Explorer - 17 Days

Embark on your overnight flight to London. Meals: In-flight Enjoy a free afternoon to relax and unwind. In the evening, meet fellow travelers and your tour director at our welcome orientation followed by a fun London pub crawl. Meals: In-flight Inclusions: Transfer from airport to hotel included with purchased AESU group airfare Welcome orientation Welcome cocktail Pub crawl Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, and Westminster Abbey: These familiar names become familiar places on our morning tour of London. During an afternoon at leisure, browse the many food, craft and clothing stalls at popular Camden Market, walk in the footsteps of Harry Potter at Leadenhall Market aka Diagon Alley or take a ride on the London Eye for a birds-eye view of the city and the opportunity to take great photographs. After dusk, consider taking in some Shakespeare at the Globe Theater by the Thames River or attending a West End show. Meals: Breakfast Inclusions: 1-day group tube pass Tour of London guided by a local historian Personal audio headset See Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, Tower Bridge and more Travel through the "Chunnel" below the English Channel to Paris. Our local expert shows us the Arc de Triomphe, Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame Cathedral and Place de la Concorde, where the guillotine once stood. Tonight, dine on French specialties at our bistro dinner. Afterward, we take a romantic cruise down the river Seine. Meals: Breakfast, Dinner Inclusions: English Channel Eurostar train Tour of Paris guided by a local historian See the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame Cathedral, Place de la Concorde, Arc de Triomphe and more See Paris-by-night illuminations French bistro dinner Seine River cruise Enjoy a free day in Paris today. Join your tour director this morning on an optional visit to a French perfumery and museum. Afterwards, consider visiting the Palace of Versailles, Louis XIV's residence with the stunning Hall of Mirrors, the world-famous Louvre, housing the Mona Lisa, Musée d'Orsay, or the Musée National Picasso. Your Paris travel card will provide unlimited public transportation throughout the city (zones 1-3.) This evening you may opt to see a can-can cabaret show at the world-famous Moulin Rouge. Meals: Breakfast Inclusions: Paris travel card with unlimited access to public transportation system Optional activity: Optional visit to French perfumery and museum French cabaret show This morning, the TGV high-speed train takes us from Paris to Nice, queen resort of the Côte d'Azur. Enjoy your free afternoon on picturesque beaches along the Mediterranean coastline, stroll along promenades lined with chic boutiques, or unwind at a sidewalk café. The thriving local art scene and buzzing nightlife is yours to discover after tonight's brasserie dinner. Meals: Breakfast, Dinner Inclusions: High-speed train to Nice See Promenade d'Anglais, Place Massena and more French brasserie dinner Enjoy a free day on the dazzling French Riviera. Relax on the beach, paddle in the azure sea, or sip on a smooth cocktail beneath swaying palms. Consider exploring Nice to visit the magnificent Palais Lascaris, the Cathédrale de Sainte Réparate and harbors filled with opulent yachts. Or you may opt to join our excursion to Monaco, where Prince Rainier married Hollywood actress Grace Kelly, and glitzy Cannes, known for its famous International Film Festival. Meals: Breakfast Inclusions: See the French Riviera beaches & promenade Optional activity: Excursion to Monte Carlo & Cannes (not offered during Grand Prix) Our journey takes us along the scenic Côte d'Azur's sun-splashed beaches. We cross the border into Italy and arrive in Pisa with its stunning Piazza dei Miracoli. Take time to admire the Baptistery, the Cathedral, and take selfies in front of the famous Leaning Tower. Now, immerse yourself in the magic of Tuscany. Travel along rolling hills of olive groves and vineyards crowned by castles and ancient abbeys. Renaissance culture is around every corner with hilltop towns unchanged from the Middle Ages. During free time this evening, relax at the hotel or explore the town with your travel companions. Meals: Breakfast Inclusions: Private motor coach from the French Riviera to Tuscany See the scenic Côte D'Azur Visit to Pisa with its Leaning Tower Savor a day at leisure in the heart of Tuscany, where rolling vineyard-covered hills and picturesque countryside await your exploration. Spend your time meandering through the charming village and basking in the tranquil beauty of this iconic Italian region. Later, join us for a Chianti wine tasting and then savor regional dishes featuring produce and wines direct from the local farms. This region is also known for its fabulous farm-to-table agritourism. Meals: Breakfast, Dinner Inclusions: Chianti wine tasting Tuscan experience Tuscan Dinner This morning we continue our travels south to the capital of Italy. Get ready to soak up Rome's dolce vita lifestyle as we explore the city's picturesque streets and piazzas with our local expert. Ancient icons such as the Colosseum or Caesar's Roman Forum remind us of the city's golden age as the capital of the world. Vatican City with St. Peter's Basilica towering over the square, and colossal cathedrals throughout the city, tell stories of its history as seat of the Catholic Church. Meals: Breakfast Inclusions: Tour of Rome and Vatican City guided by a local historian Personal audio headset See the Colosseum, Circus Maximus, Pantheon, Vatican City with St. Peter's Basilica and more Roma Pass with access to Caesar's Roman Forum and Palatine Hill Unlimited access to local transportation Important information: Most museums and sights, such as the Colosseum require advance reservations when using the pass. Book early to secure your spot. Spaces may not be available on short notice. The best day for museum visits is day 11 of your itinerary, the free day in Rome and Vatican City. A free day in Rome may find you exploring Piazza Navona, climbing the famous Spanish Steps, and tossing a coin into the Trevi Fountain to ensure your return to Rome. Try numerous flavors of the fabulous gelato ice cream or find yourself window-dreaming on Via dei Condotti, one of Rome's fashionable shopping streets. This evening, we cross the Tiber River to Trastevere, one of Rome's oldest neighborhoods, for our fun Italian Pizza Party. Toppings range from a simple drizzle of olive oil, rosemary, and salt, to mushrooms, prosciutto ham and artichokes. Buon appetito! Meals: Breakfast, Dinner Inclusions: See Piazza Navona, the Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain and more Unlimited access to local transportation Pizza Party in Trastevere Sunny olive groves line the way south to Pompeii. Under the shadow of Vesuvius, the volcano that buried this ancient city in 79 A.D., explore the excavated wonders including homes, markets and temples that remain intact, and streets that still bear the marks of chariot wheels from 2,000 years ago. Afterwards, we cross the Italian "boot" and board our overnight ship to Greece. Meals: Breakfast Inclusions: Tour of the Pompeii excavations guided by a local historian Personal audio headset Scenic overnight ship from Italy to Greece Transfer from hotel to airport included with purchased AESU group airfare After cruising through the enchanting aquamarine waters, our ship arrives in Patras. From there, we'll embark on a breathtaking journey along the stunning Corinthian Sea, ultimately arriving at Galatas and the charming island of Poros. Get ready to embrace three days of pure Greek god or goddess living. Start the adventure with a welcoming drink, then dive into exploring this idyllic island paradise. Tonight, prepare for a Greek culinary extravaganza at a charming local restaurant. Afterward, you might just find yourself dancing the night away, Zorba-style, at a lively local tavern. Meals: Breakfast, Welcome cocktail, Dinner Inclusions: Relaxing pool and beach time Enjoy iconic Greek sunsets Traditional Greek dinner at a local taverna Today is all about having fun on your own terms. Dive into the sparkling waters for a refreshing swim, soak up the glorious sunshine, or get your adrenaline pumping with optional watersports like waterskiing, wakeboarding, parasailing, banana-boating, or tubing. Meals: Breakfast Inclusions: Explore the white-washed village center of Poros Beach and pool Optional activity: Water sports During free time today, get ready for some fantastic shopping in the old town center or, more adventurous souls may embark on a thrilling journey to the 6th-century BC ruins of Poseidon's Temple perched atop the island's highest peak. We'll have bicycles at our disposal, opening up new avenues to discover the island's treasures. And as the sun sets, get ready to join the fun at our epic toga party. Meals: Breakfast, Dinner Inclusions: Bike rental on the Isle of Poros Beach and pool Toga party Greek island farewell dinner In the morning we board our ferry to Athens. See the 2,400-year-old Parthenon, the Temple of Olympian Zeus and Constitution Square. A free afternoon may find us wandering the paths of Plato, Socrates and Sophocles or trying our bargaining skills at the markets of Monastiraki. This evening follow the sounds of traditional bouzouki music and join our farewell taverna dinner in the Plaka District - Athens' oldest neighborhood at the foot of the Acropolis. Meals: Breakfast, Dinner Inclusions: Tour of Athens guided by a local historian Acropolis admission Greek tavern farewell dinner Greek music and dancing Reluctantly we say farewell to Europe and new-found friends. Jet back home with thoughts of planning your next alumni adventure! Meals: Breakfast, In-flight Inclusions: Transfer from hotel to airport included with purchased AESU group airfare