European Whirl
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, perhaps check out this exciting city.
Day 3 - London sightseeing & at leisure Many major sights are included on our morning sightseeing tour. After there's time at leisure. (Buffet Breakfast)
Day 4 - London - Paris (2 nights) Greetings from our Tour Director as we drive to the coast. Admire the White Cliffs of Dover before our Channel crossing to Calais in France. Then by coach we cross World War I Battlefields to the exciting city of Paris for two nights. This evening after a Welcome Dinner and drink in a famous Brasserie why not enjoy a tour of this city's illuminations" (Continental Breakfast/ Welcome Dinner)
Day 5 - Paris sightseeing & at leisure This morning our sightseeing tour with a local guide features a drive along the Champs Elysées from the Place de la Concorde to the Arc de Triomphe and highlighting monuments such as Notre Dame Cathedral. We also ascend the Eiffel Tower to the second level by elevator for stunning views over the city. Finally a walking tour through the Luxembourg gardens using our excellent audio system completes our in-depth sightseeing. Then free time to perhaps take an excursion to the Louvre or to shop in the chic boutiques. Tonight do not miss the chance of trying out some delicious Parisian cuisine in a cosy left bank bistro! (Buffet breakfast)
Day 6 - Paris - Lucerne Today's journey takes us into France and through wine-producing Burgundy to the medieval city of Beaune. From here we cross the remains of wartime defenses, passing the Maginot Line near Belfort. Next into Switzerland at Basel for our first picture-book views of chalets on the approach to the Alps and lakeside Lucerne. (Buffet breakfast/ Dinner)
Day 7 - Lucerne orientation - Milan After breakfast an orientation tour in this medieval city includes a visit to the famous Lion Monument. At leisure, maybe take a trip up a nearby mountain peak. Next our journey takes us along the St. Gotthard route, through Alpine scenery and the Italian Lake District en route to fashionable Milan where we enjoy a walking tour of the heart of the city. This evening, we enjoy a dinner at our hotel.(Buffet breakfast/ Dinner)
Day 8 - Milan - Rome (2 nights) Today we drive through the agricultural region of Emilia Romagna to Bologna and the Apennine Mountains bound for the 'Eternal City', Rome. Later, why not dine out at a local trattoria" (Buffet breakfast)
Day 9 - Rome sightseeing & at leisure Our morning sightseeing with a local guide using our efficient audio system includes a visit to St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican, where we see Michelangelo's Pieta.On the other side of the river Tiber we will enjoy a walking tour which includes, views of the Colosseum, a stop at the Forum, plus a photo-stop at the Circus Maximus where the chariot race in Ben Hur is said to have taken place. The rest of your day is free to maybe shop, visit the Sistine Chapel or relax in a sidewalk café. (Buffet breakfast)
Day 10 - Rome - Florence Our day begins with a drive through the Chianti wine-producing region of Tuscany to Renaissance Florence. On our arrival a walking tour, including the Cathedral, Baptistry, Signoria Square and visiting the Santa Croce Basilica is an incredible introduction to this Renaissance city thanks to our local guide using our excellent audio system. The rest of the day is at leisure to shop, or walk along the River Arno to the Ponte Vecchio. Tonight we enjoy a highlight dinner in a restaurant close to our hotel. (Buffet breakfast/ Highlight Dinner)
Day 11 - Florence - Venice (Main.) After breakfast it's only a short drive before we arrive at the floating city of Venice. Here we will 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, Doges' Palace and more. After a visit to a traditional glass-blowing factory, time is your own to do as you please. Tonight, dinner is included at our hotel. (Buffet breakfast/ Dinner)
Day 12 - Venice (Main.) - Verona - Innsbruck Our first stop today is at Shakespeare's Verona to see the Roman Arena and Juliet's balcony. Then passing the Dolomites, we climb Brenner Pass into Austria. From here we cross the Europa Bridge and begin our descent into Innsbruck where we enjoy an orientation tour of this mountain-ringed resort. (Buffet breakfast)
Day 13 - Innsbruck - Munich - Heidelberg - Rhineland (Mannheim) This morning's drive brings us to fun-loving Munich. On our arrival an orientation tour will show us the
Olympic Stadium, Marienplatz and City Hall. Then we are off to Heidelberg to view its red sandstone Castle, high above this University city of 'Student Prince' fame. Finally we make
our way to our Rhineland hotel for dinner and overnight stay. (Buffet breakfast/ Dinner)
Day 14 - Rhineland (Mannheim)- Rhine Cruise - Amsterdam Today we embark by the Lorelei Rock in St. Goar for a relaxing Rhine cruise gliding past medieval castles and terraced vineyards. We will step ashore in Boppard, and drive via Bonn to Cologne where we see its magnificent gothic Cathedral. From here we cross the border before Arnhem, scene of World War II action and continue to Amsterdam, where we enjoy a canal cruise by glass-topped boat. (Buffet breakfast)
Day 15 - Amsterdam - London After breakfast, our morning orientation tour includes the Tower of Tears, the Royal Palace and Dam Square. Next we visit a diamond factory to see how these precious stones are cut and polished. Leaving Amsterdam we drive through Belgium, past Antwerp en route to Calais for our ferry crossing to England. Here our coach takes us back to London, where we bid farewell to our Tour Director. (Buffet breakfast)
Day 16 - London - USA Bid farewell to new-found friends as we transfer to the airport for your return flight to the USA. (Buffet Breakfast)
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