Highlights:
Dover * Amsterdam * Cologne * Rhine Valley * Heidelberg * Strasbourg * Lucerne * Liechtenstein * Innsbruck * Venice * Rome * Isle of Capri * Sorrento * Pompeii * Monte * Cassino * Assisi * Florence * Pisa * Nice * Cannes
Day 1 London – Amsterdam
Greetings from our Tour Director as we drive to Dover. Admire the White Cliffs on our Channel crossing to Calais in France. We drive through Belgium en route to lively Amsterdam, where we our introduced to the city with a canal cruise in a glass-topped boat. Tonight enjoy a welcome drink with your fellow passengers. (3 course evening meal)
Day 2 Amsterdam – Cologne – Rhine Cruise – Rhineland
A morning visit to a diamond-polishing factory before an orientation shows us the Mint Tower and Dam Square. Next we head into Germany, past Arnhem, stopping at Cologne to see its gothic Cathedral. Then we travel via Bonn to Boppard for our Rhine cruise past castles and vineyards to St. Goar. Finally, on to our hotel in Rhineland. (Buffet breakfast and 3 course evening meal) |
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Day 3 Rhineland – Heidelberg – Strasbourg – Engelberg (2)
First we drive to Heidelberg Castle, before arriving in medieval Strasbourg. Here an orientation tour shows us the Cathedral. Then we enjoy a scenic drive through Alsace vineyards to the Swiss border at Basel and the resort of Engelberg for two nights. (Buffet breakfast and 3 course evening meal)
Day 4 Lucerne Excursion
We drive to nearby Lucerne where orientation of this medieval town includes a visit to the Lion Monument, built in memory of Louis XVI's Swiss Guard and the Chapel Bridge. Later, there's time perhaps to scale a Swiss mountain by cable car and shop for delicious chocolates! (Buffet breakfast and 3 course evening meal)
Day 5 Engelberg – Liechtenstein – Innsbruck
Today we pass the Walensee to Liechtenstein, stopping in the capital – Vaduz – of this small principality. Then we cross the border into Austria and follow the Arlberg route into the Tyrol and Innsbruck. An orientation highlights the legacy of the one-time Hapsburg rulers. (Buffet breakfast and 3 course evening meal)
Day 6 Innsbruck – Venice (Mestre) (2)
Today we drive to the 620 foot-high Europa Bridge and Brenner Pass into Italy. Next, we travel through the foothills of the Dolomites to magical Venice. Tonight after dinner, why not enjoy a gondola serenade? (Buffet breakfast and 3 course evening meal)
Day 7 Venice sightseeing & at leisure
We discover this Byzantine city on an included canal cruise by
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private motor launch to St. Mark's Square. We'll view the Bridge of Sighs and the Doges' Palace before visiting a glass-blowing factory. Then free time to shop or perhaps cruise to Burano for a fresh seafood lunch. (Buffet breakfast and 3 course evening meal)
Day 8 Venice (Mestre) – Rome (2)
Today we leave the plains of the Veneto and drive into the Apennine hills past Bologna, into Tuscany and Umbria. Soon we are in the Latium en route to Rome, the 'Eternal City'. Tonight, why not experience a little of 'La Dolce Vita'? (Buffet breakfast)
Day 9 Rome sightseeing & at leisure
Today's sightseeing with a local guide includes a visit to St. Peter's Basilica where we see Michelangelo's Pieta, spectacular views of the Colosseum, a stop at the Forum, plus a photo-stop at the Circus Maximus where the chariot race in 'Ben Hur' is said to have taken place. Then perhaps visit the Sistine Chapel or relax over a long and lazy lunch! (Buffet breakfast)
Day 10 Rome – Isle of Capri – Sorrento
An early start through the vineyards of Frascati and into the province of Campania. We reach Naples and embark on our cruise to the Isle of Capri. Here we ascend to Capri town by funicular and stop at the Piazzetta before free time. We also visit some of the gardens and view the Faraglioni Rocks. Then we take our ferry to Sorrento – a clifftop summer resort for the night. (Buffet breakfast and 3 course evening meal)
Day 11 Sorrento – Pompeii – Assisi
Off to Pompeii where we visit the excavations with a local guide. Then past the Abbey of Monte Cassino we reach the hills of the Umbria and Assisi, St. Francis' town. We dine at our hotel. (Buffet breakfast and 3 course evening meal)
Day 12 Assisi – Florence
A morning orientation shows us the Basilica of St. Francis with its
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frescoes by Giotto. Next we're off to Florence via the lake of Trasimeno. On arrival sightseeing on foot with a local guide features the Duomo, Piazza Signoria and a visit to the Basilica of Santa Croce. See how leather is embossed with gold, with time to shop for leather and gold. We also make a stop at Piazzale Michelangelo, for breathtaking views of this Renaissance city. (Buffet breakfast)
Day 13 Florence – Pisa – Nice (2) – Monte Carlo
Excursion Our first stop is at Pisa to see its Leaning Tower. Then we will pass the quarries of Carrara and drive along the Motorway of Flowers via Genoa, Columbus' birthplace, to jet-set Nice. Later, we sample the high life on a visit to the Principality of Monaco where we see the Monte Carlo Casino before we enjoy dinner in a French restaurant. (Buffet breakfast and local restaurant meal)
Day 14 Nice – Côte d'Azur Excursion
We start the day with a drive along sparkling shores to fashionable Cannes. We continue into the hills, stopping at the medieval town of St. Paul de Vence. Then we visit a local perfumery before returning to Nice. (Buffet breakfast)
Day 15 Nice – Avignon – Lyon
Today along the coastline through Provence to Avignon. Here orientation includes the Papal Palace and St. Benezet Bridge. Then we head to Lyon, ancient capital of Gaul. (Buffet breakfast and 3 course evening meal)
Day 16 Lyon – Beaune – Paris (2)
We drive along the Rhône Valley on our way to charming Beaune. From here we travel through the wine-producing Burgundy region to Paris for two nights. (Buffet breakfast)
Day 17 Paris sightseeing & at leisure
Today's guided sightseeing tour features a drive along the Champs
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Elysées from the Place de la Concorde to the Arc de Triomphe, the ascent of the Eiffel Tower to the second level by elevator and a scenic Seine cruise featuring such highlights as Notre Dame Cathedral with its flying buttresses and the ornate Alexander III bridge. This evening, why not celebrate with your fellow travelling companions and take in an exciting Parisian cabaret? (Buffet breakfast)
Day 18 Paris – London
It's 'au revoir' to Paris as we cross Northern France via the Canadian War Memorial at Vimy Ridge. We continue past the remains of German World War II bunkers en route to Calais. Here we board our ferry to Dover and continue by coach back to London. (Buffet breakfast)
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