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Insight Vacations - European Explorer 2007

20 Days - England - Belgium - Holland - Germany - Austria - Italy - Switzerland - France

Enjoy Our Premium Highlights Plus These Extra Tour Features

Excursions & Sights

   * Visit the fishing village of Volendam
   * See Amsterdam's Mint Tower & Dam Square
   * See the 'Bridge too far'
   * See Cologne Cathedral
   * Relax on a scenic Rhine Cruise
   * Visit Heidelberg Castle's terrace for views over the town
   * Visit medieval Rothenburg
   * 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
   * Drive along Vienna's Ring Road to see the Parliament, Winter Palace & Opera House
   * Cruise to St Mark's Square to see the Doges' Palace, Bridge of Sighs & Basilica in Venice
   * Visit St Peter's Basilica in the Vatican City
   * Visit the Colosseum
   * See the Roman Forum
   * Visit Siena to see the black and white Cathedral & the vast Campo Square
   * See the Cathedral, 'Gates of Paradise' & open-air gallery of Signoria Square in Florence
   * See the Leaning Tower of Pisa
   * See the Casino & drive along Monaco's Grand Prix circuit
   * Visit the hilltop town of St Paul de Vence
   * View Lucerne's Lion Monument
   * See Notre Dame & drive along the Champs Élysées to the Arc de Triomphe in Paris
   * Demonstrations of diamond cutting & polishing, cheese & clog making in Holland, Venetian glass-blowing, Florentine leather-work, French perfumery

Guided City Tours

   * In depth sightseeing tours in Salzburg, Vienna, Rome, Florence & Paris
   * Orientation tours in Amsterdam, Cologne, Rothenburg, Munich, Innsbruck, Venice, Siena, Nice & 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 local cuisine, wine and entertainment in Rome
   * 19 enhanced or buffet breakfasts and 7 three course table d'hôte dinners, or buffets, plus tea or coffee

ITINERARY

This tour has a leisurely pace with two night stays in the eight key cities & overnight stays in the Rhineland, Nördlingen & Innsbruck. Travelling days are well balanced with frequent stops. There is definitely time to truly explore Europe on this tour.

DAY 1 – SUN – LONDON – AMSTERDAM

We travel to Dover and cross the channel to Calais. Then it's on through Belgium to Amsterdam. Tonight, we enjoy a Welcome Drink. Hotel: Crowne Plaza Amsterdam City Centre/Sofitel. (Three or four course table d'hote or buffet style dinner)

DAY 2 – MON – AMSTERDAM SIGHTSEEING

Today we cross Dam Square past the Royal Palace to see diamonds being cut and polished. Now we travel into the countryside to watch cheese and clogs being made, before a visit to the fishing village of Volendam. (Buffet breakfast)

DAY 3 – TUE – AMSTERDAM – RHINELAND

First to Arnhem, where we view the 'Bridge too Far' and then cross the German border to see Cologne Cathedral. Now we join our highlight cruise on the Rhine River, before reaching our hotel. Hotel: Ramada Treff Wiesbaden/Rhein – Main. (Buffet breakfast, Three or four course table d'hote or buffet style dinner)

DAY 4 – WED – RHINELAND – NöRDLINGEN

This morning we visit Heidelberg's ruined castle and see the world's largest wine vat. Now on to Rothenburg, with its city walls, market place and Christmas shop. We drive along the Romantic Road to the fortified town of Nördlingen. Hotel: NH Klosterle. (Buffet breakfast, Three or four course table d'hote or buffet style dinner)

DAY 5 – THU – NöRDLINGEN – INNSBRUCK

We head south to Munich where we see the Olympic Stadium, then visit the Marienplatz with its Glockenspiel and see the Hofbrauhaus. Continuing to Innsbruck, we visit the Wilten Basilica and historic Old Town, where we see the Golden Roof and Imperial Palace. Hotel: Hilton Innsbruck. (Buffet breakfast, Three or four course table d'hote or buffet style dinner)

DAY 6 – FRI – INNSBRUCK – VIENNA

Today we make our way to Salzburg for a guided tour. We walk through the Mirabell Gardens for views of the city skyline and see Mozart's Birthplace on the Getreidegasse. Then, some free time to explore. Now we drive by Mondsee Lake and along the Danube Valley, past Melk Abbey, to Vienna. Hotel: Hilton Plaza/Renaissance Wien. (Buffet breakfast)

DAY 7 – SAT – VIENNA SIGHTSEEING

This morning we visit the fabulous State Apartments of Schönbrunn Palace. Later, we see the Winter Palace, Parliament building, Opera House and City Hall. This afternoon is at leisure. (Buffet breakfast)

DAY 8 – SUN – VIENNA – VENICE

Over the Semmering Pass today, then across the border into Italy. Our hotel is located in beautiful Venice, on the fashionable Lido. Hotel: Hungaria Palace. (Buffet breakfast)

DAY 9 – MON – VENICE SIGHTSEEING

Our private launch brings us to St Mark's Square to see the Doges' Palace, Bridge of Sighs and ornate Basilica. Now a demonstration of Venetian glass-blowing before a highlight gondola ride along the canals. Now time at leisure. Perhaps try a seafood lunch?(Buffet breakfast)

DAY 10 – TUE – VENICE – ROME

Across the Apennine Mountains we go, into the Tuscan Hills, and on to Rome. Tonight, we visit Trevi Fountain before enjoying our highlight dinner, with pasta, vino and musica! Hotel: Sheraton Roma. (Buffet breakfast, Speciality Highlight Dinner)

DAY 11 – WED – ROME SIGHTSEEING

A local guide reveals Michelangelo's 'Pieta' inside St Peter's Basilica. Then we cross the River Tiber to visit the massive Colosseum and we look out over the Roman Forum. Later, perhaps visit the Catacombs? (Buffet breakfast)

DAY 12 – THU – ROME – FLORENCE

Today we visit Siena, where we see the cathedraland vast Campo square, scene of the festive Palio horse race. Now on through the Chianti vineyards to our hotel, where we have dinner tonight. Hotel: Sheraton Florence. (Buffet breakfast, Three or four course table d'hote or buffet style dinner)

DAY 13 – FRI – FLORENCE SIGHTSEEING

With a local guide we visit the Statue of David in the Academy Gallery. Then we see the Cathedral, Piazza Signoria, and Santa Croce Church. After a leatherwork demonstration there's time to continue sightseeing. (Buffet breakfast)

DAY 14 – SAT – FLORENCE – NICE

We lend our support to the Leaning Tower of Pisa, before following the Italian Riviera coast to France. We stop in Monaco to see its harbour, Monte Carlo Casino and drive along the Grand Prix circuit, before continuing to elegant Nice. Hotel: Massena/Boscolo Park. (Buffet breakfast)

DAY 15 – SUN – ST PAUL DE VENCE EXCURSION

This morning we visit the medieval town of St Paul de Vence, perched high on the hilltop. The rest of the day is at leisure to explore the French Riviera. (Buffet breakfast)

DAY 16 – MON – NICE – LUCERNE

First we visit a local French perfumery, then we pass through the Italian Lake District en route to the Swiss Alps and lovely lakeside Lucerne. Hotel: Astoria. (Buffet breakfast)

DAY 17 – TUE – LUCERNE SIGHTSEEING

We experience the trip of a lifetime this morning by ascending Mount Pilatus by cog-wheel railway, for 360 degrees views over the Swiss Alps! Later, back in Lucerne we see the Lion Monument, Jesuit Church and Chapel Bridge, before some free time to shop. (Buffet breakfast, Three or four course table d'hote or buffet style dinner)

DAY 18 – WED – LUCERNE – PARIS

We cross the French border at Basel and continue through the wine growing district of Burgundy toParis. Hotel: Sofitel Forum Rive Gauche/Concorde Ambassador. (Buffet breakfast)

DAY 19 – THU – PARIS SIGHTSEEING

With a local guide we see Notre Dame Cathedral and then drive along the elegant Champs Élysées to the Arc de Triomphe. Now we ascend the Eiffel Tower, before visiting Napoleon's Tomb. (Buffet breakfast)

DAY 20 – FRI – PARIS – LONDON

We travel through the battlefields of the First World War to Calais, then over the Channel to Dover and continue to London, where our tour ends. (Buffet breakfast)
 

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