Europe's Highlights
Europe's Highlights
Europe's Highlights
14 Days Starting in Amsterdam, Netherlands and ending in Paris, France
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
Tour operator:
Tour code:
4810-2025
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
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. Europe’s highlights—including historic monuments, must-see attractions, and scenery—are all available on this splendid, value-minded Europe tour!
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive Amsterdam,Holland
Location: Arrive Amsterdam, Holland
Accommodation: Hotel
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
Accommodation: Hotel
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
Accommodation: Hotel
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
Accommodation: Hotel
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
Accommodation: Hotel
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
Accommodation: Hotel
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
Accommodation: Hotel
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
Accommodation: Hotel
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
Accommodation: Hotel
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
Accommodation: Hotel
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
Accommodation: Hotel
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
Accommodation: Hotel
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
Accommodation: Hotel
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
Location: Paris
Meals Included: Breakfast
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.
What's Included
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Accommodation
Stay at various hotels including Hotel Ibis Styles Amsterdam Airport, Ibis Styles Karlsruhe Ettlingen, Alphotel in Innsbruck, Hotel Poppi, Ibis Styles Roma Aurelia, Settentrionale Esplanade, B&B Como City Center, Ibis Kriens, Ibis Lausanne Crissier, and Hotel Ibis Styles Paris Porte D'Orleans.
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Meals
Buffet breakfasts daily and 4 dinners are included.
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Sightseeing
Enjoy guided sightseeing tours in Amsterdam, Rome, Florence, and Paris, including visits to landmarks such as St. Peter's Square, the Colosseum, Piazza del Duomo, and the Eiffel Tower.
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Transportation
Travel by coach through various countries including the Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Italy, Switzerland, and France.
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UNESCO Sites
Visit several UNESCO World Heritage Sites including the 17th Century Canal Ring Area of Amsterdam, Assisi (the Basilica of San Francesco), Historic Centre of Florence, Historic Centre of Rome, Vatican City, Paris Banks of the Seine, Piazza del Duomo Pisa, The great Spa Towns of Europe - Montecatini, and Venice and its Lagoon.
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Local Experiences
Experience local culture with activities such as a canal cruise in Amsterdam, a visit to a diamond center, a boat ride to St. Mark's Square in Venice, and a visit to a traditional glassblowing workshop.
What's Not Included
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Optional Excursions
Optional excursions such as the Rhine cruise, a gondola trip in Venice, and a visit to the palace and gardens of Versailles are not included.
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Personal Expenses
Personal expenses such as souvenirs, additional meals, and drinks are not included.
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Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is not included and is recommended to be purchased separately.
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Flights
International and domestic flights to and from the starting and ending locations are not included.
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Gratuities
Gratuities for guides, drivers, and hotel staff are not included.
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Visa Fees
Visa fees and other travel-related documentation costs 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 AirportKarlsruhe:Ibis Styles Karlsruhe EttlingenInnsbruck:AlphotelVenice:DelfinoVenice:PoppiRome:Ibis Styles Roma AureliaMontecatini:Settentrionale EsplanadeLake Como:B&B Como City CenterLucerne:Ibis KriensLausanne:Ibis Lausanne CrissierParis:Mercure Paris Porte D'Orleans
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 program cannot be excluded.
Check out our Q&As
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What type of accommodation is provided during the tour?
The tour provides hotel accommodations, including stays at Hotel Ibis Styles Amsterdam Airport, Ibis Styles Karlsruhe Ettlingen, Alphotel in Innsbruck, Hotel Poppi, Ibis Styles Roma Aurelia, Settentrionale Esplanade, B&B Como City Center, Ibis Kriens, Ibis Lausanne Crissier, and Hotel Ibis Styles Paris Porte D'Orleans.
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Are there any optional excursions available during the tour?
Yes, there are optional excursions available, such as a Rhine cruise with vistas of the Lorelei rock, hilltop castles, and terraced vineyards, a romantic gondola trip in Venice, and a visit to the palace and gardens of Versailles in Paris.
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What meals are included in the tour package?
The tour package includes buffet breakfasts daily and 4 dinners.
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What UNESCO World Heritage Sites will be visited during the tour?
The tour visits several UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the 17th Century Canal Ring Area of Amsterdam, the Basilica of San Francesco in Assisi, the Historic Centre of Florence, the Historic Centre of Rome, Vatican City, the Banks of the Seine in Paris, Piazza del Duomo in Pisa, the great Spa Towns of Europe in Montecatini, and Venice and its Lagoon.
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What activities are included in Amsterdam?
In Amsterdam, the tour includes sightseeing with a Local Guide, a canal cruise, and a visit to a diamond center to watch the cutting and polishing of precious stones.
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What can I expect during the visit to Venice?
In Venice, the tour includes an orientation with a boat ride to St. Mark's Square, a visit to a traditional glassblowing workshop, and an optional romantic gondola trip with a local troubadour to serenade you.
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What are the highlights of the visit to Rome?
In Rome, the tour includes an introduction to the city's landmarks with a Local Guide, a drive along the Tiber River, the Caius Cestius Pyramid, the Aurelian Walls, and the Caracalla Baths, and a walk from the Circus Maximus to the Arch of Constantine and the Colosseum.
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What is included in the visit to Florence?
In Florence, the tour includes a walking tour with a Local Guide, featuring 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.'
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What scenic drives are included in the tour?
The tour includes scenic drives along the shores of the Rhine, through Baden-Württemberg to the foot of the Alps, and through the Tuscan hills and across the Apennines to Lake Como.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 1961
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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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