|
European Discovery
Visiting Belgium, Holland, Germany, Switzerland,
Liechtenstein, Austria, Italy, Vatican City, France and Spain
23 Days From $1998
Your SuperSaver Itinerary
Day 1 London Amsterdam
We
meet our Tour Director at the Hilton Olympia this morning,
before heading south to board our ferry to Calais. From Calais
we cross Belgium's Flanders Fields, then enter Holland to
reach our Amsterdam hotel.
Day 2 Amsterdam Sightseeing
Our
orientation tour includes Dam Square and the Mint Tower. Then
we visit a diamond-cutting and polishing factory, before we
drive into the Dutch countryside to see how clogs and cheese
are made. (B)
Day 3 Amsterdam Rhineland
This
morning it's first to Cologne, where we view the Gothic
cathedral before embarking on our Rhine Cruise, to sail
serenely past castles, vineyards and villages of half-timbered
houses. We rejoin our coach to drive past the legendary
Loreley Rock, then continue on to our Rhineland hotel. (B,D)
Day 4 Rhineland Lucerne
Today
we visit Heidelberg where we have views of the ruined castle.
Then into the Black Forest, past Lake Titisee and pine-covered
hillsides dotted with geranium-decked farmhouses. Now over the
Swiss border, to see the thundering Rhine Falls at
Schaffhausen and then on to lovely Lake Lucerne. (B,D)
Top
Day 5 Lucerne Sightseeing
On
our tour of Lucerne we visit the Lion Monument, carved out of
a limestone cliff, and see the renowned Chapel Bridge. There's
time to shop this afternoon for famous Swiss chocolate or
perhaps an excursion by cable car up one of the nearby
mountains for breathtaking views of the Alps? (B)
Day 6 Lucerne Innsbruck
In
Liechtenstein we visit Vaduz, overlooked by the 700 year old
castle. Then its on through spectacular scenery to Innsbruck.
Here we see the Imperial Palace and Golden Roof. Perhaps enjoy
an evening of Tyrolean Folklore tonight? (B,D)
Day 7 Innsbruck Venice
Over
the Europa Bridge and the Brenner Pass, we follow the Adige
valley en route to Venice. Here we cruise by private launch to
St. Mark's Square to see the Bridge of Sighs, Doges' Palace
and Basilica, before a demonstration of Venetian
glass-blowing. Then we drive to our hotel in the Veneto
region. (B)
Day 8 Veneto Assisi
A
leisurely day today through the Apennine mountains to St
Francis' hilltop Assisi. Here we see the great Basilica with
its magnificent frescoes by the artist Giotto. (B,D)
Day 9 Assisi Rome
We
leave peaceful Assisi this morning and continue through the
Umbrian countryside en route to Rome and our hotel. Tonight,
perhaps join an introductory tour of the 'Eternal City', to
see Rome's beautiful squares and fountains. (B)
Day 10 Rome Sightseeing
Our
guided tour begins with a visit to the Vatican City and St.
Peter's Basilica with it's moving 'Pieta' by Michelangelo and
splendid dome. There is also the option to visit the Vatican
Museums to see the Sistine Chapel. We then admire the ancient
Imperial Forum and the mighty Colosseum, with time afterwards
to explore Rome at our own pace. (B)
Day 11 Rome at Leisure
Today
we are at leisure to perhaps take a full-day excursion to
Pompeii, buried by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 A.D.
or, conditions permitting, sail to the Isle of Capri? (B)
Day 12 Rome Florence
We
travel north to Renaissance Florence, the artistic centre of
Italy. Here we enjoy views over the city from the Piazzale
Michelangelo and watch a demonstration of leatherwork. Then we
are at leisure to explore all the famous sights such as the
cathedral, Piazza Signoria or Santa Croce square. (B,D)
Day 13 Florence Nice
After
seeing the world-famous Leaning Tower of Pisa we're off along
the spectacular road high above the Italian Riviera. We cross
the French border and pass elegant Monaco. We pause to visit a
French perfumery, then continue to Nice. Tonight, perhaps a
flutter at the Monte Carlo casino? (B)
Day 14 Nice at Leisure
A day
on the French Riviera! Why not join an optional excursion to
St. Paul de Vence? Or relax, have a swim and stroll the
Promenade des Anglais. Tonight, perhaps enjoy an optional
dinner with local specialities? (B)
Day 15 Nice Barcelona
Today
we travel across the Camargue, famous for its wild horses,
bulls and flamingos, and rich in reeds, flowers and rice
fields. We continue on through Catalonia to Barcelona. (B,D)
Day 16 Barcelona Sightseeing
On
our tour of the city we see Gaudi's famed Sagrada Familia, the
gothic Cathedral and Christopher Columbus' Monument in the
historic port. Then free time, perhaps visit the Pueblo
Espanol with its replicas of regional Spanish villages? (B)
Day 17 Barcelona Madrid
We
cross the River Ebro in Aragon today, then ascend the Morata
Pass to the plains of Old Castille, and on to Madrid, the
capital of Spain created virtually from scratch in the exact
centre of the country by Philip II in the 16th century. (B)
Day 18 Madrid Sightseeing
With
our local guide we see the Royal Palace, Puerta del Sol, the
celebrated Cibeles Fountain and the Gran Via. Then we have
some time at leisure to shop for local goods or maybe take a
trip to nearby Toledo? (B)
Day 19 Madrid Lourdes
Over
the soaring Pyrenees into France and the famous pilgrimage
centre of Lourdes. We visit the miraculous Grotto and join the
moving candlelight procession an experience which will
remain in your memory forever!
(B,D)
Day 20 Lourdes Bordeaux
Time
to explore this mountain-ringed town this morning, before we
continue north with a drive past world-famous vineyards to the
major Atlantic port of Bordeaux. (B,D)
Day 21 Bordeaux Paris
Across the Dordogne River to the Loire Valley. We follow the
lovely River Loire, pausing to view the Chateau of Amboise
where Leonardo da Vinci is buried and also the monumental
castle at Blois. Now on to Paris, where tonight you may wish
to tour the fabulous illuminations. (B)
Day 22 Paris Sightseeing
In
this city of romance our expert local guide shows us the
Champs Elysees, Arc de Triomphe and famous Eiffel Tower,
followed by a visit to the Notre Dame Cathedral. Then perhaps
visit Montmartre or the Louvre? Tonight why not take in a
Can-Can at a typical Parisian cabaret? (B)
Day 23 Paris London
Crossing World War I battlefields to Calais, we take the ferry
to Dover, and continue onto London, where our tour ends.
(B)
|
