Itinerary
'Don’t tell me how educated you are, tell me how much you have travelled.' - Mohammed
Day 1: Sunday, July 3, 2022
Welcome to the Netherlands
We'll start in quintessentially Dutch Haarlem, a quick train, bus, or taxi ride from the Amsterdam airport. We'll meet at our hotel at 3 p.m. for an orientation and chance to get acquainted, followed by a walking tour of this charming town and a traditional rijsttafel dinner together. Sleep in Haarlem (2 nights). No bus. Walking: light.
Day 2: Monday, July 4, 2022
Progressive, Artistic Amsterdam
We'll hop aboard the train into Amsterdam this morning and begin our day with a guided tour of the remarkable Rijksmuseum, featuring masterpieces by Rembrandt and Vermeer. Our introduction to this progressive, artistic city continues with an informative walking tour of Amsterdam's historic streets, lined with teetering, gable-topped houses overlooking centuries-old canals. After a break for lunch, we'll cruise the canals on a relaxing canal boat. Then, you'll have free time to visit the Van Gogh Museum, the Anne Frank House (reserve online, well in advance!), or whatever strikes your fancy. Your evening is free for more adventures in Amsterdam or back in Haarlem. Dinner is on your own. Train: 1 hour. Boat: 1 hour. No bus. Walking: strenuous.
Day 3: Tuesday, July 5, 2022
Dutch Treats and Rhine Views
We'll travel to Arnhem's open-air museum this morning to see what life was like in this corner of Europe centuries ago. We'll wander among the quaint houses, village storefronts, and working windmills, followed by a traditional Dutch pancake lunch. Then we'll work our way down to Germany's castle-studded Rhineland, enjoying dinner together at our half-timbered hotel nestled in the medieval village of Bacharach on the Rhine (2 nights). Bus: 6 hours. Walking: light.
Day 4: Wednesday, July 6, 2022
Rhine Castles and a River Cruise
This morning, we'll take a walking tour of Bacharach with an entertaining local guide. Afterward, at nearby St. Goar, we'll hike up the hill to tour the mighty medieval Rheinfels Castle and enjoy its commanding view of the Rhine Valley. We'll then board a boat for a relaxing Rhine River cruise, passing picturesque villages and feudal castles, followed by free time for dinner on your own. Boat: 1 hour. Bus: ½ hour. Walking: strenuous.
Day 5: Thursday, July 7, 2022
Medieval Rothenburg
We'll get an early start today, arriving in Rothenburg, Germany's best-preserved medieval town, just before lunchtime. After a helpful orientation tour, the afternoon is yours to see the best woodcarving in Germany (Riemenschneider's altarpiece), walk the medieval wall, tour the Crime and Punishment Museum, or hunt down the best apple strudel in town. This evening we'll tag along on the legendary Night Watchman's tour. Sleep in Rothenburg (1 night). Bus: 4 hours. Walking: light to strenuous (your choice).
Day 6: Friday, July 8, 2022
Dachau and Austria's Tirol
Today we'll make a 21st-century pilgrimage to the Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial near Munich, where we'll learn powerful lessons about the Holocaust and World War II. We'll then drive across the Bavarian countryside to visit Germany's greatest Rococo-style church, the Wieskirche. Winding our way toward Austria, we'll arrive at our rural Tirolean guest house in time for a traditional dinner. Sleep near Reutte (2 nights). Bus: 6 hours. Walking: light.
Day 7: Saturday, July 9, 2022
Neuschwanstein and a Luge
It's a short drive and a half-hour hike to "Mad" King Ludwig's deservedly famous Neuschwanstein Castle. We'll tour the castle and have time for lunch. Afterward you'll barrel down the Tegelberg summer luge track (weather permitting). This afternoon you'll be free to visit another nearby castle, take a stroll in the woods, or just relax at our peaceful hotel before dinner on your own. Bus: 1 hour. Walking: strenuous.
Day 8: Sunday, July 10, 2022
Italy's Incomparable Venice
We'll take a scenic, all-day drive to Venice today, stopping en route for lunch together in a characteristic Italian-Tirolean village. In Venice, we'll park our bus and board a vaporetto boat for a Grand Canal ride to our hotel in the historic heart of this seductive city. Tonight we'll take an alleys-and-canals orientation stroll to our first Italian dinner together. Afterward your guide will organize an optional gondola ride for a uniquely Venetian experience. If the moon is out, it will hit your eye like a big pizza pie. Sleep in Venice (2 nights). Boat: ½ hour. Bus: 7 hours. Walking: light.
Day 9: Monday, July 11, 2022
The Art of Wandering in Venice
This morning our local guide will take us on a winding walking tour through Venice, blending historic and modern-day stories of this one-of-a-kind treasure and giving us a local's perspective on Venice's fascinating past…and its uncertain future. We'll finish our morning walk in St. Mark's Square and the mosaic and marble-filled St. Mark's Basilica. The rest of your day is free to visit the Doge's Palace or the Titian- and Tintoretto-packed Accademia art gallery. Better yet, get lost (remember, it's an island) exploring the alleys, cruising the canals, and "crawling" the pubs. No bus (too much water). Walking: moderate.
Day 10: Tuesday, July 12, 2022
Florence and Michelangelo's David
An early morning vaporetto ride will reunite us with our bus and driver. We'll drive straight to Florence and hit the ground walking with a Renaissance tour of the city's historic center. We'll see and learn about Brunelleschi's magnificent cathedral dome, Ghiberti's Baptistery doors, and other creations that helped define this world-changing era. We'll end our walk at the Accademia Gallery to marvel at works of sculptural genius: Michelangelo's rough-hewn Prisoners and his greatest masterpiece, David. We'll have dinner together tonight and sleep in Florence (2 nights). Boat: ½ hour. Bus: 4 hours. Walking: moderate.
Day 11: Wednesday, July 13, 2022
Wonders of Renaissance Florence
This morning is on your own. You can sleep in, get an early start and scramble to the top of Brunelleschi's dome, or browse through Florence's colorful food and craft markets. After lunch, we'll tour the wealth of Botticellis, Leonardos, and Raphaels in the greatest collection of Italian paintings anywhere — the Uffizi Gallery. This evening is free to make your own discoveries. No bus. Walking: moderate.
Day 12: Thursday, July 14, 2022
Rome and the Vatican Museums
This morning we'll drive straight to the heart of Rome. After getting oriented to our neighborhood and time for lunch, we'll focus on Renaissance (Catholic) Rome at the sprawling Vatican Museums. We'll visit what seems like a limitless collection of treasures as you make your way to one of the world's most famous works of art: Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel. After dinner on your own, we'll regroup to celebrate la dolce vita Roman-style, with an evening stroll through the floodlit heart of the city, lacing together lively campos, classy piazzas, and the splashy Trevi Fountain. Sleep in Rome (2 nights). Bus: 4 hours. Walking: strenuous.
Day 13: Friday, July 15, 2022
St. Peter's and a Walk Through Caesar's Rome
Early this morning we'll introduce you to the greatest church in Christendom: the awe-inspiring St. Peter's Basilica, home to Michelangelo's sublime Pietà. You'll have time to attend Mass or climb to the top of St. Peter's dome. Then we'll uncover Ancient Rome as a local guide takes us through the monumental Colosseum, history-drenched Roman Forum, and spectacular Pantheon. You'll have the rest of your day free to explore more of the Eternal City on your own (don't forget to taste some refreshing gelato along the way). No bus. Walking: strenuous.
Day 14: Saturday, July 16, 2022
To Italy's Cinque Terre
We'll drive along Italy's west coast today, with a refreshing stop at an enchanting hill town. This afternoon's destination is the dramatic Cinque Terre: five perfectly preserved fishing villages, laced together with hiking paths that meander between vineyards and the deep blue sea. As we approach the Cinque Terre, we'll park our bus and take a short train ride into seaside Monterosso al Mare, where we'll sleep (2 nights). Train: ¼ hour. Bus: 6 hours. Walking: moderate.
Day 15: Sunday, July 17, 2022
Free Day in the Cinque Terre
Ahh, it's time to take a "vacation from your vacation" today in our Mediterranean getaway. Pick a Cinque Terre village and spend your day exploring the stairways and alleyways, sunning yourself on the rocks, or sipping a cappuccino and catching up on your journal at an outdoor café. Or, if you're looking for lots of exercise, fresh air, and panoramic views, start your day early and hike the cliffside paths that connect the towns. No bus. Walking: light to strenuous (your choice).
Day 16: Monday, July 18, 2022
To the Heart of the Swiss Alps
Today we'll catch an early train back to our bus and head over the hills, past the farms and pristine lakes of northern Italy, and into the Alpine wonderland of Switzerland. After a breathtaking drive into the very heart of the Swiss Alps, we'll arrive at our creaky chalet in the magnificent Lauterbrunnen Valley, where we'll have dinner and sleep (2 nights). Train: ¼ hour. Bus: 7 hours. Walking: light.
Day 17: Tuesday, July 19, 2022
Free Day in the Alps
The day is all yours to enjoy some of Europe's most dramatic scenery. You may want to join your guide for an optional mountain excursion that could combine the local narrow-gauge railway, a gondola lift, and a spectacular Alpine walk above the tree line, surrounded by a panorama of cut-glass peaks…or ride a gondola lift up to the Schilthorn at 10,000 feet, loiter in the thin air, and hike down…or wander through the valley and walk to the thundering Trümmelbach Falls: a unique set of waterfalls encased behind the valley walls. No bus. Walking: light to strenuous (your choice).
Day 18: Wednesday, July 20, 2022
A Hearty Taste of Burgundy
Today we'll say auf Wiedersehen to the Alps and bonjour to la belle France. We'll drive into profoundly French Burgundy for a look at small-town France. We'll have an orientation walk through the heart of Burgundy's inviting wine capital, Beaune, visit the famous Hôtel Dieu medieval hospital, then enjoy a wine tasting together. Sleep in Beaune (1 night). Bus: 5 hours. Walking: light.
Day 19: Thursday, July 21, 2022
Historic and Neighborhood Paris
This morning we'll drive straight to Paris, where you'll have an orientation to the neighborhood markets and cafés to find lunch on your own. After checking into our nearby hotel, we'll have a transportation lesson and Métro ride to the historic heart of Paris: the Ile de la Cité. Prepare to be awed by the brilliant stained glass windows of Sainte-Chapelle, and enlightened on a historic walk through the Latin Quarter, ending at the resilient and still-stunning Notre-Dame Cathedral. Your evening is free for dinner and more discoveries. Sleep in Paris (2 nights). Bus: 6 hours. Walking: moderate.
Day 20: Friday, July 22, 2022
Parisian Cityscapes and Masterpieces
This day provides a busy, star-studded finale for our tour. We'll start the day with a private panoramic bus tour through the City of Light, and then we're off to visit the magnificent Louvre Museum. With the Rick Steves Audio Europe™ app on your smartphone, Rick's voice will guide you through the Louvre's timeless treasures including Mona Lisa, Winged Victory, Venus de Milo, and hundreds more. You may wish to round out your Paris sightseeing with a visit to such legendary museums as the Orsay and Rodin, or perhaps a walk down the Champs-Elysées — armed with your included Paris Museum Pass, the choices are endless. This evening we'll have our final dinner together, sharing memories and toasting our newly made friends. Salut! No bus. Walking: moderate.
Day 21: Saturday, July 23, 2022
Tour Over After Breakfast
Breakfast is provided, but there are no group activities today. If you're staying on in Paris, today would be a great day to hop on the train and tackle the sprawling palace and grounds at Versailles. If you're headed home, it's a breeze to reach Paris' airports by taxi, shuttle, or public transportation. Au revoir!
(This tour does not include the Eiffel Tower. To avoid its long lines, we recommend booking tickets several weeks in advance. For details, see our Eiffel Tower ticket tips for tour members.)