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Day 1 London -
Amsterdam |
A warm
welcome from our Tour Director as we drive towards the
coast. Time to admire the White Cliffs of Dover before our
Channel crossing to Calais in France. Then by coach we
travel via Belgium to friendly Amsterdam. On our arrival, we
visit a diamond-polishing factory (opening times permitting)
before enjoying a Welcome Drink with our Tour Director
before boarding our glass-topped boat for a canal cruise –
the perfect introduction to the city!
Hotel: Mercure aan de Amstel
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Day 2 Amsterdam -
Rhine Cruise - Rhineland (Mannheim) |
Morning
orientation in Amsterdam includes Dam Square and the Tower
of Tears. Later, we drive past Arnhem into Germany stopping
in Cologne to see its gothic Cathedral. Then after passing
Bonn, we embark on a relaxing Rhine cruise past castles and
vineyards. We disembark in St. Goar with views of the
Lorelei Rock before reaching our Rhineland hotel for the
night. (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)
Hotel: Holiday Inn City Centre
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Day 3 Rhineland (Mannheim)
- Munich - Innsbruck |
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Today we cross the Swabian Uplands to
Bavarian Munich. Here an orientation tour shows us the
Olympic Stadium and Marienplatz, with its Glockenspiel
clock. Next we drive to Austria and the Tyrolean capital
Innsbruck. On our arrival an orientation tour shows us the
Golden Roof and Wilten Basilica.This evening, we enjoy
dinner in a typical restaurant. (Buffet Breakfast /
Highlight Dinner)
Hotel: Grauer Bar
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Day 4 Innsbruck -
Salzburg - Vienna (2 nights) |
Today
it's only a short drive to the splendours of Salzburg,
birthplace of Mozart. Here our walking tour with a local
guide includes locations used in the film "The Sound of
Music". Later, we continue our drive towards the River
Danube and the baroque elegance of Vienna. (Buffet
Breakfast)
Hotel: Hilton Danube (SF)
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Day 5 Vienna
sightseeing & at leisure |
Our
morning sightseeing tour of this elegant city highlights
views of the Opera, the Hofburg, Stadtpark, the Parliament
and the Imperial Boulevards. Today our Tour Director shares
the secret of a Hidden Treasure with us all! The rest of
your day is at leisure to sightsee and shop along the
fashionable Kärntnerstrasse. (Buffet Breakfast)
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Day 6 Vienna - Venice (Mestre)
(2 nights) |
Today
we drive into the heart of the Austrian Alps past mountains
and small towns to the Austrian Lake District. Then we
continue over the Italian border, where the Carnian Alps
give way to Northern Italy and the delights of magical
Venice for two nights. (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)
Hotel: Antont
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Day 7 Venice
sightseeing & at leisure |
We discover this Byzantine city on a canal cruise by private
motor launch to St. Mark's Square. View the Bridge of Sighs
and Doges' Palace before a visit to a glass-blowing factory.
After free time to shop or take a cruise to the island of
Burano in the Venetian Lagoon for a seafood lunch. (Buffet
Breakfast / Dinner)
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Day 8 Venice (Mestre)
- Rome (2 nights) |
This morning's drive takes us cross the fertile Po Valley to
join the Autostrada del Sole for our journey through the
Apennine Mountains to the 'Eternal City' Rome for the next
two nights. Later, perhaps go out and discover Rome's
vibrant nightlife. (Buffet Breakfast)
Hotel: St John
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Day 9 Rome
sightseeing & at leisure |
A guided visit of St. Peter's Basilica, including the Pieta
of Michelangelo, then we cross the Tiber to ancient Rome for
views of the Forum and the mighty Colosseum, plus the Circus
Maximus, renowned for chariot races. Then time at leisure to
relax in a sidewalk café or take an optional excursion to
visit the Catacombs or the Vatican Museums and Sistine
Chapel. (Buffet Breakfast)
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Day 10 Rome -
Florence |
We drive through the Chianti wine region of Tuscany en route
to Renaissance Florence. Our guided walking tour shows us
the Cathedral, the Baptistery, Signoria Square and we visit
Santa Croce Basilica. Then, before we have time to shop for
leather and gold, our Tour Director shows us a Hidden
Treasure! This evening, we enjoy dinner in a typical
Florentine restaurant. (Buffet Breakfast / Highlight Dinner)
Hotel: Sheraton
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Day 11 Florence -
Lucerne |
Our day starts with a drive via Bologna and Milan towards
the Italian and Swiss Lake Districts to beautiful Lugano.
After, we continue on through the Italian-speaking Ticino
region to the St. Gotthard route across the Alps. Next on
through the St. Gotthard tunnel to lakeside Lucerne. Why not
try a Swiss folklore evening tonight? (Buffet Breakfast)
Hotel: Schiller
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Day 12 Lucerne
orientation & at leisure |
Our morning orientation tour highlights this medieval town
and includes a visit to the famous Lion Monument. Later,
there's time at leisure to perhaps take an optional trip up
a nearby mountain peak, famed for its splendid views.
(Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)
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Day 13 Lucerne - Paris |
This morning we travel over the French border passing
Belfort and remnants of the Maginot Line. Next through
wine-producing Burgundy, where we view the
Savigny-Lès-Beaune vineyards before we make our way to Paris
and maybe enjoy a Cabaret show tonight? (Buffet Breakfast)
Hotel: Hilton La Defense
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Day 14 Paris
sightseeing & at eisure |
Morning sightseeing with a local guide includes a drive from
the Place de la Concorde along the Champs Elysées to the Arc
de Triomphe, the ascent of the Eiffel Tower to the second
level and views of Notre Dame Cathedral on the Ile de la
Cité. This evening enjoy a Farewell Dinner with your new
found friends. (Buffet Breakfast / Farewell Dinner)
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Day 15 Paris -
London |
'Au revoir' as we transfer to Charles de Gaulle Airport for
our return flight to America. (Buffet Breakfast)
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