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Day 1
London - Amsterdam |
| A
warm welcome from your Tour Director as you drive to Dover for the
ferry crossing to Calais in France. Here rejoin the coach and travel
through the Belgian and Dutch countryside to Amsterdam. A short
orientation tour includes Dam Square and the Mint Tower. Later, enjoy
dinner in a local restaurant (D) Hotel: Ibis Schiphol (ST) |
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Day 2
Amsterdam - Rhine Cruise - Rhineland |
|
Drive eastwards into Germany and visit Cologne with its magnificent
Gothic cathedral. Then picturesque villages and medieval castles
provide a delightful setting for a leisurely Rhine cruise before
continuing to the hotel. (BB D) Hotel: NH Mannheim - Viernheim
(F) |
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Day 3 Rhineland
- Lake Lucerne (2 nights) |
|
First to Heidelberg with views of the ancient castle. Then on to
Freiburg driving through the beautiful Black Forest region. At
Schaffhausen, stop to view the mighty Rhine Falls before driving to
the beautiful lake of Lucerne for two nights. (BB D) Hotel:
Krone Giswil (ST) |
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Day 4 Lucerne at
leisure |
| On
the orientation tour see the poignant Lion Monument and the old town.
At leisure maybe take a scenic cruise on the lake, shop for Swiss
watches and chocolates or take a cog railway up one of the nearby
mountains. (BB) |
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Day 5 Lake Lucerne - Liechtenstein - Innsbruck |
|
Today cross the Swiss border to the tiny Principality of Liechtenstein
for a brief stop in the capital, Vaduz. From here continue into
Austria, via the Arlberg region to the Winter Olympic city of Innbruck.
(BB D) Hotel: Bon Alpina (MF) |
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Day 6 Innsbruck - Verona
- Venice (2 nights) |
|
Orientation features Innsbruck's main sights. Next climb through the
Brenner Pass and cross into Italy. Stop at Verona, city of
Shakesphere's Romeo and Juliet, and then on to magical Venice.
(BB
D) Hotel: Antony (F) |
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Day 7 Venice
orientation & at leisure |
| All
around are vivid reminders of Venetian maritime power and wealth, as
you cruise along the criss-crossing canals. Later visit a
glass-blowing factory. Then time at leisure, perhaps to visit St.
Mark's Basilica and cruise to the islands of the lagoon for a
delicious lunch. (BB D) |
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Day 8 Venice - Rome (2 nights) |
|
Today travel across the flat Venetian plain and cross the River Po
before crossing the Apennine hills. Then through delightful Tuscan
scenery on the Autostrada del Sole before finally reaching the Eternal
city, Rome. (BB) Hotel: Aran Park (F) |
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Day 9 Rome sightseeing
& at leisure |
|
Today's sightseeing tour in the Eternal City highlights St. Peter's
Basilica in the Vatican and includes views of the mighty Colosseum and
Forum. Then enjoy time on your own to perhaps marvel at the Sistine
Chapel? (BB) |
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Day 10 Rome - Sorrento
|
| Pass
the Abbey of Monte Cassino en route to the Bay of Naples. On arrival
perhaps take an excursion to the excavations of Pompeii. Dinner is at
the hotel tonight. (BB D) Hotel: Grand Hotel Moon Valley (F) |
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Day 11 Sorrento - Florence |
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Today drive northwards through Tuscany to the Renaissance City of
Florence. Enjoy views of the city from Piazzale Michelangelo. Then
time at leisure to visit Giotto's Bell Tower, the Baptistery and
Signoria Square. (BB D) Hotel: Demidoff (F) |
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Day 12 Florence - Pisa
- Monaco - Nice (2 nights) |
| This
morning continue to Pisa, Galileo's home town. En route pass by Genoa
and visit Monaco with views of the famous casino of Monte Carlo before
arriving in Nice. (BB) Hotel: Busby (ST) |
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Day 13 Nice at leisure |
|
Orientation includes the Promenade des Anglais and the Place Massena.
Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. (BB) |
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Day 14 Nice - Cannes -
Lyon |
| This
morning stop in Cannes to see the Boulevard de la Croisette and the
Film Festival Centre. Then through the beautiful countryside of Van
Gogh and
Cézanne via Aix-en-Provence to Avignon with its Palace of the Popes.
From here continue through the
Rhône Valley to Lyon.
(BB D)
Hotel: Campanile Trassin (ST) |
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Day 15 Lyon -
Paris (2 nights) |
| This
morning's drive travels through the wine-producing region of Burgundy
and the Forest of Fontainebleau. Later, arrive in the elegant and
romantic city of Paris for two nights. (BB) Hotel: Mercure La
Defense 5 (F) |
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Day 16 Paris
sightseeing & at leisure |
| The
morning guided sightseeing tour includes views of the Champs Elysées,
Arc de Triomphe, Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame Cathedral. This evening,
maybe enjoy a cabaret show? (BB) |
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Day 17 Paris -
London |
|
Finally head north for the port of Calais. Here the short Channel
crossing brings you to England. Then drive back to London where the
tour comes to an end and you bid farewell to your Tour Director and
touring friends. (BB) |
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