Day 2 Brussels - Amsterdam Today we drive into Holland and Amsterdam where sightseeing reveals the city's spider-webbed canal system, its many bridges and other attractions. We also visit a diamond-cutting factory before an excursion to the fishing village of Volendam, a local clog factory and a cheese farm. (Continental breakfast and 3 course evening meal)

Day 3 Amsterdam - Ludwigshafen
Our first stop today is in Cologne to view Europe's largest twin-spired Cathedral. Later, pretty wine villages and castles provide a lovely setting for today's highlight - a cruise on the Rhine. We see the Lorelei Rock before rejoining our coach and driving to our hotel in Ludwigshafen. (Continental breakfast and 3 course evening meal)

Day 4 Ludwigshafen - Lake Lucerne (2)
Today begins in the University town of Heidelberg. Then on to Freiburg, winding through the Black Forest to see beautiful Lake Titisee. Then on to Schaffhausen to view the mighty Rhine Falls before we continue via Zurich to lakeside Lucerne. (Continental breakfast and 3 course evening meal)

Day 5 Lucerne at leisure
Our orientation today shows us the Lion Monument and Chapel Bridge. At leisure perhaps shop for Swiss timepieces and chocolates. Don't miss the chance to ascend one of the surrounding mountains. (Continental breakfast and 3 course evening meal)

Day 6 Lake Lucerne - Liechtenstein - Innsbruck We marvel at the scenery as we drive through Switzerland to Vaduz, the capital of the Principality of Liechtenstein. Then we drive into Austria, past the ski resort of St. Anton and descend to the Inn Valley and mountain-ringed Innsbruck. Here an orientation tour includes the Golden Roof before dinner at our hotel. (Continental breakfast and 3 course evening meal)

Day 7 Innsbruck - Vienna (2)
Today we enjoy a scenic drive as we re-enter Germany briefly to visit Berchtesgaden in the Bavarian Alps. This painters' paradise was the site of Hitler's mountain retreat. Then on through the Salzkammergut to the Danube Valley. Following the river we see the monastery of Melk en route to Imperial Vienna. (Continental breakfast)

Day 8 Vienna at leisure
Today's sightseeing tour shows us the highlights of this elegant capital. From the Opera to the Imperial Boulevards, the Hofburg to Belvedere Palace, its charming precision is more than musical. (Continental breakfastl)

Day 9 Vienna - Venice (Mestre) (2)
This morning we enjoy vistas of ancient castles, mountains and lakes as we drive via the Austrian Lake District to the Carinthian town of Klagenfurt. Past the Worthersee, we enter Italy and descend to the Adriatic Coast before arriving in Venice. (Continental breakfast and 3 course evening meal)

Day 10 Venice at leisure All around us are reminders of Venetian medieval maritime power and wealth as we cruise along the criss-crossing canals. We also witness a demonstration of Murano glass-blowing in one of the oldest workshops on the island. Later perhaps visit St. Mark's Basilica or relax on a cruise to one of the islands in the Lagoon for a fresh seafood lunch! (Continental breakfast and 3 course evening meal)

Day 11 Venice (Mestre) - Rome (3)
We cross the fertile Po Valley via Bologna to join the Autostrada del Sole for our journey over the Apennine Mountains. Later on to Rome, where culinary delights and vibrant nightlife await us. (Continental breakfast)

Days 12 & 13 Rome at leisure
This is the 'Eternal City' and there is so much to do! First our sightseeing tour highlights such wonders as the Forum, Colosseum and St. Peter's in the Vatican. Then free time for the remainder of your stay to perhaps marvel at the Sistine Chapel, see incredible tapestries in the Vatican Museum or take a trip to Tivoli. (2 x Continental breakfast)

Day 14 Rome - Bay of Naples
This morning we drive past the Abbey of Monte Cassino to the Bay of Naples. Here you have the chance to take an excursion to the Isle of Capri, with its luxuriant vegetation and then cruise back across the blue Mediterranean to Naples. (Continental breakfast and 3 course evening meal)

Day 15 Bay of Naples - Florence From Naples in the shadow of Mount Vesuvius, we travel through central Italy and the vineyards of Tuscany to Renaissance Florence. Dinner is at our hotel this evening. (Continental breakfast and 3 course evening meal) Day 16 Florence - Nice (2) Today we admire the city from Piazzale Michelangelo. Then you

Day 17 Nice at leisure
Orientation this morning shows us the Place Massena and Promenade des Anglais. This afternoon is at leisure. Later, we enjoy a visit to Monte Carlo to see the famous casinos. (Continental breakfast)

Day 18 Nice - Lyon
We drive along the coast to Cannes, home of the Film Festival. Then we continue through the countryside of painters Van Gogh and Cézanne, and past the 'Montagne Ste. Victoire' to Avignon with its Papal Palace. Then we continue along the Rhône Valley to Lyon for our dinner and overnight stay. (Continental breakfast and 3 course evening meal)

Day 19 Lyon - Paris (3)
Our route today takes us through the wine-producing region of Burgundy, past the dense Forest of Fontainebleau before arriving in Paris. (Continental breakfast)

Days 20 & 21 Paris at leisure Our sightseeing tour on the first day features Notre Dame Cathedral and shows us the Champs Elysées, Arc de Triomphe and Eiffel Tower. At leisure, perhaps explore the Louvre museum or window-shop on the fashionable Rue du Faubourg St. Honoré. (2 x continental breakfast)

Day 22 Paris - London
Today our route to the port of Calais takes us past the Battlefields of two World Wars. Then a short sea crossing brings us to the White Cliffs of Dover and on to London. (Continental breakfast)

Departs Sundays (April - October)
Departure point: near Victoria Station