Day 1: London – First Impressions
Total driving time today: ~1.5 hours
Westminster
Westminster brings together some of London’s most important landmarks in one compact area. You’ll walk past the Houses of Parliament, see Big Ben properly up close, and spend time around Westminster Abbey and the surrounding streets. It’s an easy, straightforward introduction to the city and helps you understand how central London is laid out without trying to cover too much too quickly.
St James’s Park
A short walk leads into St James’s Park, where the pace naturally slows. You’ll follow the paths around the lake, with open views toward Buckingham Palace and back toward the Westminster skyline. It’s a relaxed stop with somewhere to walk, take photos, and enjoy a quieter side of central London before continuing the day.
South Bank
In the afternoon, you head to the Thames. At the South Bank, you can watch performers and riverboats, sit in cafés, and enjoy wide views across to historic London. It’s lively but relaxed. The evening is left open for a local dinner nearby before returning comfortably to your hotel.
Day 2: London – Royal Parks & Culture
Total driving time today: ~2 hours
Hyde Park
London’s scale becomes clearer in Hyde Park. Open lawns, tree-lined paths, and the Serpentine Lake create breathing space before another city day. It’s easy walking, and you can simply enjoy the contrast between quiet greenery and distant city rooftops. It doesn’t feel staged, just everyday London at its best.
South Kensington
The museum district offers choice rather than obligation. Whether you step inside for art, design, or natural history, the experience stays relaxed. You’re not trying to “complete” anything, just explore what interests you. The surrounding streets are elegant and residential, offering a glimpse of a different side of London life.
Covent Garden
Later, Covent Garden brings energy back into the day. Small streets branch off the central piazza, with independent shops and musicians adding atmosphere. In the evening, London feels confident and lively, the perfect close to your full city day.
Day 3: Oxford & The Cotswolds
Total driving time today: ~4 hours
Leaving London, the scenery gradually softens into the countryside. The roads narrow, hedgerows appear, and stone villages replace terraces.
Oxford
Oxford is compact and walkable, defined by college courtyards and honey-coloured stone. You’ll have time to wander the lanes and step inside one historic college. The pace is calm, and everything sits within easy reach.
Burford
As you drive into the Cotswolds, the landscape becomes gently rolling. Burford’s sloping high street is lined with traditional stone buildings and small shops. It’s not large, but that’s the charm, just enough to stroll and pause for coffee before continuing deeper into the countryside.
Bibury
Bibury is smaller still, almost postcard-like. Stone cottages sit beside a slow-moving stream, and the setting feels timeless. It’s a short, scenic stop before continuing through rural lanes toward Bath. The countryside drive itself is part of the experience, with soft hills and open views the entire way.
Day 4: Bath
Total driving time today: ~2.5 hours
As you arrive in Bath, the honey-coloured stone is the first thing you notice. The whole city feels consistent, built from the same warm limestone, with the River Avon running quietly below.
Roman Baths
The Roman Baths are the city’s main historic site and well worth visiting. You walk around the original bathing complex, seeing the large pool, surrounding columns, and the remains of the old Roman engineering system. It’s not a huge site, which makes it easy to explore without feeling overwhelmed. The setting feels authentic rather than staged, and it gives you a clear sense of how central bathing culture once was to the city.
Royal Crescent
The Georgian elegance of the Royal Crescent contrasts with the Roman foundations below. A sweeping curve of terraced houses overlooks a wide green lawn, and the symmetry is striking. It’s an easy walk with rewarding views back across the city.
Pulteney Bridge
Built across the river with shops lining both sides, Pulteney Bridge feels distinctly Bath. The sound of water below and the late afternoon light reflecting off the stone make this a relaxed final stop before dinner in the old center.
Day 5: Stonehenge & Salisbury
Total driving time today: ~3.5 hours
Today moves through open countryside and some of southern England’s oldest landscapes.
Stonehenge
Approaching Stonehenge across the plain adds to the sense of isolation. The monument appears gradually, standing alone against the sky. Seeing it in person brings scale and presence that photographs can’t capture. The surrounding land is open and windswept, adding to the feeling of ancient mystery.
Salisbury Cathedral
You’ll then head to Salisbury, a small medieval city with a calm, human scale. The cathedral’s spire rises above green lawns and quiet streets. Inside, the scale is immediately noticeable, with high ceilings, coloured light coming through the stained glass, and enough room to explore without feeling crowded. When you’re finished, you can walk around the Cathedral Close and then spend some time in the town center before returning to your hotel.
Day 6: Stratford-upon-Avon & York
Total driving time today: ~5 hours
Today is one of the longer travel days, but it’s broken up well, and the scenery gradually shifts as you head north through the English countryside.
Stratford-upon-Avon
Stratford is compact and easy to explore on foot. Timber-framed houses line the streets, and the River Avon adds a soft, rural feel to the town. Whether or not you step inside Shakespeare’s birthplace, the atmosphere is charming and relaxed. It’s an ideal mid-journey stop, with enough time to walk, have lunch, and stretch your legs before continuing north.
York
Arriving in York feels like stepping into another era. The city walls still frame the historic center, and narrow medieval streets wind between stone buildings. After checking in, your guide leads you into the old town. You’ll wander through the iconic Shambles, one of the best preserved medieval streets in Europe.
Day 7: York
York Minster
York Minster dominates the skyline and feels imposing up close. Inside, the scale is impressive, with vaulted ceilings, stained glass, and a quiet sense of age. The surrounding square opens nicely into the city’s smaller lanes.
City Walls
Walking a section of the medieval walls gives you a different perspective. From above, you see rooftops, church towers, and the layered structure of the old city. It’s an easy, scenic walk and one of the simplest ways to understand York’s layout.
Museum Gardens
Later, you can spend time in the Museum Gardens, where open lawns sit beside the ruins of St Mary’s Abbey. It’s a quiet spot and a nice break from the narrower medieval streets. After that, the afternoon is yours to stop for coffee, browse a few independent shops, or just keep walking and see where you end up.
Day 8: London to Paris
Total driving time today: ~1.5 hours (plus Eurostar train ~2h 20m)
You return to London in the morning for the Eurostar departure. This is one of the few days when rail makes more sense than driving.
Eurostar Journey
The train from London to Paris is smooth and efficient. Within a few hours, the countryside gives way to the French capital. It’s a comfortable transition between countries and avoids a long road transfer. On arrival, you’re met by your private guide and transferred into the city center to settle in.
Seine Walk
When you are ready, your guide leads you on a walk along the Seine, giving you a proper introduction to the city, with stone bridges overhead, bookstalls along the riverbanks, and classic façades lining the water. Finish with dinner nearby so the night stays relaxed and easy.
Day 9: Paris
Total driving time today: ~1.5 hours
Louvre Area
You begin around the Louvre, where the scale of the buildings immediately stands out. Even if you don’t attempt the entire museum, the setting alone is worth time, with wide courtyards, formal gardens, and elegant façades stretching in every direction. If you choose to go inside, focus on a few key sections rather than racing through rooms. Outside, you can walk around the charming Tuileries Garden.
Île de la Cité
Crossing onto Île de la Cité brings you into the oldest part of the city. The streets narrow, traffic eases, and the buildings feel closer together. You’ll spend time around Notre-Dame and wander through the small squares nearby, then follow the river paths and cross a couple of the low stone bridges linking the island to the rest of Paris.
Le Marais
In the afternoon, head into Le Marais. This neighborhood feels more lived-in, with smaller streets, independent shops, galleries, and cafés tucked into corners.
Day 10: Paris
Total driving time today: ~2 hours
Montmartre
Your 10th day begins with a journey above the city to Montmartre. The views from near Sacré-Cœur stretch across Paris, giving you a clear sense of its size and layout. It’s one of our favorite viewpoints in all of Paris, and a must-visit during your time here.
Eiffel Tower & Trocadéro
Later in the day, you move toward the Eiffel Tower area. From the Trocadéro side, the perspective is wide and open, and arguably the most striking angle. The surrounding gardens and river paths make it easy to walk and pause without ever feeling crowded.
Evening River Atmosphere
If you wish, the evening can include a short river cruise or simply another relaxed riverside walk. Seeing Paris illuminated is a fitting close to your time in the city before heading toward the French countryside tomorrow.
Day 11: Reims & Épernay
Total driving time today: ~3.5 hours
The drive east is easy and open, with long stretches of farmland slowly giving way to tidier vineyard slopes as you reach Champagne.
Reims
Reims has a calm, spacious feel, and it’s a great place to start the day on foot. You can visit the magnificent cathedral, but the city is also nice simply for a slow wander and a relaxed lunch. You can keep it light: a short walk, a few local shops, and a sense of arriving somewhere with a different rhythm from Paris.
Épernay
Épernay is smaller and more focused than Reims, and this is where the Champagne identity becomes clear. The main avenue is lined with well-known Champagne houses, their cellars running deep beneath the street. You can visit one for a tasting and learn how the wine is produced, without feeling hurried from one stop to the next. Afterward, a simple walk through town helps you take it in at an easy pace. Your driver-guide keeps the timings smooth between stops so the day stays relaxed even with a couple of visits.
Vineyard Viewpoints
If the weather’s clear, it’s worth taking a short detour into the vine-covered hills above town. The roads rise gently, and the views open out over neat rows of vines and small villages tucked into folds of land. It’s not a long stop, but it adds a sense of landscape that you don’t get from the cellar streets alone.
Day 12: Beaune & Dijon
Total driving time today: ~3.5 hours
Today’s drive is one of those satisfying transitions where the scenery changes quietly: flatter land becomes rolling countryside, and vineyards start to appear more consistently as you enter Burgundy.
Beaune
Beaune is compact and easy to love. Your guide will take you past old stone walls, small courtyards, and wine shops at a gentle pace that suits a mid-tour day. You might choose a short tasting or simply browse and settle into a long lunch. The atmosphere is the main attraction here: relaxed, warm, and very Burgundy.
Dijon
Dijon brings a slightly livelier city feel back into the trip. The old center is full of elegant façades, small squares, and food-focused corners that feel very French. Your guide will lead you on a walking tour of the city, stopping for a market-style snack, a pastry stop, or a relaxed dinner later on. The city is easy to explore at your own pace without needing to chase sights.
Day 13: Lyon
Total driving time today: ~2.5 hours
Vieux Lyon
On day 13, you begin the journey south to the historic city of Lyon, heading straight into Vieux Lyon, the city’s beautifully preserved old town. Here, you spend time walking through its narrow Renaissance streets, stopping to explore hidden traboules that cut between buildings and open into quiet inner courtyards. Step inside Saint-Jean Cathedral to take in its intricate astronomical clock, then continue past small bouchons where the scent of traditional Lyonnaise cooking drifts out onto the street. There’s time to pause at a local bakery for something freshly made, before continuing on foot to soak up the character of this historic district.
Presqu’île
Across the river, Presqu’île feels brighter and more open, with broad streets and classic city energy. It’s a good contrast to the tighter lanes of Vieux Lyon. This is where you’ll find good shopping streets, cafés, and a sense of modern life moving through historic buildings. It’s ideal for a late afternoon stroll before dinner.
Riverside Walk
Walking along the Rhône or the Saône gives you open space and clear views back toward the city, especially in the early evening when people start heading out after work. It’s an easy, unstructured way to experience the city, just water, bridges, and steady movement around you. Finishing the day with dinner nearby keeps everything close and uncomplicated.
Day 14: Annecy
Total driving time today: ~2.5 hours
The drive from Lyon towards Annecy gradually brings the mountains closer. The land starts to rise, roads narrow slightly, and you begin to see the Alps forming on the horizon.
Annecy Old Town
Annecy’s old town is compact and easy to explore. Narrow streets run alongside small canals, with pastel-coloured buildings and stone bridges linking everything together. You can simply walk without needing a fixed plan, browse small shops, stop for coffee, and take your time around the water. It doesn’t require effort to enjoy.
Lake Annecy
The lake is what makes the town special. The water is clear, backed by mountain slopes that feel close but not overwhelming. A walk along the shoreline gives you open views and fresh air after time in the cities.
Day 15: Geneva & Lausanne
Total driving time today: ~3 hours
Geneva
Geneva is best approached from the lake, so you begin with a walk along the waterfront, taking in the wide promenades and clear views across to the Jet d’Eau. From here, you head up into the old town, following the gentle climb to Vieille Ville. You spend time exploring its narrow streets and small, tucked-away squares, stopping at St. Pierre Cathedral, where you can step inside or climb the tower for a view over the city and lake.
Lakeside Drive
Between Geneva and Lausanne, staying close to the lake makes the journey part of the day. Vineyards begin to appear on the slopes, and small villages sit above the water. The road curves gently, giving you long views across to the opposite shore. It’s one of those stretches where you simply look out of the window and watch the landscape change.
Lausanne
Lausanne is hillier and slightly more energetic. The old town has character, with steep lanes, viewpoints, and terraces overlooking the lake. You can walk for an hour or two without feeling like you’ve missed something major. The city feels lived-in rather than staged.
Day 16: Montreux & Lavaux
Total driving time today: ~2.5 hours
Montreux
You stop in Montreux and head straight to the lakeside promenade, walking along the water with clear views across Lake Geneva. The route is flat and easy, taking you past gardens, sculptures, and small stretches where you can pause right by the shoreline. There’s time to slow down here, take in the mountain backdrop, and, if you like, stop for a coffee along the front before continuing the journey.
Lavaux Vineyards
The drive through Lavaux is one of the most scenic in western Switzerland. Terraced vineyards climb the slopes in neat rows, and small stone villages appear between them. Your driver-guide takes the slower vineyard road rather than the fastest route, allowing you to stop briefly at natural viewpoints. It’s quiet, rural, and very Swiss.
Lakeside Villages
Short stops in small villages break up the drive, in places where boats are tied along the shore, and cafés face the water. These aren’t big destinations, just simple, well-placed pauses that make the day feel complete.
Day 17: Zermatt
Total driving time today: ~2 hours (plus mountain rail transfer)
Today, you move deeper into the Alps. Valleys narrow and peaks grow sharper as you approach the high mountain region.
Alpine Route
The drive itself is impressive. Roads follow rivers through steep valleys, with rock faces rising on either side. Your driver-guide coordinates the transfer to the mountain train, which takes you into car-free Zermatt.
Zermatt Village
Arrive in Zermatt and spend time walking along Bahnhofstrasse, the village’s main street, where timber buildings, shopfronts, and cafés line the route. From here, you can take short detours through quieter side streets to get a closer look at the older chalets, some of which date back centuries. There’s time to pause at a café or terrace with views toward the Matterhorn, before continuing on foot through the village at an easy pace.
Matterhorn
If conditions are clear, the Matterhorn is visible from several points around town. Even from ground level, its shape is striking. If you would rather have an elevated view, your guide can recommend some popular viewpoints.
Day 18: Lucerne
Total driving time today: ~3.5 hours
Leaving Zermatt, the route descends gradually. Valleys widen again, lakes reappear, and the scenery becomes softer as you approach central Switzerland.
Chapel Bridge
Lucerne’s Chapel Bridge is simple but distinctive. Walking across the wooden structure gives you views along the river and back toward the old town towers. It’s not large, and it doesn’t take long, but it gives you a clear sense of place straight away.
Old Town
The old town is compact and easy to navigate. Painted façades, small squares, and pedestrian streets make it comfortable to explore without a strict route. You can wander for an hour or two, stop for coffee, and take in the details without feeling rushed.
Lake Lucerne
The lake is what makes Lucerne stand out. Surrounded by mountains, the water opens up the view in every direction. A simple lakeside walk gives you space after the tighter streets, and if conditions are clear, the mountain backdrop feels close enough to define the skyline. It’s a strong but calm finish to your Alpine section before the journey continues toward Zurich.
Day 19: Zurich
Total driving time today: ~1.5 hours
Old Town
You head into Zurich’s old town on foot, starting along the Limmat before moving up into the streets as they begin to climb. The route takes you through narrow lanes and past old guild houses, where the details start to stand out the more you look. Painted shutters, worn stone, and small courtyards just off the main path.
Your guide keeps things moving but points out what matters along the way, whether that’s a hidden passage, a building with a story behind it, or the shift from one part of the old town to another. You pass by Grossmünster and Fraumünster, with time to step inside if you want, then continue through quieter corners where the pace naturally slows.
Lake Zurich
From the old town, you naturally drift toward the lake. The space opens up, water in front of you, distant hills beyond. Locals walk along the promenade, cyclists pass, and boats move slowly across the surface.
It’s worth spending time here because this is where Zurich breathes. The lake gives the city scale and light. You can walk along the shoreline, sit for a while, or simply watch the movement on the water.
Bahnhofstrasse
Later, you step into the Bahnhofstrasse, one of Europe’s most refined shopping streets. You’ll have free time to shop for gifts and souvenirs before your driver-guide takes you back to your accommodation.
Day 20: Milan
Total driving time today: ~3.5 hours
On day 20, you leave Zurich, and your private guide takes you south through the Alps, passing lakes and long tunnels before the road opens out on the approach into Milan.
Duomo
Milan’s cathedral rises suddenly from the city streets, intricate and dramatic. Standing in the square gives you that unmistakable Italian-city moment. The surrounding area is lively, with cafés and arcades creating movement around the landmark.
Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II
Just beside the Duomo, the Galleria offers glass ceilings, polished floors, and classic Milan elegance. It’s as much about atmosphere as architecture. A coffee stop here feels appropriately Italian.
Navigli
In the evening, the canal district changes the mood. Smaller streets, waterside tables, and aperitivo culture make this one of Milan’s most enjoyable areas. It’s relaxed, social, and distinctly different from the grand center.
Day 21: Lake Como
Total driving time today: ~2 hours
This morning, you leave Milan behind and head north toward the lakes. As the road narrows and the mountains begin to rise, the air feels cooler, and the scenery tightens around you.
Bellagio
Arrive in Bellagio, positioned at the center of the lake where the two branches meet. Your driver-guide drops you near the old town and walks with you into the village, explaining the layout before giving you time to explore. You’ll climb the stone stairways between narrow lanes, stop at terraces overlooking the water, and walk down toward the harbor for open views across the lake.
Lake Ferry
Next, your guide takes you to the ferry terminal, where you board a short crossing to Varenna. From the boat, you’ll see historic villas along the shoreline, mountains rising steeply behind them, and boats moving slowly across the water.
Varenna
On arrival in Varenna, your driver-guide meets you again and walks with you along the lakeside promenade. You’ll explore the village together, following the waterfront path and stepping into the quieter upper streets. After time here, your guide drives you back along the lakeside road to your hotel, completing a full circuit of Lake Como’s most scenic section.
Day 22: Venice
Total driving time today: ~3.5 hours (plus private water transfer into Venice)
On day 22, your driver-guide collects you from Lake Como and drives east toward Venice. The mountains fall behind you, and the land flattens as you approach the lagoon. Before arrival, your guide explains how Venice works once vehicles are left behind.
Arrival by Water
At the edge of the city, your driver-guide escorts you to your private water taxi. You enter Venice by boat, traveling through the canals toward your hotel. Buildings rise directly from the water, and boats replace cars entirely. Your guide ensures luggage and arrival arrangements are handled smoothly before beginning your walking tour.
St Mark’s Square
Your driver-guide then leads you through narrow lanes toward St Mark’s Square. The space opens suddenly to reveal the basilica, the campanile, and the arcades surrounding the piazza. You’ll have time to visit St Mark’s Basilica if you wish and walk along the waterfront beside the Doge’s Palace, understanding Venice’s role as a maritime republic.
Quiet Canals
Later, your guide takes you beyond the busiest areas into quieter districts. You’ll cross smaller bridges and walk along canals lined with homes and small shops, away from the busiest routes. It’s noticeably quieter here. You’ll then head back to your accommodation, leaving the evening free for dinner beside the water.
Day 23: Florence
Total driving time today: ~2 hours (train option possible if preferred)
On day 23, you leave Venice and head south toward Florence. The route crosses the Apennine hills, with the landscape gradually shifting from flat plains to rolling countryside. As you approach Tuscany, olive groves and vineyards begin to appear, and the skyline of Florence comes into view.
Florence Cathedral
After arrival, your driver-guide brings you into the historic center and walks you toward the cathedral square. The Duomo dominates the skyline, its dome rising above the surrounding streets. You’ll spend time in the square, taking in the cathedral façade, the Baptistery doors, and the scale of the complex. It’s the natural starting point for understanding Florence and its Renaissance history.
Ponte Vecchio
From there, you make your way toward the River Arno and cross the Ponte Vecchio. Small shops line both sides of the bridge, and from the center, you get open views along the river. It’s one of Florence’s most recognizable spots, and seeing it in person gives you a clear sense of how the city developed along the water.
Piazzale Michelangelo
To end the day, your driver-guide takes you up to Piazzale Michelangelo above the city. From here, enjoy beautiful views of the cathedral dome, terracotta rooftops, and the hills beyond. It’s the best place to see the layout of the city all at once before returning to your accommodation for the evening.
Day 24: Siena & Chianti
Total driving time today: ~3 hours
On day 24, you leave Florence and head into the Tuscan countryside. The road winds through rolling hills lined with cypress trees, vineyards, and stone farmhouses. Rather than taking the fastest route, your driver-guide follows smaller regional roads so the scenery becomes part of the day.
Chianti
You pass through the Chianti wine region, where vineyards cover the slopes and small villages sit on hilltops. There’s time to stop at a local winery to learn about production and taste the wines grown in the landscape you’ve just driven through. It’s informal and relaxed, adding context to the countryside around you.
Siena
Arrive in Siena and walk into the historic center. The shell-shaped Piazza del Campo forms the heart of the city, surrounded by warm brick buildings and narrow medieval streets. You’ll explore on foot, climbing gently through the lanes and visiting the cathedral square. Siena feels smaller and more contained than Florence, which makes it easy to take in without rushing.
After time in Siena, your driver-guide returns you to your accommodation in the countryside for a quiet Tuscan evening.
Day 25: Rome
Total driving time today: ~3 hours
Today you travel south toward Rome. The hills of Tuscany gradually flatten as you enter the Lazio region, and the traffic builds as you approach the capital.
Colosseum
After arrival, your driver-guide brings you to the Colosseum, arguably the most iconic attraction in Rome. Start outside and admire the magnificent structure, standing at a viewpoint perfect for pictures with your family and friends. You’ll then head into the Roman Forum. You’ll move through the ruins together, passing old temples, arches, and open spaces that once formed the center of Roman life. Being here makes the history feel immediate rather than distant.
Trastevere
In the evening, cross the river into Trastevere. The streets are narrow, restaurants spill into the squares, and the atmosphere feels more neighborhood than monumental. It’s a relaxed way to close your first day in Rome.
Day 26: Rome
Total driving time today: ~1 hour
Vatican City
Your driver-guide brings you into St Peter’s Square in the morning, when the light falls across the columns, and the crowds are still building. You step into St Peter’s Basilica and spend time inside, walking through the main nave.
Pantheon
Later, walk to the Pantheon. Its domed interior and central opening create a calm, balanced space that feels surprisingly modern despite its age. It remains one of Rome’s most complete ancient structures.
Historic Centre
To end the day, wander through the historic center linking Piazza Navona, the Trevi Fountain, and the surrounding streets. Your driver-guide remains available for short transfers between areas, keeping distances comfortable while allowing you to explore largely on foot.
Day 27: Munich
Total driving time today: ~1 hour (plus flight Rome–Munich)
Given the distance, you fly from Rome to Munich today. Your driver-guide coordinates the airport departure and arranges your transfer on arrival in Germany.
Marienplatz
Arrive in Munich and begin in Marienplatz, the city’s central square. The Gothic-style town hall dominates the space, and the square is easy to navigate on foot. It’s lively but orderly, offering a clear introduction to Bavarian architecture.
English Garden
Next, head to the English Garden. Wide lawns, tree-lined paths, and the flowing river create open space after the density of Rome. It’s one of Europe’s largest urban parks and is easy to explore at your own pace.
Beer Garden
To finish the evening, visit a traditional beer garden. Long wooden tables and shaded courtyards create a social but relaxed setting. It’s a straightforward way to experience Munich’s local culture before your final day.
Day 28: Munich to London
Total driving time today: ~1 hour (plus flight)
On day 28, your private tour comes to an end. We can either end the tour here in Munich, or you can take a flight back to London, where your journey began with Europe Private Tours. The final day will be tailored to your preferences, with your private driver-guide on hand to drop you off at the airport or to any location of your choosing.