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

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
• London Airport transfer service available

INCLUDED HIGHLIGHTS

• Amsterdam: Cruise the waterways in a glass-topped boat. See Dam Square, the Royal Palace and Mint Tower. Witness a demonstration of diamond cutting
• Boppard: Explore the quaint Romantic Rhine Gorge village.
• Rhine Cruise: Past villages, vineyards and cliff-top castles.
• Heidelberg: See the red sandstone castle.
• Füssen: See the fairy-tale castle of Neuschwanstein.
• Innsbruck: See the Golden Roof and Imperial Palace.
• Verona: See the ancient Roman Arena and Juliet’s Balcony.
• Venice: Cruise, with commentary, to St Mark’s Square. See the Doges’ Palace, Bridge of Sighs and St Mark’s BasilicaEnjoy a gondola serenade along the atmospheric canalsVenetian glass-blowing demonstration.
• 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 visit to the Louvre MuseumSee Notre Dame Cathedral, 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: Fern Pass, Europa Bridge, Brenner Pass and St Gotthard.

INCLUDED QUALITY DINING

• A Welcome Reception with light meal (WR)
• Choose from a selection of Lucerne’s restaurants for your dining pleasure (DA)
• Enjoy an end-of-tour Celebration Dinner with wine in a Parisian restaurant (CD)
• 10 Buffet Breakfasts (BB), 2 three-course table d’hôte Dinners, or Buffets, plus tea or coffee (D)
 

INSIGHT VACATIONS European Spotlight ITINERARY

Day 1 - LONDON – AMSTERDAM

After a warm welcome from your Tour Director this morning, drive to the famous white cliffs of Dover to cross the English Channel by ferry. Disembark at Calais and follow the coast into Belgium past the port of Antwerp. After entering the Netherlands, see the first of the windmills on your way to Amsterdam. Tonight, enjoy a Welcome Reception with drink and a light meal, followed by time to relax and explore.

Hotel: Mövenpick City Centre

Meals: Welcome Reception

Day 2 - AMSTERDAM SIGHTSEEING

Take an orientation tour past the Mint Tower, floating Flower Market and Royal Palace in Dam Square. Then board a special canal cruiser to glide under low bridges, past the magnificent gabled mansions of the 17th century merchants. After a demonstration of diamonds being cut and polished, the afternoon is at leisure. Perhaps enjoy an excursion to the picturesque village of Volendam.

Meals: Buffet Breakfast

Day 3 - AMSTERDAM – RHINE GORGE – RHINELAND

Pass Arnhem, renowned for its ‘Bridge Too Far’, before crossing the German border bound for the Romantic Rhine. Take time to explore the lovely little village of Boppard, nestled on the largest loop of the Rhine, before embarking on your scenic cruise. Drift past steep leafy vineyards, medieval hill top castles and hear the legend of the Loreley Rock. Rejoin your coach and head for Ladenburg on the Bertha Benz Memorial Route.

Hotel: Leonardo

Meals: Buffet Breakfast / Dinner

Day 4 - RHINELAND – INNSBRUCK

Follow the Neckar river to nearby Heidelberg, known for its castle and baroque style Old Town. Skirt the northern Black Forest and head for the rolling Bavarian Alps. Stop beneath the renowned royal castles of Hohenschwangau and King Ludwig’s fairy-tale Neuschwanstein. Once over the Austrian border continue to Innsbruck, capital of the Tyrol. Tour the architectural jewels of the city, seeing the Imperial Palace, delightful Golden Roof and the 14th century houses of the old town.

Hotel: Hilton

Meals: Buffet Breakfast

Day 5 - INNSBRUCK – VERONA – VENICE

Leave Innsbruck and travel across the impressive Europa Bridge, and cross the Brenner Pass into Italy. Follow the Adige River through spectacular scenery down to the great plain. Visit fascinating Verona, with its first century Roman Arena, maze of elegant squares and, of course, Juliet’s balcony. Now on to glorious Venice, ‘Queen of the Adriatic’.

Hotel: Bellini

Meals: Buffet Breakfast / Dinner

Day 6 - VENICE SIGHTSEEING

Relax on a private launch as it cruises past the island of San Giorgio before alighting at St Mark’s Square. Stroll along the water’s edge to see the Bridge of Sighs which connects the Doges’ Palace with the prisons. It was from here that Casanova made his daring escape! See St Mark’s Basilica and bell tower before watching one of the few remaining craftsmen hand-blow Venetian glass. A visit to Venice would be incomplete without a gondola serenade. Glide along the atmospheric canals exploring the intimate and hidden parts of this unique city while musicians set the mood with traditional songs. Now enjoy free time for your own pursuits.

Meals: Buffet Breakfast

Day 7 - VENICE – LUCERNE

Travel through some of the richest farmland in Europe as you cross northern Italy. Glimpse the beautiful Italian Lake District as you continue into the heart of the Swiss Alps, through St. Gotthard then alongside towering mountains and past rushing torrents, down to scenic Lake Lucerne.

Hotel: Astoria

Meals: Buffet Breakfast

Day 8 - LUCERNE SIGHTSEEING

Walk with your Tour Director to visit the emotive Lion Monument. Then spend time shopping in the traffic-free Old Town, or stroll across the Chapel Bridge to the ornate Jesuit Church. Later, embark on a highlight excursion by cog-wheel train and cable-car to the summit of one of Switzerland’s most famous mountains, Mount Pilatus. Admire the views over the snow-capped Jungfrau and Eiger peaks before returning to Lucerne. This evening, get together with your friends and choose from our selection of restaurants for your dining pleasure.

Meals: Buffet Breakfast / Dine Around

Day 9 - LUCERNE – PARIS

Drive to Basel before crossing the Rhine to enter France. Travel through the wine-growing Burgundy region to Paris, the vibrant heart of French life. This evening enjoy good food, wine and company at an end-of-tour Celebration Dinner in a typical Parisian bistro.

Hotel: Le Méridien Etoile

Meals: Buffet Breakfast / Celebration Dinner

Day 10 - PARIS SIGHTSEEING

Sightseeing with a local guide takes you by Notre Dame Cathedral with its famous tale of Quasimodo. Then visit perhaps the best known art collection in the world. 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. Drive now from the Place de la Concorde, down the Champs Élysées to the Arc de Triomphe. Ascend to the viewing platforms of the Eiffel Tower for panoramic vistas over the city. The afternoon is at leisure to enjoy at our own pace.

Meals: Buffet Breakfast

Day 11 - 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. After a short drive through the pretty Kent countryside, the tour ends in London.

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.

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

VOLENDAM WINDMILL VISIT AND DUTCH COUNTRYSIDE

In the 18th century there were approximately 700 windmills in use in this area. Today, only 5 are left. We visit a typical Dutch windmill and the picturesque village of Volendam. Volendam is renowned for its wooden houses, traditional fishing boats and old harbour. Renoir and Picasso both spent time in this picturesque fishing village and some of the residents still wear the traditional Dutch clothing.
Adult Price: EURO 24
Code: AMS13

TYROLEAN EVENING

Enjoy a lively evening of traditional entertainment, featuring dancers in national costume, yodelling and entertainment typical of the life, crafts and traditions of the Tyrolean people. Two drinks are included.
Adult Price: EURO 41
Code: INN01

TYROLEAN HORSE CARRIAGE RIDE

We visit a typical mountain village and then enjoy a horse-drawn carriage ride which takes us through the mountains and valleys of the Tyrol. We make a stop in a quaint tavern for a drink, before returning to Innsbruck.
Adult Price: EURO 35
Code: INN07

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

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.
Adult Price: EURO 65
Code: VCE02

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).
Adult Price: EURO 45
Code: VCE06

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.
Adult Price: EURO 26
Code: VCE09