Winter Explorer

Explore the northern winter in its beauty. Experience the picturesque cites and culture of what Europe has to offer and indulge yourself in this amazing tour only FirstClass.com.au can offer.

Hotels – The hotels featured on this tour range in style from the traditional Sant’Elena, which overlooks the Venetian lagoon, to the modern Hilton hotel in the heart of Innsbruck, and the Movenpick City Centre in Amsterdam.

Highlights – Lakeside Lucerne on a crisp, clear, winter’s day can’t be beaten – except for the stunning views from nearby Mt Pilatus! The history of Rome, the art treasures of Florence and the atmosphere of Venice are all pure magic.

13 Days ~ England ~ Belgium ~ Holland ~ Germany – Austria ~ Italy ~ Switzerland ~ France

DAY 1 – LONDON – AMSTERDAM
Meet your Tour Director at London’s Thistle Marble Arch and travel to Dover for your channel crossing to France. Continue through Belgium, past medieval Bruges and the port of Antwerp, into Holland. See the first windmills on your way to Amsterdam – ‘City of Canals’. Here your orientation tour shows you the Royal Palace and Mint Tower. Tonight, enjoy a Welcome Drink with your fellow guests.
Hotel: Movenpick City Centre.

DAY 2 – AMSTERDAM – MANNHEIM
Travel into Germany today to visit Cologne. Take time to view the impressive Gothic Cathedral and wander down the pedestrian mall. Then continue via Bonn, to the scenic Rhine Gorge. Board your highlight Rhine cruise past medieval castles, steep vineyards and the legendary Loreley Rock. Now on to your hotel in the river port of Mannheim at the confluence of the Rhine and the Neckar.
Hotel: Maritim. (BB,D)

DAY 3 – MANNHEIM – INNSBRUCK
Head into Bavaria today to admire the fairytale castle of Neuschwanstein. Continue to Oberammergau to see the renowned theatre and painted chalets before crossing the Austrian border to lively Innsbruck.
Hotel: Hilton. (BB,D)

DAY 4 – INNSBRUCK – VENICE
This morning your Tour Director shows you the Golden Roof before a visit to the superb rococo Wilten Basilica – its interior richly decorated with cherubs and angels. Leaving Innsbruck, cross into Italy and follow the Adige River through spectacular scenery to Verona. Walk with your Tour Director through the narrow streets past the Roman Arena to Juliet’s Balcony. Now on to the romantic city of Venice.
Hotel: Sant’Elena/Continental. (BB,D)

DAY 5 – VENICE SIGHTSEEING
Cruise by private launch to St Mark’s Square. Walk past the Bridge of Sighs and adjoining Doges’ Palace to view the ornate Basilica and the Moors atop the clock tower. After a demonstration of Venetian glass blowing, you are at leisure to explore or shop! (BB)

DAY 6 – VENICE – ROME
Follow the ‘Highway of the Sun’ over the wild Apennine Mountains to your Rome hotel, scenically located in beautiful gardens. This evening, drive to a local restaurant for a highlight dinner of pasta, wine and music!
Hotel: Crowne Plaza St Peters. (BB,HD)

DAY 7 – ROME SIGHTSEEING
Sightseeing with your local guide takes you into St Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican City to see Michelangelo’s ‘Pieta’. Then cross the River Tiber to visit one of the wonders of ancient Rome – the Colosseum. Round off your tour with a view over the Roman Forum, once the bustling centre of commerce, law and religion. There is time at leisure this afternoon. (BB)

DAY 8 – ROME – FLORENCE
Follow the Tiber north to Florence this morning. Join your local guide to visit the statue of ‘David’ inside the Academy Gallery. Then continue to the Cathedral, Gates of Paradise and the open air art gallery in Signoria Square. Later enjoy a leatherwork demonstration in the Santa Croce area, before time at leisure!
Hotel: Palazzo Ognissanti/Grand Hotel Mediterraneo. (BB,D)

DAY 9 – FLORENCE – LUCERNE
Journey north today past Italy’s industrial nerve centre of Milan and the Italian Lake District. Cross into Switzerland amidst spectacular Alpine scenery, to reach the lakeside resort of Lucerne.
Hotel: Astoria. (BB)

DAY 10 – LUCERNE SIGHTSEEING
A full day in this beautiful city with its covered wooden bridges, painted gables, medieval fortifications, Lion Monument, baroque church, lake-side walks and excellent shops. Later take a spectacular cable-car ride up to the the summit of Mount Pilatus for snow-capped views and true Alpine majesty. (BB,D)

DAY 11 – LUCERNE – PARIS
Travel into France and continue through the wine area of Burgundy to Paris. Tonight, perhaps sample some French cuisine?
Hotel: Marriott Rive Gauche. (BB)

DAY 12 – PARIS SIGHTSEEING
Your guided sightseeing tour shows you Notre Dame Cathedral and the immense facades of the Louvre. Drive through the Place de la Concorde and along the elegant Champs Élysées to the Arc de Triomphe. Now ascend the famous Eiffel Tower for spectacular panoramas over the city! Enjoy free time to shop this afternoon. (BB)

DAY 13 – PARIS – LONDON
This morning cross the battlefields of WW1 en route to Calais. Sail back across the channel to Dover and continue back to London where your tour ends. (BB)