Insight > European Grandeur

European Grandeur
31 Days starting from $6,850

Countries Visited:
England, France, Spain, Italy, Germany, Holland, Austria

 

Length: 31 Days
Type: First Class Tour
Category: European Discovery
Operator: Insight
Tour Code: E915
   
 
About This Tour


This tour is well planned. Nearly all stops are two nights in duration with only a small number of single night stops. As it is a long tour, there is a relaxing three-day break in Rome in the middle of the itinerary.

 
  • What's Included
  • Itinerary
  • Dates & Prices
  • Sightseeing
  • SPECIALS

Insight's First Class Services

  • Escorted by a professional Tour Director (hosted by Insight staff in London)
  • Luxury air-conditioned 40 seat coach with onboard toilet
  • Insight Hotels include all service charges, taxes and porterage
  • Insight Traveler document wallet, map book journal and information pack
  • London Airport arrival transfer Day 2 and departure transfer Day 31

Quality Dining

  • Dine-Around evening at your own choice of restaurant in Rome (DA)
  • 2 Continental (CB), 1 Full Breakfast (B) & 26 enhanced or Buffet Breakfasts (BB) and 8 three-course table d’hôte Dinners, or Buffets, plus tea or coffee (D)

31 Days ~ England ~ France ~ Spain ~ Italy ~ Austria ~ Liechtenstein
Switzerland ~ Germany ~ Holland ~ Belgium

Tour Pace
This tour is well planned. Nearly all stops are two nights in duration with only a small number of single night stops. As it is a long tour, there is a relaxing three-day break in Rome in the middle of the itinerary.

DAY 1 – SAT – DEPART USA
Overnight flight to London.

DAY 2 – SUN – ARRIVE LONDON
Welcome to London! On arrival you are transferred to your London tour hotel.
Hotel: Thistle Marble Arch.

DAY 3 – MON – LONDON SIGHTSEEING
Your half day sightseeing tour shows you Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament. The afternoon is at leisure to explore or shop. (B)

DAY 4 – TUE – LONDON – PARIS
Leave London and cross the Channel to Calais. View the Vimy Ridge Memorial en route to Paris where you can enjoy a Welcome Drink.
Hotel: Paris Rive Gauche. (CB)

DAY 5 – WED – PARIS SIGHTSEEING
With a guide, see Notre Dame and drive along the Champs Élysées to the Arc de Triomphe. Ascend the Eiffel Tower and visit Napoleon’s tomb. (BB)

DAY 6 – THU – PARIS – BORDEAUX
Visit the magnificent Château of Chenonceau in the Loire Valley. Continue through the famous vineyards to Bordeaux au Lac.
Hotel: Sofitel Aquitania. (BB,D)

DAY 7 – FRI – BORDEAUX – LOURDES
Drive to the little market town of Lourdes which has become a pilgrimage place of world renown. Visit the miraculous Grotto, drink the spring waters and join the torch light procession.
Hotel: Grand Hotel De La Grotte. (BB,D)

DAY 8 – SAT – LOURDES – MADRID
Cross the Pyrenees and Sierras to the heart of Spain and its capital, Madrid.
Hotel: NH Nacional. (BB)

DAY 9 – SUN – MADRID SIGHTSEEING
A local guide introduces all the major sights of Madrid. Take a Highlight tour of the elegant apartments of the Royal Palace. The afternoon is free. (BB)

DAY 10 – MON – MADRID – BARCELONA
Drive via the Castilian plain and Morata Pass to the bustling port of Barcelona.
Hotel: Melia. (BB)

DAY 11 – TUE – BARCELONA SIGHTSEEING
On a guided tour, see Gaudi’s Sagrada Familia, the Gothic Quarter, the port and the Ramblas, with its colorful flower stalls and markets. (BB)

DAY 12 – WED – BARCELONA – NICE
Cross the Camargue into the landscapes of Van Gogh’s beloved Provence and on to fashionable Nice on the French Riviera.
Hotel: Beau Rivage. (BB)

DAY 13 – THU – NICE
Visit the hilltop artists’ village of St Paul de Vence; take time to enjoy the views and craft shops before returning to Nice for time at leisure. (BB)

DAY 14 – FRI – NICE – TUSCANY
Visit a French perfumery and then elegant Monaco before travelling into Italy to see the Leaning Tower of Pisa.
Hotel: Nizza & Suisse. (BB,D)

DAY 15 – SAT – FLORENCE SIGHTSEEING
View Florence from Piazzale Michelangelo, before a local guide shows you the highlights of the city. Visit the open air gallery of Signoria Square, and see the Duomo and Baptistery with its ‘Gates of Paradise’ Later, there is time to shop. (BB)

DAY 16 – SUN – TUSCANY – ROME
Drive to Siena and walk to the cathedral and the piazza where the Palio horse race takes place. Continue to Rome for a Dine-Around evening where your Tour Director offers a selection of restaurants to choose from.
Hotel: Grand Beverly Hills. (BB,DA)

DAY 17 – MON – ROME SIGHTSEEING
With a guide, visit the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican Museums. Also visit the vast St Peter’s Basilica, the mighty Colosseum and see the Roman Forum. (BB)

DAY 18 – TUE – ROME AT LEISURE
A day to relax or visit Pompeii and Sorrento. (BB)

DAY 19 – WED – ROME – ASSISI
Make the short journey northwards to Assisi, one of Italy's most beautiful mountain towns. Visit the huge Basilica of St. Francis.
Hotel: Grand Hotel. (BB,D)

DAY 20 – THU – ASSISI – VENICE
Cross the wild Apennines and the fertile Po Valley. Arrive in the magical Venetian lagoon and stay centrally on the island of Chioggia.
Hotel: Grande Italia. (BB,D)

DAY 21 – FRI – VENICE SIGHTSEEING
Take a private launch to St Mark’s Square to view the Bridge of Sighs, Doges’ Palace and the ornate St Mark’s Basilica. Watch Venetian glass being blown and enjoy a Highlight gondola ride through the canals. (BB)

DAY 22 – SAT – VENICE – VIENNA
Drive to Vienna via the Carinthian Lake District and through Styria to your hotel.
Hotel: Hilton Plaza. (BB)

DAY 23 – SUN – VIENNA SIGHTSEEING
Sightseeing includes a visit to the glorious Schönbrunn Palace and its gardens, before passing the Winter Palace, St Charles Church and City Hall. (BB)

DAY 24 – MON – VIENNA – INNSBRUCK
Drive to Salzburg for a guided tour seeing Mozart’s Birthplace, the Cathedral in the Old town and Mirabell Gardens. Continue to Innsbruck to visit the Wilten Basilica and see the Golden Roof and Imperial Palace.
Hotel: Innsbruck. (BB)

DAY 25 – TUE – INNSBRUCK – LUCERNE
Drive through the Arlberg Tunnel to Vaduz in Liechtenstein. Then enjoy a beautiful drive to lovely lakeside Lucerne in Switzerland.
Hotel: Astoria. (BB)

DAY 26 – WED – LUCERNE SIGHTSEEING
Sightseeing includes the Chapel Bridge and emotive Lion Monument before ascending nearby Mount Pilatus by cog-wheel railway and cable-car. (BB,D)

DAY 27 – THU – LUCERNE – RHINELAND
See the thundering Rhine Falls and travel through the Black Forest en route to Germany’s Rhineland.
Hotel: Hilton Mainz. (BB,D)

DAY 28 – FRI – RHINELAND – AMSTERDAM
Take a scenic cruise along the Rhine past leafy vineyards and hilltop castles. Later, stop in Cologne to see the soaring Gothic cathedral before continuing on to Amsterdam.
Hotel: Moevenpick City Centre. (BB,D)

DAY 29 – SAT – AMSTERDAM SIGHTSEEING
Visit a diamond factory and see the Royal Palace in Dam Square. See cheese and clogs being made and visit the fishing village of Volendam. (BB)

DAY 30 – SUN – AMSTERDAM – LONDON
Travel via Calais and Dover back to London.
Hotel: Thistle Marble Arch. (BB)

DAY 31 – MON – RETURN TO USA
Your tour ends with a transfer to the airport. (CB)


To speak to one of our live, experienced travel consultants, Call us now at 1-800-942-3301.

Airfare Disclaimer
A NOTE ABOUT AIRFARE: We encourage you to buy your airfare from the tour operator, because if your tour cancels then your airlines tickets will be covered. Purchasing flights separately at a lesser rate and incorporating it with a Non-Guaranteed Departure Date can result in loss of total cost of your flight investment. Depending on the fare rules, flights may be Non-Refundable and/or Non-Transferable. Neither the tour operator and/or Atlas Cruises & Tours will be held responsible for loss if a tour is cancelled for Lack of Participation. If you would like to check for discounted fares on Guaranteed Departures or for competitive pricing on air and hotel packages, we invite you to follow this link.

Documents
TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: Necessary Travel Documents such as Passports and Visas is the responsibility of the traveler. Passports must be valid six months from your return travel date.

         
Touring Date
Land Only
Land + Air
Single
(Land Only)
Single
(Land + Air)
9/13/2008 - 10/13/2008
$7,175
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9/20/2008 - 10/20/2008
$7,175
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4/18/2009 - 5/18/2009
$8,550
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4/25/2009 - 5/25/2009
$8,550
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5/2/2009 - 6/1/2009
$8,699
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5/9/2009 - 6/8/2009
$8,699
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5/16/2009 - 6/15/2009
$8,699
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5/23/2009 - 6/22/2009
$8,699
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5/30/2009 - 6/29/2009
$8,899
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6/6/2009 - 7/6/2009
$8,675
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6/13/2009 - 7/13/2009
$8,675
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6/20/2009 - 7/20/2009
$8,675
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6/27/2009 - 7/27/2009
$8,635
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7/4/2009 - 8/3/2009
$8,399
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7/11/2009 - 8/10/2009
$8,335
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7/18/2009 - 8/17/2009
$8,335
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7/25/2009 - 8/24/2009
$8,335
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8/1/2009 - 8/31/2009
$8,335
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8/8/2009 - 9/7/2009
$8,335
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8/15/2009 - 9/14/2009
$8,499
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8/22/2009 - 9/21/2009
$8,925
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8/29/2009 - 9/28/2009
$8,725
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9/5/2009 - 10/5/2009
$8,725
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9/12/2009 - 10/12/2009
$8,725
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9/19/2009 - 10/19/2009
$8,725
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9/26/2009 - 10/26/2009
$8,699
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Hotels
There is a selection of modern hotels, such as the Beau Rivage in Nice and the Melia in Barcelona, as well more traditional hotels such as the Nizza & Suisse in Montecatini and the elegant Grande Italia on Chioggia island, Venetian lagoon.

Fellow Passengers
This tour is popular with visitors from the southern hemisphere who don’t get the chance to visit Europe often. This is a comprehensive tour which allows them to see everything in one go.

Highlights
This extensive tour has a vast array of highlights, including Madrid’s Royal Palace, Chenonceau Chateau and the torch-light procession in Lourdes. Plus there are stunning vistas from the Eiffel Tower and Mount Pilatus.

Enjoy our Premium Highlights plus these extra tour features

Excursions & Sights

  • See all the sights of London’s West End
  • View of the Vimy Ridge Memorial
  • See Notre Dame Cathedral & Arc de Triomphe
  • Scenic Loire Valley drive
  • See the Cervantes Monument, Puerta del Sol & Cibeles Fountain in Madrid
  • See the Eixample District, Sagrada Familia, Gothic Quarter and Ramblas in Barcelona
  • Scenic drive across the Camargue
  • See the leaning tower of Pisa Skyline view over Florence and see Signoria Square, Santa Croce, Duomo & Baptistery
  • See the Cathedral & Fountain of Joy in Siena’s Piazza del CampoVisit St Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican City
  • Visit the Basilica of St Francis in Assisi
  • Cruise to St Mark’s Square to see the Doges’ Palace, Bridge of Sighs & Basilica in Venice
  • Drive along Vienna’s Ring Road to see the Parliament, Winter Palace & Opera House
  • See Mozart’s Birthplace and walk through Salzburg’s Old Town to the Cathedral Square
  • See the Golden Roof and Imperial Palace & visit the Wilten Basilica in Innsbruck
  • See Vaduz Castle in Liechtenstein
  • View Lucerne’s Lion Monument & Chapel Bridge
  • See the Rhine Falls
  • Black Forest drive
  • See Cologne Cathedral
  • Visit the fishing village of Volendam
  • See Amsterdam’s Mint Tower & Dam SquareDemonstrations of diamond cutting & polishing, cheese & clog making in Holland,Venetian glass-blowing, Florentine leather-work & a French perfumery visit

Guided City Tours

  • In-depth sightseeing tours with audio headsets where appropriate in London, Paris, Madrid, Barcelona, Florence, Rome, Assisi, Vienna & Salzburg
  • Orientation tours in Bordeaux, Lourdes, Monaco, Siena, , Venice, Innsbruck, Liechtenstein, Lucerne, Cologne & Amsterdam

Insight's First Class Services

  • Escorted by a professional Tour Director (hosted by Insight staff in London)
  • Luxury air-conditioned 40 seat coach with onboard toilet
  • Insight Hotels include all service charges, taxes and porterage
  • Insight Traveler document wallet, map book journal and information pack
  • London Airport arrival transfer Day 2 and departure transfer Day 31

Quality Dining

  • Dine-Around evening at your own choice of restaurant in Rome (DA)
  • 2 Continental (CB), 1 Full Breakfast (B) & 26 enhanced or Buffet Breakfasts (BB) and 8 three-course table d’hôte Dinners, or Buffets, plus tea or coffee (D)

CURRENT SPECIALS:

Great Savings and Discounts

EARLY PAYMENT DISCOUNTS

SAVE UP TO 10%: Insight sells its tours in many countries worldwide so the most popular tours fill very quickly. Don’t be disappointed, book early! You’ll be assured of the tours you want, andthe earlier you pay, the more you SAVE!

Here’s how...

Pay 4 months prior to tour departure date to SAVE 2.5%

Pay 7 months prior to tour departure date to SAVE 5%

Pay 10 months prior to tour departure date to SAVE 7.5%

Pay 12 months prior to tour departure date to SAVE 10%

Tours must be paid in full for this discount to apply. Discounts apply to the land-only portion of your tour. Tour prices may change in future brochures. Exceptions: 1. Does not apply to additional accommodation, airfares or flight supplements, Easy Pace London & Countryside, Easy Pace London & Paris, Easy Pace London, Paris & Rome, Egypt tours, Israel tours, Jordan tours, the 3 Night Greek Island Cruise & Athens Extension, and Greek tours which include a Mediterranean cruise. 2. Does not apply to tours with River Cruises.

FAMILY SAVINGS

YOUNG TRAVELLERS SAVE 10% AGED 5-17 YEARS :Travel broadens the mind and enhances those special relationships. Insight offers you the opportunity of

sharing your happy holiday memories with your children or grandchildren. This discount applies to the Land Only portion of your tour. Young Travellers must be under the age of 18 years old on the tour departure date, and MUST be accompanied by an adult (limit of one Young Traveller Discount per room). On all escorted tours, children under 5 years old are NOT accepted. The Young Traveller must be the specified age at the time of travel to be eligible for this discount. This discount cannot be combined with our Groups Discount. Exceptions: 1. Does not apply to additional accommodation, airfares or flight supplements, Easy Pace London & Countryside, Easy Pace London & Paris, Easy Pace London, Paris & Rome, Egypt tours, Israel tours, Jordan tours, the 3 Night Greek Island Cruise & Athens Extension,

and Greek tours which include a Mediterranean cruise. 2. Does not apply to tours with River Cruises.

GROUP DISCOUNTS

5 OR MORE – SAVE 5%: If a group of 5 to 8 people travel together a discount of 5% per person applies to the Land Only portion of your tour. So it pays to get together with your family and friends!

SAVE $$$ FOR 9 OR MORE : If you have a group of 9 or more people travelling together on the same scheduled tour, then you automatically qualify for big savings! Your savings will be determined by the number of people travelling so ask call for details. You may also reserve a tour departure exclusively for your group! Some restrictions apply. Please contact our Groups Department 1-866-475-7023.

These discounts cannot be combined with Frequent Traveller, Family Savings or Triple Room Discounts. To qualify, names of all passengers travelling must be advised to Insight at the time of booking. Exceptions: 1. Does not apply to additional accommodation, airfares or flight supplements, Easy Pace London & Countryside, Easy Pace London & Paris, Easy Pace London, Paris & Rome, Egypt tours, Israel tours, Jordan tours, the 3 Night Greek Island Cruise & Athens Extension,

and Greek tours which include a Mediterranean cruise. 2. Does not apply to tours with River Cruises.  

SINGLE TRAVELLER SAVING

SAVE UP TO $2850 PER PERSON with Insight’s Room Mate Matching service Insight believes travelling solo should not cost you more! That’s why for people travelling alone on an Insight coach tour, we'll match you with someone of the same gender, so you don't have to pay the single room supplement. If we fail to match you, we'll provide a single room at no extra cost. Please note there is a no-smoking policy in all shared rooms. Exceptions: 1. Does not apply to additional accommodation, airfares or flight supplements, Easy Pace London & Countryside, Easy Pace London & Paris, Easy Pace London, Paris & Rome, Egypt tours, Israel tours, Jordan tours, the 3 Night Greek Island Cruise & Athens Extension, and Greek tours which include a Mediterranean cruise. 2. Does not apply to tours with River Cruises. 3. Does not apply to Irish Elegance.

TRIPLE ROOM DISCOUNTS: When three people travel together and share one room,

each of the three enjoys a discount off the tour price. See the Triple Room Reductions on the itinerary of your choice. This discount only applies to tours featuring the “Share a Triple Room” reduction on the itinerary pages. Note the third bed will, on occasions, be a foldaway.

FREQUENT TRAVELLER SAVING

SAVE 5% OFF YOUR NEXT TOUR: Most first-time travellers go on vacation with Insight again and again. In recognition of our loyal customers, Insight now extends to all clients automatic membership into our Premier Plus Club, as well as a 5% Discount off the Land portion of their next Insight trip. Insight’s Premier Plus Club & 5% Discount is not available retroactively. Only one voucher is available per person, per tour, per year and only one voucher can be redeemed against each further tour

booking. This discount cannot be combined with our Groups Discount.  Exceptions: 1. Does not apply to additional accommodation, airfares or flight supplements, Easy Pace London & Countryside, Easy Pace London & Paris, Easy Pace London, Paris & Rome, Egypt tours, Israel tours, Jordan tours, the 3 Night Greek Island Cruise & Athens Extension, and Greek tours which include a Mediterranean cruise.

EXTRA TOUR DISCOUNTS

SAVE $$$ON YOUR 2ND TOUR: Book two Insight vacations, each 7 days or longer and you will receive a reduction of 5%off the cheaper of the two tours. Both tours must be booked at the same time. This discount is per person.

COMPLIMENTARY TRANSFERS: Save up to $135 per couple on LONDON taxi fares

FREE LONDON RETURN : Passengers taking the 'Land only' option on our Discovery

tours may return to London by Insight motorcoach at NO EXTRA CHARGE, instead of departing from Paris. Offer applies to the final day of the following Discovery tours:  E920, E910, E933, E914, E912, E913, E916 & G916. Accommodations will be

required, as arrival in London is late afternoon/early evening.

SMALL GROUPS ADVANTAGE : Many tour operators fill their tours with up to 53 passengers. This means more congestion and less leg room on the coach as seats are configured more closely. At Insight we have a

maximum of only 40 guests per tour.

INSIGHT'S GUARANTEES

PRICE GUARANTEE: With Insight, you don’t need to worry about currency fluctuations. Once we receive your full deposit, your land tour price is guaranteed and protected against any increases. (Excludes pre-registration for tours in future brochures and any imposed fuel surcharges or Government Taxes.

TOUR GUARANTEE FOR LAND TRAVEL: To assist you when booking our airline offers and taking our great early payment savings, Insight has designated a large number of tours which we guarantee will operate on the scheduled date, unless circumstances occur beyond our control. Look for Tour Guarantee (TG symbol) on the itinerary of your choice indicating applicable dates. All other featured departures are planned to operate however, for operational reasons, may be subject to re- scheduling with at least 50 days notice (between May 1st & September 30th).


   
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