European Express

16 Days
Featuring: England, France, Italy
European Express Touring on-board Europe's state-of-the- art Trains

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Day 1- Depart USA
Overnight flight to London.

Day 2 - Arrive London (2 nights)
Check into your London hotel, with the rest of your day at leisure. Tonight maybe enjoy dinner at a typical pub.
Hotel: Victoria Park Plaza (2 nights)

Day 3 - London sightseeing & at leisure
We enjoy a half day sightseeing tour featuring the famous Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, the Houses of Parliament and Buckingham Palace. The rest of your day is free. Perhaps visit Camden Lock market, walk through Kensington gardens, visit a museum or take a Thames cruise to the Tower of London. Don't forget to take in some of the world famous London theatre at a West End Show before we leave this fashionable city! This evening learn more about your Tour and fellow travellers when we enjoy a Welcome Dinner and drinks in the Carvery restaurant of a typical London pub. (Buffet Breakfast/ Welcome Dinner)

Day 4 - London to Paris (3 Nights)
Greetings from our Tour Director en route to Waterloo Station. Here we board the ultra-modern, high-speed Eurostar train to Paris. Delight in the scenery through Kent and Northern France to glamorous Paris. On arrival we join our coach and transfer to our hotel. (Buffet Breakfast)
Hotel: Novotel Tour Eiffel (3 nights)

Day 5 - Paris sightseeing & at leisure
After breakfast our morning guided sightseeing tour takes us from the Place de la Concorde along the Champs Elysées to the Arc de Triomphe. Next we will ascend to the second level of the Eiffel Tower, for spectacular views over the well designed city. Then we enjoy a scenic Seine cruise, which highlights Notre Dame Cathedral on Ile de la Cité and the Pont Alexandre III. A guided walking tour along the Meridian in the Luxembourg gardens (of ‘Da Vinci Code’ fame) also forms part of our sightseeing which is enhanced by the use of our excellent audio system. The remainder of your day is at leisure to wander the streets of the Latin Quarter or relax in a sidewalk café. (Buffet Breakfast)

Day 6 - Paris at leisure
A full day to enjoy on your own. Perhaps visit the Louvre, Versailles
and Montmartre. Or why not enjoy one of the great cabaret shows and try some onion soup in
a brasserie? However you wish to spend your time your Tour Director will be happy to assist
you. (Buffet Breakfast)

Day 7 - Paris – Nice (2 Nights)
We transfer to Paris' Gare de Lyon where we board the "TGV Mediterranee", the French fleet's most recent train. Our journey takes us through the hills of Burgundy, along the Rhône Valley, past the villages of Provence and the Luberon, to the French Riviera, where we admire stunning coastal scenery to elegant Nice. On our arrival an orientation shows us the Promenade des Anglais, the Place Massena and 'le vieux Nice'. Then, after a dinner of Niçois specialities in a local restaurant, we head for Monte Carlo, where we have the chance to 'break the bank' at one of the Casinos! (Buffet Breakfast/ Highlight Dinner)
Hotel: Beau Rivage (2 nights)

Day 8 - Nice at leisure
There's plenty of time to enjoy this popular French resort. Maybe lie on the beach, swim in the Mediterranean or shop in the boutiques. Or why not take excursions to Cannes, Eze or St. Paul de Vence? Your Tour Director is on hand to advise you. (Buffet Breakfast)

Day 9 - Nice – train to Venice (Main.)(3 nights)
Today we are transferred to the railway station for our train to Italy. Travelling via Milan our train takes us from France into Italy and the Lombardy hills to the Veneto plains, where we will disembark in Venice. Tonight, we check into our hotel for a relaxing three-nights. Later, a gondola serenade would be hard to resist! (Buffet Breakfast)
Hotel: Plaza (3 nights)

Day 10 - Venice orientation & at leisure
This morning we board our private launch taking us past Palladian Pallazos to St. Mark's Square where we see the Bridge of Sighs, Doges' Palace and St. Mark's Basilica. Next we enjoy a demonstration of Murano
glass-blowing in one of Venices' oldest workshops. Then time to enjoy the delights of this romantic city. (Buffet Breakfast/Dinner)

Day 11 - Venice at leisure
A full day at leisure in this unique city. For those who wish there's a transfer from the hotel to St. Mark's Square and back. We include a walking tour with a local guide from St Mark’s square to the incredible fish market close to the, Rialto Bridge, enhanced by our excellent audio system. Why not join an optional excursion to see some of the islands in the Lagoon and enjoy a seafood lunch? Or perhaps explore the narrow 'Calle' and shop on the Rialto Bridge. This evening after dinner, maybe relax over cocktails in the hotel bar. (Buffet Breakfast/ Dinner)

Day 12 - Venice (Main.) – Florence (2 Nights) – Sightseeing
A morning transfer to the train for Florence. Our train travels through the Apennine Mountains and into Tuscany, brimming with vineyards, sunflowers and olive groves. This afternoon our local guide takes us on a walking tour of this Renaissance jewel using our very effective audio system. We visit the Basilica of Santa Croce where we see the tombs of Galileo, Macchiavelli, Dante and Michelangelo. We also see the Piazza Signoria, the multi-coloured marble Duomo and a superb view over the city from Piazzale Michelangelo. Tonight why not enjoy some delicious Tuscan cuisine with wine in the Chianti Hills? (Buffet Breakfast)
Hotel: Ambasciatori (2 nights)

Day 13 - Florence at leisure
After breakfast the day is yours to enjoy at your leisure. For the culture vultures why not visit one of the many museums and Art Galleries? Or you may wish to do some shopping for quality leather goods and gold jewellery. Tonight, we'll enjoy a dinner of local specialities in a popular local trattoria. (Buffet Breakfast/ Highlight Dinner)

Day 14 - Florence – Rome (2 Nights)
This morning we embark on our high-speed train, which takes us past the peaceful scenery of the Umbria with its hilltop towns to the Latium, the Cradle of the Roman Civilisation, and the 'Eternal City'. On arrival at Rome's 'Termini' station our local guide meets us and takes us on an in-depth sightseeing tour, using our effective audio system, by coach. Highlights include a visit to St. Peter's Basilica where we see Michelangelo's Pieta, and a walking tour highlighting the Forum, Colosseum, Tomb of the unknown soldier and Circus Maximus where chariot races as in the film 'Ben Hur' took place. (Buffet Breakfast)
Hotel: Diana (2 Nights)
(2 nights)

Day 15 - Rome at leisure
A full day at leisure to do as you please. Why not take an optional excursion to the Sistine Chapel or visit the Catacombs? Then maybe window-shop along the Via Condotti, or explore the streets of Trastevere. Tonight, perhaps indulge in Roman cuisine and refreshing wines from the Castelli Romani and maybe throw a coin in the Trevi Fountain to ensure a safe return one day! (Buffet Breakfast)

Day 16 - Rome - USA
It's 'arrivederci' to our Tour Director as we transfer you to Rome Fiumicino Airport for your return flight to America. (Buffet Breakfast)