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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)
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