Grand European
 
24 Days
England, Belgium, Holland, Germany, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Austria, Italy, Monaco, France

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Day 1  Depart USA Overnight flight to London.

Day 2  Arrive London (2nights) After checking into your Trafalgar hotel, the rest of the day is at leisure.

Day 3  London sightseeing Many major sights are included on our morning sightseeing tour. (Continental breakfast)

Day 4  London - Brussels Greetings as we admire the White Cliffs of Dover before our short Channel crossing to Calais in France. Then into Belgium and the criss-crossing canals of Bruges. Time to buy chocolates and old lace in the boutiques before continuing to Brussels, where our Tour Director shows us the Mannekin Pis and the Grand' Place. We end the day by joining our Tour Director for a welcome drink. (Continental breakfast)

Day 5  Brussels - Amsterdam We drive to Amsterdam, where an orientation includes a canal cruise in a glass-topped boat. We also enjoy a visit to a diamond-polishing factory. This evening, we will enjoy an included Rijsttafel highlight dinner. (Buffet breakfast/Restaurant dinner in Amsterdam)

Day 6  Amsterdam - Rhine Cruise - Heidelberg -Rhineland (Mannheim) We cross into Germany after Arnhem, and stop to see Cologne's Cathedral. Then past Bonn, we head into the Rhine Valley for a Rhine cruise past crumbling castles. We disembark at St. Goar and head to Heidelberg where we view the castle. Next on to our hotel in Mannheim. (Buffet breakfast/Dinner)

Day 7  Rhineland (Mannheim) – Black Forest - Rhine Falls - Engelberg (2nights) Today we drive through the faiytale Black Forest and the Swiss border. After viewing the Rhine Falls at Schaffhausen, we head to the ski resort of Engelberg. (Buffet breakfast/Dinner)

Day 8  Lucerne Excursion - A short drive brings us to Lucerne for an orientation of this charming medieval town and a visit to the Lion Monument. The rest of the day is free, why not take a trip up a nearby mountain top? (Buffet breakfast/Dinner)

Day 9  Engelberg - Innsbruck We drive past the Walensee to Liechtenstien, stopping in its capital Vaduz. Then we cross the border into Austria and follow the Arlberg route into the Tyrol and Innsbruck. Our orientation tour reveals highlighths of the Hapsburg legacy .(Buffet breakfast/Dinner)

Day 10  Innsbruck - Salzburg - Vienna (2nights) Today we drive back via Germany and to Salzburg in Austria! Sightseeing on foot explores the city that featured in "The Sound of Music" and is known as Mozart's birthplace. Then we drive to the River Danube and Vienna. (Buffet breakfast)

Day 11  Vienna sightseeing & at leisure Our morning sightseeing tour shows us the Opera, the Hofburg, City Hall, the Parliament, the Stadtpark and the Imperial Boulevards. Tonight, perhaps visit the colourful Prater amusement park. (Buffet breakfast)

Day 12  Vienna - Venice (Mestre) (2nights) Enjoy a scenic drive to the Austrian Lake District and Italian border. Then the Carnian Alps give way to Northern Italy and Venice. After dinner, a gondola serenade is a must. (Buffet breakfast/Dinner)

Day 13  Venice sightseeing & at leisure The delights of this city are included on a canal cruise by private launch to St. Mark's Square, viewing the Bridge of Sighs. After a visit to a glass-blowing factory, why not take a lagoon cruise to the island of Burano? (Buffet breakfast/Dinner)

Day 14  Venice (Mestre) - Assisi We cross the Apennine Mountains to mystical Assisi. Here we visit the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels and enjoy an orientation tour of the hilltop town, including St. Francis' Basilica. (Buffet breakfast/Dinner)

Day 15  Assisi - Isle of Capri - Bay of Naples This morning we pass Monte Cassino en route to the Bay of Naples. Today's highlight is a visit to the enchanting Ise of Capri. Maybe a visit to the enchanting Ise of Capri. Maybe visit the Blue Grotto before sailing back to the mainland. (Buffet breakfst/Dinner)

Day 16  Bay of Naples - Pompeii - Rome(2nights) Today we drive to Pompeii where our local guide brings to life the Roman town which was literally 'petrified' by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79. Then we drive to Rome for two nights. (Buffet breakfast)

Day 17  Rome sightseeing & at leisure Michelangelo's amazing works are included on our sightseeing tour! First we visit the Vatican Museums where in the Sistine Chapel we admire Michelangelo's depiction of the Creation. Next in St. Peter's Basilica not only can we gaze at Michelangelo's beautiful 'cupola' but also his moving sculpture of the 'Pieta'. Then we cross the Tiber to stop at the Forum and admire the Colosseum. Afterwards free time. (Buffet breakfast)

Day 18  Rome - Florence We drive through the Chianti wine-producing hills of Tuscany to Renaissance Florence. Here our sightseeing tour on foot includes the marble Cathedral, Signoria Square, the Baptistry and visits the Santa Croce Basilica. (Buffet breakfast/Dinner)

Day 19  Rome - Florence After breakfast, we drive to Pisa where we see its Leaning We drive through the Chianti wine-producing hills of Tuscany to Renaissance Florence. Here our sightseeing tour on foot includes the marble Cathedral, Signoria Square, the Baptistry and Santa Croce Basilica. (Buffet breakfast/Dinner)

Day 20  Nice - Côte d'Azur Excursion Today we drive up to the medieval hilltop town of St. Paul de Vence. Later, we visit a perfumery before we return to Nice. (Buffet breakfast)

Day 21  Nice - Avignon - Beaune We drive through the countryside to Avignon. Here orientation includes the Papal Palace and St. Benezet Bridge. Then past Lyon and into the hills of Burgundy to the wine-town of Beaune. Tonight, why not sample some local burgundy with dinner? (Buffet breakfast/ Dinner)

Day 22  Beaune - Paris (2nights) Our morning orientation tour shows us the ancient walls and old town square. Then time to wander the medieval streets before leaving for Paris. Tonight, this vibrant and romantic city beckons. (Buffet Breakfast)

Day 23  Paris sightseeing & at leisue Today's sightseeing tour with a local guide features a drive along the Champs Elysées from the Place de la Concorde to the Arc de Triomphe and then to the Eiffel Tower Where we ascend to the second level by elevator for breath taking views across the city. From here we embark on our scenic Seine cruise, which highlights Notre Dame Cathedral and the Pont Alexandre III. This evening why not get together with your traveling companions for a truly Parisian dinner? (Buffet Breakfast)

Day 24  Paris - USA 'Au revoir' as we transfer to Charles de Gaulle Airport for our return flight to America. (Buffet breakfast)