Highlights of Europe - Start London, End Paris, Small Group, Summer - From £4,135

Meet your Travel Director and transfer to London's St. Pancras Station to board the high-speed Eurostar. Your comfortable rail journey takes you via the historic Channel Tunnel to Brussels where you will drive to Amsterdam. Later, join your Travel Director for a Welcome Reception. Mingle and get to know your fellow travellers as you cruise along some of the many tree-lined canals, to explore the heart of the Old City, before enjoying a pleasant evening of dinner with wine at a local restaurant.

This morning, you’ll travel from Amsterdam into Germany before boarding your midday Rhine cruise from Boppard to Sankt Goar, catching a glimpse of the steep Lorelei Rock that has inspired stories for centuries. Enjoy a wine tasting on board as the river curves between some of the prettiest scenery in the valley. Continue to Heidelberg, following the Neckar River into the heart of this university town. You’ll join a Local Expert for a gentle walk through its cobbled lanes and lively old quarter, taking in views that shape Heidelberg’s romantic character.

Skirt the northern Black Forest and head towards the rolling Bavarian Alps. Stop beneath the royal castles of Hohenschwangau and King Ludwig’s Neuschwanstein, rumoured to have inspired Walt Disney's iconic castle. Once over the Austrian border, continue to the Tyrolean capital of Innsbruck. See the architectural jewels of the city, including the Imperial Palace, Golden Roof and the 14th-century houses of the Old Town.

Continue your journey across the Italian border and through the peaks and valleys of the Dolomites, passing alpine villages, forested slopes and hillside vineyards. Descend into the Veneto region, known for its crisp white wines, where you’ll stop at a local family-run winery to explore the art of spumante production. Learn how these refined sparkling wines are crafted, then enjoy a tasting. Later, arrive in the romantic city of Venice, Queen of the Adriatic. This evening, come together with your Travel Director and travelling companions for dinner.

Wake up ready to embrace this romantic city. Join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience as you witness the skill of glassblowers on a visit to a traditional glassblowing workshop. Take a private cruise to St. Mark's Square where the city's former wealth and power is evidenced by the riches of St. Mark's Basilica. Admire the Doge's Palace and its adjoining Bridge of Sighs. With the rest of the day free, why not cruise the Venetian lagoon to the island of Burano for a meal of local specialities and wine?

Head into the Apennine Mountains and venture through the peaceful landscapes of Tuscany and Umbria. Follow the course of the Tiber to the Eternal City of Rome. Italian culture is deeply rooted in hospitality with food, friends and family being central to everyday life. For dinner, enjoy local Roman hospitality at its best.

Join a Local Expert for a guided visit to the Vatican Museums, home to centuries of priceless art collected by the Popes. In the Sistine Chapel, marvel at Michelangelo’s iconic ceiling fresco before continuing to St. Peter’s Basilica—one of the largest churches in the world. Then cross the Tiber River to visit the Colosseum, the largest amphitheatre of the Roman Empire and a powerful symbol of ancient engineering and spectacle. Please note: On some departures, access to St. Peter’s Basilica may be restricted due to the Papal Audience. You’ll still have time to take in the atmosphere of St. Peter’s Square during your visit to Vatican City.

Drive to the Chianti Hills and the city of Florence. A Local Expert will accompany you to the Duomo where the Gates of Paradise adorn the baptistery. Continue to Piazza della Signoria, the political heart of the city, lined with fountains and statues it acts as a virtual open-air gallery of Renaissance masterpieces. A leisurely afternoon gives you time to shop for quality goods, like gold and leather, which Florence is famous for. Alternatively, there is the option to visit the Accademia Gallery with an art historian to see Michelangelo's famed masterpiece, 'David.' In the evening, savour an authentic meal at a local trattoria in the heart of Florence.

Travel past Milan, the capital of Lombardy, as you journey north to the beautiful Italian Lake District, a favourite retreat of the rich and famous where Alpine scenery combines with luxuriant subtropical vegetation. Relax and enjoy an afternoon at leisure at this popular resort and beautiful lake. Perhaps choose to take a cruise to the lovely Isola Bella for a guided tour of the incredible palace and stunning Botanical Gardens? Later, the choice is yours for your Dine-Around Evening. Enjoy your preferred dining experience from a selection of hand-picked local restaurants, each offering their own unique cuisine and ambience.

In the morning, enjoy your last moments among the charming Italian Lake District before your travels continue across the Swiss border. Explore Mount Stanserhorn on a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, as an open-top cable car powered by solar panels take you up the summit. Take in the pristine mountain air and, on a clear day, witness views as far as Alsace and the Black Forest in Germany. Walk along beautiful scenic pathways, keeping an eye out for marmots and other native animals, with the chance to hear a conservation talk by a Swiss ranger, to learn about local wildlife and flora. Continue to lakeside Lucerne where the afternoon is at your leisure. You may choose to enjoy a cruise on Lake Lucerne with its dramatic vistas.

The emotive Lion Monument, carved into a limestone cliff, is a memorial dedicated to the heroic Swiss Guards who died defending King Louis XVI during the French Revolution, which is a source of great pride to the people of Lucerne. See this beautiful work before strolling across the Chapel Bridge to see the ornate Jesuit Church. With the day free, there is plenty of time for shopping for delectable chocolate and glamorous Swiss watches in the traffic-free Old Town. Perhaps venture into the countryside for a delightful horse-drawn carriage ride and meet the local farmers?

Journey through the rural French countryside of Alsace and Burgundy regions, famous for their vineyards and wines, to arrive in the vibrant City of Light. During your time in Paris, see the impressive Eiffel Tower, discover the banks of the Seine with its many romantic bridges, see the obelisk in the center of the Place de la Concorde and drive along the Champs Élysées to the Arc de Triomphe. With the evening free, there are countless opportunities to enjoy the lively atmosphere of this glittering city. Why not visit one of the world-famous cabaret shows?

Today you can enjoy an Insight Choice. Choose to explore community life in the picturesque Montorgueil district. Alternatively, join an avid food lover as you head into areas where Parisians go about their daily lives to explore small shops and sample local treats and delicacies. In the evening, enjoy dinner at the historic restaurant La Coupole. Delight in French cuisine and delicious wine.

Bid farewell to your travelling companions as your journey comes to an end. Transfers arrive at Charles de Gaulle Airport.