European Rhapsody
From CAD $7,640
Guarantee
Group Tour
Easy
Rating
(10 reviews)
Experience Overview
Experience the finest Europe has to offer as you lose yourself on the Romantic Road in Rothenburg and satisfy your appetite in Hungary with a fine dining dinner cruise in Budapest. Led by local experts, your experience will rival the aristocrats of yesteryear in the famed Carinthian Lake District. After checking in at your exclusive, private boat access hotel, dinner is served at La Fenice before twilight night caps at Cafe Florian—the premier cocktail bar in Venice. Sample a little pomp and circumstance with the Bavarian grandeur of Germany's Wurzburg Residenz and in Vienna, tread in the footsteps of your local Travel Director with a chance to take a private tour of Maria Theresa's awesome Schonbrunn Palace.
Highlights
Dining Summary
- 11 Breakfast (B)
- 4 Dinner (D)
Choice Highlights
- Choose between two carefully selected activities
- Prague: Stroll through the Jewish Quarter with your Local Expert to hear how the Jewish community has shaped the history of Prague, and taste Trdelník, a traditional Czech pastry.
- Prague: Explore Prague with your Local Expert, walk the courtyards of the Castle, and visit the imposing St. Vitus Cathedral. The city is then yours to explore. Maybe take a river cruise through the heart of the city, or walk in the footsteps of kings along the Royal Route?
Additional Included Highlights
- Personal radio headsets give you the freedom to wander during visits to famous highlights, without missing any of your Local Expert's fascinating commentary.
- 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.
- We carry your bags for you and promptly deliver them to your hotel door.
- From time to time, your Travel Director will delight you with an Insight Flourish, which is a local specialty representing the destination.
- Stay connected with friends and family with our complimentary coach and hotel Wi-Fi (where available).
- If your arrival and/or departure flights are as per the itinerary start and end dates, then 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 from/to the airport.
Authentic Dining
- Amsterdam: Toast to the travels ahead during your dinner of modern European cuisine at a local restaurant.
- Budapest: Enjoy a scenic dinner cruise and take in the city's night time beauty as you float along the Danube.
- Venice: Savor a Venetian Celebration Dinner with wine in a restaurant in the heart of this historic city.
Insight Choice
- Prague: Stroll through the Jewish Quarter with your Local Expert to hear how the Jewish community has shaped the history of Prague, and taste Trdelník, a traditional Czech pastry.
- Prague: Explore Prague with your Local Expert, walk the courtyards of the Castle, and visit the imposing St. Vitus Cathedral. The city is then yours to explore. Maybe take a river cruise through the heart of the city, or walk in the footsteps of kings along the Royal Route?
Insight Experiences
- Budapest: Enjoy a tour of the Liszt Music Academy with a student, followed by an enchanting recital. Producing incredible musical talent, the university was founded by piano virtuoso and composer Franz Liszt in 1875.
- Vienna: Be pampered with traditional coffee and cake. An experience like no other, this cozy cafe provides companionship, and promotes well-being and support for the community, in addition to crafting delicious treats.
Make Travel Matter
- Venice: Witness the ancient skill of glassblowing, now practised by precious few masters. Watch artisans create delicate works of art using rare traditional practices. The workshop's master craftsmen teach visitors about the traditional craft of glassblowing and its history which dates back to the 15th century. Every visit helps to support the workshop and the survival of this traditional craft. This workshop directly supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.
Summary
- See Amsterdam • Alte Mainbruckem and Marienburg Fortress in Würzburg • Rothenburg-ob-der-Tauber • Old Town Square, St Vitus Cathedral and Prague Castle • Váci Utca and Gellért Hill in Budapest • Hofburg Imperial Residence, Opera House, Parliament Building and Karlskirche in Vienna • St. Mark's Square and Doge's Palace in Venice.
Top Rated Highlights
- London: Relax on the smooth, high-speed Eurostar train as you journey from London to Europe via the revolutionary Channel Tunnel.
- Amsterdam: Cruise along the waterways, discovering the architectural gems of the old city, including mansions dating from the Golden Age of the 17th Century.
- Wurzburg: Stand on the statue-lined Alte Mainbrucke and see the Marienburg fortress.
- Wurzburg: Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Würzburg Residence.
- Rothenburg ob der Tauber: Picturesque Rothenburg ob der Tauber is the best-preserved medieval town in Germany and a truly enchanting destination. Step back in time and explore the city walls, towers, and gates around the old town as well as the old town itself.
- Budapest: Explore the Old Town of Buda with a Local Expert.
- Vienna: Join your Local Expert for a city tour that reveals both the renowned sights and hidden gems of Vienna's historic core. Travel along the Ringstrasse to see the Hofburg Imperial Residence, Opera House, Parliament Building and Karlskirche.
- Venice: Join your Travel Director for an introduction to Venice, exploring its canals, lively squares, and historic landmarks. Discover the city’s unique charm as you navigate its maze of streets and take in iconic sights like St Mark’s Square and the Rialto Bridge.
Well-being
- 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.
- Hand sanitizer is freely available on board for you to use throughout the day.
Trip Details
Product Code: 35216
Tour Type: Group Tour
Accommodation: Deluxe
Transport: Private
Guide Language: English
Travel Styles:
Family, 55+, Luxury
Tour Operator:
Insight Vacations (CA)
Supplier Code: 71.1360A
Starts: London, United Kingdom
Finishes: Venice, Italy
Duration: 12 days
Departures: Not Guaranteed
Physical Rating:
Easy
Includes
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $7,640 ($637 /day)
Itinerary
Welcome to London. After checking into your hotel, the afternoon is free to enjoy a city that is famous for its pomp and pageantry. Perhaps relax with a walk along the Serpentine in Hyde Park or window shop in the elegant boutiques of Knightsbridge? Alternatively, you may want to stroll along the Thames to the iconic Tower Bridge and Tower of London.
Accommodation: Thistle Marble Arch, London
Meet your Travel Director and transfer to London’s St. Pancras Station to board the high-speed Eurostar for a rail journey via the revolutionary Channel Tunnel to Brussels. Board the coach and continue to Amsterdam. This evening, join your Travel Director for a Welcome Reception. Get to know your fellow guests during a cruise, along some of the many quaint, tree-lined canals. Admire the elegant merchant houses from the 16th and 17th centuries, their facades are a reflection of when trade flourished during Amsterdam's Golden Age. Relax as you pass stunning gables, beautiful churches and the iconic Magere Brug, better known as the Skinny Bridge. Disembark and venture to a local restaurant for dinner.
Accommodation: Apollo, Amsterdam
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Relax with a scenic drive along the Rhine Valley to Würzburg. See the mighty Marienburg Fortress – the immense baroque palace of the Prince Bishops and one of the most important landmarks in Germany. On arrival, visit the imposing Würzburg Residenz, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with a Local Expert. Marvel at intricate decorations and lavish staterooms.
Accommodation: Maritim, Würzburg
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
In the morning venture to Rothenburg ob der Tauber, the most well-preserved town on the Romantic Road. Continue east to the Czech border, passing the town of Pilsen renowned for its beer, before reaching the Golden City of Prague. In the evening, perhaps take a river cruise through the heart of the city?
Accommodation: Royal, Prague
Meals: Breakfast
Explore Prague with Insight Choice. Choose to walk the courtyards of the Castle and visit the imposing St. Vitus Cathedral. Alternatively, join your Local Expert through the Jewish Quarter and hear about the history, traditions and legends of the Jewish people and taste Trdelník, a traditional Czech pastry. Then, the city is all yours to explore. Perhaps rummage through the renowned antique stores or shop for the finest Bohemian crystal?
Accommodation: Royal, Prague
Meals: Breakfast
Start the day with a journey through the beautiful forested countryside of Bohemia. Travel to Hungary, following the River Danube to Budapest. In the evening, join a Local Expert to enjoy a scenic dinner cruise, gliding past UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The city’s spectacular night-time beauty earns it the nickname 'Pearl of the Danube’.
Accommodation: Hilton Garden Inn, Budapest
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Drive along the beautiful Andrassy Avenue to Heroes' Square. Stroll through the alleys of the Old Town of Buda and admire sweeping views from the Fisherman’s Bastion with a Local Expert. Stand atop Gellért Hill where the colossal Liberty Statue stands in front of the Citadella watching over the city. Marvel at extensive panoramic views as you look out over the famous river dividing Buda and Pest - the two sides linked by the mighty Chain Bridge and the elegant, newer Elizabeth Bridge.
Accommodation: Hilton Garden Inn, Budapest
Meals: Breakfast
This morning enjoy a tour of the Liszt Music Academy with a student, followed by an enchanting recital. The university was founded by the piano virtuoso and composer Franz Liszt in 1875. Continue your travels, past the Turul Monument, a large eagle statue overlooking the town of Tatabanya, to the Austrian border and through pleasant farming country to the imperial capital of Vienna.
Accommodation: Hilton Vienna Park, Hilton Vienna Plaza, Vienna
Meals: Breakfast
In the morning, there is the option to join a private tour of Maria Theresa's Schönbrunn Palace and formal gardens. Get your camera ready for a drive around the famous Ring Road. This grand boulevard, built along the lines of the old city walls, showcases many of the capital's architectural masterpieces, including the Opera House, magnificent Hofburg Imperial Residence and Parliament building. Later, join your Local Expert for a walk through Innere Stadt, the first district and historic core of Vienna. Sit down for traditional coffee and cake and mingle with locals at a cozy cafe.
Accommodation: Hilton Vienna Park, Hilton Vienna Plaza, Vienna
Meals: Breakfast
This day's route takes you past quiet villages, through Styria's forested mountains and into the Carinthian Lake District. Continue past Europe's warmest lake, the Wörthersee, to cross into Italy near Tarvisio. Then follow mountain valleys and cascading streams down to the Veneto Plain en route to the unique city of Venice. Arrive by private boat to your hotel. In the late afternoon and early evening, sip a cocktail on the corner of Piazza San Marco, whilst you are serenaded by an ensemble of talented musicians. Afterwards, stroll past the Doges Palace and the famous 'Bridge of Sighs' to a local restaurant in the heart of the San Marco 'sestieri' for a magical dinner.
Accommodation: Eurostars Residenza Cannaregio, Venice
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
In the morning, prepare to embrace this most romantic city. Visit St. Mark's Square, dominated by its magnificent basilica and overlooked by the great Clock Tower. Also in the square stands the immense Campanile and Doge's Palace which is connected to the ancient prisons by the Bridge of Sighs. Join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience as you witness the skill of glassblowers on a visit to a traditional arts center. The rest of the day is free. Perhaps shop in the small arcades or why not cruise the Venetian lagoon to the island of Burano for a meal of local specialties and wine?
Accommodation: Eurostars Residenza Cannaregio, Venice
Meals: Breakfast
Alas, you must bid farewell to this enchanting city. Your departure transfer arrives at Venice Marco Polo Airport.
Meals: Breakfast
Similar Tours
Tour Operator
Insight Vacations (CA)
Part of The Travel Company (TTC) family of brands, Insight Vacations began operations in 1978 and is based in Cypress, CA. Journeys are featured to destinations, such as the U.S. and Canada, Europe, Latin America, North Africa, Asia, the UK and Ireland. The company offers are a variety of tours under the classifications of Regional Journeys, Country Roads, Discovery Journeys, Easy Pace trips, and Special Interest tours. Insight is the ideal name for the tour operator, as the journeys provided by Insight Vacations allow travelers to gain further insight into whatever destination they wish to explore. For example, Discovery Journeys are the ideal choice for first-time visitors to Europe. Itineraries include Dine-at-Home or Farm-to-Table experiences so travelers can learn more about how locals live and dine. Regional Journeys allow trip-goers to see a specific location in Europe that they have always wanted to see – Poland, Switzerland, Italy, etc. The carefully planned trips enable customers to immerse themselves in one specific region or country and to become acquainted with its culture, traditions, and people. For anyone seeking travel off the beaten track, Insight Vacations offers Country Roads – trips that lead travelers off the well-tread tourist trail to explore hidden gems where visitors can savor the local produce with Farm-to-Table dining. Some trips are offered under the Easy Pace travel style – the ideal trip choice for trip-goers who wish to slow their pace during their vacation. During these tours, vacationers stay at least 3 nights at each destination, giving them some additional time to explore a place and enjoy it. Regardless of the travel style, many of the vacations offered by Insight Vacations begin with Relaxed Starts – giving travelers time to sleep in a little, spend more time at breakfast, or explore an area on their own. The tour company prides itself on providing business class tours that features luxury coaches with 40 seats. While most coach touring operators provide vehicles with 53 seats, Insight Vacations has re-configured its motor coaches to hold up to 40 guests. This gives passengers extra leg room while traveling and offers them more space and privacy.
In Business Since 1978
Reviews
Anonymous - Traveled, September 2024
The service we experienced was care of which therefore means it was excellent. We cannot praise our tour director, highly enough. He expertly shared his knowledge, curated the timetable, was highly organised, supported us all, and managed difficult situations with a smile and therefore without us being aware - apart from the truck crash in a tunnel on our way to Vienna, which held us up for hours. While we sat on the bus in kilometres of jammed traffic, several times called the many different people who were expecting us and altering what we could do when we eventually arrived. Unbeknown to us at the time, he was also becoming aware of a difficult and scary injury to his wife in England, so was under immense pressure personally and professionally, but gave us a superb experience in Vienna with grace and a smile. He epitomises what he says - no problems, only solutions. We also enjoyed our time and tours with the local experts introduced us to and value highly the personal insights, context and broad knowledge they shared with us. Our coach driver, was a star too. He did everything he could to make things easy for us, even when they were not easy for him. For example, when there was no parking in the streets around our Budapest hotel, he drove and drove searching for a safe place to park our coach. We understand this meant he went five minutes over his driving hours, for which he will be required to pay a fine. We beseech you, Insight Vacations, to cover that fee. Did the right thing by us, his tour group, and by your coach. He should not be “punished” for that.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/20/2024
Anonymous - Traveled, November 2024
Same small towns not much to see and do.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/20/2024
Anonymous - Traveled, November 2024
I purchased this tour through Costco Travel. The agents were always helpful and responsive to both phone and emails inquiries. The only improvement I would suggest is making the payment process easier. Whenever I wanted to pay, I had to call and get an email link, which was only good for one time. So much better to just be able to go online and make a payment any time you wished. The itinerary is ideal for anyone wanting a bucket list experience. Great choice of cities, full of historic sites, amazing cultural activities and delicious cuisine choices.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/20/2024
Corinne - Traveled, September 2024
Our Bus Driver and Tour Director did a fantastic job at coordinating everthing for us. A reasonably fast paced tour. Thoroughly enjoyable. We saw a lot and did a lot in such a short time. Thoroughly recommend this tour. Our Bus Driver and Tour Director were outstanding.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/20/2024
Anonymous - Traveled, August 2024
It is very, very busy.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/20/2024
Brenton - Traveled, August 2024
Had very short notice about the cancellation of my chosen tour. Its a god itinerary and covers a lot of territory but is definitely fast paced so if you like it relaxed this isn't for you. We saw all the places we wanted to , I think Budapest is the pick.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/20/2024
Anonymous - Traveled, August 2024
The service from our tour director and coach driver was excellent. The information shared by our tour director was detailed and easy to follow and our coach driver always had the coach clean and tidy and where we needed to be on time. The itinerary covered a lot of ground but gave a great taste of many cities of Europe and enough time to work out where a return visit would be enjoyed.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/20/2024
Joanne - Traveled, August 2024
Fantastic glimpse into the major cities in Europe.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/20/2024
Anonymous - Traveled, June 2024
We were fortunate to have a very experienced friendly, helpful tour, Director and a coach full of like-minded travelers who got along famously. Not sure if you could ever duplicate that. Amsterdam is a beautiful unique city filled with several major museums and artwork, interesting architecture and very enjoyable walkable city highly recommend Amsterdam for several days before the start of the trip.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/20/2024
Yee - Traveled, May 2024
Excellent tour director. Should have stay at least two nights in each city.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/20/2024
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