| Day 1 London -
Amsterdam |
| Greetings from our Tour Director as we drive to Dover before
our Channel crossing to Calais in France. Then into Belgium
and across Flanders fields to Holland and meadows of turning
windmills. Soon we arrive in Amsterdam, where we see Dam
Square, the Mint Tower and enjoy a canal cruise across the
criss-crossing spider’s web of canals from a glass-topped
boat. This evening, after a Welcome Drink with our
Tour Director and fellow passengers, why not enjoy dinner in
one of the downtown restaurants. Hotel: Novotel City |
| Day 2 Amsterdam
orientation - Rhine Cruise - Rhineland |
| We
drive via Arnhem, scene of the film ‘A Bridge too far’, into
Germany and continue to Cologne, dominated by its fine
gothic cathedral. Then via Bonn we drive to the pretty
resort of Boppard on the shores of the Rhine to embark on
our scenic Rhine cruise. We glide past vine-clad hills
topped with crumbling castles before reaching St. Goar,
where we see the Lorelei Rock and rejoin our coach for the
short journey to our hotel. (Buffet breakfast / Dinner) Hotel: Mercure am Rathaus |
| Day 3 Rhineland - Heidelberg
- Munich - Innsbruck |
We drive to Heidelberg to view the
red sandstone castle towering above the city of ‘Student
Prince’ fame. We continue to fun-loving Munich, where an
orientation tour shows us the Olympic Stadium, the City Hall
and the Marienplatz. A short drive brings us into Austria
the Tyrolean capital Innsbruck. Tonight, why not enjoy some
thigh-slapping fun at a Tyrolean folklore show and feast on
some delicious strudel (Buffet breakfast) Hotel: Grauer Bar / Innsbruck |
| Day 4 Innsbruck -
Vince |
| Orientation of this alpine resort shows us the Golden Roof,
Hofburg and Wilten Basilica. Then we enjoy an exhilarating
drive across the Brenner Pass into Italy. Spectacular
scenery continues as we travel through the Dolomite
Mountains to the Adige valley. On arrival in Venice we’ll
savour the city’s unique sights and sounds on an included
canal cruise by private motor launch to St. Mark’s Square,
viewing the Bridge of Sighs, Doge’s Palace and more. After a
visit to a traditional glass-blowing factory, time at
leisure. (Buffet breakfast / Dinner) Hotel:
Antony Palace |
| Day 5 Vince -
Rome (2 nights) |
| Today
we head south across the Veneto plain, by-passing the
university city of Bologna to cross over the Apennine hills
and into the cradle of the Roman civilisation – the region
of Lazio. Then past golden stone landscapes to the Eternal
City of Rome. (Buffet breakfast) Hotel: Palazzo Carpegna |
| Day 6 Rome
sightseeing & at leisure |
| Our
morning sightseeing with a local guide, audio system
included, features a visit to St. Peter’s Basilica in the
Vatican City where we see Michelangelo’s moving masterpiece,
the Pieta. Then we cross the River Tiber to ancient Rome
where we overlook the Forum, see the mighty Colosseum, scene
of gladiatorial combat, and finally have a view across the
vast Circus Maximus. The rest of your day is free to maybe
visit the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, or maybe just
relax in a café and watch the Roman world go by! (Buffet
breakfast) |
| Day 7
Rome - Florence |
Today we head
north into Tuscany and on reaching Florence, enjoy a guided
walking tour which shows us the cathedral, baptistery,
Signoria Square and includes a visit to the Santa Croce
Basilica. Time now for our Tour Director to reveal a Hidden Treasure! Then free time to sightsee further or
to shop for fine leather goods or beautiful 18-carat gold
jewellery. Tonight we enjoy a Highlight Dinner of
local specialities in a Florentine trattoria. (Buffet
breakfast / Highlight dinner)
Hotel: Mediterrbaneo |
| Day 8 Florence - Lugano
- Lucerne (2 nights) |
| Today we pass by Milan, through the area of the Italian
Lakes to the Swiss border and the lakeside resort of Lugano.
This balmy, palm-tree-lined lake resort in the
Italian-speaking Ticino canton is home to the rich and
famous and has a wonderful year-round climate. Time to
explore the traffic-free shopping area and perhaps stop for
a cappuccino in a lakeside café before a drive along the
Gotthard highway into the heart of German-speaking
Switzerland and the lakeside town of Lucerne. (Buffet
breakfast / Dinner) Hotel: Grand Europe |
| Day 9 Lucerne
orientation & at leisure |
| This morning our orientation tour shows us the poignant Lion
Monument, which commemorates 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 to the Jesuit Church. Then maybe take an
exhilarating mountain excursion and still have time to shop
for Swiss watches and delicious chocolate! (Buffet breakfast
/ Dinner) |
| Day 10 Lucerne -
Paris (2 nights) |
| Travelling through picturesque scenery we head towards Basel
and the French border. Entering France we pass vestiges of
the Maginot Line at Belfort as we travel into Burgundy
resplendent with vineyards, castles and picturesque
villages. Finally we arrive in the capital city, Paris,
where tonight you may well wish to enjoy a tour of the
illuminations which really provide a wonderful introduction
to this beautiful city. (Buffet breakfast) Hotel: Holiday Inn La Villette |
| Day 11 Paris
sightseeing & at leisure |
| Our guided sightseeing tour features a drive along the
Champs Élysées from the Place de la Concorde to the Arc de
Triomphe. Then we will see spectacular monuments such as
Notre Dame Cathedral and also ascend the Eiffel Tower to the
second level by elevator for stunning views over the city.
Then free time to perhaps take an excursion to the Palace at
Versailles. Later, tonight we will get together for a Farewell Dinner in a local bistro – a great way to end
our tour of Europe! (Buffet breakfast / Farewell dinner) |
| Day 12 Paris -
London |
| We travel across the battlefields of the Somme and see the
Canadian War Memorial at Vimy Ridge. On our arrival in
Calais, we board our ferry to Dover where we drive back to
London. Here we bid farewell to our Tour Director and
new-found friends as our tour comes to an end. (Buffet
breakfast) |
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