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ITINERARY

Day 1 – London – Amsterdam

We meet our Tour Director this morning at the Holiday Inn Kings Cross/Bloomsbury, then leave for Europe. We cross the channel and continue through Belgium's Flanders Fields into Holland and on to Amsterdam. Here we see the Royal Palace and Dam Square. We also enjoy a visit to a diamond-polishing factory to see diamonds being cut and polished, before reaching our hotel in the Dutch countryside. Hotel: Tulip Inn Lakeside.

Day 2 – Amsterdam – Rhineland

This morning to Germany to visit Cologne and see its Gothic Cathedral. Past Bonn, we follow the Rhine to join our highlight river cruise along the most romantic stretch of the river. Castles stand guard over ripening grapes and sleepy villages as they have done since the days of Charlemagne. We then rejoin our coach and pass the legendary Loreley Rock and Pfalz Castle before arriving at our hotel. Hotel: Novotel Mannheim. (B,D)

Day 3 – Rhineland – Innsbruck

We stop this morning in Heidelberg where we view the magnificent Castle built in red sandstone, overlooking the Student Prince's town. Then to Bavaria and its capital, Munich, where we see the Hofbrauhaus, the Marienplatz and the Olympic complex. Now we head into the Alps and over the Austrian border to reach Innsbruck, capital of the Tyrol. Hotel: Alpinpark. (B,D)

Day 4 – Innsbruck – Venice

This morning our sightseeing shows us the Golden Roof and the Imperial Palace in the old town, built by the Hapsburg Empress Maria Theresa. Then we visit the decorative Wilten Basilica before we cross the Alps at the spectacular Brenner Pass into Italy and the Veneto region. Hotel: II Burchiello (Oriago) (B,D)

Day 5 – Venice Sightseeing

This morning we drive to the Venetian Lagoon where our private launch takes us to St. Mark's Square. We see the ornate Basilica of St Mark, Doges' Palace and the Bridge of Sighs. Then we watch a demonstration of Venetian glass-blowing. Now the rest of the day is at leisure. (B,D)

Day 6 – Venice – Engelberg

Leaving the Veneto region this morning, our first stop will be in Verona, here we see Juliet's balcony and the first century Roman arena. Then through the Italian Lake District to the Swiss Alps with its snow-covered mountain peaks and flower-bedecked chalets. Hotel: Crystal. (B,D)

Day 7 – Lucerne Sightseeing

Sightseeing in Lucerne today includes the covered Chapel Bridge and the emotive Lion Monument. Then time to relax, shop or join an exciting excursion by cable car up a nearby mountain for stunning views? (B,D)

Day 8 – Engelberg – Paris

We leave snow capped mountains and tranquil lakes behind us today as we cross the Rhine at Basel and enter France. We skirt the Jura Mountains and drive past the vineyards of Burgundy en route to the capital, Paris. Hotel: Novotel Porte d'Asnières. (B)

Day 9 – Paris Sightseeing

Today's sightseeing with our local guide shows us the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Champs Elysees, Notre Dame Cathedral and the Place de la Concorde. Later, time at leisure to perhaps visit the Mona Lisa in the Louvre? Tonight, maybe join your new found friends at a Parisian cabaret! (B)

Day 10 – Paris – London

Leaving Paris this morning, we pass poignant reminders of World War I battles and cross the River Somme en route to London, where our tour ends. (B)