Insight Premium Tours

This is a well paced tour with two-night stays in the eight key cities, allowing ample time for sightseeing and exploration

Name of Tour:Romantic European
Duration: 20 Days
Exclusive Price Discounts are shown below

Itinerary

DAY 1 – LONDON – BRUSSELS
After driving to Dover and taking the ferry to France, make your way to medieval Bruges in Belgium, where you can stroll along cobbled streets and beside peaceful canals. Then it’s on to Brussels to marvel at the gilded buildings in the Grand Place and to see the Mannekin Pis statue. As evening falls, enjoy a Welcome Drink.
Hotel: Marriott/Sofitel Toison d’Or.

DAY 2 – BRUSSELS – AMSTERDAM
Drive to Amsterdam and pass Dam Square and the Mint tower en route to a demonstration of diamond cutting. Visit the fishing village of Volendam and learn how clogs and cheese are made before returning to Amsterdam.
Hotel: Moevenpick City Centre. (BB)

DAY 3 – AMSTERDAM – WüRZBURG
Head into Germany to see Cologne’s soaring Gothic cathedral. Continue via Bonn to the scenic Rhine Gorge to join your Highlight cruise. Glide past vineyards and medieval castles to see the Loreley Rock before continuing on to Würzburg with its Baroque Residenz palace, Marienberg fortress and statue-lined bridge.
Hotel: Maritim. (BB,D)

DAY 4 – WüRZBURG – PRAGUE
Stop in Nuremberg to see the charming blend of stone and timbered dwellings and the massive town ramparts before continuing east to the Czech border. Pass Pilsen, known for its beer, to reach the ‘golden city’ of Prague.
Hotel: Diplomat. (BB,D)

DAY 5 – PRAGUE SIGHTSEEING
A local guide introduces the 1,000-year-old Prague Castle and St Vitus’ Cathedral before descending to the Old Town Square, with its Astronomical Clock. Later, there is time to shop for fine Bohemian crystal. (BB)

DAY 6 – PRAGUE – BUDAPEST
Drive through the wine-producing area of South Moravia into Slovakia and stop in its fortified capital, Bratislava. After free time to explore, cross into Hungary and follow the River Danube to Budapest.
Hotel: Hilton West End. (BB)

DAY 7 – BUDAPEST SIGHTSEEING. With a Budapest guide, climb up to the old Castle District. See the murals in Matthias Church beside the Fisherman’s Bastion, which affords a grand view over the Danube and the Parliament. See the Royal Palace of Buda, then cross over to Pest to visit Heroes’ Square. Spend the afternoon at leisure. (BB,D)

DAY 8 – BUDAPEST – VIENNA
Heading out of Budapest, survey the bridges over the Danube from the lofty citadel atop Gellert Hill. Continue through peaceful farmland, dotted with orchards and vineyards to the austrian border and Vienna.
Hotel: Hilton Plaza/NH Danube City. (BB)

DAY 9 – VIENNA SIGHTSEEING
A Premium Highlight visit takes you inside the fabulous Schönbrunn Palace. On a guided city tour, see the Parliament, Winter Palace and Opera House along the Ring Road. Spend the afternoon at leisure. (BB)

DAY 10 – VIENNA – VENICE
Cross over the Semmering Pass and across the border into Italy. Arrive at your hotel on Venice’s fashionable Lido.
Hotel: Hungaria Palace. (BB,D)

DAY 11 – VENICE SIGHTSEEING
Cruise by private launch to St Mark’s Square to see the Doges’ Palace, Bridge of Sighs and St Mark’s Basilica, followed by a Venetian glass-blowing demonstration. Enjoy a fascinating Highlight gondola ride along the canals. The afternoon is at leisure. (BB)

DAY 12 – VENICE – ROME
Head south into the Apennine Mountains and follow the course of the Tiber to the Eternal City of Rome. As night falls, join your fellow passengers for a Dine-Around evening of local cuisine offered from a selection of restaurants.
Hotel: Sheraton. (BB,DA)

DAY 13 – ROME SIGHTSEEING
Join a local guide to visit the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, complete with a Tour of St Peter’s Basilica to see Michelangelo's the Pieta. Now cross the Tiber to visit the Colosseum and see the Forum. The afternoon is at leisure. (BB)

DAY 14 – ROME – FLORENCE
Head north into the peaceful landscapes of Tuscany, driving to Piazzale Michelangelo for views over Florence. After a leather-work demonstration, spend the afternoon exploring this beautiful city.
Hotel: Palazzo Ricasoli. (BB,D)

DAY 15 – FLORENCE SIGHTSEEING
A local guide takes you to Santa Croce Basilica to see the tombs of Galileo and Michelangelo. Continue to the lofty Cathedral where Giotto's 14C Campanile is said to be the most beautiful bell-tower in the world. See the 'Gates of Paradise' on the Baptistry and visit Signoria Square with its open-air gallery of Renaissance sculpture. (BB)

DAY 16 – FLORENCE – LUCERNE
Head north through the scenic Italian Lake District, glimpsing Lake Como as you cross into Switzerland. Enjoy magnificent mountain scenery as you travel on to lake-side Lucerne.
Hotel: Flora Hotel. (BB)

DAY 17 – LUCERNE SIGHTSEEING
Walk with your Tour Director to the emotive Lion Monument, carved into a cliff to commemorate the Swiss Guards who lost their lives during the French Revolution. Spend time shopping or strolling along the Chapel Bridge to the richly ornate Jesuit Church. Embark on a Premium Highlight excursion 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. (BB,D)

DAY 18 – LUCERNE – PARIS
Leave Switzerland and skirt the Jura Mountains into the Burgundy wine region before continuing on to Paris. Hotel: Sofitel Bercy/Pullman Paris Porte de Sevres. (BB)

DAY 19 – PARIS SIGHTSEEING
A comprehensive guided sightseeing tour shows you the highlights of the city, including the Champs Élysées, Arc de Triomphe, Garnier’s Opera, Notre Dame Cathedral and the Louvre. A Premium Highlight sees you ascend by elevator to the viewing platforms of the Eiffel Tower before visiting the gilded Dôme Church to see the imposing tomb of the Emperor Napoleon. There is time in the afternoon for sightseeing at your own pace (BB)

DAY 20 – PARIS – LONDON
Cross the battlefields of World War One en route to Calais and your voyage back to Dover. The tour ends after a short drive back to London. (BB)

Images

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A Brief History on Insight Tours

 When it comes to travelling in style and comfort, look no further than Insight's premium touring Vacations!

Insight offers smaller group sizes, greater passenger comfort and up to 100% more legroom than a standard touring coach. Our guests stay in outstanding hotels, enjoy a variety of meals and each unique destination visited features a wealth of included sightseeing!  We also offer guaranteed departures on selected travel departures.

We believe the journey is just as important as the destination. Imagine gliding along the ancient canals of defying gravity on an exhilarating cable car ride to the top of a Swiss mountain peak or a journey onboard the legendary Rocky Mountaineer Train.

Whether you want to explore at a leisurely pace, experience as much as possible in a short amount of time, or get off the beaten track, Insight's complete range of tours means you are sure to find an itinerary that suits you.

New for 2005 are our European Easy Pace extra leisure itineraries. With a majority of three night stays in each city, included sightseeing, delicious meals and excursions, Easy Pace itineraries give you the freedom to explore in-depth at your leisure.

We invite you to experience the Insight difference.

AIRFARES
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EARLYBIRD COACH TOUR DISCOUNTS-2008

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Insight Premium Coach Tour Program

 

EARLY PAYMENT DISCOUNT
Book & Pay 4-6 Months SAVE 2.5%
Book & Pay 7-9 Months SAVE 5%
Book & Pay 10-12 Months SAVE 7.5%
Book & Pay over 12 Months in advance SAVE 10%

PAST PASSENGER DISCOUNT
5% Discount if you have travelled on an Insight Tour

 SECOND TOUR DISCOUNT
Receive 5% Discount of the shortest tour

AIRPORT TRANSFERS
Free & worth up to $225 per couple! (Conditions Apply-pleae contact us for details)

TRAVEL INSURANCE
Save 20% on QBE Travel Insurance or 10% on HBF Insurance member rates if taken out at time of booking.

TRIPLE ROOM
Great Discounts-please call for details

CHILD DISCOUNTS
Up to 25% (Conditions apply)

SINGLE ROOM
Can offer share accommodation at no extra cost

What's Included