Europe's Highlights with London

Europe's Highlights with London

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15 Days From

$3570

$3320

Europe's Highlights with London

15 Days Starting in Amsterdam, Netherlands and ending in London, England

Visiting: Arrive Amsterdam, Holland, Amsterdam, Rhineland, Germany, Innsbruck Area, Austria, Venice Area, Italy, Assisi, Rome, Pisa, Montecatini, Florence, Lake Como, Lugano, Switzerland, Lucerne Area, Interlaken, Lausanne, Beaune, France, Paris, London, England

Tour operator:

Cosmos

Tour code:

4815-2025

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Physical rating:

Medium

Tour operated in:

English

Activities:

Sightseeing

From: $3570 $3320 Barrhead discount: -$251

NB: Prices correct on 24-Dec-2024 but subject to change.

Tour Overview

From its exciting cities to its spectacular scenery, Europe has it all, and on this affordable European tour, you'll see the main highlights. Start in Amsterdam with a scenic canal cruise and end in Paris with a guided tour and time on your own. In between, you’ll discover Germany, Austria, Italy, and Switzerland. In Amsterdam, Rome, Florence, and Paris, local experts will bring the cities alive, and among other famous sights, you’ll see Amsterdam's canals; Piazza Signoria in Florence, renowned for its ornate and famous statues; and St. Peter’s Square in Rome, the heart of the Vatican. Other interesting experiences include a boat ride to Venice’s St. Mark’s Square and a visit to Assisi’s Basilica, burial site of St. Francis and home to frescoes by Giotto. It is not just the cities you’ll see on this European tour; you’ll also see some of Europe's beautiful scenery. A fascinating drive along the Rhine River features quaint towns, castles from the Middle Ages, and villages lining the countryside. Marvel at the gorgeous Swiss Alps. Enjoy the beautiful Tuscany countryside, with its rolling hills, and journey through France’s famous vineyards. Overnight in romantic Lake Como, regarded as one of Europe's most picturesque lakes; spend time in Lucerne, nestled between the Alps and the fjord-like lake; and stop in Interlaken, nestled between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, and surrounded by three mighty mountains. One last treat is left for you as you leave the Old Continent on the Eurostar train to London; get a taste of Britain and of its buzzing capital and enjoy some of the English culture before returning home. Europe’s highlights—including historic monuments, must-see attractions, and scenery—are all available on this splendid, value-minded Europe tour!

Highlights

  • Sightseeing in Amsterdam with a canal cruise and visit to a diamond center

  • Scenic drive along the shores of the Rhine or optional Rhine cruise with views of Lorelei rock and hilltop castles

  • Visit to King Ludwig’s Neuschwanstein castle in Germany

  • Boat ride to St. Mark’s Square in Venice and visit to a traditional glassblowing workshop

  • Tour of St. Francis Basilicas in Assisi with its beautiful frescoes by Giotto

  • Introduction to Rome’s landmarks including the Colosseum and St. Peter’s Square

  • Visit to the Leaning Tower of Pisa and the Square of Miracles

  • Walking tour of Florence including Piazza del Duomo and the “Gate of Paradise”

Places You'll See

Ibis Schiphol Airport

Ibis Styles Karlsruhe Ettlingen

Alphotel

Poppi

Delfino

Ibis Styles Roma Aurelia

Settentrionale Esplanade

B&B Como City Center

Ibis Kriens

Ibis Lausanne Crissier

Mercure Paris Porte D'orleans

Novotel London West

The Colosseum, Rome

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1: Arrive Amsterdam,Holland

Location: Arrive Amsterdam, Holland

Meals Included: Dinner

Check into your hotel and start exploring this exciting city with your CosmosGo app. Tonight, meet your Tour Director and travel companions.

Day 2: Amsterdam

Location: Amsterdam

Meals Included: Breakfast

Enjoy sightseeing in Amsterdam with a Local Guide pointing out the city highlights, as you discover the city from water level on an included canal cruise. Then, watch the cutting and polishing of precious stones at a diamond center. Time in the afternoon to explore on your own or join an optional excursion.

Day 3: Amsterdam,Rhineland,Germany

Location: Amsterdam, Rhineland, Germany

Meals Included: Breakfast

Traveling through Germany, choose an included scenic drive along the shores of the Rhine or, even more thrilling, the optional Rhine cruise with vistas of hilltop castles, half-timbered wine villages, and terraced vineyards.Today’s Distance: 336 mi/ 540 km

Day 4: Rhineland,Innsbruck Area,Austria

Location: Rhineland, Innsbruck Area, Austria

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Drive through Baden-Württemberg to the foot of the Alps to see King Ludwig’s magnificent Neuschwanstein castle, Germany’s fairytale castle. Carry on into the verdant Austrian Tyrol for an overnight stay. Today’s Distance: 249 mi/ 400 km

Day 5: Innsbruck Area,Venice Area,Italy

Location: Innsbruck Area, Venice Area, Italy

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Cross the border into Italy to the unique floating city of Venice. This afternoon’s orientation includes a boat ride to St. Mark’s Square, followed by a visit to a traditional glassblowing workshop. “O sole mio!” sing the gondoliers on an optional gondola ride along the legendary canals. Isn’t it romantic! Today’s Distance: 242 mi/ 390 km

Day 6: Venice Area,Assisi,Rome

Location: Venice Area, Assisi, Rome

Meals Included: Breakfast

An interesting drive southward, cutting across the Po Delta, then through the gentle Umbrian hills to medieval Assisi, where St. Francis was born in 1182. Visit the world-famous St. Francis Basilica with its beautiful frescoes by Giotto, then head for Rome. Today’s Distance: 345 mi/ 555 km

Day 7: Rome

Location: Rome

Meals Included: Breakfast

The “Eternal City” is steeped in history, vibrantly alive and exciting, and absolutely unique! Start the included introduction to Rome’s landmarks from St. Peter’s Square with a Local Guide. Enjoy a drive along the iconic landmarks of the city: the Tiber River, the Caius Cestius Pyramid, the Aurelian Walls, and the Caracalla Baths. Complete the experience with a walk back in time from the Circus Maximus to the Arch of Constantine and to the fascinating Colosseum, symbol of the Roman Empire.* * For operational reasons, changes to the Rome program cannot be excluded.

Day 8: Rome,Pisa,Montecatini

Location: Rome, Pisa, Montecatini

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Say goodbye to Rome and drive on the Highway of the Sun to Pisa. Hop on a mini train to the Square of Miracles and admire the curious Leaning Tower, a world-renowned photographic subject. Overnight in the spa town of Montecatini, recently added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Today’s Distance: 249 mi/ 400 km

Day 9: Montecatini,Florence,Lake Como

Location: Montecatini, Florence, Lake Como

Meals Included: Breakfast

Arrive in Florence. This Renaissance gem and city of the Medicis will keep you enthralled for a whole day. Don’t miss out on the included walking tour with a Local Guide that features most of the city highlights. You will see Piazza Santa Croce; beautiful Piazza Signoria; Palazzo Vecchio and Loggia dei Lanzi. To top it all, see Piazza del Duomo and its cathedral with the Giotto Campanile (belltower), and the magnificently carved East Door of the Baptistry, known as the “Gate of Paradise.” Journey northward through the Tuscan hills and across the Apennines to the shores of romantic Lake Como.Today’s Distance: 252 mi/ 405 km

Day 10: Lake Como,Lugano,Switzerland,Lucerne Area

Location: Lake Como, Lugano, Switzerland, Lucerne Area

Meals Included: Breakfast

Leave beautiful Lake Como and cross the border into Switzerland for a stop in the Italian-speaking town of Lugano. Continue north and, once through Gotthard Tunnel, see more magnificent alpine scenery as you reach the shores of Lake Lucerne. Get carried away on an optional excursion first by funicular, then aboard the world’s first double-decker, open-top aerial cable car to the summit of Stanserhorn. Today’s Distance: 137 mi/ 220 km

Day 11: Lucerne Area,Interlaken,Lausanne

Location: Lucerne Area, Interlaken, Lausanne

Meals Included: Breakfast

Spend some time in beautiful Lucerne. Stroll through the old town and see the distinctive covered wooden bridge (Kapellbrücke) crossing the river Reuss. Later, stop in idyllic Interlaken in the Bernese Oberland and then follow the shoreline of deep blue Lake Thun, continuing for a few more miles to Lausanne, overlooking Lake Geneva. Today’s Distance: 168 mi/ 270 km

Day 12: Lausanne,Beaune,France,Paris

Location: Lausanne, Beaune, France, Paris

Meals Included: Breakfast

Enjoy vistas of the celebrated Burgundy vineyards on the way to Beaune. Visit the medieval town, known all over the world for its wine production. Take the autoroute to Paris. Today’s Distance: 385 mi/ 620 km

Day 13: Paris

Location: Paris

Meals Included: Breakfast

Get to know the city of romance with a local expert and see many of the Parisian sites.* *Note: for operational reasons, changes to the Paris program cannot be excluded.

Day 14: Paris,London,England

Location: Paris, London, England

Meals Included: Breakfast

Relax on your Eurostar journey to London.

Day 15: London

Location: London

Meals Included: Breakfast

Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.

What's Included

  • Hotel Accommodation

    Stay at various hotels including Hotel Ibis Styles Amsterdam Airport, Ibis Styles Karlsruhe Ettlingen, Alphotel, Poppi, Delfino, Ibis Styles Roma Aurelia, Settentrionale Esplanade, B&B Como City Center, Ibis Kriens, Ibis Lausanne Crissier, Hotel Ibis Styles Paris Porte D'Orleans, and Novotel London West.

  • Meals

    Buffet breakfasts daily and 4 dinners are included.

  • Local Guides

    Enjoy sightseeing in Amsterdam, Rome, and Florence with local guides.

  • Transportation

    Travel by Eurostar from Paris to London.

  • Canal Cruise

    Included canal cruise in Amsterdam.

  • Diamond Center Visit

    Watch the cutting and polishing of precious stones at a diamond center in Amsterdam.

  • Boat Ride to St. Mark's Square

    Orientation includes a boat ride to St. Mark's Square in Venice.

  • Glassblowing Workshop

    Visit a traditional glassblowing workshop in Venice.

  • Mini Train Ride

    Hop on a mini train to the Square of Miracles in Pisa.

  • Walking Tour

    Included walking tour in Florence with a local guide.

show more

What's Not Included

  • Optional Excursions

    Optional excursions such as the Rhine cruise, gondola trip in Venice, and visit to the Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel are not included.

  • Personal Expenses

    Personal expenses such as souvenirs, snacks, and drinks are not included.

  • Travel Insurance

    Travel insurance is not included and is recommended to be purchased separately.

  • Flights

    International and domestic flights are not included.

  • Gratuities

    Gratuities for guides, drivers, and hotel staff are not included.

Meals

Buffet breakfasts daily; 4 dinners

UNESCO Sites

17th Century Canal Ring Area of Amsterdam|Assisi (the Basilica of San Francesco)|Historic Centre of Florence|Historic Centre of Rome|Paris Banks of the Seine|Piazza del Duomo Pisa|The great Spa Towns of Europe - Montecatini|Vatican City|Venice and its Lagoon

Accommodation

Amsterdam:Ibis Schiphol Airport
Karlsruhe:Ibis Styles Karlsruhe Ettlingen
Innsbruck:Alphotel
Venice:Poppi
Venice:Delfino
Rome:Ibis Styles Roma Aurelia
Montecatini:Settentrionale Esplanade
Lake Como:B&B Como City Center
Lucerne:Ibis Kriens
Lausanne:Ibis Lausanne Crissier
Paris:Mercure Paris Porte D'Orleans
London:Novotel London West

Notes

Rome - the 2025 Jubilee Year events may necessitate changes in the sequence of activities or the omission of certain events/places. Every effort will be made to follow the itinerary, but it may be subject to change.

For operational reasons, changes to the Paris and Rome program cannot be excluded.
Services of the Tour Director end on Day 14. London portion includes services of a local host.

Check out our Q&As

  • What kind of activities are included in Amsterdam?

    In Amsterdam, you will enjoy sightseeing with a Local Guide who will point out the city highlights. You will also discover the city from water level on an included canal cruise and watch the cutting and polishing of precious stones at a diamond center.

  • What can I expect during the visit to the Rhineland in Germany?

    While traveling through the Rhineland in Germany, you can choose an included scenic drive along the shores of the Rhine or opt for an optional Rhine cruise with vistas of the Lorelei rock, hilltop castles, half-timbered wine villages, and terraced vineyards.

  • What will we see in Venice?

    In Venice, the orientation includes a boat ride to St. Mark’s Square, followed by a visit to a traditional glassblowing workshop. There is also an optional romantic gondola trip available, where you can glide along the picturesque canals with a local troubadour to serenade you.

  • What is included in the visit to Assisi?

    In Assisi, you will visit the world-famous St. Francis Basilicas with its beautiful frescoes by Giotto.

  • What landmarks will we see in Rome?

    In Rome, you will start the included introduction to the city's landmarks from St. Peter’s Square with a Local Guide. You will enjoy a drive along the Tiber River, the Caius Cestius Pyramid, the Aurelian Walls, and the Caracalla Baths. The experience will be completed with a walk from the Circus Maximus to the Arch of Constantine and the Colosseum.

  • What can I expect during the visit to Pisa?

    In Pisa, you will hop on a mini train to the Square of Miracles and admire the Leaning Tower, a world-renowned photographic subject.

  • What will we see in Florence?

    In Florence, you will have an included walking tour with a Local Guide that features most of the city highlights. You will see Piazza Santa Croce, Piazza Signoria, Palazzo Vecchio, Loggia dei Lanzi, Piazza del Duomo, the cathedral with the Giotto Campanile, and the East Door of the Baptistry, known as the 'Gate of Paradise.'

  • What is included in the visit to Lucerne?

    In Lucerne, you will have time to stroll through the old town and see the distinctive covered wooden bridge (Kapellbrücke) crossing the river Reuss.

  • What can I expect during the visit to Paris?

    In Paris, you will get to know the city with a local expert and see many of the Parisian sites, such as the Eiffel Tower and Champs Elysées. An optional excursion to the palace and gardens of Versailles is also available.

  • How will we travel from Paris to London?

    You will travel from Paris to London on a Eurostar journey.

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    Since 1961

  • What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?

    Cosmos is committed to minimizing our impact on the environment and to reducing dependence on non-renewable resources. In this endeavor, we have implemented policies to support this mission and are working carefully to enhance our products with this mission and our values combined. We are committed to complying with all relevant legislation and/or regulations.

  • What documents will I receive before I travel?

    Travel documents, including any air tickets, itineraries, and other information, are available approximately two to three weeks prior to departure provided full payment has been received.

  • What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?

    All guests are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 for travel through February, 2023. Beginning March 1, 2023, while we highly recommend vaccination, we will no longer require it. We ask all guests to comply with airline and destination requirements, which still may apply. To check your destination requirements for your travel dates, view the Latest Travel & Health Restrictions for Travel.

Reviews of this operator

Mrs Susan Hyland  

We have just returned from a Cosmos…

28-Sep-2022

We have just returned from a Cosmos tour- Gourmet Tuscany. We stayed in Montecatini Terme and traveled from there to many wonderful places, in towns and the fabulous Tuscan countryside. We visit Vineyards for wine tastings, farms for cooking lessons and lunches and dinners in authentic Italian restaurants. All assisted by a friendly, informative tour director. First class holiday

Trustpilot
Rick  

Excellent in every respect

08-Dec-2022

I recently did a 2-week "best of Italy" tour with this company. Our guide, Daniella, was fantastic, the itinerary was excellent and they catered for my rather difficult dietary requirements really well. Really happy and will certainly book with them again

Trustpilot
John Lomanno  

A wonderrful experience

09-Nov-2022

WE saw so much. The tour director Mladin was very knowledgeable and made the experience so enjoyable. The bus driver Paul was so nice and helpful. A couple of the hotels had no refrigerators to keep the water cold. We had to carry our own luggage to and from the rooms. There should have been porters to help us. Over all we had a great time.

Trustpilot
Bruce  

Old South &Florida tour

27-Oct-2022

Great organisation, tour guide(Kris) and driver(Tony) who went extra mile and good group of people from all over world. The hotels were excellent in New Orleans and Nashville and very good in other cities. The itinerary was well thought out with visits to Gracelands and Grande ole Oprey topping the bill. We added 3extra nights in New Orleans (giving us 6nights) which was absolutely fab and would advise anyone doing this tour that they consider some extra nights to see and do as much as you can

Trustpilot
Francine Ramos  

The tour director expertise and…

18-Dec-2022

The tour director expertise and personality made the trip all the more pleasant. No stress. The local guides as well added to the beauty of this trip. They were knowledgeable and personable. I also have to mention the travelers (the group of 21). The people were friendly an accommodating. This is my third trip with this tour company and I will continue to travel with this company due to excellent planning and customer service. Thank you

Trustpilot

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  • Low Deposit

    Barrhead Travel requires a minimum deposit of 200 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 98 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of barrhead travel charges.

    Up to 98 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 97 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.

    At 74 days before tour starts: Forfeit 75% of booking price.

    At 28 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.

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