European Horizons 2009
Day 1 - Depart USA Overnight flight to London.
Day 2 - Arrive London (2 nights) Welcome to London! After checking into your hotel, the remainder of the day is at leisure to relax and unwind.
Day 3 - London sightseeing and at leisure Our morning sightseeing tour inlcudes many major sights of this exciting city, then we enjoy free time to explore on our own. (Buffet breakfast)
Day 4 - London — Bruges — Brussels A warm welcome from our Tour Director as we drive to Dover for our sea crossing to Calais in France. Over the border we drive through the Belgian countryside to medieval Bruges where we can walk along the cobbled streets beside the peaceful canals. Then on to Brussels where orientation includes the Atomium, the Royal Palaces and a walk to see the Manneken Pis. Later we enjoy a Welcome Drink with our Tour Director and fellow travellers. (continential breakfast)
Day 5 - Brussels — Rhine Cruise — Heidelberg — Rhineland Our day starts in Cologne where we see the twin-spired cathedral. Then via Bonn to Boppard to embark on a Rhine cruise. We disembark at St. Goar and drive to Heidelberg. Here we walk to the castle terraces where we admire the view over the baroque city and then we continue to our hotel for dinner and overnight stay. (Buffet breakfast / Dinner)
Day 6 - Rhineland — Munich — Innsbruck Today we cross the Swabian Uplands into Bavarian Munich. On our arrival, an orientation tour includes the Olympic Stadium, Marienplatz and Hofbräuhaus. Then on to Austria and the Tyrolean capital Innsbruck for the night. Here an orientation tour shows us the Golden Roof and Wilten Basilica. (Buffet breakfast / Dinner)
Day 7 - Innsbruck — Venice (Mestre) (2 nights) Today a spiralling drive takes us to the Brenner Pass into Italy. Then via Brunico we drive into the Dolomite Mountains. We'll view the Olympic ski-jump at Cortina d'Ampezzo, with time for lunch. Afterwards we continue to magical Venice for the next two nights. This evening a gondola ride would be hard to resist! (Buffet breakfast / Dinner)
Day 8 - Venice sightseeing and at leisure This morning we will discover the sights and sounds of this floating city on our canal cruise by private launch to St. Mark's Square, viewing the Bridge of Sighs. After, we visit a glass-blowing factory, before time at leisure to explore, shop or maybe take a trip out to the islands of the lagoon" (Buffet breakfast / Dinner)
Day 9 - Venice (Mestre) — Rome (2 nights) We drive across the Po valley to Bologna where we cross the forested Apennine Mountains. Then we continue through Tuscany, the towering hills of Umbria and finally we arrive in Rome. (Buffet breakfast)
Day 10 - Rome sightseeing and at leisure Our guided tour includes a visit to St. Peter's Basilica where we see Michelangelo's Pieta. Then we cross the Tiber to view the Forum, the Colosseum and the Circus Maximus. Later why not take an excursion to the Sistine Chapel" (Buffet breakfast)
Day 11 - Rome — Florence Today we travel through Tuscany to Florence where our guided walking tour includes the cathedral, baptistery, Signoria Square and a visit to Santa Croce Basilica. Later, our Tour Director reveals a Hidden Treasure to us before we enjoy a Highlight Dinner in a typical Florentine trattoria. (Buffet breakfast / Highlight dinner)
Day 12 - Florence — Pisa — Monte Carlo — Nice (2 nights) First we see the Leaning Tower which stands in the Square of Miracles beside the cathedral and baptistery. Then we pass the quarries of Carrara and drive along the Motorway of Flowers via Genoa to the Principality of Monaco. Here we have time to visit one of the many casinos in Monte Carlo before continuing to our hotel in jet-set Nice for the next two nights. (Buffet breakfast)
Day 13 - St. Paul de Vence and Fragonard perfumery Today we enjoy an excursion to hilltop St. Paul de Vence with its art galleries and handicraft shops - an artist's paradise! Then we stop to visit the Fragonard Perfumery before an afternoon at leisure in Nice. Perhaps take a stroll along the Promenade des Anglais or explore the old town. (Buffet breakfast)
Day 14 - Nice — Lake Maggiore — Zermatt Today we travel back into Italy and in the direction of Alessandria and Novara. Soon we are in the Italian Lakes and driving along Lake Maggiore. We stop at elegant Stresa opposite the picturesque Borromean Islands. Then we drive up into the foothills of the Alps climbing towards Switzerland and the Simplon Pass. At the small village of Tasch we disembark from our coach where we will take electric minibuses to Zermatt, overlooked by the mighty Matterhorn. This unique traffic-free ski and mountaineering resort is one of the most exclusive in Switzerland. (Buffet breakfast / Dinner)
Day 15 - Zermatt — Geneva Our Tour Director shows us around this Alpine resort and reveals to us another Hidden Treasure! Then maybe take an excursion to the "Kleine Matterhorn" before we drive along the Rhône Valley to Lake Geneva where the Chateau de Chillon stands, so chillingly evoked in Byron's poetry. We drive around the lake to the city of Geneva where we see the United Nations building, the Red Cross Headquarters, the Jet d - Eau and the Reformation Monument. (Buffet breakfast / Dinner)
Day 16 - Geneva — Savigny-Lès-Beaune — Paris (2 nights) Today we leave Switzerland and drive through the French region of Burgundy, famous for its excellent wines. Here we stop to take a picture of the Savigny-Lès-Beaune vineyards. Next on past Auxerrois vineyards and past the Fontainebleau forest former hunting ground of the French Royal Family, to glittering Paris where tonight we have the chance to attend one of the spectacular French cabaret shows! (Buffet breakfast)
Day 17 - Paris sightseeing and at leisure Our guided tour includes a drive from the Place de la Concorde along the broad Champs Élysées to the Arc de Triomphe. Next on to the iconic Eiffel Tower which we ascend to its second level where we have views of Notre Dame Cathedral and the whole of the city. Later, maybe take an excursion to the Palace of Versailles, but then we will join our Tour Director and traveling companions for our Farewell Dinner tonight! (Buffet breakfast / Farewell dinner)
Day 18 - Paris - USA "Au revoir" to Paris and our new-found friends as our tour comes to an end. (Buffet breakfast)
Day 19 - Free airport transfers Return transfer from the last hotel will arrive at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport at 08.00.
Day 20 - Free London Return Passengers may return to London by Trafalgar motorcoach at NO EXTRA CHARGE, instead of departing from Paris. Accommodation will be required, as arrival in London is late afternoon/early evening. Ask your travel agent to book this for you.
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