London and the Continent

Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Buckingham Palace

Head to London's famous West End to sit back and enjoy a theater performance.

You're so close, why not continue to Paris? Take the Eurostar under the English Channel and, faster than you can say anything in French, you will zip through the tunnel and arrive in Paris.

What’s that huge white arch at the end of the Champs-Élysées? It’s the Arc de Triomphe, commissioned by Napoleon in 1806 after his victory at Austerlitz. Your licensed local guide will elaborate on this and other Parisian landmarks. See some of the city’s most famous sites, including the ornate 19th-century Opera, the presidential residence, and the Place de la Concorde—where, at the center, you’ll find the Obelisk of Luxor, a gift from Egypt in 1836. Spot chic locals (and plenty of tourists) strolling the Champs-Élysées. Look up at the iron girders of the Eiffel Tower, built for the 1889 World's Fair to commemorate the centenary of the French Revolution. Visit Les Invalides (a refuge for war-wounded soldiers) and the École Militaire (Napoleon’s alma mater).

Art Workshop, Art studio workshop class

The world’s largest art museum, the Louvre, is housed in a former medieval fortress and entered through I.M. Pei’s striking glass pyramid. Inside, discover masterpieces like the Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, and Winged Victory, along with vast collections of Egyptian antiquities, Greek ceramics, and works spanning seven departments. Please note: The Louvre is closed on Tuesdays.

Line up to climb to the top floor of this iconic landmark for a spectacular birds-eye view of the glittering City of Light.

Château de Chenonceau visit, Château d'Amboise visit

The ultimate palace, Versailles was begun by Louis XIII and transformed by Louis XIV into the seat of royal power until the French Revolution. Inside, admire the 250-foot Hall of Mirrors, flanked by the salons of War and Peace, and the State Apartments where lavish ceremonies unfolded. Step into the magnificent Gardens of Versailles, a masterpiece of fountains, sculptures, and sweeping vistas. Be sure to visit Marie Antoinette’s rustic hamlet, where she escaped court life by tending sheep and playing at village life. Please note: Versailles is closed on Mondays.

Travel to Basel on the TGV (one of Europe’s fastest trains).

Experience one of Europe's fastest trains, celebrated for its sleek design, smooth ride, and exceptional speed.

Explore Lucerne with your Tour Director, set against the Alps and green pastures. Walk the Old Town’s cobblestones to Chapel Bridge, a 14th-century wooden bridge decorated with murals, and see the Lion Monument, a sandstone tribute to Swiss Guards lost in 1792. Visit the ornate Jesuit Church and take in the charm of Weinmarkt and Kornmarkt Squares.

Visit Zurich, an optional excursion, known as "Downtown Switzerland." The city acts as headquarters for five world banks and countless underground gold bullions. Later, explore the old town (altdstadt) and get a sense of why this city was named number one for best quality of life; stroll through parks and quays, relax by Lake Zurich or shop for products unique to Switzerland.

Experience the legends of William Tell, the Lion Monument, and the story of Swiss independence as history comes to life through vivid reenactments.

Visit the Bavarian village of Hohenschwangau and learn about Hohenschwangau Castle, the childhood home of King Ludwig II, with views of Lake Alpsee and the surrounding Alps. Then enjoy a scenic hike toward Neuschwanstein Castle and pause at Queen Mary’s Bridge for an unforgettable photo stop of the fairytale fortress and mountain landscape.

Join a licensed guide for a whirlwind look at Munich, from its medieval heart to modern landmarks. Stroll through Marienplatz to see the Neues Rathaus and its famous Glockenspiel, framed by the twin towers of the Frauenkirche. Visit the Residenz, then explore Olympiapark, built for the 1972 Games, and step into BMW Welt to experience innovation and sleek design.

Bavarian Dancing Lesson

Old Town Square, Residenz Castle, Glockenspeil

Christmas reigns year-round in Rothenburg, a gem of a town on Germany’s picturesque Romantic Road. In addition to its perpetual Christmas markets, the town features one of the most intact medieval city walls in Europe and a unique clock. During the Thirty Years’ War, a former Rothenburg mayor was given the chance to save the city by drinking nearly a gallon of wine. He succeeded (and then slept for three days straight), and his feat is reenacted seven times daily by mechanical figures on the clock in the Marktplatz—putting a fresh spin on the concept of a “cuckoo clock.” The grand Gothic St. Jacob’s Church looks on from across the square.

Step into a fairy-tale setting in Rothenburg ob der Tauber, one of Germany’s best-preserved medieval towns. Follow your Tour Director through cobbled streets lined with half-timbered houses and shops, then pause in the Marktplatz, the bustling central square. Admire the impressive Rathaus (Town Hall) with its Gothic and Renaissance wings, and the Fountain of Saint George, decorated with carvings of the dragon-slaying saint. With its city walls, towers, and storybook charm, Rothenburg offers a glimpse of medieval life that feels timeless.

Meet six influential figures from Germany’s history, then join a lively debate to argue their accomplishments and decide together who deserves the title of greatest German.