Overview
In Paris, Florence, and Rome, enjoy a sightseeing tour with a Local Guide, a knowledgeable expert who intimately...read more knows the cities. See the must-see sights, including the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, and Champs Elysées in Paris; the renaissance historic district in Florence; and Rome’s elegant streets and St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City, the most important architectural landmark in the world. In Venice, enjoy a boat ride to St. Mark’s Square. In pretty Lucerne, see the Lion Monument, a stone sculpture erected to commemorate the Swiss Guards killed during the French Revolution, and the wooden Chapel Bridge, Europe’s oldest covered bridge dating back to 1333. Marvel at Pisa’s famous Leaning Tower, the Cathedral and the Baptistery on the Piazza dei Miracoli.
But that’s not all…on this Europe tour you’ll also witness amazing scenery. Enjoy views of Burgundy, the French most famous wine-growing area, prosperous farms, and half-timbered villages as you travel between Paris and picture-perfect Lucerne, as well as views of the rolling hills in Tuscany. If you desire to see some of Europe’s most picturesque scenery and famous cities, this value-minded Europe tour is the perfect holiday!
Itinerary
Check into your hotel. In the afternoon, you may want to start exploring the lively British capital. Uniformed hosts at the hotel are available to help you make the most of your stay.
A full day to revel in our rich program of optional activities: take a panoramic tour of London's landmarks, visit the Tower of London, or choose an excursion to Windsor Castle. Tonight, we recommend our optional Taste of London excursion with dinner, followed by a guided illumination cruise on the River Thames. (B)
Transfer to the railway station and board the Eurostar train across the Channel to Paris with your Tour Director. Spend the next two nights in Paris. Today's Distance by train: 212 mi/ 342 km (B)
Paris is a world-class city with more familiar landmarks than almost any other city in the world. This morning, see some of these sites during the included city tour with a Local Guide. Sign up for the optional excursions available to complete your Paris experience. (B)
Fascinating, ever-changing scenery greets you today. Enjoy views of Fontainebleau Forest, the wine-growing area of Burgundy, prosperous farms, and tidy, half- timbered villages as you head through the alpine heart of Switzerland to the picture-book Lucerne area. Today's Distance: 423 mi/ 680 km (B)
One of Switzerland's finest cities, Lucerne is nestled amid its snowcapped Alps, surrounded by its lake, and graced by the clear mountain waters of the Reuss River. The orientation includes the Lion monument, erected in memory of the 800 Swiss Guards who defended Louis XVI and his wife. Also admire the famous wooden Chapel bridge with its splendid frescoes. A selection of optional activities completes the day: a ride on the "cabrio" cable-car to the summit of Mount Stanserhorn; a cruise on the fjord-like lake; and, of course, time to shop for an authentic Swiss watch. (B)
More wonderful alpine scenery awaits as you drive into the mountain ranges that surround the massive St. Gotthard Pass. Once through its great tunnel, start your scenic descent into the warmer and sunnier ambiance of Canton Ticino, then cross into Italy and drive through the Lombardy plains to Romeo and Juliet's Verona, known as "Little Rome" for its splendid ancient Roman arena still standing in its former glory and hosting many concerts and festivals during the summer season. Overnight in the Venice area. Today's Distance: 317 mi/ 510 km (B)
Venice is more like a magical film set than a real-life city, with crisscrossing canals, gondolas and water buses, arched bridges, palaces, and busy little piazzas (squares). Your orientation starts with a boat ride to St. Mark's Square and is followed by a chance to watch Venetian glassblowers fashion their delicate objects as they did centuries ago. A range of optional excursions are available. (B/D)
Travel south across the Apennines into the gentle and hilly countryside of Tuscany. Enjoy a guided walk through Florence to discover its Renaissance treasures, then continue to Montecatini. Today's Distance: 187 mi/ 302 km (B/D)
This morning in Pisa, hop on a mini-train and reach the famed Square of Miracles to view the Leaning Tower. Then, journey south to Rome. Tonight, consider an optional excursion to discover the city by night-a floodlit spectacular of shimmering fountains, magnificent churches, and piazzas-followed by dinner. Today's Distance: 245 mi/ 395 km (B)
The "Eternal City" is steeped in history, vibrantly alive and exciting, and absolutely unique! Start the included introduction to Rome's landmarks from St. Peter's Square with a Local Guide. Enjoy a drive along the iconic landmarks of the city: the Tiber River, the Caius Cestius Pyramid, the Aurelian Walls, and the Caracalla Baths.
Complete the experience with a walk back in time from the Circus Maximus to the Arch of Constantine and to the fascinating Colosseum, symbol of the Roman Empire. Don't miss out on the opportunity to visit the treasures of the Vatican Museum and the Sistine Chapel on our optional excursion. (B)
Arrivederci, Roma. Your holiday ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
Trip Inclusions
- 11 Breakfasts
- 2 Dinners
- London Copthorne Tara Hotel London (First-Class)
- Paris Hotel Ibis Styles Paris Porte D'Orleans (Superior Tourist-Class)
- Lucerne Area Holiday Inn Express Luzern Kriens (Superior First-Class)
- Venice Area Delfino (First-Class)
- Venice Area Poppi (Superior Tourist-Class)
- Montecatini Settentrionale Esplanade (First-Class)
- Rome BV Oly Hotel (First-Class)
- Airport transfers at your arrival and departure destination are not included in the price of the tour.
- Itinerary and inclusions subject to change.
- Price is for land, cruise and specified internal flights. International flights not included.
Enjoy inside visits to Europe's the must-see sites with a great mix of included excursions, free time and affordable value. Read more
Cosmos build free time into every one of their holidays, so you can eat, shop, and explore the way you want. Read more
Cosmos' easy going, fun-filled and multilingual Tour Directors and Local Guides love exploring as much as you do. Read more
Trip Reviews (4) Most Recent 'From St. Paul's to St. Peter's' Reviews
Our Cosmos Tour was enjoyable. It provided value for ...read more money and was a great introduction to Europe. As I was travelling with my 12 year old daughter I was pleased that there were quite a few other families with kids on our tour - in fact I think about 15 of the 42 on the coach were under 20.
The tour director was good and the bus driver very safe. The optional tour to Mt Titlis while quite expensive was a highlight and absolutely worthwhile. The hotels on the whole were adequate and reflected the budget tour cost - the only disappointment was that a couple of the hotels (in Rome and Paris) were a bit further out than ideal - which ruled out walking to sites. By comparison the hotel in London was well located and among the best of all the hotels we stayed at.
I imagined that the introductory dinner would have taken place on the first night instead of the cabaret show. The optional excursions were good and I participated in most of them. Some excursions were a bit pricey, such as the visit to the palace of Louis XIV and the Vatican Museum and the cable car ride up Mount Titlus. Also, for the price I thought the Gondola trip should have lasted a bit longer. Some tour members spoke about name tags and maps. They would probably not be used by all. Some maps needed a scale so I could figure out distances. Perhaps a map of Europe overall and the places that we were to visit highlighted to give us some perspective with what was around us. There are so many places to discover and that may encourage us to do more. I have already spoken about the tour to family and friends and have recommended undertaking a similar experience. I could not have done it cheaper on my own with comparable accommodation and hiring my own car. On the subject of costs I could have saved myself a few hundred dollars if I went with the singles sharing scheme rather than requesting my own room during the booking process. I was the only solo traveller in the group of 31. Also, the requirement to stay a night at the Kensington the night before departure was a bit of a surprise cost. There are others minor things that I could have mentioned but have forgotten much since trying to get back into my normal routine. Overall, a fantastic experience. Thank you!
Availability
A definite departure means minimum numbers have been reached for this departure to operate. Your Global Journeys Travel Advisor will check the availability of your departure date when you enquire. Additional savings may apply. We guarantee the lowest price in Australia. T&C’s apply.
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Pricing and trip details are correct at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by Cosmos. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from Cosmos. These should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.
