Flavours of Europe - End London, Small Group
Tour Type: Discovery
Brochure Type: IV Europe Summer 2024 v1
Take your taste buds on the Flavors of Europe guided tour as local experts help hand pick your menus across Rome, Florence and Cinque Terre. Get a private view of the normally off limits Bramante Staircase and Michelangelo's epic Sistine Chapel on your VIP Vatican City tour, with fast track access to cut the lines. See Florence through the eyes of your local expert and marvel at the green marble of the Duomo, before a boat whisks you to the crown jewel of the Italian Riviera, Cinque Terre. Enjoy an ocean fresh, Sea-to-Table lunch in Monterosso before adventuring through the snow-capped Swiss Alps to the lush surrounds of Lake Lucerne. Paris rounds out the vacation with a Celebration Dinner at world renowned restaurant, La Coupole.
Choice Highlights
Brochure Type: IV Europe Summer 2024 v1
Take your taste buds on the Flavors of Europe guided tour as local experts help hand pick your menus across Rome, Florence and Cinque Terre. Get a private view of the normally off limits Bramante Staircase and Michelangelo's epic Sistine Chapel on your VIP Vatican City tour, with fast track access to cut the lines. See Florence through the eyes of your local expert and marvel at the green marble of the Duomo, before a boat whisks you to the crown jewel of the Italian Riviera, Cinque Terre. Enjoy an ocean fresh, Sea-to-Table lunch in Monterosso before adventuring through the snow-capped Swiss Alps to the lush surrounds of Lake Lucerne. Paris rounds out the vacation with a Celebration Dinner at world renowned restaurant, La Coupole.
Choice Highlights
- Choose between two carefully selected activities
- Stanserhorn: Walk along beautiful scenic pathways at the summit of Mount Stanserhorn for a chance to see native animals like marmots.
- Stanserhorn: Embark on a spectacular journey to the summit of Mount Stanserhorn and appreciate unrivalled views of snow-capped peaks. Meet a Swiss ranger and learn about the local wildlife and flora over a conservation talk. Learn about the conservation of the local ecosystem and local fauna from a Swiss ranger. Hear about what it takes to preserve the wildlife throughout the year and in all weather. This experience advances UN Sustainable Development Goal 15: Life On Land. Alternatively, walk along beautiful scenic pathways for a chance to see native animals like marmots.
- Choose between two carefully selected activities
- Paris: Shop in quaint boutiques like a true Parisian with your Local Expert.
- Paris: Join an avid local foodie on a walk through the streets of Paris. Visit a variety of patisseries, boulangeries and chocolatiers and sample local treats and delicacies along the way.
- Enjoy the comfort of Insight's luxurious, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and onboard washroom. Our customized luxury coaches are sanitized before the start of your tour and are maintained to very high standards. Physical distancing measures have been implemented on our customized luxury coaches.
- Experience enhanced hygiene protocols to align with the latest guidance following COVID-19.All Travel Directors, Well-Being Directors and Drivers have completed training in enhanced well-being and hygiene protocols.
- We only work with establishments we are confident will consistently adhere to our high well-being standards, which include hotels, restaurants and sight-seeing venues.
- Hand sanitizer is freely available on board for you to use throughout the day.
- "Italians are very fashionable but their cooking is the opposite - simple, rustic and down to earth. A handful of quality vegetables, fresh herbs and beans are turned into a warm and comforting soup."
- "One food I really love introducing my guests to is cheese or meat fondue. It's not only a great meal, but it's an experience of its own and always lots of fun. Especially when I see all our guests bonding and having a good time discovering the way we enjoy it over here."
- "Paris is truly a delight to all the senses - seeing the iconic architecture, hearing about the history, smelling the wonderful bakeries and tasting the local specialties during our foodie walk."
- Rome: During your orientation with you Travel Director see the medieval buildings, including Renaissance palaces and Baroque churches, scattered throughout the city.
- Rome: Experience Rome through the eyes of a local, as a passionate Roman guides you through vibrant backstreets, showing you how modern life takes place around ancient treasures.
- Florence: Join a Local Expert to view the multi-coloured marble cathedral, bell tower and baptistery, adorned by Ghiberti's Gates of Paradise. Visit the political heart of the city, Signoria Square. See the area around Santa Croce Basilica, famous for the quality of its luxury goods.
- Cinque Terre: Led by your Local Expert, visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site with dedicated time to explore two of the five charming fishing villages.
- Stanserhorn: Journey to the top of Mount Stanserhorn on a panoramic, open-top cable car powered by solar energy, and enjoy spectacular views from the summit.
- Stanserhorn: Walk along beautiful scenic pathways at the summit of Mount Stanserhorn for a chance to see native animals like marmots.
- Lucerne: During your orientation with your Travel Director, see the emotive Lion Monument, Jesuit Church and Chapel Bridge.
- Paris: With a Local Expert, explore the iconic sights and streets of Paris. See famous landmarks including Notre Dame Cathedral, the Eiffel Tower and the facades of the Louvre. Stroll the banks of the River Seine and admire romantic bridges, and enjoy a drive along the Champs Elysees to the Arc de Triomphe.
- Paris: Shop in quaint boutiques like a true Parisian with your Local Expert.
- Rome: Enjoy a Welcome Dinner with your fellow travellers at a uniquely Roman local restaurant.
- Cinque Terre: Savour authentic Italian cuisine made from traditional recipes as you dine for a sea-to-table lunch at Ristorante Da Ely in Cinque Terre.
- Lucerne: Choose from a selection of restaurants on your Dine-Around Evening and hand-pick your preferred ambience, cuisine and drinks for an intimate culinary experience.
- Paris: Join an avid local foodie on a walk through the streets of Paris. Visit a variety of patisseries, boulangeries and chocolatiers and sample local treats and delicacies along the way.
- Paris: Rendezvous with your friends at a typical French bistro for a rousing Celebration Dinner with wine. Bon Appetit!
- Dining Summary: 3 Dinner with Wine (DW), 8 Breakfast (B), and 1 Lunch with Wine (LW)
- Vatican: Gain priority access into the Vatican Museums and admire the famous Bramante Staircase. Witness the genius of Michelangelo in the Sistine Chapel and view the splendid dome of St. Peter's Basilica.
- Stanserhorn: Embark on a spectacular journey to the summit of Mount Stanserhorn and appreciate unrivalled views of snow-capped peaks. Meet a Swiss ranger and learn about the local wildlife and flora over a conservation talk. Learn about the conservation of the local ecosystem and local fauna from a Swiss ranger. Hear about what it takes to preserve the wildlife throughout the year and in all weather. This experience advances UN Sustainable Development Goal 15: Life On Land. Alternatively, walk along beautiful scenic pathways for a chance to see native animals like marmots.
- Our highly-skilled Travel Director will ensure your journey is seamless, serving as your expert guide, consummate organiser, and friend overseas.
- Personal radio headsets give you the freedom to wander during visits to famous highlights, without missing any of your Local Expert's fascinating commentary.
- We carry your bags for you and promptly deliver them to your hotel door.
- Hotel and restaurant tips are included - you'll never have to worry about how much to give, nor search for foreign currency. We also include all taxes and porterage charges at hotels.
- Stay connected with friends and family with our complimentary coach and hotel Wi-Fi (where available).
- From time to time, your Travel Director will delight you with an Insight Flourish, which is a local specialty representing the destination.
- You may purchase arrival transfers from London Heathrow and Gatwick airports on arrival days, or when additional nights accommodation has been booked through Insight Vacations. If your departure flights are as per the itinerary end dates, departure transfers are available at scheduled times. If your flights are outside these times or you have booked additional nights accommodation with Insight Vacations, you may purchase transfers or make your own way to the airport. Alternatively, please make your own way from/to the airport.
Call (209) 892-5399 for more information or to book today! Mention code 17542045
- Tour Operator
- Insight Vacations
- Offer
- Offer valid through 12/31/2023
- Duration
- 9 Days
- Escorted
- Escorted - Yes
| Day | Destination | Description |
| Day 1 | Rome | Welcome to the Eternal City of Rome: Rome is one of the world's most historic cities, filled with classical antiquities, medieval buildings, renaissance palaces and baroque churches. Transfers to your hotel depart Rome's Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport at 09:30, 12:30 and 15:30. Then this extraordinary city is yours to discover. At 18:00, join your Travel Director for a Welcome Reception and enjoy the opportunity to mingle and get to know your fellow travellers. Bettoja Hotel Massimo D'Azeglio, Rome. |
| Day 2 | Rome with the locals | Rome with the locals Relaxed Start: Rome is about art, antiquity, piazzas and pizzazz, and your morning walking tour with a Local Expert includes this in abundance. Toss a coin into the spectacular Trevi Fountain and see the best-preserved monument from the Roman period - the Pantheon, before enjoying free time to do as the Romans do, in Piazza Navona. Perhaps join a tour inside the Colosseum, the scene of many gladiatorial contests, and see the Roman Forum? Bettoja Hotel Massimo D'Azeglio, Rome. |
| Day 3 | The Vatican and Florence | The Vatican and Florence: Start the day with your Local Expert they introduce you to the grandeur of the city, starting with the Vatican State, the richest community in the world. Visit the Vatican Museums, full of priceless treasures collected by the Popes. Insight provides special priority entry to avoid the crowds and behind-the-scenes access to the Bramante Staircase - a marvel of Renaissance architecture normally off-limits to the general public. Once inside the Sistine Chapel, admire Michelangelo's famous ceiling. Next door, visit St. Peter's Basilica to admire Michelangelo's emotive 'Pieta' and see Bernini's intricately carved Papal Altar. Your travels continue with a drive to the Chianti Hills, to arrive at the city of Florence. A Local Expert will accompany you to the Duomo, where the Gates of Paradise adorn the baptistery. Continue to Piazza della Signoria, the political heart of the city. Lined with fountains and statues, it acts as an open-air gallery of Renaissance masterpieces. Take time to gaze at Neptune and David as you explore the historic city center. Hotel Adler Cavalieri, Florence. |
| Day 4 | The Cinque Terre and Italian Riviera | The Cinque Terre and Italian Riviera: The famous Italian Riviera and the Cinque Terre are a highlight of your journey. Explore this UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Italy's most beautiful landscapes. With a Local Expert, appreciate the views as you approach one of the picturesque fishing villages by boat (weather permitting). Please note that the cruise is weather dependent. Spend time exploring the old medieval quarter or the popular sandy beach. Savour authentic Italian cuisine with a delicious Sea-to-Table lunch at Ristorante Da Ely in Monterosso. Continue by train to Levanto, then on to your resort in Rapallo. Grand Hotel Bristol Resort & Spa, Rapallo. |
| Day 5 | Lucerne | Across the Alps to Lucerne: Pass Milan as you head north for the Italian Lake District via Lake Lugano. Continue into the heart of the Swiss Alps, passing through the Saint Gotthard Tunnel, one of the longest road tunnels in the world. Travel alongside towering mountains and past rushing torrents, down to scenic Lake Lucerne, where you are at leisure for the rest of the afternoon. Hotel Astoria, Lucerne. |
| Day 6 | Lucerne's Lakes, Mountains and Lion | Lucerne's Lakes, Mountains and Lion: In the morning, embark on a scenic journey by funicular railway and open-top cable car to the summit of the stunning Mount Stanserhorn. Take in the pristine mountain air and, on a clear day, witness views as far as Alsace and the Black Forest in Germany. Explore Mount Stanserhorn with Insight Choice. Choose to take a walk along beautiful scenic pathways for a chance to see marmots and other native animals. Alternatively, join a MAKE TRAVEL Experience and listen to a conservation talk by a Swiss ranger, to learn about local wildlife and flora. Upon return to Lucerne, see the town's proud Lion Monument, carved into a limestone cliff and dedicated to the heroic Swiss Guards who died defending King Louis XVI during the French Revolution. Then, take some time to stroll across the covered Chapel Bridge and see the baroque Jesuit church. The rest of the day is at leisure to shop for fine watches and delectable chocolates. Tonight, enjoy a fine selection of restaurants to choose from for your Dine-Around Evening. Hotel Astoria, Opatija. |
| Day 7 | Paris | Sights and delights of Paris: Journey through the rural French countryside of Burgundy, famous for its vineyards and wines, to arrive in the vibrant City of Light. During your time in Paris, see the impressive Eiffel Tower, the magnificent Notre-Dame Cathedral and the imposing facades of the Louvre. Discover the banks of the Seine with its many romantic bridges, see the obelisk in the centre of the Place de la Concorde and drive along the Champs Elysees to the Arc de Triomphe. With the evening free, there are countless opportunities to enjoy the lively atmosphere of this glittering city. Why not visit one of the world-famous cabaret shows? Le Meridien Etoile, Paris. |
| Day 8 | Paris | The food and flavours of Paris: Start your day with an Insight Choice. Choose to shop in quaint boutiques like a true Parisian with your Local Expert. Alternatively, join an avid foodie to explore small shops and sample local treats and delicacies. In the evening, indulge in refined French cuisine during your Celebration Dinner at the iconic restaurant La Coupole, frequently visited by the French entertainer Josephine Baker. Le Meridien Etoile, Paris. |
| Day 9 | Paris | Au revoir Paris: In the morning, bid farewell to your travelling companions as your journey comes to an end. Travel by high-speed Eurostar train for your journey back to London. On arrival, you are transferred to the Park Plaza Victoria where your trip ends. |
- Dates/Pricing
- Disclaimer
- Twin prices are per person.
- These prices are correct at the time of the website going live, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking.
- All tour information is correct at time of tours going live, however is subject to change, please confirm all details at time of booking.
- For full terms and conditions, please refer to our Conditions page.
- Hotel Class Key: D: Deluxe SF: Superior First Class F: First Class
