| Highlights: Dover * Paris * Cognac * Biarritz * Pamplona * Segovia * Madrid * Barcelona * South of France * Nice * Monte Carlo * Pisa * Florence * Rome * Naples * Athens * Venice * Vienna * Danube Valley Innsbruck * Liechtenstein * Lucerne * Schaffhausen * Black Forest * Heidelberg * Rhineland * Cologne * Amsterdam
Day 1 London - Paris (2)
Greetings from our Tour Director en route to Dover. Views of the White Cliffs before a short Channel crossing takes us to Calais in France and elegant, Paris. Tonight, why not take a tour of the city's spectacular illuminations?
Day 2 Paris at leisure
Morning sightseeing shows us the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Champs Elysées and visits Notre Dame Cathedral. At leisure perhaps shop along the Rue du Faubourg St. Honoré. (Continental breakfast)
Day 3 Paris - Bordeaux
Today we drive to the Loire Valley at Tours to view its Cathedral.
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Then on to Cognac to visit a distillery, before arriving in elegant Bordeaux. (Continental breakfast and 3 course evening meal)
Day 4 Bordeaux - Pamplona
First on to Biarritz, with its beaches and casino. Then we cross into Spain and travel via the resort of San Sebastian to Hemingway's Pamplona famous for its running of the bulls. (Continental breakfast and 3 course evening meal)
Day 5 Pamplona - Madrid (2)
We descend to Rioja continuing to Segovia with its imposing Alcazar. Here there's time to marvel at the old Roman aqueduct. Later, it's a short drive to Madrid, Europe's highest capital city. (Continental breakfast)
Day 6 Madrid at leisure
Today's morning sightseeing includes the Puerta del Sol and the Plaza de España. At leisure why not relax in a café in the old town or take an excursion to the unique memorial at the 'Valley of the Fallen'? (Continental breakfast)
Day 7 Madrid - Barcelona (2)
We cross the Spanish Meseta and on through the gorges of Jalon. Next through the vineyards of Catalonia and past the mysterious mountain of Montserrat to Barcelona. (Continental breakfast and 3 course evening meal)
Day 8 Barcelona sightseeing
The gothic magnificence of the ancient Cathedral and the art
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nouveau fantasies of Gaudi's 'Sagrada Familia' highlight our sightseeing. Later, why not stroll the colourful Ramblas? (Continental breakfast)
Day 9 - Barcelona - Cannes (2 nights)
This morning after breakfast we cross the French border past Perpignan into wine-producing Languedoc. From here we will follow the Côte d'Améthyste to the scenic Camargue. Next through Impressionist Provençal landscapes we arrive in Cannes for two nights. We dine at our hotel this evening. (Continental Breakfast / Dinner)
Day 10 - Cannes orientation & Nice excursion
This morning enjoy an orientation tour which shows us the Hotel-Palais on La Croisette and the Film Festival Centre. Then we continue to Nice where we see the Promenade des Anglais and the Place Massena. Free time to shop and perhaps visit the Old Town before returning to Cannes. With time at leisure why not take an excursion to St. Paul de Vence and Grasse. (Continental Breakfast)
Day 11 - Cannes - Monte Carlo - Pisa - Tuscan Hills (Montecatini)
Our first stop this morning is in Monaco and Monte Carlo where we visit Monaco's old town. From here we continue into Italy, past Genoa to Pisa, where we see the famous Leaning tower in the Square of Miracles. Finally we arrive in our hotel in Montecatini. (Continental Breakfast / Dinner)
Day 12 - Montecatini - Rome (2 nights)
This morning we enjoy a scenic view of the city from Piazzale Michelangelo. Then we have time to see Giotto's Bell Tower, the Cathedral, Signoria Square and the Santa Croce Basilica. After perhaps taking an excursion to see Michelangelo's David before driving through Tuscan vineyards to the grandeur of Rome. (Continental Breakfast)
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Day 13 - Rome sightseeing & at leisure
Our sightseeing tour features St. Peter's plus views of the Forum and Colosseum. At leisure, perhaps visit the Sistine Chapel. Tonight, why not enjoy dinner in a local trattoria? (Continental Breakfast)
Day 14 - Rome - Bay of Naples
After breakfast we drive past the Abbey of Monte Cassino to the Bay of Naples and on to our hotel. This afternoon why not join an optional excursion and cruise to the Isle of Capri? (Continental Breakfast / Dinner)
Day 15 - Bay of Naples - Bari - At Sea
Our morning journey takes us past Salerno and Potenza, before we continue to the Italian port Bari. Here we will board our overnight ferry for the sea crossing to Greece. (Continental Breakfast / Dinner)
Day 16 - At Sea - Patras - Athens (4 nights)
We cross the Ionian Sea, arriving in the Greek port of Patras. From here we travel by coach to Athens. (Continental Breakfast)
Days 17, 18 & 19 - Athens at leisure
During your stay in Athens there is plenty of free time to explore the sights of this city and the surrounding countryside and don't forget to shop for Greek souvenirs. (Continental Breakfast / Continental Breakfast / Continental Breakfast)
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Day 20 - Athens sightseeing - At Sea
Morning sightseeing includes the Parthenon, the Acropolis and Temple of Zeus. Next we head to Patras where we will enjoy dinner in a local restaurant tonight before we board our ship for the cruise across the Aegean and Adriatic to Venice. (Continental Breakfast / Dinner)
Day 21 - Disembark Ancona - Venice (Main.) (2 nights)
We arrive at the port of Ancona and then drive through the Appenines and via Bologna to Venice. (Continetnal Breakfast / Dinner)
Day 22 - Venice orientation & at leisure
Today we enjoy a canal cruise by vaporetto to St. Mark's Square, viewing the Bridge of Sighs and much more. After a visit to a traditional glass-blowing factory time is your own. Why not visit one of the islands in the Venetian Lagoon? (Continental Breakfast / Dinner)
Day 23 - Venice (Main.) - Vienna (2 nights)
The Carnian Alps herald the Austrian Lake District. Next via the Semmering Pass across the Alps, the Vienna Woods giving way to the Danube Plains and Imperial Vienna. (Continental Breakfast)
Day 24 - Vienna sightseeing & at leisure
Morning sightseeing in the Austrian capital features the Imperial Boulevards, the Parliament and the Opera. The remainder of your day is at leisure to do as you please. (Continental Breakfast)
Day 25 - Vienna - Innsbruck
Today we will drive via the Abbey of Melk and on to Dürnstein. Then we continue through the Salzkammergut to Innsbruck, where an orientation tour includes the Golden Roof. (Continental Breakfast / Dinner) |
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Day 26 - Innsbruck - Lake Lucerne (2 nights)
Today through the Arlberg region, as we arrive in Vaduz, capital of the small principality of Liechtenstein. From here enjoy a scenic drive through Switzerland to Lucerne. (Continental Breakfast / Dinner)
Day 27 - Lucerne orientation & at leisure
Our orientation tour shows us the Old Town, the Cathedral and Lion Monument. Don't miss the chance to ascend one of the nearby mountains - the views are spectacular. (Continental Breakfast / Dinner)
Day 28 - Lake Lucerne - Heidelberg - Hirschberg
We drive via Zurich to Schaffhausen stopping to view the mighty Rhine Falls. Then through the Black Forest, past Lake Titisee to Freiburg. Next we head to Heidelberg, with its ancient castle before reaching our hotel in Ludwigshafen. (Continental Breakfast / Dinner)
Day 29 - Hirschberg - Rhine Cruise - Amsterdam
Today's drive into the Rhine Valley provides a tranquil setting for our relaxing Rhine cruise. Later, we view Cologne's spectacular Cathedral en route to Amsterdam. (Continental Breakfast)
Day 30 - Amsterdam - London
This morning's orientation tour will reveal to us the wonders of lively Amsterdam. After a visit to a diamond-cutting factory, we begin our journey to Calais. From here we board our ferry to Dover and then by coach return to London. (Continental Breakfast)
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