European Classic

This classic route through Europe is a great way to get from Greece to Great Britain with a touch of 'la dolce vita' along the way.

INSIGHT VACATIONS EUROPEAN CLASSIC - Premium Highlights
 

INCLUDED FIRST CLASS SERVICES

• 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

INCLUDED HIGHLIGHTS

• Cruising: Visit the Greek Islands of Mykonos, Patmos, Santorini, plus the Turkish port of Kusadasi.

• Sorrento: Cruise to the Isle of Capri. Ride into Capri town by open top taxi (weather permitting) and funicular railway.

• Pompeii: A guided tour of the ill fated Roman resort.

• Rome: Visit the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and St Peter’s Basilica. Overlook the Forum and visit the Colosseum

• Venice: See the Doges’ Palace, Bridge of Sighs and St Mark’s Basilica. Enjoy a gondola serenade along the canals.

• Florence: Enjoy views from Piazzale Michelangelo then a guide shows you Signoria Square, the Duomo and Baptistery. See the original Statue of ‘David’ in the Academy Museum.

• Pisa: See the Leaning Tower.

• Monaco: Visit the playground of the rich and famous.

• Lucerne: See Chapel Bridge, Lion Monument & Jesuit Church. Cog-wheel train and cable-car ride to the top of Mount Pilatus.

• Paris: A guided tour of the Louvre. Ascend the Eiffel Tower. See Notre Dame, Place de la Concorde and Arc de Triomphe.

INCLUDED QUALITY DINING

• Enjoy a Greek Evening and Dinner with entertainment whilst cruising (HD)

• A Dine-Around Evening in Lucerne - where you are invited to choose from a selection of local restaurants (DA)

• End-of-tour Celebration Dinner with wine in a Parisian bistro (CD)
 

ITINERARY INSIGHT VACATIONS EUROPEAN CLASSIC TOUR

Tour Pace

This grand tour has many two night stays in the major cities and is well paced. There is a relaxing break in the middle of the itinerary with the three day Greek Island cruise. All the travelling days have frequent stops.

Day 1 - ATHENS

Transfer to your tour hotel. Welcome Drink.

Hotel: Divani Caravel

Day 2 - ATHENS

Athens sightseeing with visit to the Parthenon.

Meals: Buffet Breakfast

Day 3 - CRUISING

Mykonos.

Meals: Buffet Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner / Supper

Day 4 - CRUISING

Kusadasi and Patmos.

Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Highlight Dinner / Supper

Day 5 - CRUISING

Santorini.

Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner / Supper

Day 6 - ATHENS – OVERNIGHT BOAT

Disembark in Athens. Cross the Corinth Canal. Board overnight ferry.

Meals: Breakfast / Dinner

Day 7 - OVERNIGHT BOAT – SORRENTO

Disembark in Ancona and drive to Sorrento.

Hotel: La Pace

Meals: Buffet Breakfast / Dinner

Day 8 - SORRENTO

Visit the Isle of Capri.

Meals: Buffet Breakfast

Day 9 - SORRENTO – ROME

Via Pompeii.

Hotel: Romanico Palace

Meals: Buffet Breakfast

Day 10 - ROME

Rome sightseeing with Vatican Museums and Colosseum.

Meals: Buffet Breakfast

Day 11 - ROME – VENICE

Hotel: Continental

Meals: Buffet Breakfast / Dinner

Day 12 - VENICE

Venice gondola serenade.

Meals: Buffet Breakfast

Day 13 - VENICE – FLORENCE

Travel via the Brenta Canal to Florence.

Hotel: NH Anglo American

Meals: Buffet Breakfast / Dinner

Day 14 - FLORENCE

Sightseeing in Florence includes a visit to the Statue of David in the Academy Museum.

Meals: Buffet Breakfast

Day 15 - FLORENCE – PISA – NICE

Via Pisa and Monaco.

Hotel: Radisson Blu

Meals: Buffet Breakfast

Day 16 - NICE AT LEISURE

Enjoy a day on the French Riviera.

Meals: Buffet Breakfast

Day 17 - NICE – LUCERNE

Visit a French perfumery.

Hotel: Renaissance Lucerne

Meals: Buffet Breakfast

Day 18 - LUCERNE

Ascend Mount Pilatus and enjoy an orientation tour of Lucerne.

Meals: Buffet Breakfast / Dine Around

Day 19 - LUCERNE – PARIS

Hotel: Pullman Paris Bercy

Meals: Buffet Breakfast / Celebration Dinner

Day 20 - PARIS

Visit Lourve. Paris guided tour. Ascend the Eiffel Tower.

Meals: Buffet Breakfast

Day 21 - PARIS – LONDON

Meals: Buffet Breakfast
 

Your Insight tour already includes a host of bonus highlights and comprehensive sightseeing. However, there is 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. All prices are quoted in local currency. Payment can be made in cash or by Visa, Mastercard or American Express. To help your pre-tour budgeting we suggest you allow approximately EURO 45 per person per day for optional excursions.

ATH22 - CAPE SOUNION
Cape Sounion is the Southernmost tip of the Attica Peninsula in Greece, site of the first lighthouse and the ruins of the Temple of Poseidon. Steeped in Greek History, this is one of the most famous and picturesque places in Greece. EURO 37

ATH79 - TRADITIONAL GREEK TAVERNA MEAL IN THE PLAKA
The lively Plaka is within walking distance from most of the central Athens hotels and it is here that we enjoy excellent traditional Greek food, music and dance. Wine, beer and soft drinks are included. (Casual dress) EURO 52

SHORE EXCURSIONS
Optional shore excursions will be offered while on your cruise. Full details of the excursions listed below will be provided by your representative in Greece or on embarkation of your cruise. The shore excursions are arranged by Louis Cruises, and Insight is not able to intervene with regard to any purchases made at shops visited on these excursions. An Insight Representative will be available on the cruise ship but might not accompany groups on shore excursions.

MYK01 - MYKONOS WALKING TOUR
HALF DAY Adult: EURO 49 Child: EURO 33

KUS01 - EPHESUS & THE HOUSE OF VIRGIN MARY
HALF DAY Adult: EURO 65 Child: EURO 43

KUS02 - ANCIENT EPHESUS
HALF DAY Adult: EURO 62 Child: EURO 41

PAT01 - ST. JOHN'S MONASTERY & GROTTO OF THE APOCALYPSE
HALF DAY Adult: EURO 51 Child: EURO 31

PAT02 - SCENIC ISLAND TOUR
HALF DAY Adult: EURO 39 Child: EURO 25

HER02 - KNOSSOS PALACE
HALF DAY Adult: EURO 58 Child: EURO 39

HER04 - A TASTE OF CRETE Adult: EURO 54 Child: EURO 27

SAN01A - EXCURSION TO OIA VILLAGE Adult: EURO 55 Child: EURO 35

SAN02 - SANTORINI SAILING & VOLCANO
HALF DAY Adult: EURO 55 Child: EURO 28

SRR08A - AMALFI COAST DRIVE & POSITANO VISIT
A drive along Italy's stunning Amalfi Coast brings us to Positano. This sun-drenched artist's resort is the 'Pearl of Amalfi'. Spend time exploring the elegant shops, watching the artist's at work, or enjoying an 'aperitivo' in a beachside cafe. Now continue into the hills above Sorrento to a typical Sorrentino farm. Here with a local family, surrounded by lemon tree's and olive groves, we enjoy the delights of the 'Bay of Naples', including the famous Mozarella and other local specialties. Don't forget to try the homemade Limoncello.... Buonissimo! EURO 65

ROM05 - DINNER IN ROME AND ILLUMINATIONS
We begin with a visit to a local 'ristorante' to try a selection of Roman dishes prepared in the Roman way. Drinks such as wine, beer and soft drinks are included. After a delicious meal accompanied by music, we take you to see Rome beautifully illuminated. Our journey takes us past sights including the Colosseum, Piazza Venezia and Michelangelo's 'Cordonata' to name but a few. A night not to be missed. EURO 57

ROM16 - PIAZZA & FOUNTAINS
This walking tour takes you to the Trevi Fountain and Piazza Navona with its pavement cafes, 17th century fountains and architecture. Perhaps have your portrait painted by one of the street artists! This tour is conducted by a local guide and you will utilise personal headsets. EURO 32

ROM20 - CATACOMBS OF ANCIENT ROME
First we visit the Catacombs which are early Christian underground cemeteries carved out of soft tufa stone. Next; a visit to the Basilica of St Paul without the Walls, built on the site of St Paul's tomb. Visit the interior which is celebrated for its great works of art. EURO 34

VCE06 - MAGICAL VENICE
This evening we board our private boats for a cruise down the famous "Grand Canal", past illuminated palazzi and twinkling chandeliers, to the romantic St Mark's Square. We have reservations in a famous café where we sit under the stars listening to the orchestra play some of Italy's best loved music (One drink is included). EURO 45

VCE09 - HIDDEN VENICE
An historical walk, with a local guide, through some of the lesser known quarters of Venice. Discover some of the secrets of other quarters of the Venetian labyrinth. Your experience will be enhanced by the use of individual headsets. EURO 26

VCE02 - BURANO EXCURSION & LUNCH
Explore the Venetian lagoon on our cruise around the islands including the colourful island of Burano - a photographer's paradise and famous for its lace. Then enjoy a superb lunch sampling the local specialities. An excursion not to be missed! Lunch may be replaced with a dinner. EURO 65

FLO03 - DINNER IN THE TUSCAN HILLS
One not to miss - a fabulous Tuscan gastronomic experience awaits you. We drive to a specially chosen restaurant for an evening to remember with beautiful food and wine. Viva Italia! EURO 57

FLO09 - SAN GIMIGNANO EXCURSION
A delightful excursion to Tuscany's most famous hilltop town. San Gimignano is considered the medieval Manhattan of Italy due to its towers which dominate the skyline. There is time to enjoy the atmosphere of this unchanged ancient jewel which has remained intact since the 14th century, and today is a UNESCO World Heritage town. EURO 31

FLO14 - DINNER AT LA CERTOSA
We enjoy a Tuscan dinner with wine in a private room overlooking the imposing Certosa monastery. The menu features local specialities and music is provided by local artists. At the end of the meal we can taste the famous liqueurs produced by the monks. (This tour is sometimes offered with an interior visit to the monastery). EURO 66

NCE08 - RIVIERA '3 CORNICHES' & DINNER
We take a spectacular scenic drive along the Riviera to the 'Three Corniches' and enjoy breathtaking views along perhaps the most beautiful coast in Europe. We reach the 'Grand Corniche' and stop for a sweeping panorama over the Mediterranean coastline. We continue to our restaurant where we enjoy a dinner of local specialities from the region. (Drinks included). EURO 65

NCE01 - ST PAUL DE VENCE
A drive along the famous Cote d'Azur to the medieval hilltop town of St Paul de Vence. It was a source of inspiration for artists such as Chagall, Matisse and Cezanne and you will understand why as you wander through the cobbled streets and enjoy the panoramic views over Provence. EURO 19

LCR01A - 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. EURO 38

LCR05 - 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. EURO 74

LCR14 - CARRIAGES & 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. EURO 45

PAR02 - SEINE CRUISE & ILLUMINATIONS
After our leisurely Seine Cruise we take a magical tour of the 'city of light'. EURO 32

PAR27 - DINNER, SEINE CRUISE & ILLUMINATIONS TOUR
An excellent dinner in a traditional Parisian Bistro is followed by a cruise along the River Seine to view famous sights from the Eiffel Tower to Notre Dame cathedral. The evening ends with a tour of the spectacular illuminations of Paris. EURO 78

PAR24 - MOULIN ROUGE
Dinner and cabaret at the world famous Moulin Rouge – the original Parisian cabaret – immortalized by the recent award winning film! EURO 145
NOUVELLE EVE - Dinner with wine included at one of the most prestigious cabarets in town. An evening of exciting acts, stunning tableaux and wonderful entertainment. EURO 125