Depart from Australia to Paris, France

Upon arrival at the Paris Airport, you will be met and greeted by our representative and transfer to your hotel for a restful and leisure day.

Hotel: Balladins Hotel Villejuif or similar

After breakfast, tour leaves from Paris for a delightful scenic journey through the rolling countryside of the Champagne region, famous the world over for the sparkling white wine produced here. Enjoy seeing the historic attractions of provincial capital Reims, including the city’s cathedral – a key national heritage site, where coronations of French kings took place from the 11th century onwards. History and tradition are equally evident in your next location: Luxembourg, the world’s only remaining Grand Duchy. After arriving in refined Luxembourg City, you’ll be introduced on foot to the main places of interest, including the Place de Constitution and Pont Adolphe, before having time for further exploration on your own.

Hotel: Novotel Kirchberg or similar

After breakfast, we leave Luxembourg behind and head across another European border into Germany. The first stop is historic Trier, Germany’s oldest city and the birthplace of Karl Marx. You’ll have the chance to see from the outside the house where the influential philosopher was born, which now functions as the Karl Marx Haus museum. Your walking tour then takes you into the centre of Trier; here you can look around the city’s impressive cathedral, where the celebrated Holy Robe – said to be the tunic of Christ – is preserved and occasionally displayed. Trier is also known as ‘The Second Rome’ (Constantine served as an administrator here for 10 years), and significant legacies of the once-great empire remain today. The highlight is undoubtedly Porta Nigra, the best-preserved Roman city gate north of the Alps, which you’ll get to see and photograph. After an exciting morning in Trier, you’ll drive on to Koblenz, famous as the location of the confluence of the Rhine and Mosel rivers. Here you have the option of indulging in a relaxing lunch alongside the water, then afterwards you can also choose to add on a scenic Rhine boat cruise for some memorable city vistas. Back on dry land, you’ll drive through the wine-making town of Rüdesheim, and stop to see the bronze 19th-century Niederwald monument. Perched on a hill high above the town, this stop also offers a spectacular photo opportunity of the surrounding Rhine Valley. Then it’s on to Frankfurt am Main, where you’ll discover the delights of Römerberg, a charming plaza with a distinctive medieval town hall as its centrepiece. Note: The Rhine boat cruise is only operational from 3rd April to 31st October.

Hotel: Park Inn by Radisson or similar

After breakfast, begins the leisurely drive north-west from Frankfurt to Bonn, the capital of the former West Germany until reunification. The national government is now run from Berlin, but Bonn retains a rich history that is well worth exploring. Discover the city’s secrets on an orientation stroll through its streets, walking past highlights such as the Rococo-fronted town hall and Ludwig Van Beethoven Haus, a museum celebrating the life of the much-loved composer. Then it’s on to Cologne, where you’ll head inside the city’s glorious Gothic cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The rest of the afternoon is yours to explore Cologne further, to do a spot of local shopping or to simply relax with a suitably refreshing German brew. After lunch, the day is rounded off with a drive into the Netherlands.

Hotel: Hampton by Hilton or similar

After breakfast, day of delights begins with a leisurely trip through the Dutch countryside, where you’ll get to sample at close quarters some of the things that the Netherlands is traditionally famous for clogs, cheese and windmills. Call in at the hugely popular model town of Zaanse Schans*.  Next, you’ll head from the quiet countryside to the cosmopolitan city as your journey takes you back to Amsterdam. After visiting a well-known diamond factory, where you’ll see the unique cutting techniques that have been practised here since the 16th century, you can take an optional hour-long pre-dinner canal cruise, which is a great way to discover more about this unique European city. After disembarking you’ll walk to one of the city’s grandest areas, Dam Square, where the Royal Palace is located and the Queen’s birthday celebrations take place. You’ll have photo opportunities here, free time for shopping or further sightseeing, and then round the day off with dinner. *From mid-March to mid-May the tour visits Keukenhof Garden, a 32-hectare seasonal exhibition of beautifully coloured and scented displays of spring flowers – most notably millions of tulips. This replaces the visit to ZaanseSchans.

Hotel: Hampton by Hilton or similar

After breakfast, leaving Amsterdam in the morning you’ll head south across the border into Brussels, the Belgian capital and political centre of the European Union. On the way, the tour stops to see the distinctive Atomium monument, a cell-shaped structure of stainless steel spheres and tubes built for the 1958 World’s Fair. In the centre of Brussels itself, an orientation tour will call in at the exquisite Grand Place, as well as seeing the famous impish Manneken Pis statue. After some free time, during which you can try some mouth-watering Belgian delights. Then from Brussels, it’s south again across the French border and on to the bright lights of Paris.

Hotel: Balladins Hotel Villejuif or similar

After breakfast, Paris is your oyster over the next two days as you enjoy guided tours around one of the world’s most celebrated cities. Your Parisian adventures get off to a spectacular start with a drive along the famous Champs Élysées to the Place de la Concorde, which played such a key part in the French Revolution. You will also get to see the iconic Arc de Triomphe here too, the imposing monument that sits near the western end of the avenue and commemorates the fallen of the revolution and Napoleonic wars. You’ll take in another significant historical building as you head to L’Hôtel National des Invalides, where Napoleon’s tomb is located. It’s on to the most legendary of all Paris’s icons: the Eiffel Tower. Choose to make the optional ascent of the tower for unbeatable views over the city and a truly memorable experience. Then, you can take a more leisurely cruise along the river Seine, a great sightseeing option that offers views including Notre-Dame Cathedral and Pont Alexandre III. Finally, you’ll travel on the coach out through the Parisian suburbs to the splendid Palace of Versailles, the vast regal château that was the residence of the royal family until the start of the revolution in 1789. Today the palace is another popular Parisian attraction. Travellers can choose one of the Optional evening shows.

Hotel: Balladins Hotel Villejuif or similar

After breakfast, the second day of your Parisian experience begins with a visit to the Louvre, one of the world’s greatest art museums. Here you’ll set your eyes upon some of history’s most famous masterpieces, including the Venus de Milo, Winged Victory of Samothrace (also called Nike of Samothrace), and Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa. Opt for a guided gallery tour, which will enhance your experience and allow you to browse through hundreds of works in just a few hours. After an exhilarating morning of walking the gallery corridors, replenish your energy levels with lunch in the museum before heading to the area surrounding the Palais Garnier, Paris’s opera house. Here the rest of the afternoon is yours to shop at legendary department stores Galeries Lafayette and Printemps, sightsee or simply sit and sip. For some members of the group it will be time to say goodbye to new-found friends, while others will opt to stay another night in this French city of delights before picking up the Green Line tour the next day.

Hotel: Novotel Sanchinarro or similar

After breakfast, enjoy the last bit of Parisbefore heading to the Port of Calais. The coach will be driven onto Ferry or Eurotunnel, crossing the English Channel to Port Dover in England. Then, you can enjoy the beautiful scenery all the way to London.

Hotel: Holiday Inn London or similar

After breakfast, we visit London attractions: Big Ben, Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, 10 Downing Street, Whitehall, St James’ Park, Buckingham Palace, and River Thames. In the afternoon we visit the famous British Museum and tour St. Paul’s Cathedral, Tower Bridge and the London Castle. London Castle has been occupied as a palace, arsenal, prison, and has been setting to many a bloody battle within the British Monarchs. We stay overnight in London, where you can experience the dazzling night scene, or head for a Thames Cruise or musical with a group of friends. (Musical tickets, boat reservation and more activities can be arranged for you.)

Hotel: Hampton by Hilton or similar

After breakfast, it is time to visit the nation’s acclaimed educational institution; Cambridge University. In addition to a strong academic atmosphere; Cambridge. That Cambridge is where most luminaries start their dreams and hopes for the future becomes apparent with the sight of the pastoral landscapes, picturesque rivers and architecture. The University of Cambridge, a majestic old University group includes King’s College, Queens College set among the most rural of bridges. Then it is onto York, a true medieval melting pot of Roman, Saxon and Viking culture. The city is mostly intact from the middle ages and shows the rustic side of Britain. We visit York Minster, the roman fortress with the original walls. For those keen to discover the little grass-roots shops, there will be time to wander around. We stay overnight in York or a small town on the road to Edinburgh.

Hotel: Blackwell Grange Hotel or similar

After breakfast, Edinburgh is next on our places to visit. We are expected to arrive in Edinburgh in the afternoon. Edinburgh represents the best in Scottish heritage. Wooden barrows of gold single malt whiskey, checked kilts and Scottish bagpipes will make you grow fond of this warm and lively nation of quirky characters. Upon arrival, we first visit Edinburgh Castle, set on the stunning view of volcanic rock structures, where once inside we will admire the oldest royal crown and jewellery. We then continue this royal trail with a visit to Holyrood Palace, City Hall and the Royal Parks. Optional is a visit to JK Rowling’s Ivory Cafe where Harry Potter was authored, to enjoy a cup of coffee. We then drive to Scotland’s largest city Glasgow to stay a night.

Hotel: Days Inn Abington or similar

After breakfast, we drive straight to Lake District, located on the west side of the north of England. Lake District National Park is one of the UK’s most popular tourist spots; each year tens of thousands of travellers come to see the thousands of years of geological changes reflected in the intricate natural beauty, lakes, valleys, mountains, waterfalls and natural carved out planning. Next on the list is Manchester. Fashionable, social buzz and dynamic, this city is not only the headquarters of the much-anticipated soccer Mecca, Man United but also England’s most productive industrial city. Football fans can enjoy a pilgrimage to the Manchester United Old Trafford grounds; or catch a training game, food lovers can pick a scrumptious restaurant in the nearby Chinatown. We stay overnight in the Manchester area.

Hotel: Novotel Manchester or similar

After breakfast, a drive takes us to Shakespeare’s hometown, in Stratford Upon Avon. Subsequently this is also where acclaimed Hollywood blockbuster movie, ‘Shakespeare in Love’ was filmed. From the cobble-stoned streets to the drinking dens, theatres and road signs, everything is to do with Shakespeare. It is a heaven for those romantically inclined. Our big anticipated outing must be the now infamous Bicester Outlet Shopping Village. For your fix of designer clothes, sporting goods, jewellery, household items, bookstores and children’s clothing look no further than the 130 plus flagship brands that include Gucci, Armani, Prada, Calvin Klein, Dunhill, DKNY, Burberry, Paul Smith, Bally, Le Creuset, Clarks, etc. The shops are large, their stock is current and well-displayed and best of all; their average selling price is at a very good value; we dare you not to be persuaded!

Hotel: Holiday Inn London or similar

After breakfast, enjoy the last bit of London before transferring to Airport according to your flight schedule. Board on home bound flight to return to Australia.

Arrive in Australia.