Europe Escape

Welcome to Rome! After meeting up with 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!

Scenic drive along Brenner Pass: Cross spectacular mountain passes and experience some amazing mountain vistas en route to Austria.

Visit Innsbruck: Enjoy a comfort stop and experience a quick orientation tour of this beautiful Austrian city that lies in a valley between high mountains, making for an incredible backdrop.

Munich orientation tour: Enjoy an orientation tour of Munich, the capital and largest city of the German state of Bavaria, with your tour leader. See highlights such as Karlsplatz and Marienplatz, New Town Hall, Church of our Lady, and (if you visit in winter) the traditional German Christmas markets.

German beer hall: Enjoy dinner in a traditional German Beer Hall. Sample German beer, along with traditional German cuisine.

Cruise along the Rhine River: Cruise down the Rhine and see the beautiful scenery and the largest concentration of Gothic castles (Sterrenberg, Liebestein, Katz and Fortress Rheinfels) in Europe.

Rhine Valley wine tasting: Visit a local wine merchant in one of Germany’s most famous wine-growing regions, and sample several types of delicious German wine. Popular varieties include Riesling, Spätburgunder and Pinot Noir. The region is also well known for eiswein (ice wine). It is a very sweet dessert wine made from grapes harvested in the freezing winter months.

Visit the iconic Riekermolen windmill: No visit to the Netherlands is complete without some fun photos at the iconic Dutch windmills!

Enjoy a cheese and clogs demonstration: See how these famous shoes are traditionally made by hand. You can also taste some fantastic cheeses and get the chance to shop and stock up on unique Dutch souvenirs.

Cruise along the Amsterdam canals: Cruise along Amsterdam’s stunning canals at twilight and see the iconic sights that sit along the waterside. An audio guide will describe these sights in more detail. This is a perfect, relaxing introduction to Amsterdam!

Visit Ghent: Enjoy a stop in a different country and look forward to free time to explore and find a local place to enjoy lunch in this Belgian port city. Take this opportunity to taste authentic Belgian cuisine!

Driving tour of Paris: Enjoy a driving tour upon arrival - spot the Tuileries Gardens, The River Seine, l'Île de la Cité, the Louvre Museum, Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Lovers Bridge, Sacre Coeur, Montmartre, Pigalle (the Red Light District) and the Moulin Rouge!

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 Like Locals 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!

Visit Burgundy: Enjoy a stop in Beaune, a UNESCO World Heritage site and famous wine-producing region. Take some free time to explore the beautiful medieval town centre and try some local food and wine.

Scenic Mountain Drive: Admire the spectacular views as the coach drives through mountain passes and alongside lakes, breathtaking mountain vistas and scenic views of quaint Swiss towns.

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. 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. 

Visit the picturesque Lake Como: Enjoy free time for lunch at Lake Como, one of the most beautiful and glamorous destinations visited on the tour.

After breakfast, 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. Then, Florence, “the Jewel of the Renaissance”, awaits! 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.

See the Leaning Tower of Pisa: See the world-famous Leaning Tower of Pisa, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Europe’s most famous cultural landmarks. Take some iconic pictures of you ‘holding up’ the tower!

Florence guided tour: A local guide will take the group on an orientation walking tour to introduce Florence’s main sights, including the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, Ponte Vecchio, Piazza Della Signoria and the replica statue of David.

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. Another excellent optional experience is a guided tour of the Colosseum and Roman Forum, where gladiators and emperors once walked centuries ago! 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.

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!