From St. Paul's to St. Peter's

 TOUR DETAILS

Overview

From London to Rome, travel to Western Europe’s most famous cities on this affordable European tour. Along the way, visit celebrated cities as well as picturesque towns, and witness beautiful scenery. After visiting the British capital, you’ll experience an engineering marvel, the Cross-Channel Tunnel, as you take the Eurostar train from London to Paris.

In Paris, Florence, and Rome, enjoy a sightseeing tour with a Local Guide, a knowledgeable expert who intimately knows the cities. See the must-see sights, including the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, and Champs Elysées in Paris; the renaissance historic center in Florence; and Rome’s elegant streets and St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City, the most important architectural landmark in the world. In Venice, enjoy a boat ride to St. Mark’s Square. In pretty Lucerne, see the Lion Monument, a stone sculpture erected to honor the Swiss Guards killed during the French Revolution, and the wooden Chapel Bridge, Europe’s oldest covered bridge dating back to 1333.

Marvel at Pisa’s famous Leaning Tower, the Cathedral and the Baptistery on the Piazza dei Miracoli. But that’s not all…on this Europe tour you’ll also witness amazing scenery. Enjoy views of Burgundy, the French most famous wine-growing area, prosperous farms, and half-timbered villages as you travel between Paris and picture-perfect Lucerne, as well as views of the rolling hills in Tuscany, and the lungolago of Lugano, a pleasant lakeside promenade.

If you desire to see some of Europe’s most picturesque scenery and famous cities, this value-minded Europe tour is the perfect vacation!

Tour size: Small Group Discovery

Select Cosmos Europe tours are limited to an average of just 24 guests per tour. There’s always room to roam with extra space between you and other travelers—while still getting up close and personal to the experiences you’ve been dreaming of. Small-Group Discoveries include all the features of a traditional Cosmos European tour, complete with expert Tour Director, Driver, and Local Guides who ensure that your health and safety is our top priority. A Small-Group Discovery Europe vacation is the perfectly sized tour—without the crowds.

Headsets throughout the tour.

Host service in London

ITINERARY

DAY 1 ARRIVE IN LONDON, ENGLAND

Check into your hotel. In the afternoon, you may want to start exploring the lively British capital. Uniformed hosts at the hotel are available to help you make the most of your stay.

 DAY 2 LONDON

A full day to savor our rich program of optional activities: take a panoramic tour of London’s landmarks, visit the Tower of London, or choose an excursion to Windsor Castle. Tonight, we recommend our optional Taste of London excursion with dinner, followed by a guided illumination cruise on the Thames River.

 Meals included: Breakfast

DAY 3 LONDON–PARIS, FRANCE

Board the Eurostar train to Paris with your Tour Director. Spend two nights in Paris.

Today’s Distance: 305 mi/ 492 km

Meals included: Breakfast

DAY 4 PARIS

Paris is a world-class city with more familiar landmarks than almost any other city in the world. This morning, see some of these sites during the included city tour with a Local Guide. Sign up for the optional excursions available to complete your Paris experience.

 Breakfast Breakfast

DAY 5 PARIS–LUCERNE AREA, SWITZERLAND

Fascinating, ever-changing scenery greets you today. Enjoy views of Fontainebleau Forest, the wine-growing area of Burgundy, prosperous farms, and tidy, half-timbered villages as you head through the alpine heart of Switzerland to the picture-book Lucerne area.

Today’s Distance: 423 mi/ 680 km

Meals included: Breakfast

DAY 6 LUCERNE AREA

One of Switzerland’s finest cities, Lucerne is nestled amid its snowcapped Alps, surrounded by its lake, and graced by the clear mountain waters of the Reuss River. The orientation includes the Lion monument, erected in memory of the 800 Swiss Guards who defended Louis XVI and his wife. Also admire the famous wooden Chapel bridge with its splendid frescoes. A selection of optional activities completes the day: a cable-car ride to the 10,000-foot summit of Mount Titlis; a cruise on the fjord-like lake; and, of course, time to shop for an authentic Swiss watch.

Meals included: Breakfast

DAY 7 LUCERNE AREA–VERONA, ITALY–VENICE AREA

More wonderful alpine scenery awaits as you drive into the mountain ranges that surround the massive St. Gotthard Pass. Once through its great tunnel, start your scenic descent into the warmer and sunnier ambiance of Canton Ticino, then cross into Italy and drive through the Lombardy plains to Romeo and Juliet’s Verona, known as “Little Rome” for its splendid arena still standing in its former glory. Overnight in the Venice area.

Today’s Distance: 342 mi/ 550 km

Meals included: Breakfast

DAY 8 VENICE AREA

Venice is more like a marvelous film set than a real-life city, with crisscrossing canals, gondolas and water buses, arched bridges, palaces, and busy little piazzas (plazas). Your orientation starts with a boat ride to St. Mark’s Square and is followed by a chance to watch Venetian glassblowers fashion their delicate objects as they did centuries ago. A range of optional excursions are available.

Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner

DAY 9 VENICE AREA–FLORENCE–MONTECATINI

Travel south across the Apennines into the gentle and hilly countryside of Tuscany. Enjoy a guided walk through Florence to discover its Renaissance treasures, then continue to Montecatini.

Today’s Distance: 174 mi/ 280 km

Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner

DAY 10 MONTECATINI–PISA–ROME

This morning in Pisa, hop on a mini-train and reach the famed Square of Miracles to view the Leaning Tower. Then, journey south to Rome. Tonight, consider an optional excursion to discover the city by night—a floodlit spectacular of shimmering fountains, magnificent churches, and piazzas—followed by dinner.

Today’s Distance: 273 mi/ 440 km

Meals included: Breakfast

DAY 11 ROME

The “Eternal City” is steeped in history, vibrantly alive and exciting, and absolutely unique! Start the included introduction to Rome’s landmarks from St. Peter’s Square with a Local Guide. Enjoy a drive along the iconic landmarks of the city: the Tiber River, the Caius Cestius Pyramid, the Aurelian Walls and the Caracalla Baths. Complete the experience with a walk back in time from the Circus Maximus to the Arch of Constantine and to the fascinating Colosseum, symbol of the Roman Empire. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to visit the treasures of the Vatican museum and the Sistine Chapel on our optional excursion.

Meals included: Breakfast

DAY 12 ROME

Arrivederci, Roma. Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.

Meals included: Breakfast

 Transportation:

 Touring by private, first-class, air-conditioned motorcoach with free Wi-Fi; Eurostar London-Paris; canal transfer boat in Venice; Pisa mini-train ride