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ITINERARY INSIGHT VACATIONS European Grandeur
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 - LONDON - PARIS
Cross the English Channel to Calais, then visit the Canadian Memorial at the former Vimy Ridge battlefield. Continue to Paris where, you enjoy a Welcome Drink on arrival.
Hotel: Concorde St. Lazare
Day 2 - PARIS SIGHTSEEING
With a local guide, see Notre Dame and drive along the Champs Élysees to the Arc de Triomphe. Ascend the Eiffel Tower for panoramic views over the city. The afternoon is at leisure. (BB)
Day 3 - PARIS - BORDEAUX
Visit the magnificent Château of Chenonceau in the Loire Valley. Continue through the famous vineyards to Bordeaux au Lac.
Hotel: Pullman Bordeaux Aquitania (BB,D)
Day 4 - BORDEAUX - LOURDES
Drive to the market town of Lourdes - a pilgrimage place of world renown. Visit the miraculous Grotto and drink the spring waters. Tonight you are invited to carry a candle and join the pilgrims in a procession to the Rosary Basilica.
Hotel: Hotel de la Grotte (BB,D)
Day 5 - LOURDES - MADRID
Cross the Pyrenees and Sierras into the heart of Spain and continue to the capital, Madrid.
Hotel: NH Nacional (BB)
Day 6 - MADRID SIGHTSEEING
A local guide introduces you to all the main sights of Madrid, the highlight being a visit to the elegant apartments of the Royal Palace. The afternoon is at leisure. (BB)
Day 7 - MADRID - BARCELONA
Drive via the Castilian plain and Morata Pass to the vibrant port of Barcelona.
Hotel: Melia Barcelona (BB)
Day 8 - BARCELONA SIGHTSEEING
On a guided tour, see the port, Gothic Quarter, the extraordinary architecture of Gaudi's Sagrada Familia and not forgetting Las Ramblas, with its colourful flower stalls and markets.(BB)
Day 9 - BARCELONA - MONACO
Re-enter France and follow the coastline of the Golfe du Lion along the edge of the marshy Camargue. Cross sunbaked landscapes which inspired Van Gogh to the glorious Cote d'Azur.
Hotel: Fairmont Monte Carlo. (BB)
Day 10 - MONACO
Get to know the village of St Paul de Vence, revel in its pleasures and experience its art and lifestyle. After some time to take in the magnificent views, return to Monaco for time at leisure, with a visit to a French perfumery en route. (BB)
Day 11 - MONACO - PISA - TUSCANY
Depart for Italy to see the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Stay in the spa town of Montecatini Terme.
Hotel: Grand Hotel Tamerici & Principe. (BB,D)
Day 12 - FLORENCE SIGHTSEEING
Enjoy the fine view over Florence from Piazzale Michelangelo, before a local guide shows you the highlights of the city. Visit the open air gallery of Signoria Square, and see the Duomo and Baptistery with its 'Gates of Paradise' Later, there is time to shop. (BB)
Day 13 - TUSCANY - SIENA - ROME
Drive to Siena and walk through the cobbled streets to the cathedral and visit the vast piazza where the Palio horse race takes place. En route, hear an informative tutorial about the famous Chianti wines that make this region so famous. Continue to 'the Eternal City' of Rome. Tonight's Dine-Around evening offers you a selection of restaurants to choose from.
Hotel: Cicerone (BB,DA)
Day 14 - ROME SIGHTSEEING
With a local guide, visit the Sistine Chapel and the Vatican Museums. Continue into St Peter's Basilica, then cross the Tiber to visit the mighty Colosseum and see the Roman Forum. (BB)
Day 15 - ROME AT LEISURE
A day to relax or visit Pompeii and Sorrento.(BB)
Day 16 - ROME - ASSISI
Make the short journey northwards to Assisi, home of St. Francis, one of Italy's most beautiful mountain towns. Visit the huge cathedral built in the 13th century after St. Francis' death.
Hotel: Subasio (BB,D)
Day 17 - ASSISI - VENICE
Cross the wild Apennines to the fertile Po Valley. Continue to the magical city of Venice where your hotel is located on the fashionable Lido.
Hotel: Quattro Fontane (BB,D)
Day 18 - VENICE SIGHTSEEING
Take a private launch to St Mark's Square to see the Bridge of Sighs, Doges' Palace and the ornate St Mark's Basilica. Watch Venetian glass being blown and then enjoy a Highlight gondola ride through the canals. The rest of the day is at leisure. (BB)
Day 19 - VENICE - VIENNA
The Carnic Alps herald the Austrian Lake District. Then a scenic drive across Styria gives way to the Vienna Woods, Danube Plains and stately Vienna.
Hotel: Hilton Vienna Plaza (BB)
Day 20 - VIENNA SIGHTSEEING
Sightseeing with a local guide includes a visit to magnificent Schonbrunn Palace. Continue around the ring road and concludes with an introduction to Viennese cafe culture. (BB)
Day 21 - VIENNA - SALZBURG - INNSBRUCK
Drive to Salzburg, 'alive with the sound of music' A local guide shows you Mozart's Birthplace, the Cathedral in the Old town and Mirabell Gardens. Continue to Innsbruck to visit the Wilten Basilica and see the Golden Roof and Imperial Palace.
Hotel: Hilton (BB)
Day 22 - INNSBRUCK - LIECHTENSTEIN - LUCERNE
Drive through the Arlberg Tunnel to Liechtenstein. Stop in the capital of Vaduz dominated by its Castle. Then enjoy a beautiful drive to lovely lakeside Lucerne in Switzerland.
Hotel: Astoria (BB)
Day 23 - LUCERNE SIGHTSEEING
Sightseeing includes the Chapel Bridge and emotive Lion Monument before ascending nearby Mount Pilatus by cog-wheel railway and cable-car for views over the Swiss Alps. (BB,D)
Day 24 - LUCERNE - RHINELAND
See the thundering Rhine Falls before crossing into Germany and travelling through the legendary Black Forest en route to the Rhineland.
Hotel: Hilton Mainz (BB,D)
Day 25 - RHINELAND - COLOGNE - AMSTERDAM
Take a scenic cruise along the Rhine past leafy vineyards and hilltop castles. Afterwards, drive through Bonn before stopping in Cologne to see the soaring Gothic cathedral. Head for your hotel in lively Amsterdam.
Hotel: Moevenpick Amsterdam City Centre (BB,D)
Day 26 - AMSTERDAM SIGHTSEEING
Visit a diamond factory and see the Royal Palace in Dam Square. See cheese and clogs being made and visit the fishing village of Volendam. (BB)
Day 27 - AMSTERDAM - LONDON
Cross Belgium to Calais in France for your return voyage across the Channel to Dover. The tour ends a short time later in London. (BB)
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