Europe Highlights
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Welcome to the Expat Explore Europe Highlights tour! Leaving London behind us, we make our way to Paris, crossing the English Channel and arriving in the 'City of Lights'
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Duration
9N / 10D
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Physical
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age
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Location
Europe
Welcome to the Expat Explore Europe Highlights tour! Leaving London behind us, we make our way to Paris, crossing the English Channel and arriving in the 'City of Lights' in the afternoon. We'll take you on a driving t of the French capital; get your cameras ready - you'll be seeing some of the city's most treasured landmarks, including the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame and the Arc de Triomphe! After the driving tour we'll enjoy dinner at a restaurant in the Latin Quarter, an eclectic, bohemian and historic neighbourhood. We'll then travel back to the hotel on Paris' world famous metro system, ready to explore the city further on our free day tomorrow!
Experiences
Driving Tour of Paris: we'll take a driving tour of this famous city when you arrive. Look out for L'Opéra Garnier, th Tuileries Gardens, Place de la Concorde, Hotel de Ville, The River Seine, I'lle de la Cite, the Louvre Museum, Eif Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Lovers Bridge, Sacre Coeur, Montmartre, Pigalle (the Red Light District) and the Moulin Rouge!
The wonderful thing about Paris is that it there is so much to experience, regardless of the time of day, or season. The Seine River is the backbone of the capital, and flows through the heart of the city. The banks are peppered with book sellers and market stalls if you wish to walk. But, why not choose a cruise, and sail your way past the grandeur of the gothic Notre Dame cathedral, to the epic Eiffel Tower? The commentary from the river boats will give you invaluable knowledge and information of the city. Famous architecture is scattered through the city, and 'strolling' is the best mode of transport for taking in every ounce of history. Paris Disneyland is perfect for the 'young at heart', and is only a short distance away. Your Expat Explore tour leader is brimming with ideas and local knowledge, so that you can get the best out of your time here. Lastly, don't miss the opportunity to sample such French delicacies as frogs legs and snails!
Au revoir Paris! Today we sample a taste of small town France with a lunch stop in Burgundy. In the town of Beaune you can visit the beautiful Hospices de Beaune, or try the famous wine. After lunch we take a long sce drive across the border into Switzerland and head towards the Swiss Alps for our stay in a typical mountain vil in the heart of the Jungfrau region. This is one of the most-visited regions of the Alps and also a World Heritag site, containing Europe's largest glacier. Welcome to the Swiss Alps, your home for the next two days!
Experiences
Burgundy lunch stop: enjoy a stop in Burgundy, a UNESCO World Heritage site and famous wine-producing regi You will have some free time to explore this beautiful medieval town centre and the opportunity to try local food a wine.
Scenic Mountain Drive: spectacular views as we drive through mountain passes and alongside lakes, breath-taki mountain vistas and scenic views of quaint Swiss towns.
The day is yours to enjoy the majesty of the Swiss Alps. Be sure to book a spot on the optional excursion to Jungfraujoch, the highest train station in Europe, where you'll also find a visitor's centre, lookout point and weather station. The views are simply breath-taking all the way up - don't be surprised to find yourself pressed up against the train window! Once you're at the top, take a look at the utterly enormous glacier and enjoy the year-round snowy conditions. This is one trip that you won't forget anytime soon; guaranteed to put your head in the clouds in every way possible!
We're off to Italy! Enjoy more breath-taking mountain views as we drive through Switzerland and on to see the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa! After some free time here (be sure to get the perfect photo!) we travel on to ou accommodation in Tuscany, arriving in the late afternoon. Famous for its stunning countryside, fine food and w Italy's most beautiful region is guaranteed to delight you.
Experiences
View the Leaning Tower of Pisa: your chance to see the world famous Leaning Tower of Pisa, or even take some iconic pictures of you 'holding up' the tower.
This morning we leave our accommodation in Tuscany and make for the famous city of Florence for a guided walking tour. Learn about the legacy of the Medicis and see the Duomo and Piazza della Signoria, featuring Michelangelo's 'David'. This is the cradle of Renaissance culture - soak it all in while you can! Then it's 'Buor giorno Venice!' Venice is known as one of the world's most romantic cities. Spread across 118 islands, you'll sp the afternoon discovering why this is such a 'must-see' destination, with more art-works per square kilometre tł anywhere else on earth! See the famous Rialto Bridge, St Mark's Square, the Bridge of Sighs and the Doge's Palace. Afterwards, sip an espresso, enjoy a cruise along the canals on a gondola or relax and watch the world by in one of the many piazzas.
Experiences
Walking Tour of Florence: the capital city of the Tuscan region of Italy and considered to be the birthplace of the Renaissance. We will take you on a walking tour with a professional local guide where you will see Florence's Baptistery, Bell Tower, Gates of Paradise, Brunelleschi's Dome, Piazza della Signoria, Palazzo Vecchio, Ponte Vecchio.
Orientation tour of Venice: your tour leader will take you into the heart of this unique floating city for an orientatio help you explore and see St. Mark's Square, St. Mark's Basilica, St. Mark's Museum, Campanile (Elevator to the Doge's Palace, Rialto Market and Scuola Grande di San Rocco.
Arrivederci, Italy! Heading north toward Germany, you will encounter some of the most beautiful countryside central Europe. The famous Brenner Pass will appear before you, and simply take your breath away, as we mal our way to Austria for a comfort stop to get a taster of Innsbruck and its dramatic mountain backdrop. Arriving Munich in the afternoon, there is plenty of time for an escorted walking tour of the city centre. A city that exhil both prosperity and a certain amount of comfort and cosiness, Munich's apparent contradictions will delight th avid explorer. Along with modern high-powered industry, designer shopping districts and sleek BMWs, you'll a wealth of cultural hot-spots. Even with all its smart sophistication, Munich has a certain charm that visitors fi irresistible. This evening, enjoy a beer in one of Munich's traditional beer halls before dinner - a great way to round off the day. Prost!
Experiences
Scenic drive: cross spectacular mountain passes and experience some amazing mountain vistas.
Visit Innsbruck: enjoy a comfort stop to experience this beautiful Austrian city that lies in a valley between high mountains, making for an incredible backdrop.
Munich orientation tour: your tour leader will take you on an orientation tour of Munich, the capital and largest cit the German state of Bavaria. You will see Karlsplats and Marienplatz, New Town Hall, Church of our Lady, and if visit in the winter the traditional German Christmas markets.
Beerhall dinner: we take you to visit a traditional beer hall and sample some German food and drink, including famous German sausages (vegetarian options available) and beer.
This morning we board the coach once more as we make for Germany's famous Rhine Valley! Relax on board Rhine riverboat as we head to our hotel in the heart of the Rhine Valley. This is the most concentrated stretch o castles in all of Europe, and it also features vineyards, charming medieval towns and lofty cliffs. Learn the stor the castles, many of which are now in ruins since the river barons left long ago. Once the cruise is over we'll vi local wine merchants for an included wine tasting - if the harvest has been good, you may even get to try eiswe (ice wine), a very sweet dessert wine that is produced in very small quantities as it can only be harvested when temperature drops below freezing.
Experiences
Rhine River Cruise: cruise down the Rhine and see the beautiful scenery and the largest concentration of gothic castles (Sterrenberg, Liebestein, Katz and Fortess Rheinfels).
Rhine Valley Wine Tasting: visit a local wine merchants in one of Germany's most famous wine growing regions, sample several types of delicious German wine. Popular varieties from the surrounding area and neighbouring regions include Riesling, Spätburgunder and Pinot Noir. The region is also well-known for eiswein (ice wine), a ve sweet dessert wine made from grapes harvested in the freezing winter months.
After breakfast our journey continues as we drive into the Netherlands, stopping off first at a windmill, after th quick photo stop enjoy a traditional cheese-making demonstration, and learn about how that most quirky and q of footwear choices - the clog - is made, before travelling onward to Amsterdam. Here we'll check in to our h before joining a complimentary Amsterdam canal dinner cruise! Watch the city drift past as you sail along, and listen out for tips and interesting insights into the city from your tour leader. Reclaimed from the sea, these can and massive harbour offer a truly unique way to see some of the city's highlights. Later on, why not join your t leader for a walking tour of the infamous Red Light District! The evening is yours - explore the canals and Da Square, and enjoy your time in this fascinating city.
Experiences
Visit the Riekermolen windmill: a great photo stop.
Cheese and clogs demonstration: see how these famous shoes are traditionally made by hand and taste some fantastic cheeses. Of course the chance to shop and get those unique souvenirs.
Amsterdam Canal Cruise: sail along Amsterdam's stunning canals at twilight and enjoy a delicious pizza as you cruise. A perfect introduction to Amsterdam you will cruise along Amsterdam's atmospheric canals. Choose fro six types of pizza, Ben and Jerry's ice cream, and you can also upgrade to include unlimited soft drinks, beer an wine.
Amsterdam orientation walking tour: your tour leader will show you Central Station, the infamous Red light distric Dam Square, Damrak, Royal Palace, National Monument, Old and New Church and of course the canals that we through the city.
The last day of your European tour already! After breakfast, we bid farewell to Amsterdam and make our way to London via the Belgian city of Bruges. Famous for its beer, waffles, chocolate and moules et frites, this is definitely a good place to be if you've brought your appetite. An extremely popular medieval city with no shor of cobblestone streets, historic old churches and lofty towers, this is a great city to explore and a good spot to p up any last-minute souvenirs. Once you've had a look around, it's back to the coach for the final leg of our jour back to London.
Experiences
Visit to Bruges: a stop in this beautiful medieval town with some free time so you could try the signature national of frites and moules, see or even climb the Belfry Tower, have a Belgian beer or buy some amazing Belgian chocolate.
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