect backdrop for a dream afternoon stroll. The city is also a world-famous center of culture, with 75 festivals a year and some great galleries including the ornate and imposing Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh Museum. (Overnight in Amsterdam) B

Enjoy breakfast in the hotel, and then why not enjoy a cruise along the canals? It’s a great way to soak up the views of the traditional Dutch architecture and observe the laid back yet lively pace of life from a different vantage point. Don’t miss a trip to the fascinating Anne Frank House or the 800 year old Oude Kirche. Shop until you drop in the Nine Streets (negen straatjes), checking out the jewellers, boutiques and vintage stores the area is famous for. When you need a break, there are plenty of cafés and restaurants to discover. Or you could even go further afield and find a stretch of beach to relax on at Zandvoort or Bloemendaal aan Zee. (Overnight in Amsterdam) B

After breakfast, travel at high speed from Amsterdam to Paris. On arrival in Paris, check in for two nights at the Grand Hotel Dore Paris. Paris, the city of lights and love, is a must-see destination on any tour of Europe. Visit the Louvre or Musée d’Orsay for dazzling art collections, wander down the Champs Elysées for essential shopping, or view the beauty of the city from the top of the Eiffel Tower. In the evening, relax in one of the many fashionable districts of Paris. Catch a performance at the beautiful Opéra Garnier, the city’s largest opera house, or a revue at the Moulin Rouge or book dinner at a traditional Parisian brasserie.

Spend another day sightseeing in Paris. Why not view the sights of Paris from a different perspective on a cruise down the Seine. Speak to one of our Travel Consultants about booking one of these! You might also like to visit the history museum located within the Arc de Triomphe or marvel at the Gothic Notre Dame Cathedral, which boasts incredible views from the North and South Towers. (Overnight in Paris) B Why not spend the afternoon strolling through the narrow, cobbled streets of the old town before enjoying the perfect end to your holiday with a relaxing meal at one of the many restaurants the city has to offer? (Overnight in Cologne) B

After breakfast, hop on the high speed train travelling through the French countryside to Zurich. On arrival in Zurich, make your way to the Du Theatre Zurich for an overnight stay. Perhaps the most cosmopolitan of Switzerland’s cities, Zurich enjoys a superb position on the River Limmat at the north-western tip of Lake Zurich. Go shopping along the Bahnhofstrasse, check out one of the exhibitions at the Kunsthaus (museum of fine arts), or have a drink at one of the lakeside bars in the trendy Niederdorf district. (Overnight in Zurich) B

MEAL GUIDE: B – BREAKFAST, BR – BRUNCH, L – LUNCH, AT – AFTERNOON TEA, D -DINNER

Enjoy breakfast in your hotel and then take the train from Zurich to Italy. The route of this spectacular journey follows the shores of Lake Lucerne before plunging through the Gotthard Pass. Travel down through high mountain passes, wide green valleys and alpine villages perched precariously on the hillsides. This is widely regarded as one of the most scenic train journeys in the world! You’ll finish the first stretch of your journey in Milan, where you might like to stop off for a tasty Italian lunch or a wander around the world’s fashion capital! From Milan, it’s on to Venice! The high speed train will race to the lagoon-side paradise in seemingly no time at all. On arrival in Venice, check in for your two night stay at the Ai Mori D’Oriente Venice. (Overnight in Venice) B

Venice, ‘the floating city’, still casts its spell on visitors each year as it has done since the 18th century, when it became a major hub for the original Grand Tour. The city is made up of 117 islands stretched across the Venetian lagoon and has long been hailed as one of the most beautiful and exceptional cities in the world thanks to its intricate network of canals, car free streets and laid back Italian vibe.
Discover for yourself the Queen of the Adriatic with a gondola ride down the Grand Canal, a stroll through the city’s labyrinthine streets and campos (squares) or by just sitting in a pavement café and enjoying the spectacular views with a glass of local Prossecco. (Overnight in Venice) B

After breakfast in Venice, take the high speed train across Italy from Venice to the Italian capital – Rome. On arrival, make your way to the Morgana Rome and check in for a two night stay.
A fitting end to your vacation, Rome can be described as the cradle of Western Europe. The evidence of the city’s 2700 year history is written in the buildings, monuments and artworks on display around every corner, and a stroll through the city’s streets will feel like wandering through a history book. Come the evening, don’t miss a trip to the Trevi Fountain, which illuminated magically after dark. Grab a gelato from one of the surrounding stores and toss a coin over your shoulder into the fountain to ensure you’ll return to Rome some day! (Overnight in Rome) B

Spend another day exploring Rome today. Walk in the footsteps of the gladiators at the imposing Colosseum and experience the wonders of the Sistine Chapel with Michelangelo’s famous ceiling. Why not mix art and nature at the lush Villa Borghese gardens or take a well earned break with a large ice-cream sundae in the Piazza Navona and reminisce on your fantastic vacation. (Overnight in Rome) B

Check out of your hotel after a leisurely breakfast and continue with your onward journey. If you’d like to extend your vacation, speak to one of our Travel Consultants about taking the train south to the Italian Riviera and the ancient, preserved town of Pompeii. The fine food, wine and Renaissance architecture of Florence are only a short, direct train ride away too! B