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ITINERARY INSIGHT VACATIONS EUROPEAN CLASSIC TOUR
Tour Pace
This grand tour has many two night stays in the major cities and is well paced. There is a relaxing break in the middle of the itinerary with the three day Greek Island cruise. All the travelling days have frequent stops.
Day 1 - ATHENS
The ancient capital of Greece, Athens. From the top of your hotel you can see the Acropolis and the sea.
Hotel: Metropolitan (BB)
Day 2 - ATHENS SIGHTSEEING
Join a local guide this morning for your Athens sightseeing tour. Enjoy glory in abundance, from the Parthenon and Acropolis to the Temple of Zeus, the Temple of the Wingless Victory and Hadrian's Arch. The afternoon is at leisure to explore at your own pace. (BB)
Day 3 - CRUISING - MYKONOS
Board your cruise ship and set sail for the Cyclades. Arrive early evening at the lovely island of Mykonos with its sugarcube houses, duo-tone chapels and whitewashed windmills. The narrow lanes of the town were originally built to discourage the wind and pirates! Tonight they're yours to explore. (BB,L,D,S)
Day 4 - CRUISING - KUSADASI & PATMOS
Dock at the Turkish port of Kusadasi to visit the bazaar or perhaps take the option to visit ancient Ephesus. Sail to the island of Patmos where St John wrote the book of Revelation. Tonight enjoy a Greek Evening and Dinner with entertainment. (BB,L,HD,S)
Day 5 - CRUISING - HERAKLION & SANTORINI
Sail to Heraklion on the island of Crete, site of the ruins of King Minos' Palace of Knossos. Later continue to the sheer cliffs of Santorini. Experience the island's capital of Thira, with its cliff top restaurants and cafes, breathtaking views and amazing sunsets. (B,L,D,S)
Day 6 - AT SEA
The cruise ends in Athens where you join your transfer coach. Explore the fascinating markets of the Plaka before crossing the breathtaking Corinth Canal to the Peloponnese region of Greece. At the port
of Patras board your overnight ferry to Italy. (BB)
Day 7 - SORRENTO
Disembark in Bari and cross the Apennines to the Italian west coast. Cruise to the magical island of Capri and ascend to Capri town by funicular railway. Browse in the exclusive boutiques before returning to the picturesque resort of Sorrento.
Hotel: Hotel Caravel (BB,D)
Day 8 - SORRENTO AT LEISURE
Stroll through this lovely resort with fine views over the Gulf of Naples. Visit the lively Piazza Tasso to watch the art of 'intarsio' wood inlaying. Maybe explore the famous Amalfi Coast? (BB)
Day 9 - SORRENTO - POMPEII - ROME
Drive to the Roman town of Pompeii, buried by an eruption of Vesuvius in 79AD. Your local guide leads you through the cobbled streets, shops, villas and temples bringing to life the plight of the ill-fated citizens. Then it's on to the 'Eternal City' of Rome.
Hotel: Cicerone (BB)
Day 10 - ROME SIGHTSEEING
With a local guide, visit the superb Vatican Museums and see Michelangelo's famous ceiling in the Sistine Chapel. Then see Michelangelo's 'Pieta' inside St Peter's Basilica. Cross the River Tiber to visit the massive Colosseum and look out over the Roman Forum. Later, consider visiting the Catacombs. Tonight, enjoy a Dine-Around evening which offers you a choice of selected restaurants for your dining pleasure. Enjoy a short group tutorial on the wines that complement your evening meal. (BB,DA)
Day 11 - ROME - FLORENCE
Drive north into the beautiful region of Tuscany and follow the Arno valley to the Renaissance city of Florence.
Hotel: NH Firenze (BB,D)
Day 12 - FLORENCE SIGHTSEEING
Explore the riches of the Renaissance on your Florentine walking tour. Firstly, visit the Academy Museum with a local guide to see Michelangelo's original 'David', then walk on to the massive domed Cathedral and Baptistry, where Ghiberti's 'Gates of Paradise' have been recreated in all their glory. Last stop is Signoria Square, political heart of the city. After a demonstration of traditional leather work, the rest of the day is at leisure. (BB)
Day 13 - FLORENCE - PISA - MONACO - NICE
Lend your support to the Leaning Tower of Pisa before following the Italian Riviera coast to France. Stop in Monaco to see its harbour, Monte Carlo Casino and drive the Grand Prix circuit before continuing to elegant Nice.
Hotel: Radisson SAS Nice (BB)
Day 14 - ST PAUL DE VENCE & CANNES EXCURSION
Get to know the village of St Paul de Vence, revel in its pleasures and experience its art and lifestyle. Then visit fashionable Cannes, home to the famous film festival. The rest of the day is at leisure to explore the French Riviera. (BB)
Day 15 - NICE - LUCERNE
Visit a local French perfumery before passing through the Italian Lake District en route to the Swiss Alps and lovely lakeside Lucerne.
Hotel: Astoria (BB)
Day 16 - LUCERNE SIGHTSEEING
Ascend Mount Pilatus by cog-wheel railway for stunning 360 degree views of the Swiss Alps. Later, back in Lucerne, see the Lion Monument, Jesuit Church and Chapel Bridge before enjoying some free time to shop. (BB,D)
Day 17 - LUCERNE - PARIS
After breakfast, cross the border at Basel and continue through the wine region of Burgundy to the glittering French capital of Paris.
Hotel: Pullman Bercy (BB)
Day 18 - PARIS SIGHTSEEING
Sightseeing with a local guide shows you the highlights of the city. See the Gothic Notre Dame Cathedral, then drive past the facades of the Louvre to the Place de la Concorde, its centre occupied by a giant Egyptian obelisk. Continue along the elegant Champs Champs Élysees to Napoleon's Arc de Triomphe. Now ascend the Eiffel Tower for fine views over Paris. The afternoon is at leisure; perhaps visit the superb Louvre museum? (BB)
Day 19 - PARIS - LONDON
Travel across the battlefields of the First World War to Calais, then over the Channel to Dover and continue to London, where the tour ends. (BB)
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