Capitals of Western Europe - 10 days

The round trip through Western Europe leads you to wonderful places that will fascinate you with great contrasts. On the one hand you escape to the past by strolling along picturesque half timbered houses on narrow lanes. On the other hand you can marvel at impressive sites where European Policy is made and European History is written here and now! Fall on the hustle and bustle in the metropolises and feel the energy – or watch the lively activity from a café. We recommend to explore the capitals in the evening, too: You visit cities that never sleep!

Day 1: Arrival in Strasbourg
In the afternoon you will arrival in Strasbourg, the seat of several EU institutions such as the European Parliament and the Council of Europe with the Court of Human Rights. Strasbourg's Old Town, the Grande Île, is a declared UNESCO World Heritage. During a guided tour you will see attractions like the famous Cathedral of our Lady, the Place du Marché and Maison Kammerzell, a well preserved medieval civil house building. Although violently disputed throughout history, Strasbourg has been a bridge of unity between France and Germany for centuries. Overnight stay in Strasbourg area.

Day 2: Strasbourg - Paris - F
On your way from Strasbourg to Paris we recommend a short break at Reims, located in the Champagne-Ardenne region. Founded by the Gauls it became a major city during the Roman Empire. In former times, Reims played an important role as traditional coronation site of the French kings. Nowadays, the city is well known for the traditional production of champagne. We will be pleased to arrange a guided visit including an optional tasting for you. In the late afternoon you will reach the hotel in the area of Paris for your overnight stay.

Day 3: Paris - F
Not only the capital and largest city of France but also the "City of Love". Paris, situated on the river Seine, has been an important settlement for more than two millennia and, nowadays, is one of the world's leading business and cultural centres. Its influences in politics, education, media, science and arts contribute to its status as one of the major global cities. Furthermore, Paris is one of the most popular tourist destinations worldwide. Enjoy a full day guided tour with all the highlights like Arc de Triomphe, Avenue des Champs-Élysées, Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre and Sacré-Cœur Basilica. For the evening we suggest a dinner cruise on the Seine or an unforgettable visit of one of the famous cabaret shows (optional). Overnight stay.

Day 4: Paris - Calais/Dover - London - F
You will take the ferry Calais-Dover and continue towards London. The history of England's capital goes back to its founding by the Romans who called it Londinium. The city is the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom. The Underground system is one of the world's largest metro systems in terms of route miles and amount of stations. Overnight stay in London area.

Day 5: London - F
On a guided tour you will see the highlights of London: Tower with Tower Bridge, the Palace of Westminster with Big Ben and Westminster Abbey, the Buckingham Palace, Piccadilly Circus, Trafalgar Square and Hyde Park. During the afternoon you will be free to experience British lifestyle on your own. You can go shopping at the famous shops and warehouses like Harrods. Get to know the English art scene in museums like Tate Gallery, Madame Tussauds or the British Museum. be prepared to get impressed by the mix of peoples and cultures in London. Did you know that more than 300 languages are spoken within its boundaries? Overnight stay.

Day 6: London - Dover/Calais - Brussels - F
You return to the ferry to reach the European mainland again. In the late afternoon you will arrival in Brussels, the capital of Belgium. The city has grown from a 10th-century fortress town to a metropolis of almost two million inhabitants. Since the end of World War II Brussels has been an important center for international politics. You will find essential institutions of the EU and the headquarters of the NATO here. Overnight stay in Brussels area.

Day 7: Brussels - Amsterdam - F
Get to know the important sights of the city which officially is bilingual. Street names and other signs are shown in French and Dutch. The architecture in Brussels is diverse, from medieval constructions on the Grand Place to the postmodern EU buildings. See the Gothic City Hall, the St. Michael and St. Gudula Cathedral, Royal Castle of Laeken and the Atomium, built for the World’s Fair in 1958. Another tourist attraction is the Manneken Pis, a cute bronze sculpture of a boy relieving himself. We recommend a visit of a chocolate factory. Afterwards, depart to Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands. An optional boat ride on the canals, passing illuminated bridges and houses, will definitely be a wonderful termination of the day. Overnight stay at your hotel in Amsterdam area.

Day 8: Amsterdam - F
Once settled as a fishing village, Amsterdam has become one of the most important ports in the world. During the Dutch Golden Age the city was the leading centre for finance and diamonds. In the morning we will show you the historic canals called Grachten, the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum, the Hermitage and Anne Frank House. You will also see parts of the famous red-light district and coffee shops. The afternoon is free for your individual activities. Overnight stay at your hotel.

Day 9: Amsterdam - Luxembourg - F
Today we will leave for the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, one of the world's most developed countries and seat of numerous institutions of the EU such as the European Court of Justice. Reflecting its geographic position, the culture is a fusion of Romance and Germanic Europe. Official languages are Luxembourgish, French and German. Highlights of the guided tour through the picturesque Old Town of Luxembourg City will be the impressing Grand Ducal Palace, the Place d'Armes, the City Hall and the Bock, a weird system of underground casemates (optional entrance). Overnight stay in Luxembourg.

Day 10: Departure - F
Your exciting journey ends after your breakfast.