European Festival
Day 1 - Depart USA Overnight transatlantic flight to London.
Day 2 - Arrive London (2 nights) Time to relax after checking into your Trafalgar hotel.
Day 3 - London at leisure A full day at leisure to explore Britains capital. (Buffet Breakfast)
Day 4 - London - Brussels A warm welcome from our Tour Director, as we drive to Dover for the short sea crossing to Calais in France. Here we join our coach and make our way to Brussels for the night. This evening, we will take a stroll to the Grand' Place to see the medieval architecture and the Manneken Pis.
Day 5 - Brussels - Amsterdam This morning we drive into Holland arriving at friendly Amsterdam. On our arrival an orientation reveals the city's spider-webbed canal system, its many bridges and other attractions. We will also visit a diamond-cutting factory before an excursion to the fishing village of Volendam, a local clog factory and a cheese farm. (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)
Day 6 - Amsterdam - Rhineland (Bensheim) Our first stop today is in Cologne to view Europe's largest twin-spired Cathedral. Later, pretty wine villages and medieval castles provide a lovely setting for today's highlight - a relaxing cruise on the Rhine. We see the Lorelei Rock before rejoining our coach and driving to our hotel in the Rhineland for the night. (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)
Day 7 - Rhineland (Wiesbaden) - Lake Lucerne (2 nights) Our first highlight this morning is a visit to the University city of Heidelberg. From here we make our way to Freiburg, winding through the Black Forest to see beautiful Lake Titisee. Then we continue to Schaffhausen where we view the mighty Rhine Falls before travelling via Zurich to lakeside Lucerne for two nights. (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)
Day 8 - Lucerne orientation & at leisure Our orientation tour today shows us the Lion Monument and Chapel Bridge. Then enjoy some time at leisure perhaps to shop for Swiss watches and delicious chocolates. Don't miss the chance to join an optional to ascend a nearby mountain. (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)
Day 9 - Lake Lucerne - Liechtenstein - Innsbruck (Igls) This morning we marvel at the scenery as we travel through Switzerland to Vaduz, the capital of the Principality of Liechtenstein. Next we drive into Austria, past the ski resort of St. Anton and descend to the Inn Valley and mountain-ringed Innsbruck. On arrival an orientation tour includes the Golden Roof, Wilten Basilica and Hofburg Palace before dinner at our hotel. (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)
Day 10 - Innsbruck (Igls) - Vienna (2 nights) Today we enjoy a scenic journey as we re-enter Germany briefly to visit Berchtesgaden in the Bavarian Alps. This painters' paradise was the site of Hitler's mountain retreat. Then on through the Salzkammergut to the Danube Valley. From here we follow the river and see the monastery of Melk en route to Imperial Vienna. (Buffet Breakfast)
Day 11 - Vienna sightseeing & at leisure After breakfast this morning our sightseeing tour features highlights of this elegant capital. From the Opera to the Imperial Boulevards, the Hofburg to Belvedere Palace, its charming precision is more than musical. (Buffet Breakfast)
Day 12 - Vienna - Venice (Main.) (2 nights) As we leave Vienna behind us, we enjoy vistas of ancient castles, mountains and lakes as we drive via the Austrian Lake District to the Carinthian town of Klagenfurt. From here we continue past the Worthersee to enter Italy and descend to the Adriatic Coast before arriving in magical Venice for our two-night stay. (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)
Day 13 - Venice orientation & at leisure All around us are reminders of Venetian medieval maritime power and wealth as we cruise along the criss-crossing canals on our orientation. We also witness a demonstration of Murano glass-blowing in one of the oldest workshops on the island. After there's time at leisure to perhaps visit St. Mark's Basilica or relax on a cruise to one of the islands in the Lagoon where Venice was born! (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)
Day 14 - - Venice (Main.) - Rome (3 nights) We cross the Po Valley via Bologna to the Autostrada del Sole for our drive over the Apennine Mountains. Later on to Rome, where culinary delights and vibrant nightlife await us. (Buffet Breakfast)
Days 15 & 16 - Rome sightseeing & at leisure On our first day, our sightseeing tour highlights such wonders as St. Peter's in the Vatican as well as views of the Forum and the Colosseum. Then the rest of your stay is at leisure to perhaps marvel at the Sistine Chapel, see incredible tapestries in the Vatican Museum or take an optional trip to Tivoli. (Buffet Breakfast / Buffet Breakfast)
Day 17 - Rome - Sorrento (Vico Equense) This morning we drive past the Abbey of Monte Cassino to the Bay of Naples. On arrival you may wish to take an excursion to the Isle of Capri, with its luxuriant vegetation and then cruise back across the blue Mediterranean to Sorrento where we enjoy a tour. (Buffet Breakfast/ Dinner)
Day 18 - Sorrento (Vico Equense) — Florence (Calenzano)) From Sorrento we travel via Naples in the shadow of Mount Vesuvius, through central Italy and the vineyards of Tuscany to Renaissance Florence. Dinner is at our hotel this evening. (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)
Day 19 - Florence (Calenzano) - Nice (2 nights) This morning after breakfast, we admire the city from Piazzale Michelangelo. Then with time at leisure you may wish to see the Cathedral, the Baptistry, Giotto's Bell Tower and Signoria Square. From here we're off to Pisa, with its famous Leaning Tower. After a short stop here, we continue our drive to the Italian Riviera passing by Genoa, Columbus' birthplace, before reaching the French Riviera and Nice. (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)
Day 20 - Nice orientation & at leisure Morning orientation shows us the Place Massena and Promenade des Anglais. This afternoon is
at leisure. Later, we enjoy a visit to Monte Carlo to see the famous casinos. (Buffet Breakfast)
Day 21 - Nice - Lyon After breakfast, we'll drive along the sparkling coast to Cannes, home of the Film Festival. Next we will continue through the countryside of painters Van Gogh and Cézanne, and past the 'Montagne Ste. Victoire' to Avignon with its Papal Palace. Finally our journey takes us along the Rhône Valley to Lyon for dinner and overnight stay. (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)
Day 22 - Lyon - Paris (3 nights) Today's route takes us through the scenic wine-producing region of Burgundy. From here we continue past the dense Forest of Fontainebleau before arriving in elegant Paris for two nights. (Buffet Breakfast)
Days 23 & 24 - Paris sightseeing & at leisure Our sightseeing on the first day includes views of Notre Dame, the Champs Elysées, Arc de Triomphe and Eiffel Tower. The remainder of your stay is at leisure, perhaps to explore the museums or shop on the fashionable Rue du Faubourg St. Honoré. (Buffet Breakfast / Buffet Breakfast)
Day 25 - Paris - USA Today after breakfast there's time to bid farewell on your return flight to the USA. (Buffet Breakfast)
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