Day 1: Arrival in England, Windsor Castle & Journey into London
Upon arrival at London Heathrow Airport, your private driver-guide will meet you and accompany you west toward the royal town of Windsor, offering a gentle and relaxed introduction to England after your flight.
Windsor Castle & the Royal Borough of Windsor
Your first experience is a visit to Windsor Castle, the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world, and one of the official residences of the British Royal Family.
With your included entry tickets, explore the magnificent State Apartments, richly decorated with artworks and royal treasures collected over centuries. As you move through the castle, your guide will explain the role Windsor has played in British royal history, from medieval monarchs through to the modern Royal Family.
You’ll also have time to walk through the historic town of Windsor itself, with its cobbled streets, independent shops, and views across the River Thames.
Overnight: London
Day 2: Royal London, Westminster & British Traditions
Today introduces you to the political, royal, and ceremonial heart of London with a guided day exploring some of Britain’s most iconic landmarks.
Buckingham Palace & the Changing of the Guard
Begin at Buckingham Palace, the official London residence of the King.
With your guided entry tickets, explore the magnificent State Rooms used for royal ceremonies and official occasions, while learning about the traditions and daily workings of the monarchy.
You’ll also witness the famous Changing of the Guard ceremony, where soldiers in their distinctive uniforms and bearskin hats perform one of Britain’s most recognizable royal traditions, accompanied by military music and ceremony.
Westminster Abbey, Parliament & Big Ben
Continue to Westminster Abbey, one of the most important religious and historic buildings in the country.
Explore the abbey where British monarchs have been crowned for nearly 1,000 years. Inside, you’ll see royal tombs, memorials to famous writers and scientists, and extraordinary Gothic architecture that reflects centuries of British history.
Nearby, enjoy an external visit to the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben, where your guide will explain the role these buildings continue to play in British political life.
Overnight: London
Day 3: The Tower of London
Your guide will collect you for one final London experience before your onward journey to France.
Tower of London & The Crown Jewels
Welcome to the Tower of London, one of the city’s most historically significant landmarks.
Originally founded by William the Conqueror in the 11th century, the Tower has served as a royal palace, fortress, prison, and treasury across nearly a thousand years of history.
On your guided tour, you’ll explore the castle grounds and key areas, including:
- The Crown Jewels collection
- The medieval White Tower
- Historic battlements and towers
- Sites connected to famous prisoners and royal intrigue
Your guide will bring to life the stories of monarchs, executions, political conspiracies, and the role the Tower played in shaping English history.
Overnight: London
Day 4: Journey to Paris & Landmarks Introduction Tour
Travel beneath the English Channel aboard the Eurostar for the 2-hour journey into the heart of Paris.
On arrival, your private guide will meet you for a relaxed introductory tour of the French capital, designed to help you become familiar with the city’s layout, atmosphere, and major landmarks.
Visit some of Paris’s most celebrated districts and avenues, passing elegant boulevards, grand architecture, and riverside landmarks that define the city’s identity.
Your tour includes time around the Arc de Triomphe, where you’ll ascend to the terrace for panoramic views across Paris and its radiating avenues, including the Champs-Élysées stretching toward the Place de la Concorde.
Overnight: Paris
Day 5: Montmartre, Sacré-Cœur & Impressionist Paris
Today, it combines the artistic atmosphere of Montmartre with one of Paris’s most celebrated museums.
Begin in Montmartre, the historic hilltop district once home to artists including Picasso, Renoir, and Toulouse-Lautrec.
With your guide, walk through its winding streets, café-lined squares, and hidden corners while learning about the area’s bohemian history and artistic heritage.
Visit the Basilica of Sacré-Cœur, standing high above the city with sweeping panoramic views across Paris from its steps and terraces.
Musée d’Orsay Guided Tour
Housed within a beautifully restored former railway station, the museum contains masterpieces by Monet, Van Gogh, Degas, Renoir, and Cézanne.
Your guide will provide insight into the artists, movements, and historical context behind the works, helping bring the collection to life in an accessible and engaging way.
Overnight: Paris
Day 6: Versailles & Dinner at the Eiffel Tower
Today combines royal grandeur, modern Parisian culture, and an unforgettable evening experience with a view of the city.
Versailles Palace & Gardens
Travel outside Paris on a day trip to the Palace of Versailles, the extraordinary royal residence of Louis XIV.
Your guided visit includes access to the lavish palace interiors, including the Hall of Mirrors, royal apartments, and ceremonial rooms that defined the height of French royal power.
Dinner at Madame Brasserie in the Eiffel Tower
This evening, return to the Eiffel Tower for dinner at Madame Brasserie, located within the monument itself.
Enjoy refined French cuisine while overlooking the illuminated city skyline, creating a memorable anniversary experience in one of Paris’s most iconic settings.
After dinner, your driver will return you to your hotel.
Overnight: Paris
Day 7: The Louvre, Notre-Dame & Historic Paris
Your final full day in Paris explores the artistic and historic heart of the city with your private guide.
Louvre Highlights Tour
Begin at the Louvre Museum, where your guide will lead you through selected highlights of one of the world’s greatest art collections.
During your guided experience, discover works including:
- The Mona Lisa
- Venus de Milo
- Winged Victory of Samothrace
- Masterpieces of the Italian Renaissance and French Neoclassical periods
Notre-Dame Cathedral & Île de la Cité
Continue to Île de la Cité, the historic center of Paris, for a guided exploration of the city’s origins.
Visit the newly restored Notre-Dame Cathedral, where your guide will explain the significance of its Gothic architecture, royal and religious history, and the extraordinary restoration efforts following the 2019 fire.
You’ll also visit the Conciergerie, once a medieval royal palace and later a Revolutionary prison associated with Marie Antoinette, before crossing Pont Neuf, the oldest bridge in Paris, with views along the Seine.
Overnight: Paris
Day 8: Scenic Rail Journey from Paris to Lucerne
Today, leave Paris behind and travel into the heart of Switzerland aboard a high-speed rail journey.
As the train moves eastward, the landscape shifts from vineyards and rolling hills to lakes, mountain villages, and distant snow-capped peaks, making the journey itself part of the experience.
On arrival in Lucerne, transfer to your hotel and settle into one of Switzerland’s most picturesque lakeside cities.
The remainder of the day is free to enjoy at your own pace, perhaps with a stroll along the lakefront, across the famous Chapel Bridge, or through the city’s charming Old Town.
Overnight: Lucerne
Day 9: Swiss Villages, Alpine Roads & Lake Lucerne Traditions
Day 9 has been designed to introduce you to the landscapes and traditions of central Switzerland, combining lakeside scenery, mountain roads, and historic villages deeply connected to Swiss identity.
Lucerne Guided Walking Tour
Begin with a guided exploration of Lucerne itself, where your guide will introduce the city’s medieval streets, covered bridges, historic squares, and waterfront promenades.
As you walk through the Old Town, you’ll learn how Lucerne developed as an important trading hub while discovering the stories behind its painted façades, towers, and lakeside setting.
Lakeside Villages & the Birthplace of William Tell
Leaving the city behind, continue through the scenic landscapes surrounding Lake Lucerne, visiting traditional Swiss villages and historic communities linked to the legend of William Tell.
Explore quiet lakeside settlements in the Canton of Uri, where mountain scenery meets crystal-clear water and traditional Swiss architecture remains beautifully preserved.
Your guide will explain the cultural importance of this region within Swiss history and identity, including its connection to the founding legends of the Swiss Confederation.
Klausen Pass & Alpine Scenery
The journey continues along the spectacular Klausen Pass route, where winding mountain roads reveal panoramic alpine landscapes, waterfalls, and dramatic valleys.
Stops are made throughout the day for photographs, short walks, and scenic viewpoints, allowing time to fully experience the quieter side of the Swiss Alps beyond the major tourist centers.
A traditional Swiss lunch is included during the experience.
Overnight: Lucerne
Day 10: Basel, Roman Switzerland & Panoramic Landscapes
Today’s guided experience takes you north toward Basel, a city where Swiss, French, and German influences meet alongside layers of Roman and medieval history.
We get underway with a guided exploration of Basel’s historic center, where medieval streets, riverside promenades, and contemporary culture combine to create one of Switzerland’s most distinctive cities.
Visit Basel Minster, the city’s historic cathedral overlooking the Rhine River, where terraces and viewpoints offer sweeping views across the surrounding region.
Your guide will also introduce the city’s historic squares, merchant buildings, and cultural landmarks while explaining Basel’s importance as a crossroads between European cultures.
Continue into the surrounding countryside to Gempen Tower, a panoramic viewpoint offering expansive views across Switzerland, France, and Germany.
The elevated setting provides a dramatic contrast to the urban atmosphere of Basel and highlights the varied geography of the region.
Augusta Raurica – Roman Switzerland
Later, visit Augusta Raurica, one of the best-preserved Roman archaeological sites in Switzerland.
Explore the remains of this ancient settlement while learning how Roman influence shaped trade, daily life, and development across the region nearly 2,000 years ago.
The day concludes with a visit to Sissacher Flue, a scenic viewpoint overlooking forests, valleys, and rolling landscapes across the Basel region.
Overnight: Lucerne
Day 11: Mount Pilatus & Lucerne’s Historic Heart
Travel with your private driver from Lucerne toward Mount Pilatus, where a combination of mountain transport systems carries you high above central Switzerland.
Ascend into the alpine landscape and spend time at the summit, surrounded by panoramic views across lakes, valleys, and distant mountain ranges.
The experience allows time to explore viewing platforms, walking areas, and scenic terraces while taking in one of the country’s most spectacular alpine settings.
Your descent takes place via the panoramic gondola and aerial cableway system, providing sweeping views throughout the journey back down the mountain.
Lucerne & Historic Swiss Villages
Visit additional historic lakeside villages near Brunnen, where traditional Swiss buildings, quiet waterfronts, and mountain scenery create an atmosphere that feels unchanged for generations.
You’ll also spend time in the historic birthplace region associated with William Tell, where your guide will explain the legends and events that helped shape Switzerland’s national identity.
Overnight: Lucerne
Day 12: Switzerland to Venice by Rail
Continue south into Italy aboard a scenic rail journey crossing from the Swiss Alps into the landscapes of northern Italy.
As the train descends through mountain passes, lakes, and valleys, the scenery gradually softens into vineyards, historic towns, and the unmistakable atmosphere of Italy.
On arrival in Venice, transfer to your accommodation and enjoy your first introduction to one of the world’s most unique cities.
With no roads or cars, Venice unfolds entirely through canals, bridges, and narrow historic streets, creating an atmosphere unlike anywhere else in Europe.
The evening is free to enjoy at your own pace.
Overnight: Venice
Day 13: St Mark’s Basilica, Doge’s Palace & Gondola Traditions
Today is dedicated to discovering the political, artistic, and cultural heart of Venice with your private guide.
St Mark’s Basilica & Doge’s Palace
Meet your guide at your accommodation and begin at St Mark’s Square, the ceremonial center of Venice for centuries.
Visit St Mark’s Basilica, where extraordinary mosaics, Byzantine influences, and centuries of Venetian wealth are reflected throughout the interior. Your guide will explain how Venice’s trading empire shaped the architecture and artistic treasures of the basilica.
Continue to the Doge’s Palace, once the political center of the Venetian Republic. Explore its grand chambers, historic government rooms, and prison areas while learning how Venice operated as one of Europe’s most powerful maritime republics.
Venice Walking Tour
Beyond the major landmarks, your guide will lead you through quieter canals, hidden alleyways, and lesser-known districts that reveal the daily rhythm of Venice, away from the tourist crowds.
Along the way, your guide will share local food recommendations and introduce smaller wine bars and traditional Venetian spots such as Un Mondo Divino.
Gondola Ride
The day concludes with a classic gondola ride through Venice’s canals, gliding beneath bridges and past historic palaces while experiencing the city from the perspective that has defined it for centuries.
Overnight: Venice
Day 14: Murano, Burano & Venice’s Island Traditions
Today, venture beyond central Venice to explore the colorful islands of the Venetian Lagoon by private boat.
Begin on Murano, world-famous for its centuries-old glassmaking tradition.
Here, you’ll learn about the craftsmanship that made Venetian glass prized throughout Europe, with opportunities to see workshops, galleries, and displays of traditional techniques still practiced today.
Continue to Burano, one of the lagoon’s most visually distinctive islands, known for its brightly painted fishermen’s houses and relaxed atmosphere.
Enjoy time to wander the canals, explore local shops, and experience a quieter side of Venetian life away from the main city.
Free time is included for lunch, allowing you to enjoy seafood or local Venetian cuisine beside the canals.
Returning to Venice, enjoy another gondola experience through quieter waterways, offering a final opportunity to absorb the atmosphere and beauty of the city from the water itself.
Overnight: Venice
Day 15: Optional Day Trips from Venice
Today is left flexible, allowing you to explore beyond Venice based on your interests and preferred pace. Your travel designer can help tailor the experience around culture, scenery, food, or relaxation.
Option 1: Verona – Shakespeare, Roman History & Elegant Piazzas
Travel to Verona, one of northern Italy’s most atmospheric historic cities.
With your guide, explore the beautifully preserved old town, including the Roman Arena, Piazza delle Erbe, Juliet’s Balcony, and elegant streets lined with cafés and boutiques. Verona offers a quieter and more refined atmosphere than Italy’s larger cities, blending Roman heritage with Renaissance charm.
Option 2: The Prosecco Hills & Wine Country
Journey into the rolling vineyards of the Prosecco region, where picturesque villages and vine-covered hills define the landscape.
Visit local wineries for guided tastings, learn about the production process behind Italy’s most famous sparkling wine, and enjoy a relaxed lunch surrounded by countryside views.
Option 3: The Dolomites Scenic Experience
For those seeking mountain scenery, enjoy a private excursion into the Dolomites.
Travel through dramatic alpine landscapes, stopping at lakes, viewpoints, and traditional mountain villages while experiencing a completely different side of northern Italy.
Option 4: Relaxed Venice at Leisure
Alternatively, spend the day enjoying Venice itself at a slower pace.
You may wish to explore quieter neighborhoods such as Cannaregio or Dorsoduro, visit additional museums and churches, enjoy long canal-side lunches, or simply wander through the city’s hidden alleyways and bridges at your own rhythm.
Overnight: Venice
Day 16: Rail Journey from Venice to Rome
Today, continue south through Italy aboard one of Europe’s most efficient high-speed rail networks.
On arrival in Rome, transfer to your hotel and settle into the Eternal City.
The remainder of the day is free to enjoy at your own pace. You may wish to enjoy a relaxed walk through nearby piazzas, discover a local trattoria, or simply take in your first impressions of Rome’s unique atmosphere.
Overnight: Rome
Day 17: Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel
With skip-the-line access, enter the Vatican Museums and journey through one of the world’s most significant art collections.
As you move through galleries filled with sculptures, tapestries, maps, and Renaissance masterpieces, your guide will explain the stories, symbolism, and historical figures behind the works.
The experience culminates in the Sistine Chapel, where Michelangelo’s extraordinary ceiling frescoes remain one of the defining achievements of Western art. Standing beneath them, your guide will help bring the imagery and history of the chapel into context.
The tour also includes access to St Peter’s Basilica, where immense scale, remarkable architecture, and centuries of religious history combine to create one of the most important churches in the world.
Overnight: Rome
Day 18: Rome Private Walking Tour
With your private guide, stroll through elegant piazzas, narrow cobbled streets, and some of the city’s most iconic landmarks.
- Visit the Trevi Fountain, where tradition invites you to toss a coin into its waters.
- Stand at the foot of the Spanish Steps.
- Enter the remarkable Pantheon, one of the best-preserved monuments of Ancient Rome.
Continue through lively squares such as Piazza Navona while your guide shares stories of emperors, artists, popes, and local traditions that have shaped the city over centuries.
Alongside the major sights, the tour also reveals quieter corners and hidden details often missed by visitors, helping you understand not only Rome’s history, but also the character of the city today.
Overnight: Rome
Day 19: Colosseum, Roman Forum & Ancient Rome
Today, step directly into the world of Ancient Rome with a guided exploration of the city’s most important archaeological landmarks.
With skip-the-line entry, begin inside the Colosseum, where your guide will explain how this vast amphitheater operated, how spectacles were staged, and the role gladiatorial combat played within Roman society.
Continue into the Roman Forum, once the political, commercial, and ceremonial center of Ancient Rome. Among the ruins of temples, basilicas, and government buildings, your guide will reconstruct daily life in the empire and explain how decisions made here shaped the ancient world.
The tour concludes on Palatine Hill, where emperors built their palaces overlooking the city below. From here, enjoy panoramic views across Rome while hearing the legendary story of Romulus and the founding of the city itself.
Overnight: Rome
Day 20: Flight to Barcelona
Leave Italy behind and continue west to Spain, the final country of your European journey.
Following your transfer to the airport, board your 1hour and 45-minute flight to Barcelona, a city where Mediterranean energy, Gothic history, and world-famous architecture combine to create one of Europe’s most vibrant destinations.
On arrival, transfer to your hotel and settle into the Catalan capital.
The remainder of the day is at leisure, perhaps with a relaxed walk along Passeig de Gràcia, through the Gothic Quarter, or along the city’s waterfront promenades.
Overnight: Barcelona
Day 21: Barcelona & the World of Gaudí
With your private guide, discover how Gaudí blended nature, religion, symbolism, and Catalan identity into buildings unlike anything else in the world.
Visit the Sagrada Família, Gaudí’s unfinished masterpiece, where soaring columns, intricate façades, and coloured light create one of Europe’s most remarkable interiors. Your guide will explain both the symbolism behind the design and the extraordinary story of its construction.
Continue along Passeig de Gràcia to view iconic modernist buildings, including Casa Batlló and La Pedrera, where flowing stonework, iron balconies, and imaginative architectural details reflect Gaudí’s unique vision.
Throughout the day, your guide will also introduce you to Barcelona itself, from elegant boulevards to historic districts, helping connect Gaudí’s work to the wider culture and identity of the city.
Overnight: Barcelona
Day 22: Barcelona Hidden Gems & Local Neighborhoods
Today offers a deeper look into Barcelona beyond its most famous landmarks, focusing on neighborhoods, local culture, and places many visitors never experience.
With your private guide, explore hidden corners of the Gothic Quarter and El Born, where narrow medieval streets open into quiet squares, artisan workshops, and family-run cafés.
Along the way, your guide will share stories of Barcelona’s layered history, from Roman foundations to Catalan identity and modern city life.
Continue into lesser-known areas where locals gather, discovering independent boutiques, historic markets, hidden courtyards, and scenic viewpoints away from the busiest tourist areas.
Depending on your interests, the day may also include:
- A visit to the Bunkers del Carmel for panoramic city views
- Hidden Modernist architecture beyond Gaudí’s major landmarks
- Local food markets and traditional tapas spots
- Seaside neighbourhoods such as Barceloneta
- Artisan chocolate, vermouth, or wine-focused experiences
Overnight: Barcelona
Day 23: Rail Journey to Madrid & Evening Tapas Experience
Travel across Spain aboard the high-speed AVE train from Barcelona to Madrid.
The comfortable rail journey offers a seamless connection between Spain’s two great cities, passing through changing landscapes of countryside, hills, and historic towns before arriving in the Spanish capital.
Arrival in Madrid
Madrid Tapas & Wine Experience
This evening, join your guide for an introduction to Madrid’s food culture through a guided tapas and wine experience.
Walk through lively streets and historic neighborhoods while visiting carefully selected tapas bars, local taverns, and traditional wine venues. Along the way, sample regional specialties paired with Spanish wines while learning about the traditions, ingredients, and social culture behind tapas dining.
Rather than a formal dinner, the evening unfolds gradually across several venues, offering a more authentic insight into Madrid’s everyday food culture and nightlife atmosphere.
Overnight: Madrid
Day 24: Royal Madrid & The Prado Museum
Today explores the artistic and royal heritage of Spain’s capital through two of its most important cultural landmarks.
Skip-the-Line Royal Palace Tour
Begin with a privately guided visit to the Royal Palace of Madrid, one of Europe’s grandest royal residences.
With skip-the-line access, explore the lavish ceremonial rooms, royal apartments, grand staircases, and historic halls while your guide explains the history of the Spanish monarchy and the role the palace continues to play today.
The scale and decoration of the interiors offer insight into centuries of royal power, diplomacy, and artistic patronage.
Private Prado Museum Tour
Continue to the Prado Museum, home to one of the world’s most important collections of European art.
With your private guide, explore selected masterpieces by artists including Velázquez, Goya, El Greco, Rubens, and Bosch while gaining a deeper understanding of Spain’s artistic and political history.
Rather than attempting to see the entire museum, the experience focuses on the most significant works and the stories behind them, allowing for a more engaging and rewarding visit.
Overnight: Madrid
Day 25: Optional Day Experiences
Your final full day in Spain is intentionally flexible, allowing you to experience Madrid according to your interests and travel style.
Option 1: Toledo Private Day Trip
Travel to the historic city of Toledo, dramatically positioned above the Tagus River.
Known as the “City of Three Cultures,” Toledo reflects centuries of Christian, Jewish, and Islamic influence through its architecture, narrow streets, and historic monuments.
With your guide, explore cathedrals, synagogues, viewpoints, and artisan workshops while learning about the city’s importance in Spanish history.
Option 2: Segovia & the Spanish Countryside
Visit Segovia, famous for its remarkably preserved Roman aqueduct, fairy-tale alcázar, and historic old town.
This experience combines history with views across the Castilian countryside and offers a quieter contrast to Madrid itself.
Overnight: Madrid