Essence of Europe

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17 or 19 days

Germany, Austria, Italy, Switzerland, France, England, extension to Scotland

The spires and cobblestones of the Marienplatz in Munich are straight out of the Middle Ages.In Venice, the din of cars and trucks is replaced by the gentle hum of motorboats and water taxis. In Rome, Paris, and London, equally rich histories blend with the buzz of a modern metropolis—the ancient Colosseum and symbolic Arc de Triomphe are a stone’s throw from trendy restaurants and cafés.

Due to national and/or religious holidays, some sites may be closed and your itinerary may be modified on the following dates in 2026: March 19, April 3-8, May 1, June 29, and August 14-15. These dates fluctuate each year—please contact us for more information.

Image displaying map describing the itinerary of the Essence of Europe tour

Day 1: Fly overnight to Germany

Day 2: Munich

Meet your Tour Director at the airport

Take a walking tour of Munich

With your Tour Director you will see:

Munich Cathedral
New Town Hall
Hofbräuhaus

Day 3: Munich

Take a guided tour of Munich

With your expert local guide you will see:

Olympic Stadium
Residenz
Marienplatz

Take an excursion to Dachau

Visit the Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site

Day 4: Munich • Innsbruck • Venice

Travel via Innsbruck to the Venice region

Day 5: Venice

Take a ferry to Venice

See a glass-blowing demonstration

Take a guided tour of Venice

With your expert local guide you will see:

St. Mark’s Square
Grand Canal

Enjoy a gondola ride

Travel by water taxi to the island of Burano

Explore Burano on your own

Day 6: Venice • Rome

Travel to Rome by bus

Day 7: Rome

Take a guided tour of Vatican City

With your expert local guide you will visit:

Sistine Chapel
St. Peter’s Basilica

Add this in-depth excursion:

Rome cooking class

Discover why food plays such an integral role in Italy’s culture as you dive into this hands-on cooking class. With a local Italian chef as your guide, participate in making several classic Italian recipes. Upon completion, sit down at the table and enjoy the tasty fruits of your labor.

Day 8: Rome

Take a guided tour of Rome

With your expert local guide you will visit:

Roman Forum
Colosseum

Take a guided tour of Castel Gandolfo, the Pope’s summer residence on the shores of Lake Albano. Learn about its rich history as you explore:

The Papal Palace
The Barberini Gardens

Take a self-guided walking tour of Rome

You will see:

Trevi Fountain
Pantheon
Piazza Navona
Spanish Steps

Day 9: Rome • Florence

Travel to Florence

Take a guided tour of Florence

With your expert local guide you will see:

Piazza della Signoria
Ponte Vecchio
Basilica of Santa Croce
Gates of Paradise

Day 10: Florence • Lucerne region

Travel to the Lucerne region

Day 11: Lucerne region

Take a walking tour of Lucerne

With your Tour Director you will see:

Lion Monument
Kapellbrücke
Lake Lucerne

Ride to the top of a Swiss mountain

Take a cruise on Lake Lucerne

Day 12: Lucerne region • Burgundy region

Travel to the Burgundy region

Take a walking tour of Dijon with your Tour Director

Day 13: Burgundy region • Paris

Travel to Paris

Take a walking tour of Paris

With your Tour Director you will see:

Île de la Cité
Conciergerie
Sainte-Chapelle

Catch a glimpse of Notre-Dame Cathedral

Day 14: Paris

Take a guided tour of Paris

With your expert local guide you will see:

Place de la Concorde
Champs-Élysées
Arc de Triomphe
Les Invalides
Eiffel Tower

Add this in-depth excursion:

Versailles

Enjoy an excursion to the grand palace of Versailles, where Louis XIV held court in the most lavish style imaginable. On a tour, stroll through the elegantly landscaped gardens, the historic Hall of Mirrors, and the ornately decorated State Apartments. Note: Versailles is closed on Mondays.

Day 15: Paris • London

Take the Eurostar to London

Take a walking tour of London

Day 16: London

Take a guided tour of London

With your expert local guide you will see:

Big Ben and Houses of Parliament
Piccadilly Circus
St. Paul’s Cathedral
Westminster Abbey
Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace (if scheduled)

Add this in-depth excursion:

Windsor

This is your invitation to the Royal Family’s retreat, Windsor Castle! Join a local guide on your half-day excursion to Windsor, built by William the Conqueror in 1070. Priceless objects are found in the State Apartments, from paintings by Rubens to Henry VIII’s sword and suit of armor. You will also see Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House and St. George’s Chapel, the final resting place of many monarchs.

Day 17: Depart for home

Add 2 more days

Day 17: Edinburgh

Travel by train to Edinburgh

Take a walking tour of Edinburgh

Visit the National Museum of Scotland

Add this in-depth excursion:

Specters of Scotland

A city that can inspire Robert Louis Stephenson—an Edinburgh native—to create the monstrous Mr. Hyde has to have a deep and dark past. On your ghost tour, experience the twisted, demented, and downright terrifying side of Edinburgh. See bricked over passages and caged crypts, then try to sleep wondering: who are they keeping out… or what are they keeping in?

Day 18: Edinburgh

Take a guided tour of Edinburgh

Visit Edinburgh Castle

Explore Edinburgh on your own

Day 19: Depart for home