THE BEST OF EUROPE

Holland, Germany, Switzerland, Italy & France

ITINERARY:

1 LONDON - AMSTERDAM AREA, HOLLAND.
Leave in the early morning from your London joining hotel (see your travel documents) and head through the lush English countryside to the Channel port, where you embark on your ferry for the Continent. Meet your tour director and board your luxury coach for the drive to the Amsterdam area.

2 AMSTERDAM AREA - RHINELAND, GERMANY.
A morning to enjoy Amsterdam, delightful city of a thousand bridges. Your included excursion will take in a visit to a diamond factory, city sightseeing and a canal cruise. This will give you lasting knowledge of Holland's best-known and largest city. This afternoon, we continue our journey to the scenic Rhineland for an overnight. (B,D)

3 RHINELAND - HEIDELBERG - LAKE LUCERNE, SWITZERLAND.
Drive through the scenic Rhineland this morning or alternatively take the optional Rhine River cruise and enjoy splendid scenery including the Lorelei Rock. Next drive into Germany's oldest university town, Heidelberg, nicely located at the confluence of the Rivers Necker and Rhine, for a short visit. In the afternoon, travel by way of the autobahn into Switzerland for an overnight around Lake Lucerne. (B,D)

4 LAKE LUCERNE.
One of Switzerland's finest cities nestled amid its snow-capped Alps, surrounded by its lake, and embellished by the clear mountain waters of the River Reuss. Your visit takes in the impressive city walls, a covered wooden bridge, ornate patrician houses lining cobblestone streets, and the Lion Monument - a masterful stone sculpture in honour of the heroic Swiss Guard of Louis XVI. A grand selection of optional activities completes the day: a cruise on the fjord-like late; a cable car ride to the 10,000-foot summit of Mount Titlis; and of course there is time to shop for that very Swiss watch. (B)

5 LAKE LUCERNE - LUGANO - VERONA, ITALY - VENICE AREA.
More wonderful Alpine scenery as you drive into the mountain ranges that surround the massive St. Gotthard. Once through its great tunnel, you'll start your scenic descent into the warmer and sunnier ambiance of the Canton Ticino. Stop in beautiful Lugano and take a stroll along the lakeside promenade. Then, cross into Italy and drive across the Po Valley to Verona, medieval setting of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. See Juliet's house and balcony, and stroll around the picturesque market square. Tonight you are in the Venice area. (B)

6 VENICE AREA.
Venice is more like a marvellous film set than a real live city, with its criss-crossing canals, gondolas and water buses, arched bridges, palaces and quiet little piazzas. The included orientation starts with a boat ride and is followed by some time to soak up the city's unique atmosphere and a chance to watch Venetian glassblowers fashion their delicate objects as they did centuries ago. Don't miss out on the optional gondola trip, gliding along the picturesque canals with a local troubadour to serenade you. (B,D)

7 VENICE AREA - ASSISI - ROME.
An interesting drive southward, cutting across the Po Delta, then crossing the rolling Appenines. Stop in Assisi, where St. Francis was born in 1182. Visit the world-famous Basilica with its beautiful frescos by Giotto, then head for Rome. (B)

8 ROME.
The "Eternal City" - a city steeped in history, vibrantly alive and exciting and absolutely unique. Included sightseeing with a Local Guide starts in St. Peter's Square, followed by a visit to the Roman Forum and the mighty Colosseum. (B)

9 ROME - POMPEII - NEAPOLITAN RIVIERA.
South all the way today, with the volcano Vesuvius in the distance. First a stop in Pompeii where time stopped in 79 A.D., when the Vesuvius eruption totally destroyed it. On the included visit you can see the luxurious villas, temples, theatre, and forum. Just a few more miles for two overnights on the Neapolitan Riviera. (B)

10 NEAPOLITAN RIVIERA. EXCURSION TO CAPRI.
Cross the blue sea to Capri. This legendary island, surrounded by rose-tinted rocks, has incredibly beautiful coves of translucent blues and greens. The town, with its pretty piazza, maze of streets, fashionable boutiques, and smart restaurants, is a mecca for the jet set. An optional tour takes you around the island with its steep roads and panoramic views. (B,D)

11 NEAPOLITAN RIVIERA - FLORENCE AREA.
An early start this morning for the journey north to Florence. Vistas of undulating hills, austere rows of cypress trees, terraced vineyards, olive groves, and rural villages form the backdrop of your journey through beautiful Tuscany. Arrive in the afternoon in Florence in time to enjoy its magnificent architectural and artistic treasures; the included sightseeing will take in most of the highlights. (B,D)

12 FLORENCE AREA - PISA - FRENCH RIVIERA, FRANCE.
Stop in Pisa to see the Leaning Tower in the Square of Miracles. Bypassing the great port of Genoa, you drive northwest, getting glimpses of the Italian and French Rivieras. The drive continues to descend to the shores of the Cote d'Azur for an overnight in this charming region. (B)

13 FRENCH RIVIERA - ROUTE NAPOLEON - GRENOBLE.
A great itinerary today! Start the day with a visit to a typical Provence perfume workshop in Grasse, then follow in the footsteps of Napoleon as he escaped from exile in Elbe. Once he landed on the shores of the Cote d'Azur, he made his way to Paris via Grasse. Continue via Digne and Gap to Grenoble on the Route Napoleon. Overnight in Grenoble, now an alpine sports mecca and site of the 1968 Olympic games. (B,D)

14 GRENOBLE - BEAUNE - PARIS.
Enjoy the very heart of the Burgundy wine growing region, making a stop in lovely Beaune, surrounded by some of the world's finest vineyards. Time to see the famous Hotel Dieu Hospital. Continue northwards directly to Paris for two overnights. (B)

15 PARIS.
One full day to explore the city that's known throughout the world for its fashions, art and museums, delicious food, and joie de vivre. Included sightseeing with a local expert of many of the best-known Parisian sights: La Sorbonne, Arc de Triomphe, Opera, Madeleine, the Eiffel Tower, the Pyramid near the Louvre, the Invalides, and Champs Elysees. Optional excursions are also available to the Palace and Gardens of Versailles and, to celebrate the success of your tour, a French farewell dinner might be just the ticket. (B)

16 PARIS - LONDON, ENGLAND.
Relax and let the countryside whiz by on the road north to the coast, where you board your Channel ferry. Through Kent, return to London for an evening arrival. (B)