29 Day Discover Europe plus Aegean Cruise

Welcome to the Netherlands, a land of bikes, clogs, cheese, canals, and windmills! Enjoy a relaxed day upon arrival before meeting your Travel Director and fellow travellers this afternoon. Your orientation will introduce you to Amsterdam’s famous gabled 17th-century façades. There’s also time to immerse yourself further into Dutch culture with a Choice Experience this evening.

• Accommodation: Ibis Schiphol (or similar)

It won’t take long to fall in love with the Dutch capital! Explore Amsterdam’s rich history, vibrant culture, and impressive art. Your orientation tour will guide you past picturesque gabled houses, countless charming canals, and serene green spaces. Later, you can explore more iconic sites on your own, or opt for a Choice Experience to Volendam, where traditional Dutch cheese and clog making take centre stage. Consider an optional Dutch dinner in a historic gable home this evening.

• Accommodation: Ibis Schiphol (or similar)
• Meals: Breakfast

Prepare to be captivated as you head east into the lush landscapes of Germany. The Rhine Valley, adorned with medieval villages, steep vineyards, and storybook castles, has enchanted artists and writers for centuries. Witness its glory firsthand on a leisurely river cruise, winding your way through the stunning Rhineland landscapes before enjoying dinner.

• Accommodation: NH Bingen (or similar)
• Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Slice through the heart of Switzerland, bound for Lucerne, on your very own ‘Grand Tour’ of Europe. Step back in time as you join your Travel Director for a stroll through the Old Town, including the medieval Chapel Bridge, which has gracefully spanned the Reuss River since the 14th century. You’ll be moved when you visit the poignant Lion Monument, carved from rock to commemorate the brave Swiss Guards who bravely defended King Louis XVI. This afternoon offers free time to explore Lucerne your way, or you can top off the day with an optional fondue dinner and a lively folklore show.

• Accommodation: City Brunnen (or similar)
• Meals: Breakfast

With its towering mountains, pristine lakes, and verdant green landscapes, Lucerne is quintessential Switzerland. Explore it your way today with our Choice Experiences. You could head to the countryside for a delightful horse-drawn carriage ride to a local working farm. Alternatively, embrace the great outdoors and epic views from the top of Mount Pilatus, ascending to the summit by the world’s steepest cog-wheel train, then descending by cable car before enjoying a scenic lake cruise. It truly doesn’t get much better than this!

• Accommodation: City Brunnen (or similar)
• Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Touch the sky as you follow the St. Gotthard highway, winding past breathtaking mountain scenery and into Italy. Arrive in the Veneto region and head towards the iconic island of Venice, the ‘Queen of the Adriatic’. Enhance your experience with a Choice Experience by private water taxi, cruising along the Grand Canal, passing historic palazzi, the famous Rialto Bridge, and St. Mark’s Square. Continue your optional adventure with a classic gondola ride, gliding through the iconic narrow waterways just like you’ve seen in the movies.

• Accommodation: San Giuliano (or similar)
• Meals: Breakfast

With its cobbled lanes, charming artisan shops, quaint trattorias, and 400 canals, Venice is the ultimate explorer’s playground. Cruise the local way, arriving by private launch directly at St. Mark’s Square. All the main attractions are within walking distance, giving you easy access to view the famous Byzantine Basilica of St. Mark. Wander the labyrinthine lanes before visiting a local glassblowing workshop on a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. Watch talented master craftsmen at work, creating the beautiful glass art characteristic of Venice. This afternoon, see the city your way, taking an optional cruise across the lagoon to the colourful Burano Island.

• Accommodation: San Giuliano (or similar)
• Meals: Breakfast

Bid farewell to Italy as you embark on the next exciting leg of your adventure – Croatia! Get your first taste in Opatija, a beautiful coastal town dotted with elegant Habsburg-era villas. Stroll its historic promenade, perhaps stopping for an ice cream along the coastline or simply enjoying some people-watching. Later, you’ll arrive in Plitvice, home to the epic waterfalls you’ll explore tomorrow.

• Accommodation: Big House Plitvička Jezera (or similar)
• Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Find yourself in paradise on a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience at UNESCO-listed Plitvice Lakes National Park. Team up with a Local Guide to learn about the Park’s conservation efforts for native species while enjoying easy trails and boardwalks through the stunning blue-green beauty of interconnecting lakes. Duck your head into cool caves and gaze up at magnificent waterfalls before continuing your Europe Value tour to Dubrovnik.

• Accommodation: Villas Plat (or similar)
• Meals: Breakfast

Iconic highlights await in Dubrovnik this morning! Your Locally Guided sightseeing tour will tick off the Rector’s Palace, Onofrio’s Fountain, and the magnificent city walls. Courtyards and limestone streets will transport you back to the city’s Golden Age. There’s no better way to enjoy this stunning coastline than on tonight’s optional sunset dinner cruise to a secluded bay, with the city illuminated in the background. Cheers!

• Accommodation: Villas Plat (or similar)
• Meals: Breakfast

Make a quick but memorable stop in Montenegro’s medieval Kotor, a stunning bay town surrounded by dramatic mountains. Then, journey into Albania, pulling into the colourful capital, Tirana. The best way to delve into its unique history? Explore this previously communist-dominated capital, including highlights like Skanderbeg Square and the Palace of Culture. Wander up the main boulevard to see the Prime Ministry building, the Presidential office, and the iconic Pyramid Building.

• Accommodation: VH Eurostar (or similar)
• Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

It’s one blockbuster sight after the next as you explore Tirana through its vibrant, colourful architecture, a fascinating blend of Ottoman, Fascist, and Soviet styles. Take in the commanding Skanderbeg Statue, honouring Albania’s national hero, and snap photos of the beautiful Et’hem Bey Mosque. Stroll through the Blloku neighbourhood, once exclusively reserved for members of the communist party.

• Accommodation: VH Eurostar (or similar)
• Meals: Breakfast

Cross back into Greece today, travelling through the scenic Plains of Thessaly to Kalambaka. This afternoon offers an enticing option to join a tour of the gravity-defying Meteora monasteries, which cling impressively to immense rounded rock towers. Rebuilt after being burned by the Nazis in WWII, Meteora also holds a magnificent old Byzantine church and several unique museums, including one devoted to old schoolbooks and another to mushrooms. Why not tick off a few more unique sights from your bucket list?

• Accommodation: Aeton Melathron (or similar)
• Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Welcome back to Athens! The Greek capital was once the centre of the world, and for several more days, it will be yours. The perfect way to start this segment of your time in Greece? Tailor your night with a Choice Experience at a lively taverna evening, where you can kick up your heels with dancing and drinks. Opa!

• Accommodation: Zafolia, Novotel (or similar)
• Meals: Breakfast

All aboard! It’s time to take to the high seas and set sail for stylish Mykonos. Put the ‘oh’ into opa and lose yourself in its cobbled lanes, lined by whitewashed houses and tumbling cerise bougainvillea. Feast on delicious gyros or shop up a storm before boarding your cruise ship for the next exciting leg of your journey.

• Accommodation: MV Celestyal Discovery (or similar)
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Arrive on Turkish shores today in time to enjoy an included visit to the incredible 10th-century remains of Ephesus. Walk down the impressive pillar-lined Curetes Street towards the grand Library of Celsus and view what remains of the Temple of Artemis, once considered one of the World’s Seven Ancient Wonders. Your next stop is Patmos, most famously the location where the disciple John wrote the Book of Revelation in the New Testament.

• Accommodation: MV Celestyal Discovery (or similar)
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Start your morning on Crete, Greece’s largest island and the fifth largest in the Mediterranean. Home to myths and legends, including Zeus’ birthplace and the Minotaur, you may choose to embark on an epic tour to the capital city of Heraklion and absorb the rich history of Europe’s first advanced civilization with a visit to King Minos’ Palace in Knossos. Alternatively, drive deep into the beautiful countryside and experience the true flavour of Cretan lifestyle. As the day progresses, prepare to be enchanted by the iconic beauty of Santorini.

• Accommodation: MV Celestyal Discovery (or similar)
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This morning, lace up your walking shoes in Athens and continue your exploration of the artistry, architecture, and archaeological treasures that have made it a popular stop for history lovers. Then, you’ll fly from Athens to Rome, where you’ll instantly see why there’s so much to love in the land of dolce vita. Whether you’re a foodie or simply enjoy soaking in the local vibe, choose to tick off the city’s quintessential Italian piazzas and fountains with a Local Guide. Throw a coin in the Trevi Fountain, see the ancient Pantheon, and explore hidden corners of the Eternal City.

• Accommodation: Ergife Palace (or similar)
• Meals: Breakfast

With so much to see and do, you could explore Rome for an eternity without getting bored! Discover Rome with your Local Guide and experience the awe-inspiring Vatican City, including St. Peter’s Basilica. Cross the Tiber next to view the mighty Colosseum and countless other blockbusters from the Roman Empire. You can opt to join a Choice Experience to visit the very seat of power, ancient markets, and daily life in the Roman Forum. Later, explore on your own or fully embrace the Italian way of la dolce vita with an evening of delicious Italian dishes and traditional Roman music.

• Accommodation: Ergife Palace (or similar)
• Meals: Breakfast

Set your sights firmly on Florence, the birthplace of the Renaissance and a city that has inspired poets, authors, and artists for centuries. Few cities in the world possess an artistic legacy equal to that of Florence, and now’s your chance to experience it in all its glory. Start your time here by learning about centuries-old leathercraft at a Peruzzi leatherwork demonstration. Then, spend your time exploring the city, from the impressive Baptistery and Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore to Giotto’s Bell Tower and the iconic Ponte Vecchio. Delve deeper into Florence’s Renaissance heritage by visiting Piazza Santa Croce and its famous church, the resting place of many notable figures.

• Accommodation: I Gigli (or similar)
• Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

If you’ve always dreamed of visiting that famous leaning tower, today you’ll get to snap a few strategic photos featuring you and the extraordinary Leaning Tower of Pisa. Admire Pisa’s Romanesque Square of Miracles in all its striped marble glory. Next, head west to the glittering shores of Monaco. Keep your eyes peeled as you drive along its glitzy boulevards before arriving in the glamorous French Riviera.

• Accommodation: Ibis Cannes Mandelieu (or similar)
• Meals: Breakfast

Enjoy a full free day on the French Riviera. There’s no shame in spending the day sprawled out on a sun lounger with a refreshing cocktail. If you can pull yourself away from the sun, you’ll want to join a Choice Experience travelling to the medieval village of Saint-Paul-de-Vence. Life is rather idyllic in this walled hill-town, and like some of its famous residents, you’ll want to linger here a little longer. Afterwards, the sun-kissed promenades of Nice beckon. You never know who you might spot seated in those sleek Ferraris and private yachts!

• Accommodation: Ibis Cannes Mandelieu (or similar)
• Meals: Breakfast

The magnificent Mediterranean coastline stretches ahead as you depart the French Riviera. Keep your cameras at the ready as you drive along elegant boulevards, attempting to capture the sophistication that seems to ooze from every corner. Take a scenic turn into Spain, pulling into the eclectic city of Barcelona.

• Accommodation: Ibis Styles Barcelona Sant Joan Despi (or similar)
• Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Dive right into Barcelona with a Locally Guided tour along the Passeig de Gràcia, where you’ll admire the stunning façades of Spanish Art Nouveau masterpieces created by renowned architects like Antoni Gaudí. Barcelona is a city brimming with photogenic landmarks, from the iconic La Sagrada Familia to the vibrant waterfront and the Columbus statue pointing towards the harbour – all will be revealed by your Local Guide. Later, tailor your Barcelona experience with a visit to Montserrat monastery, home to the revered Black Madonna. You could also wander the charming lanes of the Gothic Quarter during your free time. Tonight, end your day on a high note by choosing to see the whirling skirts and fiery passion of a flamenco show with dinner – this foot-tapping extravaganza is not to be missed!

• Accommodation: Ibis Styles Barcelona Sant Joan Despi (or similar)
• Meals: Breakfast

Bid adios to Barcelona as you head west, with the majestic Pyrenees mountains protecting the northern plains of Spain. Tick off more stunning landscapes as you wind your way through Catalonia’s vineyards, passing the city of Zaragoza and crossing the Ebro river through the landscapes of Aragon to the delights of Pamplona. Sip a glass of something in one of the bars Hemingway frequented, or choose to join an optional Tapas and Sangria experience.

• Accommodation: Ibis Styles Noain (or similar)
• Meals: Breakfast

The beach is back on the agenda today, so get your hat and sunglasses ready for a trip to the glamorous seaside town of Biarritz on the Atlantic coast. Take your cue from the European royals who have been visiting this resort town since the 1800s, and find your new favourite spot on a wicker chair in the sun. After a good dose of sun and sea, it’s back into the rolling countryside of Les Landes en route to Bordeaux.

• Accommodation: Ibis Centre Mériadeck (or similar)
• Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Wind your way through the beautiful French countryside to Tours, the gateway to the captivating Loire Valley. In its car-free centre, you’ll discover a medieval heart, beautifully reflected in its timber-framed houses and Renaissance mansions. Your next stop is Paris, the French capital that doesn’t hold back and doesn’t expect you to either. Take a walk through its grand past, dynamic present, and exciting future, from the maze of streets that once nurtured great artists in Montmartre to the iconic Eiffel Tower. You could choose to join an evening cruise on the Seine, admiring the illuminated skyline at night.

• Accommodation: Novotel Pont de Sèvres (or similar)
• Meals: Breakfast

The Parisians certainly know a thing or two about food, fashion, and fun, and the City of Light will always deliver! Dive right in, capturing your perfect picture by the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe, and indulging in some shopping on the famous Champs Élysées. Perhaps join a Local Guide to feel like you’ve stepped into the movie Amélie while exploring Montmartre’s winding streets of galleries and its world-famous Artist’s Square. Alternatively, see the city from Montparnasse’s Panoramic Observation Deck and stroll past the Latin Quarter’s charming bistros, boutiques, and hidden squares. Tonight, the colourful Can-Can dancers will entice you with their bold outfits in a Choice Experience cabaret show.

• Accommodation: Novotel Pont de Sèvres (or similar)
• Meals: Breakfast

All good things must come to an end. This morning, after a final breakfast, say a fond farewell to your fellow travellers and depart from Paris, carrying a lifetime of incredible European memories.

• Meals: Breakfast