Your itinerary
Day 1 – London –
Amsterdam
We meet our Tour Director at the
Holiday Inn Kings Cross/Bloomsbury this
morning,
before heading south to board our ferry
to Calais. From Calais we cross Belgium's
Flanders Fields, then enter Holland to
lively Amsterdam. Here we see the Royal
Palace
in Dam Square and then we visit a
diamond-cutting and polishing factory.
Hotel:
Tulip Inn Lakeside. (D)
Day 2 – Amsterdam –
Rhineland
This morning it's first to Cologne,
where we view the Gothic cathedral before
embarking on our Rhine Cruise, to sail
serenely past castles, vineyards and
villages
of half-timbered houses. We rejoin our
coach to drive past the legendary Loreley
Rock, then continue on to our Rhineland
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, passing Lake Titisee
before we head overthe Swiss border, to see
the RhineFalls at Schaffhausen and then
onto Lake Lucerne. Hotel: Postillon
(Buochs).
(B,D)
Day 4 – Lucerne
Sightseeing
On our tour of Lucerne we visit the
Lion Monument and see the Chapel Bridge.
There's time to shop 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
Over the Europa Bridge and the
Brenner Pass, we follow the Adige valley
en route
to Venice. Here we cruise by private
launch to St. Mark's Square to see the
Bridge
of Sighs, Doges' Palace and Basilica,
before a demonstration of Venetian
glass-blowing.
Then we drive to our hotel in the Veneto
region.
Hotel: La Meridiana (Mogliano) (B,D)
Day 7 – Venice –
Assisi
A leisurely day today through the
Apennine mountains to St Francis'
hilltop Assisi.
Here we see the great Basilica with its
magnificent frescoes by the artist Giotto.
Hotel: II Castello. (B,D)
Day 8 – Assisi –
Naples
This morning we travel southwards,
passing the Abbey of Monte Cassino, to the
Bay of Naples. We have the opportunity
to visit the excavations at Pompeii before
continuing to our hotel. Hotel: Holiday
Inn Naples. (B,D)
Day 9 – Naples –
Rome
First there is time perhaps to take
an excursion to the enchanting perfumed
Isle
of Capri, before we continue on our
journey to the 'Eternal City' of Rome.
Hotel: Grand Hotel Fleming. (B)
Day 10 – Rome
Sightseeing
Our guided tour begins with a visit
to the Vatican City and St. Peter's
Basilica
with it's moving 'Pieta' by Michelangelo
and splendid dome. There is also the option
to visit the Vatican Museums to see the
Sistine Chapel. We then admire the Imperial
Forum and the Colosseum, with time
afterwards to explore Rome at our own
pace. (B)
Day 11 – Rome –
Florence
We travel north to Renaissance
Florence, the artistic centre of Italy.
Here we
enjoy views over the city from Piazzale
Michelangelo and watch a demonstration of
leatherwork. Then we are at leisure
to explore all the famous sights
such as
the cathedral, Piazza Signoria or Santa
Croce square. Hotel: Art Hotel Miro.
(B,D)
Day 12 – Florence –
French Riviera
After seeing the world-famous Leaning
Tower of Pisa we're off along the
spectacular
road high above the Italian Riviera. We
cross the French border and pass elegant
Monaco. We pause to visit a French
perfumery, then continue to our hotel.
Tonight,
perhaps a flutter at the Monte Carlo
casino? Hotel: Grand Mercure Sophia Country
Club. (B,D)
Day 13 – French Riviera
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. Tonight, perhaps
enjoy
an optional dinner with local
specialities? (B)
Day 14 – French Riviera
– Barcelona
Today we travel across the Camargue,
famous for its wild horses, bulls and
flamingos.
We continue through Catalonia to
Barcelona. Hotel: NH Porta Barcelona
(B,D)
Day 15 – Barcelona
Sightseeing
On our tour of the city we see
Gaudi's famed Sagrada Familia, the
gothic Cathedral
and Christopher Columbus' Monument in
the historic port. Then free time, perhaps
visit the Pueblo Espanol with its
replicas of regional Spanish villages?
(B)
Day 16 – Barcelona –
Madrid
We cross the River Ebro in Aragon
today, then ascend the Morata Pass to
the plains
of Old Castille, and on to Madrid, the
capital of Spain created virtually from
scratch
in the centre of the country by Philip
II in the 16th century. Hotel: Abba Madrid.
(B)
Day 17 – Madrid
Sightseeing
With our local guide we see the Royal
Palace, Puerta del Sol, the celebrated
Cibeles Fountain and the Gran Via. Then
we have some time at leisure to shop for
local goods or maybe take a trip to
nearby Toledo? (B)
Day 18 – Madrid –
Lourdes
Over the soaring Pyrenees into France
and the famous pilgrimage centre of
Lourdes.
We visit the miraculous Grotto and join
the moving candlelight procession –
an experience which will remain in your
memory forever! Hotel: Sainte Rose.
(B,D)
Day 19 – Lourdes –
Bordeaux
Time to explore this mountain-ringed
town this morning, before we continue north
with a drive past world-famous vineyards
to the major Atlantic port of Bordeaux.
Hotel: Mercure Bordeaux Meriadeck
Centre. (B,D)
Day 20 – Bordeaux –
Paris
Across the Dordogne River to the
Loire Valley. We follow the lovely River
Loire,
pausing to view the Chateau of Amboise
where Leonardo da Vinci is buried and also
the monumental castle at Blois. Now on
to Paris, where tonight you may wish to
tour
the fabulous illuminations. Hotel:
Novotel Porte D'Asnieres. (B)
Day 21 – Paris
Sightseeing
In this city of romance our expert
local guide shows us the Champs Elysees,
Arc
de Triomphe, Notre Dame Cathedral and
the famous Eiffel Tower. Then perhaps visit
Montmartre or the Louvre. Tonight
Perhaps enjoy a typical Parisian
cabaret? (B)
Day 22 – Paris –
London
Crossing World War I battlefields to
Calais, we take the ferry to Dover, and
continue onto London, where our tour
ends. (B)
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