| Highlights: Amsterdam * Cologne * Rhineland * Heidelberg * Black Forest * Schaffhausen * Lucerne * Liechtenstein * Innsbruck * Verona * Venice * Rome * Florence * Pisa * French Riviera * Cannes * Monte Carlo * Avignon * Paris * Dover
Day 1 London - Amsterdam
Welcome from our Tour Director as we drive to Dover for our ferry crossing to Calais in France. We continue through Belgian countryside to Holland and Amsterdam. On arrival a short orientation shows us the Dam Square and the Tower of Tears.
Day 2 Amsterdam - Rhine Cruise - Ludwigshafen
Today we visit a diamond-cutting factory before heading to Cologne with its gothic Cathedral. Then, picturesque villages and castles provide a delightful setting for our Rhine cruise. Later, see the Lorelei Rock en route to our hotel. (Continental breakfast and 3 course evening meal)
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Day 3 Ludwigshafen - Lake Lucerne (2)
We start the day in the town of Heidelberg with views of the ancient castle. Later, driving to Freiburg, we wind through the Black Forest to see beautiful Lake Titisee. At Schaffhausen, we stop to view the mighty Rhine Falls before driving via Zurich to the lake of Lucerne. (Continental breakfast and 3 course evening meal)
Day 4 Lucerne at leisure
This lovely city holds many delights for the visitor - we see the Lion Monument, the Old Town and maybe take a scenic cruise on the lake. Perhaps shop for Swiss watches and delicious chocolates or take a cog railway up one of the nearby mountains. (Continental breakfast and 3 course evening meal)
Day 5 Lake Lucerne - Liechtenstein - Innsbruck
Today we cross the Swiss border to the Principality of Liechtenstein for a brief stop at the capital, Vaduz. Then into Austria, via the Arlberg Pass to the Olympic city of Innsbruck. (Continental breakfast and 3 course evening meal)
Day 6 Innsbruck - Verona - Venice (Mestre) (2)
This morning a short orientation features Innsbruck's main sights. Then we climb the alps, through the Brenner Pass and cross into Italy. We stop at Verona, city of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, and then on to magical Venice. (Continental breakfast and 3 course evening meal)
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Day 7 Venice at leisure
All around us are vivid reminders of Venetian maritime power and wealth, as we cruise along the criss-crossing canals. Later we visit a glass blowing factory. Then time at leisure, perhaps to visit St. Mark's Basilica and cruise to the islands of the Lagoon. (Continental breakfast and 3 course evening meal
Day 8 Venice (Mestre) - Rome (2)
This morning we head across the plains of Veneto, before taking the Autostrada del Sole to the bustling excitement of Rome. Tonight, perhaps watch the world go by from one of the cafés on the Piazza Navona. (Continental breakfast)
Day 9 Rome at leisure
Today's sightseeing in the 'Eternal City' highlights the Colosseum, the Forum and St. Peter's Basilica. Later at leisure, there's time to marvel at the Sistine Chapel, see incredible tapestries in the Vatican Museum and take a trip to ancient Tivoli. (Continental breakfast)
Day 10 Rome - Bay of Naples
First we see the Abbey of Monte Cassino on our way to the Bay of Naples and to our hotel. Perhaps take an excursion to the Isle of Capri, with its luxuriant plants & flowers and cruise back across the Mediterranean Sea to Sorrento! Dinner is at our hotel. (Continental breakfast and 3 course evening meal)
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Day 11 Bay of Naples - Florence
Today there's a chance to visit the excavations at Pompeii before we drive through Tuscany to the city of Florence where we enjoy views of the city from Piazzale Michelangelo. Then, time at leisure to perhaps see the Cathedral, Giotto's Bell Tower, the Baptistry and Signoria Square. (Continental breakfast and 3 course evening meal)
Day 12 Florence - Pisa - Nice (2)
Today we drive to Pisa - Galileo's home town - with its famous Leaning Tower, and after a short stop, we continue to the Italian Riviera. En route we pass by Genoa, Columbus' birthplace, and then on to the fashionable French Riviera and Nice. (Continental breakfast)
Day 13 Nice at leisure
This afternoon, we enjoy a drive along the palm-lined Promenade des Anglais in Nice before we join the jet-set in Cannes. At leisure, why not take an excursion to St. Paul de Vence and Grasse? Later, we visit Monaco where we see the famous Monte Carlo Casino. (Continental breakfast)
Day 14 Nice - Lyon
We see the beautiful countryside of Van Gogh and Cézanne and travel via Aix-en-Provence to Avignon, with its Palace of the Popes. Through the Rhône Valley, we reach Lyon. (Continental breakfast and 3 course evening meal)
Day 15 Lyon - Paris (2)
This morning's drive takes us through the wine-producing region of Burgundy and the Forest of Fontainebleau. Later, we arrive in elegant Paris. (Continental breakfast) |
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Day 16 Paris at leisure
Our morning sightseeing shows us the Champs Elysées, Arc de Triomphe, Eiffel Tower and the Cathedral of Notre Dame. Tonight, you have the chance to toast a memorable tour with a cabaret evening and dinner! (Continental breakfast)
Day 17 Paris - London
Today our route takes us past the Battlefields of two World Wars. From Calais, it's only a short sea crossing to the White Cliffs of Dover and then we return to London. (Continental breakfast)
Departs Wednesdays (May to Mid-November)
Departure point: near Victoria Station
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