EUROPEAN GRANDEUR

Your itinerary

Map

Tour Pace

This tour is well planned. Nearly all stops are 2 nights in duration with only a small number of single night stops where necessary. As it is a long tour, there is a relaxing 3 day break in Rome in the middle of the itinerary.

DAY 1 – TUE – LONDON – PARIS

We leave London and cross the Channel to Calais. We have a view of the Vimy Ridge Memorial en route to Paris where we enjoy a Welcome Drink. Hotel: Sofitel Forum Rive Gauche.

DAY 2 – WED – PARIS SIGHTSEEING

With our guide we see Notre Dame and drive along the Champs Élysées to the Arc de Triomphe. Now we ascend the Eiffel Tower, before visiting Napoleon's Tomb. (Buffet breakfast)

DAY 3 – THU – PARIS – BORDEAUX

We visit the magnificent Château of Chenonceau in the Loire Valley. Then continue through the famous vineyards to Bordeaux au Lac. Hotel: Sofitel. (Buffet breakfast, Three or four course table d'hote or buffet style dinner)

DAY 4 – FRI – BORDEAUX – LOURDES

We drive to Lourdes where we visit the miraculous Grotto, drink the spring waters and join the torchlight procession. Hotel: Grand Hotel de la Grotte. (Buffet breakfast, Three or four course table d'hote or buffet style dinner)

DAY 5 – SAT – LOURDES – MADRID

We cross the Pyrenees and Sierras to the heart of Spain and the capital of Madrid. Hotel: NH Nacional. (Buffet breakfast)

DAY 6 – SUN – MADRID SIGHTSEEING

Our local guide shows us all the major sights of Madrid. Next a highlight tour of the elegant apartments of the Royal Palace. The afternoon is free. (Buffet breakfast)

DAY 7 – MON – MADRID – BARCELONA

We drive via the Castilian plain and Morata Pass to the bustling port of Barcelona. Hotel: Melia Barcelona. (Buffet breakfast)

DAY 8 – TUE – BARCELONA SIGHTSEEING

On our guided tour we see Gaudi's Sagrada Familia, the Gothic Quarter, the port and the Ramblas, with its colourful flower stalls and markets. (Buffet breakfast)

DAY 9 – WED – BARCELONA – NICE

Across the Camargue into the landscapes of Van Gogh's beloved Provence. Now to fashionable Nice on the French Riviera. Hotel: Beau Rivage. (Buffet breakfast)

DAY 10 – THU – NICE

This morning we visit the hilltop artists village of St Paul de Vence. Time to enjoy the views and craft shops before we return to Nice for time at leisure. (Buffet breakfast)

DAY 11 – FRI – NICE – TUSCANY

We visit a French perfumery, then visit elegant Monaco. Now into Italy to see the leaning tower of Pisa, before reaching our hotel. Hotel: Tamerici & Principe. (Buffet breakfast, Three or four course table d'hote or buffet style dinner)

DAY 12 – SAT – FLORENCE SIGHTSEEING

We view Florence from Piazzale Michelangelo, then our guide shows us Signoria Square, Santa Croce, the Duomo and Baptistery. Later, its time to shop. (Buffet breakfast)

DAY 13 – SUN – TUSCANY – ROME

We drive to Siena where we walk to the cathedral and the piazza where the Palio horse race takes place. Finally we continue to Rome. Tonight, we enjoy a highlight dinner at a local restaurant. Hotel: International Palace. (Buffet breakfast, Speciality Highlight Dinner)

DAY 14 – MON – ROME SIGHTSEEING

With our guide we visit the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican Museums. We then visit the vast St Peter's Basilica, the mighty Colosseum and we see the Roman Forum. (Buffet breakfast)

DAY 15 – TUE – ROME AT LEISURE

A day to relax or why not visit Pompeii & Sorrento? (Buffet breakfast)

DAY 16 – WED – ROME – ASSISI

Into the Apennine Mountains today, to visit St Francis' Basilica in hilltop Assisi. Hotel: Hotel Subasio. (Buffet breakfast, Three or four course table d'hote or buffet style dinner)

DAY 17 – THU – ASSISI – VENICE

Today to the magical Venetian lagoon where we stay on the island of Chioggia. Hotel: Grande Italia. (Buffet breakfast, Three or four course table d'hote or buffet style dinner)

DAY 18 – FRI – VENICE SIGHTSEEING

A private launch takes us to St Mark's Square to view the Bridge of Sighs, Doges' Palace and the Basilica. We then watch Venetian glass being blown and enjoy a highlight gondola ride through the canals. (Buffet breakfast)

DAY 19 – SAT – VENICE – VIENNA

We drive to Vienna via the lake district and through Styria to our hotel. Hotel: Hilton Plaza. (Buffet breakfast)

DAY 20 – SUN – VIENNA SIGHTSEEING

Our sightseeing includes a visit to the glorious Schönbrunn Palace and its gardens, then past the Winter Palace, St Charles Church and City Hall. (Buffet breakfast)

DAY 21 – MON – VIENNA – INNSBRUCK

A guided tour of Salzburg today, then we continue to Innsbruck to visit the Wilten Basilica and see the Golden Roof and Imperial Palace. Hotel: Hilton. (Buffet breakfast, Three or four course table d'hote or buffet style dinner)

DAY 22 – TUE – INNSBRUCK – LUCERNE

A beautiful drive into Switzerland via Liechtenstein, a tiny country dominated by Vaduz Castle, and on to Lucerne. Hotel: Astoria. (Buffet breakfast)

DAY 23 – WED – LUCERNE SIGHTSEEING

Our sightseeing shows us the Chapel Bridge and Lion Monument, after which, we ascend Mount Pilatus by cog-wheel railway and cable car. (Buffet breakfast, Three or four course table d'hote or buffet style dinner)

DAY 24 – THU – LUCERNE – RHINELAND

We see the Rhine Falls, then into Germany, via the Black Forest, to the Rhineland. Hotel: Ramada Treff Wiesbaden. (Buffet breakfast, Three or four course table d'hote or buffet style dinner)

DAY 25 – FRI – RHINELAND – AMSTERDAM

This morning we take a scenic cruise along the Rhine. Later we stop in Cologne to see the cathedral. Then on to Amsterdam. Hotel: Golden Tulip Inntel Centre. (Buffet breakfast)

DAY 26 – SAT – AMSTERDAM SIGHTSEEING

We visit a diamond factory, and see the Royal Palace in Dam Square. We see cheese and clogs being made, then visit the fishing village of Volendam. (Buffet breakfast)

DAY 27 – SUN – AMSTERDAM – LONDON

This morning we cross Belgium to Calais, then across the Channel to London, where we bid farewell to our Tour Director. (Buffet breakfast)

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