A Grand Tour of Europe used to be a rite of passage for Europe's aristocracy. On this guided tour, you'll visit six countries, cruise on the Rhine and Lake Como, and see Europe's icons, from Big Ben to the Eiffel Tower to the Colosseum. Along the way, you'll also visit Amsterdam, Verona, Venice and much more.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 - London

Your trip begins with a regularly scheduled overnight flight to London aboard an internationally recognized airline.

Day 2 - London

Welcome to London! After clearing customs and collecting your bags, look for the Hotel by Bus transfer desk. They will be providing the transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to relax or begin acquainting yourself with the city before tonight’s included Welcome Dinner.
Included meals: breakfast (in flight), dinner

Day 3 - London

An expert local guide leads this morning’s guided sightseeing tour of London. Highlights of the panoramic tour include views of Trafalgar Square, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben and a stop outside St. James’s Palace, where you might glimpse the ceremonial Changing of the Guard (seasonal and weather dependent). After your sightseeing tour, join an optional excursion to Windsor Castle, the centuries-old retreat of Britain’s Royal Family.
Included meals: breakfast

$85 USD

Windsor Castle Led by a Blue Badge Guide, you’ll travel to Windsor for a guided visit to the world’s largest and longest-inhabited castle. Founded by William the Conqueror in 1070, Windsor has been the British Royal Family’s preferred retreat for the past 900 years. Step inside the State Apartments and St. George’s Chapel (closed Sundays), where the Knights of the Garter ceremony takes place. View the exhibit of royal treasures on display within the castle. You’ll then have time to stroll through the town of Windsor and have a look at Eton College, a prestigious prep school attended by Princes William and Harry. Please note: Windsor Castle is occasionally closed when in use by the Royal Family; a visit to Henry VIII’s Hampton Court will be substituted when necessary.

Day 4 - Paris

This morning, transfer to St. Pancras Station. Here, you’ll board the Eurostar, Europe’s quarter-mile-long, high-speed train that whisks its passengers below the English Channel and resurfaces in France. Relax aboard comfortable, state-of-the-art transportation, arriving at Gare du Nord in Paris just three hours later. Tonight, consider joining our optional Evening in Paris, featuring dinner at a local restaurant and a cruise along the Seine.
Included meals: breakfast

$99 USD

Evening in Paris Take in the nighttime allure of the City of Light on a special evening excursion. The event begins with dinner at a local restaurant. After you dine, board a boat cruise along the Seine. As you coast along the river and under Paris’ bridges, you’ll behold the gloriously illuminated monuments of Paris glittering alongside the riverbanks. Please note: The dress code may vary depending your restaurant, and your Tour Director will advise you on what to wear, but shorts and sneakers are likely to be considered inappropriate attire. This excursion requires advanced reservation and must be booked by 45 days prior to departure.

Day 5 - Paris

This morning, you’ll meet our local guide for a tour of the French capital. You’ll motor along the fashionable Champs-Élysées and view the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe and more. The afternoon is free to explore Paris on your own. Or join an optional excursion to Versailles, the opulent estate of Sun King Louis XIV.
Included meals: breakfast

$99 USD

Versailles The reign of Louis XIV, known as the “Sun King,” set new standards for decadence among the crowned heads of Europe. It took 50 years and 35,000 workers to turn Versailles, once a small hunting lodge, into the most magnificent château in all of France and the envy of royalty worldwide. On this excursion, you will see the palace in all its glory. Tour the State Apartments and the glittering Hall of Mirrors. Then stroll through the lavish gardens with their fine statuary, splendid fountains and colorful flowerbeds. Please note: This excursion requires advanced reservation and must be booked by 45 days prior to departure.

Day 6 - Amsterdam

Enjoy a picturesque ride on the Thalys train to Amsterdam. The Low Countries will zip past your window as make your way to the Dutch capital. After checking in to your hotel, a local guide leads you on an afternoon walking tour of Amsterdam. You’ll visit Dam Square and a local diamond factory, and enjoy a scenic canal cruise.
Included meals: breakfast
Included entrances: canal cruise

Day 7 - Amsterdam

Today is free to explore the Dutch capital at leisure. Consider joining this morning’s optional excursion to Delft and The Hague. Your first stop on this excursion is a to visit the world-famous flower market at Aalsmeer for a close-up look at one of Holland’s best-known national exports: its brilliantly hued tulips. Continue to Delft, a charming town of canals, cobbled alleyways and medieval architecture. Your final destination is The Hague, seat of the Dutch Parliament and home to Queen Beatrix. In The Hague, you’ll have the chance to visit the Maritshuis Museum, where you can view artistic treasures painted by the Dutch Masters. Tonight, you might choose to join our optional Canal Cruise with Dinner.
Included meals: breakfast

$115 USD

Canal Cruise & Dinner Travel along the canals of Amsterdam on a low-slung house boat, enjoying the view of row houses lit up for the night. Your cruise will take you through the center of the city as you enjoy dinner by lantern light.

Day 8 - Heidelberg Region

Board a bus this morning for Cologne, where a guided tour brings you inside the city’s landmark Gothic cathedral. You’ll also view the remnants of the city’s Roman-era and medieval walls. Then, transfer to Boppard, where you’ll board a river ship for a scenic cruise up the Rhine to Sankt Goar. There are six castles perched on the banks of this section of the Rhine, and you’ll view them along with dramatic scenery as you cruise southward. Then, board a bus for the Heidelberg region. Dinner is included on land tonight.
Included meals: breakfast, dinner

Day 9 - Lucerne

Journey into Heidelberg this morning and discover its medieval charms on a guided tour. You’ll visit the town’s ancient castle, perched on a precipice over the Rhine. Transfer to Lucerne this afternoon.
Included meals: breakfast

Day 10 - Lucerne

A local guide introduces you to this charming lakeside city. You’ll visit Lucerne’s Old Town and the captivating Löwendenkmal, a sandstone statue commemorating the Swiss Guards slain in the 1792 defense of the Tuileries. The balance of the day is free at leisure; consider joining our optional excursion to Mount Pilatus this afternoon
Included meals: breakfast

$99 USD

Mount Pilatus This scenic excursion begins with a cruise on Lake Lucerne. After docking, ascend the 7,000-foot Mount Pilatus on the world’s steepest cog-wheel railway. Legend holds that the mountain was named for Pontius Pilate, blown here by the devil after the Crucifixion. From the peak, the views of the Alps are stunning; on a clear day, you can see for 200 miles. Toward the end of your trip, you’ll return to the base of the mountain via gondola. Please note: The cruise and cog railway only run from mid-May through October. During the winter months, this excursion includes the cable car ride only. If the cog railway is unavailable, you will enjoy lunch at the summit.

Day 11 - Lake Como Region

Transfer over the Alps to Lake Como this morning. You’ll arrive in time to board an evening lake cruise, when the tranquil beauty of Lake Como is on full display. Depending on your departure date, you might witness a gorgeous sunset! Enjoy an included dinner on land tonight.
Included meals: breakfast, dinner

Day 12 - Venice

A motorcoach brings you to Verona this morning, where you’ll embark on a guided sightseeing tour. Highlights of your tour include the Roman-era Verona Arena and the Casa di Giulietta, where couples young and old pin love notes to the wall below what is said to be Juilet’s balcony. Then, continue on to Venice, arriving in time to enjoy an included dinner.
Included meals: breakfast, dinner

Day 13 - Venice

Experience the romance of Venice during this morning’s guided sightseeing tour of the Doge’s Palace, once the political heart of this powerful maritime empire. This afternoon, opt to join a gondola tour of the canals, complete with music.
Included meals: breakfast
Included entrances: Doge’s Palace

$65 USD

Gondola Ride with Music More than 100 waterways crisscross Venice, and boarding a sleek black gondola to explore them has become a time-honored tradition. On this memorable excursion, join your fellow travelers for a tour through the canals of Venice. A musician serenades you as your gondola cruises through the city. Please note: This excursion runs as weather permits. A private two-person gondola ride is available for an additional $100 per person. Advanced reservations are required.

Day 14 - Rome

Journey to Rome by train this morning. As you travel south from Venice and cross the Apennine Mountains, you’ll be treated to a panoramic view of the Italian countryside.
Included meals: breakfast

Day 15 - Rome

This morning, embark on a guided tour of Imperial Rome, including the Colosseum and the Forum Romanum. Then, consider this afternoon’s optional excursion to Vatican City. Tonight, enjoy an included Farewell Dinner.
Included meals: breakfast, dinner

$85 USD

Vatican City This guided tour takes you inside the world’s smallest state, Vatican City. Upon arrival, you'll first visit the Vatican Museums, which recently celebrated a 500-year anniversary and hold many of the world's most important classical and Renaissance-era sculptures. Next, you'll visit the Sistine Chapel, where you'll gaze on what is perhaps Michelangelo's masterpiece. Finally, you'll visit the enormous St. Peter’s Basilica, the epicenter of the Roman Catholic faith. The artists whose efforts have contributed to its glory are some of the best Italy has ever known, including Bramante, Peruzzi, Raphael and Michelangelo. Treasures await at every turn, from Bernini’s magnificent Scala Regia to Michelangelo’s Pietà. Please note: This excursion is not available on Sunday. Advanced reservation and booking is required prior to your final payment deadline.

Day 16 - Rome

This morning, a Go Ahead representative escorts you to the airport for your return flight home..
Included meals: breakfast
(In the case of early morning departures, breakfast may not be provided.)