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ITINERARY
Day 1 – London – Paris
We meet our Tour Director this morning at the Holiday Inn Kings Cross/Bloomsbury, and depart for Dover and our ferry across the English Channel to Calais. Then we cross the World War I battlefields of the Somme to reach Paris, the 'City of Light'. Tonight, perhaps join a tour of the illuminations?Hotel: Mercure La Defense.
Day 2 – Paris Sightseeing
Today's sightseeing with a local guide shows us the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Champs Elysees, Notre Dame Cathedral and the Place de la Concorde. Later, there is time at leisure to perhaps visit the Mona Lisa in the Louvre? Tonight, maybe enjoy dinner in a typical Parisian bistro? (B)
Day 3 – Paris – Lucerne
Our journey today takes us via the vineyards of Burgundy, and across the Rhine at Basel. We enter Switzerland, with wonderful scenery of snow-capped mountains and tranquil lakes, en route to picturesque Lucerne. Hotel: Luzernerhof. (B,D)
Day 4 – Lucerne – Italian Lakes
This morning we admire the Lion Monument, carved into a limestone cliff to commemorate those Swiss Guards who lost their lives during the French Revolution. Then we stroll along the Chapel Bridge, before time at leisure to relax and do some shopping or perhaps take a thrilling cable-car ride up a nearby mountain? Later, we take the magnificent St Gotthard route past cascading waterfalls and soaring mountains, to descend into the picturesque Italian Lake District. Hotel: Albavilla. (B,D)
Day 5 – Italian Lakes – Rome
Today we head south to the fertile Po Valley, passing by the commercial centre of Milan. Then we ascend the Appenines, following the spectacular route of the Autostrada del Sole. We drive through Tuscany and Umbria before we follow the Tiber river to the 'Eternal City' of Rome. Hotel: Cristoforo Colombo. (B)
Day 6 – 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 7 – Rome – Florence
Arrivederci Roma as we head north to Tuscany and Renaissance Florence – city of art and culture. We enjoy our first view of Florence from Piazzale Michelangelo, the entire city at our feet. Then we enjoy a demonstration of Florentine leatherwork, before the city's treasures are yours to discover – the Cathedral, Giotto's Belltower and the amazing open-air sculpture gallery of Signoria Square. There's also time to shop for the latest Italian fashions in leather and gold or perhaps walk along the Ponte Vecchio? Hotel: Art Hotel Miro. (B,D)
Day 8 – Florence – Venice
This morning we bid farewell to Florence as we cross the northern plain to reach magical Venice. By private launch we cruise to St. Mark's Square. The palatial residences seem to float on the water and gondolas bob beneath the Bridge of Sighs – the city itself is a poem. We see St Mark's Basilica before watching a master craftsman demonstrate Venetian glass-blowing. Later, after time to explore, we drive to our hotel in the Veneto region. Hotel: La Meridiana. (Mogliano) (B,D)
Day 9 – Venice – Vienna
Today we leave Italy for the majestic scenery of the Austrian Lake District. We drive past the peaceful forests of Carinthia and little-known Styria before reaching our hotel in Vienna. Tonight, perhaps enjoy an Hungarian dinner with gipsy violins in a typical setting? Hotel: Bosei. (B)
Day 10 – Vienna Sightseeing
Our guided tour of Imperial Vienna shows us the Hofburg, beautiful St. Charles' Church and we see the statue of Strauss in the Stadtpark. Then along the 'Ring' to see the Parliament and glorious City Hall. This afternoon, perhaps a visit to the impressive Schonbrunn Palace or some shopping in elegant Karntner Street? (B)
Day 11 – Vienna – Innsbruck
Leaving the city of Vienna this morning, we pass the mighty baroque abbey of Melk as we follow the valley of the Danube. Later we come to the region known as the Salzkammergut, renowned for its placid lakes and mountains. The hills are alive as we see 'The Sound of Music' wedding scene church at Mondsee lake, before we take a scenic alpine drive to the capital of the Tyrol, Innsbruck. Hotel: Alpinpark. (B,D)
Day 12 – Innsbruck – Rhineland
Our sightseeing this morning includes the decorative Wilten Basilica and the Old Town, where we see the splendid Golden Roof and Imperial Palace. Then we leave Innsbruck and travel into the wooded Bavarian Alps for a sight of King Ludwig's fairytale castle of Neuschwanstein. Then we continue to the city of the 'Student Prince', Heidelberg, where we see the medieval castle which overlooks the town, before continuing to our Rhineland hotel. Hotel: NH Weinheim. (B,D)
Day 13 – Rhineland – Amsterdam
We pass the Pfalz Castle and legendary Loreley Rock, before joining our highlight Rhine Cruise to follow the most romantic stretch of the river. We continue on via Bonn to Cologne where we view the 13th century Cathedral with its soaring spires. Now through the famous Ruhr valley and to Amsterdam, where we pass canals, bridges and historic gabled buildings to reach Dam Square and view the Royal Palace. Then we see sparkling stones transformed before our eyes as we visit a diamond polishing factory. Hotel: Tulip Inn Lakeside. (B,D)
Day 14 – Amsterdam – London
This morning we leave this lively city and make our way to Belgium and across Flanders Fields en route to Calais. We cross the Channel to Dover, where we can see the famous White Cliffs before continuing on to London where our tour ends. (B)
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