14-Day Europe Jewel Tour from Amsterdam to Prague, Vienna, Budapest, Venice, Florence and Paris | Free Day in Prague, Swiss Alps and Paris

Welcome to Amsterdam and the start of the Europe Jewel tour! Meet up with your tour leader this morning and start the adventure with a visit to a cheese farm for a demonstration on the traditional ways of making cheese and clogs. Next, enjoy some free time for lunch in the lakeside town of Volendam. Then it’s time to head to Zaanse Schans, known for its historic windmills and wooden houses. After arriving back in Amsterdam later, enjoy a complimentary Amsterdam canal cruise. This is one of the best ways to be introduced to Amsterdam! End the first day with a delicious group dinner.

【Experiences】

Cheese and clogs demonstration: This family-run farm is over 160 years-old and gives you a behind-the-scenes look at how Dutch cheese and clogs are made.

Visit Volendam: Enjoy some seafood from the vendors in the beautiful harbour as you explore the lakeside Dutch town.

Visit Zaanse Schans: This is the place to see the scenery that the Netherlands is famous for - windmills, wooden houses and green hills.

Amsterdam Canal Cruise: Sail along Amsterdam's stunning canals at twilight - a perfect introduction to Amsterdam as you cruise past famous landmarks from the atmospheric canals.

Continuing on to the picturesque Rhine Valley in Germany. Arrive and visit a local wine merchant for an included wine tasting. If the weather has been good during the harvest season, you may even get to try eiswein (ice wine)! It is a very sweet dessert wine that can only be harvested when the temperature drops below freezing. Next, board a riverboat and sail from Boppard to St Goar. With the highest concentration of medieval castles in all of Europe dotted along the riverbanks, this will be a boat cruise to remember! 

【Experiences】

Rhine Valley wine tasting: Visit a local wine merchant in one of Germany's most famous wine-growing regions, and sample several types of delicious German wine. Riesling, Pinot Noir and Spätburgunder are popular varieties. If it is the right time of year and the harvest has been good, you may even be able to try eiswein (ice wine); a sweet dessert wine made of grapes which need to be harvested in the freezing winter months!

Cruise down the Rhine River: Admire the beautiful scenery as you cruise. This area is home to the largest concentration of Gothic castles in all of Europe; Sterrenberg, Liebestein, Katz and Fortress Rheinfels.

Today the tour travels to Prague! First, enjoy a visit to the Bavarian city of Nuremberg. Heavily bombed during WW2, Nuremberg was rebuilt, and today has been returned to some of its former glory. Later, arrive in Prague and get to know the city on a walking tour with a local guide. Prague is a beautiful city known for its art and architecture. This destination will keep your camera clicking! The quirky bars and cobbled lanes add to the city’s European charm. Prague is also known for its brilliant beer and abundance of art. Taste some authentic Czech cuisine at tonight’s group dinner. Na zdraví as they say in Czech!

【Experiences】

Orientation tour in Nuremberg: Your tour leader will show you all the iconic sights in this Bavarian city. Start at Kaiserburg and finish in Hauptmarkt.

Prague guided walking tour: This evening, enjoy a locally guided walking tour of the capital city of the Czech Republic. See the Old Town Square, Wenceslas Square, Charles Bridge, Church of Our Lady before Týn, Rudolfinum (concert hall) and a view of Prague Castle.

Prague dinner: Experience authentic Czech cuisine at a local restaurant. You will also have the option to try local Czech beer.

 

Explore more of this beautiful European city on today’s free day in Prague. Often described as the jewel in the crown of Central Europe, you’ll find this city is just as engaging as Barcelona, London or Amsterdam and is just as beautiful as Paris! Join the Prague+ optional to discover more about the intriguing history and magnificent sights in the city. See the dramatic story of Prague reflected in the beauty of its churchs, opera houses, concert halls and Prague Castle. Tonight, experience traditional Czech culture during an optional evening excursion filled with great food, music and dancing!

It’s time to head to the grandeur of Vienna, visiting Bratislava, Capital of Slovakia, along the way. Surrounded by mountains, vineyards, ski runs and unbridled wilderness. Bratislava is a charming city. Spot the medieval castle overlooking the old town and marvel at recent Socialist-era architecture. Next stop, the beautiful Austrian city of Vienna! Arrive and enjoy a guided walking tour of the UNESCO-credited city centre. See sights like the Hofburg Palace and St Stephen’s Cathedral. Dinner is included tonight and afterwards and choose to enjoy an orchestra performance. What could be better than experiencing music in one of the city's concert halls?

【Experiences】

Bratislava orientation tour: Join your tour leader for an orientation tour of Bratislava to see some of the landmarks and historic sights of the city. Catch a glimpse of the magical Bratislava Castle, which overlooks the city. 

Walking tour of Vienna: On the drive into Vienna, Austria’s capital city, you will see the Schonbrunn Palace before reaching the Inner City and one of the best vistas from Belvedere Hill. Vienna is known as the 'City of Music’ due to its classical heritage and the prodigies that worked there including Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert and Brahms to name a few as your local guide on your walking tour will tell you. The tour starts at the Golden Mile on the Ring Strasse (Parliament, City Hall, Burgtheater). Then discover the courtyards and passages around the Hofburg (Imperial Castle) and St. Stephen’s Cathedral which is Vienna’s geographic and historic centre.

 

Wave farewell to Vienna as the tour makes its way to the striking Hungarian capital of Budapest. Sitting astride the Danube River, this scenic city is known for its singular mix of Baroque, Neoclassical and Art Nouveau architecture. On arrival in Budapest, get an overview of this historic city on a driving tour, guided by a local guide. The trip will start on the Buda side of the river and include glimpses of the Houses of Parliament, St Stephen’s Basilica and more. This afternoon, enjoy free time to explore the city and all of its delights however you please. Choose to join an optional dinner cruise along the Danube this evening. It’s a memorable way to complete the day in Budapest!

【Experiences】

Driving tour of Budapest: Get an eyeful of must-see attractions like Budapest Parliament, St Stephen's Basilica, the state opera, the castle district, and more on this driving tour lead by a local guide.

Leave Budapest and visit an iconic holiday destination in Hungary - the beautiful Lake Balaton. With nearly 200km of shoreline, it is the largest lake in central Europe and popular summer holiday spot for locals! Next, visit Maribor in Slovenia. While here, enjoy free time for lunch. Then on to the final stop of the day, the Slovenian capital Ljubljana. It's filled to the brim with incredible sights. There’s a fairytale castle, beautiful architecture and plenty of natural beauty! An expert local guide will lead a walking tour showcasing all the must-see attractions. Afterwards, join the optional excursion to further explore Ljubljana and to taste traditional Slovenian food before heading back to the hotel for the night.

【Experiences】

Visit Lake Balaton: Meander around the beautiful Lake Balaton and tick the largest lake in Central Europe off your bucket list! 

Visit Maribor: Explore the beautiful city of Maribor in Slovenia and enjoy free time to find a great spot to enjoy lunch. 

Guided walking tour in Ljubljana: Join an expert local guide for a tour of Ljubljana - the City of Dragons! Encounter the inimitable scenery of the medieval old town, Preseren Square, City Centre, the Riverfront, Dragon Bridge and Cobblers Bridge. When the formal tour is done, there will still be some time to explore on your own. We recommend that you make your way to the 13th-century St. Nicholas Church - it's Baroque architecture is truly spectacular!

 

Venice is the next stop; a city immortalised in literature, film and art for centuries. Its timeless waterways and artistic masterpieces (more per square kilometre than anywhere else on earth) make it truly unique – this is a city that will capture your heart and imagination! Being Italian, there’s no shortage of incredible food and culture either. Get to know the city on an orientation walk, ticking off sights like the world-famous Piazza San Marco, Basilica di San Marco, Palazzo Ducale and more. The rest of the afternoon is yours to explore this unforgettable city - don't miss the opportunity to take a gondola and water taxi to explore Venice from the water!

【Experiences】

Orientation tour of Venice: Your tour leader will take you into the heart of this unique floating city for an orientation to help you explore and see Piazza San Marco, Basilica di San Marco, Palazzo Ducale, Campanile di San Marco museum, Rialto Market and Scuola Grande di San Rocco.

Leaving Venice is never easy, but luckily the hills of Tuscany are calling! Marvel at the countryside as the coach travels towards Florence. On arrival, enjoy a panoramic view of the city from Piazzale Michelangelo - gorgeous! Then, take a fascinating walking tour of the city with a local guide. Learn about the history of this Renaissance city and see it’s best historical landmarks. Some of these landmarks date back to Roman times! Watch a traditional leather-making demonstration before free time this afternoon. Enjoy a traditional Italian meal at a local restaurant in Florence tonight. After exploring, travel to the Tuscan countryside for tonight’s overnight accommodation.

【Experiences】

Locally guided walking tour of Florence: A local guide will take you on a walking tour to introduce you to the main sights, including the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, Ponte Vecchio, Piazza Della Signoria and the replica statue of David.

Italian leather-making demonstration: Learn about the traditional art of leather-making at Leonardo Leather & Gold.

Dinner in Florence: Indulge in a delicious Italian meal at a local restaurant in Florence.

 

Departing Tuscany, head for one of Europe's most famous buildings. Make sure your camera is charged as we head to Pisa! Learn the story behind the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa and be sure to take some photos! Then it's time for a change of scenery as the tour crosses over to the Alps. Look forward to breathing in that fresh mountain air! Enjoy a scenic mountain drive and take in the beauty of the snow-capped mountains and the greenery around you. Arrive at the accommodation for the next two nights in the Swiss Alps. Is there a better way to enjoy the magic of Switzerland than staying in a typical Swiss village? Enjoy an included group dinner tonight.

【Experiences】

View the Leaning Tower of Pisa: This is your chance to see the world-famous Leaning Tower of Pisa, or even take some iconic pictures of you ‘holding up’ the tower.

Scenic Mountain Drive: Enjoy spectacular views as we drive through mountain passes and alongside lakes, breath-taking mountain vistas and scenic views of quaint Swiss towns.

 

The Swiss Alps are yours to expore today! Make the most of time in nature by taking a leisurely stroll through the local villages or along crystal-clear lakes. The Jungfraujoch: Journey to the Top of Europe optional excursion is highly recommended! Enjoy a visit to the highest train station in Europe and spend the day playing in the snow, visiting the Sphinx Observatory, exploring the ice palace, admiring the glacier views and more! This evening, partake in a classic Swiss experience with a delicious fondue dinner optional.

It’s an early start today as the tour journeys out of the mountains. It's time for the city of lights and love: Paris! Arriving in the afternoon, embark on a riveting driving tour of the French capital. Get your cameras ready –  this tour includes views of some of the city’s most treasured landmarks including the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe! Take note of places to visit on tomorrow’s free day. After the driving tour, sit down for an included group dinner at a restaurant in the city before travelling back to the hotel later tonight.

【Experiences】

Driving tour of Paris: Enjoy a driving tour upon arrival - spot the Tuileries Gardens, The River Seine, l’Ile de la Cité, the Louvre Museum, Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Lovers Bridge, Sacre Coeur, Montmartre, Pigalle (the Red Light District) and the Moulin Rouge!

Embrace the magic of Paris on this free day! Choose to delve deeper into what makes Paris a long-term favourite with travellers on the Paris+ optional excursion which includes a visit to a world-famous macaron shop, a perfume museum tour, photo stops at the Champs-Élysées and Opéra Garnier, a sightseeing cruise on the River Seine and a visit to the Montparnasse Tower Observation Deck. Later, choose to stroll the romantic streets of the Montmartre neighbourhood and enjoy a Parisian dinner. Complete the night with an optional cabaret show. This is how to do Paris in a day!

It’s the last day already! Depart Paris, sit back and relax as the tour travels to today’s first stop - the Belgian city of Ghent. Enjoy some free time to explore the medieval city centre and grab a bite to eat. Afterwards, it’s time to drive back to Amsterdam where the tour comes to an end. Be sure to take the time to exchange contact details with your fellow travellers before heading home!

【Experiences】

Visit Ghent: The port city of Ghent is home to a beautiful medieval city centre. As a university town today, it’s teeming with culture and energy!