Duration
17 Days
Physical rate
Moderate
Starting city
Dublin
Available
April 2024 / November 2024
Detailed day by day description
Introduction
This tour is part of our flexible coach touring range, guaranteed with a minimum of 2 people. Once the tour is booked, it is guaranteed so it will definitely go ahead, and will never cancel.
This tour is guided in English only. Please note if English speaking attendance numbers are low, the tour can become bilingual either accompanied by two tour leaders, one for each language, or a single tour leader providing explanations in both languages.
The tour offers flexibility, allowing you to customize it to your preferences. By clicking 'Quote or Book,' you will have the choice to select your desired start and end dates and destinations within the tour's defined parameters. Given this flexibility, it's important to note that the same people, tour guides or drivers may not be on your entire journey.
IMPORTANT: Please note that hotel check-in time is typically at 14:00 p.m. If you need early room access, consider booking an additional night at the start of your trip.
If you have booked additional nights, your room will be prepared upon arrival, but your trip guide will generally only contact you when the scheduled activities begin. At reception, you’ll find a sign with contact details and assistance hours for our staff. Until the tour begins, your schedule is free, and the hotel staff can assist with any inquiries.
Optional activities: During your trip, your guide may offer optional activities. We recommend booking these activities well in advance through the Europamundo app or your "My Trip" link to ensure availability. Last-minute bookings may result in limited availability (e.g., tickets, coach seats).
Note: The timings in this itinerary are indicative. The guide may adjust schedules as needed to make sure you have the best experience.
Note: Occasionally, depending on our arrival time in Dublin and the daylight hours, the tour may take place the previous afternoon.
Scenery: We’ll pass through Wales, enjoying beautiful maritime landscapes along the Irish Sea. Remember to keep your passport handy, as it may be required to enter the United Kingdom.
06:45 a.m. - Departure from the hotel to board the modern ferry, which departs at 08:05 a.m. The crossing will take approximately three and a half hours. Occasionally, due to technical reasons or bad weather, we may take a different ferry. In which case, the schedule will be adjusted accordingly.
11:30 a.m. – We’ll disembark in Holyhead, a port on an island in North Wales.
12:15 p.m. - Caernarfon. After crossing the Britannia Bridge, we’ll arrive at this coastal town, a World Heritage Site, featuring a spectacular castle that dominates the bay and medieval streets. This is where heirs to the British throne, such as the Prince of Wales, have been crowned since the 14th century. Enjoy some time to explore and have lunch.
01:30 p.m. - Departure from Caernarfon. We’ll follow the coast towards England.
04:30 p.m. - Liverpool. Enjoy a short bus tour through this World Heritage Site with the second-largest port in the United Kingdom, famous for the Beatles. We recommend visiting the Beatles Museum (admission not included).
Scenery: Picturesque hilly countryside.
08:00 a.m. - Departure from Liverpool. We’ll head towards the heart of England.
11:00 a.m. - Stratford-upon-Avon. This charming town, Shakespeare´s birthplace, is known for its beautiful gardens and Tudor houses. Enjoy time to visit Shakespeare´s Birthplace (admission not included), stroll around, and have lunch.
01:00 p.m. - Departure from Stratford. We’ll travel through the beautiful landscapes of the Cotswolds, known for its rolling hills and charming thatched cottages.
02:30 p.m. - Oxford. Enjoy free time in this prestigious university city to visit one of its spectacular colleges and explore the historic streets.
04:30 p.m. - Departure from Oxford.
06:00 p.m. - London.
06:00 p.m. We’ll meet at Piccadilly Circus for a guided walk through Leicester Square, Chinatown, and Soho, enjoying its vibrant atmosphere, theaters, and entertainment.
08:30 p.m. We’ll return by bus to the hotel from Piccadilly.
Note: In some cases, the evening program might be organized for the previous day, upon arrival in London.
Scenery: Enjoy a ferry crossing followed by views of green, flat landscapes.
Note: Remember to carry your passport with you, as you may need it when leaving the UK. Please note the time change when entering France; you will need to set your watch forward one hour (if it is 11:00 a.m. in London, it is 12:00 p.m. in France).
07:30 a.m. – Departure from London.
09:30 a.m. - Dover. We’ll board a ferry to cross the English Channel and enter France (ferry departure around 11:30 a.m. / 12:00 p.m. French time). The ferries are modern, offering exchange offices, restaurants, shops, and spacious lounges. Enjoy the crossing! The trip will last one hour and 15 minutes. We’ll arrive at the port of Calais, where there may be a brief technical stop to change buses. At 3:00 p.m. we’ll continue our journey.
5:00 p.m. - Amiens - Arrival in this city, renowned for its Gothic cathedral. Take a walk through its lively narrow streets, explore the floating gardens, and visit the house where Jules Verne lived.
6:30 p.m. – Departure from Amiens.
9:00 p.m. - Paris.
07:45 a.m. - Departure from Paris.
08:30 a.m. - Versailles. Arrival to the Palace of Versailles (tickets not included; please note that there may be long lines to enter due to the large number of visitors). This grand palace, once the residence of French kings, offers a fascinating glimpse into the culture and history of France.
11:30 a.m. - Departure from Versailles. Departure time may vary if there are delays entering the palace. Upon returning to Paris, we’ll head to Montmartre. We’ll take a cable car (included) up to this bohemian artists’ district, where we can admire the Sacré Coeur Basilica and wander through its picturesque square and winding alleys.
03:00 p.m. - We’ll start a two-and-a-half-hour panoramic tour of Paris with a local guide. This tour will take us to iconic landmarks like the Arc de Triomphe, Champs-Élysées, La Madeleine, Place de la Concorde, the Opera, the Louvre, the Tour Saint-Jacques, the City Hall, Île de la Cité with Notre-Dame, the Latin Quarter, the Pantheon, the Sorbonne, the Luxembourg Garden, Les Invalides, the École militaire, Champ de Mars, the Eiffel Tower and the banks of the Seine. We’ll have brief stops near Les Invalides and Champ de Mars. After the tour, we’ll return to the hotel, with an optional stop in the city center for those who want to enjoy more free time in Paris.
At the end of this enriching day, the guide will suggest an optional evening outing to a cabaret or variety show, such as the Moulin Rouge or Paradis Latin.
Note: Due to the high volume of tourism in Paris, the order of the services offered in the city may vary.
Note: If wait times at the Eiffel Tower are too long, we might reschedule the visit to a different time (or on Sunday) for your convenience.
Scenery: Enjoy the pleasant landscapes of central France and picturesque villages.
08:00 a.m. – Departure from Paris. We’ll head to the heart of France, passing through the Burgundy region, renowned for its picturesque vineyards and world-class wines.
12:15 p.m. - Beaune. We’ll arrive in this charming village in the Burgundy wine region, known for its flower-filled streets, historic hospice, and wine museum. You´ll have free time to explore.
02:30 p.m. – Departure from Beaune.
04:30 p.m. – Lyon, located on the banks of the Rhône River. We’ll arrive in France´s third-largest city that was once the capital of Roman Gaul. The city´s historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We´ll take a cable car up to Notre-Dame de Fourvière, offering spectacular views of the city. You´ll have free time to explore Lyon.
Note: In some cases, part of the group will stay in Chambéry, a city near Lyon. In these instances, we’ll travel from Lyon at 7:00 p.m. to Chambéry, with arrival at 8:30 p.m. for an overnight stay. In the morning, you’ll have time to visit this medieval-style city, the capital of Saboya, known for its beautiful historic center and impressive castle.
Scenery: Mountains and lakes.
Notes: Don’t forget to bring your camera! Also, please keep your passport handy, as it may be required when crossing into Switzerland.
08:00 a.m. - Departure from Lyon. A beautiful journey awaits as we head into Switzerland.
10:00 a.m. - Arrival in Geneva, a vibrant city on the shores of Lake Geneva. Known as the capital of French-speaking Switzerland, Geneva hosts the European headquarters of the United Nations, the International Labor Organization, the Red Cross, and many other international organizations. We’ll pass by the Palais des Nations (UN headquarters in Europe) by bus, and with our guide, we’ll visit the lovely English Garden with its famous flower clock and admire the Jet d´Eau, the tallest fountain in Europe. You’ll have free time to stroll through the city center and along the lake.
01:00 p.m. - After lunch, we’ll continue our journey through Switzerland, passing by the picturesque Geneva and Neuchâtel lakes.
02:30 p.m. - Arrival in Neuchâtel, a town rich in cultural and architectural heritage. Here, you can enjoy a walk along the lake, explore the historic town center, or visit the beautiful 10th-century castle.
04:00 p.m. - Departure from Neuchâtel. We’ll pass by the scenic Lake Biel.
06:15 p.m. - Zurich. You’ll have time to explore the city center.
Note: Depending on the number of passengers traveling from Geneva to Zurich, this part of the trip might be done by train, in which case there will be no stop in Neuchâtel.
Note: Today’s itinerary is unique, featuring a boat journey across Lake Zurich and a return trip by train. Depending on the number of travelers, transfers to and from the city center may be conducted using public transport. Please note that the boat schedules may change, and the itinerary may be adjusted accordingly.
09:00 a.m. - We’ll depart from the hotel for a tranquil day. Accompanied by our guide, we’ll take a leisurely walk-through Zurich, Switzerland’s largest city and its financial and cultural hub. Renowned for its banking industry, Zurich has twice been recognized as the city with the best quality of life in the world.
10:30 a.m. - We’ll embark on an approximately two-hour cruise on Lake Zurich. The boat will make brief stops, allowing us to admire the charming villages along the way.
12:30 p.m. - Rapperswil - Arriving in this quaint and picturesque village, famous for its medieval castle, we’ll have time to explore and enjoy lunch.
03:00 p.m. - We’ll return to Zurich by train, experiencing the efficiency and punctuality of the Swiss railway system. The journey back to Zurich will take just under 35 minutes. Afterward, you´ll have free time to explore the city on your own.
Note: Wear warm clothing and comfortable walking shoes and be sure to bring your camera. Please be aware that the cable car may not operate at certain times due to weather conditions (strong winds) or maintenance. If this happens, we will provide alternative transportation to a similar location.
07:30 a.m. - Departure from Zurich for a scenic journey through stunning landscapes featuring tall mountains and lakes.
10:00 a.m. - Grindelwald. Enjoy a coffee break in this mountain resort in the Bernese Alps before taking the cable car to Grindelwald-First (tickets included), the largest ski area in the region. We’ll embark on a 30-minute walk along a path that offers breathtaking alpine views, including the "footbridge over the void," where you can marvel at the surrounding glaciers. Lunch is included for all passengers (vegetarian option available).
01:45 p.m. - Departure from Grindelwald, continuing on to Lucerne.
03:30 p.m. - Lucerne. You’ll have time to explore this charming Swiss city, including the Kapellbrücke, the covered bridge over the Reuss River, the Town Hall and Square with its Clock Tower, and the pedestrian streets filled with elegant shops. Enjoy a stroll through the city and dine before we head back to the hotel in Zurich.
07:00 p.m. - Departure from Lucerne.
08:00 p.m. - Arrival at the hotel in Zurich.
Note: The guide will offer an optional full-day excursion, starting in the morning. After some free time in Lucerne, we’ll take a rotating cable car to the summit of Mount Titlis. At over 3,000 meters above sea level, the alpine summit offers breathtaking views of the glacier and the Alps.
Scenery: Spectacular alpine landscapes, mountains and lakes. Be sure to bring your camera!
Note: Please keep your passport handy, as it may be required when crossing into Italy.
08:00 a.m. – Departure from Zurich - We´ll leave early in the morning, crossing the Alps to reach the Italian-speaking part of Switzerland.
11:00 a.m. - Lugano - Arrival in the regional capital, an elegant city nestled among mountains and located beside a large lake. Take some time to explore this city known for its parks and flowers, charming villas, scenic viewpoints, and lovely lakeside walks. You´ll also have time for lunch.
01:30 p.m. – Departure from Lugano. We’ll continue our journey through this scenic region of lakes and mountains, and cross into Italy.
02:30 p.m. - Como - Arrival in this city, considered a jewel of Lombardy, known for its beautiful lakeside gardens promenade and stunning cathedral. Enjoy some time to stroll around and take in the sights.
04:00 p.m. – Departure from Como.
05:00 p.m. - Milan - Our guide will lead us to the impressive Piazza del Duomo, where you’ll have some time for a walk. Transfer to the hotel will be at 8:00 p.m.
Note: Due to ongoing roadwork and the temporary restriction on heavy vehicle traffic, we will be stopping in Como instead of Morcote for the time being.
Scenery: We´ll enjoy breathtaking Mediterranean views, with stunning seascapes and delightful scenery throughout the journey.
08:30 a.m. – We’ll depart from Milan, the financial heart of Italy, and head towards Pisa.
12:00 p.m. - Pisa - Upon arrival, we’ll take a charming little tourist train to the Piazza Dei Miracoli (Square of Miracles). Here, you’ll have time to admire one of Italy´s most captivating art complexes, including the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa.
03:00 p.m. – We’ll leave Pisa and continue our journey towards Rome.
08:30 p.m. - Rome.
Note: The schedule for this stage may vary, with possible later arrivals in Pisa and Rome to accommodate travelers joining us from Nice.
06:30 p.m. - In the evening, we’ll head to the Trastevere area. As we stroll through the narrow, cobbled streets of Trastevere, we’ll discover hidden gems like quaint medieval churches, unique shops, and vibrant local scenes. Many trattorias and osterias, brimming with Italian charm, are ready to serve you local dishes. You’ll also find restaurants offering Indian, Chinese, and other international cuisines in this lively area.
08:30 p.m. – Return to the hotel.
Note: Please be aware that the hotel check-out time is usually 10:00 a.m. You can leave your luggage in reception upon check-out, allowing you to explore the city without carrying your bags. You can retrieve your luggage at your convenience later in the day. If you require additional time to use your room, we recommend booking an extra night at the end of your tour.