European Breakaway

A short and sensational sojourn designed to capture the very essence of Europe, from the cobbled streets of Bruges to the elegant boulevards of Paris.

INSIGHT VACATIONS European Breakaway - Premium Highlights Plus These Extra Tour Features

INCLUDED HIGHLIGHTS

• Amsterdam: Cruise the waterways in a glass-topped boat. See Dam Square, the Royal Palace and Mint Tower.Travel into the Dutch countryside to visit the pretty fishing village of Volendam. Witness demonstrations of cheese-making, clog-making and diamond cutting
• Boppard: Embark on a Rhine cruise past vineyards and castles.
• Heidelberg: See the red sandstone castle.
• Black Forest: Learn about the origins and artisan manufacture of the Black Forest cuckoo clock.
• Rhine Falls: See the Rhine River thundering over the falls.
• Lucerne: See Chapel Bridge, Lion Monument & Jesuit Church.Enjoy an exhilarating ride by cog-wheel train and cable-car to the summit of Mount Pilatus.
• Paris: See the Mona Lisa on your tour of one of the world’s best known art collections at the Louvre Museum, see Notre Dame Cathedral, the Place de la Concorde & Opera House. Drive along the Champs Elysées to the Arc de Triomphe. Ascend the Eiffel Tower for views over the city.
• Scenic Drives: Black Forest, Burgundy and see the White Cliffs of Dover.

INCLUDED HIGHLIGHTS

• Escorted by a professional Tour Director
• Headsets for all guided visits and walking tours
• Enjoy the unique comfort of Insight’s Luxury air-conditioned 40 seat coach with extended leg room and on-board restroom
• Insight Hotels include all service charges, taxes and porterage
• Insight Traveller Welcome pack
• London Airport transfer service available - conditions apply.

INCLUDED QUALITY DINING

• A Welcome Reception with light buffet meal (WR)
• Choose from a selection of local restaurants in Lucerne (DA)
• Enjoy an end-of-tour Celebration Dinner with wine in a Parisian restaurant (CD)
• 7 Buffet Breakfasts (BB) and 1 three-course table d’hôte Dinner, or Buffet, plus tea or coffee (D)

NSIGHT VACATIONS European Breakaway ITINERARY

Tour Pace

This is a well paced tour with two night stays in Amsterdam, Lucerne and Paris, allowing plenty of time for in depth sightseeing. The only one night stay is in the delightful Rhineland region of Germany. Comfortable driving days with frequent stops.

Day 1 - LONDON – AMSTERDAM

Meet your Tour Director and drive to Dover for the channel crossing to Calais. Follow the coast across “Flanders fair fields” to enter Belgium, past medieval Bruges and the port of Antwerp. Then enter the Netherlands and see the first of the windmills on the way to lively Amsterdam. Tonight, enjoy a Welcome Reception with drink and a light meal, followed by time to relax and explore.

Meals: Welcome Reception

Day 2 - AMSTERDAM SIGHTSEEING – VOLENDAM EXCURSION

An orientation tour reveals the Mint Tower, Dam Square and Royal Palace. Then board a special sightseeing boat to cruise under low bridges, past the canal-side mansions built by wealthy merchants. This afternoon choose an included drive through the pleasant Dutch countryside to the traditional fishing village of Volendam, situated on what was once the Zuider Zee. This is followed by a photo-stop at one of the windmills and a visit to a cheese farm and ‘Klompenhuis’, where wooden clogs are made. Alternatively enjoy an afternoon at leisure to visit the Rijksmuseum or the Anne Frank House. Back in Amsterdam round off the day with a visit to a diamond cutting factory, whose industry dates back to the 16th century.

Meals: Buffet Breakfast

Day 3 - AMSTERDAM – RHINE CRUISE – RHINELAND

Leave Amsterdam bound for Germany. Pass Arnhem, renowned for its ‘Bridge Too Far’, then cross the Ruhr Basin to head for the Romantic Rhine Gorge. Time to explore the quaint wine village of Boppard before taking to the water for a delightful cruise past fortified towns and leafy vineyards. Pass the twin strongholds of the ‘Enemy Brothers’, the Cat and Mouse castles and hear the legend of the Loreley Rock. Rejoin the coach at St. Goar and continue to the town of Mannheim.

Meals: Buffet Breakfast / Dinner

Day 4 - RHINELAND – HEIDELBERG - BLACK FOREST – LUCERNE

Enjoy some time this morning in the city of the ‘Student Prince’, to view the ruined cliff top castle. Take the scenic route along the Rhine Valley to the ancient city of Freiburg, before climbing into the heart of the Black Forest, home of the cuckoo clock industry. Enjoy an informative presentation on their origins and see how these clocks are made, then continue past Lake Titisee and cross the Swiss border. See the Rhine River thundering over the Rhine Falls before driving via Zurich to lake-side Lucerne. Check into your hotel, shop for chocolate or a special timepiece, and consider joining an optional Swiss Fondue Party in the evening.

Meals: Buffet Breakfast

Day 5 - LUCERNE SIGHTSEEING

See Lucerne’s proud Lion Monument, carved into a limestone cliff and dedicated to the Swiss Guards who died defending the King during the French Revolution. Take time to stroll across the covered Chapel Bridge and see the baroque Jesuit church. Later, embark on an exhilarating ride by cog-wheel train and cable-car to the summit of Mount Pilatus. Admire the stunning panorama of snow-capped peaks – including the Eiger and Jungfrau – before descending over mountain crags and pine forests back to terra firma. For dinner tonight, choose your own style of cuisine from our selection of restaurants.

Meals: Buffet Breakfast / Dine Around

Day 6 - LUCERNE – PARIS

Leaving the Alpine region, cross the Rhine at Basel and continue into France. Travel past the fortified town of Belfort and along the forested ridges of the Jura Mountains to Burgundy. Continue through leafy vineyards and past the forests of Fontainebleau to arrive in the glittering French capital of Paris. Tonight enjoy wine and good company with an end-of-tour Celebration Dinner at a Parisian restaurant.

Meals: Buffet Breakfast / Celebration Dinner

Day 7 - PARIS SIGHTSEEING

Sightseeing with a local guide takes you by the Île de la Cité to see Notre Dame Cathedral with its famous tale of Quasimodo. Then visit one of the world’s best known art collections. Your guide leads you through the galleries of the Louvre to see the Venus de Milo, Winged Victory, Mona Lisa and many more priceless works amassed over the ages by the Kings of France. Sightseeing continues past Garnier’s splendid Opera House. See the obelisk in the centre of the Place de la Concorde and drive along the grand Champs Élysées to the Arc de Triomphe. Ascend to the viewing platforms of the Eiffel Tower for spectacular views of the city. Then you are at leisure. Tonight, perhaps visit one of the world-famous cabaret shows for an evening of excitement and glamour?

Meals: Buffet Breakfast

Day 8 - PARIS – LONDON

Cross the World War One battlefields of the Somme to arrive at the port of Calais for your return Channel crossing to England. The white cliffs of Dover will welcome you as you sail back into England. From here it’s a short drive through the Kent countryside to London, where your tour comes to an end.

Meals: Buffet Breakfast
 

Most Insight tours already include a host of bonus highlights and comprehensive sightseeing. There may also be an exciting array of optional excursions which will turn an already amazing experience into the trip of a lifetime! These are entirely optional and can be booked through your Tour Director/Local Representative at the commencement of your tour.

AALSMEER FLOWER AUCTIONS

Each day, 19 million flowers and 2 million plants are sold at 'Bloemenveiling Aalsmeer'. This is the world's largest flower auction and you will experience the excitement of a live 'Dutch auction' from a specially designed viewing gallery. You will be dazzled by the millions of flowers being prepared for export.
Adult Price: EURO 21
Code: AMS01

DUTCH BULBFIELDS

Holland's Bollenstreek (bulb district) is a short drive from Amsterdam and is a seasonal delight. In the spring and summer months, millions of Dutch tulip, hyacinth and daffodil bulbs erupt into a riot of colour from their orderly rows. The entrance fee is included. (This excursion is only available in season).
Adult Price: EURO 29
Code: AMS02

DUTCH DINNER AND SAILOR S QUARTER

Tonight we dine in a beautiful historic restaurant which offers a wide selection of food and beverages. After dinner we'll take a guided walk through the famous 'Sailors Quarter' of the city.
Adult Price: EURO 56
Code: AMS05

LAKE LUCERNE HAPPY HOUR CRUISE

Widely considered to be the loveliest of the mountain lakes, much of the shoreline of Lake Lucerne can only be fully appreciated from the water. Admire the spectacular homes of the fortunate few, privileged to live on its scenic shores, as we cruise gently by. Two drinks will be served during the trip.
Adult Price: CHF 47
Code: LCR01AC

SWISS EVENING

Enjoy a tasty Swiss meal (one of the courses will be the famous Swiss cheese fondue) in a typical restaurant. Whilst you enjoy dinner, join in the fun of a lively folklore show which includes yodelling, flag throwing, Alpenhorn blowing and other great Swiss entertainment. Drinks are included.
Adult Price: CHF 98
Code: LCR05C

CARRIAGES AND COUNTRYSIDE

A chance to meet the Swiss, as local farmers take us on a delightful countryside tour in horse-drawn carriages. Enjoy stunning scenery as we trot around a typical rural community, en route to a local farm where local drinks and snacks will be served.
Adult Price: CHF 66
Code: LCR14C

SEINE CRUISE ILLUMINATIONS

After our leisurely Seine Cruise we take a magical tour of the 'city of light'.
Adult Price: EURO 32
Code: PAR02

MONTMARTRE VILLAGE AND ARTISTS SQUARE

Dominated by the soaring Sacré Coeur Basilica with spectacular city views, all will be discovered with our local guide as we journey via mini-train to this hilltop village of narrow winding streets, unusual galleries, boutiques and the world famous Place du Tertre. Once home to Toulouse Lautrec, Picasso, and Utrillo; today you can browse for original art. Enjoy free time to explore and experience the real flavour of Montmartre life.
Adult Price: EURO 35
Code: PAR17

MOULIN ROUGE

Dinner and cabaret at the world famous Moulin Rouge – the original Parisian cabaret – immortalized by the recent award winning film!
Adult Price: EURO 145
Code: PAR24