If you want to see Western Europe’s main highlights but don’t have much time, this European tour is the vacation for you! Visit England, Belgium, Germany, Austria, Italy, Switzerland, and France and see London, Brussels, Innsbruck, Venice, Lucerne, Dijon, and Paris. After spending some time in London, you’ll travel to Brussels on the Eurostar train, the easiest way to connect the two European cities. You will then carry on by tour coach through Germany to medieval Rothenburg, a walled town that has retained its fascinating character. Relax and take in the wonderful views of castle-crested hills, terraced vineyards, and pretty wine towns on the included scenic cruise along the Rhine River. Take a boat ride in Venice along the Giudecca Canal to St. Mark’s Square, and admire some of the palazzos and maze of streets. While in Venice, take the opportunity to watch glassblowers create their works as they have done for centuries. Another must-see on this iconic Europe tour is Lucerne, one of Switzerland’s finest cities, situated on the shores of breathtaking Lake Lucerne and nestled within the snow-capped Swiss Alps. Last, but not least, visit Paris, capital of France and one of the most celebrated cities on the old Continent. Here, your tour guide will show you some of the most famous sights. In a short time, this affordable European tour offers it all—historic sights, big cities, quaint towns, and scenic beauty.
The world is within reach with everything you need for perfectly affordable touring. Cosmos includes hand-selected accommodations, guided sightseeing, and seamless transportation between destinations—with value-minded travel lovers in mind. Explore with expert Cosmos Tour Directors and Local Guides, complimentary headsets on the Continent, and private, first-class, air-conditioned motorcoach with free Wi-Fi. Cross the English Channel by Eurostar train. And that's not all! Your tour includes a private canal boat ride in Venice and a scenic cruise along the Rhine. Enhance your free time to explore like a local with your CosmosGO mobile app!
Meals
Meals & Itinerary
Buffet breakfasts daily; 3 dinners
Notes:
For operational reasons, changes to the Paris program cannot be excluded.Services of the Tour Director begin on Day 3. London portion includes services of a local host.
Itinerary
Day 1 ARRIVE IN LONDON, ENGLAND
Check into your hotel. Uniformed hosts are available to help you make the most of your stay.LONDON-BIG-BEN-NIGHT.jpg
Day 2 LONDON
London’s calling with a free day to explore on your own or join in the brilliant fun of an optional excursion. Rise and shine this morning for an optional guided excursion to see the sights of Parliament, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace and more, crowned by a visit to St. Paul’s Cathedral.This afternoon, consider an optional visit to Windsor Castle or the Tower of London – home of the Crown Jewels. This evening, a traditional dining experience followed by a guided nighttime cruise along the Thames River, delivers some of the capital's most beautiful, illuminated sights. LONDON-TOWER-BRIDGE.jpg
Breakfast
Day 3 LONDON–BRUSSELS, BELGIUM
Transfer to the railway station and board the Eurostar train to Brussels. Here, switch to your comfortable motorcoach for an orientation drive of the Belgian capital. Today’s Distance by train: 200 mi/ 320 km BRUSSELS-GRAND-PLACE.jpg
Breakfast
Day 4 BRUSSELS–RHINE CRUISE, GERMANY–FRANKFURT AREA
Journey into Germany to the shores of the mighty Rhine to enjoy an included scenic cruise. Then, on to the Frankfurt area.Today’s Distance: 277 mi/ 445 km RHINE-CRUISE.jpg
Breakfast
Dinner
Day 5 FRANKFURT AREA–ROTHENBURG–INNSBRUCK AREA, AUSTRIA
Today’s highlight is a stop in the Medieval town of Rothenburg on the Romantic Road, with its towered gates and battlements, squares, half-timbered houses, and richly decorated fountains. Continue to the Innsbruck area.Today’s Distance: 326 mi/ 525 km ROTHENBURG-DAY.jpg
Breakfast
Dinner
Day 6 INNSBRUCK AREA–BRENNER PASS–VENICE AREA, ITALY
Take in the breathtaking scenery of the Alps while crossing the Europa Bridge and Brenner Pass. Arrive in Venice, where, on a boat ride along the Giudecca Canal to Piazza San Marco you’ll admire the palazzi (palaces) and maze of streets. Time at leisure to soak up the magical atmosphere of this unique city. “O sole mio!” sing the gondoliers on an optional gondola ride along the legendary canals. Isn’t it romantic! At a glassblowing workshop, experience this traditional Venetian art. Today’s Distance: 245 mi/ 395 km VENICE-SQUARE.jpg
Breakfast
Dinner
Day 7 VENICE AREA–LUCERNE AREA, SWITZERLAND
Drive through the plains of Northern Italy before crossing the border into Switzerland. Enjoy the idyllic views of Canton Ticino, then on to the breathtaking alpine beauty of Lake Lucerne. Today’s Distance: 311 mi/ 500 km VERONA-ARENA.jpg
Breakfast
Day 8 LUCERNE AREA–DIJON, FRANCE
The focus of today’s visit is the Old Town of Lucerne. After that, get carried away on an optional excursion featuring a funicular ride, and then aboard the world’s first double-decker, open-top aerial cable car to the summit of Stanserhorn. Journey into France for an overnight in the charming town of Dijon. Today’s Distance: 217 mi/ 350 km LUCERNE-BRIDGE.jpg
Breakfast
Day 9 DIJON–PARIS
Leave Dijon and travel on the autoroute to Paris to discover many of the best-known Parisian sites on the included guided sightseeing tour. Bid adieu to Paris with an optional excursion to discover the charming, artistic district of Montmartre, perched on a small hill and overlooked by the Basilica of the Sacre Coeur.*Note: for operational reasons, changes to the Paris program cannot be excludedToday’s Distance: 221 mi/ 355 km PARIS-EIFFEL-TOWER.jpg
Breakfast
Day 10 PARIS
Au revoir. Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. PARIS-SKYLINE.jpg
Breakfast
Tour Director
With COSMOS, there’s no better way to get to know your destination than through the eyes of a Tour Director. We’d like you to meet one of our Tour Directors, who average over a decade of experience and are representative of the type of expert that will be with you on your vacation.
JANE HAMILL
Escorting tours for more than 15 years
Escorting tours for more than 15 years
“Every road leads somewhere and I wanted to explore them all. Being a Tour Director allows me to explore and share my experience with you all. I love to share Europe with people from all walks of life, opening our eyes to sights from the past and the future. Our happiest moments as travelers always seem to come when we stumble upon one thing while in pursuit of something else...”
Optional Excursions
No matter what you’re into: food, wine, history, art, music or anything else,
we give you the freedom to personalize your vacation with optional excursions that speak to your interests.
When you book your excursions with us, you can be assured that every optional excursion that we offer coordinates with the free time that you'll have in your destination,
so you'll never have conflicts between included and optional activities.
Our team of travel experts carefully selects each optional excursion that we offer to ensure that you receive the highest quality at a great value.
Our tried-and-true partners have a finger on the pulse of the city in which they operate so they deliver the very best experiences.
We offer experiences you cannot create on your own and because you’re booking with us, we coordinate all your transportation and timing needs.
The following optional excursions are examples only for this vacation. These may or may not be offered, and availability is subject to days of operation and seasonality. Please select a departure date to view optional excursions and pricing for a specific date (due to currency fluctuation, pricing shown is subject to change until purchased). Optional excursions are available for purchase on our MyCosmos site 90 days prior to the tour start date.
Price Ranges
$ ($50 CAD and under)
$$ ($51 - $100 CAD)
$$$ ($101 - $150 CAD)
$$$$ (Over $150)
London
Windsor Castle
Windsor Castle is the oldest and largest inhabited castle in the world. It has been the family home of British kings and queens for almost 1,000 years and is today one of the official residences of His Majesty The King.
Price Range: $$$
Venice
Gondola
When in Rome, do as the Romans -- and when in Venice, head right for the gondolas! Hop aboard a traditional gondola for a ride through the magical Venetian canals
Price Range: $$$
Lucerne
Lake Lucerne Cruise
Experience the hypnotic beauty of sparkling Lake Lucerne on this enjoyable 1-hour sightseeing cruise.
Price Range: $$
Ascent up Mount Stanserhorn
Climb towering Mount Stanserhorn aboard the world's first double-decker, open-top aerial cable car!
Price Range: $$$
Paris
Excursion to Montmartre
Experience Montmartre, one the of most artistic and picturesque districts in Paris.
Price Range: $$
Private Touring
Private Touring: Cosmos European Private Touring enables you to experience all of the attractions, sights and highlights of your selected Cosmos tour as a private experience - delivered just for you and your traveling party. With Private Touring, you'll have your own dedicated Tour Director, your own private transportation and driver, and your own professional local guides. All with greater flexibility in pace and your experience.
For your selected tour, there will be additional per-person cost for the size of your party - from 1 to 24. This additional supplement is reduced with each traveler you add to your party.
Here's a sample of the additional cost:
6 guests in a party: $2,823*18 guests in a party: $666*
Contact Cosmos or your preferred travel agent for pricing for your specific party size as well as any other information on Cosmos Private Touring.
*Supplement pricing is per person (CA) and will be added to the standard published price for your given departure date and is based on availability.
Supplement price is valid for 2021 travel year. Occasionally some included and optional activities & excursions may be operated with other guests.
Additional restrictions may apply. Not applicable for custom groups. No Group allowances or promotions are available on Private Touring.
Published itineraries only. Note that blackout dates may exist where the Private Touring option is not available.
The “Starting at” or listed price is based on the lowest price available to book. Price is per person based on twin occupancy and any applicable port charges, non-commissionable taxes and fees and intra-vacation flight are included in the price shown. Any included overnight stay in Canada, applicable GST/HST is also included in the price shown. International airfare, however, is not included. If price is crossed out, the new price shown includes a limited time promotional offer(s). Please review current promotions or deals for additional information.