Insight > European Spotlight

European Spotlight
14 Days starting from $3,275

Countries Visited:
England, Holland, Germany, Austria, Italy, Switzerland, France

 

Length: 14 Days
Type: First Class Tour
Category: European Discovery
Operator: Insight
Tour Code: E910
   
 
About This Tour


This tour slows down considerably after the first two days in Amsterdam and the Rhineland. It then runs at a leisurely pace with two-night stays in the key cities of Innsbruck, Venice, Lucerne and Paris, with time to relax.

 
  • What's Included
  • Itinerary
  • Dates & Prices
  • Sightseeing Highlights
  • SPECIALS

Insight's First Class Services

  • Escorted by a professional Tour Director (hosted by Insight staff in London)
  • Luxury air-conditioned 40 seat coach with onboard toilet
  • Insight Hotels include all service charges, taxes and porterage
  • Insight Traveler document wallet, map book journal and information pack
  • Airport arrival transfer Day 2 and departure transfer in Paris on Day 14

Quality Dining

  • Highlight Dinner on a floating restaurant on Amsterdam Harbour (HD)
  • 1 Continental (CB), 1 Full Breakfast (B) & 10 enhanced or Buffet Breakfasts (BB) and 4 three-course table d’hôte Dinners, or Buffets, plus tea or coffee (D)

14 Days ~ England ~ Belgium ~ Holland ~ Germany ~ Austria ~ Italy ~ Switzerland ~ France

Tour Pace
This tour slows down considerably after the first two days in Amsterdam and the Rhineland. It then runs at a leisurely pace with two-night stays in the key cities of Innsbruck, Venice, Lucerne and Paris, with time to relax or participate in optional excursions organised by your Tour Director.

DAY 1 – THU – DEPART USA
Overnight flight to London.

DAY 2 – FRI – ARRIVE LONDON
Welcome to London! On arrival you are transferred to your London tour hotel.
Hotel: Thistle Marble Arch.

DAY 3 – SAT – LONDON SIGHTSEEING
Your half day sightseeing tour shows you Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament. The afternoon is at leisure to explore or shop. (B)

DAY 4 – SUN – LONDON – AMSTERDAM
Drive to the white cliffs of Dover to cross the English Channel. Disembark at Calais and follow the coast into Belgium and the Netherlands. See your first windmills en route to Amsterdam. Pass the Mint Tower and Royal Palace in Dam Square on your way to watch diamonds being cut and polished. Tonight, enjoy a Welcome Drink with your Tour Director before boarding a special sightseeing boat and cruising past mansions and under low bridges to alight in the harbour for a Highlight Dinner aboard a floating restaurant.
Hotel: Moevenpick City Centre. (CB,HD)

DAY 5 – MON – AMSTERDAM – RHINELAND
Pass Arnhem, renowned for its ‘Bridge Too Far’, and continue over the German border to Cologne. Despite the city being badly damaged in World War Two, its Gothic Cathedral survived. After marvelling at its soaring spires, continue through Bonn to the scenic Rhine Gorge. Board a cruiser at Boppard and glide past vineyards and imposing castles, and hear the legend of the Loreley Rock before rejoining the coach at St Goar.   
Hotel: Maritim Parkhotel. (BB,D)

DAY 6 – TUE – RHINELAND – INNSBRUCK
Skirt the northern Black Forest and pass Ulm, which has the world’s highest church spire. Stop at the base of the Bavarian Alps to see the Royal castles, including King Ludwig’s fabulous fairytale castle of Neuschwanstein. Cross the Austrian border and drive over the spectacular Fern Pass to arrive in Innsbruck, capital of the Tyrol. Tour the architectural jewels of the city, seeing the Imperial Palace, delightful Golden Roof and the 14th century houses of the old town before enjoying dinner at the hotel.
Hotel: Innsbruck. (BB,D)

DAY 7 – WED – SALZBURG EXCURSION
Drive out to visit Innsbruck’s superb Wilten Basilica – its interior richly decorated with cherubs and angels. Follow the Inn Valley to Salzburg for a guided tour of Mozart’s home city. From the formal gardens of the Mirabell Palace, photograph the city skyline crowned by its castle. Cross the river to the Getreidegasse and Mozart’s birthplace, and stroll through the Old Town’s narrow lanes to the cathedral and Residenz fountain. Return to Innsbruck in the afternoon, after which you can opt to join a lively folklore party. (BB)

DAY 8 – THU – INNSBRUCK – VENICE
Leave Innsbruck and travel across the impressive Europa Bridge, and cross the Brenner Pass into Italy. Follow the Adige River through spectacular scenery down to the great plain. Visit fascinating Verona, with its first century Roman Arena, maze of elegant squares and, of course, Juliet’s famous balcony. Now you pass Padua on your way to your hotel on the fashionable Venice Lido.
Hotel: Le Boulevard. (BB,D)

DAY 9 – FRI – VENICE SIGHTSEEING
Relax on a private launch as it cruises past the island of San Giorgio to alight at St Mark’s Square. Stroll along the water’s edge to see the Bridge of Sighs that connects the Doges’ Palace with the prisons. See St Mark’s Basilica and belltower before watching one of the few remaining craftsmen hand-blow Venetian glass. The tour concludes with a gondola ride through the canals. Don’t miss the chance to try the delicious seafood, freshly caught in the lagoon. (BB)

DAY 10 – SAT – VENICE – LUCERNE
Travel through some of the richest farmland in Europe as you cross northern Italy. Glimpse the beautiful Italian Lake District as you continue into the heart of the Swiss Alps, past gushing streams and soaring peaks to scenic Lake Lucerne. Consider spending the evening at a fondue party and folklore night.
Hotel: Astoria. (BB)

DAY 11 – SUN – LUCERNE SIGHTSEEING
Visit the Lion Monument, commemorating the Swiss Guards who lost their lives during the French Revolution. Spend time shopping or strolling along the Chapel Bridge to the richly ornate Jesuit Church. Embark on a Premium Highlight excursion by cog-wheel train and cable-car to the summit of one of Switzerland’s most famous mountains, Mount Pilatus. Admire the views over the snow-capped Jungfrau and Eiger peaks before returning to Lucerne. (BB,D)

DAY 12 – MON – LUCERNE – PARIS
Drive to Basel before crossing the Rhine to France. Travel across the fertile fields of Burgundy to Paris, the vibrant heart of French life, and a city which glitters by night. Here, you have the option of a night-time illuminations tour.
Hotel: Hilton. (BB)

DAY 13 – TUE – PARIS SIGHTSEEING
A guided sightseeing tour includes seeing the Champs Élysées, Arc de Triomphe, Garnier’s Opera, Notre Dame Cathedral and the Louvre. A Premium Highlight sees you ascend by elevator to the viewing platforms of the Eiffel Tower before visiting the gilded Dôme Church to see the imposing tomb of the Emperor Napoleon. There is time in the afternoon for sightseeing at your own pace. (BB)

DAY 14 – WED – RETURN TO USA
Sadly, your tour ends after breakfast with a transfer to Charles de Gaulle Airport. (BB)


To speak to one of our live, experienced travel consultants, Call us now at 1-800-942-3301.

Airfare Disclaimer
A NOTE ABOUT AIRFARE: We encourage you to buy your airfare from the tour operator, because if your tour cancels then your airlines tickets will be covered. Purchasing flights separately at a lesser rate and incorporating it with a Non-Guaranteed Departure Date can result in loss of total cost of your flight investment. Depending on the fare rules, flights may be Non-Refundable and/or Non-Transferable. Neither the tour operator and/or Atlas Cruises & Tours will be held responsible for loss if a tour is cancelled for Lack of Participation. If you would like to check for discounted fares on Guaranteed Departures or for competitive pricing on air and hotel packages, we invite you to follow this link.

Documents
TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: Necessary Travel Documents such as Passports and Visas is the responsibility of the traveler. Passports must be valid six months from your return travel date.

         
Touring Date
Land Only
Land + Air
Single
(Land Only)
Single
(Land + Air)
4/9/2009 - 4/22/2009
$3,735
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4/23/2009 - 5/6/2009
$3,890
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4/30/2009 - 5/13/2009
$3,890
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5/7/2009 - 5/20/2009
$3,890
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5/14/2009 - 5/27/2009
$3,890
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5/21/2009 - 6/3/2009
$3,890
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5/28/2009 - 6/10/2009
$3,890
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6/4/2009 - 6/17/2009
$3,890
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6/11/2009 - 6/24/2009
$3,890
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6/18/2009 - 7/1/2009
$3,890
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6/25/2009 - 7/8/2009
$3,890
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7/2/2009 - 7/15/2009
$3,890
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7/9/2009 - 7/22/2009
$3,890
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7/16/2009 - 7/29/2009
$3,890
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7/23/2009 - 8/5/2009
$3,890
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7/30/2009 - 8/12/2009
$3,890
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8/6/2009 - 8/19/2009
$3,890
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8/13/2009 - 8/26/2009
$3,890
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8/20/2009 - 9/2/2009
$3,890
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8/27/2009 - 9/9/2009
$3,890
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9/3/2009 - 9/16/2009
$3,890
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9/10/2009 - 9/23/2009
$4,035
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9/17/2009 - 9/30/2009
$3,925
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9/24/2009 - 10/7/2009
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Hotels
There is an excellent selection of modern and traditional hotels which range from the elegant Moevenpick City Centre, located within walking distance of Amsterdam’s old city, to the more traditional Venetian style of Le Boulevard on the Venice Lido.

Fellow Passengers
This tour appeals to the first-time visitor to Europe as it gives a comprehensive introduction to the highlights of northern and central Europe. But it also appeals to those returning after initially visiting Europe in the Sixties or Seventies – this time with more comfortable surroundings.

Highlights
The two-night stays in four key cities really make a difference – time to explore and really get the feel of the place. The contrasts are superb on this tour, ranging from the lowlands of Holland to the alpine splendors of Innsbruck, and from picturesque Lucerne to glittering Paris.

Enjoy our Premium Highlights plus these extra tour features

Excursions & Sights

  • See all the sights of London’s West End including Buckingham Palace & Big Ben
  • Visit an Amsterdam Diamond Factory and see Dam Square & the Mint Tower
  • See ‘The Bridge Too Far’
  • See Cologne Cathedral
  • See the castle of Neuschwanstein
  • Scenic drive across the Fern Pass
  • See the Golden Roof in Innsbruck’s Old Town & visit the Wilten Basilica
  • Cross the Europa Bridge and the Brenner Pass
  • Visit Verona to see the ancient Roman Arena and Juliet’s Balcony
  • Cruise, with commentary, to St Mark’s Square in Venice
  • Watch Venetian glass-blowing
  • Travel through the St Gotthard tunnel
  • See Lucerne’s Lion Monument & Chapel Bridge
  • See Notre Dame & drive along the Champs Élysées to the Arc de Triomphe in Paris

Guided City Tours

  • In-depth sightseeing tours with audio headsets where appropriate in London, Paris & Salzburg
  • Orientation tours in Amsterdam, Cologne, Innsbruck, Venice, Verona & Lucerne

Insight's First Class Services

  • Escorted by a professional Tour Director (hosted by Insight staff in London)
  • Luxury air-conditioned 40 seat coach with onboard toilet
  • Insight Hotels include all service charges, taxes and porterage
  • Insight Traveler document wallet, map book journal and information pack
  • Airport arrival transfer Day 2 and departure transfer in Paris on Day 14

Quality Dining

  • Highlight Dinner on a floating restaurant on Amsterdam Harbour (HD)
  • 1 Continental (CB), 1 Full Breakfast (B) & 10 enhanced or Buffet Breakfasts (BB) and 4 three-course table d’hôte Dinners, or Buffets, plus tea or coffee (D)

CURRENT SPECIALS:

Great Savings and Discounts

EARLY PAYMENT DISCOUNTS

SAVE UP TO 10%: Insight sells its tours in many countries worldwide so the most popular tours fill very quickly. Don’t be disappointed, book early! You’ll be assured of the tours you want, andthe earlier you pay, the more you SAVE!

Here’s how...

Pay 4 months prior to tour departure date to SAVE 2.5%

Pay 7 months prior to tour departure date to SAVE 5%

Pay 10 months prior to tour departure date to SAVE 7.5%

Pay 12 months prior to tour departure date to SAVE 10%

Tours must be paid in full for this discount to apply. Discounts apply to the land-only portion of your tour. Tour prices may change in future brochures. Exceptions: 1. Does not apply to additional accommodation, airfares or flight supplements, Easy Pace London & Countryside, Easy Pace London & Paris, Easy Pace London, Paris & Rome, Egypt tours, Israel tours, Jordan tours, the 3 Night Greek Island Cruise & Athens Extension, and Greek tours which include a Mediterranean cruise. 2. Does not apply to tours with River Cruises.

FAMILY SAVINGS

YOUNG TRAVELLERS SAVE 10% AGED 5-17 YEARS :Travel broadens the mind and enhances those special relationships. Insight offers you the opportunity of

sharing your happy holiday memories with your children or grandchildren. This discount applies to the Land Only portion of your tour. Young Travellers must be under the age of 18 years old on the tour departure date, and MUST be accompanied by an adult (limit of one Young Traveller Discount per room). On all escorted tours, children under 5 years old are NOT accepted. The Young Traveller must be the specified age at the time of travel to be eligible for this discount. This discount cannot be combined with our Groups Discount. Exceptions: 1. Does not apply to additional accommodation, airfares or flight supplements, Easy Pace London & Countryside, Easy Pace London & Paris, Easy Pace London, Paris & Rome, Egypt tours, Israel tours, Jordan tours, the 3 Night Greek Island Cruise & Athens Extension,

and Greek tours which include a Mediterranean cruise. 2. Does not apply to tours with River Cruises.

GROUP DISCOUNTS

5 OR MORE – SAVE 5%: If a group of 5 to 8 people travel together a discount of 5% per person applies to the Land Only portion of your tour. So it pays to get together with your family and friends!

SAVE $$$ FOR 9 OR MORE : If you have a group of 9 or more people travelling together on the same scheduled tour, then you automatically qualify for big savings! Your savings will be determined by the number of people travelling so ask call for details. You may also reserve a tour departure exclusively for your group! Some restrictions apply. Please contact our Groups Department 1-866-475-7023.

These discounts cannot be combined with Frequent Traveller, Family Savings or Triple Room Discounts. To qualify, names of all passengers travelling must be advised to Insight at the time of booking. Exceptions: 1. Does not apply to additional accommodation, airfares or flight supplements, Easy Pace London & Countryside, Easy Pace London & Paris, Easy Pace London, Paris & Rome, Egypt tours, Israel tours, Jordan tours, the 3 Night Greek Island Cruise & Athens Extension,

and Greek tours which include a Mediterranean cruise. 2. Does not apply to tours with River Cruises.  

SINGLE TRAVELLER SAVING

SAVE UP TO $2850 PER PERSON with Insight’s Room Mate Matching service Insight believes travelling solo should not cost you more! That’s why for people travelling alone on an Insight coach tour, we'll match you with someone of the same gender, so you don't have to pay the single room supplement. If we fail to match you, we'll provide a single room at no extra cost. Please note there is a no-smoking policy in all shared rooms. Exceptions: 1. Does not apply to additional accommodation, airfares or flight supplements, Easy Pace London & Countryside, Easy Pace London & Paris, Easy Pace London, Paris & Rome, Egypt tours, Israel tours, Jordan tours, the 3 Night Greek Island Cruise & Athens Extension, and Greek tours which include a Mediterranean cruise. 2. Does not apply to tours with River Cruises. 3. Does not apply to Irish Elegance.

TRIPLE ROOM DISCOUNTS: When three people travel together and share one room,

each of the three enjoys a discount off the tour price. See the Triple Room Reductions on the itinerary of your choice. This discount only applies to tours featuring the “Share a Triple Room” reduction on the itinerary pages. Note the third bed will, on occasions, be a foldaway.

FREQUENT TRAVELLER SAVING

SAVE 5% OFF YOUR NEXT TOUR: Most first-time travellers go on vacation with Insight again and again. In recognition of our loyal customers, Insight now extends to all clients automatic membership into our Premier Plus Club, as well as a 5% Discount off the Land portion of their next Insight trip. Insight’s Premier Plus Club & 5% Discount is not available retroactively. Only one voucher is available per person, per tour, per year and only one voucher can be redeemed against each further tour

booking. This discount cannot be combined with our Groups Discount.  Exceptions: 1. Does not apply to additional accommodation, airfares or flight supplements, Easy Pace London & Countryside, Easy Pace London & Paris, Easy Pace London, Paris & Rome, Egypt tours, Israel tours, Jordan tours, the 3 Night Greek Island Cruise & Athens Extension, and Greek tours which include a Mediterranean cruise.

EXTRA TOUR DISCOUNTS

SAVE $$$ON YOUR 2ND TOUR: Book two Insight vacations, each 7 days or longer and you will receive a reduction of 5%off the cheaper of the two tours. Both tours must be booked at the same time. This discount is per person.

COMPLIMENTARY TRANSFERS: Save up to $135 per couple on LONDON taxi fares

FREE LONDON RETURN : Passengers taking the 'Land only' option on our Discovery

tours may return to London by Insight motorcoach at NO EXTRA CHARGE, instead of departing from Paris. Offer applies to the final day of the following Discovery tours:  E920, E910, E933, E914, E912, E913, E916 & G916. Accommodations will be

required, as arrival in London is late afternoon/early evening.

SMALL GROUPS ADVANTAGE : Many tour operators fill their tours with up to 53 passengers. This means more congestion and less leg room on the coach as seats are configured more closely. At Insight we have a

maximum of only 40 guests per tour.

INSIGHT'S GUARANTEES

PRICE GUARANTEE: With Insight, you don’t need to worry about currency fluctuations. Once we receive your full deposit, your land tour price is guaranteed and protected against any increases. (Excludes pre-registration for tours in future brochures and any imposed fuel surcharges or Government Taxes.

TOUR GUARANTEE FOR LAND TRAVEL: To assist you when booking our airline offers and taking our great early payment savings, Insight has designated a large number of tours which we guarantee will operate on the scheduled date, unless circumstances occur beyond our control. Look for Tour Guarantee (TG symbol) on the itinerary of your choice indicating applicable dates. All other featured departures are planned to operate however, for operational reasons, may be subject to re- scheduling with at least 50 days notice (between May 1st & September 30th).


   
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