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Europe Itinerary: 2 Weeks of Historic Cities & Island Dreams

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Trip curated by Roman Karin

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Four nights in London structured around two separate day excursions is the pacing that makes the UK chapter work. Stonehenge at opening before the coaches, Bath for the Roman Baths, and a dedicated Cotswolds day to reach Bourton-on-the-Water before the midday village traffic fills the bridge. The Oia sunset winery tour in Santorini changes what the island's most photographed moment becomes; you're absorbing the caldera light from a working wine estate above the cliff rather than standing with several hundred other people on the same terrace wall. For Lake Como, take the ferry from Varenna to Bellagio rather than approaching by road from Como. The villa gardens and lakefront facades from the water are the defining images of the lake, and the road version misses them entirely.

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London

Day 1 - 4

Discover the legendary capital of the United Kingdom, a vibrant metropolis where history and diversity flourish. As you explore, you'll encounter iconic landmarks such as Big Ben, the historic Tower of London, and the breathtaking London Eye. Immerse yourself in world-class culture at the British Museum and the Tate Modern, offering endless artistic and historical treasures. The renowned West End theater scene promises unforgettable evenings, while the tranquil expanses of Hyde Park provide a welcome escape from the city's energy. Prepare your palate for a culinary journey; London's rich, multicultural atmosphere is vividly reflected in its diverse food scene, from traditional pubs offering hearty fare to esteemed gourmet restaurants awaiting your discovery. Come and experience the captivating allure of London.

Your accommodation

H10 London Waterloo

With a stay at H10 London Waterloo, you'll be centrally located in London, within a 5-minute drive of London Eye and Big Ben. This hotel is 0.7 mi (1.2 km) from Westminster Bridge and 1.2 mi (1.9 km) from London Bridge. Make use of convenient amenities such as complimentary wireless internet access, concierge services, and wedding services. Make yourself at home in one of the 170 guestrooms featuring minibars and Smart televisions. Your pillowtop bed comes with down comforters. Complimentary wired and wireless internet access keeps you connected, and cable programming provides entertainment. Bathrooms feature bathtubs or showers, complimentary toiletries, and hair dryers.

Your activity

Hop On/Hop Off & Cruise Ticket

The Must See London Hop-On/Off Tour allows you to see all of London's major sights and landmarks by land and sea, with the flexibility to hop on and off at any stop for further discovery. Hop on the bus and begin your journey with an open-air tour of central London.

The open top deck offers the best view of the capital and is ideal for planning your city break. You'll see the Tower of London, Tower Bridge, Westminster Abbey, the London Eye, Piccadilly Circus, Trafalgar Square, Covent Garden, the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, St. Paul's Cathedral, St. James Palace and much more! Complete your visit to London with a cruise on the River Thames. Disembark at Westminster, take the river cruise to Tower Pier and rejoin the Yellow Route at the Tower of London.

After the initial validation, your ticket is valid for 48 hours. You can hop on and off an unlimited number of times within the validity period.

Your ticket gives you access to 3 routes in London:

Yellow Route

While on board, you will pass Tower Bridge, the Tower of London, St. Paul's Cathedral, the London Eye, Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, Piccadilly Circus, Trafalgar Square, the National Gallery, Downing Street and Borough Market.

Royal Blue Route

During the journey you will pass Buckingham Palace, Lambeth Palace, London Eye, Big Ben, Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, Downing Street, Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus, Harrods, the museums, Kensington Palace, Hyde Park, Notting Hill, Marble Arch etc.

Green Route

As you travel, you will pass Russel Square, Kings Cross, St Pancras International Station, Euston Station, the British Museum, Leicester Square, the National Portrait Gallery, Trafalgar Square, Covent Garden, Somerset House and Aldwych.

Thames Cruise

Experience the breathtaking views of London from the Thames Cruise, which departs from City Cruises is carried out. The cruise begins and ends at either Westminster or Tower Pier.

Imerovigli

Day 5 - 7

Nicknamed the ‘Balcony to the Aegean’, Imerovigli is a captivating village on the northern coast of Santorini, set 3.5 kilometres from the island’s capital, Fira. This ancient settlement offers inspiring views of the volcano, caldera, and, at one time, approaching pirates. With its whitewashed structures topped by bright blue domes, cave house settlements, and network of walking paths, the town offers the quintessential Greek experience. Take the Ekklesia Theoskepasti hiking trail past the thirteenth-century ruins of the Skaros Venetian Fortress, or wander between the enthralling historic churches and cathedrals that dot the town (Ai-Stratis and the Monastery of Saint Nikolaos are particular highlights). An array of guided tours, trips out on the water, and top-notch shops, luxury spas, and highly-acclaimed restaurants complete the package.

Your accommodation

Santorini Palace

When you stay at Santorini Palace in Santorini, you'll be connected to the convention center, within a 15-minute drive of Santorini Caldera and Kamari Beach. This hotel is 6.4 mi (10.4 km) from Athinios Port and 6.6 mi (10.6 km) from Oia Blue Dome Church Viewpoint. Don't miss out on the many recreational opportunities, including a fitness center, a seasonal outdoor pool, and bicycles to rent. This hotel also features complimentary wireless internet access, concierge services, and a television in a common area. Stay in one of 106 guestrooms featuring flat-screen televisions. Complimentary wireless internet access is available to keep you connected. Bathrooms have showers and hair dryers. Conveniences include phones, as well as safes and in-room massages.

Your activity

Sunset Wine Tour

Experience the wine culture with a visit to popular local wineries. Taste a variety of local wines and receive a mini tutorial on the characteristics of Santorini vineyards.

Learn about the stages of the winemaking process including ploughing in the vineyards, and then harvesting, stomping, and weighing of the grapes, as well as the range of machinery necessary to make wine, up to what is used today.

Your destination is picturesque Oia Village, a vision in white and blue, with magnificent views over the volcanic islets and caldera, as well as marble alleys, art galleries, and jewelry shops, with the last stop at the Sun Spirit Bar, one of the best places to watch the sunset. Relax and enjoy your wine in this idyllic space, as you watch the sun dip into the sea.

• Hotel Pick up / Drop Off
• Local Guide
• Wine Tasting
• Sunset time at a bar with view and wine

Start time:

The Winter Schedule starts at 14:00

The Summer Schedule starts at 14:50

Venice

Day 10 - 11

Venice is a small, unique city in Italy’s Veneto region, a historic center made up of 118 small islands in a lagoon of the Adriatic Sea, connected by a complex network of canals and footbridges. The stately palaces and ancient churches remain as fascinating reminders of what was once a major trading hub between Europe and the Orient. From the famous Gothic Doge’s Palace and the breathtaking St. Mark’s Basilica to the awe-inspiring brilliance of Titian’s Assumption altarpiece lighting up an entire cathedral, Venice has remained virtually unchanged for the past 600 years. Other must-see attractions include the Bridge of Sighs, the spectacular Peggy Guggenheim Collection (art gallery), the captivating Gallerie dell’Accademia (museum), and of course, gondola rides along the canals.

Your accommodation

Ca' Dei Proverbi Suites - Wenice Deep Culture

Ca' Dei Proverbi Suites - Wenice Deep Culture

Located in Venice (Cannaregio), Ca' Dei Proverbi Suites - Wenice Deep Culture is within a 15-minute walk of Rialto Bridge and St. Mark's Square. This guesthouse is 0.6 mi (0.9 km) from St. Mark's Basilica and 0.7 mi (1.1 km) from Doge's Palace. Make use of convenient amenities, which include complimentary wireless internet access and tour/ticket assistance. Make yourself at home in one of the 7 individually decorated guestrooms, featuring minibars and Smart televisions. Complimentary wireless internet access is available to keep you connected. Private bathrooms with showers feature rainfall showerheads and bidets. Conveniences include desks and coffee/tea makers, and housekeeping is provided daily.

Your activity

Murano & Burano

After 30 minutes of navigation, you will arrive in Murano, where you can visit one of the famous glass factory placed there. The stop will be around 1 hour and 15 minutes long.
Once you finished the visit of the factory you will depart to reach Burano. Burano, the fishermen island, is famous for its lace and trimmings. Getting off of the boat you will find a little street full of typical shops, restaurants and excellent bakeries where you can buy the famous “Buranelli” biscuits. The stop in Burano will be around 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Meeting point at 9:30 am (Departure time Daily at 10:00 am) or 2:00 pm (Departure time Daily at 2:30 pm) at the yellow desk located on the “Riva degli Schiavoni”, at the feet of “Ponte della Paglia” and at the corner with “Calle degli Albanesi”

Group size - 160 Pax

Milan

Day 12 - 15

The vibrant metropolis of Milan is the capital of Italy’s Lombardy region in northern Italy. Always at the forefront of international fashion, Milan’s sleek, glamorous facade has earned it a reputation for superficiality and excessive consumerism. However, beneath the surface lies a treasure trove of historical and architectural wonders—from its magnificent Gothic churches, Baroque mansions, and Art Nouveau palazzos to the striking modern skyscrapers of the Porta Nuova financial district. Must-see landmarks include the spectacular Milan Cathedral (Duomo), the glass-vaulted Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, and of course, La Scala—one of the world’s most renowned opera houses. Milan offers something for everyone: those in search of high-end designer shopping will be more than satisfied, as will visitors interested in fascinating historical sites and extraordinary architectural achievements.

Your accommodation

Milano Verticale | UNA Esperienze | Preferred Hotels and Resorts

Milano Verticale | UNA Esperienze | Preferred Hotels and Resorts

With a stay at Milano Verticale | UNA Esperienze | Preferred Hotels and Resorts, you'll be centrally located in Milan, within a 5-minute drive of Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II and Via Montenapoleone Fashion District. This luxury hotel is 1.7 mi (2.7 km) from Piazza del Duomo and 2.2 mi (3.5 km) from Cathedral of Milan. Don't miss out on the many recreational opportunities, including a hot tub, a sauna, and a fitness center. Additional amenities at this hotel include complimentary wireless internet access, concierge services, and a hair salon. Make yourself at home in one of the 173 air-conditioned rooms featuring minibars and espresso makers. 55-inch LCD televisions with digital programming provide entertainment, while complimentary wireless internet access keeps you connected. Private bathrooms with bathtubs or showers feature bidets and hair dryers. Conveniences include phones, as well as safes and desks.

Your activity

Full Day Tour Lake Como

Discover the beauty of Lake Como with its spectacular views, the fascinating town of Bellagio and its authentic villas with this full day excursion from Milan! The day will begin with the pickup in the lobby of your hotel. The driver collecting you and within an hour, you will reach Lake Como and continue driving along the panoramic lake road SS 340 until your first tour stop: Villa Balbianello (entrance ticket and visit not included). The property was lastly owned by the Italian explorer and philanthropist Guido Monzino, who donated the building and gardens to the FAI (National Trust of Italy). The Villa now hosts an extremely beautiful, rich and complete museum of Monzino’s expeditions and also includes many art masterpieces of his collection. More recently the property was used as movie-set for James Bond: Casino Royale and Star Wars: II Episode films. You will then proceed with a car-ferry ride that arrives to the famous town of Bellagio. After that, you can enjoy some free lunch-time in town with a stunning panorama, shop at world-class stores and admire the centuries-old architecture.After lunch (not included) the tour will conclude and your private driver will take you back to your hotel in Milan.

Starting time: 9:00 am approx.

Itinerary inspiration

London to Santorini to Mykonos, then north through Venice to Milan — the journey moves from Britain's layered history into the Aegean and then up through the Italian lakes in a sequence that keeps shifting register. Four cities and two Greek islands in fifteen days is ambitious but well-paced here, with each stop allocated enough nights to breathe.

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A detail worth knowing about the Oia sunset winery tour: the volcanic-soil Assyrtiko — grown in basket-trained vines directly on the caldera — produces a mineral character that has no real equivalent anywhere else. Tasting it at a winery above the caldera, with the view in front of you, gives the experience a context that a restaurant list never provides.

Day 1–4: London

Hotel: H10 London Waterloo Hotel

Four nights gives the London section real range. Westminster Abbey and the London Eye cover the royal heritage; the Stonehenge, Bath, and Windsor day trip shifts the trip into English countryside and Roman history; Oxford and the Cotswolds add a third register entirely. The London Eye is best used at dusk with fast-track entry — the city at that hour is the best version of that view.

Day 5–7: Imerovigli, Santorini

Hotel: Santorini Palace Hotel

Three nights in Imerovigli keeps the caldera views and quieter paths without the density of Fira. The Oia sunset winery tour fills one full day well, and the candlelight dinner experience works best on the second evening, when the island is already familiar. For the Oia sunset itself, the path toward the Byzantine castle ruins thins out quickly once you leave the main viewpoint — the view is identical, and the experience is considerably more your own.

Day 8–9: Mykonos

Hotel: Harmony Boutique Hotel

Getting into Mykonos Town early on the first morning, before the lanes fill, changes how the island reads. The windmills and Little Venice are worth seeing; the quieter backstreets between them are where the island's actual character lives. Two nights is enough to cover both the coastal scenery and a genuine meal at a local restaurant away from the main harbor circuit.

Day 10–11: Venice

Hotel: Ca' dei Proverbi Suites

The Ca' dei Proverbi is an apartment-style property in a residential part of Venice, which gives you a different daily experience than staying near San Marco would. The Murano and Burano island excursion is best done on the second day, when you already know the city well enough to appreciate the contrast. Burano's color-coded houses reflected in still water have a visual quality entirely their own.

Day 12–15: Milan

Hotel: Milano Verticale | UNA Esperienze

The Lake Como full-day excursion is the strongest day in the Milan section. Arriving in Bellagio by boat in the early afternoon and staying until the day-trippers have gone gives you the lake at its most genuinely beautiful. The Duomo rooftop terrace — walkable, not just viewable — gives you the city's skyline and the distant Alps in a way the street level simply doesn't.