Europe Taster
Europe Taster
$2070
Europe Taster
7 Days Starting and ending in Outside Novotel London Greenwich hotel
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
Embark on an unforgettable European adventure and immerse yourself in the historic culture, food, and sights of Europe. Tick off six iconic destinations — UK, France, Switzerland, Germany, Netherlands, and Belgium — in one exhilarating journey! This captivating itinerary promises an unforgettable blend of cultural immersion, breathtaking landscapes and delectable tastes. Is Europe calling your name? This is your chance to answer!
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: London - Paris
Location: London, Paris
Meals Included: Dinner
Welcome to London! Here, start your journey across the English Channel to Paris, the ‘City of Lights’. On arrival, get your cameras ready for a driving tour of the French capital. Look forward to seeing some of the city’s most famous landmarks, including the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe. After the driving tour, indulge in a Parisian welcome dinner before ending the night back at the hotel. Be sure to get some shut-eye before your free day of exploring Paris tomorrow!
Head out on a driving tour of Paris
Enjoy dinner in Paris
Day 2: Paris: Free Day
Location: France, Paris
Meals Included: Breakfast
Enjoy a day of freedom and explore Paris at your leisure! Opt for the Paris+ excursion for classic Parisian delights such as visiting a renowned French Perfumery, enticing your taste buds with a tasting at an authentic macaron shop, and indulging in a sightseeing lunch cruise on the River Seine. Or, explore independently. From the Louvre to the Eiffel Tower, Paris awaits with endless wonders! Tonight, consider the "Evening in Montmartre" optional excursion or a captivating cabaret show for an unforgettable evening.
Day 3: Burgundy - Swiss Alps
Location: Switzerland, Swiss Alps
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Bidadieuto Paris, Burgundy beckons! Enjoy some free time for lunch and get a taste of the French wine country while exploring the town of Beaune. Why not take a leisurely stroll through a local market and try some delicious wines along the way? After lunch, sit back and relax as the tour makes its way to the next destination — Switzerland. Enjoy a scenic drive through the Swiss Alps as we enter the Jungfrau Region, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which boasts Europe's largest glacier. End the day by sitting down for an included group dinner.
Explore Burgundy, a UNESCO World Heritage site
Scenic mountain drive in Switzerland
Day 4: Swiss Alps: Free Day
Location: Switzerland, Swiss Alps
Meals Included: Breakfast
The majestic grandeur of the Alps is yours to explore today! Don't pass up the chance to embark on the optional excursion to Jungfraujoch, Europe's highest train station. The journey to the summit is truly unforgettable! Witness picturesque villages nestled in valleys beneath snow-capped peaks and cascading mountain waterfalls. Upon reaching the summit, immerse yourself in year-round snow and awe-inspiring vistas of glaciers and rugged mountaintops. Capture as many photos as possible before descending to lower altitudes for the afternoon. In the evening, opt for a quintessential Swiss experience with an optional fondue dinner.
Day 5: Swiss Alps - Rhine Valley
Location: Germany, Rhine Valley
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Guten Morgen!This morning, bid farewell to Switzerland and cross the border into Germany, where the legendary Rhine Valley awaits. Get ready for more scenic vistas on the journey to St. Goar. Upon arrival, embark on a Rhine riverboat to cruise from St. Goar to Boppard. Experience a different perspective of the stunning Rhine Valley, featuring the most concentrated collection of Gothic castles in Europe, alongside vineyards, picturesque medieval towns, and towering cliffs. After disembarking, visit a local wine merchant for an included wine tasting. If the harvest has been favourable, you may have the chance to sample eiswein (ice wine), a rare and exquisite dessert wine produced only in small quantities under specific freezing conditions.
Cruise along the Rhine River
Taste German wine in the Rhine Valley
Day 6: Rhine Valley - Amsterdam
Location: Rhine Valley, Amsterdam
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Get ready for some Dutch delights as we wave farewell to Germany and head to the Netherlands today. Cross into this new country and take some free time for a lunch break en route. Upon arrival in the Netherlands, anticipate some quintessential Dutch encounters! Capture memories at the historic Riekermolen Windmill before delving into the art of crafting traditional Dutch cheese and clogs. Then, answer the call of Amsterdam. Explore the Dutch capital at your leisure before embarking on a charming cruise through its iconic canals - ensure your cameras are at the ready! Conclude the day with a farewell group dinner at a local restaurant in the city before retiring to the hotel for the night.
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
Day 7: Amsterdam - Bruges - London
Location: Amsterdam, Bruges, London
Meals Included: Breakfast
Following breakfast, say goodbye to Amsterdam and prepare to journey back to London via Belgium. Renowned for its beer, waffles, chocolate, andmoules et frites, any Belgian town promises a feast for the senses! Today, the tour will pause in Bruges - a breathtaking Belgian city boasting impeccably preserved medieval architecture. With its charming cobblestone streets, historic churches, and majestic towers, Bruges offers ample opportunities for exploration and serves as an ideal location for picking up any last-minute souvenirs during your free time. After exploring in your free time, it's time to head back to the coach for the final leg of the journey back to London where the tour will come to an end.
Visit Bruges, a medieval city in Belgium
What's Included
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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
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Tour Leader
Fully guided tour with experienced tour leader
Tour leader will accompany group throughout and manage all logistical details
What's Not Included
International flightsTravel to the start point and from the end point is not included. We recommend using Skyscanner to find the best deals on international flights.Travel insuranceFor a relatively small price, travel insurance provides you with 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.
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.
Health and Fitness
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.
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
Taste German wine 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
Check out our Q&As
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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.
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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.
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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!
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Do you require a visa for this holiday?
Certain nationalities may require a visa(s) for this tour.
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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
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Is the tour coach air conditioned?
Yes, Full air-conditioning
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Is there any free time to explore places during the tour?
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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.
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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.
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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.
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What currencies are required for this tour?
Yes
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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.
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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
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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.
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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
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Are all entrance fees included in the price?
No, entrance fees are not included.
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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.
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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.
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Will passengers from another country be participating in the tour?
Our travelers come from all walks of life, with different backgrounds and interests.
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Will there be an escort accompanying this tour?
Our tour leaders come from all walks of life, with different backgrounds and interests. They are all confident and well-travelled with an in-depth knowledge of the destinations they are working in, and a passion for helping you make the most out of your Expat Explore tour.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 2005
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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!
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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
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Free Date Changes
Expat Explore Travel allows you to make 5 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 91 days before the start of the tour.
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Low Deposit
Expat Explore Travel requires a minimum deposit of 10% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of expat explore travel charges.
Up to 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 59 days before tour starts: Forfeit 20% of booking price.
At 44 days before tour starts: Forfeit 40% of booking price.
At 29 days before tour starts: Forfeit 70% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.