11-Day Cultural and Scenic Tour: Amsterdam, Bruges, Paris, Versailles & Zurich from May 27 to June 8

Day 1: Arrival & Amsterdam Intro

Amsterdam, Netherlands on May 27, 2025

10:00am

Arrival at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport

Arrive at Amsterdam, clear customs, and transfer to your hotel to check-in and freshen up.
Varies, 1h0m

11:30am

Lunch at Stach Amsterdam

Enjoy a casual lunch featuring fresh, organic options perfect to start your trip, open from 8am to 8pm daily.
EUR20, 1h0m

12:45pm

Canal Cruise

Relax on a one-hour scenic canal cruise, offering beautiful views of Amsterdam’s iconic waterways and houses, available daily from 9am to 9pm.
EUR18, 1h0m

2:00pm

Rijksmuseum

Visit the Netherlands’ premier art museum for masterpieces by Rembrandt and Vermeer, open 9am to 5pm.
EUR20, 2h0m

4:30pm

Walk Through Vondelpark

Enjoy an afternoon stroll in Amsterdam’s largest urban park, open all day and free to enter.
Free, 1h0m

6:00pm

Dinner at Moeders

Taste traditional Dutch dishes in a warm and inviting atmosphere, open from 5pm to 10pm.
EUR40, 2h0m

Day 2: Amsterdam Museums & History

Amsterdam, Netherlands on May 28, 2025

8:00am

Breakfast at Bakers & Roasters

Start your day with a fresh New Zealand-inspired breakfast, open from 8am to 4pm.
EUR20, 1h0m

9:30am

Anne Frank House

Visit this poignant museum commemorating Anne Frank, open from 9am to 7pm, bookings recommended.
EUR14, 1h30m

11:15am

Walk and Shop Jordaan District

Explore the charming neighborhood full of boutiques and cafés, open throughout the day.
Free, 1h30m

1:00pm

Lunch at Foodhallen

Taste various local and international offerings at Amsterdam's famous indoor food market, open from noon until late.
EUR25, 1h0m

2:30pm

Visit Hermitage Amsterdam

Explore fascinating exhibits from the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, open 10am to 5pm.
EUR20, 2h0m

5:00pm

Relax at Hotel / Free Time

Unwind before dinner or take a leisurely walk around nearby neighborhoods.
Free, 1h30m

7:00pm

Dinner at De Kas

Indulge in farm-to-table dining in a beautiful greenhouse setting, open for dinner from 6pm to 10pm. Reservations recommended.
EUR60, 2h0m

Day 3: Travel to Bruges

Bruges, Belgium on May 29, 2025

7:30am

Train from Amsterdam to Bruges

Depart early for Bruges by train with about 3-hour travel time, including a transfer in Brussels.
EUR40, 3h0m

11:00am

Breakfast at Le Pain Quotidien

Enjoy organic breads and pastries in this cozy café, open from early morning.
EUR15, 1h0m

12:15pm

Belfry of Bruges

Climb to the top of the Belfry tower for panoramic city views, open 9:30am to 6pm daily.
EUR14, 1h0m

1:30pm

Lunch at De Halve Maan Brewery

Savor local beer and Belgian dishes in this historic brewery, open till evening.
EUR30, 1h0m

3:00pm

Boat Tour on Bruges Canals

Take a 30-minute canal boat ride showcasing the beautiful medieval city, operating until dusk.
EUR10, 0h30m

4:00pm

Visit Basilica of the Holy Blood

Explore this basilica housing a cherished relic; open until 6pm.
Free, 0h45m

6:30pm

Dinner at 't Brugs Beertje

Enjoy local specialties in a lively pub, open for dinner till 10pm.
EUR40, 2h0m

Day 4: Bruges to Paris

Paris, France on May 30, 2025

8:00am

Train from Bruges to Paris

Travel from Bruges to Paris via Brussels, total journey about 3.5 hours.
EUR50, 3h30m

12:00pm

Lunch at Café de Flore

Experience classic Parisian café culture with croissants and café au lait, open all day.
EUR20, 1h0m

1:30pm

Louvre Museum

Visit one of the world’s largest museums with iconic art, open 9am to 6pm on weekdays.
EUR17, 3h0m

5:00pm

Seine River Walk

Enjoy a leisurely stroll along the Seine, browsing the riverside booksellers and bridges.
Free, 1h0m

7:00pm

Dinner at Le Procope

Dine in Paris’s oldest café serving traditional French cuisine, open until late evening.
EUR60, 2h0m

Day 5: Versailles Day Trip

Versailles, France on May 31, 2025

7:30am

RER Train to Versailles

Catch the RER C from Paris to Versailles Château Rive Gauche station in about 1 hour.
EUR7, 1h0m

8:45am

Breakfast near the Palace

Enjoy pastries and coffee at La Petite Venise, open from 8am, near the palace entrance.
EUR15, 1h0m

10:00am

Palace of Versailles Tour

Explore the stunning palace and gardens, open 9am-6:30pm, including the Hall of Mirrors.
EUR20, 4h0m

3:00pm

Gardens & Fountain Shows

Stroll the gardens and, if available, watch the musical fountain show (check schedule).
Free, 1h30m

5:00pm

Return to Paris

Travel back to Paris to enjoy your evening at leisure.
EUR7, 1h0m

7:30pm

Dinner at Bouillon Pigalle

Savor classic French bistro cuisine in a lively setting, open until 10:30pm.
EUR30, 1h30m

Day 6: Paris Highlights

Paris, France on June 1, 2025

8:00am

Breakfast at Angelina Paris

Taste the iconic hot chocolate and pastries at this historic café, open from 8am.
EUR22, 1h0m

9:30am

Eiffel Tower Visit

Pre-booked ascent to Eiffel Tower for stunning city views, open 9:30am to 11pm.
EUR25, 2h0m

12:00pm

Lunch at Le Champ de Mars

Enjoy French bistro favorites near the Eiffel Tower terrace, open 11:30am to 3pm.
EUR35, 1h0m

1:30pm

Musée d'Orsay

Explore Impressionist and post-Impressionist masterpieces, open 9:30am to 6pm.
EUR16, 2h0m

4:00pm

Montmartre Walk & Sacré-Cœur

Discover this artistic hilltop district and visit the basilica, open until 10:30pm.
Free, 2h0m

7:00pm

Dinner at Le Refuge des Fondus

Enjoy a lively fondue dinner in Montmartre, open until 10pm.
EUR35, 2h0m

Day 7: Paris to Zurich

Zurich, Switzerland on June 2, 2025

8:00am

Train Paris to Zurich

Depart Paris Gare de Lyon on direct train to Zurich Hauptbahnhof, about 4 hours travel time.
EUR70, 4h0m

12:15pm

Lunch at Hiltl Zurich

Experience world’s oldest vegetarian restaurant, open daily from 11:30am.
CHF25, 1h0m

1:30pm

Old Town Walking Tour

Explore Zurich’s charming Altstadt, including Grossmünster and medieval streets, open all day.
Free, 2h0m

4:00pm

Lake Zurich Promenade Stroll

Enjoy lakeside views and boat rides, boats operate until early evening.
CHF8, 1h0m

6:00pm

Dinner at Zeughauskeller

Traditional Swiss dishes in historic surrounds, open dinner 5pm to 10:30pm.
CHF45, 2h0m

Day 8: Zurich Museums & Alps Hike

Zurich, Switzerland on June 3, 2025

8:30am

Breakfast at Babu's Bakery & Coffeehouse

Enjoy fresh pastries and artisan coffee, open from 8am daily.
CHF15, 1h0m

9:45am

Kunsthaus Zurich

Visit the premier Swiss art museum, open 10am to 6pm.
CHF23, 2h0m

12:00pm

Lunch at Sternen Grill

Savor Zurich sausages and rösti, open for lunch till mid-afternoon.
CHF20, 1h0m

1:30pm

Hiking/Uetliberg Mountain

Train and hike to Uetliberg mountain for panoramic vistas of the city and Alps; trails open all day.
CHF10 (train), 3h0m

5:00pm

Return to Zurich

Relax and refresh in the city center.
Included, 1h0m

7:00pm

Dinner at Kronenhalle

Dine surrounded by artworks of Picasso and Chagall, open until 11pm.
CHF70, 2h0m

Day 9: Zurich Leisure Day

Zurich, Switzerland on June 4, 2025

9:00am

Breakfast at Café Sprüngli

Try their famous Luxemburgerli macarons and coffee, café opens at 8am daily.
CHF18, 1h0m

10:30am

Swiss National Museum

Discover Swiss cultural history in this great museum, open from 10am to 5pm.
CHF10, 2h0m

12:45pm

Lunch at Markthalle

Sample a variety of foods at Zurich’s market hall, open between 11:30am and 3pm.
CHF25, 1h0m

2:00pm

Shopping on Bahnhofstrasse

Explore Zurich’s premier luxury shopping street.
Free (shopping extra), 3h0m

6:30pm

Dinner at Maison Manesse

Creative Swiss-German contemporary cuisine with reservation recommended, opens at 6pm.
CHF80, 2h0m

Day 10: Zurich to Amsterdam

Amsterdam, Netherlands on June 5, 2025

7:00am

Breakfast at Café des Amis

Light breakfast before departure, open from 8am.
CHF15, 1h0m

8:30am

Train Zurich to Amsterdam

Long train journey back to Amsterdam taking about 8 hours with one transfer.
EUR90, 8h0m

4:45pm

Check-in & Relax

Rest at your hotel in Amsterdam after a full day of travel.
Varies, Evening

7:00pm

Dinner at De Silveren Spiegel

Traditional Dutch cuisine in an intimate historic environment, open from 6pm.
EUR50, 2h0m

Day 11: Final Amsterdam Day

Amsterdam, Netherlands on June 6, 2025

8:00am

Breakfast at Pancakes Amsterdam

Enjoy authentic Dutch pancakes, open from 8am onwards.
EUR12, 1h0m

9:30am

Visit the Van Gogh Museum

Explore the world’s largest collection of Van Gogh paintings, open 9am to 6pm.
EUR19, 2h0m

12:00pm

Lunch at Foodhallen

Final local flavors in this lively food hall open until late.
EUR25, 1h0m

1:30pm

Free time - shopping or walking

Relax and explore remaining sights at your leisure.
Free, 3h0m

5:00pm

Early Dinner at Café Loetje

Famous for its tender steak dishes, open until 10pm.
EUR40, 1h30m

Day 12: Amsterdam Leisure & Departure Prep

Amsterdam, Netherlands on June 7, 2025

8:00am

Breakfast at Vivendum

A charming café in the Jordaan district, open at 8am, perfect to start the day.
EUR18, 1h0m

9:30am

Visit the NEMO Science Museum

Explore interactive science exhibits; open 10am to 5:30pm.
EUR17.50, 2h0m

12:00pm

Lunch at Café Winkel 43

Famous for the best apple pie in Amsterdam, open daily.
EUR15, 1h0m

1:30pm

Relax or shop in De 9 Straatjes

Explore quaint streets full of independent shops and cafés.
Free, 2h30m

4:30pm

Pack and prepare for departure

Organize luggage and prepare for your flight the next day.
Free, Evening

7:00pm

Dinner at Restaurant Greetje

Savor authentic Dutch flavors in an elegant setting, open till 9:30pm.
EUR50, 2h0m

Day 13: Departure Day

Amsterdam, Netherlands on June 8, 2025

7:00am

Breakfast at hotel or nearby café

Enjoy a light breakfast before traveling to the airport.
Varies, 1h0m

8:30am

Transfer to Amsterdam Schiphol Airport

Allow ample time for check-in and security for your flight back to Ottawa, Canada.
EUR5 (train), 1h0m

10:00am

Departure Flight to Ottawa

Board your flight after a memorable European adventure.
Varies, N/A