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ITINERARY
Tour Pace
This classic tour is well paced with two night stays in Paris, Lucerne, Venice, Montecatini and Rome. The only one night stop is in the musical city of Salzburg. The travelling days are well planned for your comfort with frequent rest stops.
DAY 1 – TUE – LONDON – PARIS
After a warm greeting from our Tour Director, we leave London and transfer to Dover, where we board our ferry to Calais. We have a view of the Canadian War Memorial at Vimy, before crossing the battlefields of northern France to arrive in the French capital late afternoon. Tonight, enjoy a Welcome Drink with your fellow travellers. Later perhaps enjoy an evening of fun at one of the spectacular cabaret shows? Hotel: Sofitel Forum Rive Gauche.
DAY 2 – WED – PARIS SIGHTSEEING
Sightseeing with a local guide this morning shows us the highlights of the city. We see the Gothic Notre Dame cathedral, with its memories of the tale of Quasimodo. Then we drive past the immense facades of the Louvre to the Place de la Concorde and along the Champs Élysées to the Arc de Triomphe. Now we ascend the Eiffel Tower for fine views over Paris, and complete our tour with a visit to Napoleon's Tomb in the Église du Dôme. This afternoon is at leisure to shop in the great department stores or visit the superb collections of the Louvre? (Buffet breakfast)
DAY 3 – THU – PARIS – LUCERNE
After an early breakfast we follow the autoroute across France's great agricultural lands and on through the Burgundy wine region. Then past the Jura Mountains to enter Switzerland at Basel, to reach our hotel in lovely Lucerne. Hotel: Astoria. (Buffet breakfast, Three or four course table d'hote or buffet style dinner)
DAY 4 – FRI – LUCERNE SIGHTSEEING
This morning our Tour Director shows us the Chapel Bridge and the stirring Lion Monument, dedicated to the Swiss guards that died defending the King of France. Next, we enjoy an exciting included highlight - an exhilarating ride by cog-wheel train and cable car to the summit of Mount Pilatus! Admire the stunning panorama of snow capped peaks, including the Eiger and Jungfrau, before our descent over mountain crags and pine forests back to terra firma. Then there is time to shop for watches and chocolate in Lucerne. (Buffet breakfast)
DAY 5 – SAT – LUCERNE – SALZBURG
Leaving Lucerne we drive east, past the Principality of Liechtenstein to Austria. On through the Arlberg Tunnel, we soon arrive in Innsbruck, where we see the Golden Roof and the Imperial Palace. Later we follow the Inn Valley and pass the Wild Kaiser mountain range to reach Salzburg, birthplace of Mozart and setting for the film 'Sound of Music'. Hotel: Castellani Parkhotel. (Buffet breakfast, Three or four course table d'hote or buffet style dinner)
DAY 6 – SUN – SALZBURG – VENICE
This morning we have a great chance to photograph the city skyline from the Mirabell Gardens. Then, with our local guide, we cross the river to see Mozart's birthplace on the Getreidegasse. A stroll through the old town's narrow lanes brings us to the Cathedral Square where we view the domed cathedral and Residenz fountain. Now we enjoy a scenic drive through the Tauern Mountains down to the Carinthian Lake District and across the border into Italy. We reach the flat Veneto plain and make our way to Venice and our hotel on the fashionable Lido. Hotel: Le Boulevard. (Buffet breakfast, Three or four course table d'hote or buffet style dinner)
DAY 7 – MON – VENICE SIGHTSEEING
Soak up the atmosphere as our private launch takes us across the Venetian Lagoon to St Mark's Square. We hear the glorious history of "La Serenissima", once one of the greatest trading centres of the world. The city's wealth and power is evidenced by the riches of St Mark's Basilica, and we also see the Doges' Palace and its adjoining Bridge of Sighs. We also visit a glass showroom for a demonstration of traditional craftsmanship. Our tour concludes with a gondola ride through peaceful canals. This afternoon, don't miss the chance to try the delicious seafood, freshly caught in the lagoon! (Buffet breakfast)
DAY 8 – TUE – VENICE – TUSCANY
We bid farewell to Venice and follow the smooth highway past the university city of Bologna and into the wild Apennines. We soon enter the peaceful landscapes of Tuscany. Our destination is the fashionable spa town of Montecatini where we can shop or enjoy a stroll through town before dinner. Hotel: Nizza & Suisse. (Buffet breakfast, Three or four course table d'hote or buffet style dinner)
DAY 9 – WED – FLORENCE SIGHTSEEING
This morning we drive to the Tuscan capital, Florence, where we are joined by a local guide. Our guided sightseeing tour includes entrance into the Academy Gallery to see Michelangelo's original 'Statue of David' and the half-completed 'Slaves'. We also see the magnificent Cathedral, the 'Gates of Paradise', and the living gallery of Signoria Square, political stage of the Florentines. Then perhaps some time to shop for leather and gold products in this wonderful city! (Buffet breakfast)
DAY 10 – THU – TUSCANY – ROME
We take the 'autostrada' south to Rome today. We arrive at our hotel mid-afternoon with plenty of time to relax and freshen up. Later, perhaps start the evening with a 'passeggiata' (traditional evening stroll)? Rome comes alive at night; enjoy cosmopolitan squares like thePiazza Navona with its beautiful fountains, or the Via Veneto - scene of La Dolce Vita! Hotel: Jolly Leonardo Da Vinci. (Buffet breakfast)
DAY 11 – FRI – ROME SIGHTSEEING
This morning a local guide introduces us to the grandeur of the city. We visit the mother church of the Catholic faith, St Peter's Basilica in the Vatican City. We see Michelangelo's masterpiece the Pieta, as well as the splendid dome, completed after his death. Now we cross the Tiber to hear tales of the glory of ancient Rome as we visit the Colosseum and overlook the Forum. Later, there is time for last minute shopping or sightseeing at your leisure. Tonight, we make a wish at the illuminated Trevi Fountain before our highlight farewell dinner of local cuisine, wine and entertainment. (Buffet breakfast, Speciality Highlight Dinner)
DAY 12 – SAT – ROME
Our tour ends today after breakfast, with a transfer to Rome airport arriving at 07.00am or 09.30am only. (Buffet breakfast)
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