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Insight Vacations - Highlights of Europe 2009

14 Days - England - Belgium - Germany - Austria - Italy - Switzerland - France

Insight Vacations Highlights of Europe

Enjoy Our Premium Highlights Plus These Extra Tour Features

Excursions & Sights

   * Walk the cobbled streets of medieval Bruges to admire the canals and Market Square
   * Visit the Grand Place & Mannekin Pis statue in Brussels
   * View Cologne Cathedral
   * Relax on a Rhine Cruise to see the Loreley Rock
   * See Heidelberg's ruined Castle
   * See Munich's Olympic Stadium, Hofbrauhaus & the Glockenspiel in the Marienplatz
   * See the Golden Roof and Imperial Palace & visit the Wilten Basilica in Innsbruck
   * See Mozart's Birthplace and walk through Salzburg's Old Town to the Cathedral Square
   * Cruise to St Mark's Square to see the Doges' Palace, Bridge of Sighs & Basilica in Venice
   * Visit the Colosseum & St Peter's Basilica in the Vatican City
   * See the Roman Forum
   * See the Cathedral, 'Gates of Paradise' & open-air gallery of Signoria Square in Florence
   * View the emotive Lion Monument, Jesuit Church & Chapel Bridge in Lucerne
   * See Notre Dame & drive along the Champs Élysées to the Arc de Triomphe in Paris
   * Scenic Drives: Inn Valley, Tauern Mountains, St Gotthard Route
   * Watch Venetian glass-blowing
   * Florentine Leatherwork Demonstration

Guided City Tours

   * In depth sightseeing tours in Salzburg, Rome, Florence & Paris
   * Orientation tours in Bruges, Brussels, Cologne, Munich, Innsbruck, Venice & Lucerne

Insight's First Class Services

   * Escorted by a professional Tour Director
   * Luxury air-conditioned coach with onboard toilet
   * First Class hotels with all service charges, taxes and porterage
   * Travel bag, document wallet, map book journal and information pack
   * Free Airport transfers when booking our London hotel (see Savings page)

Quality Dining

   * Highlight Dinner of Italian cuisine in Rome
   * 13 enhanced or buffet breakfasts and 6 three course table d'hôte dinners, or buffets, plus tea or coffee

Insight Top Agent All

ITINERARY

Tour Pace

This tour is well-balanced with the majority of the one night stays in the first section and then two night stays in the key cities of Venice, Rome, Lucerne and Paris, where there is ample time to relax or to take optional tours. Travelling days are interspersed with frequent rest stops.

DAY 1 – MON – LONDON – BRUSSELS

We meet our Tour Director and transfer to Dover where we cross the channel to Calais. We continue to medieval Bruges in Belgium to admire the peaceful canals and fine buildings in the Market Square. Now it's on to Brussels to visit the Grand Place and cheeky Mannekin Pis. Tonight, we enjoy a Welcome Drink. Hotel: Marriott.

DAY 2 – TUE – BRUSSELS – RHINELAND

We travel into Germany to view Cologne Cathedral. Then we continue along the Rhine, via Bonn, to board our highlight cruise at Boppard. Relax as we glide past medieval castles and steep vineyards to the village of St Goar, near the legendary Loreley Rock. We continue to Heidelberg to see the clifftop castle before reaching our Rhineland hotel. Hotel: Renaissance Karlsruhe. (Buffet breakfast, Three or four course table d'hote or buffet style dinner)

DAY 3 – WED – RHINELAND – INNSBRUCK

Into Bavaria today to visit fun loving Munich. We see the Olympic Stadium, Hofbrauhaus, and visit the Marienplatz with it's Glockenspiel. Now we head into the Alps and over the Austrian border to reach the Tyrolean capital of Innsbruck. Tonight perhaps enjoy a fabulous Tyrolean folklore evening? Hotel: Hilton Innsbruck. (Buffet breakfast)

DAY 4 – THU – INNSBRUCK – SALZBURG

This morning we see the Golden Roof and the Imperial Palace in the old town. Then we visit the decorative Wilten Basilica before following the Inn Valley to Salzburg. Here, we walk with our local guide to see the imposing fortress, Mozart's birthplace and the cathedral. Hotel: Castellani Parkhotel. (Buffet breakfast, Three or four course table d'hote or buffet style dinner)

DAY 5 – FRI – SALZBURG – VENICE

This morning a spectacular drive takes us through the Tauern Mountains to the Carinthian Lake District, and on to the Italian border. We cross the flat Veneto Plain and soon reach our hotel on the Grand Canal in the magical water-bound city of Venice. There is no better introduction than to join an included romantic premium highlight gondola ride along the canals! Hotel: Continental. (Buffet breakfast, Three or four course table d'hote or buffet style dinner)

DAY 6 – SAT – VENICE SIGHTSEEING

Cameras at the ready this morning as we cruise by private launch to St Mark's Square. We alight to see the Bridge of Sighs which connects the Doges' Palace to the prisons. Now we cross the square to see the famous Moors, who have been striking the hour for over 500 years, the belltower, and the beautiful mosaics of St Mark's Basilica. After a demonstration of Venetian glass blowing, we are at leisure to relax in this beautiful location. Perhaps take a boat trip to the island of Burano for a delicious seafood meal? (Buffet breakfast)

DAY 7 – SUN – VENICE – ROME

We head south over the Apennine Mountains and follow the 'Highway of the Sun' to Rome. Tonight, we join our Tour Director for a stroll to the illuminated Trevi Fountain where we can toss a coin or three! Then we enjoy a highlight dinner including pasta, wine and music! Hotel: Sheraton Roma. (Buffet breakfast, Speciality Highlight Dinner)

DAY 8 – MON – ROME SIGHTSEEING

This morning, with our local guide, we visit St Peter's Basilica to see Michelangelo's moving work 'Pieta'. We then drive across the Tiber to visit the mighty Colosseum, where gladiators fought to the death against armed warriors or wild beasts. We also look out over the Roman Forum, once the bustling centre of commerce, law and religion. This afternoon is at leisure. (Buffet breakfast)

DAY 9 – TUE – ROME – FLORENCE

A short drive brings us into the Chianti Hills and the Renaissance city of Florence. Sightseeing with our local guide takes us to see the original statue of 'David' in the the Academy Gallery. We also visit the Cathedral and see the Gates of Paradise on the Baptistery, followed by the open-air museum of Signoria Square. We then watch a demonstration of leatherwork. Later, there is time at leisure to shop, or continue sightseeing! Hotel: Sheraton. (Buffet breakfast, Three or four course table d'hote or buffet style dinner)

DAY 10 – WED – FLORENCE – LUCERNE

We journey north, past the great commercial centre of Milan and the Italian Lake District, to the Swiss border. Here, on the St Gotthard route, we enjoy a scenic Alpine drive to Lucerne. Hotel: Astoria. (Buffet breakfast)

DAY 11 – THU – LUCERNE SIGHTSEEING

Our sightseeing in Lucerne begins with a visit to the emotive Lion Monument. We see the covered Chapel Bridge and the Jesuit Church. Then we enjoy a superb Premium Highlight as we ascend Mount Pilatus by cog-wheel railway. From the summit you can admire some of the best views of the snow-covered Alps. (Buffet breakfast, Three or four course table d'hote or buffet style dinner)

DAY 12 – FRI – LUCERNE – PARIS

Past the Swiss port city of Basel and into France, skirting the Jura Mountains, into the wine producing area of Burgundy. Then it's on to exciting Paris where we stay for two fabulous nights. This evening, perhaps sample some wonderful cuisine, for which the French are renowned? Hotel: Concorde Ambassador. (Buffet breakfast)

DAY 13 – SAT – PARIS SIGHTSEEING

Our guided sightseeing tour takes us to see the famous Notre Dame Cathedral. We also see the Opera House and drive down the Champs Élysées to the Arc de Triomphe. Later we ascend the Eiffel Tower before visiting the Tomb of Napoleon. Tonight, there's an opportunity to see a cabaret show. (Buffet breakfast)

DAY 14 – SUN – PARIS – LONDON

This morning we cross the battlefields of the First World War to Calais. We sail across the channel to Dover and continue to London where our tour comes to an end. (Buffet breakfast)

Tour Dates & Prices

Departs on

Returns on

Brochure Price

Costless Discount Price

Premium Escorted Europe and Britain 2009

2009

Mon 13 Apr  

Sun 26 Apr  

A$4475

A$3625

Mon 20 Apr  

Sun 03 May  

A$4490

A$3637

PD

Mon 27 Apr

Sun 10 May  

A$4599

A$3725

PD

Mon 04 May

Sun 17 May  

A$4599

A$3725

PD

Mon 11 May

Sun 24 May  

A$4599

A$3725

PD

Mon 18 May

Sun 31 May  

A$4599

A$3725

PD

Mon 25 May

Sun 07 Jun  

A$4599

A$3725

PD

Mon 01 Jun

Sun 14 Jun  

A$4599

A$3725

PD

Mon 08 Jun

Sun 21 Jun  

A$4625

A$3746

PD

Mon 15 Jun

Sun 28 Jun  

A$4599

A$3725

PD

Mon 22 Jun

Sun 05 Jul  

A$4599

A$3725

PD

Mon 29 Jun

Sun 12 Jul  

A$4525

A$3665

PD

Mon 06 Jul

Sun 19 Jul  

A$4525

A$3665

PD

Mon 13 Jul

Sun 26 Jul  

A$4450

A$3605

PD

Mon 20 Jul

Sun 02 Aug  

A$4450

A$3605

PD

Mon 27 Jul

Sun 09 Aug  

A$4475

A$3625

PD

Mon 03 Aug

Sun 16 Aug  

A$4475

A$3625

PD

Mon 10 Aug

Sun 23 Aug  

A$4475

A$3625

PD

Mon 17 Aug

Sun 30 Aug  

A$4475

A$3625

PD

Mon 24 Aug

Sun 06 Sep  

A$4525

A$3665

PD

Mon 31 Aug

Sun 13 Sep  

A$4599

A$3725

PD

Mon 07 Sep

Sun 20 Sep  

A$4599

A$3725

PD

Mon 14 Sep

Sun 27 Sep  

A$4599

A$3725

PD

Mon 21 Sep

Sun 04 Oct  

A$4599

A$3725

PD

Mon 28 Sep

Sun 11 Oct  

A$4599

A$3725

PD

Mon 05 Oct

Sun 18 Oct  

A$4599

A$3725

PD

Mon 12 Oct

Sun 25 Oct  

A$4599

A$3725

PD = Preferred Departure

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All prices are based on twin share, low season departures, in Australian Dollars and are subject to change at anytime without prior notice. + Conditions Apply - Costless Discount prices are based on twin share, low season departure and 12 months advance book and pay.