Your itinerary
Day 1 – London –
Amsterdam
We meet our Tour Director at the
Holiday Inn Kings Cross/Bloomsbury, then
leave
London for the White Cliffs
of Dover and our ferry to Calais.
First to Belgium
and across Flanders Fields, then into
Holland to lively Amsterdam. Here we pass
canals and tall gabled houses to see the
Royal Palace in Dam Square and see
sparkling
stones transformed before our eyes as we
visit a diamond-polishing factory. Hotel:
Tulip Inn Lakeside.
Day 2 – Amsterdam –
Rhineland
We leave Amsterdam this morning and
cross the border into Germany. At Cologne
we stop to view the Gothic cathedral
with its soaring spires. We then pass
Beethoven's
home town of Bonn and continue to the
village of Boppard, where we join our Rhine
Cruise past castles, vineyards and
villages. We rejoin the coach and see
the legendary
Loreley Rock, before continuing on to
our hotel.
Hotel: NH Weinheim. (B,D)
Day 3 – Rhineland –
Lake Lucerne
Today we visit Heidelberg where we
have views of the ruined castle. Then into
the Black Forest, past Lake Titisee and
pine-covered hillsides dotted with
geranium-decked
farmhouses. Now over the Swiss border,
to see the Rhine Falls at Schaffhausen and
then on to Lake Lucerne. Hotel:
Postillon (Buochs). (B,D)
Day 4 – Lucerne
Sightseeing
On our tour of Lucerne we visit the
Lion Monument, carved out of a limestone
cliff, and see the renowned Chapel
Bridge. There's time to shop this
afternoon for
famous Swiss chocolate or perhaps take
an excursion by cable car up one of the
nearby
mountains for breathtaking views of the
Alps? (B,D)
Day 5 – Lake Lucerne –
Innsbruck
In Liechtenstein we visit Vaduz,
overlooked by the 700 year old castle. Then
its on through spectacular scenery to
Innsbruck. Here we see the Imperial Palace
and Golden Roof. Perhaps enjoy an
evening of Tyrolean Folklore tonight?
Hotel: Alpinpark. (B,D)
Day 6 – Innsbruck –
Venice
This morning we cross the impressive
Europa Bridge before taking the Brenner
Pass into Italy. We visit Verona, city
of Romeo and Juliet where we see Juliet's
balcony and the Roman arena, then it's
across the fertile Adriatic Plain to our
hotel. Hotel: II Burchiello (Oriago).
(B,D)
Day 7 – Venice
sightseeing
This morning we drive to the Venetian
Lagoon where our private launch takes us
to St. Mark's Square. We see the ornate
Basilica of St Mark, Doges' Palace, Bridge
of Sighs and the prison in which
Casanova was incarcerated, but from
which he made
a daring escape! A demonstration of
Venetian glass-blowing follows. Then we are
at leisure. Why not explore the islands
of the beautiful lagoon and try the local
seafood specialties? (B,D)
Day 8 – Venice –
Rome
This morning we cross the Appenine
Mountains and follow the Autostrada del
Sole
past ancient Etruscan hill towns to
Rome. This city, founded on seven hills
above
the river Tiber, has an appeal all its
own. Tonight perhaps discover the hidden
piazzas and fountains of the 'Eternal
City'? Hotel: Cristoforo Colombo. (B)
Day 9 – Rome Sightseeing
Our city tour with an expert guide
begins with the Vatican City. We visit the
impressive St. Peter's Basilica to
admire Michelangelo's 'Pieta' and
splendid dome.
There is also time for an optional to
visit the Vatican Museum to see the ceiling
of the Sistine Chapel. Then our local
guide unfurls the history of the empire at
the Imperial Roman Forum and we see the
magnificent Colosseum. (B)
Day 10 – Rome –
Naples
We pass Monte Cassino on our journey
south to the Bay of Naples and our hotel.
On arrival perhaps take an excursion to
the Isle of Capri with its perfumed flowers
and gardens. Dinner is at our hotel.
Hotel: Holiday Inn Naples. (B,D)
Day 11 – Naples –
Florence
This morning you have the chance to
take an optional visit to the excavations
at Pompeii before we drive north through
Tuscany to the Renaissance city of
Florence.
After a demonstration of Florentine
leatherwork and free time we continue to
our
hotel. Hotel: Art Hotel Miro. (B,D)
Day 12 – Florence –
Nice
First stop today is the Leaning Tower
of Pisa in the Field of Miracles. Later
we follow the Italian and French riviera
coasts past Genoa, and visit the
Principality
of Monaco before continuing to our
hotel. Hotel: Novotel Nice Centre
Acropolis.
(B,D)
Day 13 – Nice at leisure
A day on the French Riviera! Why not
join an optional excursion to St. Paul de
Vence? Or relax, have a swim or be
tempted by the shops. (B)
Day 14 – Nice –
Lyon
Today along the coastline through
Provence to Avignon. Here we see the Papal
Palace and St. Benezet Bridge. Then we
head to Lyon, ancient capital of Gaul.
Hotel:
Tulip Inn Saphir Lyon. (B,D)
Day 15 – Lyon –
Paris
This morning's drive takes us along
the Rhone Valley past charming Beaune and
through the wine-producing Burgundy
region to Paris for two nights.Hotel:
Mercure
La Defense . (B)
Day 16 – Paris
Sightseeing
With a local guide we tour the city,
seeing the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe,
Cathedral of Notre Dame, the Opera and
Place de la Concorde. Time at leisure
this afternoon. Maybe shop for last
minute souvenirs, or visit Mona Lisa in the
Louvre? Tonight, perhaps enjoy a
farewell dinner in a typical Parisian
restaurant
or a fun cabaret? (B)
Day 17 – Paris –
London
Through World War I battlefields
and across the Somme Valley to Calais,
then over the Channel to Dover and
London, where our tour ends. (B)
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