Get a glimpse of Europe’s finest destination on a ten-night tour by train. Explore Parisian lanes, Venetian canals, Swiss mountains, and Vatican art. Then, experience Renaissance Florence, Shakespeare’s Verona, the Louvre, the Colosseum and an Ice Palace. There are so much to discover and so many new experiences as you hop through France, Switzerland, and Italy. Handcrafted to get as much as possible into ten nights, it will be an evocative introduction to the best of Europe.
Customizable Itinerary
Day 1
Paris – Drifting Down the Seine and French Bistro Experience
Begin your vacation when you land in Paris, the City of Lights and innumerable icons. While the Eiffel Tower stands high and the Champs-Elysees awaits you, there is so much more to this city than the postcards. Almost every street is a charm, especially in the heart of Paris. Small cafes are located in cobbled back-lanes and church spires peek above townhouses. Musicians play on bridges as locals take picnics to the River Seine. After you land, you will be transferred to a hotel in the Latin Quarter. This afternoon is free and there are so many sites to enjoy around the hotel. Just take a stroll and soak up the local style.
In the late afternoon, the guide takes you to a Parisian bistro. Fine foods come from all over France to be sold here including cured meats, a complete array of cheeses, truffles, olive oils, pâtés, and wines to wash it all down. You will tour the country’s food without ever leaving your stool, then walk it off by heading to the River Seine. As dusk draws near, board a boat for a three-hour cruise up and down the waterway. Pass the grand architecture then watch it transform, with beautiful illuminations found on most of the icons, such as the Arc de Triomphe, Eiffel Tower, and Louvre Pyramid. Tonight you’ll understand why Paris is called the City of Lights.
What's Included:
Day 2
Paris – Customizable Highlights of Paris Private Tour
Day 3
Lucerne – A Stunning Train Journey Into the Alps
Day 4
Lucerne – A Day in the Mountains and Glaciers
Day 5
Lucerne – The Top of Europe at Jungfraujoch
Day 6
Venice – Venice From the Water
Day 7
Venice – Venetian Islands and Venice on the Land
Day 8
Florence – Romantic Balconies and Renaissance History
Day 9
Rome – The Heart of an Ancient Empire
Day 10
Rome – Vatican City Museums and Local Rome
Day 11
Rome – Departure
Trip Highlights
- Drift down the canals of Venice on a private gondola tour
- Travel to the roof of Europe and the icy Swiss world of Jungfraujoch
- Explore the heart of Paris and surround yourself with the city’s icons.
- Travel back into the time of empire with a day in Ancient Rome
- Take multiple train journeys through the Alps and a revolving gondola above the snow
- Wander through Florence, the enchanting city of Renaissance
- Sample fine French foods with a Parisian bistro experience
- Gaze upon Raphael’s Rooms and Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel as a part of a day in the Vatican City
- Cruise on the River Seine beneath the Eiffel Tower
- Discover the medieval grandeur of Verona
- Travel between destinations on Europe’s excellent railway network, comfortable journeys that reveal a continent’s landscapes
Detailed Description
There are so many sides to Europe and this ten-night tour will combine the best of every angle. Appreciate the serenity of Switzerland’s snowy mountains. Smell the aromas of a quaint Parisian cafe. Relax on a gondola ride through Venice and a walk beneath Juliet’s balcony in Verona. Architectural styles will baffle you, as you take in Gothic to baroque to the Renaissance buildings in just a few days. Wonders evoke the grandeur of past empires, and the Colosseum is just one example. The food will be as exquisite as it is varied, from Swiss fondue to Florentine steak, French pastries to Roman fine dining. This route will also minimize travel time with carefully designed train rides and transfers.
Traveling by rail is the best way to see Europe quickly. You go from city center to city center and disembark a short distance away from your hotel. Your first-class carriage will be more than just comfortable. Drinks and food are served on board as you zoom on the fast service between major cities. Sit back and watch Europe unfold through the window as you travel through French valleys and up into the Swiss Alps. Then, twist up into the snow and back down to the colors of the coast before you cross Tuscany through the suburbs of Rome. Traveling by rail is both a sightseeing experience and a time to rest and relax. This way, when you disembark you’ll always be ready to go out and discover.
This handcrafted tour starts in Paris. A private guide customizes the experience to your interests, as they incorporate the famous places you want to see. You’ll cruise on the River Seine and enjoy dining at a high-quality French bistro, as well as snacking on the daily coffee and croissants. Then, travel to Lucerne, an old-world base for exploring the Swiss Alps. You will stand on top of Europe and feast on the landscapes while experiencing all things that are famously Swiss. Take the train to Venice for a private gondola ride before you stop in Verona on the route to Florence. Your journey will end in Rome, where ancient empire and the Vatican City provide some focus to the adventure.
As you travel by train through three countries, you’ll experience continental diversity. Everywhere has such a distinctive style, not just the food and language but the atmosphere and mannerisms. Local guides will greet you in each city, and escort you from the train to the hotel before showing you around their home. Their knowledge will help you go beyond the beaten path, particularly with places to dine. Location is central to the choice of hotels, as you will be close to the station but also within walking distance of the most interesting part of the city. While ten nights is only an introduction to the region, it will feel like you’ve had six weeks of experiences in that time.
Starting Price
$5,700 per person (excluding international flights)
Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.
What's Included
- Accommodations
- In-country transportation
- Some or all activities and tours
- Expert trip planning
- 24x7 support during your trip
Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.
Reviews of Zicasso's Referral Service
4.89 stars based on 7291 reviews.
Zicasso’s travel company was wonderful in planning our trip on short notice and in line with our requests and preferences. Their suggestions of what to do and where to stay were perfect. And when we accidentally got off on the wrong island, the travel company quickly got us new ferry tickets to get to the right place. It was all seamless.
Reviewed By Sherry G.
This trip was the greatest week of our lives! Everything planned was better than I could have imagined. The private drivers being coordinated behind the scenes made the trip so easy and removed all the stress of trying to navigate a new country. Every driver and our tour guide was so nice and I feel like we made friends with all of them.
My favorite part of the trip was definitely the cooking classes and that every tour was private and intimate for my wife and I. The connections Zicasso’s travel agent hooked us up with made the trip the most memorable experience. Our travel agent and the travel company took special care of all the tiny details of the trip; our hotel knew it was my birthday and had a special surprise for me! I’m beyond thankful for the perfect honeymoon they provided my wife and I.
Reviewed By Branson S.
The accommodations and private tours were worth the extra money. Our drivers were professional and helpful.
Reviewed By Claudia R.
We were connected with an amazing travel agent at Zicasso's travel company for our honeymoon in France. Our agent planned the perfect trip for us after our initial phone call. She booked small and private tours for us that were amazing experiences. She was available 24/7 while we were in France and was able to assist immediately when we had train delays and a canceled dinner reservation. We would absolutely book with this travel company again.
Reviewed By Patrick R.
The overall trip was great. The weather was terrific and the countries we visited had so much to see. Zicasso's tour company did a good job of balancing relaxation with fun. Each of the guides we had was so pleasant and shared so much information with us. They were very attentive to our needs.
Reviewed By Nisha V.
Wow, where to begin. This trip was an absolute dream.
When I first spoke to Zicasso’s travel consultant, I told her my main travel concern: traveling with nine- and 15-year-old boys as a single mom in Italy. I was excited to take the trip with them, but I really needed something that was meticulously planned to take away the nerves of having to navigate alone with two kids. She listened and executed the most beautiful trip.
She planned activities that captured the attention and imagination of a fourth grader and a teenager. And the experiences were unique. Probably the highlight of the trip was a truffle hunt with the hunter and his dog in the countryside outside of Florence. My oldest wants to move to Florence and start hunting! We had a personalized cooking class, a private Vespa tour of Rome, and a delicious and informative art and food tour, among other amazing experiences. As we were sending photos back home, I got so many requests for our itinerary because it was so special and unique. Both boys were hard-pressed to choose which part they liked best.
The hotels she selected were beautiful, comfortable, and right in the heart of the cities and attractions we wanted to see. When we encountered a small hiccup (by our hotel, not our travel agent), I contacted her and she responded right away, getting us a free room upgrade and free dinner! We felt very taken care of.
Aside from the amazing activities and locations we saw, the trip was fantastic because everything was so seamless. We always had a private driver arranged, pre-booked train tickets, and even someone to make sure we made it on time for our flight home. I never had to worry about a thing. It was also telling that every tour guide we interacted with had only glowing things to say about our travel agent and her keen attention to detail and organization.
If you're planning on visiting Italy, this travel company is the travel agency you need to select. It takes any of the stress and guesswork out of the travel process, and all you have to do is show up and enjoy.
Thank you so much! You helped us make some amazing memories!
Stephanie
Reviewed By Stephanie S.