"8 Best Value Tours in Europe" France, Switzerland, Vatican City, Monaco, Italy, Southern France Italian Classic Tour

We set off in the morning for the Swiss border, with the tour bus traveling along the highway towards the Swiss border. In the afternoon, we entered Switzerland via Basel, a transportation hub connecting France, Germany, and Switzerland. After crossing the border, we drove to Lucerne, a famous city in central Switzerland.

Upon arrival in Lucerne, visit the centuries-old Chapel Bridge and stroll along Lake Luxembourg. Tour members can also explore the charming streets lined with boutiques, purchasing local specialties like chocolate and souvenirs, and visit renowned watch shops to select Swiss timepieces.

Accommodation: Lucerne or a nearby city | Suggested hotel: Hotel Arcade *** or similar

Depart in the morning for Milan, Italy's fashion and design capital. Upon arrival, visit the famous Piazza Doomo, the heart of the city, a melting pot of art, architecture, and fashion. Stroll through the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, admiring its magnificent glass dome and elegant mosaic floor, experiencing the perfect blend of Italian romance and modernity. Visit the grand Doomo Cathedral, a magnificent Gothic building and a symbol of Milan, its spires and sculptures of immense artistic value.

In the afternoon, we drove to Venice, the city of water, enjoying the pastoral scenery of northern Italy along the way. Upon arrival in the evening, we checked into our hotel to rest and recharge for the romantic water city adventure the following day.

Accommodation: Venice or a nearby city | Suggested hotel: Campanile Venice-Mestre *** or similar

We set off in the morning for one of the world's top ten tourist destinations, known as the "City of Water".VeniceUpon arrival, take a "water taxi" across the lagoon to the renowned St. Mark's Square. Known as "Europe's most beautiful drawing room," it is surrounded by iconic Venetian architecture. Visit the magnificent, Byzantine-style St. Mark's Basilica, and the Bridge of Sighs, which spans the canal and connects the Doge's Palace and the ancient prison. Stroll through the winding alleys and stone bridges, experiencing the unique charm of this water city.

You can choose to take a traditional gondola ride (at your own expense) through the Grand Canal and its smaller waterways, enjoying close-up views of the classical architecture and romantic scenery along the banks. Afterwards, visit Venice's famous glassmaking factory to witness the centuries-old art of glassblowing. In the afternoon, depart for Rome, the capital of Italy, known as the "Eternal City," enjoying the enchanting countryside of northern Italy along the way.

Accommodation: Rome or a nearby city | Suggested hotel: LH Hotel Excel Roma Montemario **** or similar

We'll start our morning tour of the city-state of Rome.Vatican City- In one of the world's smallest countries, visit St. Peter's Basilica, the world's largest cathedral. This magnificent building, constructed during the European Renaissance, is a testament to the finest architecture and artistry in Italy, taking 120 years to complete. The cathedral's dome structure is perfect, and the imposing and solemn square is breathtaking. Inside the cathedral is the tombstone of St. Peter, and the only sculpture by the genius artist Michelangelo with his name engraved on it, "Motherly Love," is still kept there.

Then browseRomeNotable attractions: The Colosseum, a cultural masterpiece built in 72 AD; the Arch of Constantine; and the magnificent Unity Memorial. In the afternoon, we will depart for Florence, known as the cradle of culture.

Accommodation: Areso or a nearby city | Suggested hotel: Toscane Verde **** or similar

Depart for sightseeing in the morningFlorenceFrom Piazza della Signoria on the hill, enjoy panoramic views of Florence and appreciate this beautiful city brimming with artistic charm. Visit city landmarks: the Basilica di Santa Maria Immaculate Conception (Church of the Immaculate Conception), the third largest church in the world built in the 13th century; the Ponte Vecchio, a medieval gold trading post on the Anno River; and the Basilica of Santa Croce, the final resting place of Italian luminaries Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, and the renowned physicist Galileo. The world-famous Italian leather industry and tanning techniques originated here; tour members can take this opportunity to purchase practical leather goods from leather companies.

In the afternoonPisaVisit the world-famous Leaning Tower of Pisa, and tour the Pisa Cathedral and Baptistery, built 900 years ago with white marble. The Leaning Tower was originally the bell tower of the Pisa Cathedral, but due to unstable foundations, it has stood leaning for hundreds of years, becoming a fascinating landmark. After the tour, drive to a hotel in a nearby city of Genoa for the night, without stopping in or visiting Genoa.

Accommodation: Cities near Genoa | Suggested Hotel: Idea Plus Hotel Savona **** or similar

We departed in the morning for the French Riviera and arrived in Monaco, the capital of a small country, around noon.Monte CarloMonte Carlo, a gambling city nestled between mountains and the sea, boasts stunning scenery and is a vacation paradise coveted by the world's wealthy. Visit the Monaco Palace and overlook the beautiful landscape of this small country from the hilltop.

After sightseeing, we headed to a leisure resort.NiceExplore Angels Bay and the Promenade des Anglais; then proceed directly to the film festival venue.CannesTake photos at the film festival venue; the cobblestone avenue covered with handprints bears witness to the brilliance of international superstars in Cannes. Southern France is a perfume-producing region; the tour will pass through a small town famous for its perfumes, with a stop at a perfume factory where members can choose their favorite fragrance. In the afternoon, depart from the French Riviera and drive to the hotel near Avignon for the night, without passing through or visiting Avignon.

Accommodation: Nearby cities of Avignon | Suggested hotel: Campanile Avignon Sud-Montfavet la Cristole *** or similar

We departed for Dijon in the morning and arrived around noon. Dijon has been the capital of Burgundy since the early 11th century and is known as the "Capital of the Dukes of Burgundy" due to its well-preserved historical sites. Its tranquility and simplicity are captivating, and strolling through its ancient medieval architecture is a truly unforgettable experience. Attractions include: the Dukes' Palace (now an art museum), Notre-Dame Cathedral, Boulevard de la Liberté, the Guillaume Porte (also known as the Little Arc de Triomphe), and Place François Rude. Visitors can also enjoy a glass of Burgundy wine and experience the local wine culture, which they are very proud of.

We will travel along the highway to Paris in the afternoon and are expected to arrive in Paris around dusk.

* If you want to avoid the 700km return trip to Paris on the same day, you can seamlessly connect to the orange line to Barcelona on the morning of this day or continue your in-depth tour of France back to Paris (hotel for the connecting night is included).

Click to learn more"Orange Line"