THE BEST OF EUROPE

Tour Code - 5161

16 days London to London
Holland, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, France

Price starting at: $1779

This classic tour of Western Europe includes must-see cities and sights and is a Cosmos favourite. Begin in London before travelling to Amsterdam and along the Rhine River into Germany. Visit Lucerne in Switzerland, famous for its beautiful lake. On to Italy where you will visit the famous sights in Verona, Venice, Assisi and Rome. Head south to the archaeological site of Pompeii and the glamorous island of Capri. Travel to Tuscany where you see Florence’s highlights on a guided tour and stop in Pisa to see the Leaning Tower. Continue on to France where you will explore the French Riviera and Beaune in Burgundy, famous for its fine wines. Your holiday ends with sightseeing in beautiful Paris.

Meals
Breakfast - 15
Lunch - 0
Dinner - 5

Standard Features
Headsets throughout the tour.
Sightseeing: Visits to Heidelberg, Lucerne, Lugano, Verona, Venice, Assisi, Sorrento, Capri, Pisa, Beaune.
Scenic Highlights: Rhineland, Italian & French Rivieras, Route Napoleon, Swiss Alps.

Guides: Host service in London. Local Guides for city sightseeing in Amsterdam, Rome, Pompeii, Florence, Paris. Professional Tour Director while touring.

Transportation: Round-trip transportation between London and the Channel ports; on the Continent, private first-class air-conditioned motorcoach. Cross-Channel ferry; canal transfer boat in Venice; boat transfer to Capri.

Hotels:Rooms with private bath or shower, hotel taxes, porterage, tips and service charges.

Meals: Buffet breakfasts (B); 5 dinners (D).

01

LONDON-AMSTERDAM AREA,HOLLAND.
Leave London in the early morning 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.

02

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, continue your journey to the scenic Rhineland for an overnight. (B,D)

03

RHINELAND-HEIDELBERG-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 Neckar and Rhine, for a short visit. In the afternoon, travel by way of the Autobahn into Switzerland for two overnights in Lucerne. (B)

04

LUCERNE.
One of Switzerland's finest cities, nestled amid its snowcapped 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 lake; a cable car ride to the 3,048 metres (10,000 feet) summit of Mount Titlis; and, of course, there is time to shop for that very Swiss watch. (B)

05

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)

06

VENICE AREA.
Venice is more like a marvelous 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 athmosphere 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)

07

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

08

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)

09

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 AD 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 kilometre for two overnights on the Neapolitan Riviera. (B)

10

DAY 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 walking 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 to London for an evening arrival. (B)

Dates and Prices. Rates are per head in US$:

 Optional Gratuity :  US$124

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