Best of Europe – 13 Days Italy Austria Germany Switzerland France Netherlands Belgium

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Today after breakfast and checkout, you with meet your tour leader and group it’s time to hit the road. Sit back and enjoy the scenery on the journey from Rome to Venice! Arrive in the “Floating City” and join your tour leader for an orientation walk. Enjoy a scoop of local gelato and see the iconic St. Mark’s Square, Grand Canal and Rialto Bridge. The evening is yours to enjoy authentic Italian delights, with hundreds of fantastic local restaurants and bars to choose from. Why not explore Venice the traditional way – from the canals? Choose to join a gondola or water taxi optional excursion to see Venice from a completely different perspective!

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Arrivederci for now, Italy! Look forward to some stunning scenery as the tour heads north towards Germany. Enjoy the views while crossing the dramatic Brenner Pass into Innsbruck, Austria. Arrive and enjoy an orientation tour of this city and marvel at the incredible mountain backdrop with time to visit the famous Swarovski store. Next, travel onwards to Munich. Get to know the capital of Bavaria on an orientation tour. Munich was largely rebuilt after WW2 and boasts a fascinating ancient and modern history. The city also hosts the famous Oktoberfest! For a taste of authentic beer culture, enjoy dinner in a traditional beer hall and say prost with a local pint!

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Look forward to more German adventures today and travel towards the majestic Rhine River. Once in the Rhine Valley, set sail on a Rhine riverboat and cruise towards the accommodation for the night. Admire the views while the boat sails past the beautiful scenery. This picturesque region boasts the most concentrated stretch of castles in all of Europe! It’s also home to quaint villages, rolling hills and vineyards.Once the cruise is over, visit a local wine merchant for an included wine tasting. Learn more about the local varietals and, if the harvest has been good, try eiswein (ice wine). This dessert wine is produced in very small quantities as it can only be harvested in below freezing temperatures!

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Auf wiedersehen Germany! The tour continues to the Netherlands this morning. In the Dutch countryside, discover three of the most iconic Dutch products – cheese, clogs and windmills! Stop at the famous Riekermolen windmill for some memorable photos. Then, enjoy an entertaining cheese and clog-making display! Later, check into the hotel in Amsterdam. Then, head to the centre of Amsterdam for a twilight canal cruise. Admire this vibrant city and its unique architecture and landmarks from the water. An audio guide will explain these sights in more detail. Afterwards, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant. The rest of the evening is free to explore the city to your heart’s content.

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Bid vaarwel to the Netherlands and travel to the stunning Belgian city of Ghent. This port city is renowned for its well-preserved medieval architecture and gorgeous pedestrianised city centre. While here, be sure to try an authentic Belgian waffle and grab some Belgian chocolate to take home! Then, it’s time to head to Paris, the ‘City of Lights’! Arrive and enjoy a driving tour showcasing some of the French capital’s top attractions and landmarks. See the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe and more! After ticking off some bucket-list sights, enjoy an included group dinner in the city.

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Enjoy a full free day to explore the French capital! Explore on your own or join a full day of exploration in Paris! The Paris excursion includes many quintessential Parisian experiences including a macaron tasting, a River Seine lunch cruise, visits to a famous parfumerie, the Champs-Élysées and much more! In the evening, why not experience the gorgeous Montmartre neighbourhood, home to the famous Moulin Rouge, or watch an exciting cabaret show? These optional excursions are sure to be unforgettable!

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Say au revoir to Paris and see a different side to France with a stop in Burgundy, a stunning winemaking region. Here, visit the town of Beaune and discover the historic Hospices de Beaune or indulge in some local wine. Enjoy free time for lunch before hopping back on the coach for a scenic drive across the border into Switzerland. Travel into the breathtaking Swiss Alps and look forward to two nights of being surrounded by spectacular natural beauty. Settle into the accommodation and enjoy an included dinner at the hotel tonight.

Breakfast
Accommodation:
Hotel in Savute Marsh

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Today offers a full day to experience the wonders of the Swiss Alps! Why not take this opportunity to experience one of Expat Explore’s highest-rated optional excursions? The journey to Jungfraujoch, the highest train station in all of Europe, is one not to be missed! Admire incredible views on the train or gondola ride to the top. Arrive at the top and discover endless photo opportunities, play in the year-round snow and admire the magical ice palace carved into a glacier! Alternatively, spend the day exploring the local villages or shop for souvenirs. Warm up this evening with an optional Swiss fondue dinner.

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Admire the last of the views of the Swiss Alps and travel towards Italy this morning. First stop is the luxurious Lake Como! Enjoy free time for lunch in this picturesque location. Admire the crystal clear waters of the lake as well as the surrounding mountains and villages. Then, head to one of the most iconic sights in Italy – the Leaning Tower of Pisa! Snap some fun pictures at this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Afterwards, travel to tonight’s accommodation in Montecatini Terme, a beautiful Tuscan spa town. Tonight, choose to explore this town further and enjoy a delicious Tuscan dinner with the Evening in Montecatini optional excursion.

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After breakfast, head to Florence, a magical city known as “the Jewel of the Renaissance”! Arrive and embark on a walking tour of the city with a local guide. Discover the fascinating history and see top sights including the Ponte Vecchio and the replica statue of David! Then, visit a local leather and gold shop and admire the work of expert local craftsmen. Afterwards, enjoy some free time to explore further or choose to sample local cuisine with an optional family-style Tuscan lunch. Later, head back to Rome. This evening, enjoy an included dinner at the hotel.

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Explore the “Eternal City” to your heart’s content today! Don’t know where to start? Join one of the optional excursions on offer. Conquer the Capital with your tour leader to see the city’s most iconic sights, including the Trevi Fountain and Pantheon, and enjoy an authentic Italian pasta lunch. Alternatively, spend the day wandering the city on your own. Grab a gelato, do some shopping or simply soak up the buzzing atmosphere of Italy’s capital city.

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Your 12-day Europe Escape adventure comes to an end after breakfast this morning. Be sure to exchange details with your fellow travellers! A great way to stay in touch and to constantly relive the memories of the adventure with each other is to join your tour’s Facebook group. Expat Explore wishes you a safe journey onwards!