The Best Of Europe

2012 Season
Departs From: London

From 1,524EUR

Length: 18 days from London to Paris, or 19 days incl. travel

Overview

This tour begins in London with two overnights and free time to see the major landmarks. Then, cross the English Channel by Eurostar train (except where specified) to Brussels and continue by motorcoach to Amsterdam. Travel along the banks of the legendary Rhine River to Germany and stop in Heidelberg before crossing into Switzerland. In Lucerne, marvel at the famous Lion Monument. Drive through the St. Gotthard Tunnel to the shores of Lake Lugano, and pause in Verona to see Juliet’s balcony. In Venice, enjoy a canal boat ride to St. Mark’s Square and see the Bridge of Sighs, Doges’ Palace, and the Basilica. Visit Assisi and St. Francis’ Basilica, then head for Rome, the “Eternal City,” for a visit to the Colosseum and Roman Forum. Travel south to the archaeological site of Pompeii, destroyed in 79 AD by the volcanic eruption of Mount Vesuvius. Enjoy two overnights on the Riviera, with a boat trip to the glamorous Isle of Capri. Travel north for time in Tuscany, Florence, and in Pisa to see the Leaning Tower. Finally, cross into France for a taste of Provence, continuing to the alpine town of Grenoble for an overnight. Stop in Burgundy’s Beaune on the way to Paris, the “City of Light,” for two final overnights.

Notes:

March 28 Departure - Easter week
December 15 Departure - Christmas lunch in Rome and New Year in Paris

Duration: 18 Days

Schedule:

Start Date	End Date
25 May, 2012	11 June, 2012
01 June, 2012	18 June, 2012
07 June, 2012	24 June, 2012
08 June, 2012	25 June, 2012
21 June, 2012	08 July, 2012
22 June, 2012	09 July, 2012
28 June, 2012	15 July, 2012
05 July, 2012	22 July, 2012
12 July, 2012	29 July, 2012
02 August, 2012	19 August, 2012
16 August, 2012	02 September, 2012
23 August, 2012	09 September, 2012
30 August, 2012	16 September, 2012
31 August, 2012	17 September, 2012
07 September, 2012	24 September, 2012
13 September, 2012	30 September, 2012
14 September, 2012	01 October, 2012
20 September, 2012	07 October, 2012
21 September, 2012	08 October, 2012
27 September, 2012	14 October, 2012
28 September, 2012	15 October, 2012
04 October, 2012	21 October, 2012
05 October, 2012	22 October, 2012
11 October, 2012	28 October, 2012
12 October, 2012	29 October, 2012
18 October, 2012	04 November, 2012
19 October, 2012	05 November, 2012
25 October, 2012	11 November, 2012
01 November, 2012	18 November, 2012
05 December, 2012	22 December, 2012
16 December, 2012	02 January, 2013

City Highlights

Headsets throughout the tour

Visits to Heidelberg, Lucerne, Lugano, Verona, Venice, Assisi, Sorrento, Capri, Pisa, Beaune

Note:

July 18, July 25, August 1 & August 8 Departures - cross channel by ferry instead of Eurostar train.

Scenic Highlights

Rhineland, Italian & French Rivieras, Route Napoleon, Swiss Alps

Day 1   Arrive in London, England. Check into your hotel. In the afternoon you may want to start exploring the lively British capital. Uniformed hosts are available to help you make the most of your stay.

Day 2   London. A full day to savor our rich program of optional activities: take a panoramic tour of London’s landmarks, visit the Tower of London, or choose an excursion to Windsor Castle. Tonight, maybe a leisurely cruise on the River Thames? (B)

Day 3   London–Brussels, Belgium–Amsterdam Area, Holland. Leave London in the early morning on your Eurostar train to Brussels. Meet your Tour Director and board your luxury coach for the drive to the Amsterdam area. (B)

Day 4   Amsterdam Area–Rhineland, Germany. Today, enjoy sightseeing in Amsterdam with a Local Guide pointing out the city highlights. Later, a canal cruise to see the town from water level, then watch the cutting and polishing of precious stones at a diamond center. This afternoon, continue your journey to the scenic Rhineland for an overnight. (B,D)

Day 5   Rhineland–Heidelberg–Lucerne, Switzerland. Drive through the picturesque Rhineland this morning or, alternatively, take the optional Rhine River cruise and enjoy splendid scenery including the Lorelei rock. Next, drive into Germany’s oldest university town, Heidelberg, nicely located at the confluence of the Rivers Neckar and Rhine, for a short visit. In the afternoon, travel by way of the Autobahn into Switzerland for two overnights in Lucerne. (B)

Day 6   Lucerne. One of Switzerland’s finest cities, nestled amid its snowcapped Alps, surrounded by its lake, and embellished by the clear mountain waters of the River Reuss. The orientation includes the Lion Monument, erected in memory of the 800 Swiss Guards who defended Louis XVI and his wife at the wooden Chapel Bridge. A grand selection of optional activities completes the day: a cable-car ride to the 10,000-foot summit of Mount Titlis; a cruise on the fjord-like lake; and, of course, time to shop for that very Swiss watch. (B)

Day 7   Lucerne–Lugano–Verona, Italy–Venice Area. More wonderful Alpine scenery as you drive into the mountain ranges that surround the massive St. Gotthard. Once through its great tunnel, you’ll start your scenic descent into the warmer and sunnier ambiance of Canton Ticino. Stop in beautiful Lugano and take a stroll along the lakeside promenade. Then, cross into Italy and drive across the Po Valley to Verona, medieval setting of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. See Juliet’s house and balcony, and stroll around the picturesque market square. Tonight you are in the Venice area. (B)

Day 8   Venice Area. Venice is more like a marvelous film set than a real live city, with its criss-crossing canals, gondolas and water buses, arched bridges, palaces, and busy little piazzas. The included orientation starts with a boat ride and is followed by some time to soak up the city’s unique atmosphere and a chance to watch Venetian glassblowers fashion their delicate objects as they did centuries ago. Don’t miss out on the optional gondola trip, gliding along the picturesque canals with a local troubadour to serenade you. (B,D)

Day 9   Venice Area–Assisi–Rome. An interesting drive southward, cutting across the Po plain, then crossing the rolling Apennines. Stop in Assisi, where St. Francis was born in 1182. Visit the world-famous basilica with its beautiful frescoes by Giotto, then head for Rome. (B)

Day 10   Rome. The “Eternal City”—a city steeped in history, vibrantly alive and exciting, and absolutely unique! Included sightseeing with a Local Guide starts in St. Peter’s Square, followed by a visit to the Roman Forum and the mighty Colosseum. (B)

Day 11   Rome–Pompeii–Neapolitan Riviera. South all the way today, with the volcano Vesuvius in the distance. First, a stop in Pompeii, where time stopped in 79 AD when the Vesuvius eruption totally destroyed it. On the included visit you can see the luxurious villas, temples, theater, and forum. Just a few more miles for two overnights on the Neapolitan Riviera. (B)

Day 12   Neapolitan Riviera. Excursion to Capri. Cross the blue sea to Capri. This legendary island, surrounded by rose-tinted rocks, has incredibly beautiful coves of translucent blues and greens. The town, with its pretty piazzetta, maze of streets, fashionable boutiques, and smart restaurants, is a mecca for the jet set. An optional tour takes you around the island with its steep roads and panoramic views. (B,D)

Day 13   Neapolitan Riviera–Florence. An early start this morning for the journey north to Florence. Vistas of undulating hills, austere rows of cypress trees, terraced vineyards, olive groves, and rural villages form the backdrop of your journey through beautiful Tuscany. Arrive in Florence in the afternoon in time to enjoy its magnificent architectural and artistic treasures; the included walking sightseeing will take in most of the highlights. (B,D)

Day 14   Florence–Pisa–French Riviera, France. Stop in Pisa to see the Leaning Tower in the Square of Miracles. Bypassing the great port of Genoa, you drive northwest, getting glimpses of the Italian and French Rivieras. The drive continues to descend to the shores of the Côte d’Azur for an overnight in this charming region. (B)

Day 15   French Riviera–Route Napoleon–Grenoble. A great itinerary today! Start the day with a visit to a typical Provence perfume workshop in Grasse, then follow in the footsteps of Napoleon as he escaped from exile in Elbe. Once he landed on the shores of the Côte d’Azur, he made his way to Paris via Grasse. Continue via Digne and Gap to Grenoble on the Route Napoleon. Overnight in Grenoble, now an alpine sports mecca and site of the 1968 Winter Olympic Games. (B,D)

Day 16   Grenoble–Beaune–Paris. Enjoy the very heart of the Burgundy wine-growing region, making a stop in lovely Beaune, surrounded by some of the world’s finest vineyards. Time to see the famous Hotel-Dieu Hospital. Continue northwards directly to Paris for two overnights. (B)

Day 17   Paris. Paris is a world-class city that probably has more familiar landmarks than almost any other city in the world. This morning, see them during the including city tour. View the famous Arc de Triomphe, Opéra, Eiffel Tower, Champs Elysées, and much more with a Local Guide. In the afternoon, feel like a French aristocrat as you join the optional walking tour through the immense Palace of Versailles. This evening, why not join an optional welcome dinner? (B)

Day 18   Paris. Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)

Meals:  Buffet breakfasts (B); 5 dinners (D)

Hotel Information:  LONDON Novotel London West (F), AMSTERDAM AREA NH Airport (F) at Schiphol or Grand (F) at Amstelveen or Inntel (F) at Zaandam, RHINELAND Holiday Inn Stadtwald (F) at Cologne or Zum Anker (ST) at Andernach or Ramada (F) at Bruehl or Arthotel (ST) at Aachen, LUCERNE Luzernerhof (F), VENICE AREA Poppi (F) at Mira or All Seasons (ST) at Mestre, ROME Residenza Parco Tirreno (F) or Princess (F) or Cristoforo Colombo (F), NEAPOLITAN RIVIERA Ascot (ST) or Tirrenia (ST), FLORENCE AREA Meridiana (ST) or Holiday Inn (F), FRENCH RIVIERA Park Inn (F) at Nice or Quality (ST) at Menton, GRENOBLE Europole (ST), PARIS Kyriad (ST) at Bercy or Holiday Inn Express (ST) at Porte d Italie

Guides

Host service in London. Local Guides for city sightseeing in Amsterdam, Rome, Pompeii, Florence, Paris. Professional Tour Director while touring

Transportation

If transport to or from airport is required, please let us know. On the Continent, private first-class air-conditioned motorcoach. Eurostar train London-Brussels; canal transfer boat in Venice; boat transfer to Capri. July 18, July 25, August 1 & August 8 departures cross channel by ferry instead of Eurostar train.


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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