European Breakaway
An 11-Day Insight Tours tour starting from $2,599
(Not Yet Rated) | Write a review
|
| Starting Price: | $2,599 |  |
| Tour Length: | 11 Days | |
| Countries Visited: | Belgium, England, France, Germany, Holland, Switzerland | |
  |
||
Cities Visited: This is a well paced tour with two-night stays in Amsterdam, Lucerne and Paris, allowing plenty of time for in-depth sightseeing. The only one-night stay is in the delightful Hessische Bergstrasse region of Germany. |
||||||||||||||||
Included Premium Highlights
- Cruise by glass-topped boat through the waterways of Amsterdam's old city
- Embark on a scenic Rhine Cruise past sleepy villages, leafy vineyards and cliff-top castles
- Enjoy an exhilarating ride by cog-wheel train and cable-car to the summit of Mount Pilatus
- Ascend the iconic Eiffel Tower for panoramic views over romantic Paris
Included Personal Insights
- To enhance your dining pleasure, the historical context and formal ceremony that once accompanied your Dutch colonial-style feast is fully explained
- Learn about the origins and artisan manufacture of the Black Forest cuckoo clock
Included Additional Excursions & Sights
- See Westminster Abbey, Big Ben and Buckingham Palace on your London sightseeing tour
- Visit Bruges, one of Europe's best preserved medieval towns
- See Amsterdam's Dam Square, Royal Palace and Mint Tower
- Travel through the pretty Dutch countryside to the fishing village of Volendam
- Enjoy demonstrations of cheese-making, clog-making and diamond cutting in Holland
- See the soaring Gothic cathedral in Cologne
- See Heidelberg's red sandstone castle
- Scenic Black Forest drive Visit the Rhine Falls
- See Lucerne's Chapel Bridge, Lion Monument & Jesuit Church
- Drive past the Louvre and along the Champs Elysees to the Arc de Triomphe in Paris
- See Notre Dame Cathedral, the Place de la Concorde & Opera House in Paris
- See the White Cliffs of Dover
Included First Class Services
- Escorted by a professional Tour Director
- Luxury air-conditioned 40 seat coach with onboard restroom
- Insight Hotels include all service charges, taxes and porterage
- Insight Traveler document wallet, map book journal and information pack
- Free London Airport Shuttle Service may be available when you book your air and land with Insight Vacations (conditions apply)
- Airport Shuttle departure transfer at a scheduled time on Day 11
Included Quality Dining
- Enjoy a Highlight Dinner of local specialties in Amsterdam (HD)
- 1 Continental (CB) & 8 Buffet Breakfasts (BB) and 2 three-course table d'hote Dinners, or Buffets, plus tea or coffee (D)
Day 1 - DEPART USA
Overnight flight to London.
Day 2 - ARRIVE LONDON
Welcome to London! After
checking in to your hotel, the afternoon is at leisure. Perhaps hit the shops of Oxford
street.
Hotel: Thistle Marble Arch.
Day 3 - LONDON SIGHTSEEING
Your half day sightseeing tour of London's West End shows you Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, Trafalgar Square and Buckingham Palace. The afternoon is free to explore or shop. (B)
Day 4 - LONDON - BRUGES - AMSTERDAM
Meet your Tour Director and drive to Dover for the short Channel crossing to Calais. Pass historic Dunkirk, famous for its Second World War evacuations, and follow the coast into Belgium. Stop a while in medieval Bruges to walk through the cobbled streets to the old market square. A perfect introduction to Europe! Now enter your fourth country, the Netherlands, passing windmills on the way to lively Amsterdam, 'City of Canals'. Tonight, enjoy a Welcome Drink with your Tour Director before savouring a traditional Dutch 'Rijsttafel' (literally 'rice table') dinner at a local restaurant. Your meal is complemented by an informative presentation on the origins, ceremony and contents of this colonial-style feast.
Hotel: The Convent (HD)
Day 5 - AMSTERDAM SIGHTSEEING - volendam excursion
An orientation tour reveals the Mint Tower, Dam Square and Royal Palace, before boarding a special sightseeing boat and cruising under low bridges and past mansions built by the wealthiest merchants alongside the canals. Now a pleasant drive through the Dutch countryside, with its windmills and canals, brings you to the old, traditional village of Volendam, situated on what was once the Zuider Zee. Later, make a photo-stop beside one of the picturesque windmills and then visit a cheese farm and a 'Klompenhuis', where wooden clogs are made. Return to Amsterdam for a visit to a diamond cutting factory, whose industry dates back to the 16th century. This evening, consider a visit
to the famous Sailors' Quarter. (BB)
Day 6 - AMSTERDAM - COLOGNE - HEIDELBERG
Leave Amsterdam bound for Germany. Pass the border town of Arnhem, renowned for its 'Bridge Too Far' (the Rhine bridge which was the object of bitter fighting at the end of the Second World War), then cross the extensive Ruhr Basin to Cologne. This city was also badly damaged in the war, but its superb Gothic Cathedral survived. Take time to marvel at the soaring vaults and spires, and to stroll in the bustling pedestrian malls of the city centre. Then it's on to Bonn, birthplace of Beethoven and former capital of West Germany for more than 40 years. Travel to the picturesque Rhine Gorge to board a Highlight Cruise at Boppard, and glide past medieval hill-top castles and steep leafy vineyards to the legendary Loreley Rock. Rejoin the coach at St. Goar and continue to the town of Heidelberg, for dinner and an evening at leisure.
Hotel: Marriott. (BB,D)
Day 7 - HEIDELBERG - LUCERNE
Enjoy some time this morning in the city of the 'Student Prince', to view the ruined clifftop castle. Take the scenic route along the Rhine Valley to the ancient city of Freiburg, before climbing into the heart of the Black Forest, home of the cuckoo clock industry. Enjoy an informative presentation on their origins and see how these clocks are made, then continue past Lake Titisee and cross the Swiss border. See the Rhine River thundering over the Rhine Falls before driving via Zurich to lakeside Lucerne. Check into your hotel, shop for chocolate or a special timepiece, and consider joining an optional Swiss Fondue Party in the evening.
Hotel: Astoria (BB)
Day 8 - LUCERNE SIGHTSEEING
See Lucerne's proud Lion Monument, carved into a limestone cliff and dedicated to the Swiss Guards massacred defending the King during the French Revolution. Take time to stroll across the covered Chapel Bridge and see the baroque Jesuit church. Enjoy an exciting Premium Highlight - an exhilarating ride by cog-wheel train and cable-car to the summit of Mount Pilatus. Admire the stunning panorama of snow-capped peaks - including the Eiger and Jungfrau - before descending over mountain crags and pine forests back to terra firma. (BB,D)
Day 9 - LUCERNE - PARIS
Leaving the Alpine region, cross the Rhine at Basel and continue into France. Travel past the fortified town of Belfort, gateway to Alsace, and along the forested ridges of the Jura Mountains into Burgundy. Continue through leafy vineyards and past the forests of Fontainebleau to arrive in the glittering French capital of Paris for a two-night stay. Why not sample the fabulous local cuisine tonight?
Hotel: Marriott Rive Gauche (BB)
Day 10 - PARIS SIGHTSEEING
A sightseeing tour with a local guide takes you by the Île de la Cite to see Notre Dame Cathedral with its famous tale of Quasimodo, the hunchback of Notre Dame. Pass the immense facades of the Louvre and marvel at Garnier's splendid Opera House. See the Obelisk in the centre of the Place de la Concorde and drive along the elegant Champs Élysees to the Arc de Triomphe. A Premium Highlight takes you up to the viewing platforms of the wonderful Eiffel Tower for spectacular views of the city. Spend the afternoon exploring Paris at your own pace. Perhaps take an optional tour to admire the Mona Lisa and other great treasures of the Louvre Museum and, by night, why not join in the fun at a world famous cabaret show? (BB)
Day 11 - RETURN TO USA
After breakfast, your departure transfer will arrive at Charles de Gaulle Airport at 08:00.(BB)
Don't miss our current specials: | ||||
Touring Date |
Land Only |
Land + Air |
Single (Land Only) |
Single (Land + Air) |
8/5/2010 - 8/15/2010 |
$2,599 |
 |
|
|
8/19/2010 - 8/29/2010 |
$2,650 |
|
|
|
8/26/2010 - 9/5/2010 |
$2,650 |
|
|
|
9/2/2010 - 9/12/2010 |
$2,650 |
|
|
|
9/9/2010 - 9/19/2010 |
$2,650 |
|
|
|
9/16/2010 - 9/26/2010 |
$2,650 |
|
|
|
9/23/2010 - 10/3/2010 |
$2,650 |
|
|
|
9/30/2010 - 10/10/2010 |
$2,650 |
|
|
|
|
Airfare Disclaimer Documents |
||||
Included Premium Highlights
- Cruise by glass-topped boat through the waterways of Amsterdam's old city
- Embark on a scenic Rhine Cruise past sleepy villages, leafy vineyards and cliff-top castles
- Enjoy an exhilarating ride by cog-wheel train and cable-car to the summit of Mount Pilatus
- Ascend the iconic Eiffel Tower for panoramic views over romantic Paris
Included Personal Insights
- To enhance your dining pleasure, the historical context and formal ceremony that once accompanied your Dutch colonial-style feast is fully explained
- Learn about the origins and artisan manufacture of the Black Forest cuckoo clock
Included Additional Excursions & Sights
- See Westminster Abbey, Big Ben and Buckingham Palace on your London sightseeing tour
- Visit Bruges, one of Europe's best preserved medieval towns
- See Amsterdam's Dam Square, Royal Palace and Mint Tower
- Travel through the pretty Dutch countryside to the fishing village of Volendam
- Enjoy demonstrations of cheese-making, clog-making and diamond cutting in Holland
- See the soaring Gothic cathedral in Cologne
- See Heidelberg's red sandstone castle
- Scenic Black Forest drive Visit the Rhine Falls
- See Lucerne's Chapel Bridge, Lion Monument & Jesuit Church
- Drive past the Louvre and along the Champs Elysees to the Arc de Triomphe in Paris
- See Notre Dame Cathedral, the Place de la Concorde & Opera House in Paris
- See the White Cliffs of Dover
Included First Class Services
- Escorted by a professional Tour Director
- Luxury air-conditioned 40 seat coach with onboard restroom
- Insight Hotels include all service charges, taxes and porterage
- Insight Traveler document wallet, map book journal and information pack
- Free London Airport Shuttle Service may be available when you book your air and land with Insight Vacations (conditions apply)
- Airport Shuttle departure transfer at a scheduled time on Day 11
Included Quality Dining
- Enjoy a Highlight Dinner of local specialties in Amsterdam (HD)
- 1 Continental (CB) & 8 Buffet Breakfasts (BB) and 2 three-course table d'hote Dinners, or Buffets, plus tea or coffee (D)
Save 7.5% on Europe Winter Travel
November to April is the perfect time to visit Europe. The climate is often surprisingly mild, and the cities belong to their inhabitants and just a few discerning visitors. There is no better, more complete way to enjoy this experience than on an Insight Vacations escorted tour. Best of all prices are substantially lower than in peak summer season!
Save 7.5% on any 2010/11 Winter Europe packaged tour if you book and pay in full by August 13th.
Click to view all Insight Winter Vacations
TERMS: Booking and full payment for land portion must be made by August 13th, 2010. Offer is valid for new bookings made betweenJune 21st, 2010 and August 13th, 2010. Valid for land portion only. Travel must depart between November 1st, 2010 and April 3rd, 2011. Offer NOT valid on Select Choices departures or on Israel, Jordan, Greece, Turkey and Egypt. Offer applies to new bookings only. Normal name change policy applies. Offer is applicable to groups – with availability and collection of travelers’ names at time of booking. Promotion is NOT combinable with Early Payment brochure discount or any current air promotions. Promotion is combinable with all other brochure discounts. Once payment is received, cancellation penalties apply. Offer may be withdrawn at any time and subject to availability. Other restrictions apply. Please call for details. CST No. 20687545-20.
Great Savings and Discounts
FRIENDS & FAMILY DISCOUNTS
SAVE 5% FOR 5 - 8 PASSENGERS
Why not share your Insight tour experience with your friends and family – and save money! If 5-8 passengers book together we offer a discount of 5%. Further savings are available for groups of 9 or more passengers! This discount cannot be combined with Frequent Traveler, Young Traveler or Triple Room Discounts. To qualify, the names of all passengers traveling must be advised to Insight at the time of booking. Does not apply to Oberammergau Passion Play Option, additional accommodation, airfares or fl ight supplements, Select London Week, Select London & Paris, Select London, Paris & Rome, Egypt tours, Israel tours, Jordan tours, and tours with Mediterranean or River cruises.
YOUNG TRAVELER SAVINGS
5 - 17 YEAR OLDS SAVE UP TO 10%
Insight offers you the opportunity of sharing your happy holiday memories with your children or grandchildren. This discount applies only to tours featuring the “Young Traveler Discount” in the price panel. Check the itinerary pages now to see how much you can SAVE! Young Travelers must be under the age of 18 years old on the tour departure date and accompanied by an adult (limit of one Young Traveler Discount per room). Children under 5 years old are not accepted on any escorted tour.
This discount cannot be combined with our “Friends & Family Discount”.
SINGLE TRAVELER SAVING
INSIGHT’S ROOM MATE MATCHING
For people traveling 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†. There is a no-smoking policy in all shared rooms. Does not apply to additional accommodation, Riad upgrade option, airfares or flight supplements, Select London Week, Select London & Paris, Select London, Paris & Rome, Irish Elegance, Egypt tours, Israel tours, Jordan tours and tours with Mediterranean or River cruises. †Single rooms are not available for the Oberammergau Passion Play Option.
TRIPLE ROOM DISCOUNT
When three people travel together 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 “Triple
Room Discount” in the price panel. Note the third bed on occasions, will be a foldaway. This discount cannot be combined with our “Friends & Family Discount”. Triple rooms are not available for the Oberammergau Passion
Play Option
FREQUENT TRAVELER SAVING
In recognition of our loyal customers, Insight now extends to all traveled guests automatic membership into our Club Bon Voyage, as well as a 5% Discount off the Land portion of their next Insight trip. You will need to travel within the next two years. So act NOW and take full advantage of this great offer. Enrolment forms and discount vouchers are available
from your Tour Director. Insight’s Club Bon Voyage and 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 “Friends & Family Discount” and “Extra Tour Discount.” Does not apply to Oberammergau Passion Play Option, additional accommodations, Select London Week, Select London & Paris and Select London, Paris & Rome.
EARLY PAYMENT DISCOUNT
ON EARLY BOOKINGS
Insight’s most popular tours fi ll very quickly. Don’t be disappointed, book early! You’ll be assured of the tours you want, and the earlier you pay, the more you SAVE! Here’s how...
Pay in full 12 months prior to your tour departure
date and SAVE UP TO 10%
Pay in full 10 months prior to your tour departure
date and SAVE UP TO 7.5%
Pay in full 6 months prior to your tour departure
date and SAVE UP TO 5%
Tours must be paid in full for this discount to apply. This discount only applies to tours that feature the “Early Payment Discount” in the price panel.
Ratings & Reviews:
This tour has no reviews yet. Have you experienced this tour? Write a review.
Related Travel Articles
Visitors who viewed this tour also viewed:
European Spotlight
14 Days starting from $3,175
This tour slows down considerably after the first two days in Amsterdam and.. (click for more)
Glorious Switzerland
10 Days starting from $2,375
A majority of two-night stays, a free day in Zermatt, the Glacier Express t.. (click for more)
Highlights of Europe
17 Days starting from $4,125
This tour is well balanced with the majority of the one-night stays in the .. (click for more)
Best of Italy
11 Days starting from $2,485
This tour has a well balanced pace with two-night stays in three of the fiv.. (click for more)
All prices are per person, double occupancy, subject to availability. These pages are not endorsed or supported by the tour operator in any way. All information presented is based on promotional material provided by the tour operator. All prices, itineraries, accommodations and dates are subject to change without notice and at any time by the tour operators. Availability is limited and must be reconfirmed at time of booking. The prices on this website are not guaranteed. We are not responsible for errors, omissions, or changes in pricing. Please call us toll free at 1-800-942-3301 to confirm availability and pricing.