To find out more about any of these stunning tours, please contact Marie Hart from our Haywards Heath branch on 01444 473081
Embark on a journey with me as we explore the stunning cities of Paris, Zurich, and Lake Como on a whirlwind European adventure filled with charm and cultural delights.
Our voyage commences at the iconic St Pancras train station in London, where I boarded the Eurostar for a business-class journey to the beautiful city of Paris. After a swift and comfortable ride, I arrive in the heart of Paris.
We took ourselves off for a walk and managed to squeeze in a whistle stop visit of Arc de Triomphe, walking through the Champs-Élysée and then we walked down to the River Seine to the Eiffel Tower. After a quick freshen up we met back to with our guide tour rep from Intrepid tours and went off to the area of
Montmartre, a picturesque area known for its artistic history and charming streets. The guide told us of all the history of the Montmartre area and of all the famous artists that had lived and worked in the small studios around the area. The walk was for over two hours but felt really gentle as we walked along the winding streets and ended up at The Basilica of Sacre Coeur de Montmartre where the views over Paris where stunning.
We finished our tour with dinner in a local restaurant Le Basilic surrounded by locals.
The next day, we board a train to Zurich, Switzerland, where we are greeted by the breath-taking views from our train windows that span the side of the train. We finally land in the beautiful city of Zurich. Once we drop off our bags at our hotel Central Plaza, the sun was shining and we took a leisurely stroll along the river Limmat which led us to the serene Lake Zurich. We watch the sunset behind the lake and reflected on out travels up to now. On our stroll back to our hotel we indulge in a visit to a traditional chocolate shop, savouring the rich flavours of Swiss chocolate and buying gifts for our family.
Our evening is spent in a cosy fondue restaurant called Le Dézaley. Where we enjoyed a delicious meal of local meats, breads and a lot of cheese… Heavenly!
Continuing our journey the following day we took another very impressive train journey to the stunning Lake Como region of Italy, a true paradise on earth.
We spent our evening on a sunset cruise on the beautiful lake offering panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and picturesque villas, including the magnificent Villa Erba, where our cruise finished. Villa Erba is one of the most beautiful buildings I have ever had the pleasure of visiting. I felt very immersed in the local culture, we met with the Italian consul, the tourist board and lots of local travel businesses. We truly experienced the warmth and hospitality of the region.
The following day was filled with exploration as we embarked on a guided tour of Como with Cosmos.
We travelled by private boat to the historic town of Como all the while we had an in-depth tour of the stunning villas & hotels we passed on our way. It’s easy to see why Italy is such a popular destination with its rich history, every turn you make showing you more impressive buildings.
We made our way to the old town area of Como to a small but perfectly formed restaurant called Bistrot Muralto.
Here we had a hands-on pasta-making experience. The old town added a delightful touch to our trip, allowing us to craft authentic Italian pasta before indulging in a delectable meal accompanied by fine wines.
As our adventure nears its end, we savour the culinary delights of a restaurant called Osteria del Beuc, Cernobbio, dining at a local restaurant and ending the evening with drinks in a cosy bar.
The next day brings us to a local gelato shop called Gelateria Sottozero in Cernobbio, a sweet ending to our Italian escapade before we make our way to Milan to catch our flight back to the UK.
From the artistic streets of Montmartre to the tranquil waters of Lake Como, this European journey has been a tapestry of unforgettable moments and cultural experiences, leaving indelible memories that will last a lifetime.