Europe Taster
Europe Taster
Europe Taster
7 Days Starting and ending in London
Visiting: London, Paris, France, Switzerland, Swiss Alps, Germany, Rhine Valley, Amsterdam, Bruges
Tour operator:
Tour code:
ET
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
10 - 51
Age range:
10-99
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
The perfect taste of Europe! Tick off your bucket list of European hotspots as you set off on this iconic holiday of Europe. Travel through six European countries, including the UK, France, Switzerland, Germany, The Netherlands and Belgium. Visit all the Parisian sights you've always dreamed of. Travel to the top of Europe in Switzerland. Traverse the Rhine Valley in Germany. Explore the Dutch countryside and experience the best of Amsterdam! Round it up with a taste of Belgium in a beautiful medieval Belgian city! Want to explore Europe? This is it!
If you'd like to include a three-night stay in London in your tour, take a look at the Western Europe Delights itinerary - click here.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: London - Paris
Location: London, Paris
Meals Included: Dinner
Welcome to Expat Explore’s Europe Taster tour! Leaving London behind, travel to Paris, crossing the English Channel on the way. Upon arriving in the ‘City of Lights’, enjoy a driving tour of the French capital. Get your cameras ready - you’ll be seeing some of the city’s most treasured landmarks, including the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe! After the driving tour, enjoy a welcome dinner at a restaurant in Paris. Afterwards, travel back to the hotel and get some rest before exploring the city further on the free day tomorrow!
Driving tour of Paris: Enjoy a driving tour and discover the beauty of the “City of Lights”! Spot the Tuileries Gardens, the River Seine, l'Ile de la Cité, the Louvre Museum, the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, Lovers Bridge, Sacre Coeur, Montmartre, Pigalle (the Red Light District) and the Moulin Rouge!
Paris dinner: Enjoy a delicious Parisian meal. Take some time to chat to your tour leader about which optional excursions to join on the free day tomorrow.
Day 2: Paris: Free Day
Location: France, Paris
Meals Included: Breakfast
Enjoy a free day to explore Paris however you wish! Join the Paris+ optional excursion to enjoy some classic Parisian experiences. On the excursion, join your tour leader and visit a famous French Perfumery, indulge in a tasting at an authentic macaron shop, enjoy a lunch cruise on the River Seine and much more! Alternatively, explore on your own and see Paris’ world-famous Louvre Museum, take a trip to the top of the Eiffel Tower, stroll along the Champs-Élysées or grab a spot at a local cafe and watch the world go by. There are endless great things to see and do in Paris! Tonight, why not enjoy the “Evening in Montmartre” optional excursion or experience an unforgettable cabaret show?
Day 3: Burgundy - Swiss Alps
Location: Switzerland, Swiss Alps
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Leave Paris behind and travel to Burgundy. Here, enjoy free time for lunch and get a taste of the French wine country! In the town of Beaune, there is time to wander around and even try some delicious wine. After lunch, sit back and enjoy the drive to the border as the tour makes its way to Switzerland and enjoy a scenic drive through the Swiss Alps. Welcome to your home for the next two days in the Swiss Alps! The Jungfrau Region is a World Heritage Site that is home to Europe's largest glacier. Enjoy an included dinner with the group tonight.
Burgundy lunch stop: Enjoy a stop in Burgundy, a UNESCO World Heritage site and famous wine-producing region. You will have some free time to explore this beautiful medieval town centre and the opportunity to try local food and wine.
Scenic mountain drive of Switzerland: Spectacular views as during a drive through this amazing country alongside lakes, breath-taking mountain vistas and scenic views of quaint Swiss towns.
Day 4: Swiss Alps: Free Day
Location: Switzerland, Swiss Alps
Meals Included: Breakfast
The splendour of the Alps is yours to explore today – don’t miss the chance to join the optional excursion up to Jungfraujoch, the highest train station in Europe! The trip to the top is a real highlight! Look out for quaint villages nestled in the valleys beneath snow-capped peaks and tumbling mountain waterfalls. Arrive at the top and enjoy the year-round snow and breathtaking views of the surrounding glaciers and craggy mountaintops. Be sure to capture as many photos as possible before it’s time to head back down to lower altitudes for the rest of the afternoon. Tonight, choose to enjoy a quintessential Swiss experience with a fondue dinner optional.
Day 5: Swiss Alps - Rhine Valley
Location: Germany, Rhine Valley
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
This morning, the tour travels to Germany’s famous Rhine Valley! Depart Switzerland and cross the border into Germany - look forward to more scenic views along the way. Arrive and board a Rhine riverboat to travel from St Goar to Boppard. See a different side to the beautiful Rhine Valley during a cruise with views of the most concentrated stretch of castles in all of Europe! The scenery also features vineyards, charming medieval towns and lofty cliffs. Disembark and visit a local wine merchant for an included wine tasting - if the harvest has been good, you may even get to try eiswein (ice wine), a very sweet dessert wine that is produced in very small quantities as it can only be harvested when the temperature drops below freezing.
Rhine River cruise: Cruise down the Rhine River and see the beautiful scenery and the largest concentration of gothic castles (Sterrenberg, Liebestein, Katz and Fortress Rheinfels) in Europe.
Rhine Valley wine tasting: Visit a local wine merchant in one of Germany’s most famous wine-growing regions, and sample several types of delicious German wine. If the harvest has been good, you may even get to try eiswein (ice wine), a very sweet dessert wine that is produced in very small quantities as it can only be harvested when the temperature drops below freezing.
Day 6: Rhine Valley - Amsterdam
Location: Rhine Valley, Amsterdam
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Wave farewell to the Rhine Valley and Germany as the tour continues to the Netherlands today. Cross the border into a brand new country and enjoy free time for a lunch stop along the way. Once in the Netherlands, look forward to a variety of classic Dutch experiences! Snap photos at the historic Riekermolen Windmill before learning about how traditional Dutch cheese and clogs are made. Next up, Amsterdam is calling! Arrive in the Dutch capital city and enjoy free time before embarking on a cruise through Amsterdam’s iconic canals - be sure to have your cameras ready! Afterwards, sit down for a farewell group dinner at a local restaurant in the city before heading to the hotel for tonight.
Visit the Riekermolen Windmill: Travel through the Dutch countryside and enjoy a photo stop at an iconic Dutch windmill.
Cheese and clogs demonstration: Enjoy a visit to a local farm and see how these famous shoes are traditionally crafted by hand. You will also see how Dutch cheese is made and get to taste some fantastic cheeses! This is a great place to shop for some unique souvenirs!
Amsterdam Canal Cruise: Sail along Amsterdam's stunning canals at twilight. Cruising along the atmospheric canals and taking in the sights along the water offers the perfect introduction to this vibrant city.
Farewell dinner in Amsterdam: Enjoy a final group dinner with your group at a local restaurant in the city.
Day 7: Amsterdam - Bruges - London
Location: Amsterdam, Bruges, London
Meals Included: Breakfast
After breakfast, bid farewell to Amsterdam and get ready to travel back to London via Belgium. Famous for its beer, waffles, chocolate and moules et frites, any Belgian town is a good place to be if you’ve brought your appetite! Today, the tour will make a stop in Bruges - a gorgeous Belgian city home to beautifully-preserved medieval architecture. With no shortage of cobblestone streets, historic old churches and lofty towers, this is a great city to explore and a good spot to pick up any last-minute souvenirs during free time. After free time to explore, it’s back to the coach for the final leg of the journey back to London.
Visit Bruges: Make a stop in this beautiful medieval town with some free time so you could try the signature national dish of moules et frites, see or even climb the Belfry Tower, have a Belgian beer or buy some amazing Belgian chocolate.
What's Included
-
Accommodation
6 nights in 2, 3 & 4* hotel accommodation in twin rooms with private bathrooms
Single travellers have the option to pay a single supplement to ensure a private room (subject to availability) -
Transport
Modern air conditioned coach with reclining seats, TV for showing DVDs and toilet
Any public transport used as part of the tour (excludes free days) -
Meals
6 Breakfasts, 4 Dinners *Vegetarian options available for all meals on request
-
Experiences
Head out on a driving tour of Paris
Enjoy dinner in Paris
Explore Burgundy, a UNESCO World Heritage site
Scenic mountain drive in Switzerland
Cruise along the Rhine River
Indulge in a wine tasting in the Rhine Valley
Visit the Riekermolen Windmill
Learn about how traditional Dutch cheese and clogs are made
Cruise along Amsterdam’s canals
Enjoy a farewell dinner in Amsterdam
Visit Bruges, a medieval city in Belgium
What's Not Included
International flights
Travel to the start point and from the endpoint is not included. We recommend using Skyscanner to find the best deals on international flights.
Travel insurance
For a relatively small price, travel insurance provides you with the peace of mind so that you can enjoy your tour without any worries.
All passengers travelling on an Expat Explore tour are required to have valid travel insurance cover and you are responsible for arranging your own insurance. Click here for more information.
Mode of Transport
- Modern air conditioned coach with reclining seats, TV for showing DVDs and toilet
- Any public transport used as part of the tour (excludes free days)
Accommodation
- 6 nights in 2, 3 & 4* hotel accommodation in twin rooms with private bathrooms
- Single travellers have the option to pay a single supplement to ensure a private room (subject to availability)
Traveller Comfort - *COACH* tours
We welcome all travellers on our tours but we would like to ensure that you are as comfortable as possible. In light of this, please ensure that you are happy with the below information and level of fitness required.
Expat Explore tries to be as accommodating as possible, however, our tours are unfortunately not designed for people travelling with wheelchairs or severe mobility issues.
Our tours are fast paced because they are designed for you to see the most a destination has to offer. We also want to ensure that you explore as much as possible, which may require long periods without stops on the coach as we drive to a new destination.
We offer walking tours in most cities (up to 3 hours), and a wheelchair is not always a practical option as there are often cobbled streets and stairs on these tours.
For travellers in wheelchairs, you will only be able to store your wheelchair under the coach with the other luggage. Thus, on the long drives between cities you will not necessarily have access to your wheelchair if we make a quick bathroom stop along the way. Please note that travelling with a wheelchair could prove difficult as our coaches don't have wheelchair lifts, as such you will need to be able to board and alight the coach on your own.
With regards to our accommodation, not all hotels have lifts and this means potentially having to carry bags up and down stairs.
For more information regarding traveller fitness please see our Terms and Conditions.
Check out our Q&As
-
Will I know the names and details of all the accommodation before I depart?
A full list of confirmed accommodation names and addresses for your particular departure will be emailed to you around 1 week before the tour starts.
-
Is free Wi-Fi available in the accommodation used?
All of the hotels on this tour offer Wi-Fi, which is available free of charge as part of your Expat Explore tour.
-
What is the maximum group size?
It depends on how many other people book! There could be up to 51 other passengers, so you will have the opportunity to make lots of friends!
-
Do you require a visa for this holiday?
Certain nationalities may require a visa(s) for this tour.
-
Is there a limit to luggage that can be brought on the tour?
Due to weight and space limitations, you are allowed to bring one main piece of luggage weighing no more than 20kg, and one small soft bag for hand luggage weighing a maximum of 7kg. On all tours, you will have to carry your own luggage (e.g. into hotels and up to your room if hotels don’t have elevators). Please bear this in mind when you are deciding what to pack
-
Is the tour coach air conditioned?
Yes, Full air-conditioning
-
Is there any free time to explore places during the tour?
-
Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
Our tours are not suitable for young children, so we set a minimum age limit of 10 years old.
-
Are vaccinations required for this tour?
We are committed to curating excellent travel experiences and to do so we need all of our travelers to feel safe.
In order to ensure the peace of mind and safety of our travelers and staff on board the coach, we are still requesting that all travellers, regardless of their vaccination status, produce a negative Covid test. This test can be a PCR test -
Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
All our tours are conducted in English.
-
Is there a supplement for solo travellers?
There is an optional single supplement/private room upgrade available for single travellers who wish to have a private room. This can be added at the time of booking or by contacting our customer services team. Please note that the room provided may be a single room with a single bed.
-
What currencies are required for this tour?
Yes
-
Are flights included in this tour?
No, you will need to make your own arrangements to get to the meeting destination for the first day of your tour. Make sure you keep departure times and possible delays in mind when booking flights.
-
What is the tipping policy?
Whilst we fully understand that some nationalities are not accustomed to tipping, this is a normal part of the culture in many of the countries we visit. Tipping has become an increasingly accepted practice in all areas of the service industry, but particularly in restaurants, bars and taxis worldwide. Expat Explore crew members
-
Are airport transfers included in this tour?
No, you will need to make your own arrangements to get to the meeting point for the first day of your tour. Please see the meeting point information for details on how to reach the meeting point.
-
Are all the relevant entry visa’s included in the price of the tour?
No, visas are each traveler’s personal responsibility, and we recommend that plenty of time is allowed for visas to be applied for. When applying for your visa, please ensure that the proper research is carried out before you apply, and that you deal directly with the embassies or certified agents with regard to acquiring correct and timely information. We cannot take responsibility for customers
-
Are all entrance fees included in the price?
No, entrance fees are not included.
-
What is the standard of the hotels on this tour?
We have searched and invested in excellent accommodation options, either located in cities or well placed with public transport connections. Clean linen, towels is always included. Toiletries (shampoo, shower gel etc) and hair dryers are not always included, so you may wish to bring these with you. Accommodation is provided in twin share en-suite rooms. We use a mix of mostly 2, 3 & 4-star hotels.
-
What is the fitness level required to do this tour?
All travellers are required to carry their own bags, get on and off the coach, and use public transport. Our city walking tours can last up to 3 hours and certain places involve walking up and down lots of steps. We want you to enjoy your tour, so read through the itinerary thoroughly and make your own conclusions as to whether you feel that you are fit and healthy enough.
-
Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
If you are travelling alone there is no compulsory charge - you will share a twin room with another passenger of the same gender. There is an optional single supplement/private room upgrade available for single travellers who wish to have a private room. This can be added at the time of booking or by contacting our team.
-
Children on tour?
Our tours are not suitable for young children which is why we have a minimum age limit of 10 years old. However, at the discretion of Expat Explore we may consider younger children on certain tours if they meet certain criteria and a request is received in writing via email. Minors (between 10 and 18 years of age) must be accompanied by a parent or guardian who accepts full responsibility for them. Unaccompanied minors will not be accepted on tour. Expat Explore reserves the right to decline any booking at our discretion. Any minor (between 10 and 18 years of age) is priced the same as an adult.
-
What policies are in place for Covid-19?
The health and safety of our travellers and employees are our top priority. Which means, when you travel with us, our enhanced hygiene protocols will ensure you do so in a safe and responsible way - ask for details of current policies.
-
How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 2005
-
What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
At Expat Explore we value responsible travel and are committed to exploring the world consciously and kindly. We are proud to make responsible travel possible with a number of our sustainable travel practices!
-
Am I contributing to any charity by booking the tour?
Relate is a South African based not-for-profit organisation that Expat Explore supports. The group aims to help those less fortunate create better lives for themselves through a variety of fundraising initiatives. On our South Africa tours, each passenger will receive an Expat Explore branded Relate bracelet. We donate the cost of these bracelets to our chosen Relate charity: the Nelson Mandela Sc
Reviews from travellers on this tour
1 Select your preferred date
Sunday - Saturday
Oct 13, 2024 - Oct 19, 2024Sunday - Saturday
Oct 20, 2024 - Oct 26, 2024Sunday - Saturday
Oct 27, 2024 - Nov 02, 2024Sunday - Saturday
Dec 22, 2024 - Dec 28, 2024Sunday - Saturday
Mar 09, 2025 - Mar 15, 2025Sunday - Saturday
Mar 16, 2025 - Mar 22, 2025Sunday - Saturday
Mar 23, 2025 - Mar 29, 2025Sunday - Saturday
Mar 30, 2025 - Apr 05, 2025Sunday - Saturday
Apr 06, 2025 - Apr 12, 2025Sunday - Saturday
Apr 13, 2025 - Apr 19, 2025Sunday - Saturday
Apr 20, 2025 - Apr 26, 2025Sunday - Saturday
Apr 27, 2025 - May 03, 2025Sunday - Saturday
May 04, 2025 - May 10, 2025Sunday - Saturday
May 11, 2025 - May 17, 2025Sunday - Saturday
May 18, 2025 - May 24, 2025Sunday - Saturday
May 25, 2025 - May 31, 2025Sunday - Saturday
Jun 01, 2025 - Jun 07, 2025Sunday - Saturday
Jun 08, 2025 - Jun 14, 2025Sunday - Saturday
Jun 15, 2025 - Jun 21, 2025Sunday - Saturday
Jun 22, 2025 - Jun 28, 2025Sunday - Saturday
Jun 29, 2025 - Jul 05, 2025Sunday - Saturday
Jul 06, 2025 - Jul 12, 2025Sunday - Saturday
Jul 13, 2025 - Jul 19, 2025Sunday - Saturday
Jul 20, 2025 - Jul 26, 2025Sunday - Saturday
Jul 27, 2025 - Aug 02, 2025Sunday - Saturday
Aug 03, 2025 - Aug 09, 2025Sunday - Saturday
Aug 10, 2025 - Aug 16, 2025Sunday - Saturday
Aug 17, 2025 - Aug 23, 2025Sunday - Saturday
Aug 24, 2025 - Aug 30, 2025Sunday - Saturday
Aug 31, 2025 - Sep 06, 2025Sunday - Saturday
Sep 07, 2025 - Sep 13, 2025Sunday - Saturday
Sep 14, 2025 - Sep 20, 2025Sunday - Saturday
Sep 21, 2025 - Sep 27, 2025Sunday - Saturday
Sep 28, 2025 - Oct 04, 2025Sunday - Saturday
Oct 05, 2025 - Oct 11, 2025Sunday - Saturday
Oct 12, 2025 - Oct 18, 2025Sunday - Saturday
Oct 19, 2025 - Oct 25, 2025Sunday - Saturday
Oct 26, 2025 - Nov 01, 2025Book with Confidence
-
Free Date Changes
CTS demo white label allows you to make 20 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 0 days before the start of the tour.
-
Low Deposit
CTS demo white label requires a minimum deposit of 55% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 30 days before departure.
-
Terms and Conditions