Charms of the East, Alsace, Black Forest with Paris (2024)

Day 1

Welcome to Prague! Upon arriving at the airport, we will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel. Check the information boards in the hotel reception area for details of the welcome meeting with your guide and fellow travelers.In the evening we include a transfer to the Old Town Square. This central location provides a great introduction to Prague, full of energy and touristic activities. You can take your dinner at one of the restaurants offering international cuisines, including Czech, Chinese, Indian and Italian. Return to hotel.

Day 2

Today we will visit the capital, Prague, the Baroque jewel of Europe. Our local expert will provide an informative city tour, which will include outstanding monuments. During the visit we walk through Prague Castle (admission included). Subsequently, we shall take a boat tour on the Vltava River. In the afternoon enjoy some free time to explore the city.

Day 3

We will leave early and travel to Bavaria, arriving in MUNICH free time to stroll through the monumental centre and have lunch at one of the famous traditional beerhouses. In the afternoon we will continue to Austria. Arriving to INNSBRUCK in the evening, we will have time for dinner in the Golden Roof area at the Old Town.

Day 4

Amidst beautiful landscapes crossing the Alps, we travel towards Italy. VENICE. We include a boat transfer to the area of St. Mark’s Square, where we will have a tour with a local guide on foot through the city of canals. You will also have an opportunity to admire the technique of working on Murano glass. Free time afterwards. Would you like a gondola ride? Accommodation in the Mestre area.

Day 5

We leave following the Po Valley towards Switzerland. Today we will admire great scenic beauty entering the Alpine lakes region. LUGANO, time for a walk in the capital of the Italian-speaking Swiss canton, on the shore of the great lake. After lunch time we cross the Alps through the Gotthard tunnel. LUCERNE, arrival in the afternoon. We will make a stop next to the "Wounded Lion" and we will have time in this beautiful Swiss city on the shore of the lake of the four cantons. ZURICH, arrival in the evening, a walk along its lake.

Day 6

We will leave Zurich to BASEL, an important city on the banks of the Rhine, border with Germany and France. You can walk through its old town, where the town hall square stands out and contemplate its cathedral that dominates the Rhine River. We continue our route to Alsace, a French region contested over the centuries between France and Germany, which maintains a dialect of its own German, "the Alsatian", and an architecture and traditions of great Germanic roots. We will make a stop in COLMAR, city with unique architecture, with colored wooden houses and canals that cross it. It is known for its white wine and its gastronomy. We will have time for lunch and a peaceful walk. In the afternoon we will visit two of the most beautiful villages of Alsace: RIQUEWIHR, medieval town with cobbled streets and colored houses that seem to get out of a fairy tale and that inspired scenes of the movie “the Beauty and the beast”. RIBEAUVILLE, with its historic center and castles in ruins that dominate the town. STRASBOURG, arrival in the evening. We suggest walking through the Cathedral and Petite France area, full of charming places and small restaurants.

Day 7

Time in STRASBOURG, the capital of Alsace. The city is the seat of the European Parliament. Its historic center is beautiful, with its picturesque medieval streets, its impressive Gothic cathedral and its canals and flowers. We include a boat trip through the canals of Petite France. After that we go to Germany, admiring beautiful mountain landscapes and towns of the Black Forest. In FREIBURG, we have time to have lunch and walk through this university city with its medieval center and its cathedral. Among wonderful landscapes we will continue to TRIBERG, one of the most picturesque towns in the Black Forest known for its cuckoo clocks. We include the admission to the Triberg Falls, the highest in Germany, which we access through a beautiful path. We continue towards GENGENBACH, a small town with its beautiful central square. Accommodation in BADEN-BADEN, a spa city that attracted nobles and upper bourgeoisie from all over Europe, its casinos, its architecture and its parks remind us of this.

Day 8

Some time in Baden-Baden to stroll through its parks before leaving for Rhineland-Palatinate. SPEYER, on the banks of the Rhine River, its great Romanesque cathedral is a World Heritage Site, you can visit it and have a walk through the old quarter, where the Alte Munze tower stands out. We continue our route to HEIDELBERG. We include a cable car to its impressive castle (admission to the castle´s exterior park, wineries and pharmacy museum included), with its great views over the city. After that we will have time for lunch and a walk through the old town and its Markt Platz. In the afternoon we will arrive in FRANKFURT, a large financial city, with its modern skyscrapers, its old town, the views over the Rhine River and its well-known nightlife.

Day 9

Today we travel to France passing through the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, a small country that speaks German (Luxembourg dialect) and French. LUXEMBOURG, arrival in this cosmopolitan city that combines a rich history with the modernity of being a financial center and headquarters of European institutions. In addition to its old town, a World Heritage Site, its fortifications, the Grand Ducal Palace and the Notre-Dame Cathedral stand out. After lunch time we head on to France. In the center of the Champagne-producing region we will make a stop in REIMS, time to see its impressive Gothic cathedral, where the coronations of many of the kings of France took place. Arrival in PARIS at the end of the day.

Day 10

We come into contact with the history of France in the immense Palace of Versailles (admission not included) with its beautiful gardens. After that, on our way back to Paris, we head to Montmartre, and take a cable car (included) to go up to this bohemian neighborhood known for its painters, artists and cabarets. To contemplate the beauty of the impressive avenues and monuments of Paris, you will have the city tour with a local guide. Return to the hotel. Optionally you can attend the variety show.​

Day 11

We go to the center of Paris, starting by the Eiffel Tower area. You will have the opportunity to climb up to the second floor of this remarkable metal monument (ticket included). Then, we enjoy a boat cruise along the River Seine, which divides the north of Paris from the south. Enjoy a free afternoon to explore as you choose. At around 16.00hrs we will leave Paris for ROUEN a city museum with its houses with half-timbered walls, narrow streets and gothic churches. Accommodation in the city. Note: in some cases the waits to go up the Eiffel Tower are long. Thus the climb may take place at a different time (or on Sunday), if it is considered convenient for organizational reasons.

Day 12

Today we will take a stroll in the center of Rouen to admire its magnificent cathedral and the ancient streets of the historic center. After this we travel to the north of France. Travelling by ferry, we will cross the English Channel to reach CANTERBURY, the religious capital of England with a very attractive historic center. Continuing to LONDON, arriving with time to explore, visit Tower Bridge to see it lit up and admire the modern buildings. Time for dinner in one of the many restaurants offering a variety of cuisines. After dinner, return to the hotel.

Day 13

Get to know LONDON on a locally guided tour featuring style, cul­ture and history. See the Houses of Parliament, the River Thames, the Tower of Lon­don and Buckingham Palace, where we will be able to watch the famous “Changing of the Guard” (depending on the season). Afternoon at leisure. In the evening, we will take a walk through Leicester Square, China Town and Soho, with a lively atmosphere, theatres and entertainment. There are several restaurants to chose where you can dine. Return to the hotel.

Day 14

After breakfast, end of our services.