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Day 1 Arrive Rome (2 nights) |
On arrival at Rome Fiumicino Airport we transfer you to your
hotel. Tonight, enjoy a Welcome Drink with your Tour
Director and fellow travelers.
Hotel: Melia Aurelia Antica |
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Day 2 Rome
sightseeing & at leisure |
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Today sightseeing, with our local guide and a special audio
system, includes a visit to St. Peter's Basilica where we
see the moving Pieta by Michelangelo. We then cross the
River Tiber where we overlook the Forum and see the mighty
Colosseum and the Circus Maximus where ancient sport of
chariot racing took place. The time at leisure to relax or
explore. (Buffet Breakfast ) |
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Day 3 Rome -
Venice (Marcon) |
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We head north this morning from Rome
following the valley of the River Tiber. Then we enter
Umbria and see the impressive hilltop towns of Orte and
Orvieto, once used as stronghold by the Popes, before
entering Tuscany. Here we see the Chianti vineyards and
terraced olive groves before we start to cross through the
forest Apennine hills. We pass Bologna and reach the flat
Veneto plains and continue to our hotel where we dine
tonight (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)
Hotel:
Antony Palace (SF) |
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Day 4 Venice
sightseeing - Lake Maggiore |
This
morning our canal cruise takes us to St Mark's Square where
we see the renowed Bridge of Sighs and the mpressive Ducal
Palace. Then our Tour Director show us one of the many
Hidden Treasures of Venice before we visit a glass-blowing
workshop. Soon we have to leave this magical place and head
for the magnificent Italian Lake District and Lake Maggiore.
(Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)
Hotel:
Simplon (F) |
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Day 5 Lake
Maggiore - Lucerne |
Today
enjoy a scenic drive into Switzerland on the Gotthard route
which takes us through one of the longest European road
tunnels and brings us into Central Switzerland and the
beautiful town of Lucerne. On the arrival we will visit the
poignant Lion Monument, which commemorate the heroism of the
Swiss Guards during the period of the French Revolution, and
we have time to walk along the wooden Chapel Bridge across
the rushing River Reuss. Then maybe take an exhilarating
mountain excursion and still have the time to shop for swiss
watches and delicious chocolate ( Buffet Breakfast /
Dinner)
Hotel: Schiller (F) |
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Day 6 Lucerne -
Paris (2 nights) |
We
travel north today to the important industrial City of Basel
which stands on the River Rhine at the border between
Switzerland and Franc, which we enter this morning. We pass
the fortified town of Belfort and remnants of the Maginot
Line. Later we sop to view the extensive vineyards at
Savigny -Les-Beaube, and drive through the rich farmland of
Burgundy and Auxerre before eventually arriving in the
glittering capital city, Paris, where we stay for the next
two nights. (Buffet Breakfast)
Hotel: Pullman Paris Porte de Sevres (SF) / Pullman
Paris La Defense (SF) |
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Day 7 Paris
sightseeing & at leisure |
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Our morning sightseeing tour with a local guide includes
views of Notre Dame Cathedral built on the lle de la Cite
and several of the bridges of Paris including the Pont
Alexandre III. Then we will ascend the Eiffel Tower to the
second level for wonderful views of the whole city before
driving along the Champs Elysees to the Arc de Triomphe. The
balance of the day is free to explore, shop or maybe
excursion to the extravagant palace and Gardens of
Versailles or visit the Musee D'Orsay to admire the
Impression or the Louvre to see the eigmatic smile of the
Mona Lisa! Tonight we enjoy a Farewell Dinner with our Tour
Director and fellow travelers in a local restaurant.
(Buffet Breakfast / Farewell Dinner) |
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Day 8 Paris -
London |
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This morning we leave Paris and head north, passing by the
First World War battlefields of the Somme and with views of
the memorial to the soldiers who died at the Battle of Vimy
Ridge. Then to the Channel port of Calais where we take the
ferry to Dover, where we welcomed by the famous 'White
Cliff' , and we drive on to London. Here we bid farewell to
our Tour Director and newfound friends as our tour comes to
an end. (Buffet Breakfast ) |
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Return flight to the USA. (Buffet Breakfast) |
