| Day 1 London -
Brussels |
| A warm welcome from our Tour Director as we drive to Dover
for our short sea crossing to Calais in France. Over the
border we drive through the Belgian countryside to medieval
Bruges where we can walk along the cobbled streets beside
the peaceful canals. Then on to Brussels where orientation
includes the Atomium, the Royal Palaces and a walk to see
the Manneken Pis. Later we enjoy a Welcome Drink with
our Tour Director and fellow travellers. Hotel: Renaissance (Deluxe) |
| Day 2 Brussels -
Rhine Cruise - Heidelberg - Rhineland |
| Our day starts in Cologne where we see the twin-spired
cathedral. Then via Bonn to Boppard to embark on a Rhine
cruise. We disembark at St. Goar and drive to Heidelberg.
Here we walk to the castle terraces where we admire the view
over the baroque city and then we continue to our hotel for
dinner and overnight stay. (Buffet breakfast / Dinner) Hotel: Best Western Queens |
| Day 3 Rhineland -Munich - Innsbruck |
Today we cross the Swabian Uplands
into Bavarian Munich. On our arrival, an orientation tour
includes the Olympic Stadium, Marienplatz and Hofbräuhaus.
Then on to Austria and the Tyrolean capital Innsbruck for
the night. Here an orientation tour shows us the Golden Roof
and Wilten Basilica. (Buffet breakfast / Dinner)
Hotel: Innsbruck |
| Day 4 Innsbruck - Venice
(Mastre) (2 nights) |
Today a spiralling drive takes us to the Brenner Pass into
Italy. Then via Brunico we drive into the Dolomite
Mountains. We'll view the Olympic ski-jump at Cortina
d'Ampezzo, with time for lunch. Afterwards we continue to
magical Venice for the next two nights. This evening a
gondola ride would be hard to resist! (Buffet breakfast /
Dinner) Hotel: Matrix
|
| Day 5 Venice
sightseeing & at leisure |
| This morning we will discover the sights and sounds of this
floating city on our canal cruise by private launch to St.
Mark's Square, viewing the Bridge of Sighs. After, we visit
a glass-blowing factory, before time at leisure to
explore, shop or maybe take a trip out to the islands of the
lagoon (Buffet breakfast / Dinner) |
| Day 6 Venice (Mestre)
- Rome (2 nights) |
| After breakfast our drive takes us across the Po valley to
Bologna where we join the Autostrada del Sole for our
journey over the forested Apennine Mountains. Then we drive
southwards through the beautiful landscape of Tuscany, the
towering hills of Umbria and finally into the region of
Lazio where we find Rome, the Eternal City, where we spend
the next two nights. (Buffet breakfast) Hotel: Villa Torlonia |
| Day 7 Rome sightseeing
& at leisure |
| This morning after breakfast, our sightseeing tour with a
local guide includes a visit to St. Peter's Basilica where
we admire the Pieta of Michelangelo, then we cross the Tiber
to view the Forum, the mighty Colosseum and the Circus
Maximus, scene of chariot races in the past. Later why not
take an excursion to the Sistine Chapel and Vatican Museums
This evening perhaps dine out in one of the city's many fine
trattorias. (Buffet breakfast |
| Day 8 Rome -
Florence |
| Today we travel through the Chianti wine-producing region of
Tuscany to Renaissance Florence. Here our guided walking
tour includes the cathedral, baptistery, Signoria Square and
a visit to Santa Croce Basilica where so many great Italians
have been buried, including Michelangelo. Later, our Tour
Director shares a fascinating Hidden Treasure of the
city with us before we enjoy a delicious Highlight Dinner in a typical Florentine trattoria. (Buffet breakfast /
Highlight Dinner) Hotel: Raffaello |
| Day 9 Florence - Pisa -
Monte Carlo - Nice (2 nights) |
| Our first stop is at Pisa to see the incredible Leaning
Tower which stands in the Square of Miracles besides the
cathedral and baptistery. Then we pass the quarries of
Carrara and drive along the Motorway of Flowers via the
great passenger port of Genoa to the Principality of Monaco,
which has been ruled over by the descendants of the Grimaldi
family for hundreds of years. Here we have time to visit one
of the many casinos in Monte Carlo. From here we continue
our journey arriving at our hotel in jet-set Nice for the
next two nights. (Buffet breakfast) Hotel: Beau Rivage |
| Day 10 St. Paul
de Vence & Fragonard perfumery |
| Today we enjoy an excursion to hilltop St. Paul de Vence
with its art galleries and handicraft shops - an artist's
paradise! Then we stop to visit the Fragonard Perfumery before returning to our hotel. The remainder of your
afternoon is at leisure in Nice, perhaps take a stroll along
the Promenade des Anglais or explore the old town. (Buffet
breakfast) |
| Day 11 Nice -
Lake Maggiore - Zermatt |
| Today we travel back into Italy and in the direction of
Alessandria and Novara. Soon we are in the Italian Lakes and
driving along Lake Maggiore. We stop at elegant Stresa
opposite the picturesque Borromean Islands. Then we drive up
into the foothills of the Alps climbing towards Switzerland
and the Simplon Pass. At the small village of Tasch we
disembark from our coach where we will take electric
minibuses to Zermatt, overlooked by the mighty Matterhorn.
This unique traffic-free ski and mountaineering resort is
one of the most exclusive in Switzerland. (Buffet breakfast
/ Dinner) Hotel: Albana Real |
| Day 12 Zermatt -
Geneva |
Our Tour Director
shows us around this Alpine resort and reveals to us another Hidden Treasure! Then maybe take an excursion to the
‘Kleine Matterhorn’ before we drive along the Rhône Valley
to Lake Geneva where the Chateau de Chillon stands, so
chillingly evoked in Byron’s poetry. We drive around the
lake to the city of Geneva where we see the United Nations
building, the Red Cross Headquarters, the Jet d’Eau and the
Reformation Monument. (Buffet breakfast / Dinner)
Hotel: Movenpick(F) |
| Day 13 Geneva -
Savigny-Les-Beaune - Paris (2 nights) |
| Today we leave Switzerland and drive through the French
region of Burgundy, famous for its excellent wines. Here we
stop to take a picture of the Savigny-Lès-Beaune vineyards.
Next on past Auxerrois vineyards and past the Fontainebleau
forest former hunting ground of the French Royal Family, to
glittering Paris where tonight we have the chance to attend
one of the spectacular French cabaret shows! (Buffet
breakfast) Hotel: Hilton La Defense |
| Day 14 Paris
sightseeing & at leisure |
| This morning our sightseeing tour with a local guide
includes a drive from the Place de la Concorde along the
broad Champs Élysées to the Arc de Triomphe which stands at
the centre of a nerve wracking traffic junction of twelve
roads. Next on to the iconic Eiffel Tower which we ascend to
its second level where we have views of Notre Dame Cathedral
and the whole of the city. Later, maybe take an excursion to
Versailles, but then we will join our Tour Director and
travelling companions for our Farewell Dinner tonight! (Buffet breakfast / Farewell Dinner) |
| Day 15 Paris -
London |
| Today we cross Northern France over the Somme battlefields
and see the Canadian War Memorial at Vimy Ridge. Then on to
Calais for our ferry crossing to Dover and coach drive back
to London where it is time to bid farewell to our Tour
Director as our European tour must come to an end. (Buffet
breakfast) |
Return to top 
