Scenic Tours
1300 SCENIC (723 642)
Grand European
(23 days, Amsterdam - Paris, 2012)
Spend 23 days exploring Europe’s most popular destinations, including France, Italy, Austria, Monaco and Switzerland, soaking up their incredible atmosphere and cultures.
Your 23 day European holiday begins in fascinating Amsterdam before you travel to Belgium for Brussels and a tour of the city, visiting the historic Grand Palace Square and the Royal Palaces. Your tour continues through the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and then into Germany for Heidelberg, Rothenburg and Munich, home to the Marienplatz with its famous Glockenspiel.
From Munich you will travel to beautiful Salzburg, birthplace to Mozart and the location of many scenes from The Sound of Music, before continuing on through Innsbruck and into Italy. During your stay in Italy you will visit Venice, Rome, Siena, San Gimignano, Florence and Pisa, exploring some of the country’s most famous attractions including St. Peter’s Basilica, Michelangelo’s David and the iconic Leaning Tower of Pisa.
Your journey continues onto the glamorous principality of Monaco and its ultra-chic capital, Monte Carlo, where you will visit the Prince’s Palace or his private car collection. Leaving Monte Carlo, your trip continues back to Italy for one of the world’s most renowned fashion and design capitals, Milan, before travelling to the Swiss city of Lucerne for the famous Lion Monument, a haunting memorial to the gallant Swiss Guard, who was defeated in 1792.
Finally, for the last leg of your tour, as you make your way into Paris you will visit Beaune for a wine tasting at the famous Bouchard Aîné and Fils Winery, and Dijon, home of the former Dukes of Burgundy and the home of mustard. Your trip ends in the ‘city of love’, Paris, where you will soak up its renowned atmosphere and visit the iconic Arc de Triomphe, the opulent Palace of Versailles and the world famous Eiffel tower.
Day 1: Amsterdam
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Welcome to Amsterdam, a fascinating and compact city of picturesque canals. A Scenic Tours representative will personally greet you and arrange your transfer* to your hotel. Please ensure that flights arrive by 12 midday.
Overnight Stay: Amsterdam
Overnight Stay: Amsterdam
Day 2: Amsterdam - Brussels
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This morning we cross the border to Belgium to the city of Brussels. Our Included tour takes in such sights as the historic Grand Place Square, the fountain-statue of Mannekin Pis and the Royal Palaces. This evening we enjoy some hearty Belgian cuisine, and perhaps enjoy some regional beer at our highlight dinner.
Overnight Stay: Brussels
Overnight Stay: Brussels
Day 3: Brussels - Luxembourg City - Heidelberg
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En route to Heidelberg we stop for lunch (at own expense) in Luxembourg. Enjoy an Included orientation tour of the city before leisure time to explore on your own. Our journey today concludes in Heidelberg, where we visit the red sandstone castle that towers over the town during our Included guided tour.
Overnight Stay: Heidelberg
Overnight Stay: Heidelberg
Day 4: Heidelberg - Rothenburg - Munich
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We travel the Romantic Road and enter the pristine medieval village of Rothenburg an der Tauber where we enjoy an Included walking tour of this beautifully preserved UNESCO world heritage site. This afternoon we explore Munich on an Included walking tour which takes in the delightful Marienplatz and Town Hall with its famous Glockenspiel. SCENIC ENRICH This evening enjoy a highlight dinner.
Overnight Stay: Munich
Overnight Stay: Munich
Day 5: Munich - Salzburg
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Today continue to Schwangau to ‘Mad King Ludwigs’ fairytale castle at Neuschwanstein. Be amazed at the intricately carved furnishings, frescoes and mosaics on our Included guided tour. To enhance this fairytale experience, we end the touring with a relaxing horse and carriage ride. We travel through stunning mountain scenery of forests and lakes en-route to picture-postcard Salzburg, birthplace to Mozart and location of many scenes from the ‘Sound of Music’. The history and sights of this baroque city are revealed during an Included guided walking tour. Tonight we celebrate a Highlight Dinner at the famous Stiftkeller St Peter. Established by Benedictine Monks in AD 803, it is the oldest restaurant in Austria and has had guests such as Charlemagne and Christopher Columbus dine here throughout history.
Two Night Stay: Salzburg
Two Night Stay: Salzburg
Day 6: Salzburg
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A short drive takes us into Germany to visit Hitler’s favourite summer resort perched atop a mountain in the Berchtesgaden National Park. The scenery is stunning from the terrace of his Eagles Nest. Back in Salzburg, enjoy an afternoon of leisure to further explore the city.
Day 7: Salzburg - Innsbruck - Venice
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Before leaving Austria for Italy we spend the morning in the attractive Tyrolean town of Innsbruck where you are treated to an Included orientation tour. Passing the Italian Alps we arrive in Venice, uniquely situated on 117 small islands in a lagoon. On arrival in the ‘city of canals’ we take a private motor launch direct to our hotel, just a stones throw away from St. Mark’s Square. The evening is yours to explore the delightful sidestreets and canals.
Two Night Stay: Venice
Two Night Stay: Venice
Day 8: Venice
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With our local guide this morning we survey the stunning 17th century St. Mark’s Square with its cafés and open air orchestras. We visit St. Mark’s Basilica with its incredible Byzantine architecture and enter the gothic Doges’ Palace. We view the famous Bridge of Sighs and later there is time at leisure to perhaps visit one of the other islands in the lagoon or simply absorb the atmosphere from a café terrace. SCENIC ENRICH Tonight we enjoy a romantic gondola serenade as we enjoy this iconic Venetian experience whilst gliding under ancient bridges amongst the breathtaking canals. Tonight we enjoy Antico Pignolo, a traditional Italian restaurant superbly located alongside one of the city’s canals.
Day 9: Venice - Rome
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We travel to the Italian capital Rome. Our afternoon Included walking tour will introduce you to many famous sights, including the Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain and Piazza Navona. Tonight we enjoy dinner in a local trattoria and on our way back to the hotel admire the city illuminated at night.
Three Night Special Stay: Rome
Three Night Special Stay: Rome
Day 10: Rome
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We begin today’s sightseeing at the world’s smallest state, the Vatican City. See the huge wealth accumulated through the centuries during our visit to the Vatican Museums and the breathtaking Sistine Chapel. The highlights here are Michelangelo’s Last Judgement and Old Testament Frescoes. We then enter the world’s largest church, St. Peter’s Basilica and emerge into St. Peter’s Square. We continue to the Forum and walk to the mighty Colosseum.
Day 11: Rome
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Included SCENIC FREE CHOICE: (1) an excursion to Tivoli, famous for the magnificent gardens complete with dancing fountains at Villa D’Este; or (2) a trip to the Ancient port city of Ostia, where the recently excavated site has revealed two thirds of this 4th century town.
Day 12: Rome - Siena - San Gimignano - Florence
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Our first stop this morning is the well-preserved medieval city of Siena. Our local guide will show us the Torre della Mangia, the large bell tower overlooking the town and the famous Piazza del Campo. This afternoon our Tour Director will show us the sights of San Gimignano including the Communal Palace and Duomo on our Included walking tour before continuing our journey to Florence.
Two Night Stay: Florence
Two Night Stay: Florence
Day 13: Florence
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Today we enjoy an Included guided walking tour of the city, starting at the Academy of Fine Arts to admire Michelangelo’s David. We then visit the Duomo with its spectacular exterior of marble panels. The immediate vicinity features architectural masterpieces such as Giotto’s Belltower, Brunelleschi’s Dome and Ghiberti’s ‘Gates of Paradise’. A walk onto the stunning Ponte Vecchio and through Piazza della Signoria will take us back to our hotel. This evening we enjoy exquisite Italian cuisine in one of Florence’s fine restaurants.
Day 14: Florence - Pisa - Monte Carlo
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We travel to Pisa where we will explore on our Included walking tour the town before we visit the square of Miracles to see the famous ‘leaning tower’. After free time we continue on our journey towards the glamorous Principality of Monaco and its ultra-chic capital, Monte Carlo.
Two Night Special Stay: Monte Carlo
Two Night Special Stay: Monte Carlo
Day 15: Monte Carlo
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Included SCENIC FREE CHOICE today choose from: (1) a guided visit to the Prince’s Palace of Monaco, which includes entry to the Palace State Apartments; or (2) Visit to the Prince’s Private Car Collection. Today we explore Monte Carlo, visiting the old town to see the Palace of the Grimaldi Royal family and to visit the Cathedral to see the tombs of Princess Grace and Prince Rainier. Dinner is at the prestigious Café de Paris before entering the famous Casino, where you will have the chance to make your fortune – or lose it!
Day 16: Monte Carlo - Milano - Stresa
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This morning we travel back to Italy to Milan, renowned as one of the fashion and design capitals of the world. Admire Milan’s Grand Cathedral before walking through what is reputed to be the world’s oldest shopping mall Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. We continue through to Stresa.
Overnight Stay: Stresa
Overnight Stay: Stresa
Day 17: Stresa - Lucerne
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Another enjoyable day awaits as we cruise to the Borromean Islands. We visit the Isola Bella, originally bare rock and now featuring stunning gardens and the summer palace of the Borromean family. Enjoy lunch while soaking up the views of the breathtaking Lake Maggiore situated at the foot of the Alps. We cross the Swiss border, and arrive at our home for the next two nights, Lucerne.
Two Night Stay: Lucerne
Two Night Stay: Lucerne
Day 18: Lucerne
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Firstly today we stroll to the famous Lion Monument, a haunting memorial to the gallant Swiss Guard, who was defeated in 1792. Then we enjoy an Included walking tour of the old town and cross the medieval Chapel Bridge to the ornate Jesuit Church. We board our private boat for an Included guided cruise on the gorgeous lake to the quaint village of Vitznau. We then join the oldest cogwheel train in Switzerland for a breathtaking ascent of Mount Rigi. Savour the incredible scenery before we descend to Weggis by cogwheel train and cable car. We pass Meggen and its remarkable church on the way back to Lucerne. This evening we enjoy a lively folklore show as we dine on a sumptuous selection of local specialities.
Day 19: Lucerne - Beaune - Dijon
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We stop at Beaune where we enjoy a brief Included orientation tour followed by wine tasting at the famous Bouchard Aîné and Fils winery. Here we shall see the Hotel Dieu, built in 1443. We then travel on to Dijon, home to the former Dukes of Burgundy and famous for its mustard. On arrival we have time for a walk of the medieval old town to see the Palace of the Dukes of Burgundy.
Overnight Stay: Dijon
Overnight Stay: Dijon
Day 20: Dijon - Paris
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Today we journey to the last stop on our itinerary, Paris. Today will be a treat as we are joined by our guide and enjoy an Included orientation trip around the capital, where we’ll get to see the most famous landmarks; travel up the Champs Elysée to the Arc de Triomphe, drive along the left bank of the Seine to the Hotel des Invalides and finally on to Saint Germain and the Latin Quarter. This afternoon we visit the world’s largest museum, the Louvre, where our Louvre-trained art expert will show us many famous works including the Mona Lisa.
Three Night Special Stay: Paris
Three Night Special Stay: Paris
Day 21: Paris
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Our destination today is the former home of French royalty, The Palace of Versailles. Among the highlights are the Hall of Mirrors, Marie Antoinette’s bedchamber and the outstandingly well manicured gardens. Perhaps this evening you could take in dinner and a show at the world famous Moulin Rouge where you will witness the spectacular French CanCan (additional expense).
Day 22: Paris
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Enjoy a day to explore Paris on your own. You may wish to shop the world famous Champs Elysée or try some local delicacies from a French Patisserie. This afternoon we’ll explore the bohemian centre of Paris, Montmartre. We journey to the Eiffel Tower and ascend to the second level for unforgettable views. SCENIC ENRICH It’s a short walk to our spectacular dinner venue, 58 Tour Eiffel, just one floor below, where we dine above the Paris skyline. En-route back to our hotel we enjoy a short Included tour to see the city landmarks illuminated at night.
Day 23: Paris
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After breakfast this morning you will be transferred* to Charles De Gaulle airport by you Scenic Tours Representative for your onward or homeward flight.
*Check transfer entitlements with your travel agent. For passengers who have already received documentation - refer to your booking summary.
*Check transfer entitlements with your travel agent. For passengers who have already received documentation - refer to your booking summary.
