Day 1 - Arrive Frankfurt
You are met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. Later an orientation of Germany's financial capital shows us the medieval buildings and Cathedral on the Römerplatz near to the river Main. This evening we will enjoy a Welcome Dinner and wine with our Tour Director and fellow passengers. (Welcome Dinner)
Hotel: Sheraton Offenbach
Day 2 - Frankfurt - Munich
Today we travel to the medieval walled town of Rothenburg on the River Tauber where we will enjoy a walking tour highlighting the extraordinary features of this quaint and ancient, half-timbered town. Then along the romantic road past Dinkelsbuhl to lively Munich, where orientation features the modern Olympic stadium, the ancient Marienplatz, the Hofbrauhaus and the lively street market. (when open) (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)
Hotel: Holiday Inn Süd
Day 3 - Munich - Venice (Mestre)
A scenic drive brings us to alpine ringed Innsbruck, capital of the Austrian Tyrol. An orientation tour reveals the Golden Roof and Hofburg Palace in the old town on the river Inn. Then on to the nearby Brenner Pass and the Italian border – we are soon driving through the glorious Dolomite Mountains before we reach the Veneto plain. Soon we arrive in the unique, canal-crossed city of Venice. (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)
Hotel: Antony
Day 4 - Venice sightseeing – Florence
Today we have the good fortune to visit perhaps the world’s most extraordinary and romantic city.
A private launch takes us along a series of canals, lined with Palladian architecture, to the majesty of St Mark's square where we stroll past St Mark's Basilica and mighty Campanile to one of the city’s famous glass-blowing workshops to witness this ancient craft. Free time to enjoy the attractions of Venice before returning to the mainland and our motor coach. We cross the Apennine Mountains to Renaissance Florence, with time to shop or perhaps visit one of the museums. Tonight, maybetry a little Tuscan gastronomy before you retire! (Buffet Breakfast)
Hotel: Ambasciatori
Day 5 - Florence - Lucerne (2 nights)
Today's sightseeing on foot shows us the Duomo, Giotto's bell-tower, the Piazza Signoria and visits the Holy Cross Basilica, resting place of Michelangelo as well as many other great artists, scientists and politicians. Then on via Milan into the Italian Lakes area past Lake Como and into Switzerland, to the peaks of the St. Gotthard and the lake of Lucerne. (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)
Hotel: Radisson SAS (2 nights)
Day 6 - Lucerne orientation & at leisure
Today we enjoy an orientation tour seeing the Lion Monument and the Wooden Bridge. Then free time, perhaps to take a trip up a nearby mountain or shop for Swiss chocolates and watches.(Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)
Day 7 - Lucerne - Paris (2 nights)
Enjoy picturesque alpine scenery as we drive to the French border. We continue past Belfort and remnants of the Maginot Line before heading into the wine-producing region of Burgundy. We stop to admire the vineyards at Savigny-Lès-Beaune en route to Paris. Tonight, why not be dazzled and take an excursion to see the illuminations from a Seine riverboat? (Buffet Breakfast)
Hotel: Evergreen Laurel (2 nights)
Day 8 - Paris sightseeing & at leisure
The ascent of the Eiffel Tower by elevator to the second level, views of the Champs Elysées, Notre Dame Cathedral and the glass Pyramid of the Louvre, featured in the ‘Da Vinci Code’ are included on our sightseeing trip with a local guide. The rest of the day is free to shop or take a trip to the magnificent Palace at Versailles. This evening, why not take the opportunity to enjoy a Parisian cabaret? (Buffet Breakfast)
Day 9 - Paris - London
We cross Northern France and World War I Battlefields to Calais for our ferry to Dover. Admire the White Cliffs before we drive through the Kent countryside to London. (Buffet Breakfast)
Airport Transfers Transfers on arrival at Frankfurt Airport will operate at 09.30 and 12.00. Passengers arriving later should make their own way to the first hotel.