Europe

Few destinations can compete with Europe for its captivating history, remarkable ancient and contemporary architecture, or diverse cultures and cuisines. Whether travelling by road, rail or riverway, you’ll soon discover why no trip through Europe is ever the same. Wherever you plan to go, the lure of Europe runs the gamut from prestigious cities and important heritage sites to natural wonders and unforgettable experiences. When Europe beckons, it’s almost impossible to deny this great land…

Take a trip through Italy

The mere mention of Italy will evoke passion in even the most seasoned traveller. The country boasts some of Europe’s most breathtaking scenery as well as unmissable historic and cultural experiences.

Begin your love affair in its capital, Rome. Marvel at the Colosseum, still the world’s largest standing amphitheatre, and the Pantheon, a former temple and one of the best preserved ancient Roman buildings. Saint Peter’s Square, the starting point for a tour of Vatican City, is considered one of the most beautiful plazas in the world. From Rome your members can travel to the World Heritage listed Pompeii, not far from Naples, where a guide will invite you into 2,000 years of history in the excavated ruins of this astounding city. Continue down the stunning Sorrento Coast to the island of Capri for a panoramic boat tour along its steep cliffs. Here you’ll see the famous Faraglioni rocks.

Journey through the vineyards and olive groves of Tuscany and sample its fare as you make your way to Florence, the cradle of Italy’s renaissance art and architecture. Don’t miss Michelangelo’s statue of David at the Accademia Gallery.

And then there’s Venice, a sparkling jewel in Italy’s crown. With over 400 bridges traversing a network of canals, it is the country’s most walkable city. Give your feet a rest by riding an iconic gondola down the Grand Canal.

Visit the landmarks of London

Welcome to London, one of the world’s most exciting cities! From bustling streets to world-class theatres, gardens, museums and galleries, you will be spoilt for choice.

Why not begin with an iconic red double-decker bus? See some of London’s most famous landmarks, such as Trafalgar Square, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace and Kensington Palace, once home to Queen Victoria and Princess Diana. Or go higher with a ride on Europe’s tallest Ferris wheel, The London Eye, for a panoramic view of the city as you soar 135 metres above the River Thames. For a different perspective, cruise the Thames on a sightseeing tour.

No visit is complete without trying a local curry or sipping an ale at a classic London pub. If stomachs are grumbling, jump on the ‘Tube’ (the famous Underground) like a true Londoner and head to Borough Market, one of the city’s oldest and largest food markets. If high-end shopping is more to your taste, take the Tube to Knightsbridge, and check out London’s most iconic store, Harrods. In the heart of London’s West End is the city’s lively theatre scene, with approximately 40 venues hosting new shows and longrunning favourites like The Lion King or Les Misérables.

1. The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo takes place in the shadow of Edinburgh Castle

2. A gondola ride through Venice, the City of Canals, is a highlight of Italy

3. Famous London red double-decker buses in London whizz by famous Big Ben and Westminster Abbey

4. The impressive Hungarian Parliament presides over the Danube in Budapest

Watch the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo

The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo (edintattoo.co.uk) is not only a highlight of the annual Edinburgh Festival, but also the world’s most popular military celebration, attracting visitors from around the globe to a week-long cultural and musical event in the heart of Scotland’s historic capital. Led by British, Commonwealth and International military bands, the tattoo takes place on the floodlit Edinburgh Castle esplanade, making it a spectacle to savour.

The Tattoo, or ‘last orders’, began as a modest show in a castle bandstand some seven decades ago, but today it

2 3

features over a thousand performers. Be entertained by international pipe bands, highland dance groups or worldclass singers. You will also witness displays of military precision and battle reenactments. After a dramatic finale of mass pipes and drums, a lone piper plays a lament from a castle rampart, before fireworks and a military flypast bring this crowd-pleasing event to a close.

Your members may wish to book the Tattoo as part of an escorted tour, offering a package of other exceptional Edinburgh experiences and dining options. Whatever your decision, the pipes are calling you to one of the greatest shows on Earth. Secure your tickets early to avoid disappointment.

Sail the Danube River

Unspoilt scenery, medieval villages, and cities straight from fairytales – a cruise down the Danube River is an enchanting adventure in which every day is different. The second longest river in Europe, the Danube snakes its way through 10 European countries. The Hungarian capital of Budapest is considered the jewel of the Danube, and a view of its night skyline from the river is mesmerising. Enter Slovakia and marvel at Bratislava’s 13th-century castle, perched on a rocky hill above the Danube. Journey to Vienna where you can tour some of Europe’s most interesting architecture, such as the Vienna State Opera and The Hofburg, a former imperial palace.

Your members can go beyond the capitals to explore charming spots like Germany’s Regensburg, Europe’s best preserved medieval city, with the first stone bridge built over the Danube. While in Germany, explore the 2,000-year-old city of Passau, with its cobblestone streets and Baroque architecture, as well as Europe’s largest church organ in St. Stephen’s Cathedral.

Choose from a broad range of cruise options from the European spring through to autumn. Unpack once, enjoy the splendid views from the deck, and step ashore to immerse yourself in culture and history. And of course, indulge in quality cuisine and fine wine along the way. Check out Collette’s Classic Danube tour, which includes a 7-night river cruise (gocollette.com/en-au).

AT A GLANCE

Italy

→ Colosseum, Rome → Pantheon, Rome → Saint Peter’s Square,

Vatican City → Pompeii → Sorrento Coast → Capri → Faraglioni rocks → Statue of David,

Accademia Gallery,

Florence → Grand Canal, Venice

London

→ Trafalgar Square → Big Ben → Westminster Abbey → Buckingham Palace → Kensington Palace → The London Eye → River Thames cruise → Borough Market → Harrods, Knightsbridge → West End

Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo

edintattoo.co.uk

Danube River

→ Budapest, Hungary → Bratislava, Slovakia → Vienna, Austria → Regensburg,

Germany → Passau, Germany

Collette Classic Danube Tour

1300 792 196 gocollette.com/en-au

1

See the spectacular Northern Lights

Every year from late August to mid-April, intrepid travellers seek out some of the wildest places on our planet in the hope of witnessing the awe-inspiring and elusive natural phenomenon of aurora borealis, otherwise known as the Northern Lights. For those fortunate enough, dazzling streaks of blue, green, pink and violet appear across a clear and dark night sky, as electrically charged particles from the sun collide with elements in our atmosphere to produce a light show like no other. The huge amount of activity during the aurora can cause shifts and flows which give the appearance that the light is dancing. It’s truly a transfixing sight.

With its islands, fjords, steep mountains and pollutionfree skies, Norway boasts some of the most beautiful vantage points to witness the lights, but countries like Iceland, Sweden and Finland offer superb vantage points as well. A popular option is a bus tour from Iceland’s capital, Reykjavik, a city bustling with life and surrounded by stunning natural landscape. On a Northern Lights safari in Finland you might stay in a traditional lavvu, the temporary dwelling of the Sami people, or spend a night in a glass igloo. Alternatively, one of the best ways to see the lights is to take a cruise deep into the hushed landscape and dark skies of the Arctic Circle.

Travel around remarkable Poland

With complex roots that go back more than 1,000 years – from medieval times to its tragic involvement in World War II and decades of communist rule through the Cold War – one can just about feel the history and tradition seeping from Poland’s streets and walls. At every turn you’ll find monuments, museums and memorials that pay tribute to its past and honour the resilience of its people. Walking the grounds of Auschwitz, in particular, can evoke deep emotions.

Poland is also a country of contrasts. Its striking landscape includes an abundance of lakes and snow-

1. Horse-and-carriage tours are a great way to take in the sights in Krakow, Poland

2. The Northern Lights are a spectacle few get to see in their lifetime

3. The Acropolis sits majestically upon a rocky outcrop overlooking Athens

4. Visit the old historical neighbourhood of Plaka for a traditional Athens experience capped peaks. But it’s the blend of culture, colour and cuisine in Poland’s cities that your Club will be most keen to explore.

You’ll admire the mix of old and new in modern-day Warsaw, where highlights include the Palace of Culture & Science and POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews. In Kraków visit the Wieliczka Salt Mine, Saint Mary’s Basilica and the renowned Wawel Royal Castle. Wander around Long Market in Gdańsk, absorb the Gothic architecture and atmosphere of Torun, and take pictures in Wroclaw’s market square lined with colourful townhouses. Make your way to Malbork, where the massive Malbork Castle has taken shape over centuries. Everywhere you go, feast on Poland’s national dish, pierogi – a dumpling stuffed with many fillings – or enjoy popular gingerbread cookies still based on original 13thcentury recipes.

Visit the amazing city of Athens

Athens, the capital city of Greece and the historical capital of Europe, is a destination that in some ways needs little

2

introduction. Ancient yet contemporary, graceful yet edgy, Athens is fit for the gods and visitors alike. The city is home to a number of acclaimed historic monuments, from its symbolic entrance, Hadrian’s Gate, and the truly imposing Acropolis – an ancient citadel perched on a rocky outcrop – to the Old Royal Palace, the ruins of the Temple of Olympian Zeus, and Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Both history buffs and sports enthusiasts will want to step inside spectacular Panathenaic Stadium, home to the first Modern Olympic Games in 1896 and the only stadium in the world built entirely of marble.

Any trip to Athens simply must include a journey back in time to the Plaka – the charming and uninterrupted old city where historic buildings with little shops line the hilly cobblestone streets. In the evening, when the neighbourhood comes alive with music and dancing, members can mingle with locals and fellow travellers while exploring the vibrant laneways, before sitting outside to devour delicious traditional dishes like moussaka, souvlaki and saganaki (fried cheese) at a family-owned restaurant.

AT A GLANCE

Northern Lights

→ Norway → Iceland → Sweden → Finland

Poland

→ Auschwitz → Palace of Culture &

Science, Warsaw → POLIN Museum of the History of Polish

Jews, Warsaw → Wielicza Salt Mine,

Krakow → Saint Mary’s Basilica,

Krakow → Wawel Royal Castle,

Krakow → Long Market, Gdańsk → Torun → Wroclaw → Malbork Castle,

Malbork

Athens

→ Hadrian’s Gate → Acropolis → Old Royal Palace → Temple of

Olympian Zeus → Tomb of the

Unknown Soldier → Panethanaic Stadium → Acropolis → Plaka