Essence of Europe
The spires and cobblestones of the Marienplatz in Munich are straight out of the Middle Ages.
In Venice, the din of cars and trucks is replaced by the gentle hum of motorboats and water taxis. In Rome, Paris, and London, equally rich histories blend with the buzz of a modern metropolis—the ancient Colosseum and symbolic Arc de Triomphe are a stone’s throw from trendy restaurants and cafés.Due to national and/or religious holidays, some sites may be closed and your itinerary may be modified on the following dates in 2026: March 19, April 3-8, May 1, June 29, and August 14-15. These dates fluctuate each year—please contact us for more information.
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Day 1: Fly overnight to Germany
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Day 2: Munich
Meet your Tour Director at the airportTake a walking tour of Munich
With your Tour Director you will see:
- Munich Cathedral
- New Town Hall
- Hofbräuhaus
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Day 3: Munich
Take a guided tour of Munich
With your expert local guide you will see:
- Olympic Stadium
- Residenz
- Marienplatz
Take an excursion to Dachau
Visit the Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site
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Day 4: Munich • Innsbruck • Venice
Travel via Innsbruck to the Venice region
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Day 5: Venice
Take a ferry to Venice
See a glass-blowing demonstration
Take a guided tour of Venice
With your expert local guide you will see:
- St. Mark’s Square
- Grand Canal
Enjoy a gondola ride
Travel by water taxi to the island of Burano
Explore Burano on your own
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Day 6: Venice • Rome
Travel to Rome by bus
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Day 7: Rome
Take a guided tour of Vatican City
With your expert local guide you will visit:
- Sistine Chapel
- St. Peter’s Basilica
Explore on your own orAdd this in-depth excursion:
Rome cooking class
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Day 8: Rome
Take a guided tour of Rome
With your expert local guide you will visit:
- Roman Forum
- Colosseum
Take a guided tour of Castel Gandolfo, the Pope’s summer residence on the shores of Lake Albano. Learn about its rich history as you explore:
- The Papal Palace
- The Barberini Gardens
Take a self-guided walking tour of Rome
You will see:
- Trevi Fountain
- Pantheon
- Piazza Navona
- Spanish Steps
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Day 9: Rome • Florence
Travel to Florence
Take a guided tour of Florence
With your expert local guide you will see:
- Piazza della Signoria
- Ponte Vecchio
- Basilica of Santa Croce
- Gates of Paradise
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Day 10: Florence • Lucerne region
Travel to the Lucerne region -
Day 11: Lucerne region
Take a walking tour of Lucerne
With your Tour Director you will see:
- Lion Monument
- Kapellbrücke
- Lake Lucerne
Ride to the top of a Swiss mountain
Take a cruise on Lake Lucerne
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Day 12: Lucerne region • Burgundy region
Travel to the Burgundy region
Take a walking tour of Dijon with your Tour Director
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Day 13: Burgundy region • Paris
Travel to Paris
Take a walking tour of Paris
With your Tour Director you will see:
- Île de la Cité
- Conciergerie
- Sainte-Chapelle
Catch a glimpse of Notre-Dame Cathedral
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Day 14: Paris
Take a guided tour of Paris
With your expert local guide you will see:
- Place de la Concorde
- Champs-Élysées
- Arc de Triomphe
- Les Invalides
- Eiffel Tower
Explore on your own orAdd this in-depth excursion:
Versailles
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Day 15: Paris • London
Take the Eurostar to London
Take a walking tour of London
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Day 16: London
Take a guided tour of London
With your expert local guide you will see:
- Big Ben and Houses of Parliament
- Piccadilly Circus
- St. Paul’s Cathedral
- Westminster Abbey
- Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace (if scheduled)
Explore on your own orAdd this in-depth excursion:
Windsor
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Day 17: Depart for home
Add 2 more days
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Day 17: Edinburgh
Travel by train to Edinburgh
Take a walking tour of Edinburgh
Visit the National Museum of Scotland
Explore on your own orAdd this in-depth excursion:
Specters of Scotland
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Day 18: Edinburgh
Take a guided tour of Edinburgh
Visit Edinburgh Castle
Explore Edinburgh on your own
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Day 19: Depart for home
