From London to Rome, travel to Western Europe’s most famous cities on this affordable European tour. Along the way, visit celebrated cities as well as picturesque towns, and witness beautiful scenery. After visiting the British capital, experience an engineering marvel, the Cross-Channel Tunnel, as you take the Eurostar train from London to Paris. In Paris, Florence, and Rome, enjoy a sightseeing tour with a Local Guide, a knowledgeable expert who intimately knows the cities. See the renaissance historic district in Florence, Rome’s elegant streets and St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City, the most important architectural landmark in the world. In Venice, enjoy a boat ride to St. Mark’s Square. In pretty Lucerne, see the Lion Monument, a stone sculpture erected to commemorate the Swiss Guards killed during the French Revolution, and the wooden Chapel Bridge, Europe’s oldest covered bridge dating back to 1333. Marvel at Pisa’s famous Leaning Tower, the Cathedral, and the Baptistery on the Piazza dei Miracoli. But that’s not all… on this Europe tour you’ll also witness amazing scenery. Enjoy views of Burgundy, the celebrated French wine-growing area, prosperous farms, and half-timbered villages as you travel between Paris and picture-perfect Lucerne, as well as views of the rolling hills in Tuscany. If you desire to see some of Europe’s most picturesque scenery and famous cities, this value-minded Europe tour is the perfect vacation!
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, and private, first-class, air-conditioned motorcoach with free Wi-Fi. Cross the English Channel on the Eurostar train. And that's not all! Your tour includes a canal boat ride in Venice. Enhance your free time to explore like a local with your CosmosGO mobile app!
Meals
Meals & Itinerary
Buffet breakfasts daily; 2 dinners
Notes:
Note: for operational reasons, changes to the Paris and Rome programs cannot be excludedServices 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. In the afternoon, you may want to start exploring the lively British capital. Uniformed hosts at the hotel 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-PHONE-BOOTH.jpg
Breakfast
Day 3 LONDON–PARIS, FRANCE
Transfer to the railway station and board the Eurostar train across the Channel to Paris with your Tour Director. Spend the next two nights in Paris. Today’s Distance by train: 212 mi/ 342 km PARIS-EIFFEL-TOWER.jpg
Breakfast
Day 4 PARIS
Paris is a world-class city with more familiar landmarks than almost any other city in the world. This morning, enjoy some of these sights during the included city tour with a Local Guide. Bid bon soir to Paris with an optional dinner and evening drive through the City of Light. Note: for operational reasons, changes to the Paris program cannot be excluded.PARIS-MONTMARTRE.jpg
Breakfast
Day 5 PARIS–LUCERNE AREA, SWITZERLAND
Fascinating, ever-changing scenery greets you today. Enjoy views of Fontainebleau Forest, the wine-growing area of Burgundy, prosperous farms, and tidy, half-timbered villages as you head through the alpine heart of Switzerland to the picture-book Lucerne area. Today’s Distance: 423 mi/ 680 km BURGUNDY-VINEYARD.jpg
Breakfast
Day 6 LUCERNE AREA
One of Switzerland’s finest cities, Lucerne is nestled amid its snow-capped Alps, surrounded by its lake, and graced by the clear mountain waters of the Reuss River. The orientation includes the Lion monument, erected in memory of the 800 Swiss Guards who defended Louis XVI and his wife. Also admire the famous wooden Chapel bridge with its splendid frescoes. Don’t miss the chance to join an optional excursion for a panoramic ride to ascend one of Switzerland’s famous mountains. LUCERNE-BRIDGE.jpg
Breakfast
Day 7 LUCERNE AREA–VERONA, ITALY–VENICE AREA
More wonderful alpine scenery awaits as you drive towards the mountain ranges of the St. Gotthard Pass. Once through its great tunnel, start your scenic descent into the warmer and sunnier ambiance of Canton Ticino, then cross into Italy and drive through the Lombardy plains to Romeo and Juliet’s Verona, known as “Little Rome” for its splendid arena still standing in its former glory and hosting many concerts and the opera festival during the summer season. Overnight in the Venice area. Do you believe in magic? An optional evening boat ride on Giudecca Canal, dinner in a local restaurant, and St. Mark’s square at night will remove all doubt!Today’s Distance: 317 mi/ 510 km VERONA-ARENA.jpg
Breakfast
Day 8 VENICE AREA
Venice is more like a magical film set than a real-life city, with crisscrossing canals, gondolas and water buses, arched bridges, palaces, and busy little piazzas (squares). Your orientation starts with a boat ride to St. Mark’s Square and is followed by a chance to watch Venetian glassblowers fashion their delicate objects as they did centuries ago. A range of optional excursions are available. VENICE-GRAND-CANAL.jpg
Breakfast
Dinner
Day 9 VENICE AREA–FLORENCE–PISTOIA
Travel south across the Apennines into the gentle and hilly countryside of Tuscany. Enjoy a guided walking tour through Florence to discover its Renaissance treasures, then continue to the town of Pistoia. Today’s Distance: 174 mi/ 280 km FLORENCE-DUOMO-THROUGH-WINDOW.jpg
Breakfast
Dinner
Day 10 PISTOIA–PISA–ROME
This morning in Pisa, hop on a mini-train to the famed Square of Miracles to view the Leaning Tower. Then, journey south to Rome. Today’s Distance: 249 mi/ 400 km PISA-LEANING-TOWER.jpg
Breakfast
Day 11 ROME
The “Eternal City” is steeped in history, vibrantly alive and exciting, and absolutely unique! Start the included introduction to Rome’s landmarks from St. Peter’s Square with a Local Guide. Enjoy a drive along the iconic landmarks of the city: the Tiber River, the Caius Cestius Pyramid, the Aurelian Walls, and the Caracalla Baths. Complete the experience with a walk back in time from the Circus Maximus to the Arch of Constantine and to the fascinating Colosseum, symbol of the Roman Empire. * * For operational reasons, changes to the Rome program cannot be excluded.ROME-COLOSSEUM.jpg
Breakfast
Day 12 ROME
Arrivederci, Roma. Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. ROME-SPANISH-STEPS.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)
$$$$ (Over $150)
London
Paris
Lucerne Area
Venice Area
Rome
London
A Taste of London
A traditional dining experience followed by a nighttime cruise along the Thames River, viewing some of the capital's most beautiful illuminated sights.
Price Range: $$$$
Tower of London and Crown Jewels
From the opulent Crown Jewels to the uniformed Beefeaters and infamous ravens, this fascinating excursion introduces you to the Tower of London, one of the country's most famous castle fortresses.
Price Range: $$$
Morning City Sightseeing
Morning sightseeing with a Local Guide includes all the famous landmarks: the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben beside the River Thames, Westminster Abbey, Whitehall's mounted horseguards and the Prime Minister's Downing Street, Piccadilly Circus, and Buckingham Palace. The highlight is a visit to ST. PAUL'S CATHEDRAL, Sir Christopher Wren's masterpiece built between 1675 and 1708.
Price Range: $$
Paris
Excursion to Montmartre
Experience Montmartre, one the of most artistic and picturesque districts in Paris.
Price Range: $$
Paris by Night: Breathtaking Montparnasse Views & Sparkling French Dinner
See the City of Light twinkle with the magic of Paris by night with a shining experience atop the Montparnasse Tower and exquisite dinner at a local restaurant.
Price Range: $$$
Lucerne Area
Lake Lucerne Cruise
Experience the hypnotic beauty of sparkling Lake Lucerne on this enjoyable 1-hour sightseeing cruise.
Price Range: $$
Swiss Folklore
Raise a glass and toast an unforgettable evening of traditional entertainment during this excursion featuring a 3-course feast of local specialties, alphorns, yodeling, and festive Swiss music and dancing.
Price Range: $$$$
Ascent up Mount Stanserhorn
Climb towering Mount Stanserhorn aboard the world's first double-decker, open-top aerial cable car!
Price Range: $$$
Venice Area
Venetian Dinner
The magic of Venice comes to life as you enjoy an unforgettable evening at one of the city's most celebrated local restaurants.
Price Range: $$$$
Venetian Lagoon Cruise with Burano Visit
Experience the floating city from the water as you cruise along the lagoon to charming Burano Island for free time to explore on your own.
Price Range: $$
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: $$$
Rome
Treasures of Rome and Dinner
Enjoy a tour of Rome and relax over a 3-course dinner with dessert, local wine, and authentic Roman atmosphere!
Price Range: $$$
Rome Evening Food And Drink Stroll
A leisurely stroll past some of Rome's fascinating sights is combined with a fun and interactive food tour.
Price Range: $$$
Walk through Rome Historic Monti District and visit the Majestic Santa Maria Maggiore
Embark on an unforgettable journey through the heart of Rome, where history, art, and architecture come together in a stunning walk from the iconic Colosseum to the Majestic Santa Maria Maggiore. This carefully curated excursion will lead you through the pictoresque streets of the Monti District, one of Rome's oldest and most vibrant neighborhoods, full of charm and Roman Character.
Price Range: $$
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: $3,830*18 guests in a party: $932*
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.