European Sampler

2012 Season
Departs From: London

From 1,665EUR

Length:  10 days from London to London, or 11 days incl. travel

Overview

As the name implies, this vacation is a sample of some of the major highlights of Europe. Start with two nights in London, where sightseeing with a Local Guide includes a visit to St. Paul’s Cathedral and time to watch the Changing of the Guard (if held). Next, board the Eurostar train to Brussels, followed by a comfortable drive to Amsterdam, where sightseeing by way of a leisurely canal cruise awaits you. In Germany, stop to visit the famous cathedral in Cologne, cruise the romantic Rhine River, take pictures of Heidelberg Castle, and drive through the Black Forest. In Switzerland, visit the Rhine Falls and spend two nights in charming lakeside Lucerne to relax and enjoy the Alpine scenery before driving through the Burgundy wine area to Paris, where sightseeing with a Local Guide includes all the highlights of Paris and a ride up to the second floor of the Eiffel Tower. Return to London on the high-speed Eurostar train for the conclusion of your wonderful vacation.

Duration:  10 Days

Schedule:

Start Date	End Date
01 June, 2012	10 June, 2012
08 June, 2012	17 June, 2012
15 June, 2012	24 June, 2012
22 June, 2012	01 July, 2012
29 June, 2012	08 July, 2012
06 July, 2012	15 July, 2012
17 August, 2012	26 August, 2012
31 August, 2012	09 September, 2012
07 September, 2012	16 September, 2012
14 September, 2012	23 September, 2012
21 September, 2012	30 September, 2012
28 September, 2012	07 October, 2012
05 October, 2012	14 October, 2012
12 October, 2012	21 October, 2012
19 October, 2012	28 October, 2012
26 October, 2012	04 November, 2012

City Highlights

London
Guided sightseeing, visit St. Paul’s Cathedral and see the Changing of the Guard, if held

London–Brussels
By high-speed Eurostar train

Amsterdam
Orientation including a canal cruise

Cologne
Visit the cathedral

Rhine Cruise

Heidelberg
Take pictures of the castle

Black Forest

Rhine Falls

Lucerne
Walking tour including the Lion Monument and the Chapel Bridge

Paris
Guided sightseeing, ascend the Eiffel Tower

Paris–London
By high-speed Eurostar train

Headsets throughout the tour

Note:

In the rare event that the Eurostar train is unavailable, alternative services will be provided.

Day 1   Arrive in London, England. Uniformed Globus hosts are available to help you make the most of your stay.

Day 2   London. Morning sightseeing with a Local Guide includes all the famous landmarks: the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben beside the River Thames, Westminster Abbey, Whitehall’s mounted horseguards and the Prime Minister’s Downing Street, Piccadilly Circus, and Buckingham Palace. Visit ST. PAUL’S CATHEDRAL and see the Changing of the Guard, if held. Optional excursions are available to the Tower of London or to Windsor Castle. (B)

Day 3   London–Brussels, Belgium–Amsterdam, Holland. Meet your Tour Director and traveling companions and head for the railway station to board the EUROSTAR TRAIN to Brussels, Belgium. From here, a comfortable drive will bring you to Amsterdam, Holland’s 700-year-old capital. Enjoy an orientation drive including a CANAL CRUISE aboard a glass-roofed launch, which is the best way to get a good impression of how this city was built and how much still remains from the Golden Age. You may want to join an optional Dutch dinner with local specialties. (B)

Day 4   Amsterdam–Cologne, Germany–Heidelberg. This morning, drive past the Dutch region near Arnhem, best known as the locale of A Bridge Too Far, then on to Germany. In Cologne, visit the awesome twin-spired gothic CATHEDRAL, and then the afternoon’s highlight: a romantic RHINE CRUISE. Continue to Heidelberg and take pictures of the famous red-walled ruins of Heidelberg Castle. (B,D)

Day 5   Heidelberg–Lucerne, Switzerland. Morning stop in the lush valleys and pine-clad hills of the BLACK FOREST, renowned for its cuckoo clocks. On the Swiss border, stop at the thundering RHINE FALLS before continuing to picture-book Lucerne. Why not sign up for a folklore party with yodeling and alphorn blowing for a first-hand impression of Alpine merrymaking? (B)

Day 6   Lucerne. During your walking tour, admire Thorwaldsen’s LION MONUMENT and the ornate patrician houses lining the cobblestone streets of the walled Old Town. Then, cross the famous covered CHAPEL BRIDGE to the Jesuit Church. Balance of the day is at leisure to shop for Swiss watches and to choose from our optional activities: climb a mountain by cable car or take a cruise on the fjord-like lake. (B,D)

Day 7   Lucerne–Paris, France. Cross the Swiss border into France and enjoy a comfortable drive through the Burgundy wine area and past Fontainebleau Forest to Paris. (B)

Day 8   Paris. Discover the world capital of chic and style with a Local Guide and admire its most famous sights: the Opéra, Arc de Triomphe, Champs-Elysées, Notre Dame Cathedral, and more. For a bird’s-eye view, take the elevator to the second floor of Paris’ most famous landmark: the EIFFEL TOWER. An optional excursion to the lavish baroque Palace of Versailles is available. Tonight, a lively cabaret show might just be the ticket. (B)

Day 9   Paris–London, England. You will be transferred by EUROSTAR TRAIN to London, arriving in the afternoon. Why not take in a West End show tonight? (B)

Day 10   London. Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)

Meals:  Full buffet breakfast (B); 2 three-course dinners (D)

Hotel Information:  LONDON Park Plaza Westminster Bridge (SF), AMSTERDAM Mövenpick Amsterdam City Centre (SF), HEIDELBERG Leonardo (F), LUCERNE Astoria (F), PARIS Radisson Blu Boulogne (F), LONDON Hilton London Metropole (SF)


Terms and Conditions

Note: Flights are NOT included with the Tour and unless otherwise stated above transfers are also NOT included.

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