European Tour, Italy, Switzerland & France

country:	France, Italy, Switzerland
trip type:	A small group adventure
departures:	2010: 24 Apr, 1 May, 8 May, 15 May, 22 May, 29 May, 5 Jun, 12 Jun, 19 Jun, 26 Jun, 10 Jul, 24 Jul, 7 Aug, 21 Aug, 4 Sep, 18 Sep, 25 Sep, 2 Oct, 16 Oct 2011: 2 Apr, 16 Apr, 30 Apr, 14 May, 28 May, 11 Jun
price:	From £2165 (21 days) excluding flights. We can arrange flights from the UK.
vouchers:	Gift vouchers can be used with this holiday

Holidays to Europe

the amazing things you'll be doing

Put your finger on the pulse of Europe's beating heart on this journey through Italy, Switzerland and France. From historical and natural wonders, through to high fashion and traditional folklore, fall under the spells cast by time, culture and nature. See the Leaning Tower of Pisa, get close to nature amidst the grandeur of the Alps and fall for the charm of Paris as each day brings a fascinating new discovery.

day-by-day itinerary

Day 1:	Rome. Between exploring the Colosseum and the gilded tombs of St Peter's Basilica or wandering through tiny streets among espresso-sipping locals, travellers will be enchanted by the Eternal City.
Days 2-5:	Lucca/Pisa/Florence. Witness the landscape transform from Romanesque cityscapes to rolling hills and olive groves on a train journey to Tuscany. Cycle alongside the scenic Serchio River then marvel at the Leaning Tower before heading back to the cosy apartments in Lucca.
Days 6-7:	Cinque Terre. Weave through the winsome villages of the Cinque Terre, taking the stunning coastal path above the sea. Perhaps even cool off with a dip in the blue waters below.
Days 8-9:	Milan/Stresa. Stroll through fashion-forward Milan and marvel at its magnificent Duomo. Travel by train to a pristine haven that boasts magnificent views of the Swiss Alps. Board a ferry and explore the beautiful Borromean Islands. Perhaps take in the lakeside palace and hanging gardens by serene Lake Maggiore.
Days 10-11:	Lucerne. Discover the idyllic surrounds of Switzerland's historic heart. Cruise placid Lake Lucerne or ride on a cogwheel railway up to Mt Pilatus. For a taste of local culture, catch a Swiss folklore performance complete with yodelling, or learn the history of the Lion Monument.
Days 12-14:	Bernese Oberland (Swiss Alps). Marvel at the magnificent Trummelbach Falls and take in the crisp alpine air. Be sure to indulge in traditional Swiss treats such as fondue and wurst. Perhaps head to the Schilthorn peak for a James Bond experience.
Days 15-16:	Dijon/Beaune. Embark on an odyssey of indulgence in a region renowned for its fine wines, boeuf bourguignon and mustard. A day trip to Beaune is a tempting introduction to the Cote d'Or, where Burgundy's best wines are produced.
Days 17-18:	Reims. Raise a glass to a city renowned for its bubbles and royal ties. Visit the champagne caves for an insight into the drink's effervescent magic.
Days 19-21:	Paris. Stroll along the Seine and be enchanted by the city that has inspired artists and lovers throughout time. There is plenty of time to explore, so wander the long corridors of the Louvre or climb to the top of the Sacre Coeur in vibrant Montmartre. Indulge in fine French cuisine before saying au revoir to this romantic destination.

small group adventure holiday

This is a 'small group adventure' - on our group trips you'll be with a maximum of 11 like minded travellers and you'll have a group leader with you. Whether you are travelling alone or with friends it's good value, and a great way to meet new people! While itineraries are pre-planned there is some flexibility and you'll have plenty of privacy. This trip will appeal to travellers of all ages who enjoy meeting people from other parts of the world as well as seeing new places! (more)

Because of our small group size, we're able to guarantee departures for all of our trips. Once you have booked and paid your deposit, your trip is guaranteed to go!

highly commended

This tourism business was Highly Commended in our 2007 Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards - the largest awards of their kind in the world, and organised by responsibletravel.com in association with The Times, World Travel Market and Geographical Magazine, of the Royal Geographical Society.

Since 2004, the Awards has recognised individuals, companies and organisations in travel making a big commitment to the culture and economies of local communities and helping to conserve biodiversity.

how this holiday makes a difference

We are committed to a style of travel that is environmentally, culturally and socially responsible. With your participation we aim to travel in a way that conserves the areas we visit and bring positive benefits to local communities. Basically we ask all our travellers to respect local rules and values. This means different things in different countries so be as informed as possible about the country you visit before you arrive - try to learn some of the local language and read about the religion and culture. This will improve your travelling experience. With a little effort on your part you will find yourself coming away with a greater sense of understanding of other cultures and feeling pleased to have left a positive mark on the country you visited.

As this trip traverses three countries, it is important for travellers to learn as much as possible in advance about the cultural differences that will arise, so that we can travel respecting these differences and minimising any negative impacts. Your group leader and the local guides we use along the way will help to break down barriers in your interactions with local people.

Our travel style involves:

Grass roots travel using local public transport where possible - minimises demand for special tourist vehicles and fuel.
We choose small-scale locally owned accommodation and homestays where available and local restaurants and markets for dining, retaining revenue in local communities.
Our leaders facilitate communication of our values to travellers and local communities, educating them in sustainable tourism practices.
We employ local guides to aid travellers' understanding of local culture and etiquette.
Small groups allow travellers to experience cultures at first hand, offering greater opportunity for cross- cultural understanding.

Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people.

We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel.

'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left).

We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've led the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays.

We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism.

This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards.