Insight > European Explorer

European Explorer
23 Days starting from $5,335

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

 

Length: 23 Days
Type: First Class Tour
Category: European Discovery
Operator: Insight
Tour Code: E913
   
 
About This Tour


This tour has a leisurely pace with two-night stays in the eight key cities and overnight stays in the Rhineland, Nordlingen and Innsbruck. Travelling days are well balanced, with frequent stops and plenty of time to properly explore Europe.

 
  • What's Included
  • Itinerary
  • Dates & Prices
  • Sightseeing Highlights
  • 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
  • Airport arrival transfer Day 2 and departure transfer in Paris on Day 23

Quality Dining

  • Dine-Around evening at your own choice of restaurant in Rome (DA)
  • 1 Continental (CB), 1 Full Breakfast (B) & 19 enhanced or Buffet Breakfasts (BB) and 6 three-course table d’hôte dinners, or Buffets, plus tea or coffee (D)

23 Days ~ England ~ Belgium ~ Holland
Germany ~ Austria ~ Italy ~ France ~ Switzerland

Tour Pace
This tour has a leisurely pace with two-night stays in the eight key cities and overnight stays in the Rhineland, Nördlingen and Innsbruck. Travelling days are well balanced, with frequent stops and plenty of time to properly explore Europe.

DAY 1 – DEPART USA
Overnight flight to London.

DAY 2 – ARRIVE LONDON
Welcome to London! On arrival you are transferred to your London tour hotel.
Hotel: Crowne Plaza St James.

DAY 3 – 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 – LONDON – AMSTERDAM
Travel to Dover and cross the channel to Calais. Then it’s on through Belgium to Amsterdam to enjoy a Welcome Drink.
Hotel: Sofitel. (CB,D)

DAY 5 – AMSTERDAM SIGHTSEEING
Cross Dam Square and pass the Royal Palace to see diamonds being cut and polished. Travel into the countryside to watch cheese and clogs being made, before visiting the fishing village of Volendam. (BB)

DAY 6 – AMSTERDAM – RHINELAND
Head to Arnhem to view the ‘Bridge Too Far’ and cross the German border to see the soaring spires of Cologne Cathedral. Join a Highlight cruise on the finest stretch of the Rhine River before reaching your hotel.
Hotel: Hilton Mainz. (BB,D)

DAY 7 – RHINELAND – NöRDLINGEN
Visit Heidelberg’s ruined castle and see the world’s largest wine vat. Travel to medieval Rothenburg, on the Romantic Road, to admire the old houses, towers and gateways with your Tour Director. Stay in nearby Nördlingen.
Hotel: NH Kloesterle. (BB,D)

DAY 8 – NöRDLINGEN – INNSBRUCK
Head south to Munich to see the Olympic Stadium, visit the Marienplatz and its glockenspiel and see the Hofbrauhaus. Cross the Bavarian Alps into Austria and continue to mountain-ringed Innsbruck. Visit the Wilten Basilica and historic Old Town, where you will see its Golden Roof and Imperial Palace.
Hotel: Innsbruck. (BB,D)

DAY 9 – INNSBRUCK – VIENNA
Drive to Salzburg, for a guided tour. Walk through the Mirabell Gardens, see Mozart’s birthplace and the Cathedral in the old town. Continue past Mondsee Lake and along the Danube Valley to the elegant city of Vienna.
Hotel: Hilton Plaza/Hilton. (BB)

DAY 10 – VIENNA SIGHTSEEING
Visit the fabulous State Apartments of Schönbrunn Palace, once Maria Theresa's summer palace. Now tour the Ring Road seeing the Winter Palace, Parliament building, Opera House and City Hall. The afternoon is at leisure. (BB)

DAY 11 – VIENNA – VENICE
Cross the Semmering Pass and continue south past enchanting lakes and wooded countryside. Travel through the Carinthian Lake District into Italy. Your hotel is located on Venice’s fashionable Lido.
Hotel: Biasutti/Quattro Fontane. (BB)

DAY 12 – VENICE SIGHTSEEING
Take a private launch to St Mark’s Square to see the Doges’ Palace, Bridge of Sighs and ornate Basilica. See a demonstration of Venetian glass-blowing before taking a highlight ride in a traditional gondola through the silent canals. The afternoon is at leisure to relax and explore; perhaps try a seafood lunch. (BB)

DAY 13 – VENICE – ROME
Cross the Apennine Mountains into the Tuscan Hills and continue along the course of the Tiber to the ‘Eternal City’ of Rome. Tonight, enjoy a selection of ambience and local cuisine offered on your Dine-Around evening.
Hotel: Sheraton. (BB,DA)

DAY 14 – ROME SIGHTSEEING
A local guide reveals Michelangelo’s ‘Pieta’ inside St Peter’s Basilica, as well as other great works of art. Cross the River Tiber to visit the massive Colosseum and we look out over the Roman Forum. Later, consider visiting the Catacombs. (BB)

DAY 15 – ROME – FLORENCE
Visit the cobbled streets of Siena to see the striped marble cathedral and vast Campo square, scene of the festive Palio horse race. Move on through the Chianti vineyards to the Renaissance city of Florence.
Hotel: Sheraton. (BB,D)

DAY 16 – FLORENCE SIGHTSEEING
With a local guide, visit the Statue of David in the Academy Gallery, and see the Cathedral, Gates of Paradise, Giotto’s Campanile, Piazza Signoria, and Santa Croce Church. After a leatherwork demonstration, there’s time at leisure. (BB)

DAY 17 – FLORENCE – NICE
Lend your support to the Leaning Tower of Pisa before following the Italian Riviera coast to France. Stop in Monaco to see its harbour, Monte Carlo Casino and drive the Grand Prix circuit before continuing to elegant Nice.
Hotel: Massena. (BB)

DAY 18 – ST PAUL DE VENCE EXCURSION
Visit the medieval town of St Paul de Vence, perched high on the hilltop before spending the afternoon at leisure exploring the French Riviera. (BB)

DAY 19 – NICE – LUCERNE
Visit a French perfumery before passing through the Italian Lake District en route to Switzerland. See stunning Swiss Alpine scenery on the way to your hotel in lovely lakeside Lucerne.
Hotel: Astoria/ Krone Sarnen/Pax Montana. (BB)

DAY 20 – LUCERNE SIGHTSEEING
Ascend Mount Pilatus by cog-wheel railway for 360 degree views of the Swiss Alps. Later, back in Lucerne, see the Lion Monument, Jesuit Church and Chapel Bridge before spending free time shopping or relaxing. (BB,D)

DAY 21 – LUCERNE – PARIS
Cross the French border at Basel and continue through the Burgundy wine region to the French capital of Paris.
Hotel: Hilton/Marriott Rive Gauche. (BB)

DAY 22 – PARIS SIGHTSEEING
With a local guide, see Notre Dame Cathedral and drive along the elegant Champs Élysées to the Arc de Triomphe. Ascend the Eiffel Tower for views over the city, before visiting Napoleon’s tomb in the Église du Dôme. (BB)

DAY 23 – RETURN TO USA
Your tour ends with a transfer to the airport. (BB)


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)
8/14/2008 - 9/5/2008
$5,390
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8/30/2008 - 9/21/2008
$5,435
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9/6/2008 - 9/28/2008
$5,435
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9/13/2008 - 10/5/2008
$5,435
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9/20/2008 - 10/12/2008
$5,435
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4/2/2009 - 4/24/2009
$6,399
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4/16/2009 - 5/8/2009
$6,550
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4/23/2009 - 5/15/2009
$6,650
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4/30/2009 - 5/22/2009
$6,650
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5/7/2009 - 5/29/2009
$6,850
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5/14/2009 - 6/5/2009
$6,599
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5/21/2009 - 6/12/2009
$6,599
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5/28/2009 - 6/19/2009
$6,599
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6/4/2009 - 6/26/2009
$6,599
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6/11/2009 - 7/3/2009
$6,599
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6/18/2009 - 7/10/2009
$6,550
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6/25/2009 - 7/17/2009
$6,550
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7/2/2009 - 7/24/2009
$6,550
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7/9/2009 - 7/31/2009
$6,550
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7/16/2009 - 8/7/2009
$6,550
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7/23/2009 - 8/14/2009
$6,550
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7/30/2009 - 8/21/2009
$6,550
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8/6/2009 - 8/28/2009
$6,535
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8/13/2009 - 9/4/2009
$6,535
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8/20/2009 - 9/11/2009
$6,599
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8/27/2009 - 9/18/2009
$6,599
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9/3/2009 - 9/25/2009
$6,599
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9/10/2009 - 10/2/2009
$6,599
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9/17/2009 - 10/9/2009
$6,599
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9/24/2009 - 10/16/2009
$6,599
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10/1/2009 - 10/23/2009
$6,599
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Hotels
There is an excellent selection of modern hotels like the elegant Vienna Hilton Plaza on the Ringstrasse, plus the more traditional style of the NH Kloesterle in Nordlingen and the Quattro Fontane on the Venice Lido which reflects the elegance of a bygone age.

Fellow Passengers
This is a comprehensive tour for the first-time visitor to Europe who wants to have time to really get to know the key cities, but it is also ideal for those returning to Europe, as it revisits all the Continent’s classic highlights.

Highlights
There are so many contrasting sights: from the unique lowlands of Holland to the soaring peaks of the Alps which surround Innsbruck and Lucerne. Then there are the historic and artistic sights of Rome and Florence, and the glitter and glam of Monte Carlo and Paris.

Enjoy our Premium Highlights plus these extra tour features

Excursions & Sights

  • See all the sights of London’s West End
  • Visit the fishing village of Volendam
  • See Amsterdam’s Mint Tower & Dam Square
  • See the ‘Bridge too far’See Cologne Cathedral
  • Visit Heidelberg Castle’s terrace
  • Visit medieval Rothenburg
  • See Munich’s Olympic Stadium, Hofbrauhaus & the Glockenspiel in the Marienplatz
  • See the Golden Roof and Imperial Palace & visit the Wilten Basilica in Innsbruck
  • See Mozart’s Birthplace and walk through Salzburg’s Old Town to the Cathedral Square
  • Drive along Vienna’s Ring Road to see the Parliament, Winter Palace & Opera House
  • Cruise to St Mark’s Square to see the Doges’ Palace, Bridge of Sighs & Basilica in Venice
  • Visit the vast St Peter’s Basilica, housing art by Bernini and Michelangelo
  • Visit Siena to see the black and white Cathedral & the vast Campo Square
  • See the Cathedral, ‘Gates of Paradise’ & open-air gallery of Signoria Square in Florence
  • See the Leaning Tower of Pisa
  • View Lucerne’s Lion Monument
  • See Notre Dame & drive along the Champs Élysées to the Arc de Triomphe in Paris Demonstrations of diamond cutting & polishing, cheese & clog making in Holland, Venetian glass-blowing, Florentine leather-work, French perfumery

Guided City Tours

  • In-depth sightseeing tours with audio headsets where appropriate in London, Salzburg, Vienna, Rome, Florence & Paris
  • Orientation tours in Amsterdam, Cologne, Rothenburg, Munich, Innsbruck, Venice, Siena, Nice & Lucerne

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
  • Airport arrival transfer Day 2 and departure transfer in Paris on Day 23

Quality Dining

  • Dine-Around evening at your own choice of restaurant in Rome (DA)
  • 1 Continental (CB), 1 Full Breakfast (B) & 19 enhanced or Buffet Breakfasts (BB) and 6 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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