CLASSIC EUROPE & MEDITERRANEAN CRUISE 29 DAYS

Take an international flight from Australia to Barcelona.
NOTE: Some flights may depart one day later, and may involve up to two transits.

On arrival in Prague you’ll be picked up and check into your hotel. For travellers arriving earlier in the day, an optional transfer to the Old Town Square is available in the evening. This central location is full of energy and touristic activities. It’s a marvellous place to become acquainted with Prague, and to find a place for dinner before returning to the hotel.

Today we further explore Prague, the Baroque jewel of Europe. Our local expert will provide a guided city tour, which will include the most outstanding monuments. During the visit we walk through Prague Castle (admission included). Subsequently, we shall take a magnificent boat tour along Moldava River. Enjoy free time at leisure in the afternoon to explore Prague. In the evening, enjoy yourself in the historical city centre, where you can select dinner from cuisines from around the world before returning to the hotel.

This morning we leave for Germany. In the region of Bavaria, see Lauf An Der Pegnitz, a picturesque little village which stands out for its busy market square and castle. After this, carry on to Wurzburg, with time for lunch and to see this Bavarian city, a former bishopric centre and now a very busy university city, on the banks of the River Main. Our journey continues towards Frankfurt. Explore the historic city centre and choose your favourite restaurant for dinner, before returning to the hotel.

Today we enjoy a short cruise on the Rhine, between the villages of Rudesheim and St. Goar; undoubtedly the river’s most picturesque sector. Then, travel to Cologne, a city which stands out for its immense, gothic Cologne Cathedral. Then, on to Holland, arriving in Amsterdam at the end of the day.

Today we explore Amsterdam, starting with Zaanse Schans with its mills, canals, and distinctive houses. Then it’s on to Volendam, a picturesque fishing village. From Volendam, take a short boat trip to Marken, an island that is connected to the mainland by a fixed dike. In the afternoon we take a tour of Amsterdam to see its narrow canals, the Dam Platz, official buildings and parks, and also to see the technique of diamond cutting. Evening transfer to the red light district, with its liberal atmosphere and restaurants from all corners of the world, is available.

In the morning, leave for Brussels. Visit the Grand Place and stop to photograph the Atomium. Later, we arrive in Bruges, the marvellous Flemish city known as the ‘little northern Venice’. After lunch, continue to France, arriving in Paris at the end of the day.

A scenic guided tour to discover the history, main boulevards and breathtaking monuments of Paris, ending near the Eiffel Tower. You will have the opportunity to climb up to the second level of this remarkable metal monument (admission is included). Take a boat cruise along the River Seine, which divides the north of Paris from the south, then enjoy a free afternoon to explore the city as you choose. At sunset, transfer to the Latin Quarter, a very picturesque area of the historic city centre, is available. Here you can enjoy dinner selected from a wide variety of international cuisine. Return to hotel.
Note: Sometimes queues to climb the Eiffel Tower are long. For organisational reasons, if deemed appropriate, the climb can be made at a different time or on another day.

Today we go to the centre of Paris, to the area of the Louvre Museum, for free time at leisure. If you wish, we can accompany you to Benlux, one of the best-known perfumeries in Paris. An optional excursion to Eurodisney is available (at your own expense).

Today, travel to the Bourgogne region in the centre of France, famous for its wines. Stop in Noyers, a small medieval town that is amongst the prettiest places in France. After this we will visit Beaune in the centre of the Bourgogne region with its memorable streets full of flowers, its hospice, and fascinating wine museum. After lunch, travel to Lyon, the capital of Roman Gaul on the banks of the Rhône. Its historic centre has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage site. Enjoy free time at leisure.

On this beautiful stage of the tour, we travel to Switzerland. On arrival in Geneva, visit the Palais des Nations (the United Nations headquarters in Europe) and then to the beautiful Jardin Anglais (English Garden) with its flower clock, and admire the Jet d’Eau, the highest-reaching fountain in Europe. After lunch, we will continue through Switzerland passing the beautiful Leman and Neuchatel Lakes.
Note: Depending on the number of travellers from Geneva to Zürich, this trip might be done by train.

Take a guided stroll in Zurich, the most populous city of Switzerland, and the financial and cultural capital of the country. This ‘city of banks’ has twice been declared to have the best quality of life in the world. Then, take a boat trip on Lake Zurich, lasting almost two hours. The boat makes brief stops, allowing passengers to admire villages on the way, such as Rapperswil, a small and highly picturesque village overlooked by a medieval castle. We return to Zurich by train, and will see the efficiency and punctuality of the Swiss Railway. Enjoy an evening in Zurich’s historic city centre, next to the lake, where you can dine at your preferred restaurant.

Today´s stage reveals beautiful landscapes, with high mountains and scenic lakes. Enjoy breathtaking scenery in the region of Interlaken. In Grindelwald, we will have time for a coffee before taking the cable car up to Grindelwald first (ticket included). Walk along the path (around 30 minutes) and take the ‘footbridge over the empty’ among fantastic scenery, with glaciers all around. Lunch is included (vegetarian option available). Then, continue to Lucerne, one of the most beautiful cities in Switzerland. Enjoy free time at the end of the day to stroll, enjoy the city, and dine before returning to the hotel in Zurich.

Travel to Burglen, the tiny village where William Tell was born, and see a 16th century chapel with paintings illustrating his life. Continue to Lugano, the cosmopolitan capital of Italian Switzerland, with its beautiful lake. Enjoy free time at leisure time to stroll and have lunch. Afterwards, following the shores of the lake, we reach the enchanting little town of Morcote, with its houses made of stone and covered with flowers. On arrival in Milan, visit the impressive Duomo Square. There will be time to dine at the Porta Venecia (Port of Venice) where an outstanding variety of restaurants can be found to delight your palate. Transfer to the hotel.

This morning, spend time in Milan and see the great cathedral and the galleries in the city centre. Then, continue towards Pisa. On a little tourist train we will travel to the Piazza Dei Miracoli (Square of Miracles), to admire one of the most alluring and beautiful art complexes in Italy, including the well-known Leaning Tower of Pisa. Then, continue to Rome, arriving late afternoon.

In the morning, take a scenic tour as an introduction to Rome, The Eternal City. Enter the tiny city-state of The Vatican. Vatican City is the world centre of Catholicism. You will be able to visit St. Peter’s Basilica, and later, the Roman Coliseum. This impressive structure dates back 2,000 years and will transport us in time to learn about ancient society during the Roman Empire. In the evening we provide transport to the Via Cavour area for dinner, where you will find restaurants serving Italian, Indian, Chinese and other international food. Dine and return to the hotel.

After breakfast a transfer takes you to the airport to take your flight to Madrid. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel and check in. Towards the end of the day, evening transfer to the Egyptian Temple of Debod in the Parque del Oeste (one of the few works of ancient Egyptian architecture that can be seen outside Egypt), is available. You’ll also visit the Plaza de España and Gran Via, a vibrant district where you can dine at your preferred restaurant – Indian, Chinese, Spanish and Middle Eastern are some of the options.

Please Note: Baggage allowance for the flight between Rome and Madrid is 1 (one) piece max weight 20kg, plus one 7Kg carry-on bag. Additional baggage allowance can be purchased at check in at EUR85 per piece.

The day starts with a comprehensive tour through the centre of Madrid, including Paseo del Prado, Cibeles, Neptuno, the Gate of Alcalá, Gran Via, Plaza de Colón and the Plaza Mayor. Visit Retiro Park, an oasis in the city centre, where we will see the lake and the Glass Palace. Admission to Las Ventas Bullring included. This is one of the most famous bullrings in the world where we will learn about the tradition of corridas in the Bullfighting Museum. Enjoy the rest of the afternoon at leisure. At sunset, transfer to Plaza de Oriente, opposite the Royal Palace, an elegant and bustling area with many restaurants serving exquisite international cuisine in which to enjoy a pleasant dinner before returning to the hotel.

Departing Madrid and heading towards Aragón, we pause our journey in Zaragoza to visit the Basílica del Pilar. After visiting this impressive sanctuary, enjoy the sights of the city centre. Next, we make our way to Cataluña and the Monastery of Poblet, surrounded by walls and in a beautiful setting, this is one of the best-preserved medieval monasteries in the world (entrance and guided tour included). We then go on to the Monastery of Montserrat where we take a ride on the rack train for the fantastic views.
Note: From November to March, due to the shorter days, the Monastery of Poblet will not be visited (so that the group can reach Montserrat during daylight).

Today we tour Barcelona, an impressive city right on the Mediterranean Sea. Our visit includes an informative city tour with a local expert (or if fewer than fifteen people, your guide). We also visit the city’s historic central area with its Gothic neighbourhood dating back to the Middle Ages. We will visit the area where the 1992 Olympic Games took place. It will be possible to see and photograph La Sagrada Familia basilica; the masterpiece designed by the architect Antoni Gaudí. Subsequently, we include the entry ticket to Poble Espanyol (Spanish Village). This open air architectural museum is situated in one of the most emblematic areas of Barcelona. Be delighted by the best Spanish craftsmanship and discover the architectural styles, traditions and folklore of the different communities in Spain. Free time to explore the city on your own. In the evening we provide transfer to Las Ramblas and Plaza Catalunya area, where you can select from a great variety of restaurants before returning to the hotel.

After breakfast, transfer to the port and board the MSC Seaview to begin your Mediterranean cruise. MSC Seaview rewrites the rule book of cruise ship design, blending indoor and outdoor areas to connect you with the sea like never before. Circling the ship as low as Deck 7 is a unique seafront promenade lined with places to eat, drink, shop, swim and sunbathe, and you can enjoy superb views from the two glass-floored catwalks and panoramic elevators.

Ajaccio is the capital of Corsica, a French island in the Mediterranean Sea. Surrounded by mountains and situated on a beautiful bay, the claim to fame of this port city is that Napoléon Bonaparte was born here in 1769. Select from a variety of shore excursions.

The capital of northwest Italy’s Liguria region, Genoa has been a centre of international maritime trade for centuries. The birthplace of Christopher Colombus and Niccolò Paganini, the city boasts a rich cultural history in art, music and cuisine. The Via Galibaldi, Royal Palace, and Doge’s Palace are notable attractions. A variety of shore excursions are available.

A former fishing village at the border of two enchanting regions, La Spezia offers easy access to Tuscany and its great cities like Florence and Pisa, and Liguria’s rugged coast and terraced villages, known as Cinque Terre. Select from a variety of shore excursions.

On the Tyrrhenian Sea, in the central Italian region of Lazio, Civitavecchia (A.K.A ‘The Port of Rome’) was built in the 2nd Century by Roman Emperor Trajan. Now known as a major cruise port, the city boasts the massive Forte Michelangelo. Rome and the Vatican are approximately 90 minutes away from Civitavecchia. Select from a variety of shore excursions.

Known for its wealth, luxury hotels, and film festival, Cannes sits on the French Riviera. Put on your best outfit, and stroll between the palm trees of the Promenade de la Croisette. Check out the yachts and sports cars, and if you’re there in May, who knows which movie stars you may see! A variety of shore excursions are available.

A rugged island with fine beaches, Mallorca welcomes travellers seeking sun, sea and sand. Its capital city of Palma is home to a lively café and arts scene, historic sights and an Old Town of twisting lanes and hidden courtyards. Select from the exciting optional shore excursions.

Arrive in Barcelona and disembark from the MSC Seaview. Transfer to the airport for your flight home.

Arrive back in Australia.