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Why Europe: The Grand Tour Offers the Ultimate European Experience
There are countless reasons why travellers choose to explore Europe. Diverse cultures. Interesting and extensive history. Memorable architecture. The world’s best art. Delectable food and wine. Personal ties to heritage.
Whatever your driving force to the continent is, Europe offers a great advantage to culturally curious travellers who want to get to know new places. The fact that countries are physically close and culturally connected makes it easy to knock multiple destinations off your bucket list on one trip.
And that’s where Europe: The Grand Tour comes in.
“This Classic tour is ideal for travellers who want the best of seven European countries,” says Collette Product Design Manager Vasja Ostric.
As the designer of this tour, she is proud to highlight how the trip lends itself to travellers immersing themselves in these destinations.
“Europe: The Grand Tour was designed with a balance between included features that represent the highlights of the destinations and plenty of time for our travellers to have their own explorations,” Vasja says.
Vasja says it’s also important to spend time getting to know each new country, and that’s why there are no single-night hotel stays on the tour.
“We have an excellent pacing on this tour,” she explains. “We stay two nights in Amsterdam, two nights in Brussels, three nights in Strasbourg, two nights in Munich and three nights in Vienna, which is very nice.”
Here’s a look into what travellers can expect on this journey across Europe:
The Netherlands
Amsterdam’s narrow canals, stone bridges, and bike-brimmed lanes set the scene for the beginning of this tour.
During this leg of the trip, travellers stay at the centrally located Martim Hotel, which acts as a convenient hub for using the city’s public transportation to reach all the must-sees.
And for a city nicknamed Venice of the North, exploring the canals is an absolute must-see. The tour features a canal cruise on a private boat. After exploring by water, a local guide offers an insider’s perspective on a walking tour around the city. Then travellers will explore their way with free time.
Belgium
En route to Brussels, travellers visit the town of Lier.
“It's a hidden gem of Belgium,” Vasja says. “It is a small town off the beaten path, and it offers a perfect combination of historical buildings, green ramparts, and medieval buildings. We wanted to give our travellers a very authentic and very local experience without being overwhelmed with crowds. Lier is a perfect destination for travellers to explore.”
And once travellers reach Brussels, they get to explore the city how they choose: either a comprehensive locally-guided tour of the city’s most famous sites or a more niche tour along the Comic Strip Route, discovering street murals and other representations of comic strip heroes throughout the city.
The next day, travellers get to take in Belgium’s capital city how they choose with a full day free for exploration.
Luxembourg & France
A grand duchy is a country whose official head of state is a monarch bearing the title of grand duke or grand duchess. And Luxembourg is the last grand duchy in the world.
Travellers dive into both the Old City of Luxembourg and the French provincial capital of Strasbourg, where centuries of Roman, French, German, and Alsatian influences blend to lend this city its unique character.
Whether you want to take time to explore or follow the Alsace Wine Route on an optional tour, there is time and flexibility to make this leg of the trip uniquely yours.
Switzerland
Vasja was excited to share that this portion of the tour includes a train ride into Switzerland.
“It really is a wonderful way to experience the countryside,” she says. “The beauty of the route is that it takes travellers to wonderful scenery that runs along the Rhine River. It is a nice and relaxing way to travel.”
In Switzerland, travellers explore Basel – known as the three countries’ corner, as it’s where France, Germany, and Switzerland meet. A local guide brings this “corner” to life, whisking you through the winding streets and alleyways of the well-preserved medieval Old Town.
After, there’s time to get to know Basel on your own. Vasja recommends stopping for some Swiss sweets, like chocolate or Basel’s signature honey cake called Basler Läckerli.
Germany
Roll into Germany with a visit to the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart.
“I'm quite happy that we have such a unique inclusion because it is a part of everyday life,” Vasja says. “We learn something about the history of the cars and get to see this really wonderful, unique museum with more than 160 vehicles of all types. It is going to be quite an extraordinarily spent morning.”
Then it’s onto Munich.“Munich is not just the home of Oktoberfest, but it is one of the most popular, most visited, and considered to be one of the most beautiful towns in Germany,” Vasja says.
Travellers will explore Bavaria’s capital during a locally-guided tour. Dive into the Altstadt (Old Town) and the central Marienplatz Square, known for its popular glockenspiel show that chimes and reenacts stories from the 16th century.
Vasja explained that it was important for her that travellers experience this popular destination with a true local flair. And there’s no better way to do that than through food.
“We go to a restaurant which is frequently visited by locals,” Vasja says. “It is a great way to introduce travellers to typical Bavarian food.”
Austria
Vienna waits for you!
As this European tour winds down, Vasja says that there’s plenty of flexibility and downtime for travellers.
A Choice on Tour allows travellers to explore the Belvedere Museum alongside a local guide, or stroll through the unique collections of the Kunsthistoriches Museum.
An evening of free time allows travellers to rest, explore on their own, or sign up for a unique optional tour that brings you into Schönbrunn Palace after hours to explore and attend a concert featuring the music of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Johann Strauss.
No matter how you spend your time in Vienna, Vasja emphasizes how critical it is to experience Viennese coffee house culture before the trip ends: “If you have been to Vienna and you haven't visited a coffee house and had a cup of coffee and a cake, you didn't do everything that you are supposed to do.”
Booking Your Grand European Tour
Ready to uncover the treasures of Europe’s best destinations on a grand tour from Amsterdam to Vienna?
A journey across seven countries featuring the must-sees and more is within your reach.
When you’re ready to book your tour, check out the tour page on our website, call us, or see your travel professional and ask for Collette.
