 Day 1 - London - Paris (2 nights)
A warm welcome from our Tour Director before a scenic drive to the coast. Admire the White Cliffs of Dover before our short Channel crossing to Calais in France. Heading south, we cross World War I Battlefields to fascinating Paris. Tonight, why not enjoy a tour of this city's illuminations?
(Continental Breakfast/Dinner)
Day 2 - Paris sightseeing & at leisure
Views of the Eiffel Tower, Champs Elysées, Opéra, Louvre and a guided tour of Notre Dame Cathedral highlight our morning sightseeing tour. The rest of the day is at leisure. Perhaps spend some time shopping or take a cruise on the Seine. Tonight, why not enjoy a Parisian cabaret or dine in a cosy left bank bistro? (Buffet Breakfast)
Day 3 - Paris - Lucerne
East into the agricultural heart of France, travelling through wine- producing Burgundy to the medieval town of Beaune. Then across the remains of wartime defenses, passing the Maginot Line near Belfort. We continue into Switzerland at Basel for first picture-book views of chalets on the approach to the Alps and lakeside Lucerne for the night. (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)
Day 4 - Lucerne - Milan
Enjoy a morning orientation of this medieval town and a visit to the Lion Monument. At leisure, you may wish to take a trip up a nearby mountain peak. Then, we head along the St. Gotthard route, through Alpine scenery and the Italian Lake District. Later, we arrive in the fashionable city of Milan where orientation shows us the magnificent gothic Cathedral and "La Scala" Opera House. (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)
Day 5 - Milan - Rome (2 nights)
This morning we drive through the fertile agricultural region of Emilia Romagna to Bologna and the Apennine Mountains bound for Rome, the 'Eternal City'. Later, why not discover the culinary delights of a local trattoria? (Buffet Breakfast)
Day 6 - Rome sightseeing & at leisure
Our morning sightseeing tour of this historic city views the Forum and Colosseum and visits St. Peter's Basilica. The remainder of the day is at leisure to window-shop and perhaps explore the ancient streets of Trastevere, or watch the world go by from a pavement café. (Buffet Breakfast)
Day 7 - Rome - Florence
Time perhaps to visit the Sistine Chapel this morning before we drive through the Chianti wine- producing region of Tuscany to Florence. Here sightseeing on foot includes the Cathedral, Baptistry, Signoria Square and Santa Croce Basilica. The rest of the day is free to shop, or walk along the River Arno to the Ponte Vecchio. (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)
Day 8 - Florence - Venice (Mestre)
A short drive to Venice where we 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. After a visit to a traditional glass-blowing factory, time is your own to do as you please. (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)
Day 9 - Venice (Mestre) - Munich
We drive past Lake Garda and enjy stunning scenery we head into the Dolomites. We climb the Brenner Pass into Austria crossing the Europa Bridge to mountain-ringed Innsbruck. Here an orientation tour shows us the Old Town with its Golden Roof. Time to shop for Swarovski silver crystal before driving to the border with German Bavaria en route to fun-loving Munich. (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)
Day 10 - Munich - Rhineland
The Town Hall on the Marienplatz and the Olympic Stadium highlight our morning orientation. Then we continue to Heidelberg to view the Castle, high above this University city of 'Student Prince' fame. From here we head to our hotel in the Rhineland. (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)
Day 11 - Rhineland - Amsterdam
We embark by the Lorelei Rock in St. Goar for a Rhine cruise gliding past medieval castles and terraced vineyards. We step ashore in Boppard, and drive via Bonn to Cologne where we see its gothic Cathedral. Later, we cross the border before Arnhem, scene of World War II action and continue to friendly Amsterdam with a visit to a diamond-polishing factory. (Buffet Breakfast)
Day 12 - Amsterdam - London
Today's orientation includes the Tower of Tears, the Royal Palace and Dam Square. Then on through Belgium, past Antwerp en route to Calais for our ferry to England. Here our coach takes us back to London. (Buffet Breakfast) |
