Great European Journey
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Overview
Highlights
- Holland: Take a private cruise along Amsterdam’s legendary canals, a World Heritage site.
- Germany and the Rhine River: Visit the World Heritage site of Cologne’s Old Town, cruise through the scenic Rhine River Valley, enjoy a private wine tasting, and explore Heidelberg.
- France: Arrive in Alsace, a region whose ownership has moved between Germany and France for generations, and discover Strasbourg's Old City, a World Heritage site.
- The Swiss Alps and Legendary Railways: Explore the World Heritage site of Berne, travel through the Bernese Oberland to the snowcapped mountain peaks of the Alps, and stop in Interlaken to admire the Jungfrau. Dramatically set beneath the iconic Matterhorn, enjoy Lucerne and Zermatt aboard three legendary railways.
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Details
Travel Themes
Destinations
Activities
Trip includes
- All accommodations (based on double occupancy)
- Expertise of a Smithsonian Journeys Expert, Travel Director(s), and local guides throughout the tour.
- Meals, including special Welcome and Farewell Receptions, as noted in the itinerary (B-breakfast; L-lunch; R-reception; D-dinner).
- Complimentary house wine, beer, and soft drinks served with lunch and dinner while aboard ship.
- All sightseeing and visits as noted in the itinerary.
- Pre-tour information, including a reading list.
- Gratuities to local guides and drivers.
- All on-tour transportation unless otherwise noted.
- Transfers and luggage handling abroad for all participants whose arrival(s)/departure(s) coincide with the scheduled group transfer(s).
- On-tour emergency evacuation insurance (up to $100,000), medical expense coverage (up to $25,000), dental expense coverage (up to $500), travel medical assistance and worldwide travel assistance (U.S. Residents only).
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Itinerary
Meals: Lunch, Welcome Reception and Dinner
Depart the U.S. for Amsterdam. Following your morning arrival, enjoy a private cruise along Amsterdam’s delightful canals lined with 16th- and 17th-century gabled row houses, which have been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site. Embark the ship and join fellow participants this evening for the Captain’s Welcome Reception and Dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Enjoy the morning while cruising along the picturesque Rhine River. One of Germany’s most ancient cities, Cologne was founded as a Roman military outpost in 38 B.C. From the time of Charlemagne to present day, it has flourishe...
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Go ashore this morning in Koblenz, where Germany’s Roman past dates to 9 B.C., during the reign of Augustus Caesar, when it was strategically established at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle Rivers. From the famous Deuts...
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
This morning, from Mannheim, transfer to Heidelberg, where luminaries such as Goethe and Schumann came to experience the intellectual atmosphere of Heidelberg University, Germany’s oldest, founded in 1386. To many on the “Gran...
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
The lively Alsatian city of Strasbourg fuses the Old and New Europe. The Old City, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is a treasure trove of medieval houses, and the charming Ponts-Couverts, covered bridges flanked by watchtowers a...
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Disembark in Basel and enjoy a scenic transfer across the rolling Swiss countryside to Berne, Switzerland’s historic capital. Visit the Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site and beautifully preserved medieval gem noted for its arcade...
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
A long-favored destination of travelers, Lucerne is set against the backdrop of its deep blue lake and the rugged grandeur of Mounts Pilatus and Rigi. Begin your morning walking tour in the Weinmarkt (wine market), surrounded by histo...
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Relax during a scenic transfer from Lucerne to Andermatt. Lunch is included in Andermatt before you board the fabled Glacier Express, “the world’s slowest fast train,” and travel through the heart of the Alps, where the natura...
Meals: Breakfast, Farewell Reception and Dinner
Today, travel aboard the famous Gornergrat Bahn, the highest cog railway in Europe. Ascend through forests of pine and larch and cross meadows ablaze with wildflowers to the 10,000‑foot‑high Gornergrat. From the o...
Meals: Breakfast
Following breakfast, transfer to Geneva for your return flight to the U.S.
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Dates & Availability
Taxes are $240 per person and subject to change.
Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Smithsonian Journeys.
The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.
Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.
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Logistics
What's excluded
- Passport fees, visas, and visa photos as required.
- Personal items such as wines, liquors, à la carte orders, meals other than specified.
- Gratuities to ship and hotel staff.
- Expenses incurred by our tour operators in making travel arrangements in conjunction with the tour.
- Airfare and air and departure taxes.
- A program of optional excursions available at additional cost.
- Taxes.
Accommodation
Hotel Alex
Zermatt, Switzerland
A family-owned Swiss chalet nestled in the heart of the Swiss Alps, the Hotel Alex offers guests spectacular vistas of snowcapped peaks and views of charming Zermatt. Guestrooms and public areas are luxuriously decorated, while the staff's hospitality is reflected in the hotel's warm ambiance.
Number of nights: 2
Hotel Schweizerhof Lucerne
Lucerne, Switzerland
Built in 1845, this deluxe, Victorian-style hotel has been owned and operated by the same family for five generations. It enjoys a central location along a promenade overlooking Lake Lucerne.
Number of nights: 2
Renaissance Amsterdam Hotel
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Ideally located in the historic city center of Amsterdam, this contemporary hotel offers a warm and welcoming new lobby and recently renovated guest rooms. Guest rooms feature air conditioning, direct dial telephone, cable television, radio, minibar, hair dryer, safe, bathrobe and wireless Internet access. Hotel facilities and guest services include a restaurant serving Mediterranean cuisine, lounge, laundry and dry cleaning, elevator, business center, computer facilities, wireless Internet access, fax service, hotel safe, concierge service, 24-hour room service and fitness center.
Number of nights: 2
The new, state-of-the-art Amadeus Silver II enjoys its debut season in 2015 as the flagship of the innovative Lüftner fleet of elegant river ships. This gracious ship with 84 cabins and suites offers the utmost in service, safety and comfort. Step into the elegant reception area and immerse yourself in an ambiance akin to an elegant European hotel. Relax in the panoramic lounge, indulge yourself with a soothing massage, browse in the boutique or connect with friends and family back home on the internet. At the end of each day, return to the comfort of your bright, modern cabin featuring views of the passing scenery, satellite TV and a private bathroom with shower. As an added value feature all of your meals are included and local table wines are served with each dinner during the cruise portion of your journey. Savor international cuisine at the restaurant’s delicious breakfast and luncheon buffets, and enjoy regional specialties at dinner each evening.
Cancellation within 7 days of booking (if not within final payment date): full refund.
Cancellation after 7 days of booking: $1,000 retained; $200 pre/post cruise optional extension retained (entire deposit).
Final payment due: 95 days before departure.
Cancellation made less than 95 days before departure: no refund.
Cancellation by the Smithsonian: full refund.
No refund for unused portions of the tour, including but not limited to, missed meals, hotel nights, and sightseeing.
8 Breakfasts, 7 Lunches and 7 Dinners
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