Itinerary for Europe Highlights Tour • Expat Explore End Point › tours › europe-highlights › itinerary-pdf.pdf · DAY 2: Paris: Free Day Itinerary for Europe Highlights Tour

Expat Explore - Version: Mon Mar 09 2020 14:03:46 GMT+0200 (South Africa Standard Time) Page: 1/8

DAY 1: London - Paris

Welcome to the Expat Explore Europe Highlights tour! Leaving London behind us, we make our way to Paris, crossing the English

Channel and arriving in the ‘City of Lights’ in the afternoon. We'll take you on a driving tour of the French capital; get your cameras

ready - you’ll be seeing some of the city’s most treasured landmarks, including the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame and the Arc de Triomphe!

After the driving tour we'll enjoy dinner at a restaurant in the Latin Quarter, an eclectic, bohemian and historic neighbourhood. We'll

then travel back to the hotel on Paris' world famous metro system, ready to explore the city further on our free day tomorrow!

Experiences

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!

DAY 2: Paris: Free Day

Itinerary for Europe Highlights Tour • Expat Explore

Start Point:

Outside Hotel Novotel at Greenwich station,

173-185 Greenwich High Road, London, SE10 8JA

06:30 hrs

Hotel lobby, Holiday Inn Express, Greenwich,

85 Bugsby Way, Greenwich, London, SE10 0GD

07:00 hrs

End Point:

Greenwich station,

173-185 Greenwich High Road, London, SE10 8JA

18:30 hrs – 21:30 hrs

Included Meals

Breakfast: Lunch: Dinner:

Accommodation

Hotel ibis Paris La Défense Centre

B&B Hôtel Paris Porte des Lilas

B&B Hôtel Paris Italie Porte de Choisy

Hôtel Kyriad Paris Nord Porte de Saint Ouen


The wonderful thing about Paris is that it there is so much to experience, regardless of the time of day, or season. The Seine River is

the backbone of the capital, and flows through the heart of the city. The banks are peppered with book sellers and market stalls if you

wish to walk. But, why not choose a cruise, and sail your way past the grandeur of the gothic Notre Dame cathedral, to the epic Eiffel

Tower? The commentary from the river boats will give you invaluable knowledge and information of the city. Famous architecture is

scattered through the city, and ‘strolling’ is the best mode of transport for taking in every ounce of history. Paris Disneyland is perfect

for the ‘young at heart’, and is only a short distance away. Your Expat Explore tour leader is brimming with ideas and local knowledge,

so that you can get the best out of your time here. Lastly, don’t miss the opportunity to sample such French delicacies as frogs legs

and snails!

Optional Excursions

River Seine Cruise: € 12

Cabaret Show: € 70-90

Montparnasse Observation Deck: € 15

Paris + Tour: € 50

An Evening in Montmartre: € 50

* Stated prices and availability are subject to change.

DAY 3: Burgundy - Swiss Alps

Included Meals


Accommodation

Hotel ibis Paris La Défense Centre

B&B Hôtel Paris Porte des Lilas

B&B Hôtel Paris Italie Porte de Choisy

Hôtel Kyriad Paris Nord Porte de Saint Ouen


Au revoir Paris! Today we sample a taste of small town France with a lunch stop in Burgundy. In the town of Beaune you can visit the

beautiful Hospices de Beaune, or try the famous wine. After lunch we take a long scenic drive across the border into Switzerland and

head towards the Swiss Alps for our stay in a typical mountain village in the heart of the Jungfrau region. This is one of the most-

visited regions of the Alps and also a World Heritage site, containing Europe's largest glacier. Welcome to the Swiss Alps, your home

for the next two days!

Experiences

View the Leaning Tower of Pisa: your chance to see the world famous Leaning Tower of Pisa, or even take some iconic pictures of you

‘holding up’ the tower.

Scenic Mountain Drive: spectacular views as we drive through mountain passes and alongside lakes, breath-taking mountain vistas

and scenic views of quaint Swiss towns.

DAY 4: Swiss Alps: Free Day

The day is yours to enjoy the majesty of the Swiss Alps. Be sure to book a spot on the optional excursion to Jungfraujoch, the highest

train station in Europe, where you’ll also find a visitor’s centre, lookout point and weather station. The views are simply breath-taking

all the way up – don’t be surprised to find yourself pressed up against the train window! Once you’re at the top, take a look at the

Included Meals


Accommodation

The Bear Inn Wilderswil


utterly enormous glacier and enjoy the year-round snowy conditions. This is one trip that you won't forget anytime soon; guaranteed

to put your head in the clouds in every way possible!

Optional Excursions

Train to Jungfraujoch: € 175

White-Water River Rafting: € 108

Sky-diving: € 345

Paragliding: € 155

Swiss Dinner: € 25


DAY 5: Pisa - Tuscany

We're off to Italy! Enjoy more breath-taking mountain views as we drive through Switzerland and on to see the famous Leaning Tower

of Pisa! After some free time here (be sure to get the perfect photo!) we travel on to our accommodation in Tuscany, arriving in the

late afternoon. Famous for its stunning countryside, fine food and wine, Italy's most beautiful region is guaranteed to delight you.

Experiences

Orientation tour of Florence: Your Expat Explore tour leader will take you on an orientation tour to introduce you to the main sights,

including the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, Ponte Vecchio, Piazza Della Signoria and the replica statue of David.

Leather demo in a local shop: Step inside the world of Italian leather crafting as you visit a leather demo in a local leather shop and

factory, Leonardo Leather and Gold. Italy has been famous for leather production for centuries.

Included Meals


Accommodation

The Bear Inn Wilderswil

Included Meals


Accommodation

Hotel Belvedere

Hotel Piccadilly

Hotel Nuovo Savi

Hotel Manzoni

Parma & Oriente


Optional Excursions

Tuscan Dinner: € 22


DAY 6: Florence - Venice

This morning we leave our accommodation in Tuscany and make for the famous city of Florence for a guided walking tour. Learn

about the legacy of the Medicis and see the Duomo and Piazza della Signoria, featuring Michelangelo’s ‘David’. This is the cradle of

Renaissance culture – soak it all in while you can! Then it's 'Buon giorno Venice!' Venice is known as one of the world's most romantic

cities. Spread across 118 islands, you'll spend the afternoon discovering why this is such a 'must-see' destination, with more art-works

per square kilometre than anywhere else on earth! See the famous Rialto Bridge, St Mark's Square, the Bridge of Sighs and the Doge's

Palace. Afterwards, sip an espresso, enjoy a cruise along the canals on a gondola or relax and watch the world go by in one of the

many piazzas.

Experiences

Orientation tour of Venice: your tour leader will take you into the heart of this unique floating city for an orientation to help you

explore and see St. Mark’s Square, St. Mark’s Basilica, St. Mark’s Museum, Campanile, Doge’s Palace, Rialto Market and Scuola Grande

di San Rocco.

Optional Excursions

Trip T-shirt or Hoodie: € 21-32

Venice Gondola Ride: € 20

Venice Water Taxi: € 20


DAY 7: Innsbruck - Munich - Bavaria Region

Hotel Montebello

Included Meals


Accommodation

Hotel Residence Elite

Hotel Venezia

Hotel Ambasciatori & Delfino


Arrivederci, Italy! Heading north toward Germany, you will encounter some of the most beautiful countryside in central Europe. The

famous Brenner Pass will appear before you, and simply take your breath away, as we make our way to Austria for a comfort stop to

get a taster of Innsbruck and its dramatic mountain backdrop. Arriving in Munich in the afternoon, there is plenty of time for an

escorted walking tour of the city centre. A city that exhibits both prosperity and a certain amount of comfort and cosiness, Munich’s

apparent contradictions will delight the avid explorer. Along with modern high-powered industry, designer shopping districts and

sleek BMWs, you’ll find a wealth of cultural hot-spots. Even with all its smart sophistication, Munich has a certain charm that visitors

find irresistible. This evening, enjoy a beer in one of Munich’s traditional beer halls before dinner – a great way to round off the day.

Prost!

Experiences

Munich orientation tour: your tour leader will take you on an orientation of Munich to get you acquainted with this wonderful German

city.

German beer hall: tonight we’ll take you to a traditional German Beer Hall. Sample German beer, along with traditional German

cuisine. Prost!

DAY 8: Bavaria Region - Rhine Valley

Included Meals


Accommodation

ibis Hotel München City

Best Western Hotel München Airport

ACHAT Premium München-Süd

Super 8 City West

Vienna House Easy Landsberg

ibis Hotel Augsburg Hauptbahnhof

Ibis Nürnberg City am Plärrer


This morning we board the coach once more as we make for Germany’s famous Rhine Valley! Relax on board a Rhine riverboat as we

head to our hotel in the heart of the Rhine Valley. This is the most concentrated stretch of castles in all of Europe, and it also features

vineyards, charming medieval towns and lofty cliffs. Learn the story of the castles, many of which are now in ruins since the river

barons left long ago. Once the cruise is over we'll visit a local wine merchants for an included wine tasting - if the harvest has been

good, you may even get to try eiswein (ice wine), a very sweet dessert wine that is produced in very small quantities as it can only be

harvested when the temperature drops below freezing.

Experiences

Cruise down the Rhine and see the beautiful scenery and the largest concentration of gothic castles (Sterrenberg, Liebestein, Katz

and Fortess Rheinfels).

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 from the surrounding area and neighbouring regions include Riesling,

Spätburgunder and Pinot Noir. The region is also well-known for eiswein (ice wine), a very sweet dessert wine made from grapes

harvested in the freezing winter months.

DAY 9: Rhine Valley - Amsterdam

Included Meals


Accommodation

Wyndham Garden Koblenz Hotel

Rheinlust Hotel

Seminaris Bad Honnef


After breakfast, our journey continues as we drive into the Netherlands. Our first photo stop is at a windmill. Afterwards, enjoy a

cheesemaking demonstration, and learn all about the quirky clog and how it is made. Next, we're off to Amsterdam city centre! Here

we will enjoy a sight-seeing canal cruise. Watch the city drift past as you sail along. Listen to some interesting facts and stories about

this majestic city. Amsterdam was reclaimed from the sea. The canals and harbour offer a unique way to experience some of the city’s

highlights. After discovering Amsterdam from the water, get ready for a first-class dinner. Tuck into some Dutch specialities, followed

by some free time to enjoy this vibrant city. Meet back up at the coach to be driven to our hotel for the night.

Experiences

Amsterdam Canal Cruise - Sail along Amsterdam's stunning canals at twilight and enjoy a delicious pizza as you cruise. A perfect

introduction to Amsterdam you will cruise along Amsterdam's atmospheric canals.

DAY 10: Bruges - London

The last day of your European tour already! After breakfast, we bid farewell to Amsterdam and make our way back to London via the

Belgian city of Bruges. Famous for its beer, waffles, chocolate and moules et frites, this is definitely a good place to be if you’ve

brought your appetite. An extremely popular medieval city with no shortage of cobblestone streets, historic old churches and lofty

towers, this is a great city to explore and a good spot to pick up any last-minute souvenirs. Once you’ve had a look around, it’s back to

the coach for the final leg of our journey back to London.

Experiences

Visit Bruges: a stop in this beautiful medieval town with some free time so you could try the signature national dish of frites and

moules, see or even climb the Belfry Tower, have a Belgian beer or buy some amazing Belgian chocolate.

Included Meals


Accommodation

Hampton by Hilton Amsterdam Airport Schiphol

Holiday Inn Express Amsterdam - Schiphol

Best Western Plus Plaza Almere

Included Meals


Documents

Itinerary for Europe Highlights Tour • Expat Explore End Point › tours › europe-highlights › itinerary-pdf.pdf · DAY 2: Paris: Free Day Itinerary for Europe Highlights Tour