Splendid Europe

Welcome to Rome, a glorious city filled with classic antiquities, medieval buildings, renaissance palaces and baroque churches. Transfers depart from Rome's Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport for your hotel.Relax and settle in before joining your Travel Director and getting to know your fellow travellers over a delicious dinner at a local restaurant.

A Local Specialist introduces you to Vatican City, the world’s smallest country and home to the Holy See. Explore the Vatican Museums, filled with treasures collected by the Popes. In the Sistine Chapel, admire Michelangelo’s ceiling fresco, then visit St. Peter’s Basilica to view the Pietà and Bernini’s ornate Papal Altar. This afternoon is free for you to explore — shop in nearby boutiques or relax at a cafe in one of Rome’s vibrant piazzas. On some departures, access to St. Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican Museums may be restricted. You'll still enjoy the atmosphere of St. Peter's Square during your visit to the Vatican City, and if tickets are unavailable to the Vatican Museums, you'll instead explore the Capitoline Museums, home to iconic Roman art and archaeology.

Enjoy Rome at your own pace today. Perhaps take an optional experience to the ill-fated town of Pompeii, frozen in time when it was engulfed by an eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD. Alternatively, spend some time in the boutiques of the Via del Corso, the Via Nazionale or the elegant designer stores near the Spanish Steps.

Journey through peaceful Tuscan landscapes, to descend past Bologna into the fertile Valley of the River Po. Arrive at the glorious city of Venice by water taxi and savour a cocktail at sunset whilst you are serenaded by an ensemble of talented musicians, long after the day-trippers have returned to their mainland hotels, before enjoying dinner at a local restaurant.

Wake up ready to embrace this awe-inspiring city. Admire the Doge’s Palace and its adjoining Bridge of Sighs. Join a visit to a traditional Venetian glassblowing workshop, where you’ll see how beautiful, handcrafted glass is made by expert artisans, preserving centuries-old skills. Later, take a private cruise to St. Mark's Square where the Basilica exudes the city’s former wealth and power.

Depart Venice by water taxi and continue your journey to the Slovenian capital of Ljubljana. A Local Specialist shows you Prešeren square with the Triple bridge, baroque Franciscan Church and and the lively banks of Ljubljanica river. Perhaps join an Optional Experience to the tranquil shores of Lake Bled? Ride in a traditional wooden 'pletna' across the turquoise glacial waters towards the tiny island that rises in the middle.

Follow the Drava River and cross over the Slovenian border to reach the 700-year-old university town of Maribor. Continue past Graz through Styria’s forested mountains and on to Vienna.

In the morning, there is the option to join a private tour of Maria Theresa's Schönbrunn Palace and formal gardens. Later, get your camera ready for a drive around the famous Ring Road. This grand boulevard, built alongside the lines of the old city walls, showcases many of the capital’s architectural masterpieces, including the Opera House, magnificent Hofburg Imperial Residence and Parliament. Later, join your Local Specialist for a walk through Innere Stadt, the first district and historic core of Vienna. Visit a traditional Viennese cafe to enjoy local specialities of coffee and Sachertorte or visit Capuchins' Crypt, the burial place of the Habsburg family in Vienna.

Pass the impressive Benedictine monastery of Melk before reaching the enchanting city of Salzburg, birthplace of Mozart and the iconic musical 'The Sound of Music'. A Local Specialist will show you the formal gardens of Mirabell Palace, including the fountains and statues where the 'Do, Re, Mi' scene was filmed. Cross Residence Square with its fountain, where Maria sings 'I Have Confidence' and see the imposing fortress, the immense cathedral and Mozart’s birthplace on the lively Getreidegasse. Perhaps join an excursion to the famous Eagle's Nest? Continue to the mountain ringed Tyrolean capital of Innsbruck to see the Golden Roof and Imperial Palace.

Journey past flower-filled meadows and picturesque chalet-style villages to the Principality of Liechtenstein. Spend some time in its tiny capital, Vaduz, then cross into Switzerland and through glorious mountains to lakeside Lucerne. On arrival, visit Lucerne's proud Lion Monument, carved into a limestone cliff and dedicated to the heroic Swiss Guards who died defending King Louis XVI during the French Revolution. Tonight, enjoy a fine selection of restaurants to choose from for your Dine-Around Evening.

In the morning, explore Mount Stanserhorn on a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, as an open-top cable car powered by solar panels takes you up to 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.Upon return to Lucerne, take some time to stroll across the covered Chapel Bridge and see the baroque Jesuit church. The rest of the day is at leisure to shop for fine watches and delectable chocolates.

Enjoy travelling through Germany. Step aboard a scenic Rhine cruise with a wine experience, gliding past riverside villages and terraced, vineyard-clad slopes with story-rich views of hilltop castles. Continue following the Rhine Valley north to Königswinter.

Continue your journey through Germany to Amsterdam, where the city is best experienced from the water. This evening, step aboard a cruise to admire the UNESCO-listed canal district as you glide past elegant 16th- and 17th-century merchant houses, enduring symbols of Amsterdam’s Golden Age. Celebrate your journey with fellow travellers over dinner served on board, passing beneath graceful bridges and alongside illuminated gables and churches. Let the shimmering city lights bring your adventure to a memorable close.

After breakfast, transfers arrive at Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport.