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ITINERARY
Tour Pace
This is a well paced tour with two night stays in Amsterdam, Lucerne and Paris, allowing plenty of time for in depth sightseeing. The only one night stay is in the delightful Rhineland region of Germany. Comfortable driving days with frequent stops.
DAY 1 – SUN – LONDON – AMSTERDAM
We meet our Tour Director this morning and drive to Dover for our short channel crossing to Calais. We pass historic Dunkirk, famous for its Second World War evacuations, and follow the coast north into Belgium. We enter our fourth country today, the Netherlands and see the first of the windmills on the way to the cultural capital of Amsterdam - 'City of Canals'. This evening we enjoy a welcome drink with our Tour Director before boarding our canal cruise. We glide past high gabled houses and under low bridges to alight at afloating restaurant on Amsterdam's magnificent harbour, for our highlight dinner. Hotel: Golden Tulip Inntel Centre. (Speciality Highlight Dinner)
DAY 2 – MON – AMSTERDAM SIGHTSEEING
Our orientation tour this morning shows us the Mint Tower, Dam Square and Royal Palace. We then leave Amsterdam and drive through the typical Dutch countryside with its windmills and canals to the old, traditional village of Volendam, situated on what was once the Zuider Zee. Later we make a photo-stop beside one of the picturesque windmills and then visit a cheese farm and a 'Klompenhuis', where wooden clogs are made. We return to Amsterdam for the visit to a renowned diamond cutting factory, an industry dating back to the 16th century. After dinner this evening, perhaps visit the famous Sailors' Quarter? (Buffet breakfast)
DAY 3 – TUE – AMSTERDAM – RHINELAND
We leave Amsterdam today, en route for Germany. We pass the border town of Arnhem, renowned for its 'Bridge Too Far' - the Rhine bridge which was the object of bitter fighting at the end of the 2nd World War, then across the extensive Ruhr Basin to Cologne. This city was also badly damaged in the war, but its superb Gothic Cathedral survived. We have time to marvel at the soaring vaults and spires, and to stroll in the bustling pedestrian malls of the city centre. Now on through the little market town of Bonn, birthplace of Beethoven and for over 40 years capital of Germany until the reinstatement of Berlin. Soon we come to the picturesque Rhine Gorge where we board our highlight cruise at Boppard. We glide past medieval hill top castles and steep leafy vineyards to the legendary Loreley Rock. We rejoin our coach at St Goar, and continue to our hotel in Darmstadt in the Rhineland. Hotel: Maritim Darmstadt. (Buffet breakfast, Three or four course table d'hote or buffet style dinner)
DAY 4 – WED – RHINELAND – LUCERNE
Today we visit Heidelberg, city of the 'Student Prince', on the banks of the River Neckar, where we view the ruined clifftop castle. Now we take the scenic route along the Rhine Valley to the ancient city of Freiburg, before climbing into the heart of the Black Forest, home of the cuckoo clock industry. After a stop to see how these clocks are made, we continue past Lake Titisee and across the Swiss border to Schaffhausen. Here we admire the Rhine river thundering over the Rhine Falls with an awe-inspiring roar, before driving on via Zurich, to lakeside Lucerne. After checking in to our hotel, perhaps shop for chocolate or that special timepiece? Tonight you may wish to join an optional Swiss Fondue Party? Hotel: Astoria. (Buffet breakfast)
DAY 5 – THU – LUCERNE SIGHTSEEING
In Lucerne today we see the proud Lion Monument carved into a limestone cliff, dedicated to the Swiss Guards massacred defending the King during the French Revolution. We also have time to stroll across the Chapel Bridge and see the baroque Jesuit church. Now we enjoy an exciting Premium Highlight – an exhilarating ride by cog-wheel train and cable car to the summit of Mount Pilatus. Admire the stunning panorama of snow-capped peaks including the Eiger and Jungfrau, before descending over mountain cragsand pine forests back to terra firma. (Buffet breakfast, Three or four course table d'hote or buffet style dinner)
DAY 6 – FRI – LUCERNE – PARIS
Leaving the Alpine region, we cross the Rhine at Basel, and continue into France. Our route takes us past the fortified town of Belfort, gateway to Alsace, and alongside the forested ridges of the Jura Mountains into Burgundy. We continue on through the leafy vineyards and past the forests of Fontainebleau, to arrive in the elegant city of Paris for our two night stay. Tonight, why not sample the fabulous cuisine for which the French are renowned? Hotel: Sofitel Forum Rive Gauche. (Buffet breakfast)
DAY 7 – SAT – PARIS SIGHTSEEING
This morning our tour, with a local guide, takes us by the Îlede la Cité, where we see Notre Dame Cathedral with its memories of the tale of Quasimodo, the hunchback of Notre Dame. We then pass the immense facades of the Louvre and marvel at Garnier's splendid Opera House. We see the Obelisk in the centre of the Place de la Concorde and then drive along the elegant Champs Élysées to the Arc de Triomphe. Now a Premium Highlight takes us up to the viewing platforms of the famous Eiffel Tower for spectacular panoramas over the city! We then visit the magnificent gilded Église du Dôme where we see the imposing tomb of the Emperor Napoleon. This afternoon we are at leisure to explore Paris at our own pace. Perhaps take an optional tour to magnificent Versailles? By night, why not join in the fun at a world famous cabaret show? (Buffet breakfast)
DAY 8 – SUN – PARIS – LONDON
We cross the World War I battlefields of the Somme, before arriving at the port of Calais for our channel crossing back to England. The white cliffs of Dover welcome us as we near the shore to alight at the port. From here it's a short drive through Kent countryside before we arrive back in London where we bid farewell to our Tour Director. (Buffet breakfast)
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