European Encounters
17 Days
Featuring: London, France, Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland,
Liechtenstein, Austria, Italy, Monaco, Spain
European Encounter plus Start in London option
Day
1- Depart North America
Overnight flight to Paris
Day
2 - Arrive Paris (2 nights)
On arrival at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport you're met and transferred
to your hotel. Time to relax before meeting our Tour Director
for a welcome dinner and drink in a lively brasserie on the Champs
Elysées!(Welcome Dinner)
Hotel: Sofitel La Grande Arche (2 nights)
Day
3 - Paris sightseeing & at leisure
Paris sightseeing & at leisure Today's sightseeing tour includes
views of the Champs Elysées, the Arc de Triomphe and Place de
la Concorde, as well as views of the Notre Dame Cathedral and
many other monuments. We also ascend the Eiffel Tower to the second
level by elevator for awe-inspiring views and enjoy a walking
tour through the Luxembourg gardens enhanced by our audio-system.
This evening, why not enjoy dinner in Montmartre or go out on
the town and enjoy a Cabaret show? (Buffet Breakfast)
Day
4 Paris – Champagne – Luxembourg
Today we travel east to visit a Champagne cellar where we ride
on a small railway to see how this delicious wine is made! Then
we cross World War I Battlefields to the Principality of Luxembourg,
where an orientation tour of its capital city shows us the Cathedral
of Our Lady, the Grand Ducal Palace. We will also see General
Patton’s grave (Buffet Breakfast, Dinner) Hotel: Hilton
Day
5 Luxembourg – Baccarat – Alsace wine country – Engelberg
(2 nights)
First we drive along the highway out of Luxembourg and back into
France continuing south via the Alsatian town of Nancy Then we
climb into the scenic Vosges mountains to pause in the village
of Baccarat- time to buy some crystal glasses for the Champagne
you purchased yesterday! Breathtaking scenery continues as we
drive to the charming wine village of Riquewihr with its half-timbered
houses. Finally via Colmar we enter Switzerland at Basel on the
Rhine. Soon we are passing by wooden chalets and meadows of grazing
cattle before arriving in Engelberg for our two-night stay.
(Buffet Breakfast, Dinner) Hotel: Ramada
Regina Titlis (2 nights)
Day
6 - Lucerne Excursion and at leisure
This morning an orientation tour of this medieval city shows us
the Kappelbrucke, the wooden Chapel Bridge, the Jesuit Church
and of course the famous Lion Monument. Then free time to perhaps
take a trip up a nearby mountain and enjoy a Swiss folklore show.
(Buffet Breakfast)
Day
7 - Engleberg – Liechtenstein – Innsbruck
We travel over the mountains towards the Zurichsee and past the
Walensee to Vaduz, the capital of the Principality of Liechtenstein.
After time to shop for collectors’ stamps and other souvenirs,
we head to the Austrian border at Feldkirch, and drive through
the region of the Aarlberg to the Tyrol, stopping in mountain-ringed
Innsbruck. Here orientation shows us the Olympic ski-jump, the
Wilten Basilica and of course, the Golden Roof in the old town.
With free time, perhaps shop for some local Swarovski crystal.
(Buffet Breakfast, Dinner) Hotel: Grauer Bär (F)
Day
8 - Innsbruck – Venice (Main.)
Over the Brenner Pass to the Italian border, we drive into the
Dolomites en route to magical Venice. Enjoy an excellent introduction
by private launch as we cruise along the Giudecca Canal to see
St. Mark's Basilica, the Doges' Palace and Bridge of Sighs. A
short stroll will bring us to one of the oldest Murano glass workshops,
where we will witness a demonstration of the ancient craft of
glass-blowing. Then there's time on your own. Why not experience
a relaxing gondola ride or simply sip a 'cappuccino' in St. Mark's
Square – the most beautiful outdoor drawing room in Europe! We
dine at our hotel tonight. (Buffet Breakfast , Dinner)
Hotel: Antony Palace
Day
9 - Venice (Main.) – Florence – Rome (2 nights)
Today's scenic drive takes us along the Autostrada del Sole and
over the Apennine Mountains into Tuscany, where we stop in Florence
for a walking tour with a local guide using our effective audio
system and highlighting the Piazza Signoria and Duomo .Later,
we continue through the Umbrian countryside to Rome, the 'Eternal
City', for two nights. (Buffet Breakfast)
Hotel: Mediterraneo (2 nights)
Day
10 - Rome sightseeing & at leisure
Our guided sightseeing tour, includes a visit to St. Peter's in
the Vatican, and a walking tour highlighting the Forum and the
Colosseum, as well as the Circus Maximus, scene of 'Ben Hur' style
chariot races. The remainder of your day is free to sightsee further,
or simply relax at a café. (Buffet Breakfast)
Day 11 - Rome – Pisa – Italian
Riviera (Santa Margherita)
Today, we drive to Pisa to see the Leaning Tower with time to
visit the marble Cathedral and the Baptistry. Later, on past Carrara
to the Italian Riviera and the resort of Santa Margherita for
the night. (Buffet Breakfast, Dinner)
Hotel: Park Hotel Suisse
Day
12 - Santa Margherita – Monaco – Nice
This morning's drive takes us past Genoa to the border with France
at Ventimiglia. Soon we arrive in the Principality of Monaco to
visit the Old Town. Then we will admire the Palace of the Grimaldis
and stop to visit the Cathedral where Princess Grace is buried
before continuing our spectacular drive to jet-set Nice. On our
arrival we drive to the Promenade des Anglais, famous for its
beaches and 19th century architecture. (Buffet Breakfast)
Hotel: Boscolo Plaza
Day
13 - Nice – Arles – Barcelona (2 nights)
After breakast this morning we drive along the Riviera and then
head into the countryside passing St. Maximin's Basilica into
the Camargue. We'll stop briefly at Arles, where Van Gogh spent
the latter days of his life, en route to Spain's border at La
Jonquera. Soon we reach Barcelona, where we spend the next two
nights. This evening, we will enjoy dinner in a specially selected
local restaurant. (Buffet Breakfast, Highlight Dinner)
Hotel: Gran Hotel Catalonia (2 nights)
Day
14 - Barcelona sightseeing & at leisure
Today's guided sightseeing tour, enhanced by our excellent audio
system, reveals the Art-Nouveau fantasies of Gaudi's 'Sagrada
Familia', a walking tour of the Gothic Quarter, the Ramblas and
the Paseo de Gracia. Tonight, why not experience the Spanish spirit
at a fiery Flamenco show? (Buffet Breakfast)
Day
15 - Barcelona – Zaragoza – Madrid (2 nights)
Our first stop this morning is at Zaragoza to see the impressive
Cathedral, known as 'El Pilar'. Next we drive past the Guadarrama
Mountains and on to Spain's capital, Madrid. This evening, why
not join the 'Madrileños' and spend the night out 'on the town'?
(Buffet Breakfast)
Hotel: Holiday Inn Madrid (2 nights)
Day
16 - Madrid sightseeing & at leisure
Today's morning sightseeing tour using our excellent audio system
highlights the Plaza de España, with the memorial to Cervantes,
the Paseo de la Castellana, the Cibeles Fountain and a guided
visit of the famous Prado Museum with its many great works by
Velazquez. We will also enjoy a walking tour of the old town including
the Plaza Mayor. The rest of your day is at leisure to perhaps
take an optional excursion to visit nearby Toledo to shop for
Lladro porcelain. (Buffet Breakfast)
Day
17 - Madrid - North America. Bid farewell as we transfer you to the airport for your return
flight to America. (Buffet Breakfast)
2002