Visiting England, Belgium, The Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Italy, Vatican City, Switzerland and France

Day 1 – Depart North America. Overnight flight to London.

Day 2 – Arrive London
Welcome to London! After checking in to your hotel, the afternoon is yours to relax or explore.
Hotel: Holiday Inn Kings Cross/Bloomsbury.

Day 3 – London Sightseeing
Your half day sightseeing tour shows you all the major sights of London’s West End. Afternoon at leisure. (B)

Day 4 – London – Amsterdam
You meet your Tour Director and head for the White Cliffs of Dover and your ferry to Calais. Cross over to the Netherlands’s lively Amsterdam, see the Royal Palace in Dam Square and sparkling stones transformed before your eyes when you visit a diamond-polishing factory.
Hotel: Holiday Inn. (B)

Day 5 – Amsterdam – Rhineland Leave Amsterdam this morning and cross the border into Germany. At historic Cologne, stop to view the 13th century Gothic cathedral with its soaring spires. After passing Beethoven’s home town of Bonn, continue to the charming village of Boppard to join a fabulous Rhine cruise. Rejoin the coach and see the legendary Loreley Rock, before continuing to your hotel. Hotel: NH Weinheim. (B,D) Day 6 – Rhineland – Innsbruck Head into the Bavarian Alps today to see ‘Mad’ King Ludwig’s fairytale castle of Neuschwanstein. Cross the Austrian border and travel the spectacular Fern Pass to arrive in Innsbruck, the capital of the Tyrol. Your Tour Director will show you the Golden Roof and Imperial Palace before reaching your hotel. Tonight thereis the option of a thigh-slapping folklore show. Hotel: Alpin Park. (B,D)

Day 7 – Innsbruck – Venice
Cross the impressive Europa Bridge, one of Europe’s highest, and the Brenner Pass into Italy. Visit Romeo and Juliet’s Verona – and see Juliet’s balcony and the Roman arena – before travelling across the fertile Adriatic Plain to the Veneto region.
Hotel: II Burchiello (Oriago). (B,D)

Day 8 – Venice sightseeing
Drive to the Venetian Lagoon where a private launch takes you to St Mark’s Square. See the ornate Basilica of St Mark, Doges’ Palace, Bridge of Sighs and the prison in which Casanova was incarcerated – and from which he escaped. Join a demonstration of Venetian glass-blowing before spending the rest of the day at leisure – why not explore the islands of the beautiful lagoon or try a local seafood lunch? (B,D)

Day 9 – Venice – Rome
Cross the Appenine Mountains to enter the peaceful landscapes of Tuscany. Follow the smooth Autostrada del Sole past ancient Etruscan hill towns to the ‘Eternal City’ of Rome - founded on seven hills above the river Tiber.
Hotel: Cristoforo Colombo. (B)

Day 10 – Rome Sightseeing
Rome is three cities in one: Imperial Rome, Catholic Rome and modern Rome. Enter the Vatican City with your local guide and explore St Peter’s Basilica and its deeply moving ‘Pieta’ by Michelangelo. Cross the Tiber River to see the remains of the Colosseum, where Nero was entertained by gladiator fights. Your guide will enthral you with stories of the Roman Empire as you overlook the Imperial Forum, from where Julius Caesar contemplated his victories. The rest of the day is yours to explore the treasures of the Vatican Museum, including the Sistine Chapel, and to sample the best of Italy: pasta, vino and music. (B)

Day 11 – Rome – Florence
Bid ‘Arrivederci’ to Rome as you head north to the Tuscan hills and Renaissance Florence. View the city from Piazza Michelangelo, before enjoying a Florentine leatherwork demonstration and shopping for the latest fashions. Be sure to explore Signoria Square with its open-air museum, the Ponte Vecchio and tombs of Galileo and Michelangelo in Santa Croce Basilica.
Hotel: Wall Art. (B,D)

Day 12 – Florence – Lucerne Head north from Tuscany, past Milan, Italy's industrial nerve centre. Journey through the lovely Italian Lake District to cross into Switzerland amidst spectacular mountain scenery. A magnificent drive through the Swiss Alps brings you to the beautiful lakeside resort of Lucerne where you see the wooden Chapel Bridge and view the famous Lion Monument. Hotel: Central. (B,D) Day 13 – Lucerne – Paris Cross the Rhine at Basel before skirting the Jura Mountains and following the valley of the Doubs River into Burgundy – a region noted for its fine wines. Cross the wheat fields of Auxerre and the forest of Royal Fontainbleau before arriving in Paris – don’t forget to look out for the Eiffel Tower as you approach the French capital. Consider taking a tour of the sparkling illuminations. Hotel: Mercure La Defense 5. (B)

Day 14 – Paris Sightseeing
Tour the city with a local guide, seeing the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Cathedral of Notre Dame, the Opera and Place de la Concorde. The afternoon is yours to shop for souvenirs or to visit the Mona Lisa in the Louvre; perhaps plan a farewell dinner in a typical Parisian restaurant or take in a cabaret. (B)

Day 15 – Return to North America
After breakfast, your tour comes to an end. Your departure transfer arrives Charles de Gaulle airport at 07:30. (B)

Superior Touring

Free Airport London shuttle service, conditions apply, (see Savings and Conditions pages).
Airport departure transfer at a scheduled time on Day 15.
Comfortable Moderate First Class and First Class hotels specially selected for each departure.
Luxury, air-conditioned touring coach with 49 reclining seats.
Hotel service charges, taxes and porterage.
Insight Traveller document wallet, map book journal and information pack.
Cross channel transportation by modern ferry.
Professional Service

Experienced professional Tour Director to escort you.
Qualified local city guides on major city sightseeing tours.
Helpful staff on hand at our London Service Centre to assist you with sightseeing, theatre tickets etc.
More Included Meals

13 Breakfasts (B)
6 three course evening meals (D)
Highlights & Sightseeing

Guided tours of London, Rome and Paris;
Orientation tours of Amsterdam, Cologne, Innsbruck, Verona, Venice and Lucerne
England

See the sights of London’s West End including Big Ben
The Netherlands

See Amsterdam’s Royal Palace in Dam Square
Visit a diamond-polishing factory
Germany

View the soaring spires of Cologne Cathedral
Relax on a scenic Rhine cruise to the legendary Loreley Rock
See the fairytale castle of Neuschwanstein
Austria

See Innsbruck’s Golden Roof and Imperial Palace
Enjoy a scenic drive across the Europa Bridge tothe Brenner Pass
Italy

See the Roman arena and Juliet’s balcony in Verona
Cruise to St. Mark’s Square by private launch and see the Bridge of Sighs, St Mark’s Basilica and Doges’ Palace
Traditional Venetian glass-blowing demonstration
See the Roman Forum and the Colosseum in Rome
Tour St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican City, and see Michelangelo’s ‘Pieta’
In Florence enjoy panoramic views of the city from Piazzale Michelangelo
Watch a demonstration of leatherwork
Switzerland

View Lucerne’s Lion Monument and Chapel Bridge
Scenic Alpine drive
France

In Paris see Notre Dame Cathedral, the Louvre, Opera, Place de la Concorde, Arc de Triomphe and the Eiffel Tower
Cross the infamous River Somme

Departures Spring, Summer, Fall

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