Grand Romantic Cities: Paris, Budapest, Rome & Venice

This itinerary takes you to four of the most romantic and beautiful cities in the world. Each has a different style, but each will captivate and charm you with beautiful architecture, interesting cuisine and impressive history.

Day 1 ARRIVE PARIS:

After landing and clearing customs, claim your bags and meet your driver who will transfer you to your hotel. You have the rest of the day to see Paris on your own. Paris is an eminently walkable city, so drop your bags and go for a walk!

Day 2 PARIS:

Today you continue your exploration of Paris on your own—choose to explore one or more of the many churches and museums that fill the city. In the evening, the "City of Lights" will unfold before your eyes on a Private Paris by Night Tour in a Classic Car with Champagne. You'll be picked up at your hotel at 8:30pm for this tour, which is designed to discover the most beautiful monuments of Paris as they are illuminated at night viewing the iconic sights. The illuminated views of these classic and elegant sights will leave an indelible memory in your mind! Included with your tour is a bottle of champagne to enjoy along the way! Stops for photographs are possible - be sure to tell your driver if there is something in particular you wish to see during your tour!

Enjoy your tour with an English-speaking driver in a Citroen 2CV car. These classic French cars have been refurbished and have open top roofs for summer weather and see through roofs for other seasons.

Day 3 PARIS:

Today is free for you to continue exploring Paris on your own. At 6 p.m. you'll be picked up at your hotel for a four-hour Moulin Rouge Show with Dinner. The Moulin Rouge is the most famous cabaret of Paris opened in 1888. Toulouse-Lautrec, one of the more regular clients, was the great witness of this 19th century establishment. Before the show begins, you'll have a three-course dinner with choices for each course. A half bottle of red or white wine or champagne per person is included. We know you'll enjoy this unforgettable evening at the Moulin Rouge!

Day 4 PARIS TO BUDAPEST:

This morning after breakfast, take your private transfer to Paris Airport for your flight to Budapest. On arrival in Budapest, a driver will meet you for your private transfer to your hotel. You have the rest of the day to relax or to begin exploring Budapest on your own.

Day 5 BUDAPEST:

This morning, continue exploring Budapest on your own. We suggest a visit to the Central Market—one of the largest in Europe—where you can see several different kinds of paprika and other delicacies of Hungarian cuisine. It's a good spot to have lunch at one of the many cafés. Budapest is made up of two cities: hilly Buda on the west side of the Danube, and flat Pest on the east side. One of the world's most beautiful cities, Budapest offers an interesting mix of Baroque, Neoclassical and Art Nouveau architecture. Dominating the riverfront on the Pest side is the neo-Gothic National Parliament—the largest building in Hungary.

At 2:00pm, meet your English-speaking guide to begin your 3-hour Private Wine Bar Walking Tour. Thanks to the increasing number of wine bars, you don't have to leave Budapest to become acquainted with Hungarian wine. But where to start and what to order? Let us help you. On our guided Wine Bar Tour we will take you to two of Budapest's interesting centrally located wine bars. Most wines will be from small producers, many of whom do not export their wines. Snacks and wine tasting are included. In the late afternoon, you have free time.

Day 6 BUDAPEST:

Today you have free time to explore Budapest. Walk across the Danube via the Chain Bridge and take the funicular up to Castle area. Nearby is Matthias Church, a neo-Gothic historic church of which some parts are over 500 years old. Then visit the nearby Fishermen's Bastion lookout for stunning views of the Danube. On the Pest side, the Széchenyi Medicinal Bath is the largest medicinal bath in Europe, and well worth a visit to remove your aches and pains from all that walking!

This evening enjoy a River Cruise with Dinner and Live Music. While enjoying your dinner, you will be listening to 3 artists of the Rajko Gypsy Orchestra live. The show features an extremely talented player of the most famous Hungarian instrument, the cimbalom as well. During the performance, guests will have a chance to ask for their favorite songs from the artists to play. A perfect way to say farewell to Budapest!

Day 7 BUDAPEST TO ROME:

This morning after breakfast, take your private transfer to the Budapest Airport for your flight to Rome. On arrival in Rome, a driver will meet you for your private transfer to your hotel. You have the rest of the day to relax or to begin exploring Rome on your own.

Day 8 ROME:

Today you will have a 3-hour Private Panoramic Rome Tour with an English-speaking driving guide. You'll see the highlights of the Eternal City, including St. Peter's Square, the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, Piazza Navona, and the Trevi Fountain. Stops will allow time for photographs. After the tour, you have the rest of the day free for exploration on your own.

Day 9 ROME:

Today is a free day for you to explore Rome on your own. Perhaps you would like to spend more time in the Forum or visit the museums on Capitoline Hill that were designed by Michelangelo. In the evening, you'll be picked up at your hotel for a Private Dinner at Palazzo Taverna.

Palazzo Taverna is the ideal setting for a sophisticated and yet relaxing dinner, during which the finest ingredients will be masterfully combined and an exquisite Italian meal prepared right before your eyes. The apartment is located in the historical Palazzo Taverna, in the surroundings of Piazza Navona. The Palazzo, one of the finest and most evocative among the many built in the area, was the seat of the noble Orsini family and hosted the highest personalities of the time. After an enjoyable dinner, return to your hotel is on your own.

Day 10 ROME TO VENICE:

This morning after checking out you will be transferred to the train station for your 3½-hour rail journey to Venice by 1st-class train. Upon arrival in Venice, transfer to your hotel. You have the rest of the day to explore the beautiful pedestrian streets and canals of the "most serene" city.

Day 11 VENICE:

Welcome to "La Serenissima," regarded by many as the most beautiful city in the world! You have the morning free to explore on your own. In addition to walking the car-free streets and alleys, you could take a Vaporetto (water taxi) in a circular tour, allowing you to see many of the grand palaces and churches from the water.

In the afternoon, an English-speaking guide will meet you at your hotel for a Private Walking Tour with Stops for Aperitifs. This tour is a combination of art and gastronomic tradition. The itinerary includes the Rialto Bridge area, the Frari Church (where masterpieces by the most famous Venetian artists such as Tiziano, Bellini, and Canova can be found), and the Carampane, San Polo, and San Bartolomeo neighborhoods.

During the tour you will stop at two bacaris, typical Venetian wine bars, well patronized by the locals who love to stop and have a quick glass of wine or prosecco with a small snack as an aperitif before lunch or dinner. This is an experience not to be missed while in Venice.

Day 12 VENICE:

Today is free for you to continue exploring Venice on your own. Don't miss seeing the inside of St. Mark's Cathedral, and perhaps have a morning coffee at one of the (expensive) cafés in Piazza San Marco—which Napoleon called "Europe's Drawing Room."

In the late afternoon, find your way to Bacino Orseolo Gondola Station for your Private Gondola Serenade, a private and romantic promenade by gondola with music and songs that will make you dream along the canals of Venice. This boat ride, accompanied by a singing gondolier, should be a lasting memory of your visit to Venice. If the weather permits, consider having dinner at one of the many restaurants and trattoria with outdoor seating, for your final dinner of this adventure!