26 days tour
European Grandeur (Small Groups, Start Paris, End Amsterdam,
Accommodation
2 nights: Paris Marriott Rive Gauche Hotel 1 night: Pullman Bordeaux Lac, Bordeaux 1 night: Barcelรณ Costa Vasca, San Sebastian 2 nights: Hotel Riu Plaza De Espana, Madrid 2 nights: Hilton Barcelona 1 night: Cloรฎtre Saint-Louis, Avignon 1 night: Hotel West End, Nice 2 nights: NH Firenze, Florence 3 nights: Veneto Palace Hotel, Rome 2 nights: Eurostars Residenza Cannaregio, Venice 1 night: Hotel Lev Ljubljana 2 nights: Hilton Vienna 1 night: AC Hotel Innsbruck 2 nights: Hotel Astoria, Lucerne 1 night: Maritim Hotel Kรถnigswinter 1 night: Grand Hotel Amrรขth Amsterdam
Meals
8 Dinner with Wine (DW) 25 Breakfast (B) Paris: Join your Travel Director and fellow guests at a local restaurant in the heart of the city for a delightful dinner served with wine. San Sebastiรกn: Enjoy an evening of pintxos, dining with locals in this Basque tradition. Your delicious dinner includes a wide variety of finger food delicacies, each with their own regional flavour, flair and presentation. Avignon: At a local farm learn about olive oil and enjoy a tasting of the freshest produce before indulging in a farm-to-table dinner of traditional French home-style cuisine. Venice: In St Marks Square at sunset, long after the day-trippers have gone to their mainland hotels, sip cocktails canal-side before dinner at a local restaurant. Lucerne: Choose from a selection of restaurants on your Dine-Around Evening and hand-pick your preferred ambience, cuisine and drinks for an intimate culinary experience. Amsterdam: Toast the culmination of your travels during a fabulous Celebration Dinner at a local restaurant.
Hygieneprotocol
All guests travelling with Insight Vacations through December 31, 2022 are required to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19, which may include a booster shot to keep the vaccination status current and valid, depending on the travel destination. Children not eligible for vaccination and/or booster at the time of travel must provide a verifiable and negative Covid-19 test result, taken within 72 hours prior to the start of the tour (taking time zones into consideration) for all tours departing until December 31, 2022. While highly recommended, COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters are no longer required for guests traveling with us from January 1, 2023 onward. It is your clientโs responsibly to comply with specific vaccine and/or booster requirements imposed by airlines and/or authorities in the destinations visited, as well as requirements for accessing restaurants and venues, which may be more restrictive than the above. No refunds will be given if they are unable to undertake some or all of their vacation due to failure to comply with these requirements.
Others
Choose between two carefully selected activities Paris: Join a local food lover on a walk through the streets of Paris. Visit a variety of patisseries, boulangeries and chocolatiers and sample local treats and delicacies along the way. Paris: We walk up and down the "quartier" and we see the school, the food stores, the housing situation, the heritage landmarks, the sports facilities and the theatres, in this car-free, pedestrianized, neighbourhood. Landmarks will include passages couverts, perhaps also Patrick Blancโs spectacular jardin vertical โoasis dโAboukirโ, the Napoleonic "Egyptian" district etc. Vienna: Visit Capuchinsโ Crypt - the burial place of the Habsburg family in Vienna. Vienna: Visit a traditional coffeehouse to enjoy Viennese specialities of coffee and Sachertorte. Personal radio headsets give you the freedom to wander during visits to famous highlights, without missing any of your Local Expertโs fascinating commentary. Hotel and restaurant tips are included - youโll never have to worry about how much to give, nor search for foreign currency. We also include all taxes and porterage charges at hotels. We carry your bags for you and promptly deliver them to your hotel door. Madrid: Visit the Reina Sofia Museum with an art historian and see Pablo Picassoโs masterpiece Guernica, one of the worldโs greatest anti-war paintings. Alternatively, join a neighbourhood walking tour to discuss social equity empowerment and learn about the history of womenโs movements in Spain. Rome: Enjoy exclusive access to the Basilica of Saint Praxedes during an after-hours visit. This 9th-century basilicaโs simple facade guards the worldโs best-preserved Byzantine mosaics. The history of the church springs to life as you admire the interiorโs treasured collection, including Berniniโs first sculpture and the renowned mosaics, illuminated for your visit. This once-in-a-lifetime experience is a rare and unforgettable insight into Rome and its religious history. Rhineland: The beautiful scenery of the Rhine River is punctuated by the many castles dotted along its banks. Delight in a private estate viewing of one of these Rhineland castles and learn more about these living cultural monuments located along the Middle Rhine. Venice: Witness the ancient skill of glassblowing, now practised by precious few masters. Watch artisans create delicate works of art using rare traditional practices. The workshopโs master craftsmen teach visitors about the traditional craft of glassblowing and its history which dates back to the 15th century. Every visit helps to support the workshop and the survival of this traditional craft. This workshop directly supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities. Stanserhorn: Journey to the top of Mount Stanserhorn on a panoramic, open-top cable car powered by solar energy, and enjoy spectacular views from the summit. Walk along beautiful scenic pathways, keeping an eye out for marmots and other native animals, with the chance to hear a conservation talk by a Swiss ranger, to learn about local wildlife and flora. Your visit directly supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 7 & 15: Affordable and Clean Energy & Life on Land. Chateau Chenonceau: Visit the majestic Chรขteau de Chenonceau, known as the โLadiesโ Chรขteauโ it perfectly embodies the elegance of 16th century design in the Loire Valley. Bordeaux: Your Local Expert will show you the quayside facades, Grand Theatre, Triangle dโOr and magnificent Esplanade des Quinconces. San Sebastiรกn: Led by your Local Expert, enjoy a guided walking tour of the Old Quarter including Plaza de la Constitucion. Barcelona: With your Local Expert, drive along the elegant Passeig de Grร cia to witness some of the finest Modernist architecture as you journey through the Eixample district to see Gaudiโs extraordinary masterpiece, the mesmerising Sagrada Famรญlia. Avignon: View the Pont dโAvignon and walk the medieval narrow streets of the Old Town to the Palais des Papes. Nice: Enjoy exploring the beautiful coastal town of Nice on the French Riviera. Monaco City: Explore inside Monaco Cathedral. Pisa: Your Local Expert will show you the baptistery bristling with marble spines, and the colonnaded bell tower lurching behind the 11th-century cathedral - the famous Leaning Tower in the Square of Miracles. Florence: Join a Local Expert to view the Multi-coloured marble cathedral, bell tower and baptistery, adorned by Ghibertiโs Gates of Paradise. Visit the political heart of the city, Signoria Square. See the area around Santa Croce Basilica, famous for the quality of its luxury goods. Ljubljana: Explore this elegant capital with your Local Expert, to see the castle City Hall, Cathedral of St Nicholas and Triple Bridge. Vienna: Walk through the first district, Inner Stadt, as your Local Expert reveals why this is the historic core of the city. You will also tour the Ring Road to see the Hofburg Imperial Residence, Opera House, Parliament Building and Karlskirche. Salzburg: Join your Local Expert to visit the formal gardens of Mirabell Palace and Residence Square - both locations used in โThe Sound of Music.โ You will also see the imposing fortress, the immense cathedral and Mozartโs birthplace on the lively Getreidegasse. Vaduz: Admire the Royal familyโs residence, Vaduz Castle, which overlooks the capital and is surrounded by year-round snow peaked mountains. Lucerne: See the emotive Lion Monument, Jesuit Church and Chapel Bridge. Stanserhorn: Journey to the top of Mount Stanserhorn on a panoramic, open-top cable car powered by solar energy, and enjoy spectacular views from the summit. Amsterdam: Cruise along the waterways, discovering the architectural gems of the old city, including mansions dating from the Golden Age of the 17th Century. Hand sanitizer is freely available on board for you to use throughout the day.
Guide
From time to time, your Travel Director will delight you with an Insight Flourish, which is a local specialty representing the destination. Monaco City: Enjoy a drive along part of the Grand Prix circuit and wander the old town with your Travel Director to see the Royal Palace and the yacht-filled harbour. Rome: During your orientation with your Travel Director see the medieval buildings, including Renaissance palaces and Baroque churches, scattered throughout the city. Venice: With your Travel Director cruise to St. Markโs Square and see the Dogeโs Palace, Bridge of Sighs and St. Markโs Basilica. Maribor: Led by your Travel Director, explore this charming city, the second largest in Slovenia. Take a moment to appreciate the blend of old and new architecture. Innsbruck: Nestled amidst majestic mountains, Innsbruck is a beautiful city offering a unique combination of nature, history, and culture. Stroll the streets of the picturesque Old Town, with your Travel Director, learn about its history and admire the Baroque and Gothic architecture.
Transport
Stay connected with friends and family with our complimentary coach and hotel Wi-Fi (where available). If your arrival and/or departure flights are as per the itinerary start and end dates, then transfers are available at scheduled times. If your flights are outside these times, or you have booked additional nights accommodation with Insight Vacations, you may purchase transfers or make your own way from/to the airport. Enjoy the comfort of Insightโs luxurious, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and onboard washroom. Our customized luxury coaches are sanitized before the start of your tour and are maintained to very high standards. Physical distancing measures have been implemented on our customized luxury coaches.
Not included:
Others
Other activities and services are not included.
Optional
MOULIN ROUGE CABARET AND DINNER Enjoy dinner and cabaret, including wine and champagne, at the world-famous Moulin Rouge โ the original Paris Cabaret. Immortalized by the award-winning film of the same name, this Parisian institution features 60 dancers and entertainers and over 1000 costumes! ADULT PRICE: EUR 165.00 MONTMARTRE VILLAGE & ARTISTS SQUARE Discover the bohemian quarter of Montmartre with your local expert. Walk through the historic lower area before ascending by funicular to the Place du Tertre, a favourite haunt of Toulouse Lautrec, Picasso, and Utrillo. Browse for original art or ask a local street artist to capture your likeness in minutes - a great souvenir to take home. Close by you can appreciate the view from the steps of Sacrรฉ-Coeur Basilica. ADULT PRICE: EUR 37.00 SEINE CRUISE AND ILLUMINATIONS The City of Light really lives up to its name when the cityโs monuments, buildings and bridges are lit up in all of their glory. First, a specially-designed sightseeing boat takes us for an unforgettable cruise along the Seine and beneath famous bridges to appreciate the Left and Right Banks and the รle de la Citรฉ and St Louis. Then, weโll enjoy an illuminations tour, when the rubies and diamonds of the Champs รlysรฉes and the Eiffel Tower are at their magnificent best. ADULT PRICE: EUR 38.00 NOUVELLE EVE DINNER AND CABARET One of the oldest and most elegant revue theatres in Paris, Nouvelle Eve is a hidden gem where youโll meet the Director and two of the cast members before enjoying a four-course dinner with wine. You will then experience unparalleled Parisian entertainment โ including the world-famous Can-Can. ADULT PRICE: EUR 139.00 MADRILEรO DINNER & PLAZA MAYOR First itโs off to Plaza Mayor, once the Main Square dating back to 1617 and dominated by the spectacular faรงade of the โCasa de la Panaderรญaโ. Now to our traditional โmesรณnโ to try many of the dishes that Madrid is renowned for. Drinks such as regional wine, beer and soft drinks are included with your meal and will be accompanied by a local โTuna de Madridโ playing all your favourite Spanish songs on traditional instruments. ADULT PRICE: EUR 61.00 TOLEDO EXCURSION A specialist guide takes you to the unique city of Toledo, Spainโs capital during the golden era, and where El Greco lived and worked. Walk through the narrow cobbled streets to visit the fine Gothic cathedral and admire the old city views along the Tagus gorge. Weโll also visit a specialist workshop where artisans create authentic Damascene ware, an ancient art perfected by the Moors and passed down over the centuries. ADULT PRICE: EUR 46.00 BARCELONA BY NIGHT WITH DINNER After a delightful dinner in a traditional Catalan restaurant, take a sparkling illuminations drive up the hill of Montjuic for spectacular panoramic views over the city and harbour twinkling below. ADULT PRICE: EUR 60.00 CATALAN DINNER & FLAMENCO The food of the Catalan region is quite different from the rest of Spain. Enjoy a buffet dinner of Spanish and Catalan dishes including drinks, followed by the throbbing guitars, fire and passion of Spainโs national dance โ the Flamenco. ADULT PRICE: EUR 87.00 MONTSERRAT & THE BLACK MADONNA Weโll enjoy a stunning drive to Montserrat, the mystical sacred serrated mountain, with its unique formations and spectacular views. Itโs home to the Benedictine Abbey of Santa Maria de Montserrat and the โVirgin of Montserratโ, one of the most-venerated Black Madonnaโs of Europe. Catalan landscapes unfold before us, as our Local Expert introduces us to this place of immense beauty and significance. ADULT PRICE: EUR 40.00 RIVIERA โ3 CORNICHESโ & MEAL The โCornichesโ are three stunning serpentine roads linking Monaco to Nice, โwhere the mountains meet the seaโ. The Grande Corniche is perhaps the most spectacular, first constructed as part of the ancient Roman Aurelian Way and rebuilt by Napoleon in 1806. You may recognise its sweeping vistas, pink sunsets and medieval towns from such famous films as Hitchcockโs โTo Catch a Thiefโ. Your cliff-hanging drive culminates with a fabulous dinner of Provenรงal specialities, wines and aperitifs - all enjoyed while embracing one of Europeโs most breathtaking backdrops. ADULT PRICE: EUR 72.00 JEWELS OF THE RENAISSANCE With our local guide enjoy priority reserved entry into the most important Renaissance museum of Florence, the โAccademia di Belle Artiโ, Academy of Fine Arts. Amongst the masterpieces you will see are an outstanding collection of 15th & 16th Century Florentine paintings by the likes of Uccello, Ghirlandaio, and Sandro Botticelli, and Michelangeloโs four unfinished โPrisonersโ. The highlight of the visit is Michelangeloโs โDavidโ. Created between 1501-1504 it was once the symbol of Republican Florence and is considered by many to be the greatest sculpted masterpiece in the world. This optional involves reservations and entrance prepayments. If you decide to cancel this optional, a 50% cancellation fee will be incurred. ADULT PRICE: EUR 47.00 DINNER IN THE TUSCAN HILLS A fabulous dinner of Tuscan specialities awaits you. We drive into the hills surrounding Florence for a delicious typical Florentine meal complete with Chianti wine, music and lots of fun! An evening to remember. Viva Italia! ADULT PRICE: EUR 65.00 ROME BY NIGHT - ILLUMINATIONS DRIVE Join your Travel Director for a classic journey through one of the most fascinating cities in the world. Rome by night is a vision with its ancient monuments, classical buildings, palaces and churches beautifully illuminated against the evening sky. A wonderful introduction to the Eternal City! ADULT PRICE: EUR 19.00 ROMAN DINNER PARTY Enjoy an evening of delicious Roman cuisine with drinks and a great Italian ambiance. ADULT PRICE: EUR 62.00 GUIDED VISIT TO THE COLOSSEUM With our local expert, step back in time to explore the glorious history of the Roman Empire. Admire the Arch of Constantine and tread in the footsteps of Gladiators and Roman Soldiers. Enjoy priority reserved entrance ahead of the crowds and once inside the mighty Colosseum hear tales of deadly gladiatorial combat and the mighty Roman Empire. Please note: This optional is subject to availability and involves reservations and entrance prepayments. If you decide to cancel this optional, a 50% cancellation fee will be incurred. ADULT PRICE: EUR 53.00 PIAZZAS & FOUNTAINS Enjoy a guided passeggiata with a Local expert through the cobblestoned streets of Rome. Visit the spectacular Trevi Fountain, toss a coin to secure your return to Rome. Venture into the heart of Ancient Rome to be amazed at Romeโs best preserved building, the Pantheon, then stroll on through charming squares and admire the cityโs unmissable monuments, including Berniniโs Fountain of Four Rivers in the cityโs most animated meeting point, Piazza Navona. ADULT PRICE: EUR 33.00 POMPEII AND THE BAY OF NAPLES We travel south to the famous Roman city of Pompeii, buried in 79 ad, by the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius. Here we visit one the greatest archaeological sites in the world! Our local guide strolls us into a 2,000 year old town revealing fascinating discoveries preserved in time! Later a panoramic tour of the Bay of Naples with the dormant Volcano as a back drop. We then return to Rome passing the formidable Abbey of Montecassino, one of the greatest shrines of Christendom, and the site of the epic battle of 1944. ADULT PRICE: EUR 100.00 HIDDEN VENICE To only experience Veniceโs big set pieces -- St Markโs Square; the Rialto; the Grand Canal -- is to miss out on a hidden world full of surprises! Join a Local Expert for a fascinating walk through some of the lesser known quarters of Venice. The back lanes and โcampiโ, small squares, where tourists seldom tread are full of history and great places to sample local life. ADULT PRICE: EUR 34.00 BURANO EXCURSION & MEAL Leave the hustle of St Markโs Square behind on a delightful private cruise around the islands of the Venetian lagoon. Alight at the island of Burano, a photographerโs paradise, famous for its candy coloured houses, artisan lace makers and leaning bell tower that would give Pisa a good run for its money. Enjoy a superb meal sampling the local specialities with wine included. An excursion not to be missed! ADULT PRICE: EUR 72.00 EXPERIENCE VENICE BY GONDOLA SERENADE Glide gracefully on a gondola along Veniceโs dreamy, narrow waterways; full of character and colour. While your gondolier navigates the canals, you can take in the cityโs elegant architecture. And they may even serenade you with an Italian classic. ADULT PRICE: EUR 44.00 EXCURSION TO LAKE BLED Drive through the pretty Slovenian countryside to the tranquil shores of Lake Bled. Surrounded by stunning views of the Julian Alps, an oarsman steers his traditional wooden โpletnaโ across the turquoise glacial waters towards the tiny island that rises in the middle. Ascend the 99 stone steps to the pilgrimage church where the famous โwishing bellโ has been ringing out since 1534. After making your wish, enjoy coffee and a delicious pastry by the lake, followed by some free time for unforgettable photo-ops! ADULT PRICE: EUR 56.00 DINNER IN A COUNTRY MANSION Cross the Danube, passing the famous Prater Park en route to one of Austriaโs most famous restaurants. Former patrons include Napoleon, the Emperor Franz Joseph, Liz Taylor and Arnold Schwarzenegger. Once through the door of this historic country mansion youโre transported to a different world! Old memorabilia, autographed photos and other paraphernalia cover the ceilings, walls and even the rest rooms. Choose from traditional Austrian fare, enjoy unlimited drinks and be serenaded by musicians at your table. A fun-filled experience never to be forgotten! ADULT PRICE: EUR 63.00 VIENNA WOODS & HEURIGEN DINNER Escape central Vienna and drive out to the thickly forested hills which surround the cityโs western flank for a lively evening of food, wine and song. In a typical "Heuriger" village tavern, enjoy a wonderful dinner of authentic fare, complete with live Schrammelmusik and the famous full-bodied wines. ADULT PRICE: EUR 58.00 GALA VIENNESE CONCERT Enjoy a wonderful concert of Viennese Classical music performed by highly acclaimed soloists and dancers. During this special evening, enjoy a glass of champagne along with some of the most famous works by Johann Strauss and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. (On occasion dinner will be included EURO 103) ADULT PRICE: EUR 58.00 SCHรNBRUNN PALACE AND GARDENS The Imperial Summer Palace of Schรถnbrunn offers an amazing journey through the centuries of Hapsburg rule. It is perfectly preserved and richly decorated with treasures from around the globe. Each room has a story to tell, so of course, youโll have a Local Specialist to bring it to life and VIP entrance to make the most of your time. ADULT PRICE: EUR 47.00 THE SOUND OF MUSIC Move over Mozart! Salzburgโs other claim to melodic fame is that itโs the setting for story of the Von Trapp Family, made into one of the most successful musicals of all time. Do-re-minisce and relive scenes from โThe Sound of Musicโ at various sites around the city, including Mariaโs Monastery and St Peterโs Cemetery. ADULT PRICE: EUR 29.00 EAGLEโS NEST & THE BAVARIAN ALPS In Berchtesgaden National Park drive past farmhouses and picturesque villages as we ascend the Obersalzberg. We transfer to special buses for the second leg of the journey: a spectacular road and great engineering feat blasted out of the mountain side. Finally we take an elevator up to the Eagleโs Nest, intended as a mountain retreat for Hitler and his inner circle. Once at the top learn its fascinating history and take in the awe inspiring views of the surrounding mountain peaks! This optional is weather dependent and subject to seasonal closures, therefore it may not be available on all departures. ADULT PRICE: EUR 55.00 LAKE LUCERNE CRUISE AND DRINKS Widely considered to be the loveliest of the mountain lakes, much of the shoreline of Lake Lucerne can only be fully appreciated from the water. Admire the spectacular homes of the fortunate few, privileged to live on its scenic shores, as we cruise gently by. Two drinks will be served during the trip. ADULT PRICE: CHF 49.00 CARRIAGES & COUNTRYSIDE In a typical rural community, meet local farmers for a delightful horse-drawn ride. Clip-clop your way through bright green pasture, where the angular spire of a traditional white church shoots skyward and rickety old wooden storehouses still dot the landscape. Call in at a local farm where a wonderful spread of homemade drinks and snacks is served. ADULT PRICE: CHF 67.00 SWISS EVENING Thereโs nothing better than convening with friends around a pot of bubbling fondue with a glass of chilled white wine and having a good yodel! Join us for a tasty Swiss meal in a typical restaurant. While you dine, enjoy a lively folklore show of flag throwing, yodelling, Alpenhorn blowing and other great Swiss entertainment. ADULT PRICE: CHF 99.00 IN THE VALLEY OF THE LORELEY The Rhine Valley exemplifies storybook Germany; a fairy-tale world of legends and robber-baron castles. Cruising the most castle-studded stretch of the romantic Rhine, weโll take in all of the regional beauty with its Castles, Vineyards and picturesque villages. A glass of local wine or beer is provided. ADULT PRICE: EUR 32.00
Insurance
Insurance is not included.
Flights
Flights are not included.
Start planning your experience
Itinerary of your trip European Grandeur (Small Groups, Start Paris, End Amsterdam,
- Day 1 Day 1: Welcome To Paris
Day 1: Welcome To Paris
- Day 2 Day 2: Paris, The City Of Light
Day 2: Paris, The City Of Light
- Day 3 Day 3: Onto Bordeaux
Day 3: Onto Bordeaux
Experience Style
Mixed
There will be challenging activities such as hiking, biking, canyoning and trekking, but youโre also going to have other means of transportation and relaxed moments to just chill.
Accomodation level
Medium
This accommodation includes essential services like a hot shower, electricity, and a nice and comfy bed.
Experience Type
Small Group
Youโll be accompanied by a small group of travelers just like you.
Physical Rating
Basic
Almost everyone is fit for these activities. Every hike or physical exercise last less than 30 minutes, such as paragliding and horseback riding. Please ask about specific conditions.
Age range
Min: 5 / Max: 99
Age range allowed for this experience.
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