Compare Highlights of England by Great Value Vacations vs European Experience (2024) by Costsaver
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| Trip |
4 | Great
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4.5 | Great
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| Duration | 9 days | 14 days |
| Price From | $ 2,239 | $ 3,025 |
| Price Per Day | $ 249 | $ 216 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Self-guided tour | Group tour |
| Lodging Level | Standard | Standard |
| Physical Level |
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| Travel Themes |
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| Countries Visited | ||
| Cities and Attractions |
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N/A |
| Flights & Transport | Airfare included | No |
| Activities |
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| Meals Included |
Daily Breakfast |
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| Description |
Explore through the gems of the English countryside while you tour it in a rental car. See university towns, cities tied to ancient civilizations, and London, the capital. Enjoy making this trip your own as you use tour passes at your discretion. Touring through England at your own pace, you get to spend your vacation your way, and you can even see those in-between destinations you've been dreaming of! |
Get out of that armchair and experience the beauty of Europe with her centuries-old history, vibrant cities and splendid landscapes. You’ll tick many bucket-list boxes on this 14 day trip that takes you from London to Paris, from the Swiss Alps to Italy, through the canals of Venice and St. Mark’s Square and on to Austria and finally through the Rhineland to Paris. |
Day 1 Welcome to Manchester!
Arrive in Manchester Airport and pick up your rental car. Make your way to your first accommodation in York, a city whose history goes back to the time of the Romans and Vikings! Once settled, head over to Clifford's Tower and hike the short path; you'll be treated to panoramic views of the old Viking City below!
Day 2 York
Enjoy a full day in York on your own. One of the finest walled cities in Europe, York bursts with history and culture at every corner. Head this morning to York Minster, a huge 13th-century Gothic cathedral with stained glass windows and two working bell towers. Get a history lesson at the Yorkshire Museum, the York Castle Museum or National Railway Museum. Leave time to stroll The Shambles, a cobbled medieval street lined with timber-framed houses dating back to the late 14th and 15th centuries!
Day 3 York - Oxford
After breakfast, it's time to depart York. You might want to stop in Stratford and visit Shakespeare's Birthplace; then it's on to the iconic city of Oxford! Once you settle in, head into town for a leisurely dinner.
Day 4 Oxford
Spend the day discovering the secrets of Oxford today! In the evening, head to the famous Cowley Road and experience the vibrant nightlife of this university town.
Day 5 Oxford - Bath
Make your way to Bath today; on the way you might like to stop in the picturesque Cotswolds region with its quaint villages and charming thatched-roofed cottages. The rest of your day is to enjoy at leisure; you may want to make your way to Alexandra Park for sweeping views of the city which is especially beautiful as the sunset dominates the sky.
Day 6 Bath
Today embark on a sightseeing adventure with help from the hop-on/hop-off bus!
Day 7 Bath - London
Today you can depart Bath and visit iconic Stonehenge, steeped in mystery. Then its on to London to drop off your car rental and make your way to your hotel. Celebrate your first night in England's capital city by indulging in a plate of fish & chips!
Day 8 London
Being your sightseeing adventure in London by heading to Buckingham Palace in time for the Changing of the Guard! Then, continue using the benefits of your London Pass; enjoy a ride on the hop-on/hop-off bus and hop off at the Tower of London, where you can enjoy a guided tour with the Beefeaters. In the evening, consider treating yourself to a ride on the London Eye, which offers sweeping views of the city below.
Day 9 Depart England
To day you will be transferred to London Heathrow Airport (LHR) in accordance with your departure flight.
Day 1: Arrive London
Keep it real on the vibrant streets of London, where old meets new and best of British icons jostle for your attention. Don't resist the urge to hit the streets straight out of the starting gate after checking in. There's something for everyone as you'll come to discover exploring the capital's culture, history and scenic spaces. Delve into London's royal heritage, stroll along the Thames or admire treasures from across the globe in one of its museums before retiring to your neighborhood 'local' for a pint or two.
Novotel London Brentford, Ibis Excel London
Day 2: London free day
What a treat! A full free day in London to do as you please. The British capital wears its diversity with pride - an epicenter attracting people from all over the world who are helping to shape its vibrant cosmopolitan spirit. Dive right in and visit all the iconic sights and some hidden surprises, from the British Museum to the London Dungeon. When night falls, head to the bright lights of Soho or pop in to Brick Lane for a curry. You won't be left empty handed when it comes to grabbing a plate of what London is serving up.
Novotel London Brentford, Ibis Excel London
Breakfast
Day 3: London – Paris
Greetings from your Travel Director this morning. For now, London bids you safe travels as you continue south through the Kent countryside to Dover and then on by ferry to Calais. Next stop is Paris, another capital that doesn't hold back and doesn't expect you to either. Take a walk through its grand past, dynamic present and exciting future, from the maze of streets that once nurtured great artists in Montmartre to the Eiffel Tower.
Ibis Alésia Montparnasse 14éme, Hampton by Hilton Clichy
Breakfast
Day 4: Paris Sightseeing and Free Time
Audrey Hepburn described it best when she said: 'Paris is always a good idea.' We’re sure you’ll agree. Hit its grand boulevards on a city sightseeing tour with your Travel Director. See the Arc de Triomphe and Champs Élysées then spend the rest of the day discovering the city on your terms. Don’t resist the urge to tread in the footsteps of Picasso and Dalí and visit Montmartre this afternoon, exploring its maze of streets and Artist’s Square. There’s time to shop for artwork and savor some local specialties before considering a real highlight this evening – an optional dinner and cabaret performance.
Ibis Alésia Montparnasse 14éme, Hampton by Hilton Clichy
Breakfast
Day 5: Paris - Lucerne Region
Journey through the idyllic French countryside before arriving in Lake Lucerne. You’ll want to put the 'heart' of Switzerland in your pocket and take its history, culture and epic landscapes with you.
Ibis Kriens, SwissEver Zug
Breakfast, Dinner
Day 6: Lucerne orientation and free time
Turn the page to a land of fairy-tale landscapes and medieval history. You have a full day to see the sights and explore Lucerne, starting with a morning orientation including the Chapel Bridge and the Jesuit Church. No visit to Lucerne is complete without a visit to the Lion Monument, built to commemorate the brave Swiss Guards who died defending Louis XVI during the French Revolution. You may be tempted to do some souvenir shopping, but an Optional Experience into the mountains will be hard to resist. Ascend Mount Pilatus by a cog-wheel railway then embark on a scenic lake cruise.
Ibis Kriens, SwissEver Zug
Breakfast
Day 7: Lucerne - Florence
Your journey heads south to the city of Florence - home to various masterpieces of Renaissance architecture and outstanding fine arts. Enjoy dinner with your fellow travelers tonight as you prepare to soak up the beauty of the city, surrounded by Tuscan hills, that has remained unchanged throughout the centuries.
Miro
Breakfast, Dinner
Day 8: Florence – Rome
Enjoy your day in Florence before heading to Rome. Admire the city skyline from Piazzale Michelangelo. There’s time to explore Piazza della Signoria, the Duomo and Giotto's Bell Tower or shop for the bespoke Italian leather goods and fine gold jewelery for which Florence is justifiably famous. You could choose instead to join an Optional Experience revealing the Renaissance heritage of a city which attracted artists, physicists, astronomers and philosophers like Michelangelo, Machiavelli and Galileo.Next, travel to Rome. If Rome was a person, she would be confident, alluring and complex. You’ll get to know her, and her quirks, over the next two days. You’ll find reminders of an ancient world, a holy empire and the Renaissance around every turn. You could choose to join a Local Specialist for an optional guided stroll through Rome’s piazzas. Linger in your favorite square, or perhaps enjoy a scoop or three of the local gelato and soak up the effervescent energy of a city that knows how to enjoy life.
Raganelli, Ergife Palace
Breakfast
Day 9: Rome Sightseeing and Free Time
You could spend a lifetime exploring Rome and just scratch the surface, but with your Local Specialist on hand you’ll dive right into the city’s heart and soul. Head to Vatican City to watch the pigeons and people tread on holy ground, then visit St. Peter’s Basilica and see Michelangelo’s priceless 'Pietà'. The rest of your day is free to explore the City, this evening why not consider an optional dinner at one of the local restaurants.
Raganelli, Ergife Palace
Breakfast
Day 10: Rome – Venice
Journey on to Venice, which bewitches in all her Byzantine glory, softening even the hardest of hearts with her opulence. Highlights include a cruise on a private launch to St. Mark’s Square and views of the magnificent St. Mark’s Basilica and Doge's Palace. The talents of master craftsmen are the star of the show later as you visit their glassblowing workshop, a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. There’s even time for an optional Gondola and Grand Canal cruise – grand palazzi, churches and ornate bridges line your journey.
Hotel San Giuliano
Breakfast
Day 11: Venice – Innsbruck
Today you continue along the Inn Valley to the Austrian Tyrol and its capital, Innsbruck, where you can 'ooh and aah' at the impressive ski jump and view the famed Golden Roof, constructed from 2,657 copper tiles. Admire the fascinating crystal installations and browse for precious gifts and souvenirs at the Swarovski Crystal Worlds Store. This evening, an Optional Experience could see you enjoy a lively evening of entertainment during a traditional Tyrolean evening.
Bon Alpina
Breakfast, Dinner
Day 12: Innsbruck - Munich - Rhineland
Your first stop today is Munich where you can admire the Glockenspiel in the Marienplatz and the Hofbräuhaus. Continue onto the main cultural center of the Rhineland.
Achat Hotel Bad Durkheim
Breakfast, Dinner
Day 13: Rhineland - Cologne - Amsterdam
Suitably inspired by its spires, you’ll board a lazy river cruise down the Rhine past terraced vineyards and fairy-tale castles. Your experience of a lifetime ends in the free-thinking capital of the Netherlands. Immerse yourself in Amsterdam's gezelligheid as you soak up the buzz of the city's canals, gabled houses and festive squares. There's no better way to see the capital than from its waterways, so choose an Optional Experience in a glass-topped boat winding through Amsterdam's historic canal ring.
Ibis Schiphol
Breakfast
Day 14: Depart Amsterdam
Say farewell to your Travel Director and traveling companions at the end of an amazing holiday.
Breakfast
