Wonders of Europe
28 Days
Featuring: London, Amsterdam, Berlin, Prague, Vienna,
Budapest, Zagreb, Postojna, Venice, Rome, Capri, Pompeii, Florence,
Nice, Engelberg, Paris
Day
1- Depart USA
Overnight flight to London.
Day
2- Arrive London (2 nights)
After checking into your Trafalgar hotel, the rest of your day
is at leisure. Why not check out this exciting city? Hotel:
Jurys Clifton Ford (2 nights)
Day 3 - London sightseeing & at leisure
Many major sights are included on our morning sightseeing tour.
Afterwards enjoy time on your own. (Buffet Breakfast)
Day
4 - London – Amsterdam
We travel to the port of Dover, where we board ship to cross the
English Channel to France. Once ashore we drive through Belgium,
cross the Dutch border and arrive in Amsterdam, the Dutch capital.
Tonight we will enjoy a wonderful introduction to the city known
as the ‘Venice of the North’ – a welcome dinner and drink that
we will enjoy on a leisurely canal cruise in a glass-topped boat!
(Continental Breakfast/ Welcome Dinner)
Hotel: Eden Rembrandt Square
Day
5 - Amsterdam – Orientation and excursion to Zaanse Schans
With our Tour Director we will enjoy a tour of the city, including
Dam Square and the Royal Palace, also visiting a Diamond cutting
and polishing factory. Then a trip to Zaanse Schans where we visit
a windmill, see how Dutch cheese and clogs are made and maybe
sample some delicious Dutch pancakes! Later why not visit Ann
Frank’s House or perhaps try out some of the Brown Bars? (Buffet
Breakfast)
Day
6 -Amsterdam – Berlin (2 nights)
We cross the German border, continue along what was once known
as the ‘Berlin Corridor’ and arrive in Berlin for our two-night
stay. (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)
Hotel: Crowne Plaza (2 nights)
Day
7 - Berlin sightseeing and at leisure
We enjoy a guided sightseeing tour which includes the Brandenburg
Gate, the Reichstag, views of Norman Foster’s new Pergamon Museum
as well as the Kurfürstendam. We visit the Checkpoint Charlie
Museum and see remainders of the Berlin Wall. Later you may wish
to take an excursion to Potsdam to see visit the Cecelienhof.
(Buffet Breakfast)
Day
8 - Berlin – Dresden – Prague (2 nights)
First we visit the impressive Renaissance city of Dresden for
an orientation tour of its buildings which survived the World?War
2 bombings, including the Semper Opera House, the Saxon Wall and
the 18th century Cathedral. We continue to the Czech Republic
where we stop at Teresienstadt to visit the National Cemetery.
Soon we are in Prague, one of Europe’s most exciting and vibrant
cities. (Buffet Breakfast)
Hotel: Crowne Plaza (2 nights)
Day 9 - Prague sightseeing and at leisure
With a local expert we visit the main monuments of this city on
the River Vltava and will explore the sights on our including
walking tour. Then time to shop for bargains in Bohemian crystal
or sample delicious Pilsner Beer in a Wenceslas Square café! Tonight,
why not enjoy some Czech folklore? (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)
Day
10 - Prague – Lednice Palace – Vienna (2 nights)
After breakfast we drive to Brno and visit the gardens of the
castle of Lednice, one time home of the Liechtenstein family.
From here we drive back into Austria and Imperial Vienna, for
a two-night stay. (Buffet Breakfast)
Hotel: Hilton Danube (2 nights)
Day
11 - Vienna sightseeing and at leisure
Our sightseeing tour with a local guide highlights the Opera House,
Stadtpark, Votive Church, Mirabell Palace, much more. We will
also enjoy a walking tour of the more intimate parts of the city
including St Stephen’s Cathedral. You may wish to enjoy an excursion
to the Empress Maria Teresa’s favourite palace or to visit one
of Vienna’s museums. This evening perhaps enjoy dinner in a wine
tavern in the Vienna Woods (Buffet Breakfast)
Day 12 - Vienna – Györ – Budapest (2 nights)
We stop at the Roman founded town of Györ on the River Danube,
retaining much of its medieval and baroque charm. We continue
to the cities of Buda and Pest, straddling the River Danube. Tonight
why not enjoy a cruise along the river to see its magnificent
bridges illuminated? (Buffet Breakfast)
Hotel: Danubius Grand Margitsziget (2 nights)
Day
13 - Budapest sightseeing and at leisure
This morning we tour both banks of the Danube with a local guide.
First we drive up to Buda where a walking tour visits the Fisherman’s
Bastion and views the old palaces of the city. We will enjoy views
of the Parliament buildings and drive up to Gellert Hill before
crossing to Pest. Here we will visit Vörôsmarty Square, heart
of the inner city, as well as Heroes Square and the Opera House.
Later, you may wish to visit a charming village on the Danube
or shop for local pottery. Tonight we will enjoy a traditional
Hungarian dinner. (Buffet Breakfast / Highlight Dinner)
Day
14 - Budapest – Ljubljana
Today we pass Lake Balaton before reaching the Croatian border.
From here we drive via Zagreb into Slovenia, where tonight we
stay in the capital – Ljubljana. We will enjoy dinner in our hotel
this evening. (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner) Hotel: Slon
Day
15 - Ljubljana – Postojna Caves – Venice (Grand Canal) (2
nights)
This morning a guided sightseeing tour features the Opera House,
Cathedral, National Museum and the numerous parks before leaving
for the incredible limestone caves at Postojna. A train takes
us through the tunnels and caverns and bring us back to our coach.
We drive into Italy and along Adriatic highway to the unique and
splendid city of Venice. (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)
Hotel: Bellini (2 nights)
Day
16 - Venice sightseeing and at leisure
The city of the Doges is built on over 200 islands. By private
launch we glide along the Giudecca canal to see St Mark’s Square,
the Doges Palace, the Bridge of Sighs, the Custom’s House and
the island of St George. We visit one of the oldest Murano glass
works in the city and enjoy a demonstration of glass blowing.
Then you are free to explore and perhaps enjoy some fresh fish
and seafood for lunch! (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)
Day
17 - Venice (Grand Canal) – St Apollinaris in Classe – Todi
– Rome (2 nights)
We drive along the coast to stop just outside Ravenna and visit
the Basilica of St Apollinaris in Classe with its glittering mosaics.
Then through the Apennine hills to visit the hilltop town of Todi
– reputed to be the most ‘liveable-in’ town in the world! We continue
to the ‘Eternal City’ – Rome. (Buffet Breakfast)
Hotel: Villa Pamphili (2 nights)
Day
18 - Rome sightseeing and at leisure
Today we visit this atmospheric city with our local guide. First
we will visit St Peter’s Basilica with its fine architecture by
Michelangelo and Bernini. We will also visit the Sistine Chapel,
with its incredible ceiling adorned with the paintings of Michelangelo.
Then we cross the River Tiber to Rome where from Piazza Venezia
we will enjoy a walking tour taking us to the Forum and Colosseum.
Later you may wish to visit the mysterious Pantheon and this evening
dine ‘al fresco’ in one of the many beautiful Roman piazzas! (Buffet
Breakfast)
Day 19 - Rome – Capri – Sorrento
Today we head south to Naples. Here we enjoy a cruise across the
bay in the shadow of Mount Vesuvius to the Isle of Capri. With
a local guide we ascend to Capri Town by funicular and enjoy a
walking tour which includes the famous ‘Piazzetta’. This afternoon
we stay in Sorrento, on spectacular cliffs overlooking the Bay
of Naples. Orientation here will show us the Piazza Tasso and
Corso Italia. (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)
Hotel: Parco Del Sole
Day
20 - Sorrento – Pompeii – Monte Cassino – Florence (2 nights)
Our first stop today is Pompeii where we enjoy a guided walking
tour of the excavations followed by the Commonwealth Cemetery
in Monte Cassino, resting place of those who died during the battle
of Monte Cassino in World War ll. Then we continue on to Tuscany
and the Renaissance city of Florence, nestled in the valley of
the River Arno. (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)
Hotel: Cavour (2 nights)
Day
21 - Florence sightseeing and at leisure
This city is brimming with fine works of art, Renaissance palaces,
architecture and gardens. With a local expert we will enjoy an
in-depth walking tour, highlighting the Cathedral, Holy Cross
Basilica and the Piazza Signoria. Then you are free to perhaps
to visit the Academy of Fine Arts or the Uffizzi Galleries, or
shop for designer jewellery and leather goods. Why not sample
the world-famous Tuscan cuisine? (Buffet Breakfast)
Day
22 - Florence – Pisa – Nice (2 nights)
Today we head to Pisa. We visit the ‘Square of Miracles’ to see
the Cathedral, Baptistery and Leaning Tower. We travel to the
Italian Riviera before crossing the French border to Nice, our
home for the next two nights. Tonight enjoy a dinner of local
specialities in a typical Niçois restaurant! (Buffet Breakfast
/ Highlight Dinner)
Hotel: Boscolo Plaza (2 nights)
Day
23 -Nice orientation and at leisure
After an orientation of the city highlighting the Promenade des
Anglais, the Place Massena and the old Port, we are free to do
as we please. Maybe visit the medieval hilltop village of St Paul
de Vence and enjoy some wonderful Provençal cuisine, or shop for
perfumes in the Fragonard Perfumery and Museum. (Buffet Breakfast)
Day 24 - Nice – Italian Lakes – Engelberg (2 nights)
We drive back into Italy to the Italian Lake District, past the
shores of Lake Maggiore, towards the Swiss border and the Gotthard
range. Soon we arrive in Engelberg. (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)
Hotel: Europe (2 nights)
Day
25 - Lucerne orientation and at leisure
Orientation of the city with our Tour Director includes the charming
Chapel Bridge, the baroque Jesuit Church and the Lion Monument.
You’ll have time to ascend a Swiss Alp by cable car or mountain
railway, or shop for delicious chocolates and Swiss watches. (Buffet
Breakfast / Dinner)
Day
26 - Engelberg – Paris (2 nights)
We leave Switzerland at Basel to return to France. We drive through
the valley of the River Doubs into the vineyards of Burgundy.
Here we make a stop to view the Savigny-lès-Beaune vineyards before
continuing to perhaps the most beautiful city in the world – Paris!
Tonight, why not enjoy a guided tour to see the city of the Enlightenment
illuminated! (Buffet Breakfast)
Hotel: Rive Gauche (2 nights)
Day
27 - Paris sightseeing and at leisure
Sightseeing with a local guide includes a chance to explore the
city in depth on our walking tour! Also included is the ascent
of the Eiffel Tower for views over the city. We drive along the
Champs Elysées to the Arc de Triomphe, to the Place de la Concorde
and through the gardens of the Louvre. Later why not take an excursion
to the Louvre Museum or the Palace of Versailles? Tonight, Paris
nightlife beckons…. (Buffet Breakfast)
Day
28 - Paris – USA
Time to bid farewell to new-found friends as we transfer to the
airport for our return flight to America. (Buffet Breakfast)
2002