"8 Best Value European Tours" Western European Classic Tours in Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, France, and Luxembourg

Route Overview

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Day 1 (Every Monday): Frankfurt → Bonn → Cologne → Amsterdam (500 km)

In the morning, we will depart for Bonn, the former capital of West Germany. Upon arrival, we will visit Bonn's attractions, including Beethoven's birthplace and the University of Bonn. After the visit, we will travel to Cologne to visit the famous Cologne Cathedral and shopping streets. In the afternoon, we will drive from Cologne directly to the Netherlands.

stay: Amsterdam or neighboring cities | Recommended Hotel: NH Hotel Leeuwenhorst **** or similar

Departure location and time

12:00 - University of Bonn

14:30 - Cologne Cathedral

19:00 - Amsterdam - Schiphol Airport

Day 2 (Every Tuesday): Amsterdam → Zaanse Schans (windmill village) → Amsterdam (50 km)

In the morning, depart for the most distinctive windmill village in the suburbs, visiting windmills, a symbol of the Netherlands, a traditional clog factory, and a cheese factory, where you will be introduced to the manufacturing process of clogs and cheese. After lunch, tour Amsterdam's famous attractions: Dam Square, the Royal Palace, and the Heroes' Monument. Then, take a glass-bottomed boat tour along the canals, admiring the 17th-century scenery on both banks. Amsterdam is known as the diamond capital, and its exquisite diamond-cutting techniques are world-renowned; a visit to a diamond factory is an essential part of the experience. After dinner, check into the hotel. Amsterdam's Red Light District is bustling and vibrant; an optional excursion is available at your own expense.
(During the Keukenhof Flower Show, you can also visit the annual Dutch Flower Show. Information can be found at: www.keukenhof.com)

stay: Amsterdam or neighboring cities | Recommended Hotel: NH Hotel Leeuwenhorst **** or similar

Departure location and time

18:00 Amsterdam Central Station

Day 3 (Every Wednesday): Amsterdam → Brussels → Paris (500 km)

In the morning, we will depart for Brussels, the capital of Belgium, first visiting the Atomium, then the Gothic City Hall, the Grand Place, and the Manneken Pis statue. In the afternoon, we will drive to France, crossing the border and heading straight to the romantic and charming city of Paris. After arriving in Brussels and having dinner, we will return to our hotel.

Accommodation: Paris or a nearby city | Suggested Hotel: Ibis Styles bobigny Centre Prefecture *** or similar

Departure location and time

13:45 Brussels Central Station

19:30 Place Italia, Paris

Day 4 (Every Thursday): Paris → Versailles → Paris (60 km)

The morning begins with a tour of Paris's famous landmarks, including the magnificent Arc de Triomphe, a symbol of French national spirit; the bustling Champs-Élysées; the Place de la Concorde, the site of the guillotine during the French Revolution; Napoleon's tomb and the Home for the Wounded; and passing Notre Dame Cathedral, built over two centuries, and the Eiffel Tower, the "Giant of Paris," standing on the banks of the Seine. In the afternoon, the tour proceeds to the outskirts of Paris to visit the Palace of Versailles, a renowned royal palace built in the 17th century by King Louis XIV. This magnificent and opulent palace, with its lavish gardens and halls, was a gathering place for French nobles and scholars to adorn the emperor's space with extravagance and entertainment. The palace is adorned with gold and contains many precious artifacts; the Hall of Mirrors, the most famous location, witnessed several significant historical events in Europe. After the tour, the group returns to Paris and, after dinner, returns to the hotel for rest. (The Parisian night view is dazzling; if any group members wish to enjoy the Parisian night view after dinner, the tour leader will be happy to arrange an additional visit).

(Due to strict real-name registration and crowd control measures at Versailles, to avoid the inability to purchase tickets on-site, we recommend that guests log in to the official website in advance to purchase tickets! https://billetterie.chateauversailles.fr/palace-ticket-visite-chateau-css5-chateauversailles-lgen-pg51-ei755927.html Ticket purchase time: 14:00 - 14:30 is available!)

Accommodation: Paris or a nearby city | Suggested Hotel: Ibis Styles bobigny Centre Prefecture *** or similar

Departure location and time

18:30 Le Palais des Congres, Paris

Day 5 (every Friday): Paris

In the morning, depart for the world-renowned Louvre Museum to see its three treasures: Leonardo da Vinci's masterpiece "Mona Lisa," the statues of Venus and Samothrace. After lunch, proceed to the pier for an optional sightseeing boat tour on the Seine River, enjoying the beautiful scenery on both banks – a must-do in Paris. After the tour, transfer to the heart of Parisian shopping. The remaining time is free for group members to enjoy. Those who enjoy shopping can visit large department stores to purchase fashionable handbags, clothing, and French perfumes. (In the evening, for those interested in watching a dazzling cabaret show or enjoying a French meal, the tour leader is happy to arrange it). Accommodation: Paris or a nearby city (Due to the Louvre's strict ticket registration and crowd control measures, it is recommended that guests purchase tickets in advance through the official website: https://www.ticketlouvre.fr/louvre/b2c/index.cfm/calendar/eventCode/MusWeb. Ticket purchase time: 13:00 - 14:00).

Accommodation: Paris or a nearby city | Suggested Hotel: Ibis Styles bobigny Centre Prefecture *** or similar

Departure location and time

19:00 Paris Opera

Day 6 (Every Saturday): Paris → Reims → Luxembourg (420 km)

In the morning, we will depart for Hans, the capital of Champagne, France. Hans is currently the economic capital of the Champagne region and a historically significant city in France, known as the "City of Kings" because from the 11th century onwards, French kings had to be crowned in this "coronation capital." The Notre-Dame Cathedral in Hans is also Hans's most important tourist attraction. After the cathedral, we will drive to the small country of Luxembourg. Upon arrival, we will visit the city center, including the Adolphe Bridge, the canyon, and Constitution Square.

stay: Luxembourg or neighboring cities | Suggested Hotel: Novotel Luxembourg Kirchberg **** or similar

Departure location and time

13:30 Notre Dame Cathedral (Hans)

18:30 Luxembourg City Central Station

Day 7 (Every Sunday): Luxembourg → Trier → Koblenz → Rudesheim am Rhein → Frankfurt (400 km)

In the morning, we will depart for Trier, a small town in Germany. It is the oldest city in Germany, with its history dating back to the first century AD. It was once the capital of the Western Roman Empire. During the reign of Emperor Constantine the Great, Trier entered its golden age and was known as the Second Rome. Trier is also the birthplace of Karl Marx, the great communist. Marx's birthplace and the Black Gate Castle in the city are must-see attractions.

After the tour, we will travel to Copenhagen, known as the "German Corner," where the Rhine and Moselle rivers meet, a famous scenic area. The tour bus will travel along the Rhine, offering panoramic views of the scenery on both banks (a Rhine River cruise can be arranged in summer, subject to availability and schedule). We will make a brief stop in the bustling town of Rüdesheim (subject to road conditions). In the afternoon, we will arrive in Frankfurt, Germany's largest financial city, and visit the Römerberg square in the city center, St. Paul's Church, a symbol of freedom and democracy, and the vibrant commercial streets.

stay: Frankfurt or neighboring cities | Suggested Hotel: Mercure Frankfurt Airport Langen **** or similar

Departure location and time

10:00 Trier Black Gate

13:15 Göbenlenz, Germany's Horn

19:15 Frankfurt-HBF Frankfurt Central Station

Cologne

Cologne is a city world-renowned for its Romanesque and Gothic cathedrals. Standing on the banks of the Rhine River, Cologne Cathedral rises 157.31 meters high, with two Gothic spires: the north tower at 157.38 meters and the south tower at 157.31 meters. As the world's tallest twin-spired cathedral, Cologne Cathedral has become a symbol of the city and a must-see for tourists. From the top of the towers, one can gaze out over the Rhine River, which appears as a white ribbon flowing by.

Dutch windmill village

The Zaan Windmill Village is a residential, open-air conservation area and museum located 15 kilometers north of Amsterdam. The ancient buildings vividly depict 17th and 18th-century Dutch life. Authentic houses, an old shipyard, demonstrations of wooden shoe making, and windmills attract thousands of visitors annually. The Zaan region may be the world's first industrial area. 250 years ago, over 800 windmills stood on this small plot of land, serving various industrial purposes. Three of the five windmills are open to the public. A boat trip on the Zaan River offers another perspective on these beautiful windmills. The museums within the windmill village include a wooden shoe factory, a wax factory, a bakery, a cheese and dairy workshop, and a grocery store over 100 years old.

Amsterdam

Its name derives from Amstel and dam, indicating the city's origins: a dam on the Amstel River, now known as Dam Square. A small fishing village was established here in the late 12th century, and through the development of trade, it rose to become a major port in the world during the Dutch Golden Age, becoming a center for finance and diamond trading. The city expanded in the 19th and 20th centuries, with many new neighborhoods and suburban residential areas forming.

Brussels

The Upper Town, built on a slope, is the administrative district. Major attractions include the Royal Palace (built in the style of Louis XVI), the Royal Place, Egmont Palace, the National Palace, the Royal Library, and the Museum of Modern and Ancient Art. The Lower Town is a bustling commercial center. Around the Grand Place in the city center stand many medieval Gothic buildings, among which the City Hall is particularly magnificent. Brussels boasts some of the finest architecture and museums in Europe, with skyscrapers complementing medieval buildings. The entire city is built around the Royal Palace, along a smaller ring road, and is best explored on foot.

| Trier

Trier, Germany's oldest city, is located in southwestern Rhineland-Palatinate, on the banks of the Moselle River, near the Luxembourg border. Founded in 16 BC, it was once the residence of Constantius I, the Western Julius Caesar (co-emperor), during the Tetrarchy of the Roman Empire. While not the only German city claiming to be the oldest, Trier is the oldest in Germany, having existed as a "city" for over two thousand years, rather than as a colony or military base.

| Copenhagen

A city in western Germany, located at the confluence of the Moselle and Rhine rivers. Population 113,000 (1983). An ancient Roman town. It served as the residence of the Frankish royal family in the 6th century AD. It was renowned for its commerce from an early period. A commercial center (especially for wine), oil port, and tourist destination in the Middle Rhine region. Industries include furniture, clothing, chemicals, and instrument manufacturing. Many industries are located in the suburbs. Damaged during World War II, many historical buildings were restored after the war, while new constructions have a modern style. The surrounding lakes and mountains are beautiful, making tourism a popular activity.

Fee not included