INSIGHT VACATIONS European Spotlight - Premium Highlights Plus These Extra Tour Features

Included Premium Highlights

    * Enjoy a leisurely canal cruise by glass-topped boat through the tree lined canals of Amsterdam
    * Embark on a scenic Rhine Cruise past medieval castles, vineyards and breathtaking scenery
    * Delight in the sights and sounds of Venice as you glide through the canals by gondola
    * An excursion by cog-wheel train and cable-car to the summit of Mount Pilatus
    * Visit the Palace and Gardens of Versailles, the imposing residence of Louis XIV.
    * Ascend the iconic Eiffel Tower for stunning panoramic views over Paris

Included Personal Insights

    * To enhance your dining pleasure, the historical context and formal ceremony that once accompanied your Dutch colonial-style feast is fully explained
    * Hear from our guest speaker and local expert about the 'Secret Swiss Army' and the efforts this peaceful alpine country makes to maintain its famous neutrality

Included Other Excursions & Sights

    * See Dam Square and the Mint Tower
    * Explore the quaint Romantic Rhine Gorge village of Boppard
    * See the castle of Neuschwanstein
    * Scenic drive across the Fern Pass
    * See the Golden Roof in Innsbruck's Old Town and visit the Wilten Basilica
    * Cross the Europa Bridge and the Brenner Pass
    * Visit Verona to see the ancient Roman Arena and Juliet's Balcony
    * Cruise, with commentary, to St Mark's Square in Venice
    * Watch Venetian glass-blowing
    * Travel through the St Gotthard Tunnel
    * See Lucerne's Lion Monument and Chapel Bridge
    * See Notre Dame and drive along the Champs Élysées to the Arc de Triomphe in Paris
    * Pause at the moving WWI cemetery and battlefield of Fromelles

Included First Class Services

    * Escorted by a professional Tour Director
    * Headsets for all guided visits and walking tours
    * Luxury air-conditioned 40 seat coach with extended leg room and on-board restroom
    * Insight Hotels include all service charges, taxes and porterage
    * Insight Traveller document wallet, map book journal and information pack
    * Free London Airport transfer service available when purchasing your Land and Air through Insight Vacations, conditions apply.

Included Quality Dining

    * Highlight Dinner of local specialties in Amsterdam (HD)
    * Choose from a selection of Lucerne's restaurants for your dining pleasure (DA)
    * 10 Buffet Breakfasts (BB), 3 three-course table d'hôte Dinners, or Buffets, plus tea or coffee (D)

 

INSIGHT VACATIONS European Spotlight ITINERARY

Day 1 - LONDON - AMSTERDAM

Drive to the famous white cliffs of Dover to cross the English Channel. Disembark at Calais and follow the coast into Belgium. After entering the Netherlands, see your first windmill en route to Amsterdam. Tonight, enjoy a Welcome Drink with your Tour Director before enjoying a Dutch 'Rijsttafel' dinner at a restaurant in the city. Your meal is complemented by an informative presentation on the origins, ceremony and contents of this colonial-style feast.

Hotel: Mövenpick City Centre (HD)

Day 2 - AMSTERDAM SIGHTSEEING

Take an orientation tour past the Mint Tower, floating Flower Market and Royal Palace in Dam Square. Then board a special canal cruiser to glide under low bridges, past the magnificent gabled mansions of the 17th century merchants. After a demonstration of diamonds being cut and polished, the afternoon is at leisure. Perhaps visit Anne Frank's house, or Rembrandt's Night Watch in the Rijksmuseum? (BB)

Day 3 - AMSTERDAM - RHINE GORGE - HEIDELBERG

Pass Arnhem, renowned for its 'Bridge Too Far', before crossing the German border bound for the Romantic Rhine. Take time to explore the wine village of Boppard, founded by the Romans, before embarking on your scenic Rhine cruise. Drift past leafy vineyards, medieval castles and hear the legend of the Loreley Rock. Rejoin your coach and head for Heidelberg, set on the banks of the Neckar, watched over by its castle fortress.

Hotel: NH Heidelberg (BB,D)

Day 4 - HEIDELBERG - INNSBRUCK

Skirt the northern Black Forest and head for the rolling Bavarian Alps. Stop beneath the renowned royal castles of Hohenschwangau and King Ludwig's fairy-tale Neuschwanstein. Once over the Austrian border continue to Innsbruck, capital of the Tyrol. Tour the architectural jewels of the city, seeing the Imperial Palace, delightful Golden Roof and the 14th century houses of the old town.

Hotel: Hilton (BB,D)

Day 5 - INNSBRUCK - VERONA - VENICE

Leave Innsbruck and travel across the impressive Europa Bridge, and cross the Brenner Pass into Italy. Follow the Adige River through spectacular scenery down to the great plain. Visit fascinating Verona, with its first century Roman Arena, maze of elegant squares and, of course, Juliet's balcony. Now on to glorious Venice, 'Queen of the Adriatic'.

Hotel: Sant'Elena (BB,D)

Day 6 - VENICE SIGHTSEEING

Relax on a private launch as it cruises past the island of San Giorgio before alighting at St Mark's Square. Stroll along the water's edge to see the Bridge of Sighs which connects the Doges' Palace with the prisons. It was from here that Casanova made his daring escape! See St Mark's Basilica and bell tower before watching one of the few remaining craftsmen hand-blow Venetian glass. The tour concludes with a gondola ride through the canals. Now Venice is all yours to explore. (BB)

Day 7 - VENICE - LUCERNE

Travel through some of the richest farmland in Europe as you cross northern Italy. Glimpse the beautiful Italian Lake District as you continue into the heart of the Swiss Alps, past gushing streams and soaring peaks, through the St. Gotthard Tunnel to scenic Lucerne.

Hotel: Astoria (BB)

Day 8 - LUCERNE SIGHTSEEING

Walk with your Tour Director to visit the emotive Lion Monument. Then spend time shopping, or stroll across the Chapel Bridge to the ornate Jesuit Church. Later, embark on a highlight excursion by cog-wheel train and cable-car to the summit of one of Switzerland's most famous mountains, Mount Pilatus. Admire the views over the snow-capped Jungfrau and Eiger peaks before returning to Lucerne. This afternoon, if you wish, hear from our guest speaker and local expert about the 'Secret Swiss Army' and the efforts this peaceful alpine country makes to maintain its famous neutrality. Get together with your friends for dinner tonight and choose from our selection of restaurants. (BB,DA)

Day 9 - LUCERNE - PARIS

Drive to Basel before crossing the Rhine to France. Travel across the fertile fields of Burgundy to Paris, the vibrant heart of French life, and a city which glitters by night. Here, you have the option of a night-time illuminations tour.

Hotel: Concorde Opera (BB)

Day 10 - PARIS & VERSAILLES

Travel out to the elegant town of Versailles to visit the immense palace built for the Sun King, Louis XIV. Your guide leads you through the royal apartments and there is time to take a stroll in the fine formal gardens. Return to Paris for a comprehensive guided sightseeing tour. See Garnier's Opera, Notre Dame Cathedral and the immense facades of the Louvre. From the Place de la Concorde, drive down the Champs Élysées to the Arc de Triomphe. Ascend to the viewing platforms of the Eiffel Tower for panoramic vistas over the city. The afternoon is at leisure. (BB)

Day 11 - PARIS - LONDON

Cross the battlefields of the Somme and pause for a moving visit at the WWI cemetery in Fromelles. Learn how our conservation partner, the Centre for Battlefield Archaeology, helped find a final resting place for many of these brave men. Continue to the port of Calais for your return voyage back to Dover. After a short drive through the pretty Kent countryside, the tour ends in London. (BB)

Your Insight tour already includes a host of bonus highlights and comprehensive sightseeing. However, there is an exciting array of optional excursions which will turn an already amazing experience into the trip of a lifetime! These are entirely optional and can be booked through your Tour Director/Local Representative at the commencement of your tour. All prices are quoted in local currency. Payment can be made in cash or by Visa, Mastercard or American Express. To help your pre-tour budgeting we suggest you allow approximately EURO 45 per person per day for optional excursions.

AMS13 - VOLENDAM, WINDMILL VISIT & DUTCH COUNTRYSIDE
In the 18th century there were approximately 700 windmills in use in this area. Today, only 5 are left. We visit a typical Dutch windmill and the picturesque village of Volendam. Volendam is renowned for its wooden houses, traditional fishing boats and old harbour. Renoir and Picasso both spent time in this picturesque fishing village and some of the residents still wear the traditional Dutch clothing. EURO 23

AMS05 - DUTCH DINNER & SAILOR'S QUARTER
Tonight we dine in a beautiful historic restaurant which offers a wide selection of food and beverages. After dinner we'll take a guided walk through the famous 'Sailors Quarter' of the city. EURO 55

INN07 - TYROLEAN HORSE & CARRIAGE RIDE
We visit a typical mountain village and then enjoy a horse-drawn carriage ride which takes us through the mountains and valleys of the Tyrol. We make a stop in a quaint tavern for a drink, before returning to Innsbruck. EURO 35

INN01 - TYROLEAN EVENING
Enjoy a lively evening of traditional entertainment, featuring dancers in national costume, yodelling and entertainment typical of the life, crafts and traditions of the Tyrolean people. Two drinks are included. EURO 39

VCE06 - MAGICAL VENICE
This evening we board our private boats for a cruise down the famous "Grand Canal", past illuminated palazzi and twinkling chandeliers, to the romantic St Mark's Square. We have reservations in a famous café where we sit under the stars listening to the orchestra play some of Italy's best loved music (One drink is included). EURO 45

VCE09 - HIDDEN VENICE
An historical walk, with a local guide, through some of the lesser known quarters of Venice. Discover some of the secrets of other quarters of the Venetian labyrinth. Your experience will be enhanced by the use of individual headsets. EURO 26

VCE02 - BURANO EXCURSION & LUNCH
Explore the Venetian lagoon on our cruise around the islands including the colourful island of Burano - a photographer's paradise and famous for its lace. Then enjoy a superb lunch sampling the local specialities. An excursion not to be missed! Lunch may be replaced with a dinner. EURO 65

LCR01A - LAKE LUCERNE HAPPY HOUR CRUISE
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. EURO 38

LCR14 - CARRIAGES & COUNTRYSIDE
A chance to meet the Swiss, as local farmers take us on a delightful countryside tour in horse-drawn carriages. Enjoy stunning scenery as we trot around a typical rural community, en route to a local farm where local drinks and snacks will be served. EURO 45

LCR05 - SWISS EVENING
Enjoy a tasty Swiss meal (one of the courses will be the famous Swiss cheese fondue) in a typical restaurant. Whilst you enjoy dinner, join in the fun of a lively folklore show which includes yodelling, flag throwing, Alpenhorn blowing and other great Swiss entertainment. Drinks are included. EURO 74

PAR27 - DINNER, SEINE CRUISE & ILLUMINATIONS TOUR
An excellent dinner in a traditional Parisian Bistro is followed by a cruise along the River Seine to view famous sights from the Eiffel Tower to Notre Dame cathedral. The evening ends with a tour of the spectacular illuminations of Paris. EURO 78

PAR02 - SEINE CRUISE & ILLUMINATIONS
After our leisurely Seine Cruise we take a magical tour of the 'city of light'. EURO 32

PAR24 - MOULIN ROUGE
Dinner and cabaret at the world famous Moulin Rouge – the original Parisian cabaret – immortalized by the recent award winning film! EURO 145
NOUVELLE EVE - Dinner with wine included at one of the most prestigious cabarets in town. An evening of exciting acts, stunning tableaux and wonderful entertainment. EURO 125