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Day 1 London Brussels
Greetings from our Tour Director as we drive to Dover. Admire the White
Cliffs before the Channel crossing to Calais in France. From here we
drive through Belgian countryside to Brussels. After a welcome drink
with our Tour Director, orientation includes the Grand' Place. Tonight,
the bistros and restaurants nearby offer excellent cuisine.
Day 2 Brussels Rhine Cruise Heidelberg Rhineland (Karlsruhe)
After breakfast our day will begin in Cologne to see its gothic Cathedral.
Then on via Bonn to Boppard where
we embark on a relaxing Rhine cruise. We disembark at St. Goar and drive
to Heidelberg, where we take a tour of the Castle courtyards, admire
the view over the baroque city from the Castle terrace and visit the
Castle cellars to see the largest wine barrel in Europe! Finally on
to our hotel for dinner and overnight. (BB D)
Day 3 Rhineland
(Karlsruhe) Munich Innsbruck
Today we cross the Swabian Uplands into Bavarian Munich. Here an orientation
tour includes the Olympic Stadium, Marienplatz and Hofbräuhaus.
Then on to Austria and the Tyrolean capital Innsbruck. An orientation
tour shows us the Golden Roof and Wilten Basilica. (BB D)
Day 4 Innsbruck Venice (Mestre) (2)
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. Tonight a gondola ride would be hard to resist! (BB
D)
Day 5 Venice sightseeing
and at leisure
Today we discover the sights and sounds of this floating city on our
canal cruise to St. Mark's Square, viewing the Bridge of Sighs. After,
we visit a glass-blowing factory, before free time to do as you please.
(BB D)
Day 6 Venice (Mestre) Rome (2)
We cross the Po Valley to Bologna and join the Autostrada del Sole for
our journey over the Apennine Mountains. Later, we arrive in Rome, the
'Eternal City'. (BB)
Day 7 Rome sightseeing
and at leisure
Today's sightseeing includes a visit to St. Peter's Basilica where we
admire the Pieta of Michelangelo, the tomb of the Unknown Soldier, views
of the Forum, Colosseum and the Circus Maximus, scene of 'Ben Hur' style
chariot races. Later why not take an excursion to the Sistine Chapel
and Vatican Museums? (BB)
Day 8 Rome Florence 
Through the Chianti wine-producing region of Tuscany to Florence. Here
sightseeing on foot includes the Cathedral, Baptistry, Signoria Square
and visits the Santa Croce Basilica. Then time at leisure to perhaps
walk to the Ponte Vecchio. This evening, enjoy dinner in a Florentine
trattoria. (BB) (HD)
Day 9 Florence Pisa Nice (2) Monte Carlo Excursion
First we stop at Pisa to see its Leaning Tower. 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 the Casinos in Monte
Carlo. Next we drive to jet-set Nice where tonight dinner is at a typical
French restaurant. (BB) (HD)
Day 10 St. Paul
de Vence and Perfumery Excursion
We enjoy an excursion to hilltop St. Paul de Vence with its Art galleries
and handicraft shops, an artist's paradise! Then we visit the Fragonard
Perfumery before returning to our hotel. Your afternoon is at leisure
back in Nice. (BB)
Day 11 Nice
Lake Maggiore Zermatt
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 in elegant Stresa opposite the picturesque Borromean islands. Next
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 mini-buses to Zermatt overlooked
by the mighty Matterhorn. (BB D)
Day 12 Zermatt Lausanne
Our Tour Director shows us the highlights of this Alpine resort. With
some free time, maybe take an excursion to the 'kleine Matterhorn' for
magnificent views. Later we drive along the Rhône Valley to Lake
Geneva, stopping to take a photo of Château Chillon so chillingly
evoked by Byron's poetry. After a short break in lakeside Montreux,
we drive to nearby Lausanne dominated by its magnificent Cathedral.
We visit the pretty area of Ouchy before dinner tonight. (BB D)
Day 13 Lausanne Beaune Paris (2)
Today we drive along the shores of Lake Geneva to the French border.
Through the hills near Nantua and Bourg-en-Bresse, into Burgundy and
Beaune. This wine-town is criss-crossed with ancient, cobbled streets
and café-filled squares, maybe enjoy some lunch with a glass
of local Burgundy. Then on past Auxerrois vineyards and through Fontainebleau
forest to Paris for two nights. (BB)
Day 14 Paris sightseeing
and at leisure
Today's sightseeing with a local guide includes a drive from the Place
de la Concorde along the Champs Elysées to the Arc de Triomphe.
Then on to the Eiffel Tower which we ascend to its second level. Next
we enjoy a Seine cruise which highlights Notre Dame Cathedral and other
great monuments. At leisure perhaps take an excursion to Versailles.
Later, why not experience a typical Parisian Cabaret show? (BB)
Day 15 Paris London
Today we cross Northern France, over the Somme Battlefields and via
the Canadian War Memorial at Vimy Ridge. Then on to Calais for our ferry
crossing to Dover and our coach drive back to London. (BB)
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