Day
1 Wed. BOARD YOUR OVERNIGHT TRANSATLANTIC FLIGHT.
Day
2 Thu.
ARRIVAL 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
3
Fri. 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
4
Sat. 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
5
Sun. 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
6
Mon. RHINELAND-HEIDELBERG-LAKE
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
7
Tue. 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
8
Wed. LAKE 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
9
Thu. VENICE. 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
10
Fri. 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
11
Sat. 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
12
Sun. 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
13
Mon. 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
14
Tue. NEAPOLITAN RIVIERA-FLORENCE
AREA. 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
15
Wed. FLORENCE AREA-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
16
Thu. 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
17
Fri. 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
18
Sat. 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
19
Sun. YOUR HOMEBOUND FLIGHT FROM PARIS ARRIVES THE SAME DAY.
(B)