Wonders of Europe
Day 1 - Depart USA Overnight flight to London.
Day 2 - Arrive London (2 nights) After checking into your Trafalgar hotel, the rest of your day is at leisure. Why not check out this exciting city"
Day 3 - London sightseeing & at leisure Many major sights are included on our morning sightseeing tour. Afterwards enjoy time on your own. (Buffet Breakfast)
Day 4 - London — Amsterdam We travel to the port of Dover, where we board ship to cross the English Channel to France. Once ashore we drive through Belgium, cross the Dutch border and arrive in Amsterdam, the Dutch capital. Tonight we will enjoy a wonderful introduction to the city known as the "Venice of the North" — a welcome dinner and drink that we will enjoy on a leisurely canal cruise in a glass-topped boat! (Continental Breakfast/ Welcome Dinner)
Day 5 - Amsterdam — Orientation and excursion to Zaanse Schans With our Tour Director we will enjoy a tour of the city, including Dam Square and the Royal Palace, also visiting a Diamond cutting and polishing factory. Then a trip to Zaanse Schans where we visit a windmill, see how Dutch cheese and clogs are made and maybe sample some delicious Dutch pancakes! Later why not visit Ann Frank's House or perhaps try out some of the Brown Bars" (Buffet Breakfast)
Day 6 - Amsterdam — Berlin (2 nights) We cross the German border, continue along what was once known as the "Berlin Corridor" and arrive in Berlin for our two-night stay. (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)
Day 7 - Berlin sightseeing and at leisure We enjoy a guided sightseeing tour which includes the Brandenburg Gate, the Reichstag, views of Norman Foster's new Pergamon Museum as well as the Kurfürstendam. We visit the Checkpoint Charlie Museum and see remainders of the Berlin Wall. Later you may wish to take an excursion to Potsdam to see visit the Cecelienhof. (Buffet Breakfast)
Day 8 - Berlin — Dresden — Prague (2 nights) First we visit the impressive Renaissance city of Dresden for an orientation tour of its bulidings which survived the World - War 2 bombings, including the Semper Opera House, the Saxon Wall and the 18th century Cathedral. We continue to the Czech Republic where we stop at Teresienstadt to visit the National Cemetery. Soon we are in Prague, one of Europe's most exciting and vibrant cities. (Buffet Breakfast)
Day 9 - Prague sightseeing and at leisure With a local expert we visit the main monuments of this city on the River Vltava and will explore the sights on our including walking tour. Then time to shop for bargains in Bohemian crystal or sample delicious Pilsner Beer in a Wenceslas Square café! Tonight, why not enjoy some Czech folklore" (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)
Day 10 - Prague — Lednice Palace — Vienna (2 nights) After breakfast we drive to Brno and visit the gardens of the castle of Lednice, one time home of the Liechtenstein family. From here we drive back into Austria and Imperial Vienna, for a two-night stay. (Buffet Breakfast)
Day 11 - Vienna sightseeing and at leisure Our sightseeing tour with a local guide highlights the Opera House, Stadtpark, Votive Church, Mirabell Palace, much more. We will also enjoy a walking tour of the more intimate parts of the city including St Stephen's Cathedral. You may wish to enjoy an excursion to the Empress Maria Teresa's favourite palace or to visit one of Vienna's museums. This evening perhaps enjoy dinner in a wine tavern in the Vienna Woods (Buffet Breakfast)
Day 12 - Vienna — Györ — Budapest (2 nights) We stop at the Roman founded town of Györ on the River Danube, retaining much of its medieval and baroque charm. We continue to the cities of Buda and Pest, straddling the River Danube. Tonight why not enjoy a cruise along the river to see its magnificent bridges illuminated" (Buffet Breakfast)
Day 13 - Budapest sightseeing and at leisure This morning we tour both banks of the Danube with a local guide. First we drive up to Buda where a walking tour visits the Fisherman's Bastion and views the old palaces of the city. We will enjoy views of the Parliament buildings and drive up to Gellert Hill before crossing to Pest. Here we will visit Vörôsmarty Square, heart of the inner city, as well as Heroes Square and the Opera House. Later, you may wish to visit a charming village on the Danube or shop for local pottery. Tonight we will enjoy a traditional Hungarian dinner. (Buffet Breakfast / Highlight Dinner)
Day 14 - Budapest — Ljubljana Today we pass Lake Balaton before reaching the Croatian border. From here we drive via Zagreb into Slovenia, where tonight we stay in the capital — Ljubljana. We will enjoy dinner in our hotel this evening. (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)
Day 15 - Ljubljana — Postojna Caves — Venice (Grand Canal) (2 nights) This morning a guided sightseeing tour features the Opera House, Cathedral, National Museum and the numerous parks before leaving for the incredible limestone caves at Postojna. A train takes us through the tunnels and caverns and bring us back to our coach. We drive into Italy and along Adriatic highway to the unique and splendid city of Venice. (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)
Day 16 - Venice sightseeing and at leisure The city of the Doges is built on over 200 islands. By private launch we glide along the Giudecca canal to see St Mark's Square, the Doges Palace, the Bridge of Sighs, the Custom's House and the island of St George. We visit one of the oldest Murano glass works in the city and enjoy a demonstration of glass blowing. Then you are free to explore and perhaps enjoy some fresh fish and seafood for lunch! (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)
Day 17 - Venice (Grand Canal) — St Apollinaris in Classe — Todi — Rome (2 nights) We drive along the coast to stop just outside Ravenna and visit the Basilica of St Apollinaris in Classe with its glittering mosaics. Then through the Apennine hills to visit the hilltop town of Todi — reputed to be the most "liveable-in" town in the world! We continue to the "Eternal City" — Rome. (Buffet Breakfast)
Day 18 - Rome sightseeing and at leisure Today we visit this atmospheric city with our local guide. First we will visit St Peter's Basilica with its fine architecture by Michelangelo and Bernini. We will also visit the Sistine Chapel, with its incredible ceiling adorned with the paintings of Michelangelo. Then we cross the River Tiber to Rome where from Piazza Venezia we will enjoy a walking tour taking us to the Forum and Colosseum. Later you may wish to visit the mysterious Pantheon and this evening dine "al fresco" in one of the many beautiful Roman piazzas! (Buffet Breakfast)
Day 19 - Rome — Capri — Sorrento Today we head south to Naples. Here we enjoy a cruise across the bay in the shadow of Mount Vesuvius to the Isle of Capri. With a local guide we ascend to Capri Town by funicular and enjoy a walking tour which includes the famous "Piazzetta". This afternoon we stay in Sorrento, on spectacular cliffs overlooking the Bay of Naples. Orientation here will show us the Piazza Tasso and Corso Italia. (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)
Day 20 - Sorrento — Pompeii — Monte Cassino — Florence (2 nights) Our first stop today is Pompeii where we enjoy a guided walking tour of the excavations followed by the Commonwealth Cemetery in Monte Cassino, resting place of those who died during the battle of Monte Cassino in World War ll. Then we continue on to Tuscany and the Renaissance city of Florence, nestled in the valley of the River Arno. (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)
Day 21 - Florence sightseeing and at leisure This city is brimming with fine works of art, Renaissance palaces, architecture and gardens. With a local expert we will enjoy an in-depth walking tour, highlighting the Cathedral, Holy Cross Basilica and the Piazza Signoria. Then you are free to perhaps to visit the Academy of Fine Arts or the Uffizzi Galleries, or shop for designer jewellery and leather goods. Why not sample the world-famous Tuscan cuisine" (Buffet Breakfast)
Day 22 - Florence — Pisa — Nice (2 nights) Today we head to Pisa. We visit the "Square of Miracles" to see the Cathedral, Baptistery and Leaning Tower. We travel to the Italian Riviera before crossing the French border to Nice, our home for the next two nights. Tonight enjoy a dinner of local specialities in a typical Niçois restaurant! (Buffet Breakfast / Highlight Dinner)
Day 23 - Nice orientation and at leisure After an orientation of the city highlighting the Promenade des Anglais, the Place Massena and the old Port, we are free to do as we please. Maybe visit the medieval hilltop village of St Paul de Vence and enjoy some wonderful Provençal cuisine, or shop for perfumes in the Fragonard Perfumery and Museum. (Buffet Breakfast)
Day 24 - Nice — Italian Lakes — Engelberg (2 nights) We drive back into Italy to the Italian Lake District, past the shores of Lake Maggiore, towards the Swiss border and the Gotthard range. Soon we arrive in Engelberg. (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)
Day 25 - Lucerne orientation and at leisure Orientation of the city with our Tour Director includes the charming Chapel Bridge, the baroque Jesuit Church and the Lion Monument. You - ll have time to ascend a Swiss Alp by cable car or mountain railway, or shop for delicious chocolates and Swiss watches. (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)
Day 26 - Engelberg — Paris (2 nights) We leave Switzerland at Basel to return to France. We drive through the valley of the River Doubs into the vineyards of Burgundy. Here we make a stop to view the Savigny-lès-Beaune vineyards before continuing to perhaps the most beautiful city in the world — Paris! Tonight, why not enjoy a guided tour to see the city of the Enlightenment illuminated! (Buffet Breakfast)
Day 27 - Paris sightseeing and at leisure Sightseeing with a local guide includes a chance to explore the city in depth on our walking tour! Also included is the ascent of the Eiffel Tower for views over the city. We drive along the Champs Elysées to the Arc de Triomphe, to the Place de la Concorde and through the gardens of the Louvre. Later why not take an excursion to the Louvre Museum or the Palace of Versailles" Tonight, Paris nightlife beckons". (Buffet Breakfast)
Day 28 - Paris — USA Time to bid farewell to new-found friends as we transfer to the airport for our return flight to America. (Buffet Breakfast)
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