Germany - Netherlands - Belgium - France - Luxembourg

ITINERARY OVERVIEW

06 Nights – 07 Days

Day 1 Paris – Reims – Luxembourg

Meeting at 08:30 at the central train station of Gare du Nord. The tour leaves from Paris for a delightful scenic journey through the rolling countryside of the Champagne region, famous the world over for the sparkling white wine produced here. Enjoy seeing the historic attractions of provincial capital Reims, including the city’s cathedral – .a key national heritage site, where coronations of French Kings took place from the 11th century onward. History and tradition are equally evident in your next location: Luxembourg, the world’s only remaining Grand Duchy. After arrival in refined Luxembourg City you will be introduced on foot to the main places of interest, including the Place de Constitution and Pont Adolphe before having time for further exploration on your own.

Day 2 Luxembourg – Trier – Koblenz – Rudesheim am Rhein – Frankfurt

Today we leave Luxembourg behind and head across another European border into Germany. The first stop is historic Trier, Germany’s oldest city and the birth place of Karl Marx. You will have the chance to see from outside the house where the influential philosopher was born, which now functions as Karl Marx Haus Museum. Your walking tour then takes you into the center of Trier; here you can look around the city’s impressive cathedral, where the celebrated Holy Robe-said to be the tunic of Christ-is preserved & occasionally displayed. Trier is also known as the ‘Second Rome’ (Constantine served here as an administrator for 10 years) and significant legacies of the once great empire remain today. The highlight is undoubtedly Porta Nigra, the best preserved Roman city gate north of the Alps which you will get to see and photography. After an exciting morning in Trier, you will drive on to Koblenz, famous as the location of the confluence of the Rhine & Mosel rivers. Here you have the option of indulging in a relaxing lunch alongside the water, and then afterwards you can also choose to add on a scenic Rhine boat cruise for some memorable city vistas. Back on dry land, you will drive through the wine – making town of Rudesheim. Then it is on to Frankfurt am Main, where you will discover the delights of Romerberg, a charming plaza with a distinctive medieval town hall as its centerpiece.

Day 3 Frankfurt – Bon – Cologne – Amsterdam

The morning begins with a leisurely drive north – west from  Frankfurt to Bonn the capital of the former West Germany until reunification. The national government is now run from Berlin, but Bonn retains a rich history that is well worth exploring. Discover the city’s secrets on an orientation tour through its streets, walking past highlights such as the Rococo fronted town hall and Ludwig Van Beethoven Haus, a museum celebrating the life of the much loved composer. Then its on to Cologne where you will head inside the city’s glorious gothic cathedral, a UNESCO world heritage site. The rest of the afternoon is yours to explore Cologne further, to do a spot of local shopping or to simply relax with a suitably refreshing German brew. After lunch the day is rounded off with a drive to the Netherlands.

Day 4 Amsterdam – Zaanse Schans Amsterdam

A day of delights begins with a leisurely trip through the Dutch countryside, where you will get to sample at close quarters some of the things that the Netherlands is traditionally famous for: clogs, cheese & windmills. Call in at the hugely popular model town of Zaanse Schans. Next you will head from the quite countryside to the cosmopolitan city as your journey takes you back to Amsterdam. After visiting a well known diamond factory where you will see unique cutting techniques that have been practiced here since the 16th century, you can take an optional hour long pre dinner canal cruise which is a great way to discover more about this unique European city. After disembarking you will walk to one of the city’s grandest areas, Dam Square, where the Royal Palace is located and the Queen’s birthday celebrations take place. You will have photo opportunities here, free time for shopping or further sightseeing and then round the day off with dinner. (B) From mid – March to mid – May the tour will also visit Keukenhof Garden, a 32 hectare seasonal exhibition of beautifully coloured and scented displays of spring flowers – most notably millions of Tulips.

Day 5 Amsterdam – Brussels – Paris

After leaving Amsterdam in the morning you will head south across the border into Brussels, the Belgian capital and political center of the European Union. On the way the tour stops to see the distinctive Atomium monument, a cell shaped structure of stainless steel spheres and tubes built for the 1958 World Fair. In the center of Brussel’s itself an orientation tour will call in at the exquisite Grand Palace, as well as seeing the famous playful Manneken Pis statue. Afterwards have some free time during which you can try some gourmandise Belgian delights. Then from Brussels its to South again across the French border and on to the bright lights of Paris.

Day 6 Paris – Versailles – Paris

Paris is your oyster over the next two days as you enjoy a guided tour around one of the world’s most celebrated cities. Your Parisian adventures get off to a spectacular start with a drive along the famous Champs Elysees to the Place de la Concorde which played such a key part in the French Revolution. You will also get to see the iconic Arc de Triumph too, the imposing monument that sits near the Western end of the avenue and commemorates the fallen of the Napoleonic wars. You will take in another significant historical building next as you head to L’Hotel National des Invalides, where Napoleon’s tomb is located, followed by a stop at the most legendary of all Paris’s icons: the Eiffel Tower. You can either take time to explore the neighbourhood and have some lunch or scale the Eiffel Tower. Finally you will travel on the coach out through the Parisian suburbs to the splendid Palace of Versailles, the vast regal Chateau that was the residence of the Royal family until the start of the revolution in 1789. Today the palace is another popular Parisian attraction. In the evening you can enjoy one of our optional Paris evening shows

Day 7 Paris

The second day of your Parisian experience begins with a visit to the Louvre, one of the world’s greatest art museums. Here you will set your eyes upon some of history’s most famous masterpieces including the Venus de Milo, Winged Victory of Samothrace and Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa. Opt for a guided gallery tour which will enhance your experience and allow you to browse through hundreds of works in just a few hours. You can then take a leisurely cruise along the river Seine, a great sightseeing option that offers splendid views of the Parisian landmarks including Notre Dame Cathedral and Pont Alexandre III. After an exhilarating morning replenish your energy with lunch in the museum before heading to the area surrounding the Palais Garnier, Paris’s Opera House. Afterwards you have an option of having a four course French dinner and show experience or spend time shopping at the legendary department stores Galleries Lafayette.