European Dream - 8 days, 4 countries and 6 cities

Day 1 | Welcome to Rome

Ciao Roma! Welcome to the 'Eternal City' – once home to gods and goddesses, emperors, senators and slaves. Explore the city's bustling boulevards and labyrinthine lanes before meeting your fellow travellers and Travel Director at a welcome Dinner. This evening, we embark on an orientation drive revealing some of the city's most celebrated sights.

Meals:  Dinner

Hotel : Crowne Plaza St. Peter's

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Day 2 | Explore Ancient Rome and the Vatican City

The Holy See takes centre stage today as we join a Local Specialist for a sightseeing tour that will see us visit the 16 -century St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican City and witness Michelangelo's sorrowful Pietà, a masterpiece of Renaissance sculpture. We cross the Tiber into Ancient Rome to delve into what was once the largest empire in the world and view such ancient sites as the imposing Colosseum where brave gladiators and slaves duelled to their deaths. Consider an Optional Experience to gain fast-track access to see the magnificent frescoes inside the Sistine Chapel.

Meals:  Breakfast

Hotel : Crowne Plaza St. Peter's

OPTIONAL EXPERIENCES:

• Inside The Vatican & Roman Forum  - We skip the lines at the Vatican Museums for a tour with our Local Specialist that shows not just remarkable works of art collected and commissioned over the history of the Papacy, but also Michelangelo’s extraordinary ceiling frescoes in the Sistine Chapel. Later, we will walk in the footsteps of Julius Caesar and hear fascinating tales of the might of the Roman Empire on a guided visit through the ancient streets of the Roman Forum.
  Adult: 95.00 EUR
  
• Piazzas and Fountains  - Discover the most charming areas in the city with a Local Specialist. Wander through the labyrinth of narrow streets and beautiful squares of Rome's historic centre, leading to highlights such as the Trevi Fountain, as well as hidden corners of the Eternal City.
  Adult: 46.00 EUR
• Roman Evening with Dinner  - Spend a light-hearted evening with us in Rome. Relax and enjoy typical Italian cuisine with drinks and music. Afterwards, we’ll enjoy a drive and provide a glimpse into how Romans enjoy their city.
  Adult: 71.00 EUR
  

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Day 3 | Onwards to Florence

We travel north into the vineyard-clad hills of Tuscany and along the Arno River Valley bound for an unforgettable visit to a 12 -century castle where the Pazzi plot against the ruling Medici family was hatched so many centuries ago. Here you’ll Connect With Locals over lunch during an exclusive Be My Guest experience, learning all about the family feud and taking a tour of the castle, including its infamous dungeons. Beyond the extraordinary opportunity to dine in a Tuscan castle, you’ll know that your visit is helping to preserve this historic building for generations to come. Continue to Florence, the birthplace of the Renaissance where you’ll learn about the quality and workmanship of one of this city's historic industries at a demonstration of Florentine leathercraft. Then, join a Local Specialist for an enchanting encounter with one of the world's cultural centres, admiring the exquisite architecture and artistry around every turn. You won’t be able to tear your eyes from the beauty of the marble Duomo and Piazza della Signoria, the political hub of Florence, before arriving at your hotel.

Meals:  Breakfast, Lunch

Hotel : Grand Mediterraneo

OPTIONAL EXPERIENCES:

You will be offered one of the following two optional experiences depending on availability:

• Dinner in the Tuscan Hills  - This evening we'll take a scenic drive to experience a fun and relaxed evening at a friendly, typical restaurant in the countryside. The chef will delight our senses with regional dishes, made with freshly-bought ingredients from the local farmers' markets. Your delicious meal will be accompanied by excellent wines from the vineyards for which this area is so well known. In short, a Tuscan dream come true in an authentic setting.
  Adult: 74.00 EUR
• Tuscan Dinner at Villa Machiavelli  - Through the Chianti hills, we'll drive past vineyards to a delightful hamlet. Our destination is the ancient stone house of Machiavelli, where the great political theorist wrote his immortal work, ‘The Prince'. After a welcome drink and a visit of the villa and its wine-cellars, we'll enjoy the best of Tuscan cuisine accompanied by great music and drinks, including of course, Chianti from the Villa's own vines.
  Adult: 74.00 EUR

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Day 4 | Journey to the Canals of Venice

The romantic island city of Venice is our final destination today. We take to San Marco's waters, cruising the canals and admiring views of the imposing St. Mark's Basilica and ornate Doge's Palace. On this MAKE TRAVEL MATTER Experience, we’ll witness the centuries-old art of Venetian glassblowing using the same techniques that have been passed down through the generations. You’ll watch master craftsmen shaping the molten glass into the delicate pieces of art that adorn homes the world over, perhaps inspired to buy a souvenir for your own home to remind you of your visit. Later, we’ll enjoy an afternoon at leisure to explore narrow calle in search of a cosy bacaro where you can enjoy delicious Venetian cuisine washed down with a Venetian Spritz, or two. Take some time, venture to the enchanting canal-side setting of St. Mark's Square. The sounds of talented musicians, seagulls and lapping water provide the perfect backdrop for a memorable sunset over the Grand Canal.

Meals:  Breakfast

Hotel : Novotel Mestre Castellana

OPTIONAL EXPERIENCES:

• Gondolas & the Grand Canal  - Join us for a breathtaking cruise by private water taxi along Venice's Grand Canal. You'll admire the magnificent palazzi, catching a glimpse of the Rialto Bridge and St. Mark's Square. Later on, you'll glide gracefully on a gondola along Venice's dreamy, narrow waterways.
  Adult: 85.00 EUR

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Day 5 | Across the Alps to Lucerne

We depart Venice, travelling north into the picturesque Italian and Swiss Lake Districts via Como and Lugano. Slicing through the Alps, we arrive in Switzerland and the laid-back lakeside city of Lucerne. The city is perhaps most famous for its solid wooden Chapel Bridge and poignant Lion Monument, a memorial to Swiss Guards. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure, amble through the Old Town or consider joining an Optional Experience and ascend one of the surrounding mountain peaks for panoramic views.

Meals:  Breakfast, Dinner

Hotel  :Astoria

OPTIONAL EXPERIENCES:

You will be offered one of the following two optional experiences depending on availability:

• Mount Pilatus and Lake Cruise  - A series of cable cars will take us gradually up through the fields and forests to the summit of Lucerne's most well-known mountain. Here you have time to explore, write a postcard, and breathe in the fresh mountain air, before we descend by cable car once more. A cruise on the tranquil waters of Lake Lucerne will complement this experience.
  Adult: 118.00 CHF
  * On certain departures this Optional Experience may be operated in reverse.
  
• Mount Pilatus Explorer  - Enjoy a scenic drive to the cog-wheel railway, where we’ll board the train to Mount Pilatus’ summit. Here you’ll have time to explore, admire the views and breathe the fresh mountain air, before descending through fields and forests by cable car, to the foot of this majestic mountain.
  Adult: 90.00 CHF
  * On certain departures ascent and descent will be by cable car only
  

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Day 6 | Through Burgundy to Paris

From Lucerne, we head into France and through the rolling vineyard-clad hills of Burgundy, one of the country's largest wine-producing areas. Arriving in Paris, we enjoy a free evening. Wander up grand boulevards and through quaint squares, grab a bite to eat and sip wine at a cosy bistro or perhaps take a cruise on the Seine followed by a tour of Paris’s illuminations.

Meals:  Breakfast

Hotel : Novotel Centre Bercy

OPTIONAL EXPERIENCES:

• Seine Cruise and Paris Illuminations  - To truly see Paris in all its glory, you need to see it from the Seine. Enjoy a cruise along this famous river and take in unmatched views of the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Eiffel Tower. Afterwards, we’ll drive through the City of Lights to see some of the fascinating sights this beautiful city has to offer.
  Adult: 47.00 EUR
  

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Day 7 | Explore Elegant Paris

Join a Local Specialist today to delve into the artistic and historic treasures of Paris, including views of the elegant Champs Élysées, the Arc de Triomphe and the Eiffel Tower. View Notre Dame Cathedral and enjoy a stroll through the Latin Quarter. This afternoon, amble through the city’s stylish gardens, avenues and lanes, admiring the sophisticated atmosphere or consider joining an Optional Experience to the exquisite Palace of Versailles.

Meals:  Breakfast

Hotel:  Novotel Centre Bercy

OPTIONAL EXPERIENCES:

You will be offered one of the following two optional experiences depending on availability:

• Montparnasse and Napoleon's Tomb  - Take the fastest elevator in Europe to the Panoramic Observation Deck for unbeatable views of the Eiffel Tower and all of the city’s iconic monuments. We’ll also visit the Dôme des Invalides with our Local Specialist to see Napoleon’s final resting place.
  Adult: 58.00 EUR
  
• Versailles Palace and Gardens  - Built for the Sun King, Louis XIV, the Palace of Versailles was the envy of every European ruler, but loathed by the French commoners, which lead to the French Revolution. Step inside the opulent world of Versailles and our Local Specialist will take you through the palace’s Hall of Mirrors and State apartments. Then, enjoy free time to wander the symmetrical, tree-lined gardens.**
  Adult: 81.00 EUR
  * This optional is subject to availability
  
• Moulin Rouge Cabaret and Dinner  - It’s world famous for a reason, and this is your chance to see the real-life inspiration behind the award-winning movie. This Parisian institution features 60 dancers and entertainers with over 1,000 costumes to create a dazzling spectacle. You'll enjoy wine, dinner and Champagne during this unforgettable soirée at the original Parisian Cabaret!
  Adult: 205.00 EUR 
  

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Day 8 | Au Revoir Paris 

After breakfast, we bid our newfound friends a fond farewell as our memorable holiday comes to a close.

Meals:  Breakfast