Charming Europe | TravBreaks

Day 1 : ARRIVE IN ZURICH

Welcome to Zurich. Upon arrival proceed to Schaffhausen. Here, capture memories at the Europe’s biggest fresh water falls, the Rhine Falls and also take a boat ride. Later proceed to Zurich/Engelberg and check in the hotel. After checking in, proceed to the Indian restaurant for dinner after which return to your hotel in Zurich for overnight stay.

Day 2 : MT. TITLIS AND LUCERNE

After a continental breakfast at the hotel, enjoy a full day excursion to Mt. Titlis, the highest glacier destination and the biggest ski and snowboard paradise in central Switzerland. To get to Mt. Titlis, you need to pass through a series of three different cable cars. The last leg of the journey involves the world’s first rotating cable car called the Titlis Rotair. At Mt. Titlis, you have free time to play and enjoy in the snow, visit the Ice Grotto or just relax at the restaurant. The visit is topped off by a delicious Indian lunch at the summit. Next, we have kept the best for the last. Visit the 100-metre long, highest suspension bridge in Europe situated at more than 3,000 meters above sea level. Next, we proceed for an orientation tour of Lucerne to see the Lion Monument, hewn from a limestone cliff to commemorate the bravery and loyalty of Swiss Guards. Take a stroll across the Kappelbruke, the world’s oldest covered wooden bridge, originally built in 1333 over the River Reuss. Enjoy an Indian dinner at an Indian restaurant and return to you hotel in the Zurich/ Lucerne/Engelberg area for overnight stay.

Day 3 : LUCERNE - JUNGFRAUJOCH- LUCERNE

Optional Day: Visit to Jungfraujoch with Indian lunch in Bollywood restaurant and visit to Interlaken. After a continental breakfast, the rest of the day is at leisure you can spend the day in the comforts of the hotel or explore the area with our optional excursion to Jungfraujoch. Located at an altitude of 3,453m, it is the highest railway station in Europe and is commonly referred to as the ‘top of Europe’. It can only be reached through a 7.3 km long cog railway tunnel. One of the highlights of the day is the Indian lunch at the famous Bollywood Restaurant; after which you shall proceed to Interlaken. This resort town is situated between the lakes of Thun and Brienz in the heart of the Swiss Alps and is very popular shooting spot for Bollywood movies. Enjoy an Indian dinner at an Indian restaurant and return to you hotel in the Zurich/ Lucerne/Engelberg area for overnight stay.

Day 4 : LUCERNE - VEVEY - MONTREUX - LAUSANNE - GENEVA.

After a filling continental breakfast at the hotel, proceed along the Swiss Riviera to Vevey. Stop at Vevey at the lake and see the famous statue of Chaplin. Later proceed to Montreux. Photograph the famed Chillon Castle before proceeding to Lausanne. After a brief stop to visit the Olympic Stadium, proceed onwards to Geneva. More than 200 international organizations are based here, including the European headquarters of the United Nations. On arrival in Geneva, take a photo stop at the Palace of Nations (United Nations Building). This is followed by an orientation tour of Geneva that includes Lake Geneva, Floral Clock and Jet D’eau (tallest water fountain in Europe). We then proceed for dinner at an Indian restaurant and then check in to the hotel for overnight stay.

Day 5 : DRIVE FROM GENEVA TO PARIS

Suggested: Optional grand evening in Paris with Lido Show and illumination tour After breakfast, check out of the hotel and proceed to Paris. On arrival in Paris, we proceed to visit the tallest building in Paris, the 210 m tall Montparnasse tower. The 56th floor observatory and roof-top terrace offers a 360 degree view of Paris. On a clear day, you can see up to 40 kms away. Later proceed for a boat cruise on River Seine. In the evening, enjoy hot and sumptuous Indian dinner at an Indian restaurant after which you can check in to your hotel One of the most famous and colorful aspects of Paris is its nightlife and the best place to witness this is at the world famous Lido Show. Follow this up with an illumination tour of Paris to see the various monuments bathed in light. At the end of the evening, return to your hotel for overnight stay.

Day 6 : SIGHTSEEING IN PARIS

After a continental breakfast, we proceed for a guided city tour of Paris which covers many of the city’s iconic landmarks. At the western end of the Champs-Élysées, the Arc de Triomphe suggests an ancient Roman arch, only it's larger. The tour also includes Concorde Square, the Invalids, the Opera Garnier and Champs Elysees. Later visit the legendary Louvre Museum. Make sure you get a glimpse of the Louvre’s two most famous ladies: the beguiling Mona Lisa and the armless Venus de Milo. In the evening, come face to face with Paris’s biggest landmark, the Eiffel Tower. You can climb up the 2nd level of the tower which offers a stunning view of the city. We then head for dinner at an Indian restaurant and return for your overnight stay at the hotel in Paris.

Day 7 : PARIS - BRUGES-BRUSSELS

Day 8 : DRIVE FROM BRUSSELS TO COLOGNE AND HEIDELBERG

After breakfast, check-out and proceed for a scenic ride to Mannheim via Cologne. The chief attraction here is the Cologne Cathedral which is a UNESCO designated World Heritage Site. Later, board your coach and proceed to Heidelberg. Upon arrival in Heidelberg, enjoy a photo stop outside Heidelberg Castle and then proceed to view the town hall, Alstadt. In the evening, enjoy dinner at an Indian restaurant and stay overnight stay at Mannheim/ Heppenheim area.

Day 9 : HEIDELBERG - STUTTGART - INNSBRUCK

After breakfast, check-out of your hotel and proceed to Stuttgart. Upon arrival visit the Mercedes Benz Museum, the only museum in the world that can document in a single continuous timeline over 125 years of automobile history from its very beginnings to the present day. Later we proceed to Innsbruck, situated on the banks of River Inns. On arrival, head for your orientation tour of Innsbruck and visit the Goldenness Dachl. Also called the Golden Roof, it is an ornate Gothic balcony and a symbol of the city. Also see the 17th century fountain with the equestrian statue of King Leopold V, St. Anne’s Column, Triumph and the Heiblinghaus - a building resembling a wedding cake. After this day long sightseeing, enjoy an Indian dinner and head for an overnight stay at the hotel in Innsbruck.

Day 10 : DRIVE FROM INNSBRUCK TO VERONA TO PADOVA

After breakfast, check-out and proceed to Wattens, where you will explore the world of crystals by visiting the Swarovski Crystal Museum. After this dazzling experience, proceed to Verona in Italy. Upon arrival in Verona visit the most popular site - the balcony from where Juliet supposedly spoke to Romeo. After this romantic interlude, proceed to Padova. Padova was long the academic heartbeat of the powerful Venetian Republic -- and far before that, an ancient Roman stronghold -- and for this reason one of the most important medieval and Renaissance cities in Italy. Dante and Copernicus studied here, and Petrarch and Galileo taught here. Upon arrival, have dinner at Indian restaurant. Overnight stay will be at a hotel in Padova.

Day 11 : PADOVA - VENICE - PISA

After continental breakfast, check-out of your hotel and proceed to Venice. Upon arrival, you will be taken on an orientation tour of Venice, which is an archipelago of 118 islands and has 170 canals and about 400 bridges. We drive over Mussolini’s Bridge of Liberty and then take a water taxi ride over the Giudecca Canal to St. Marks Square, the very heart of Venice. Here, we see the historic Ducal Palace, the infamous prison, the Bridge of Sighs, the exquisite Clock Tower and the baroque splendor of St. Marks Basilica. Then, we visit the Murano glass factory, where a master craftsman will demonstrate the art of creating the famous Venetian blown glass. Later proceed to Pisa. On arrival proceed for an Indian dinner and head for an overnight stay at the hotel in Pisa.

Day 12 : PISA - FLORENCE - ROME

After a continental breakfast in the hotel, we proceed to visit the ‘Field of Miracles’, wherein stands the grand Romanesque Pisano styled marble cathedral. You also get to see the Baptistery and the Bell Tower, known throughout the world as the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Later proceed to Florence. Upon arrival we proceed for a guided walking city tour of Florence city to see the Duomo, Baptistery and Piazza Signoria Square (open air museum). Later we stop at the Piazza Michelangelo, which is on a hill on the south bank of the River Arno, just east of the center of Florence. Designed in 1869 by Poggi, it offers a great view of the city and is a very popular tourist destination. After sightseeing in Florence, proceed to Rome, the seat of the Roman Empire and the modern day capital of Italy. Arrive in Rome and proceed for an Indian dinner and head for an overnight stay at a hotel in Rome.

Day 13 : DEPART FROM ROME

After continental breakfast, check-out of the hotel and proceed to the Vatican - the world’s smallest nation and the seat of Catholic Christianity. The centre of attraction here is the St. Peter’s Basilica,. Later, you will visit Sistine Chapel and the Apostolic Palace, the official residence of the Pope. After lunch, visit the Piazza Venezia and the colossal Victor Emmanuel II Monument. Re-live the thrills of historic Rome as you view the ancient Roman forums. Next, you will be taken to see the famous Trevi Fountain, where according to legends, if you can throw a coin into the fountain over your left shoulder, you will surely be back in Rome. Later in the evening, you will be transferred to the Fiumicino Airport for your flight back home.