17-Nights Traditional Europe from $4,501

Trafalgar

OFFER ID 1478235

Traditional Europe
Lose yourself in the history and romance of Traditional Europe. You’ll see all the iconic sights and some beautiful surprises along this 3-week European trip taking in the exquisite beauty of the Rhine Valley, the snow-capped Alps and the decadently warm waters of the French Riviera.


Dining Summary

  • 9 Dinner (D)
  • 17 Breakfast (B)
  • 1 Lunch (L)
Be My Guest
  • : Be welcomed to the Albert's home where their family have farmed the land for generations. Enjoy a traditional Tyrolean lunch surrounded by spectacular scenery.
Iconic Experience
  • Cologne Cathedral: The towering Cathedral of Cologne is an impressive introduction to this riverside city.
  • Rhineland: Cruise beneath the semi-ruined castles and terraced vineyards. Sleepy villages slip by as you saunter upstream to the Lorelei Rock where the enchantress lured sailors to their doom.
  • Heidelberg: See the magnificent castle built in red sandstone, overlooking the Student Prince’s town.
  • Colmar: Stroll through the medieval streets of Colmar on a sightseeing orientation with your Travel Director.
  • Lucerne: During an orientation with your Travel Director, see the Lion Monument, Old Town Hall and Chapel Bridge, the oldest wooden covered bridge in Europe.
  • Vaduz: Explore Vaduz and admire the Royal family's residence, Vaduz Castle, which overlooks the capital.
  • Brenner Pass: Marvel at the stunning beauty of the Brenner Pass on your scenic drive through the Alpine landscape.
  • Tuscany: View the stunning landscape of Tuscany on your drive today.
  • Vatican: See St. Peter's Basilica located within the Vatican City.
  • Rome: Experience Rome through the eyes of a local, as a passionate Roman guides you past the city's most iconic sites.
  • Pompeii: Walk with a Local Specialist through the cobbled streets of this ill-fated town, frozen in time since the 1st century.
  • Capri: Join a Local Specialist on a walk through elegant Capri to gain insight into the island's local culture and historic landmarks.
  • Monte Cassino: See the abbey on Monte Cassino, founded by Saint Benedict in 529.
  • Assisi: With a Local Specialist, find out why the Basilica of St. Francis is considered to be one of the crowning artisitic achievements of 13th-century Europe.
  • Florence: Join a Local Specialist to view the multi-colored marble cathedral, bell tower and baptistery, adorned by Ghiberti's Gates of Paradise. Visit the political heart of the city, Signoria Square.
  • Florence: See the area around Santa Croce Basilica, famous for the quality of its luxury goods, and witness a gold and leatherwork demonstration.
  • Pisa: During an orientation, your Travel Director will show you the baptistery, cathedral and the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa.
  • Monaco City: See the cathedral where Prince Rainier and Princess Grace were married.
  • Saint-Paul-de-Vence: Discover the beauty of this hilltop town and gain insight into why it became a refuge for artists.
  • Avignon: View the Pont d'Avignon and walk the medieval narrow streets of the Old Town to the Palais des Papes.
  • Lyon: Take in panoramic views of Lyon from Fourvière Hill and explore the city's cobblestone streets on a sightseeing orientation.
  • Beaune: Marvel at Beaune's famous renaissance roofing style during an orientation of this wine capital.
  • Paris: Join a Local Specialist to discover the hidden squares and secret lanes of Paris.
MAKE TRAVEL MATTER®
  • Venice: Discover the ancient skill of Venetian glassblowing and play a part in preserving this traditional craft. Your visit directly supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.
Must-see Highlights
  • Explore Rome, Pompeii, Capri, Assisi, Florence and Paris
  • Discover Amsterdam, Heidelberg, Colmar, Lucerne, Vaduz - the capital of Liechtenstein, Innsbruck, Venice, Sorrento, Pisa, Monaco, Nice, Saint-Paul-de-Vence, Avignon, Lyon and Beaune
  • Visit a glassblowing factory in Venice
  • View the ancient sites in Rome, the Lion Monument in Lucerne, the Leaning Tower of Pisa and the Eiffel Tower in Paris
  • See the Lorelei Rock in Rhine Valley, the Benedictine Abbey of Monte Cassino and the vineyards of Burgundy
  • Scenic Cruise through Amsterdam's canals, along the Rhine River, by private launch to St. Mark's Square in Venice and to the Isle of Capri

Whats Included
  • An expert Travel Director and professional Driver
  • Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
  • All porterage and restaurant gratuities
  • All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
  • Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals
  • Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras
  • Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing
  • Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
  • Optional Experiences and free time
  • Eurostar high-speed train from Paris to London
  • On occasion, hotels of similar standard and location may be utilized.


17 nights from $4,501 per person

Black Friday Promotion: Save Up to 30% on Select 2025 Worldwide Tours

Valid on new bookings deposited November 1, 2024 – December 5, 2024 for travel in 2025.  

*Discount may already be included in the displayed price. Promotion may not be combinable with any other offers, promotions, or discounts, and is subject to availability and airline booking guidelines. Other restrictions may apply.

Itinerary

Trafalgar Tours: Traditional Europe

Day 1 - Welcome to Amsterdam
All the highlights of Europe lie ahead on this epic journey from the Netherlands to Austria, Italy to France. Spend the day exploring Amsterdam on foot, by bike or tram. Later, meet your Travel Director and travel companions and board a glass-topped boat for a Welcome Reception canal cruise, including a light dinner and a drink as you navigate the city’s labyrinthine canals lined with centuries-old gabled façades.
Accommodations: Mercure City
Meals: Dinner

Day 2 - Admire Cologne and Cruise in the Rhineland
Travel east, crossing the border into Germany bound for Cologne. Here, you’ll see the iconic twin spires of its imposing Cathedral, said to be the final resting place of the Three Wise Men. We cruise from Boppard to St. Goar along the mighty Rhine, lined with medieval villages and castles that cling to the hills. This evening, we stay in the Rhineland and enjoy dinner at our hotel.
Accommodations: Maritim Darmstadt
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 3 - Enjoy Heidelberg then drive into the Alps
The imposing ruins of Heidelberg Castle feature on our drive through this vibrant university city en route to the quaint medieval town of Colmar. Here we will enjoy an orientation stroll and free time for lunch. Our journey continues through the picturesque vineyards of Alsace en route to our hotel in the stunning mountain retreat of Engelberg, with a free evening to enjoy the town.
Accommodations: Schweizerhof
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 4 - Uncover Lucerne’s Treasures
Spend the day exploring Lucerne. Pay tribute to the Swiss Guards who lost their lives defending Louise XVI during the French Revolution at the mournful Lion Monument, then admire the splendor of the flower-lined Chapel Bridge with its 17th-century paintings. Spend the rest of the day at leisure or consider joining an Optional Experience up one of the nearby peaks for spectacular panoramic views before returning to Engelberg.
Accommodations: Schweizerhof
Meals: Breakfast

Day 5 - Journey to Liechtenstein and Innsbruck
Admire rugged alpine scenery en route to the Principality of Liechtenstein, stopping in its capital, Vaduz. Cross the Austrian border and continue along the Arlberg route for a journey filled with pinch-me moments. Snow-capped mountains surround you as you travel through the stunning scenery of the Tyrol. Enjoy the Tyrolean countryside while you Connect With Locals over lunch at a Be My Guest experience before arriving in Innsbruck. Visit the Old Town where you’ll see the famous Golden Roof completed in 1500 for Emperor Maximilian I to mark his wedding. Admire the fascinating crystal installations and browse for precious gifts and souvenirs at the Swarovski Crystal Worlds Store.
Accommodations: Grauer Bär
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 6 - Onwards to Venice
Cross the extraordinary Europa Bridge, rising almost 200 meters above the Wipp Valley, following the Brenner Pass past alpine pastures and pine-clad peaks into Italy and the magical island city of Venice. Spend this evening at leisure, gliding by gondola through the city's canals, enjoying a Campari spritz in a quiet piazza or watching the sun set over the romantic Grand Canal.
Accommodations: Le Boulevard Lido
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 7 - Discover the Floating City of Venice Make Travel Matter
Witness the centuries-old tradition of Venetian glassmaking. This is a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience which helps to preserve the strong tradition of glassblowing for which Venice is justifiably famous. You’ll learn how the talented master craftsmen use the same techniques their forefathers did to create the delicate artworks which adorn homes worldwide, perhaps inspiring you to buy a souvenir to remind you of this special visit. Later, board a private launch for your journey through the canals of Venice to St. Mark's Square where you’ll gain a deeper understanding of the city's centuries-old history and view the ornate Doge's Palace and Bridge of Sighs. Spend the afternoon exploring Venice your way, which could mean finding a tucked away bacaro to soak up some of the local atmosphere, a cruise around the lagoon or zigzagging up the Le Mercerie shopping street.
Accommodations: Le Boulevard Lido
Meals: Breakfast

Day 8 - All Roads Lead to Rome
2025 marks a Jubilee Year, a momentous Roman Catholic event celebrated every 25 years, turning Rome into a center of celebration. As festivities unfold, itineraries may be adjusted to ensure you make the most of your time as you visit the Eternal City.Travel over the green and golden landscapes of the Apennine hills through beautiful Tuscany and Umbria, arriving in Rome where you'll spend the next two nights. This evening is yours to embrace la dolce vita. Relax in the Piazza Navona with an espresso, sit on the Spanish Steps or savor a tasty gelato.
Accommodations: Midas Palace
Meals: Breakfast

Day 9 - Explore Ancient Rome and the Vatican City
Delve into the treasures of the Vatican with a Local Specialist who will take you on a sightseeing tour through St. Peter's Basilica to see Michelangelo's sorrowful Piet. Cross the Tiber into Ancient Rome to see the mighty Colosseum where brave gladiators once fought to the applause of exhilarated spectators, then enjoy views of Circus Maximus which once hosted chariot races. The rest of the day is yours to explore the sights and sounds of this remarkable city. Ramble through Rome's grand boulevards, shop up a storm on the Via Condotti or perhaps take an Optional Excursion to see Michelangelo's beautiful frescoes on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel.
Accommodations: Midas Palace
Meals: Breakfast

Day 10 - The Ruins of Pompeii with Sunny Sorrento
Enjoy a scenic drive through the vineyards of Frascati into the Campania region where we'll meet a Local Specialist who will share the fascinating story of Pompeii, a city buried in ash and lost for centuries following the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. We arrive in the sophisticated seaside retreat of Sorrento this evening where we will spend the night.
Accommodations: Johanna Park
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 11 - Sail to Capri then Onwards to Assisi
Cross the deep blue waters of the Bay of Naples to the beautiful Isle of Capri, ascending by funicular to Capri Town where we will join our Local Specialist for a walking tour. Traveling north, we view the restored Abbey of Monte Cassino, the site of a bloody World War II battle, arriving later in mystical Assisi to view the Basilica of St. Francis featuring spectacular frescoes by Giotto with a Local Specialist.
Accommodations: Casa Leonori
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 12 - Through Tuscany to Florence
Beautiful Tuscan and Umbrian landscapes that have inspired painters and poets for centuries follow our journey to Florence, the 'Cradle of the Renaissance'. We join a Local Specialist on an included walking tour to see the city's spectacular heritage, architecture and open-air art, including views of the marble Duomo and the Ponte Vecchio. Visit the Piazza della Signoria, Florence’s political hub centuries ago, and learn about the quality and workmanship of one of this city's historic industries at a demonstration of Florentine leathercraft.
Accommodations: Grand Mediterraneo
Meals: Breakfast

Day 13 - Uncover Pisa, Monaco and the French Riviera
Journey to Pisa and its Square of Miracles to see the Leaning Tower and its imposing Baptistery. Leaving the sights, sounds and flavors of Italy behind, we visit the playground of Monaco and view the Royal Palace before arriving on the French Riviera.
Accommodations: Novotel Aéroport Cap 3000
Meals: Breakfast

Day 14 - Discover Artistic Saint-Paul-de-Vence
Tread in the footsteps of famous French actors and artists who for centuries have regarded the medieval town of Saint-Paul-de-Vence as a haven. Spend the afternoon at leisure or perhaps join an Optional Experience to see spectacular views of one of the most beautiful coastlines in Europe and pay an aromatic visit to the historic Fragonard perfumery to learn how French fragrances are crafted before trying some specialties from the region at a local restaurant.
Accommodations: Novotel Aéroport Cap 3000
Meals: Breakfast

Day 15 - Journey Through Papal Avignon to Lyon Make Travel Matter
Visit what was once the center of Christendom in the Middle Ages, the papal city of Avignon. Here, you will see the Palais des Papes, the Cathedral and famous Pont d'Avignon, which have been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site and learn about the spiritual significance of this place. You'll travel next to the historically strategic city of Lyon. This is a city that lights up magically at night, so be sure to take to the streets and admire its beauty.
Accommodations: Mercure Center Saxe Lafayette
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 16 - Travel Through Burgundy to Paris
Visit Beaune, the wine capital of Burgundy, before continuing north to Paris. Our epic European adventure near its end, join your Travel Director and newfound friends for dinner this evening.
Accommodations: Evergreen Laurel
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 17 - Explore Magical Paris
Join a Local Specialist to see the sights and sounds of Paris, view Notre Dame Cathedral and enjoy a stroll through the Latin Quarter. After, why not consider joining a cruise along the famous river Seine or a trip to one of the city's most famous cabaret shows revealing French pageantry.
Accommodations: Evergreen Laurel
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 18 - Journey Home
Today bid adieu to your fellow travelers and Travel Director at the end of your memorable holiday.
Meals: Breakfast

Featured Destinations
Amsterdam
Rhineland
Engelberg
Innsbruck
Venice
Rome
Sorrento
Assisi
Florence
French Riviera
Lyon
Paris

Vacation Details

Valid Date Ranges
12/10/2024 - 12/27/2024
from $4,501 per person *


* This departure has been designated a guaranteed departure by the operator, meaning that the minimum number of guests has been met, although still subject to weather and other conditions.
Prices Start At
from $4,501 per person
Length
17 Nights
Air City
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Vacation Rating
Deluxe
Fine dining, on-site bars or lounges and room service with extended hours are characteristic of deluxe establishments. Guest services usually include valet parking, concierge services, baggage assistance and laundry services. Other on-site facilities often include shops and boutiques, full service spas, full fitness facilities with pools and tennis courts. Business amenities may include available up-to-date technology and support staffs available for services. Attention to detail is apparent in the guestrooms which typically have stylish furnishings, quality bedding and bath products and often provide an evening turn down service.
Remarks
Trip prices are per person, land only, based on double occupancy and reflect applicable discounts. Trip prices and discounts are subject to change. Airfare is additional. Tour prices, dates and itineraries are correct at the time of the website going live, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking. Other restrictions may apply.

All fares are quoted in US Dollars.

OFFER ID
1478235

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Merced Travel

(209) 383-1511 Alternate (209) 658-6518