2027 Classic European Capitals

Late this afternoon, we report to the airport and join the flight to Dubai.

We arrive in Dubai early this morning and after clearing Customs and Immigration formalities, we are met and transferred to our hotel for an overnight stay. There is time to rest up after the flight until mid-afternoon when we visit the Museum of the Future. One of Dubai’s most famous landmarks, the museum takes pride of place along the city’s superhighway, Sheikh Zayed Road. Founded by the Dubai Future Foundation and launched on 22 February 2022, the museum explores how society could evolve in the coming decades using science and technology. Termed a ‘living museum’, it incorporates elements of traditional exhibitions, immersive theatre and themed attractions, so visitors can look beyond the present and towards the future’s limitless possibilities. Visitors have the chance to engage with this game-changing technology. Each floor of the museum is designed like an expansive, interactive movie set, brought to life by expert storytellers, technologists and visionary artists. There is time for exploration before we return to the hotel for dinner this evening.

We depart Dubai early this morning, arriving in Rome early afternoon. Prior to checking into our hotel, we discover Imperial Rome with a treasure trove of historical sites and monuments including the Coliseum, the Roman Forum, the Palatine Hill and Circus Maximus. This evening, we dine at a local restaurant.

The Italian’s love their food – for them it is one of the pleasures of life and a meal is an “event” and a very social occasion. Today, for a special highlight, we enjoy a cooking class – a chance to learn about the delights of Italian food and its preparation, no experience required! The afternoon is yours at leisure.

Today we glimpse into the history and wonder of the most powerful force in the development of Western civilization. In the morning, we visit the Vatican and its museums and marvel at the beauty of Michelangelo’s ceiling in the Sistine Chapel before visiting St. Peters Basilica. The remainder of the day is yours at leisure.

Leaving Rome this morning, we join our coach for the leisurely drive north through Umbria along the Highway to the Sun and into Tuscany. The hills are dotted with vineyards which produce the famous Chianti wine for which the region is famous. Our destination for our 2-night stay is the wonderful city of Florence, birthplace of the Renaissance. This evening, we enjoy dinner at a local restaurant featuring Tuscan specialties.

This morning, our local guide will bring to life many of the highlights of the city – of course the multi-coloured marble-clad Duomo Cathedral, Giotti’s Bell Tower, the famous Baptistery with its magnificent bronze doors, Signoria Square and the historic Ponte Vecchio bridge dating back to the Middle Ages. And what visit to Florence would be complete without a visit to the Academy of Fine Arts, home to Michelangelo’s masterpiece sculpture, “David”.  The remainder of the day and evening are free to enjoy Florence at your leisure.

We continue our journey by coach as we travel north through the wooded Appenine Hills to our first stop at the city of Bologna, home to the oldest university in the Western world, with its terracotta-roofed architecture and, not least, its exquisite cuisine. Then to Padua of St Anthony fame, home to Scrovegni Chapel with its priceless frescoes by Giotto. Finally, we reach the city of Venice, a magnet for romantics and art lovers from around the world and our base for the next 2 nights.

This morning, we join our local guide for a walking tour. We see the beautiful byzantine Basilica, the lavish Doges Palace and the Bridge of Sighs. We also see a skilled Venetian glassblower in action demonstrating this age-old craft for which the region is famous. There is time to explore Venice at your leisure this afternoon. This evening, we take a lagoon cruise to the island of Burano, famous for its coloured houses and beautiful lace products and enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.

We depart Venice and journey through the scenic northeast of Italy and into Slovenia. Our route takes us via Trieste, a historic port city set on the Adriatic, where grand Habsburg-era architecture, waterfront promenades, and café culture reflect its unique blend of Italian, Slavic, and Austrian influences. After some time at leisure, we continue through rolling landscapes and alpine foothills before arriving in Ljubljana, Slovenia’s charming capital.

This morning, we enjoy a walking tour, taking in the city’s character at street level. From its graceful Baroque and Art Nouveau architecture to the lively riverside lined with cafés and markets. We stroll across the iconic Triple Bridge, explore the atmospheric Old Town, and take in landmarks shaped by architect Jože Plečnik. The afternoon is yours at leisure.

Sadly, we farewell Ljubljana, as we journey through to Vienna. Sit back as the landscape shifts from Slovenia’s verdant hills to Austria’s picturesque villages and wide-open countryside. The drive offers a chance to take in the region’s natural beauty before we arrive in Vienna, where elegant boulevards, historic palaces, and a rich cultural tradition await.

On this morning’s tour, we drive along the Ringstrasse, pass the State Opera House, the Jewish Quarter and stop at Heldenplatz (Heroes Square) in front of the Hofburg Palace, once the winter residence of the Austrian royal family and now the residence of the Austrian President. We leave the coach for a walk through to St Stephens Cathedral, the iconic heart of the city. There is time for lunch – you must visit a traditional Viennese coffee house – before this afternoon’s visit to the Schonbrunn Palace, perhaps Europe’s most impressive palace complex. 640 years of Hapsburg monarchy ended here in 1918 with the abdication of the last monarch and the start of the Austrian Republic.

Today has been left entirely free for you to enjoy Vienna at your leisure. Maybe visit one of the many galleries and museums, perhaps a tour of the Spanish Riding School, enjoy the elegant shopping “strasses” of the Old City, or just sit at an outdoor café and watch the world go by. This evening, we enjoy all things Viennese with a superb dinner followed by a concert of Viennese classical music with works by Johann Strauss and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. A wonderful finale to our stay in Vienna.

We resume our coach journey as we travel north and cross the border into the Czech Republic. We pass through the town of Telc for a stop and then it’s on to the Golden City of Prague, city of 100 spires, a UNESCO monument and one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. We have 3 nights here.

Each of Prague’s districts has its own characteristic atmosphere and unique charm. We start our exploration of the city in the grounds of Hradcany Castle where we visit the monumental St Vitus Cathedral. Then it’s back across the river to the Old Town and the Astronomical Clock that adorns the Town Hall. Other highlights include Wenceslas Square, the National Museum, State Opera and the famous Charles Bridge lined with baroque statues. The afternoon and evening are at leisure.

Today is left free to further explore this most special of European cities. It is a wonderful city to walk around in. Or you may care to take a day tour to either of the unique UNESCO World Heritage towns of Czesky Krumlov or Kutna Hora. This evening, we enjoy a dinner cruise as we drift under the Charles Bridge and traverse the Vitava River’s oldest locks whilst enjoying stunning views of the castle and National Theatre and other illuminated landmarks.

From Prague we travel north and cross into Germany for a stop in the city of Dresden which was severely damaged by Allied bombing during WII. The city has since been restored to its former splendour and our walking tour will show us the Zwinger Palace and Semper Opera. Then, it’s on to the German capital, Berlin, for a 3-night stay. We enjoy dinner together at a local restaurant this evening.

Although badly damaged in the final years of World War II and broken apart during the Cold War, Berlin has reconstructed itself greatly, especially with the reunification push after the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989. Our local guide will show us many of the highlights of this rejuvenated and vibrant city – Victory Column, Brandenburg Gate, Parliament/Government district, Checkpoint Charlie Wall Museum, Synagoge Oranienburger Str., the memorial for the murdered Jews in Europe, East Side Gallery and the remains of the Berlin Wall in the street Niederkirchnerstraße.

Enjoy a free day today. Perhaps opt for a tour to Potsdam, the capital city of the German federal state of Brandenburg situated on the River Havel, where you can see the Tiergarten, enjoy a visit to the Palace Schloss Cecilienhof, the last palace built by the German royalty before its fall after WWI and a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1990. You may also choose to visit the gardens of the magnificent Schloss Sanssouci modelled on the Palace of Versailles.

Today we journey across Germany and onto The Netherlands capital of Amsterdam. Sit back and enjoy the ride. On arrival Amsterdam, we are met and transferred to our hotel for a 2-night stay.

This morning, our local guide will show us the highlights of this, another unique city. The city is famous for its three rings of canals lined by elaborately decorated merchants’ residences and warehouses built during the 17th century. We see Dam Square, the Royal Palace, Skinny Bridge and much more. We also take a cruise on the canals in a glass topped boat to view the city from a different perspective. The afternoon is at leisure; art lovers will want to visit the Rijksmuseum or the Van Gogh Museum.

This morning, we journey south to the French capital, Paris, the City of Lights, the City of Romance. The city boasts a timeless familiarity for both first time and repeat visitors and there is that special feeling when you first see the Eiffel Tower as you drive to your hotel. We enjoy a 3-night stay in Paris.

The famous sights of Paris are a living history.  Our full day city sightseeing tour shows us magnificent Notre Dame Cathedral, the Arc de Triomphe, Opera Madeleine, Champs Elysees and the Eiffel Tower, a structural miracle of its age.  We follow this up with a cruise on the River Seine where you can appreciate the beauty of Paris from the water.  Later in the day we visit the Montmartre area and the wonderful Sacré Coeur Basilica which offers panoramic views over Paris.

A full day free to explore the things in Paris that interest you. Maybe spend time at the Louvre in the company of the Mona Lisa or one of the many other museums and galleries, stroll the banks of the River Seine or enjoy the shops of Galleries Lafayette. This evening, our final night on Mainland Europe, we enjoy a special dinner together at a local restaurant.

Sadly, it’s time to commence the homeward journey as we are transferred to Paris Charles De Gaulle Airport in time to join our flight to Dubai. We arrive in mid-evening, where we have reserved rooms at the hotel inside the airport terminal.

A mid-morning flight departure.

Arrival time is mid-morning.