Highlights: London * Dover * Paris * Beaune * Lucerne * Milan * Rome * Florence * Venice * Innsbruck * Munich * Heidelberg * Rhine Valley * Cologne * Amsterdam

Day 1 - London - Paris (2 nights)
A warm welcome from our Tour Director before a scenic drive to the coast. Admire the White Cliffs of Dover before our short Channel crossing to Calais in France. Heading south, we cross World War I Battlefields to fascinating Paris. This evening, enjoy a Welcome Dinner with wine – an ideal way to get to know your Tour Director and fellow passengers. (Welcome Dinner). Hotel: Evergreen Laurel (2 nights)

Day 2 - Paris sightseeing & at leisure
This morning our guided sightseeing tour of Paris takes us along the Champs Elysees to the magnificent Arch of Triumph and shows us the Opera, the vast Louvre and Notre Dame Cathedral beautifully located on an island in the River Seine. The rest of the day is at leisure. Perhaps spend time shopping or take a cruise on the Seine. Tonight, why not enjoy a Parisian cabaret or dine in a cosy left bank bistro? (Buffet Breakfast)

Day 3 - Paris - Lucerne
East into the agricultural heart of France, travelling through wine-producing Burgundy to the medieval town of Beaune. Then across the remains of wartime defenses, passing the Maginot Line near Belfort. We continue into Switzerland at Basel for first picture-book views of chalets on the approach to the Alps and lakeside Lucerne for the night. (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner). Hotel: Schiller

Day 4 - Lucerne - Milan
Enjoy a morning orientation of this medieval town and a visit to the Lion Monument. At leisure, you may wish to take a trip up a nearby mountain peak. Then, we head along the St. Gotthard route, through Alpine scenery and the Italian Lake District. Later, we arrive in fashionable Milan where orientation shows us the magnificent gothic Cathedral and "La Scala" Opera House. (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner). Hotel: Quark

Day 5 - Milan - Rome (2 nights)
This morning we drive through the fertile agricultural region of Emilia Romagna to Bologna and the Apennine Mountains bound for Rome, the 'Eternal City'. Later, why not discover the culinary delights of a local trattoria? (Buffet Breakfast). Hotel: Borromini (2 nights)

Day 6 - Rome sightseeing & at leisure
Our guided morning sightseeing of this historic city visits St Peter's in the Vatican and continues to Piazza Venezia where we have time to photograph the Victor Emmanuel monument and the 15th century Palazzo Veneizia. Then along the Via Sacra to the Roman Forums and to the breathtaking Colosseum. The Circus Maximus overlooked by the Palatine hill, where chariot races were an almost daily feature, completes our tour of the city. You may wish to explore further and visit the Catacombs and the Pantheon or you may wish to just relax at our hotel. (Buffet Breakfast)

Day 7 - Rome - Florence
Time perhaps to visit the Sistine Chapel this morning before we drive through the Chianti wine-producing region of Tuscany to Florence. Here sightseeing on foot includes the Cathedral, Baptistery, Signoria Square and visits the Santa Croce Basilica. The rest of the day is free to shop, or walk along the River Arno to the Ponte Vecchio. (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner). Hotel: Mediterraneo

Day 8 - Florence - Venice (Mestre)
Today it's only a short drive to Venice where we savour the city's unique sights and sounds on an included canal cruise by private motor launch to St. Mark's Square, viewing the Bridge of Sighs. After a visit to a traditional glass-blowing factory, time is your own to do as you please. (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner). Hotel: Antony

Day 9 - Venice (Mestre) - Munich
We drive past Lake Garda and enjoy stunning scenery as we head into the Dolomites. We climb the Brenner Pass into Austria crossing the Europa Bridge to mountain-ringed Innsbruck. Here an orientation shows us the Old Town with its Golden Roof. Time to shop for Swarovski silver crystal before driving to the border with German Bavaria en route to fun-loving Munich. (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner). Hotel: Holiday Inn Süd

Day 10 - Munich - Mannheim
The Town Hall with its Glockenspiel on the Marienplatz and the Olympic Stadium highlight our morning orientation. Then we continue to Heidelberg to view the Castle, high above this University city of 'Student Prince' fame. From here we head to our hotel in Mannheim. (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner). Hotel: Mannheim at Holiday Inn Centre

Day 11 - Mannheim - Amsterdam
We embark by the Lorelei Rock in St. Goar for a Rhine cruise gliding past medieval castles and terraced vineyards. We step ashore in Boppard, and drive via Bonn to Cologne, where we have time to visit the Gothic Cathedral, allegedly the resting place of the Three Wise Kings from the Orient. Later we cross the border near Arnhem, scene of World War II action, and continue to lively Amsterdam where we visit a diamond cutting and polishing factory. (Buffet Breakfast). Hotel: Novotel

Day 12 - Amsterdam - London
Today's orientation includes the Tower of Tears, the Royal Palace and Dam Square. Then on through Belgium, past Antwerp en route to Calais for our cruise to England. Here our coach takes us back to London. (Buffet Breakfast)

Christmas & New Year's Eve Highlights Tour departure 18 Dec will be accommodated in Venice over Christmas. Tour departure 24 Dec will be accommodated in Paris over Christmas and Venice on New Year’s Eve.

Tour departure 29 Dec will be accommodated in Lucerne for the New Year celebrations.