EUROPE TOUR

Welcome to your tour! We begin in the capital of Rome – a city so popular and fantastically historical, you will feel like you have stepped back in time! The buzz of activity, tradition, passion, and authenticity will strike the minute we set off on our Rome walking tour with our local Roman tour guide, we will take you by the hand and proudly show you why Rome wasn’t built in a day! The Spanish Steps, Pantheon, Piazza Navona, Roman Forum and the Coliseum…just for starters! Whilst at the Trevi Fountain, toss a coin over your shoulder, and legend has it, that you will return to Rome again one day. (what a great investment!) On the way to your accommodation for the evening, you can start to plan what to do with your free day. Enjoy your meal – Bon Appetite! Tomorrow will be epic! Dinner. Overnight accommodation.

Are you ready to roam Rome? You have the whole day, to explore this ancient city to your hearts content. Luckily, most of the historical landmarks and Ancient Roman structures are located in the city centre and are easy to find. (Rome was a much smaller place back when there were emperors and gladiators). Make sure you get an early start at the major attractions, such as the Colosseum, as the queues can get long, and Rome is a popular destination to visit. Today’s optional excursion is to visit the Vatican City – the smallest country in the world! Your tour leader can organise fast tracked tickets for you, and once you are ahead of the queues, you can experience Michelangelo’s painting in in the Sistine Chapel, as well as St Peter’s Basilica, the Vatican museums, one of the world’s best private art collections, and beautiful gardens. If you are lucky, maybe the Pope will be in residence! The rest of your day is free to explore as you wish, and this is the perfect opportunity to return to your favorite landmarks from from last nights walking tour, or indulge in traditional Italian fare. Pizza, pasta, vino, espresso…Belissimo! (that means ‘lovely’ in Italian – .you will use this word a lot) Whatever you do, take your time and don’t rush. That coin you threw in to the Trevi Fountain on your walking tour, means you will be back again someday to catch up on what you may miss this round. Enjoy! Overnight accommodation.

Today your Italian leg of your Europe tour, will bring you to the heart of the picturesque Tuscan region. Most famous for wine, dining, art, architecture and the birthplace of Renaissance, where else could you be, but the romantic city of Florence and your local Italian guide can’t wait to show you around. The Duomo, Piazza della Signoria, Ponte Vecchio and Santa Croce Basilica all feature in this guided tour, as well as many other works of art – the street sculptures are amazing! If you have time after the tour, why not visit Michelangelo’s masterpiece sculpture ‘David’, at Galleria dell\’Accademia, or gather your thoughts as you wander along the river? Winding down, you will head to your accommodation in the beautiful Tuscan hills, and notice the soft afternoon light which radiates across the land – is it any wonder this region attracts and inspires so many famous artists? Time for an evening meal together to reflect on the adventures of the day. Did we mention that the wines were great in this area of the world? Breakfast, Dinner & Overnight accommodation.

Arrivederci Tuscany! You are off to visit one of the most visited, yet flawed structures in the world, and then rub shoulders with the French. As the last of the vineyards disappear from view, prepare yourself for a sight which looks better in person, than it does in the photos – The iconic Leaning Tower of Pisa! A UNESCO World Heritage Site, along with the neighbouring cathedral, cemetery and baptistry, this famous bell tower draws millions of visitors from all over the globe, namely for one thing…To have their photo taken pretending to push the tower back up! So get creative, get into position – these snaps are always the most memorable. Bonjour French Riviera! You have arrived in the South of France, one of the most picturesque strips of coast in the world. You will stay where the ocean laps the shore, and it’s holiday season all year around. After dinner, why not head into town to join the locals in one of the many bars and restaurants. Breakfast, Dinner & Overnight accommodation.

What a place to have a free day! As the saying goes ‘It is always nice in Nice’ – so now is your chance to find out why. Apart from the great weather (not guaranteed, but is part of the draw to this region of France), it is the playground for the rich and famous. Keep your eyes open for celebrities and stars! Today you also have a free optional excursion to the neighboring city of Monaco (which is also a principality, and the 2nd smallest and most densely populated country in the world!) If you choose to visit Monaco, you will be taken on a scenic coastal drive from Nice in the morning, and have the best part of the day to explore. The city offers stunning views over an enormous private harbour, where super yachts and ships come to rest. The Grand Casino is particularly spectacular, and the castle district offers beautifully preserved architecture and views of the coast and city. Being a free day, if you are a movie buff, Cannes – home of the famous film festival, is not too far away, and you can get there by train. This evening, why not chill out in the ‘Old Town’ where the restaurants serve a range of French cuisine and wonderfully fresh seafood, and the night markets offer great choices in the way of souvenirs. Breakfast, Overnight accommodation.

Today’s leg of your Europe Tour is set to delight the senses. Watching the stunning scenery whoosh past you as you continue to Avignon, there is a special place we need to show you before you progress any further – a famous French perfumery. Here you will join in a tour of the factory and be educated on how to use your sense of smell to detect the perfect combination of fragrances. There will be opportunities to sample perfumes and other products which are made from the most carefully selected flowers and herbs. You will never smell the same again! (and it is not just for the ladies – they have some very alluring colognes for the men folk as well) Moving on through the French countryside, you will have the opportunity to get up close and personal, with a 2000 year old Roman Built aqua duct, at Pont du Gard. Walking along it, you will notice that there are no nails, cement or mortar holding the arches together. The Pont du Gard has been an attraction for centuries, primarily based on its immaculate three tiered construction, which carried over 44 million gallons of water a day to the local townships. A very important historical site, UNESCO have included it in their heritage listing – and rightly so. And on, to Avignon – a fortified city with a long history, stunning architecture and religious significance. Enjoy a walking tour of the city before dinner, then spend the rest of the evening as you wish. Breakfast, Dinner & Overnight accommodation.

Your European Expedition continues a French theme, and you will have a chance to tickle the tastebuds before you arrive in Paris. Stopping in Beaune, the capital of the famous Burgundy wine region, you will have the opportunity to visit a classic French Chateaux. Take time to explore the vineyards and wine cellar, sampling the local vintages and varieties. Onwards to the capital of France, Paris will be in your sights and you will be craning your neck to get the first glimpse of the Eiffel Tower…no hurry! After we have checked you in to your accommodation, you can explore the city with a walking tour – taking in some of the architectural and historical landmarks which have made this city famous. The evening is free to spend as you wish…why not experience a traditional French cabaret, or enjoy a lamp lit stroll along the Seine River? Paris is now yours. Breakfast, Overnight accommodation.

Up for some French Couture? Time to make Paris, the perfect fit for you. Whether it\’s culture, cuisine or cruising the city, you crave, the French capital will not disappoint. A Seine River cruise to the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame, perhaps? Maybe a visit to the Louvre to see famous artworks and paintings. Montmartre favours those who savour flavour, in offering quaint, Parisian style alfresco restaurants and cafes, with a beautiful view of the city, just behind the Sacre Coeur. Tickle the taste buds with some traditional French delicacies in the bohemian Spanish Quarter. Not forgetting, Paris Disneyland is always popular choice for the ‘young at heart’! Alternatively, stroll the streets as the locals do, checking out the bookstalls, cafes, fromageries and perfumeries. Your tour leader will help you with further ideas and suggestions. Enjoy the ‘City of Lights and Love’. Breakfast, Overnight accommodation.

It may be the last day of your European tour but it’s not over yet! After breakfast, you will get to savour the French countryside, one last time. After crossing the English Channel, you are back on UK soil and about to complete your Europe tour. This part of your journey is a great opportunity to swap contact details with all of your new found travel buddies, and tag each other in all of your photos before you arrive into London. We can’t wait for you to share the your favorite snaps on our Facebook page, so we can see what were the highlights of your tour! We hope you had the time of your life. Breakfast.