France, Switzerland, Italy, San Marino & Vatican 11 Days 10 Nights from Ho Chi Minh City

Tour overview

Duration

11 days 10 nights

Tour type

Group tour with a guide

Departs from

Ho Chi Minh City

Pickup

Tan Son Nhat Airport, international terminal

Flights

Return flights included (Turkish Airlines); flight times confirmed for each departure

Next departure

26 Mar · 6 dates open

• Seine and Lake Brienz cruises
• Scenic Alpine train to Engelberg
• San Marino, Pisa, Rome and the Vatican

Day-by-day itinerary

1. 1

   Day 1 · Ho Chi Minh City – Istanbul – Paris

   In the evening the group meets at Tan Son Nhat international terminal, where the tour leader helps with check-in for the overnight flight to Paris via Istanbul. Night on board.

2. 2

   Day 2 · Paris – Champs-Élysées – Seine cruise

   Land at Charles de Gaulle, clear immigration and head into central Paris. Stroll the Champs-Élysées, photograph the Arc de Triomphe, the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower from outside, then board a Seine cruise (included). Free time at the Galeries Lafayette; dinner and overnight in or near Paris.

3. 3

   Day 3 · Paris – Metz – Colmar

   Check out and drive east, stopping in Metz for photos of the cathedral and Place d’Armes. In the afternoon reach Colmar to wander its painted half-timbered streets and the Little Venice quarter on the Lauch. Dinner and overnight in Colmar or Mulhouse.

4. 4

   Day 4 · Colmar – Iseltwald – Interlaken – Lucerne

   Into Switzerland, stopping at Iseltwald on Lake Brienz, where many scenes of Crash Landing on You were filmed. After lunch, a boat trip on Lake Brienz (included) and a visit to Interlaken between lakes Thun and Brienz. Overnight in Lucerne.

5. 5

   Day 5 · Lucerne – train to Engelberg – Lucerne

   In the morning take a scenic Alpine train to Engelberg below snowy Mount Titlis (train ticket included; the Titlis cable car is at your own cost). Back in Lucerne, see the lake, the wooden Chapel Bridge and the Lion Monument, with free time for watch shopping. Dinner and overnight in Lucerne.

6. 6

   Day 6 · Lucerne – Milan – Venice Mestre

   Cross the Alps into Italy and reach Milan after lunch. Visit the Duomo, the square and La Scala opera house, with free time in the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. Evening transfer to Venice Mestre for dinner and the night.

7. 7

   Day 7 · Venice – Bologna

   Take the boat to Venice island and walk through St Mark’s Square and Basilica to the Bridge of Sighs, then watch a Murano glass-blowing demonstration. In the afternoon drive to Bologna for Piazza Maggiore, the Basilica of San Petronio and the Neptune Fountain. Overnight in Bologna.

8. 8

   Day 8 · Bologna – San Marino – Pisa

   Head up to the Republic of San Marino on Mount Titano and walk between the Guaita and Cesta fortresses and Freedom Square (exterior visits). In the afternoon descend to Pisa for the Leaning Tower, the cathedral square and the baptistery. Dinner and overnight in Pisa.

9. 9

   Day 9 · Pisa – Rome

   Drive to Rome. In the afternoon visit the Roman Forum, the Colosseum from outside, the Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps. Dinner and overnight in Rome.

10. 10

    Day 10 · Rome – Vatican – airport

    Check out and visit the Vatican, St Peter’s Square and St Peter’s Basilica, followed by the Archbasilica of St John Lateran. After lunch and some free time for shopping, transfer to Rome airport for the overnight flight home via Istanbul.

11. 11

    Day 11 · Arrive in Ho Chi Minh City

    In the afternoon the group lands at Tan Son Nhat, where the tour leader says goodbye.

What's included

Good to know

• Vietnamese passport holders need a Schengen visa for France and the other countries on the route; our team guides you through the documents and appointment and tells you the deadline when you book. The visa decision rests with the consulate, so book early
• Your passport must be valid for more than 6 months after the return date with blank pages; travellers with foreign or dual nationality should tell us when booking so we can check entry and re-entry to Vietnam
• Connection times in Istanbul vary by departure date (a morning or midday arrival in Paris), so meals on day two may change with the landing time
• The programme includes free shopping time at the Galeries Lafayette, a Lucerne watch shop and a Murano glass demonstration; buying is entirely up to you
• Group tours need a minimum number of guests to depart; if that is not reached, we will tell you in advance and agree another date or a refund
• Children have separate prices by age; guests over 70 need to confirm they are fit to travel