Wonders of Europe Tour: 2-Week Itinerary in France, Italy, Germany & More

What to expect on this itinerary
The palace of Versailles captures your imagination with lavish gardens sweeping out to the horizon. Alpine lakes ripple with pristine waters reflecting the encompassing mountainsides. The David stands proudly above you etched with magnificent detail. Your custom tailored Wonders of Europe Tour shows you the opulence of the landscape and art, architecture and culture, where your independence is as important as your desire to see the world. Stroll alongside charming canals and powerful castle-clad riverbanks and witness the wonders of the Renaissance and the remnants of Roman glory days as a liberated traveler.
Customizable Itinerary
Paris – The Parisian Welcome
Paris is a city of wide boulevards and hidden urban gardens. Cafes line the sidewalks where locals sit with fresh espressos people watching. Lavish boutiques showcase designer dresses with unique aplomb.
Your private transfer meets you at the airport upon your arrival and escorts you to a fabulous hotel. After dinner, you meet your guide and venture to the riverside terraces of the Seine. The water shimmers in the city’s evening light. Board the river cruise to gain an unparalleled first impression of Paris. Pont Neuf is illuminated in the night, each arch imitating its reflection on the water. In the background, the Eiffel Tower stands like a star against the perfect night sky.
What's Included:
Paris – Buttery Morning
Lucerne – Countryside to Mountainside
Lugano – Mountain Waters
Pisa – Capturing Marble
Florence – Searching for David
Rome – Power of the Past
Rome – Dynasties Preserved
Venice – Luxuries of Getting Lost
Innsbruck – Alpine Village Life
Munich – A German Postcard
Rhineland – Waters of Rhineland
Amsterdam – Years of the City
Amsterdam – Europe and You
Trip Highlights
- Cruise down the Rhine River to see the multitude of castles lining the riverbanks and hillsides
- Discover the endless charm of small historic German and Swiss villages located in the mountains
- Witness the opulence of Emperor Maximilian I’s Tomb in the Court Church of Innsbruck
- Explore the indelible romance of the Venetian canals and grandeur of St. Mark’s Square
- Revel in the pristine alpine beauty of the Swiss alpine town of Lugano
- Marvel at the exquisite attention to detail around Michelangelo’s David in Florence
- The Eternal City of Rome takes you through a millennium of history with every step, from the Sistine Chapel to the wonders of the Colosseum
- Visit the Leaning Tower of Pisa and the quiet beauty around the Piazza dei Miracoli
Detailed Description
The Wonders of Europe tour borders on the mystical, filled with preserved medieval towns and sensational ancient ruins. Mountains remind you of nature’s surreal beauty and untenable power. Small boats cruise through narrow canals. Locals sit in cafes and watch people pass by unaware of their surroundings. Your 17-day tour of Europe awakens you to the majesty of historic cities and enchanting streets. Whether an independent traveler visiting Europe for the first time or returning for the love of culture, you will find a wealth of treasures each and every day.
Your tour to Europe begins with your arrival in Paris. The city is famous for its captivating monuments and eternally chic culture. Your private transfer meets you at the airport and takes you to your centrally located hotel. After you have settled, your guide meets you for a welcome dinner. After dinner, venture out onto the Seine for a river cruise, your first real introduction into the remarkable city.
Your second day takes you through the highlights of Paris, from the Arc de Triomphe to the Eiffel Tower. With a free afternoon, you have time to visit the opulent Palace of Versailles before dinner at the Moulin Rouge.
You journey through the countryside en route to Switzerland. You will pass through the Fontainebleau Forest and Burgundy before reaching the Alps. Once in Lucerne, your guide will take you through the quaint, cobbled streets of Old Town to see the Lion Monument and Chapel Bridge. A short drive brings you to Lugano, a lakeside town nestled in the Alps. You have the chance to indulge in a cruise on the pristine lake. Cross the border from Switzerland into Italy where you stop in the Tuscan University town of Pisa. Stroll around the fabulous relics of the Piazza dei Mercoli before settling in the Renaissance city of Florence.
Today you visit the L’Accademia dell’Arte, the museum housing Michelangelo’s breathtaking sculpture of David. In Rome, you have a full day tour to experience the depth of antiquity in the art and architecture displayed throughout the city. Travel across the region of Emilia-Romagna and the city of Ferrara where you can visit the impressive Este Castle on your way to Venice. A full day in Venice takes you on a private boat excursion of the city to take in St. Mark’s Square and its encompassing highlights.
Cross into Austria for some time in the enchanting city of Innsbruck before reaching the traditional German city of Munich. Tour the Olympic Stadium before embracing the picturesque town of Rothenburg. In Rhineland, you will float down the Rhine River on a riverboat cruise where you will enjoy the lovely landscape and incredible castles. Once in Amsterdam, you have a full day to explore the Dutch capital city, taking in the 700 years of history on a canal cruise and discovery tour. On the last day, your private transfer meets you at the hotel and escorts you to the airport for your flight home.
If you want to read about travelers’ experiences, please browse the travel reviews of Europe tours on Zicasso.
Starting Price
$8,700 per person (excluding international flights)
Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.
What's Included
- Accommodations
- In-country transportation
- Some or all activities and tours
- Expert trip planning
- 24x7 support during your trip
Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.
Verified Traveler Reviews
Based on 2042 reviews
My first solo trip was something I had dreamed about for years. I wanted it to be more than sightseeing. I wanted adventure, comfort, safety, and freedom without the stress of planning it all alone. Through Zicasso, I was connected to two specialists and Zicasso's travel consultant stood out immediately. She delivered an itinerary that gave me everything I asked for and more: maximum cities, maximum fun, and maximum value, all without compromise.
Before deciding, I researched and compared tours, packages, and individual prices online. The travel consultant’s proposal came out on top for value and content. While the other agent offered fewer cities and activities at a higher price, her plan was ambitious without being overwhelming. She booked my trains, arranged private transfers where needed, and selected boutique-style hotels that exceeded expectations. I was honestly surprised at how good they were. I stayed at hotels in Interlaken, Florence, and Sorrento. Each was clean, comfortable, and perfectly located for exploring. I had prepared myself for budget trade-offs, but instead, I found thoughtfully chosen hotels that balanced affordability with real quality.
Every document, train ticket, and activity confirmation was uploaded into the app. It became my lifeline throughout the trip, with every detail at my fingertips. The structure gave me confidence, while still leaving me free to explore.
Switzerland came first: Zurich, Lucerne, Interlaken, and Zermatt. Each city felt like stepping into a postcard. Interlaken gave me the adrenaline rush of skydiving, while Zermatt charmed me with its close-knit magic and alpine beauty. Italy unfolded with equal ease: Lake Como, Venice, Florence, Sorrento, Amalfi, and Rome. Every destination felt curated, yet natural, from gondola rides in Venice to boat tours on the Amalfi Coast.
What I loved most was the balance between structure and freedom. Pre-booked activities and restaurant reservations gave me a strong framework, but I could just as easily decide to spend an afternoon wandering Florence, eating gelato, or sitting in a piazza. The rhythm of the trip was perfect, structured enough to tick off bucket-list highlights, yet relaxed enough to feel like a real vacation.
Food was freestyle, but memorable. Highlights included a Japanese-Peruvian restaurant in Zurich with its elegant Japanese-Peruvian flavors, a different Japanese restaurant, a restaurant in Como with its modern fusion menu, an Indian restaurant for comforting classics, and international favorites like those in one of the restaurants in Rome. Between those meals and plenty of gelato and crepes, every stop added its own flavor to the journey.
As a solo traveler, safety mattered. I felt comfortable walking around in the evenings and was usually back in my hotel by 1am to stay rested for the next day. What really gave me peace of mind was the travel consultant’s constant support. Communication was fast and responsive. I never had to wait long for answers, whether through the app or email. There was a moment when I made a mistake with the trains and missed an activity. She immediately stepped in and worked to reschedule it or secure a refund that same day.
Earlier in the planning process, I also had a card issue due to an address error. Even though policy would not normally allow it, she and her team patiently waited until I received the refund before finalizing the booking, just weeks before my trip. That flexibility and care spoke volumes.
The difference was clear. She used my budget to its fullest potential, giving me more destinations, more experiences, and better hotels than the alternative option. She managed to combine the efficiency of a fully organized tour with the freedom of independent travel. Everything was planned, yet everything was still mine to shape.
This trip was everything I wanted: good food, beautiful views, safety, and absolute reliability. It was an organized journey with freestyle flexibility, which is exactly what solo travelers dream of. The travel consultant’s planning let me chase adventure while always knowing I had a safety net. Switzerland and Italy gave me memories I will never forget, but it was the behind-the-scenes planning that made it possible. If you want a trip that is your way, your budget, your pace, but without the endless hassle of managing it yourself, the travel consultant at this agency is the person who can make it happen. My first solo trip became my dream trip and that is the highest praise I can give.
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Zicasso's travel specialist crafted an unforgettable journey through Germany for us in September 2025. He truly listened to our interests and designed a phenomenal itinerary that showcased the very best the country has to offer—from small, charming medieval villages and breathtaking Rhine wine country to magnificent castles, dynamic modern cities, and the majestic Bavarian Alps. We also appreciated the thoughtful inclusion of sites tied to WWII and Cold War history, providing a meaningful and reflective perspective on Germany’s past.
Members of our group have personal family connections to Nazi forced labor and concentration camps, as well as life behind the Iron Curtain in post-war East Germany. Our incredible guides handled these sensitive topics with knowledge and compassion, helping us dive deeper and even find answers to lingering questions.
Every guide we met along the way was exceptional—knowledgeable, personable, and fluent in English—which brought each experience to life and deepened our appreciation for the places we visited. The trip was full and fast-paced, yet perfectly balanced for what we were looking for.
The variety of experiences—from somber memorials to the grand pageantry of palaces and the pure joy of Oktoberfest—made the trip incredibly rich and memorable. Throughout it all, our travel specialist kept close communication and ensured everything ran smoothly, giving us complete peace of mind.
We could not be more thrilled with our experience and highly recommend our travel specialist and this agency to anyone looking for a perfectly curated, seamless, and extraordinary adventure!
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My wife and I recently returned from a memorable trip to Central and Northern Italy, expertly organized by the tour company. We began planning our journey a year in advance, knowing we wanted to spend at least four days in Florence, but otherwise uncertain about the best way to structure our itinerary. After discovering the tour company through the Zicasso website—whose services we have appreciated in trips to the Netherlands and New Zealand—we felt confident in their recommendation.
From our first interaction, the tour company impressed us with their professionalism, in-depth knowledge, and genuine commitment to crafting our ideal vacation. Throughout the planning process, their team was attentive and flexible, fine-tuning our itinerary to include the most rewarding sites and experiences. Once our trip began, every detail was meticulously managed, from arranging drivers and guides to securing train tickets and accommodations.
Upon our arrival in Rome, we were greeted by a courteous and professional driver who ensured a seamless start to our adventure in Perugia. Throughout the trip, we enjoyed excellent hotels, reliable transportation in comfortable vehicles, and well-coordinated entry to museums and major attractions. The tour company also provided thoughtful dining recommendations that enhanced our overall experience.
What stood out most was their proactive communication. For example, when unforeseen changes occurred with our private boat tour on Lake Garda, they promptly notified us by both email and a written note delivered to our hotel room, preventing any confusion. Their attention to detail gave us complete peace of mind; we did not need to contact them during our travels, as all arrangements ran smoothly.
We are deeply appreciative of the tour company’s dedication and highly recommend their services to anyone seeking a carefully curated and worry-free Italian vacation.
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When we started planning our trip to Italy, I knew I wanted to work with a travel agent—specifically, someone who specialized in Italy and was based there. After reaching out to several agencies and reviewing their responses, we chose Zicasso and, more specifically, our travel agent. She is based in Milan and from my very first interaction with her, I knew we had made the right choice.
Our trip could not have been more perfect. Our agent put a lot of thought into every location and planned activity. At the outset, we had a few discussions with her about what we wanted from the trip and, after that, we were happy to leave most of the details in her capable hands. Our goal was to explore mid-to-northern Italy and everything—from the hotels and tours to the free time and transportation—was beautifully organized.
Our 11-night trip started in Milan and ended in Florence, with overnight stays in Milan (one night), Lake Como (three nights), Venice (three nights), and Florence (four nights). Initially, I was hesitant about staying at Lake Como for three nights, but our agent encouraged me to do a little research. I’m so glad she did, as it turned out to be incredible. We had more self-guided time at Lake Como, which was perfect as we adjusted to the time change. In Venice, our itinerary became more structured, but we still had plenty of time for our own explorations. By the time we reached Florence, we had activities and tours planned for every day, which was just what we wanted.
A highlight for my family was a full-day trip into Tuscany, where we visited San Gimignano, an organic vineyard in Chianti, and finished with a tour of Siena. Our day trip to Rome allowed us to see the main attractions and we concluded the journey with a tour of Florence and the Accademia Gallery. Every tour our agent arranged was spot on.
Throughout our trip, she was wonderfully communicative—always available when we had questions, but never intrusive. She even helped us with a couple of last-minute requests: booking a hotel in Milan for one night and arranging train tickets to Verona for an impromptu visit to Juliet’s balcony. Whenever we needed something, she was there.
When we return to explore the mid-to-southern part of Italy, there’s no question that we’ll be asking her to plan our trip again. I highly recommend her to anyone looking for a seamless, thoughtfully curated Italian adventure.
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My trip through Switzerland in October was nothing short of magical. The combination of crisp mountain air, golden autumn leaves, and snow-capped peaks made every stop along the way feel like stepping into a postcard. Swiss chocolates lived up to expectations.
Zurich was the perfect starting point—modern, clean, and full of energy. I loved strolling along Bahnhofstrasse for shopping and ending the day by the peaceful shores of Lake Zurich. The Old Town’s cobblestone lanes were charming and the café culture was ideal for people-watching. I really enjoyed the chocolate factory tour and the tuk-tuk tour of the city, with traditional fondue. The walking tour was so educational. The trip to Rhine Falls and the quaint town of Stein am Rhein is not to be missed.
From there, I traveled to Lucerne, one of the most picturesque towns I’ve ever seen. The Chapel Bridge and its flower boxes were stunning against the backdrop of Mount Pilatus. A boat cruise on Lake Lucerne was the highlight—the reflections of autumn colors on the water were breathtaking. The Rigi Kulm and Mt. Titlis tours are fascinating. I went by boat, train, bus, and funicular.
Grindelwald and the Interlaken region were the heart of the trip. The scenery was absolutely unforgettable. The Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau mountains dominated the skyline, and even though it was a bit chilly, the air was crisp and refreshing. The cable car rides and mountain hikes offered jaw-dropping views at every turn. Make sure you take the fondue class at the restaurant in Grindelwald and Interlaken. Come hungry!
Bern, the capital, surprised me with its warmth and old-world charm. The medieval architecture, clock tower, and bear park made for a fascinating visit. It felt quieter and more local compared to Zurich and Lucerne—a perfect stop to slow down and enjoy Swiss culture.
A visit to Gruyères added a delicious twist to the journey. The village looked like something out of a fairy tale and touring the Gruyère cheese factory was fun and tasty. Don’t miss the local chocolate factory tour.
Finally, I ended in Geneva, a sophisticated city by the lake. The Jet d’Eau was impressive and I enjoyed exploring the international district and strolling through the old town. The blend of French influence and Swiss precision made Geneva a wonderful final stop.
Overall, Switzerland in October is perfect for travelers who love scenic beauty without the summer crowds. The weather was cool but pleasant, and the autumn colors made the landscapes even more magical. Every train/gondola ride felt like a scenic tour through paradise.
Zicasso’s tour operator was excellent.
Highlights: Lucerne’s lakeside views, Grindelwald’s mountain trails, Gruyères fondue/chocolate, and Bern’s old-town charm.
Tip: Bring layers—mornings and evenings can get chilly, but the afternoons are perfect for exploring. Do not stay at the hotel near the Zurich airport. Stay in Zurich and take a taxi to the airport. In Grindelwald, avoid one of the hotels there.
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We had the best time during our wonder trip to Italy. We explored Venice, Tuscany, Rome, and the Amalfi Coast. Zicasso's travel agency arranged the most beautiful hotels, with exceptional service, and fun and exciting tours in each location.
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