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Rick Steves' Best of Europe in 21 Days Tour, Day by Day
Our classic, three-week Best of Europe tour packs more travel thrills into a single vacation than you can imagine. Starting in the Netherlands with your Rick Steves guide, you'll experience the best of Amsterdam, Germany's Rhine Valley and Romantic Road, castles and forests of Austria's Salzburg, canals of Venice, Renaissance Florence, the art and history of Rome, seaside villages of the Cinque Terre, the majestic Swiss Alps, country charms of France's Burgundy region, and the City of Light — Paris. Here's a fun sneak peek at what it's like to discover Europe on a Best of Europe in 21 Days tour. Let's go!
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Days 1 & 2: Welcome to the Netherlands
We'll start in quintessentially Dutch Haarlem, a quick train, bus, or taxi ride from the Amsterdam airport. We'll meet at our hotel for an orientation and chance to get acquainted, followed by a walking tour of this charming town and a traditional rijsttafel dinner together. We'll toast the start of our adventure together with a tasting of the typical spirit of the Netherlands, Jenever. Prost!
The next morning we'll take the train into Amsterdam and then hop aboard a tram for an introduction to this progressive, artistic city. Our first stop will be a visit to the Anne Frank House, followed by a walking tour of Amsterdam's historic streets, lined with teetering, gable-topped houses overlooking centuries-old canals. We'll take a break for lunch, then enjoy a relaxing canal boat cruise and a tour of the remarkable Rijksmuseum, featuring masterpieces by Rembrandt and Vermeer. Afterward, you'll have free time to see another artist's rich legacy at the nearby Van Gogh Museum (reserve online, well in advance!), explore the eye-opening Red Light District, or take a break at a café along a peaceful canal before returning to Haarlem for dinner on your own.
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Days 3 & 4: Dutch Treats and Rhine Views
We'll travel to Arnhem's open-air museum this morning to see what life was like in this corner of Europe centuries ago. We'll wander among the quaint houses, village storefronts, and working windmills, and round off our Dutch experiences with a traditional pancake lunch together. Then we'll work our way down to Germany's castle-studded Rhineland, enjoying dinner together at our half-timbered hotel nestled in the medieval village of Bacharach on the Rhine.
The next day, we'll take a walking tour of Bacharach with an entertaining local guide. Afterward, at nearby St. Goar, we'll hike up the hill to tour the mighty medieval Rheinfels Castle and enjoy its commanding view of the Rhine Valley. We'll then board a boat for a relaxing Rhine River cruise, passing picturesque villages and feudal castles, followed by free time for dinner on your own.
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Day 5: Medieval Rothenburg
We'll get an early start today following the Romantic Road on our way to Rothenburg, Germany's best-preserved medieval town. After a brief orientation and a late lunch on your own, your afternoon is free to see the best woodcarving in Germany (Riemenschneider's altarpiece), walk the town's medieval wall, tour the Crime and Punishment Museum, or hunt down Rothenburg's most-beloved pastry, Schneeballen. This evening we'll meet the Night Watchman and join his tour of the town’s medieval lanes..
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Days 6 & 7: Austria's Salzburg
Today we'll make a 21st-century pilgrimage to the Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial near Munich, where we'll learn powerful lessons about the Holocaust and World War II. Then we'll continue our drive across the Bavarian countryside into Austria. Weather permitting, we'll stop at a mountain luge track and barrel downhill toboggan-style. Then, we're off to scenic Salzburg, our home base for the next two nights. After an orientation walk through town, we'll enjoy a classic Austrian dinner together in a cozy restaurant. Schnitzel anyone?
The next morning we'll join a local guide and trace Mozart's steps on a walking tour through charming Salzburg, a city of splendid gardens, beautiful Baroque architecture, and picturesque medieval lanes. We'll enjoy lunch together and finish with a cooking lesson, where we'll learn to make one of Austria's famous pastries — Apfelstrudel. The rest of the day is free for hiking up the fortress hill for a panoramic view, tagging along on a Sound of Music tour, or strolling around the charmingly preserved old town. This evening is perfect for enjoying a classical music performance or joining new friends for dinner in a traditional café or outdoor beer garden.
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Days 8 & 9: Italy's Incomparable Venice
We'll take a scenic, all-day drive over the Austrian Alps to Venice today. In Venice, we'll park our bus and board a vaporetto boat for a Grand Canal ride to our hotel in the historic heart of this seductive city. Tonight we'll take an alleys-and-canals orientation stroll to our first Italian dinner together. Afterward your guide will organize an optional gondola ride for a uniquely Venetian experience. If the moon is out, it will hit your eye like a big pizza pie.
The next day our local guide will take us on a winding walking tour through Venice, blending historic and modern-day stories of this one-of-a-kind treasure and giving us a local's perspective on Venice's fascinating past…and its uncertain future. We'll finish our morning walk in St. Mark's Square. The rest of your day is free to visit the mosaic- and marble-filled St. Mark's Basilica, Doge's Palace, or the Titian- and Tintoretto-packed Accademia art gallery. Better yet, get lost (remember, it's an island) exploring the alleys, cruising the canals, and "crawling" the pubs.
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Days 10 & 11: Wonders of Renaissance Florence
This morning we'll drive straight to Florence and our hotel in the city's historic center. We'll meet our local guide for a Renaissance walking tour and learn about Brunelleschi's magnificent cathedral dome, Ghiberti's Baptistery doors, and other creations that helped define this world-changing era. We'll end our walk at the Accademia Gallery where we'll marvel at works of sculptural genius: Michelangelo's rough-hewn Prisoners and his greatest masterpiece, David. Afterward, we'll have dinner together.
The next day you'll start on your own. You can sleep in, get an early start and scramble to the top of Brunelleschi's dome, or browse through Florence's colorful food and craft markets. After lunch, we'll join together to tour the wealth of Botticellis, Leonardos, and Raphaels in the greatest collection of Italian paintings anywhere — the Uffizi Gallery. This evening is free to make your own discoveries.
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Days 12 & 13: Eternal Rome
Today we'll reunite with our driver on the outskirts of Florence and drive straight into the heart of Rome. After a brief neighborhood orientation and lunch on your own, we'll get acquainted with Rome’s modern metro. Then we'll meet our local guide for a stroll through the historic heart of the city, lacing together the splashy Trevi Fountain, spectacular Pantheon, and classy Piazza Navona. Tonight, we'll savor the flavors of Italy and raise a glass at our Roman dinner together.
The next morning we'll travel back in time, as a local guide takes us on a walking tour through the ancient heart of Rome, sharing vivid tales on a stroll around the outside of the monumental Colosseum and into the history-drenched Roman Forum. We'll set you free for the rest of the day to enjoy lunch and explore more of the Eternal City on your own. Consider a modern-day pilgrimage to St. Peter's Basilica and the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel (reserve in advance) or simply soak up more of Rome's artistic, historic, and cultural heritage (don't forget to taste some refreshing gelato along the way).
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Days 14 & 15: Italy's Cinque Terre
Today we'll stop at one of Italy's enchanting hill towns on our way to the Italian Riviera and the sun-drenched beaches of the dramatic Cinque Terre: five perfectly preserved fishing villages, laced together with hiking paths that meander between vineyards and the deep blue sea. As we approach the Cinque Terre, we'll park our bus and take a short train ride into seaside Monterosso al Mare. Tonight we'll gather together for a feast of local specialties, from homemade pesto to the fresh catch of the day.
The next day, it's time to take a "vacation from your vacation" in our Mediterranean getaway. Pick a Cinque Terre village and spend your day exploring the stairways and alleyways, sunning yourself on the rocks, or sipping a cappuccino and catching up on your journal at an outdoor café. Or, if you're looking for lots of exercise, fresh air, and panoramic views, start your day early and hike the cliffside paths connecting the towns.
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Days 16 & 17: The Heart of the Swiss Alps
Today we'll catch an early train back to our bus and head over the hills, past the farms and pristine lakes of northern Italy, and into the alpine wonderland of Switzerland. After a breathtaking drive into the very heart of the Swiss Alps, we'll arrive at our creaky chalet in the magnificent Lauterbrunnen Valley, where we'll have dinner together.
The next day is all yours to enjoy some of Europe's most dramatic scenery. You may consider a mountain excursion that combines a narrow-gauge railway, a gondola lift, and a spectacular alpine walk above the tree line, surrounded by a panorama of cut-glass peaks…or ride a gondola lift up to the Schilthorn at 10,000 feet, loiter in the thin air, and hike down…or wander through the valley and walk to the thundering Trümmelbach Falls, a unique set of waterfalls encased behind the valley walls.
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Day 18: A Hearty Taste of Burgundy
Today we'll say auf Wiedersehen to the Alps and bonjour to la belle France. We'll drive into profoundly French Burgundy for a look at small-town France. We'll have an orientation walk through the heart of Burgundy's inviting wine capital, Beaune, visit the famous Hôtel Dieu medieval hospital, and enjoy a wine tasting together.
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Days 19 & 20: Our Grand Finale in Paris
This morning we'll drive straight to Paris, where you'll have an orientation to the neighborhood markets and cafés to find lunch on your own. After checking into our nearby hotel, we'll have a transportation lesson and Métro ride to the historic heart of Paris: the Ile de la Cité, where we'll meet our local guide and take a stroll through the city's early history. We'll learn about two of the world's most important Gothic churches: the resilient and legendary Notre-Dame and the exquisite Sainte-Chapelle, before continuing on the lively, bohemian Latin Quarter. Your evening is free for dinner and more discoveries.
Our final day together provides a busy, star-studded finale for our tour. We'll start with a visit to the magnificent Louvre Museum. With the Rick Steves Audio Europe™ app in hand, Rick's voice will guide you through the Louvre's timeless treasures, including Mona Lisa, Winged Victory, Venus de Milo, and hundreds more. The rest of the day is yours to round out your Paris sightseeing with a visit to museums like the Orsay and Rodin, or perhaps a walk down the Champs-Elysées — the choices are endless. This evening we'll have our final dinner together, sharing memories and toasting our newly made friends. Salut!
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Day 21: Tour Over After Breakfast
If you're staying on in Paris, today would be a great day to hop on the train and tackle the sprawling palace and grounds at Versailles. If you're headed home, it's a breeze to reach Paris' airports by taxi, shuttle, or public transportation. Au revoir!
Can't wait to go? Learn more and book our Best of Europe in 21 Days tour.
(Itinerary specifics subject to change.)