Overview
Itinerary
Narrow canals, stone bridges, and bike-brimmed lanes – this is Amsterdam, the lively starting point of your journey. Check into your hotel, located in the heart of the city center and your home for the next three nights. Get a taste of the local flavors and meet your fellow travelers at a welcome dinner. (D) Stay: Swissôtel (3 Nights)
See the city the way it's meant to be seen – by canal on a private boat. Cruise under sloping bridges and pass by classic Dutch houses. Continue discovering Amsterdam on a walking tour with a local guide. Complete your day with an Impact Moment at “A Beautiful Mess” – a restaurant that helps refugees find independence in the Dutch community. Be united by food and enjoy locally sourced, environmentally conscious ingredients over dinner with your inspiring hosts. (B/D)
Make the most of a free day in Amsterdam. Perhaps you'll visit the Van Gogh Museum and explore the Anne Frank House. Maybe you'll opt to spend the day in Royal Delft. This picture-perfect town has mostly stayed the same since the times of Johannes Vermeer's iconic paintings of the Dutch Golden Age. Conclude your guided tour with a visit to the Royal Delft porcelain manufacturer which has been producing hand-painted blue motives since the 16th century. Try your hand at painting a tile before returning to Amsterdam.
Spend the late afternoon chatting with a local about the city's progressive (and often controversial) culture. Enjoy an evening at leisure to spend time in the city how you choose. (B)
Today, it's your choice as you visit Holland's storied windmills. Perhaps you'll stroll along the winding paths and venture inside of a working windmill -OR- bike alongside a local guide through Dutch landscapes. No matter what you choose, take in the wind, water, and open spaces that make Dutch history come to life in Kinderdijk (UNESCO). End your day in storybook Bruges, your home for the next two nights. (B/D) Stay: NH Brugge (2 Nights)
Wander the cobblestone streets of Bruges and get familiar with this cozy Belgian town on a walking tour with a local guide this morning. Then, cruise through fairytale canals before connecting with local traditions. Taste Belgian chocolate and learn about the intricate craft of lace making. After an afternoon at leisure, cheers to the day with a visit to a local brewery where you'll taste Belgium's most classic beverage. Continue tasting your way across local cuisines and enjoy dinner on your own. (B)
Traverse the Flanders with a local expert. Witness the stars and stripes raised over the graves of the valiant soldiers who gave their lives on the Western Front during the First World War inspiring John McCrae's poem, “In Flanders Fields.” Take time to unwind with a glass of wine as you enter the heart of France's illustrious Champagne region – Reims. Settle into your city-centric boutique hotel before tasting your way through French cuisines during a five-course tasting paired with a glass of champagne. (B/D) Stay: Continental Hôtel (2 Nights)
Uncover the city's Celtic roots and Gothic architecture during a guided walking tour in Reims. Step into the cathedral of Notre-Dame de Reims and gaze up at a sea of colorful stained glass. Cityscapes give way to vineyard rows as you make your way along the Route du Champagne. Learn all about this world-famous artisan production during a tour and tasting at a nearby maison du champagne. Enjoy your afternoon and evening at leisure. (B)
Make your way to the French capital this morning. Pause in Meaux – the capital of the famous brie cheese. Learn about the artisanal production methods and aging process from a local cheese enthusiast before sampling some for yourself. Say bonjour to Paris this afternoon and learn the secrets of perfume making during a hands-on workshop led by an expert perfumer, affectionately referred to as “Nez” (Nose).
Explore your new neighborhood – your new home for the next three nights – until the sun fades and the “City of Light” debuts its sparkling grandeur. Enjoy your evening at leisure. (B/L) Stay: Courtyard Paris Gare de Lyon (3 Nights)
Start your day alongside your Tour Manager wandering through one of the most popular quarters of Paris – Le Marais. This neighborhood is famous for old-world charm, narrow cobblestone streets, hidden courtyards, and tranquil gardens among a vibrant Jewish community. Enter the kitchen of an authentic Parisian bakery to see the workspace and learn the history behind how these bakers make their delicious bread.
Explore Paris as you please this afternoon. Perhaps you'll take a stroll through the Tuileries Garden or elegant Place Vendôme displaying jewelry and high fashion. Experience Paris' nightlife during an optional dinner at the dynamic Paradis Latin cabaret show, featuring champagne, can-can dancers, and endless excitement. (B)
Be romanced by Paris – today is yours for the taking. Perhaps you'll visit the Orsay Museum, a former railway station that now houses the world's best impressionist art. Perhaps you'd rather witness authentic royalty on an optional excursion to the Royal Palace of Versailles. From the prominent Hall of Mirrors to the opulent bedchamber of the queen, take in the palace's most famous sights with your local guide before returning to Paris. End the day with an exclusive dinner at the Eiffel Tower, featuring French cuisine and breathtaking views. (B/D)
Say au revoir to Europe as you depart for home. (B)
Trip Inclusions
- Spend 2 nights in the storybook Belgian town of Bruges (UNESCO).
- Immerse yourself in France's countryside during an exploration of its Route du Champagne (UNESCO).
- Learn the secrets of perfume making in Paris.
- Make the most of a full-day exploration of Amsterdam, the bustling capital of the Netherlands.
- Stand before the iconic Dutch windmills of Kinderdijk (UNESCO).
- Explore Le Marais, an authentic Parisian neighborhood.
- Be united by food during an Impact Moment at “A Beautiful Mess” in Amsterdam.
- Tour a traditional brewery in Bruges and sample some legendary Belgian beers.
- Meet local cheese enthusiasts in Meaux and sample their famous Brie.
- Dine at the Eiffel Tower.
- Expertly crafted itineraries
- 4-star+ accommodation
- Skilled and engaging tour managers
- Expert local guides with insider knowledge
- Attraction entrance fees
- Many meals full of local flavour
- Unparalleled sightseeing
- Enriching cultural experiences
- Comfortable on-tour transportation
- Hotel-to-hotel baggage handling
- Plus, access to Wi-Fi hotspots on tour
- This tour includes moderate physical activity. The itinerary blends some longer days with shorter days and more leisure time. Walking tours, as well as walking slightly longer distances, up stairs or on uneven walking surfaces should be expected.
- Private, chauffeur service is included for all air-inclusive tour bookings. This personalised service is included within a 40km radius from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Canberra, Darwin, Cairns and Hobart airport gateways. Service is available between 41-70 kms for a small fee.
- Airport transfers at your arrival and departure destination are not included in the price of the tour.
- Itinerary and inclusions subject to change.
- Price is for land, cruise and specified internal flights. International flights not included.
Trip Optionals These optional activities can be pre-booked & included in your trip price.
- Location: Amsterdam. Cost: $210.
- Spend a day in Royal Delft. Founded around 1100 CE, the town grew rich from weaving and trade in the 13th-14th centuries. This picture-perfect town has changed little since the times of its most illustrious son, the painter Johannes Vermeer. The great master captured Delft’s charm on canvas in some of the most iconic paintings of the Dutch Golden Age. After visiting the Markt, one of the largest historic market squares in Europe and its famous Oude & Nieuwe churches, your guided tour concludes with a visit to the Royal Delft porcelain manufacture. This factory has been producing the renowned hand-painted, blue motives since the 16th century. Try your hand at painting a tile before returning to Amsterdam for an evening at leisure. Duration approximately 8 hour(s). Transportation is included. A minimum of 6 passenger(s) is required to operate this option. This optional tour must be purchased by 45 days prior to departure.
- Location: Paris. Cost: $199.
- Enjoy an interesting visit to the incomparable Palace of Versailles. The palace and gardens of Versailles reflect the extravagant tastes of King Louis XIV, the "Sun King." On this excursion, travel by coach to Versailles where your local guide will recount the history of the palace and lead you through the various rooms of the State Apartments. Of particular interest are the Queen's bedchamber and the famous Hall of Mirrors. You then have leisure time to explore the incredible gardens, some of the most famous in the world, which took over 40 years to complete. Duration approximately 5 hour(s). Transportation is included. A minimum of 20 passenger(s) is required to operate this option. This option must be purchased and reserved no later than 60 days prior to tour departure date. Once purchased, any cancellation within 60 days of tour departure will be non-refundable. Due to schedule changes and availability, the time and date of this optional excursion may need to be changed or cancelled either before or after the departure date. Please note, the motorcoach is not permitted to drop off at the entrance to Versailles, and the grounds of Versailles are quite large. Walking will be required to fully enjoy this excursion.
- Location: Paris. Cost: $266.
- Join us for a spectacular evening in one of Paris’s most beloved institutions, the famous Paradis Latin. Situated in a building associated with Napoleon and rebuilt by Gustav Eiffel himself, the Paradis has been running here since 1889. Enjoy a sumptuous dinner with wine, then bring on the champagne and let the show commence! Duration approximately 5 hour(s). Transportation is included. A minimum of 15 passenger(s) is required to operate this option. Please note that as a typical Parisian cabaret, the show does contain some tasteful nudity and may be considered unsuitable for children — consult with your Tour Manager.
Brochure
Collette Worldwide (2024-25)
Availability
A definite departure means minimum numbers have been reached for this departure to operate. Your Global Journeys Travel Advisor will check the availability of your departure date when you enquire. Additional savings may apply. We guarantee the lowest price in Australia. T&C’s apply.
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Prices and trip information are correct at the time at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by Collette. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from Collette. These should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.
