Day 2 Amsterdam at leisure An orientation of the city includes the Tower of Tears, the Royal Palace, Dam Square, plus a visit to a diamond-polishing factory and more. Then on to Volendam, a picturesque fishing village on the Ijsselmeer where the locals still wear the traditional costume. Then a visit to a cheese farm and clog workshop. Later this afternoon, you may wish to take an excursion to visit the Rijksmuseum and the Ann Frank House, or to go shopping for antique silver and Delft porcelin. (Continental breakfast)

Day 3 Amsterdam - Rhine Cruise - Rhineland (Hockenheim)
We travel to German Cologne, with its gothic Cathedral. Next on to Boppard, where we embark on a Rhine Cruise past castles and vineyards before arriving in St. Goar. Then we drive to the University city of Heidelberg to view the red sandstone Castle before continuing to our hotel in Hockenheim. (Continental breakfast and 3 course evening meal)

Day 4 Rhineland (Hockenheim) - Strasbourg - Lake Lucerne (2)
This morning we drive into France and Strasbourg, where we see the Cathedral. Soon the Alsace wine country leads us to the Swiss border at Basel. Then on to snow-capped Alps and 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 of a cable-car ride up a nearby mountain. (Continental breakfast and 3 course evening meal)

Day 6 Lake Lucerne - Liechtenstein - Innsbruck We drive to the lake of Zurich and follow the shores of the Walensee to the Principality of Liechtenstein. Time to purchase your souvenir stamps before driving through the Austrian Arlberg region to the Inn Valley and to picturesque Innsbruck, where orientation includes the Wilten Basilica and the Hofburg. Time this afternoon to maybe take a horse-driven carriage through the Tyrolean countryside. (Contintental breakfast and 3 course evening meal)

Day 7 Innsbruck - Salzburg - Vienna (2)
This morning we drive via Germany, to the charm of Salzburg, home to Mozart, and later the setting of "The Sound of Music". Here orientation highlights places associated with both. On to the Austrian capital – Vienna.(Continental breakfast

Day 8 Vienna at leisure
Today's sightseeing tour highlights the beauty of this city. We'll see the Hofburg, Imperial Boulevards and City Hall. At leisure, perhaps take a trip to visit the Schönbrunn Palace or window-shop in the chic Kärntnerstrasse. (Continental breakfast)

Day 9 Vienna - Venice (Monastier) (2)
South today we drive via Klagenfurt to the Austrian 'riviera' and the mountains of Carinthia. We cross the Italian border and travel over the Alps to the Veneto plain. Soon we arrive in magical Venice. (Continental breakfast and 3 course evening meal)

Day 10 Venice at leisure Today we enjoy a canal cruise to St. Mark's Square. We'll see the Bridge of Sighs and St. Mark's Basilica, before witnessing the art of glass-blowing in a Murano glass factory. Later, why not experience a gondola serenade along the Grand Canal? (Continental breakfast and 3 course evening meal)

Day 11 Venice (Monastier) - Rome (2)
Today into Tuscany, we climb over the Apennine Mountains, to Umbria and finally the Latium, cradle of the Roman civilisation. We arrive in Rome late afternoon, with time to relax. (Continental breakfast)

Day 12 Rome at leisure
Our morning sightseeing tour shows us the Forum, Colosseum and St. Peter's Basilica. Then time at leisure to perhaps head to the Sistine Chapel and the ancient Catacombs. Tonight, why not relax over drinks in a sidewalk cafe? (Continental breakfast)

Day 13 Rome - Florence
Today we see the towns of Orte and Orvieto en route to Florence. Time to explore or perhaps shop for leather or gold. We enjoy a panorama of the city from Piazzale Michelangelo, before making our way to our hotel. (Continental breakfast and 3 course evening meal)

Day 14 Florence - Pisa - Nice (2) On to the coast, stopping in Pisa to see its famous Leaning Tower! Then we travel along the Ligurian Coast past Genoa to the French Riviera. Later, we enjoy an included excursion to the Principality of Monaco, where we see a Monte Carlo casino. (Continental breakfast)

Day 15 Nice at leisure
Today's orientation shows us the Place Massena and the Promenade des Anglais. Then time at leisure to relax or perhaps take a swim in the Mediterranean or shop in the boutiques. (Continental breakfast)

Day 16 Nice - Barcelona (2)
We enjoy a scenic drive along France's coastline and past Cézanne's Montagne St. Victoire. On through the Camargue, to the Pyrenees - the border between France and Spain. Then it's a short drive to Barcelona. (Continental breakfast and 3 course evening meal)

Day 17 Barcelona at leisure
Our morning sightseeing includes Christopher Columbus' statue, a drive along the Ramblas seeing the open-air markets plus the Paseo de Gracia with its boutiques. Later, why not visit the Picasso Museum? Tonight, don't miss the passion of a fiery flamenco evening! (Continental breakfast)

Day 18 Barcelona - Madrid (2) This morning we journey past the serrated mountain top of Montserrat, through the vineyards of Catalonia and the arid hills of Aragon until we reach the Spanish meseta. Then, on through the gorges of Jalon we reach Madrid. (Continental breakfast and 3 course evening meal)

Day 19 Madrid at leisure
This morning, sightseeing shows us the Puerta del Sol and the Plaza de España. Later, why not take an excursion to visit Philip II's Monastery Palace at El Escorial and the Valley of the Fallen? (Continental breakfast)

Day 20 Madrid - Lourdes
Today we drive through Castile and the Basque country back into France. Then on to Lourdes, home of St. Bernadette. Here orientation shows us the Basilica on top of St. Bernadette's grotto. This evening, you can join the torchlit procession. (Continental breakfast and 3 evening course meal)

Day 21 Lourdes - Bordeaux
This morning enjoy free time in this pilgrimage city. We head to 'Henry IV's Pau', for beautiful views over the Pyrenees. Then on to Biarritz with time to explore before we continue through the Landes Forest to Bordeaux. (Continental breakfast and 3 course evening meal)

Day 22 Bordeaux - Paris (2) Across the Gironde estuary we continue to the Loire Valley. Here we see the Castles at Amboise and Blois, before reaching Paris. (Continental breakfast) Day 23 Paris at leisure Today's morning sightseeing features views of the Champs Elysées, the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame Cathedral. There's time afterwards perhaps to take an excursion to the Louvre. This evening, why not celebrate your last night at a Parisian cabaret show? (Continental breakfast)

Day 24 Paris - London
It's 'au revoir Paris', as we drive across the Battlefields of the Somme, en route to the French Coast where we board the ferry to Dover and continues on by coach to London. (Continental breakfast)

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