|
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 - THE RHINELAND, GERMANY.
A morning to enjoy Holland's busy metropolis. After your visit to a
famous diamond centre, it's time for morning sightseeing with a Local
Guide pointing out the city highlights. Finally, a canal cruise to see
Amsterdam from water level. In the afternoon, travel southward to the
Rhineland area for an overnight. (B,D)
3 THE RHINELAND - HEIDELBERG - LUCERNE AREA, 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 an overnight in the Lucerne Area. (B,D)
4 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 lake or a cable
car ride to the 10,000-foot summit of Mount Titlis. (B)
5 LUCERNE AREA - 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
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 at leisure 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
through the gentle Umbrian hills to Assisi, where St. Francis was born
in 1182. Visit the world-famous Basilica with its beautiful frescoes 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 - PISA - FLORENCE AREA.
Vistas of undulating hills, rows of cypress trees, terraced vineyards,
olive groves, and rural villages form the backdrop of your journey
through beautiful Tuscany. Take a break in Pisa to see the Square of
Miracles and the amazing Leaning Tower, then on to the Florence area.
(B)
10 FLORENCE AREA.
This Renaissance gem and city of the Medicis will keep you enthralled
for a whole day. Traffic is banned in part of the historic centre so
visitors can wander at leisure and admire the city's timeless beauty in
relative peace and quiet. Don't miss out on the included walking tour
with a Local Guide that features most of the city highlights. You will
see the Piazza Santa Croce; the beautiful Piazza Signoria; the Palazzo
Vecchio and its courtyard; the Loggia dei Lanzi; and, to top it all, the
Piazza del Duomo and its cathedral with the Giotto Campanile, and the
magnificent East Door of the Baptistry known as the "Gate of Paradise".
(B,D)
11 FLORENCE AREA - ITALIAN & FRENCH RIVIERAS, FRANCE.
An early start this morning for the journey northwest with views of the
Italian Riviera. Continue to France, for a visit to a perfume workshop
in Eze, before travelling along the celebrated Cote d'Azur. An optional
Monte Carlo by Night excursion with dinner is available. (B)
12 FRENCH RIVIERA - AVIGNON - CARCASSONNE.
Today's journey will take you through some of France's loveliest
scenery, sun-drenched landscapes right out of Van Gogh's paintings, on
the way through Provence. Stop for a visit in historic Avignon. Continue
westwards to the impressive walled city of Carcassonne for an overnight.
(B,D)
13 CARCASSONNE - BARCELONA, SPAIN.
Enjoy a visit of this almost untouched piece of medieval fortified
architecture, still standing in all its walled glory with drawbridges,
towers, battlements, watch turrets, ramparts, and even arrow-slits to
repel the enemy. Later, drive by way of Perpignan across the border into
Spain, skirting the Costa Brava to arrive in Barcelona for two
overnights. (B)
14 BARCELONA
This morning's sightseeing with a Local Guide includes a drive around
Montjuic to see the Olympic Stadium and a panoramic view of the port and
city. The drive continues to the city centre to Plaza Catalunya and
Paseo de Gracia to admire the greatness and eccentricity of Gaudi's
architectural masterpieces in the Houses Batllo and Mila and the Sagrada
Familia (entrance fee not included). (B)
15 BARCELONA - MADRID.
See more of Catalonia as you drive northwest via Saragossa through the
very heart of new Castille for two overnights in Spain's capital,
Madrid. (B)
16 MADRID
Not only because it's the capital of Spain, but also because it is
situated 2,180 feet above sea level, the Spaniards say Madrid is the
nearest thing to heaven. Enjoy the main highlights on the included
sightseeing excursion. The optional trip to Toledo is most rewarding,
too. The splendid setting is like a great open-air museum of Spanish
history and art. (B)
17 MADRID - BURGOS - BILBAO.
Climb Somosierra Pass, the boundary between Old and New Castille, to the
walled city of Aranda de Duero, before stopping in Burgos. On through
Basque Country to Bilbao, now famous for four living architects: Norman
Foster, Santiago Calatrava, Cesar Pelli, and Frank Gehry. (B,D)
18 BILBAO - BORDEAUX, FRANCE - POITIERS.
A change of scenery as you travel into France across Gascoigne for an
orientation drive of Bordeaux, the wine capital of France. Travel
farther north by way of the Cognac area to Poitiers of Black Prince fame
for an overnight. (B,D)
19 POITIERS - CHATEAUX COUNTRY - ORLEANS - PARIS.
The autoroute L'Aquitaine will take you directly to Tours and along the
Loire passing the castles of Amboise and Chaumont. Stop in Orleans
before reaching Paris in time to enjoy an optional French dinner. (B)
20 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, enjoy
a cabaret show. (B)
21 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)
|
