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Europe Escape (Explore top destinations in France, Switzerland, Italy, Germany and the Netherlands.)

Dates: 29 June – 15 July 2024

PRICE:

• Rs 138,000* per person sharing,
• Rs 51,000* single supplement,
• No Triple rooms.

Includes:

• Air ticket on Air Mauritius
• Airport taxes
• 3 nights in London in a 3* hotel with breakfast
• 12 days EXPAT TOUR with 16meals as per program
• Transfers airport-hotel-airport

Excludes:

• Tips- compulsory EUR 100 per person will be collected prior to departure and handed over to a group representative – the latter will hand over to the guide/driver on behalf of the group)
• Travel insurance *approx. RS 1300
• Any other personal expenses

NB:
A minimum number of 40 people is needed to materialize the group. Should we not be able to do so, by 29mar204, a 100% refund of all deposits made will be effected

Summary
Explore top European destinations with this Europe Escape tour! Cruise down Amsterdam’s canals and Germany’ Rhine River! Walk among famous landmarks including the Leaning Tower of Pisa and the Eiffel Tower, a true highlight of Paris tours. Indulge in Tuscan cuisine, sip German beer in an authentic beer hall and eat traditional Belgian waffles! Summit the Swiss Alps to gaze out over lakes, mountains and glaciers. Enjoy free time in Paris, Rome, Amsterdam and the Swiss Alps. Fast-paced and expertly planned, this European tour hits all the high notes without missing a beat!

Highlights
● Stay in the heart of the Swiss Alps
● Discover Paris, Venice and Munich
● Cruise along the iconic canals in Amsterdam
● Free days in Paris, the Swiss Alps and Rome

 

What’s Included

Accommodation
● 11 nights’ accommodation in twin rooms with private en-suite facilities
● Single travellers have the option to pay a single supplement to ensure a private room

Meals
● 11 breakfasts, 5 dinners
● *Vegetarian options available for all meals on request

Transport
● Modern air-conditioned coach with reclining seats and toilet onboard
● Any public transport used as part of the tour (excludes free days)

Experiences!
● See the highlights of Paris on a driving tour
● Enjoy a lunch stop in Burgundy; France’s famous wine region
● Marvel at the views on a scenic Swiss mountain drive
● Stop and explore the Leaning tower of Pisa
● Explore Florence with your tour leader
● Explore the heart of Venice on an orientation tour
● Discover Munich on an orientation tour
● Welcome dinner in a German beer hall
● Enjoy a Rhine River Cruise
● Enjoy an Amsterdam canal cruise

● Visit Bruges; a medieval Belgian city

Extras
● Services of your Expat Explore tour leader, who will be on hand with advice and tips to ensure that you get the most from your trip
● All taxes and fees included
● Free Expat Explore tour souvenir – a memorable gift of your once in a lifetime trip

 

Start Point
HOTEL NAME TBA, London

End Point
HOTEL NAME TBA, London

 

 

ITINERARY:
E00186

29 Jun
Mauritius/London on MK042 dep: 2310

30 Jun
Arrive in London at 08 am. Check in starts as from 3pm only- Accommodation at Travellodge Woolwich or similar.

01 Jul (Day 1)
YOUR EUROPE ESCAPE Tour starts as from 7am, just after breakfast.

Start of tour in London, travel to Paris. This morning we depart from London and travel south to Dover, to catch the ferry to France. We arrive in Paris in the late afternoon and set off on a driving tour of the French capital; have your cameras ready as you’ll be seeing some of the city’s most treasured landmarks, including the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame and the Arc de Triomphe! After the driving tour, enjoy dinner at a restaurant in the historic Latin Quarter. After a fantastic first day, travel back to the hotel on Paris’ world famous metro system and be ready to explore the city further on tomorrow’s free day!

Meals: Dinner

02 Jul (Day 2)
Paris free day. Enjoy a full free day to explore the French capital! The Seine River is the backbone of the capital, and flows through the heart of the city. Why not choose a cruise, and sail past the Notre Dame Cathedral, to the epic Eiffel Tower? You can explore on your own or join a full day of exploration in Paris! The Paris+ excursion will take you to all the iconic sights including the Tuileries Gardens, the Louvre Pyramid, and much more! Paris Disneyland is perfect for the ‘young at heart’, and is only a short distance away. Your Expat Explore tour leader is brimming with ideas and local knowledge for you to make the most of your time here.

Meals: Breakfast

03 Jul (Day 3)
Swiss Alps. While we may be departing from the city of love, the love affair with France continues! En route to the Swiss Alps, enjoy a lunch stop in Beaune, wine capital of France’s Burgundy region. Try the famous wine or visit the beautiful Hospices de Beaune. After lunch, cross the border into Switzerland and enjoy the first glimpse of the Swiss Alps! Arrive at the hotel in a Swiss village and breathe in that fresh Alpine air and take in the magnificent views around you. You are now surrounded by snow-capped peaks, green fields and crystal-clear lakes. This evening it’s time to get into the festive Christmas spirit! Enjoy an included dinner with the group tonight.

Meals: Breakfast and dinner

04 Jul (Day 4)
Swiss Alps. The Swiss Alps has some of the highest peaks in the world! Surrounded by these peaks and glaciers you have the opportunity to feel on top of the world… Take a train or gondola to the top for magnificent mountain vistas. You have picture-perfect beauty all around you and endless photo opportunities. For those wishing to spend their free day exploring the local sights, you can feast on Swiss cheese fondue or do a spot of sightseeing. If you’re looking for keepsakes, there are great local places for shopping Swiss Army knives and watches. Or wander through the villages and breathe in that crisp, fresh, Alpine air! What more could you want on your free day?

Meals: Breakfast

05 Jul (Day 5)
Swiss Alps – Florence – Tuscany. Get ready to swap snow for gelato, as you continue your European tour through northern Italy towards Florence. Arrive and embark on a walking tour of the city with a local guide. History oozes out of every pore of this artistic and cultural centre – the city is home to Michaelangelo’s ‘David’. After some free time to further explore Florence, it’s time to travel to the accommodation for the evening in the stunning Tuscan countryside.

Meals: Breakfast

06 Jul (Day 6)
Tuscany – Pisa – Rome. Today, your Italian adventure continues! Make sure you prepare your camera for a photo opportunity of a lifetime during the stop at the Leaning Tower of Pisa! This world famous Bell tower is immaculately presented. A world heritage UNESCO site, the Leaning Tower is visited by tourists from every corner of the globe, and is one of the most popular cultural European landmarks. Next, continue on to Italy’s capital city, Rome and get ready to explore the “Eternal City”. This afternoon is the perfect opportunity to take advantage of an optional excursion to visit the Vatican City – the smallest country in the world – where you can see the Sistine Chapel and numerous famous artworks.

Meals: Breakfast

07 Jul (Day 7)
Rome – Free day. Rome wasn’t built in a day, but luckily you have a free one to explore the city to your heart’s content! This morning choose to join the ‘Conquer the Capital’ excursion – a fun-filled day of exploring Rome, seeing sights including the Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain and Pantheon, followed by a delicious lunch and gelato tasting. For those exploring solo, the city centre boasts ancient ruins, historical landmarks, religious buildings and a buzzing atmosphere like no other. The Colosseum is a spectacular icon of Rome, offering a trip backwards in time, to when gladiators dominated the arena. For those who wish to enter, your tour leader can organise a tour of the Colosseum and Roman Forum with a local guide this afternoon.

Meals: Breakfast

08 Jul (Day 8)
Rome – Venice. After roaming Rome, it’s time to travel onwards to Venice. En route, the beauty of Italy’s landscapes is sure to impress! Arrive in Venice, Italy’s famous “floating city” and enjoy an orientation tour of the city. See highlights such as the world famous St Mark’s Square, Grand Canal and Rialto Bridge. Take note of the spots to visit during free time. The evening is yours to enjoy authentic Italian delights, with hundreds of fantastic local restaurants and bars to choose from. After an espresso, you can explore Venice the traditional way – from the canals. Take an optional gondola ride which gives you a completely different perspective and appreciation for the amazing structure of this supremely unique location.

Meals: Breakfast

09 Jul (Day 9)
Innsbruck – Munich – Bavaria. Arrivederci, Italy! Heading north toward Germany, encounter some of the most beautiful countryside in central Europe. Glimpse the breathtaking Brenner Pass as the coach travels to Austria for a stop in Innsbruck – a bustling city complete with a dramatic mountain backdrop. Arrive in Munich in the afternoon and enjoy an orientation tour of the city centre. With much of the city having to be restored after WW2, the modern and ancient history of Munich is fascinating. Munich plays host to one of the most famous beer festivals in the world – Oktoberfest! To give you a taste, this evening dine in a traditional beer hall, and enjoy a local beer on us! Prost!

Meals: Breakfast and dinner

10 Jul (Day 10)
Bavaria – Rhine Valley. Guten tag! It’s time to travel to Germany. Today’s first stop is Munich which is the vibrant
capital of Germany’s Bavaria region. While Munich is most well known for being home to Oktoberfest, the city has a long, storied past filled with fascinating history. Enjoy an orientation tour of Munich with your tour leader to see the highlights and learn more about the modern and ancient history of this city. Tuck into dinner in a traditional German beer hall this evening. Tonight’s overnight stop is Nuremberg – a deeply historic German city that was largely rebuilt after WWII.

Meals: Breakfast and dinner

11 Jul (Day 11)
Amsterdam. This morning you will say your goodbye’s to Germany, and continue your Europe tour into the Netherlands. With your Expat Explore tour leader giving you a run down on local traditions and culture, you will be given an opportunity to indulge three of the most iconic Dutch products – cheese, clogs and windmills! A very entertaining cheese and clog making display, will have you fascinated and wanting to taste and ‘klomp’ (klompen is the Dutch word for ‘clogs’. Checking into your hotel you have a chance to freshen up, and then whisked to the centre of Amsterdam for a canal cruise.

Meals: Breakfast and dinner

12 Jul
Arrive in London and accommodation Travellodge Woolwich or similar

Amsterdam – Bruges – London. After your Amsterdam adventure, you have one more stop before the end of your 12 day adventure. The Belgian city of Bruges, is a small but picturesque city, with breathtaking architecture and a wonderful personality. Described as the ‘Venice of the North’, take some time to stretch your legs and indulge in a spot of sight-seeing. Gastronomy is its forte, You will find plenty of chocolatiers ready to educate you on the quality of their produce. After this stop in Belgium the group will return via ferry to the United Kingdom, with the final destination being London

Meals: Breakfast

13 Jul
London- Free day(B)

14 Jul
Transfer to the airport at 1pm, to catch MK053 dep: 1655 (B)

15 Jul
Arrive in Mauritius at 0735 am

 

OPTIONAL EXCURSIONS

Paris Plus
Join your tour leader on an experience-filled day in Paris! Begin with a photo stop at the iconic Arc de  Triomphe and stroll down the beautiful Champs-Élysées. Next, taste macarons at Ladurée – the most famous macaron shop in the world! Then, admire the opulent architecture of Opéra Garnier during a photo stop before enjoying a guided tour of Fragonard Musée du Parfum, one of France’s most renowned perfumeries. At lunchtime, enjoy a sightseeing River Seine cruise with food and drinks on board. This afternoon, visit Tower Montparnasse for panoramic views of Paris! Finish in the Latin Quarter with free time to explore and glimpse the reconstruction of the Notre Dame Cathedral.

Please note: minimum numbers required.

An evening in Montmartre
Spend an evening in the beautiful Montmartre neighbourhood, affectionately referred to as the ‘last village in Paris’. See the Moulin Rouge, stroll the cobbled streets and visit the charming village shops and romantic terraces. Admire views of the spectacular Sacré-Cœur basilica before enjoying a three- course dinner filled with authentic French options (vegetarian options are available) finished off with delicious Crème brûlée for dessert!

Parisian Cabaret with Drinks
Experience a fantastic show and the famous French Cancan at one of the top Paris cabaret venues, La Nouvelle Eve or Paradis Latin. The shows are lively, colourful, and tastefully produced. With striking decor, beautiful costumes and a variety of classic and modern choreography this is a show you will not want to miss. The price includes the show and a glass of French champagne.

Jungfraujoch – Journey to the top of Europe!
Experience a highlight of European travel when you journey to Jungfraujoch – the top of Europe! Take the Eiger Express cable car to 3,454m above sea level. Get ready for breathtaking mountain views as you go, the trip is part of the adventure! Arrive at Jungfraujoch which is the highest train station in Europe and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Enjoy the year-round snow, take in the panoramic alpine scenery, marvel at the massive Aletsch Glacier and explore the magical ice palace and Sphinx Observatory! Return by cable car or Jungfraubahn train for even more spectacular mountain vistas. This optional excursion has been voted number one by Expat Explore travellers for several years and comes highly recommended!

Please Note: certain departures will stay in a different region of the Swiss Alps, with the ‘Swiss Alps Mountain Experience’ excursion offered in place of Jungfraujoch. Please contact us for more information.

Swiss Fondue Dinner
What better way to enjoy an evening in Switzerland than with a traditional Swiss fondue dinner? Fondue is a dish popular in Switzerland, France and Italy, with friends and family gathering around a communal table to dip pieces of bread into a pot of melted cheese. Your fondue will be accompanied by meat and vegetables. Vegetarian options are available on request.

An evening in Montecatini
Experience a wonderful evening in Montecatini complete with a Tuscan dinner and scenic views! Enjoy a return trip to Montecatini Alto on the Montecatini Funicular and admire the views of Montecatini Terme along the way. Arrive at il Giardino restaurant and sit down for a 3-course meal. Select your choice of a starter and main and savour the authentic Tuscan flavours! Vegetarian options are available and the tour leader will escort the group throughout the evening.

Vatican Museums Guided Tour
Take a guided tour around the amazing artworks in the Vatican Museums and bask in the beauty of Michelangelo’s frescoes in the Sistine Chapel. Tour includes queue jumping privileges for both the Vatican Museums and St Peter’s Basilica and services of a professional local guide.

Entry to St Peter’s Basilica is subject to opening hours and closures and is not included as part of our optional. However, if it is open, you are welcome to enter.

Rome – Conquer the Capital
Join your Expat Explore tour leader and see some of the city’s most iconic sights, including the Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, Pantheon and Hadrian’s Temple. Lunch will take place in a historic restaurant in the heart of ancient Rome. Enjoy a main course of Fettuccine Alfredo pasta, which was invented in this very restaurant and will be prepared live in front of you according to the original recipe!

Venice Gondola Ride
A gondola ride is the perfect way to appreciate the beauty and charm of Venice. Feel part of an ancient Venetian tradition and experience Venice as the locals have for more than a thousand years. Your visit isn’t complete until you have experienced this!

Please note gondolas can take up to 6 people, so you will be sharing your experience with other members of your Expat Explore group. After 19:00 hrs the cost will increase by an additional €5.00 per person.

Venice Water Taxi
Something to add to your Venetian experience is a cruise of the canals on a classic water taxi. Cruise along in style on these wooden motorboats with their leather seats and private drivers. Explore the Grand Canal, the main highway of the Floating City, and see some of the main sights like the Santa Maria Della Salute church, the cemetery island of San Michele and the Church of San Giorgio Maggiore.

Taste of Tuscany
Of Italy’s 20 regions, it is the food of Tuscany that millions of people every year come to try. Join this incredible culinary experience in Florence to taste it for yourself. You’ll have the chance to try some special local culinary traditions, being served a sit down meal served family-style including Bistecca alla Fiorentina (charcoal grilled steak served on the bone), Tagliatelle al Tartufo (pasta with truffle), Risotto ai Porcini (risotto with porcini mushrooms), Crostini al Pomodoro (crusty bread with tomatoes and olive oil) and a glass of Chainti red wine. To round off a lovely meal well enjoy a traditional Tuscan after-dinner digestivo.