Insight > Highlights of Europe

Highlights of Europe
17 Days starting from $3,799

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

 

Length: 17 Days
Type: First Class Tour
Category: European Discovery
Operator: Insight
Tour Code: E933
   
 
About This Tour


This tour is well balanced with the majority of the one-night stays in the first section, followed by two-night stays in the key cities of Venice, Rome, Lucerne and Paris, where there is ample time to relax or to take optional tours.

 
  • 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 17

Quality Dining

  • Dine-Around evening at your own choice of restaurant in Rome (DA)
  • 1 Continental (CB), 1 Full Breakfast (B) & 13 enhanced or Buffet Breakfasts (BB) and 5 three-course table d’hôte dinners, or Buffets, plus tea or coffee (D)

17 Days ~ England ~ Belgium ~ Germany ~ Austria ~ Italy ~ Switzerland ~ France

Tour Pace
This tour is well balanced with the majority of the one-night stays in the first section, followed by two-night stays in the key cities of Venice, Rome, Lucerne and Paris, where there is ample time to relax or to take optional tours. Travelling days feature frequent rest stops.

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: Thistle Marble Arch.

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 – BRUSSELS
Meet your Tour Director and transfer to Dover. Bid farewell to the white cliffs as you cross the channel bound for Calais. Continue along the coast into Belgium. At medieval Bruges, walk with your Tour Director along peaceful canals and through the cobbled streets lined with high gabled houses to the Market Square. Admire the traditional exquisite lace work before continuing to Brussels, where you visit the Grand Place and see the Mannekin Pis. Tonight, enjoy a Welcome Drink.
Hotel: Sofitel Toison d’Or. (CB)

DAY 5 – BRUSSELS – RHINELAND
Travel into Germany to view Cologne Cathedral before continuing via Bonn, to board a Highlight cruise at Boppard. Relax as you glide past medieval castles and vineyards to the village of St Goar, near the legendary Loreley Rock. Continue to Heidelberg, to see the clifftop castle before arriving at your Rhineland hotel.
Hotel: Renaissance Karlsruhe. (BB,D)

DAY 6 – RHINELAND – INNSBRUCK
Visit Bavaria and fun-loving Munich; see the Olympic Stadium, Hofbrauhaus and visit the Marienplatz with its Glockenspiel. Head into the Alps and over the Austrian border to reach the Tyrolean capital of Innsbruck. Perhaps spend the evening enjoying a fabulous Tyrolean folklore evening.
Hotel: Innsbruck. (BB)

DAY 7 – INNSBRUCK – SALZBURG
See the Imperial Palace and delightful Golden Roof in the old town before visiting the Wilten Basilica, its interior richly decorated with cherubs and angels. Now follow the Inn Valley to Salzburg, ‘alive with the Sound of Music'. Your local guide shows you the imposing fortress, Mozart’s birthplace and cathedral.
Hotel: Castellani Parkhotel. (BB,D)

DAY 8 – SALZBURG – VENICE
This morning a spectacular drive takes you through the Tauern Mountains to the Carinthian Lake District, and on to the Italian border. Follow mountain valleys and cascading streams down to the Veneto Plain on your way to the unique magical, water-bound city of Venice. Your hotel overlooks the Grand Canal.
Hotel: Continental. (BB,D)

DAY 9 – VENICE SIGHTSEEING
Cruise by private launch to St Mark’s Square and alight to see the Bridge of Sighs which connects the Doges’ Palace to the prisons. Cross the square to see the famous Moors, the belltower and the beautiful mosaics of St Mark’s Basilica. After a demonstration of Venetian glass blowing, join an included romantic Premium Highlight gondola ride along the canals. Perhaps consider taking a boat trip to the island of Burano for a delicious seafood meal. (BB)

DAY 10 – VENICE – ROME
Head south over the Apennine Mountains and follow the ‘Highway of the Sun’ to Rome. Tonight, enjoy a Dine-Around evening which offers you and your fellow travelers a choice of dining experiences, atmosphere and cuisine.
Hotel: Sheraton. (BB,DA)

DAY 11 – ROME SIGHTSEEING
Join a local guide to visit St Peter’s Basilica to see Michelangelo’s moving work the ‘Pieta’. Drive across the Tiber to visit the mighty Colosseum, where gladiators fought to the death against armed warriors and wild beasts. Look out over the Roman Forum, once a bustling centre of commerce, law and religion. The afternoon is at leisure. (BB)

DAY 12 – ROME – FLORENCE
Drive north into the Chianti Hills and the Renaissance city of Florence. Sightseeing with a local guide takes you to see the original statue of ‘David’ in the Academy Gallery. Afterwards, visit the Cathedral and see Giotto’s belltower, and the Gates of Paradise on the Baptistery. Continue to Signoria Square, lined with many statues. After watching a demonstration of leatherwork, there is time at leisure to shop or perhaps continue sightseeing.
Hotel: Sheraton/Villa Gabriele D'Annunzio. (BB,D)

DAY 13 – FLORENCE – LUCERNE
Journey north, past the great commercial centre of Milan and the Italian Lake District, to the Swiss border. Take the St Gotthard route and enjoy its Alpine scenery on the way to Lucerne.
Hotel: Astoria. (BB)

DAY 14 – LUCERNE SIGHTSEEING
Sightseeing in Lucerne begins with a visit to the emotive Lion Monument. See the covered Chapel Bridge and the Jesuit Church, then enjoy a superb Premium Highlight as you ascend Mount Pilatus by cog-wheel railway. From the summit, admire some of the best possible views of the snow-covered Alps. (BB,D)

DAY 15 – LUCERNE – PARIS
Pass the Swiss port city of Basel on your way to France. After crossing the wine region of Burgundy, it’s on to glittering Paris for two fabulous nights. Consider spending the evening sampling wonderful French cuisine.
Hotel: Hilton/Pullman Paris Porte de Sevres. (BB)

DAY 16 – PARIS SIGHTSEEING
A guided sightseeing tour shows you Notre Dame Cathedral, the Louvre building and Opera House. Drive from the Place de la Concorde along the Champs Élysées to the Arc de Triomphe. Your visit would not be complete without an ascent of Paris’ most famous symbol! Survey the city from the heights of the Eiffel Tower, before visiting the Tomb of Napoleon in the Église du Dôme, As evening falls, there is the chance to see a cabaret show. (BB)

DAY 17 – 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)
8/29/2008 - 9/14/2008
$4,090
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9/3/2008 - 9/19/2008
$4,025
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9/5/2008 - 9/21/2008
$4,090
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9/10/2008 - 9/26/2008
$4,025
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9/12/2008 - 9/28/2008
$4,090
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9/17/2008 - 10/3/2008
$4,025
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9/24/2008 - 10/10/2008
$4,025
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10/1/2008 - 10/17/2008
$4,025
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10/10/2008 - 10/26/2008
$4,090
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12/12/2008 - 12/28/2008
$3,925
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12/17/2008 - 1/2/2009
$3,799
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12/23/2008 - 1/8/2009
$3,799
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4/10/2009 - 4/26/2009
$4,699
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4/17/2009 - 5/3/2009
$4,850
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4/24/2009 - 5/10/2009
$4,890
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5/1/2009 - 5/17/2009
$4,890
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5/8/2009 - 5/24/2009
$4,875
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5/15/2009 - 5/31/2009
$4,799
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5/22/2009 - 6/7/2009
$4,875
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5/29/2009 - 6/14/2009
$4,799
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6/5/2009 - 6/21/2009
$4,875
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6/12/2009 - 6/28/2009
$4,875
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6/19/2009 - 7/5/2009
$4,835
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6/26/2009 - 7/12/2009
$4,835
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7/3/2009 - 7/19/2009
$4,835
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7/10/2009 - 7/26/2009
$4,835
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7/17/2009 - 8/2/2009
$4,835
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7/24/2009 - 8/9/2009
$4,850
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7/31/2009 - 8/16/2009
$4,735
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8/7/2009 - 8/23/2009
$4,735
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8/14/2009 - 8/30/2009
$4,735
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8/21/2009 - 9/6/2009
$4,775
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8/28/2009 - 9/13/2009
$4,875
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9/4/2009 - 9/20/2009
$4,875
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9/11/2009 - 9/27/2009
$4,875
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9/18/2009 - 10/4/2009
$4,875
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9/25/2009 - 10/11/2009
$4,875
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10/2/2009 - 10/18/2009
$4,875
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10/9/2009 - 10/25/2009
$4,875
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10/16/2009 - 11/1/2009
$4,875
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10/23/2009 - 11/8/2009
$4,799
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12/18/2009 - 1/3/2010
$4,525
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Hotels
There is an excellent selection of modern and traditional hotels on this tour, ranging from the contemporary Sheraton Hotel in Rome to the elegant simplicity of the Villa Gabriele D’Annunzio in Florence and the Venice Continental dating back in part to the 15th century.

Fellow Passengers
This comprehensive tour attracts first-time travelers seeking an introduction to the highlights of Europe. It also appeals to seasoned travelers wishing to revisit the classic European touring route, perhaps taking the chance to return to favorite cities from previous trips to the Continent.

Highlights
Highlights are many: admiring Venice from the gondola, discovering the treasures of Florence, the ride to the summit of Mount Pilatus, admiring the cavernous interior of St Peter’s Basilica, the first sight of the Eiffel Tower and the overnight stay in the enchanting city of Salzburg.

Enjoy our Premium Highlights plus these extra tour features

Excursions & Sights

  • See all the sights of London’s West End
  • Walk the cobbled streets of medieval Bruges to admire the canals and Market Square
  • Visit the Grand Place & Mannekin Pis statue in Brussels
  • View Cologne Cathedral
  • See Heidelberg’s ruined Castle
  • 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
  • Cruise to St Mark’s Square to see the Doges’ Palace, Bridge of Sighs & Basilica in Venice
  • Tour St Peter’s Basilica to see Michelangelo’s ‘Pieta’ and the Pope’s Alter by Bernini
  • See the Cathedral, ‘Gates of Paradise’ & open-air gallery of Signoria Square in Florence
  • View the emotive Lion Monument, Jesuit Church & Chapel Bridge in Lucerne
  • See Notre Dame & drive along the Champs Élysées to the Arc de Triomphe in Paris
  • Scenic Drives: Inn Valley, Tauern Mountains, St Gotthard Route
  • Watch Venetian glass-blowing
  • Florentine Leatherwork Demonstration

Guided City Tours

  • In-depth sightseeing tours with audio headsets where appropriate in London, Salzburg, Rome, Florence & Paris
  • Orientation tours in Bruges, Brussels, Cologne, Munich, Innsbruck, Venice & 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 17

Quality Dining

  • Dine-Around evening at your own choice of restaurant in Rome (DA)
  • 1 Continental (CB), 1 Full Breakfast (B) & 13 enhanced or Buffet Breakfasts (BB) and 5 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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