Wonders of Europe by Cosmos Vacations

Wonders of Europe

1-877-510-4653

COSMOS Vacations

Affordable Escorted Vacations!

Wonders of Europe

Duration: 15 Days

Land Tour w/deluxe motorcoach

ENGLAND, BELGIUM, GERMANY, SWITZERLAND, ITALY and FRANCE

Specially-priced Air Rates Available: YES

STATUS OF THIS TOUR FOR 2021

At the time of this page's publication of this tour, WONDERS OF EUROPE, was not being offered for 2021. HOWEVER, this COSMOS tour may be offered by the Globus Family of Brands at a later date or may be offered in the 2021 season. In the meantime here are some similar tours that may also interest you that will be operating in 2021:

From London to Paris via Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, and Italy, discover the many wonders on this memorable European tour. History buffs will delight in seeing many of Europe’s historic sights. In Rome, see the iconic Colosseum, completed in the 1st century AD. In Lucerne, walk on the Chapel Bridge, built in 1333 as part of the city’s fortifications and the oldest-preserved wooden bridge in Europe. In Trier, Germany’s oldest city, a walking tour highlights the Roman heritage, pleasant market squares, and Germany’s oldest Christian church. Situated on the border of France and Germany, Strasbourg is a city that has retained its historic charm and is Europe at its most quintessential. On your walking tour here, see the gothic cathedral with its spires, stained-glass windows, and fascinating astronomical clock, and wander around the magical La Petite France district, home to half-timbered houses, quaint shops, and a waterfront promenade. If you’re more interested in art and architecture, you’ll enjoy the treasures offered on this Europe tour. Visit Florence, one of the most beautiful cities in the world, with the Piazza Signoria, adorned with ornate and famous statues. Stand in awe in front of Pisa’s famous Leaning Tower and explore the delicate floating city of Venice, both unique architectural wonders. Of course, no traveler to Europe should miss the distinct Parisian style, and you’ll have time to explore Paris’ famous sites. Enjoy some time in the French Riviera, visit a famous perfume factory in Èze, and discover the Provence region, known for its Mediterranean climate, vineyards, and gorgeous scenery. Visit Aix-en-Provence, the birthplace of painter Cézanne and known for its fountains, elegant homes, and famous cafés. From the historic sights and architectural treasures to the beautiful scenery, this enriching, value-minded European tour offers something for everyone. TOUR HIGHLIGHTS:

LONDON Visit LONDON-BRUSSELS by Eurostar train TRIER & STRASBOURG Guided sightseeing LUCERNE Visit VENICE Canal boat ride, glassblowing workshop ASSISI Visit St. Francis Basilica ROME & FLORENCE Guided sightseeing PISA See the Leaning Tower ÈZE Visit a Perfume workshop AIX EN PROVENCE & BEAUNE Visit PARIS Guided sightseeing

The following UNESCO World Heritage Sites can be seen or visited on this vacation:

Assisi (the Basilica of San Francesco)
Historic Centre of Florence
Historic Centre of Rome - various properties Vatican City
La Grand-Place (Brussels)
Paris Banks of the Seine
Piazza del Duomo Pisa
Strasbourg - Grand Ile
Venice and its Lagoon

Inside visits and special features:
Shown in UPPERCASE in the tour description including admission charges where applicable. Notes:
December 19 Departure - New Year's in Paris including festive dinner OPTIONALS: Choice of optional excursions at reasonable prices to customize your own experience. Please find a detailed list in your travel documents

HEADSETS throughout the tour

LONDON NOVOTEL LONDON WEST (F) or HOLIDAY INN LONDON- KENSINGTON HIGH STREET (F) BRUSSELS RAMADA LA WOLUWE (ST) STRASBOURG IBIS STRASBOURG CENTRE HISTORIQUE (ST) LUCERNE IBIS KRIENS (T) or IBIS STYLES LUZERNE CITY (ST) MILAN STARHOTELS BUSINESS PALACE (SF) VENICE AMBASCIATORI AT MESTRE (F) ROME PARK HOTEL DEI MASSIMI (F) MONTECATINI GRAND HOTEL AMBASCIATORI (F) NICE IBIS STYLES NICE AIRPORT (ST) or IBIS AÉROPORT PROMENADE (ST) LYON HOTEL LYON OUEST (F) PARIS HOTEL IBIS STYLES PARIS PORTE D'ORLEANS (ST) HOTELS - (SF) Superior First-Class (F) First-Class (ST) Superior Tourist Class (T) Tourist Class

DINING HIGHLIGHTS

Buffet breakfasts daily; 4 dinners TRANSPORTATION Touring by private, first-class, air-conditioned motorcoach with free Wi-Fi; Eurostar London-Brussels; canal transfer boat in Venice; Pisa mini-train ride GUIDES Local Guide for city sightseeing in Paris, Strasbourg, Milan; professional Tour Director while touring AIRPORT TRANSFERS
Airport transfers may be included when you make your flight arrangements.

Day 1 Arrive in London, England

Check into your hotel. In the afternoon, you may want to start exploring the lively British capital. Uniformed hosts and the CosmosGO app are available to help you make the most of your stay.

Day 2 London

The whole day is free to take advantage of a variety of optional activities. How about a fascinating tour of London’s landmarks, a visit to the Tower of London with the lavish Crown Jewels, or an excursion to Windsor Castle? Tonight, we recommend our optional Taste of London excursion with dinner, followed by a guided illumination cruise on the Thames River.

Breakfast

Day 3 London–Brussels, Belgium

Transfer to the railway station and board the EUROSTAR TRAIN to Brussels.

Today’s Distance: 232 mi/ 373 km

Breakfast

Day 4 Brussels–Trier, Germany–Strasbourg Area, France

Cross the German border, and stop for an included guided walking tour of ancient Trier, founded by the Celts in the late 4th-century BC. Later, travel through the fabled Black Forest, known for its cuckoo clocks, wood carving, delectable Black Forest Cake, and traditional farmhouses with sweeping, half-hipped roofs. Cross into France to arrive in Strasbourg.

Today’s Distance: 298 mi/ 480 km

Breakfast

Dinner

Day 5 Strasbourg Area–Lucerne Area, Switzerland

On your included guided walking tour in Strasbourg, seat of the European Parliament, see the monumental gothic cathedral with its ancient murals, stained-glass windows, and fascinating astronomical clock; experience the unique Franco-German culture mix; and explore the city’s historic heart, the magical La Petite France district. Later, enter Switzerland and head towards the majestic Alps to Lucerne. Visit the LION MONUMENT, a masterful stone sculpture honoring Louis XVI’s heroic Swiss Guard; and CHAPEL BRIDGE, Europe’s oldest covered bridge, dating back to 1333.

Today’s Distance: 214 mi/ 345 km

Breakfast

Day 6 Lucerne Area–Milan, Italy

More wonderful alpine scenery awaits as you drive to the mountains surrounding massive St. Gotthard pass. Through its great tunnel, begin your scenic descent into the warmth and sunshine of Canton Ticino. Then, continue to vibrant Milan, Italy’s fashion capital.

Today’s Distance: 180 mi/ 290 km

Breakfast

Dinner

Day 7 Milan–Venice Area

Leave Milan and cross the Po River plain to the Venice area. Here, you’ll board your private MOTORBOAT to St. Mark’s Square. Take time to enjoy the Bridge of Sighs, Doge’s Palace, and monumental ST. MARK’S SQUARE. Visit a GLASSBLOWING WORKSHOP to watch a skilled craftsman at work. Don’t miss out on an optional gondola serenade that glides through centuries-old canals.

Today’s Distance: 186 mi/ 300 km

Breakfast

Dinner

Day 8 Venice Area–Assisi–Rome

An interesting drive southward, through the gentle Umbrian hills to medieval Assisi, where St. Francis was born in 1182. Visit the world-famous BASILICA with its beautiful frescoes by Giotto, then head for Rome.

Today’s Distance: 345 mi/ 555 km

Breakfast

Day 9 Rome

The “Eternal City” is steeped in history, vibrantly alive and exciting, and absolutely unique! Included sightseeing with a Local Guide starts with St. Peter’s Square and Basilica. Other highlights are the iconic Colosseum, the largest amphitheater ever built, and Circus Maximus. An optional visit is available to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, world famous for Michelangelo’s impressive fresco of The Last Judgment.

Breakfast

Day 10 Rome–Florence–Montcatini

Say “Arrivederci, Roma” as you drive northward to reach Florence. On the included walking tour with a Local Guide, discover the landmarks of this Renaissance city, like Piazza Signoria with the Loggia dei Lanzi, Palazzo Vecchio, and the breathtaking cathedral on Piazza del Duomo. Overnight in the spa town of Montecatini.

Today’s Distance: 190 mi/ 305 km

Breakfast

Day 11 Montecatini–Pisa–Èze, France–French Riviera

Stop in Pisa where a mini train ride takes you to see the Leaning Tower and the SQUARE OF MIRACLES. Bypassing the great port of Genoa, head northwest for glimpses of the Italian and French Rivieras. Visit one of the famous PERFUME FACTORIES in lovely Èze before reaching your destination on the glamorous French Riviera.

Today’s Distance: 304 mi/ 490 km

Breakfast

Day 12 French Riviera–Aix-En-Provence–Lyon Area

Leave the French Riviera this morning and head inland, crossing sun-drenched Provence. Take in the Mediterranean atmosphere of Aix-en-Provence, then travel through the famous wine-producing area of the Rhône Valley. Overnight in the Lyon area.

Today’s Distance: 311 mi/ 500 km

Breakfast

Dinner

Day 13 Lyon Area–Beaune–Paris

Enjoy vistas of famous Burgundy vineyards on the way to Beaune, famous for wines such as Chambertin and Nuits-Saint-Georges. Its Hôtel-Dieu with its colorful roof was one of the oldest hospitals in Europe. Head for the exciting city of Paris.

Today’s Distance: 304 mi/ 490 km

Breakfast

Day 14 Paris

One full day to explore the city that’s known throughout the world for its fashion, art and museums, delicious food, and joie de vivre. Included sightseeing with a local expert shows off many of the best-known Parisian sites. Tonight, consider joining the optional farewell dinner in a typical French restaurant.

Breakfast

Day 15 Paris

Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.

Breakfast

Wonders of Europe

15 Day Tour

From $2489USD (Less applicable COSMOS PROMO(S) and Gardner Travel Discounts)

Exceptional Vacations

Celebrating over 85 Years of Touring!

STATUS OF THIS TOUR FOR 2021

Prices are per person based on double occupancy and are land only. We also offer competitive group-based airfares from your home city airport that fit with this particular touring program.

Toll Free Call 1-877-510-4653 USA and Canada

We provide an additional agency point-of-sale discount for all Globus, Cosmos and Avalon Waterways tour programs. Offer subject to availability and change without notice.

TALK TO AN EXPERIENCED

As a full-service travel provider, we can help you in finding your perfect tour at the best price available, today. We've been representing the GLOBUS Family of Brands for over 35 years as a Premier Agency Partner - a designation only awarded to the top tier agencies that are authorized to represent the full Globus Family of Brands. We can take you all the way from your own hometown to some of the most beautiful touring experiences in Europe and then back again - all with the expertise of a seasoned COSMOS professional representative. When it is important to get it right, you can trust the services of our own professional COSMOS Certified travel specialists. Requesting Availability We will check your requested tour program and accommodations for the date range that you may specify in the boxes below and reply back to you as soon as possible. Of course the more information that you can provide us, the closer we will be in matching your needs and preferences. We will not knowingly sell or pass along your information that you provide to any third party for any reason (see Liabilities and Privacy Policy). And we use SSL Technology to safeguard your information on our tour request forms that we have posted throughout our website. We are available to answer your inquiries in person Monday - Friday (except holidays) from 8:30am until 5:30pm CST (1-877-510-4653 | 817-788-5210). We are available from time to time on the weekends via email to answer your questions. Our typical response time for your email request ranges from 3 hours to as many as 72 depending upon the availability of onsite resources and those of the tour companies and resorts/lodging establishments, as well as any variations you may request from our listed programs. We will respond to your requests as quickly as possible and as soon as we have all components of your package confirmable. All tour program rates are based upon double occupancy unless otherwise specified.

Thank you for your interest in this quality Cosmos Tour by The GLOBUS Family of Brands!

Randy C. Gardner
President
Gardner Travel Service, Inc.

and The Globus Family of Brands

More than three decades ago Cosmos pioneered the idea of quality value travel to Europe. Since then we've developed and refined the concept of vacation packages. Over a million people have come back to us for a second or third vacation...or more!

Our clients' repeat business is the best testimony to the incredible value and experience we offer.

If you've never taken a package vacation, consider this: Traveling with Cosmos is less expensive, more comfortable, and far easier than going it alone. Our volume contracting for hotels and services provides you with travel at wholesale prices. A Cosmos package is carefully planned to make the best possible use of your time.

Our team of experts has refined our itineraries to combine the must-see sights with significant time on your own, offering more choice and flexibility. You can travel relaxed and hassle-free, knowing that we've taken care of all the details.
Arthur Fromer Europe on a Budget

Once you've discovered the special advantages of traveling with Cosmos, you'll never want to travel any other way again. Cosmos is "A Smart Way To Go." Guidance

At the heart of every great Cosmos tour are the friendly, knowledgeable folks who show you around and help you maximize your free time. We go to incredible lengths to find the most professional Tour Directors and Local Guides. They deliver commentary in English, but are multilingual so they can navigate Europe with ease and give you the richest experience possible. Headsets For all guided visits and included sightseeing in Europe, Cosmos will provide personal audio headsets. See tour itinerary for details. The Right Balance No one enjoys a vacation where every second is spent on a schedule. We build free time into every Cosmos vacation, so you can eat, shop, and explore the way you want. Your Tour Director and Local Guides can offer suggestions for things to see and do-or you can join one of our many intriguing optional excursions. Sightseeing Our packages include guided sightseeing and scenic highlights that reveal the best of Europe, North America, and South America. Enjoy inside visits of the must-see sites with knowledgeable Local Guides who will bring each destination to life. Inside visits and special features are shown in UPPERCASE in the tour description. See individual itinerary pages to learn what is included in your vacation. Personalize Your Vacation with MyCosmos Cosmos lets you enhance your tour with optional excursions that are meaningful to you. Whether you enjoy art, music, food, wine, history, or whatever, we give you the freedom to truly personalize your trip. Best of all, you can make your selections-and even pre-pay-in advance online at Cosmos.com/MyCosmos.

Cosmos Takes Care of Your Hotels

Where you stay makes all the difference.
After a day's traveling you want to relax at a comfortable, clean, and attractive hotel. We have chosen hotels with the best rooms, service, and food for the money. Of course, they vary as different countries have different standards. However, we ensure that everywhere you get the best available in cleanliness and comfort.

Cosmos hotels are always located in good neighborhoods, some more centrally and others in residential areas. Especially in large cities we sometimes prefer good hotels in residential areas on the outskirts to less desirable or overpriced downtown hotels.

Rooms at all our hotels include private facilities: private bath or shower and a toilet.

Triple rooms are usually no larger than twin rooms and the third bed is often a roll-away bed put into a twin-bedded room just for the night.

Cosmos specifies your hotels
Our hotels are mainly superior tourist-class (ST) and tourist-class (T) establishments, but we also feature some first-class (F) hotels. Cosmos hotel ratings follow standards set by the independent Official Hotel Guide (OHG) or by national tourist boards. The specific rating for each contract hotel is determined by our quality controllers.

We reserve the right to substitute hotels listed on the tour pages with hotels of equivalent standard. With your Cosmos travel documents you'll receive a list of hotel addresses, telephone numbers, and fax numbers for your tour.

Stretch Your Vacation Dollars

Value-packed vacations at bargain prices.
With Cosmos, a company that specializes in package travel arrangements, you'll visit the world without spending a fortune. Because all our buying power is devoted to package travel, our clout with suppliers is powerfully concentrated -- and we pass the savings on to you with affordable vacation packages for every budget.

Singles save with "guaranteed share" rates
More than one-third of all people traveling with Cosmos are traveling independently. We therefore accept reservations on a "guaranteed share" basis. We charge singles the basic price and match up singles of the same gender in twin-bedded rooms. For mutual comfort we adopt a no-smoking rule in shared rooms. "Guaranteed shares" are not available for extra nights before or after your tour, on tours with overnight trains, or on train or cruise extensions.
If we cannot find a roommate for a traveler who has booked on a "guaranteed share" basis, we'll absorb the single room supplement, and that traveler will be accommodated in a single room at no extra charge.
Of course we do offer single rooms when available to those who prefer to travel solo and pay the single supplement.

Triple room reduction
Cosmos grants a reduction to three people who travel together and share the same accommodation. Triple room reductions, when available, are listed in the Dates and Prices box on the tour page.
A word of caution: Triple rooms usually are no larger than twin rooms, and the third bed, if there is one, is often a rollaway bed put in a twin-bedded room for the night.

Discount for young tour members
Cosmos grants a 10 percent discount on the land tour price to travelers who are under 18 years old on the tour departure date, provided they are accompanied by an adult. We do not accept children under eight on our tours because we have found that they are too young to enjoy these vacations. Cosmos Vacations Offer Flexibility

Joining late and leaving early* Many Cosmos land arrangements start and end in London. If you have already spent time in the British capital, you may want to skip one or more of the included London nights or even join at the first overnight hotel on the Continent. Call your Travel Agent for any reductions that apply to your vacation for joining late or leaving early. Vacations with these reductions are sold on a land-only basis. A professional team takes care of you in London For any help or information you might require during your London stay, please contact the Cosmos hospitality desk at your hotel. Our knowledgeable staff will serve you with a smile; give you guidance on what to do and where to go; and arrange excursions, evening entertainment, and theater outings for you. Extra nights* If you'd like more hotel nights than we've provided at the start or end of your tour, we can make reservations for you at the rates quoted below, provided you request them at the time you book your vacation. Rates are per person, per night, and include room with private bath, breakfast, service charges, and taxes. Extra nights are only available immediately prior to or after your tour. Extra pre-tour nights in London are not available if you join your tour later than Day 2. Every effort is made to reserve extra nights at the hotel where your tour stays. If space at the tour hotel is not available, alternative accommodation will be reserved at a hotel of equivalent standard. When this is the case, the transfer to and from the tour hotel is at our expense. As hotel space is limited, we cannot reserve more than two extra nights before and/or after a tour, unless they are needed to bridge the gap between two Cosmos vacations. During particularly busy periods, hotel space in certain cities can become so tight that we may be unable to sell extra nights.

Trust & Travel Insurance

For generations, Globus has worked hard to provide the best on-trip experiences, world-class customer service, and the best consumer protection plans available in the travel industry.

DETAILS OF THIS INSURANCE PROGRAM WILL BE INCLUDED IN ALL OF OUR QUOTES.

and The Globus Family of Brands

More than 75 years ago, Antonio Mantegazza bought a rowboat to transport commercial goods across Lake Lugano in Switzerland. Who could know that rowboat would launch the world's leading escorted travel company? Today Globus is a global, family-owned company reaching every corner of the world. Globus is now the first choice among individuals looking for vacations with both domestic and international travel in a variety of styles to six continents and hundreds of itineraries to choose from (see Globus History video right). Antonio's frequent trips across the scenic lake led him to consider opportunities in a different market - tourism. His entrepreneurial instinct pushed him to gradually acquire some motorcoaches to transport tourists around the Lake Lugano area. In 1928, Antonio opened a company specializing in motorcoach touring called Globus Viaggi. The company began with a fleet of 12 coaches which operated local excursions for European tourists in Switzerland. By 1950, Globus Viaggi had grown to a fleet of 33 coaches and featured overnight excursions to Rome, Venice, the Dolomites and the French Riviera. Gradually, these became regularly scheduled tours and grew longer to cover more ground. Later that decade, under the leadership of Werner Albek, Antonio's business partner, Globus pioneered the concept of Grand European Touring by offering first-class European tours to North Americans. By 1961, the company launched its Cosmos arm, which featured affordable, value-priced European touring for the cost-conscious British traveler. The coach tours were so successful that Cosmos soon introduced another form of travel for the British market: air holiday packages to the sunny destinations of southern Europe. By 1968, Cosmos air holidays became so popular the company formed its own airline, Monarch Airlines. Monarch Airlines started out modestly with two used Britannia aircraft and eventually blossomed into one of the most successful European charter companies with a large fleet of modern jets and its own engineering division. Under the flagship of Sergio Mantegazza, current president and son of Antonio, Globus began expanding its markets beyond Great Britain and North America. Since 1974, travel packages have been sold in Australia, New Zealand, Canada and most recently in Southeast Asia. Starting in the 70s, the company also aggressively expanded its offerings, introducing travelers to more countries than any other tour operator with packages to Africa, South and North America, Europe, the South Pacific and Asia. Today, the Globus family of brands is marketed and operated by a network of more than 32 independent tourism and aviation businesses, serviced by a group of more than 5,000 professionals worldwide. Combined, Globus, Cosmos, and Monograms carry over 500,000 passengers a year, making the organization the leading operator of guided vacations worldwide. Globus attributes its success to the ideals of founder Antonio Mantegazza. For three generations, his vision, hard work, love for travel, and commitment have guided the company. These values are the cornerstone on which Globus was built and will continue to grow.

Romantic Rhine (Northbound) 8 Days from Zürich to Amsterdam Romantic Rhine (Southbound) 8 Days from Amsterdam to Basel	Canals, Vineyards and Paris (Northbound) 10 Days from Paris to Amsterdam Canals, Vineyards and Paris (Southbound) 10 Days from Paris to Amsterdam
European Splendor (Eastbound) 13 Days from Amsterdam to Vienna European Splendor (Westbound) 13 Days from Vienna to Amsterdam	Capitals of Central Europe (Eastbound) 10 Days from Prague to Budapest Capitals of Central Europe (Westbound) 10 Days from Budapest to Prague
Blue Danube to the Black Sea (Eastbound) 14 Days from Vienna to Bucharest Blue Danube to the Black Sea (Westbound) 14 Days from Bucharest to Vienna	Highlights of Germany 13 Days from Munich to Basel Jewels of Central Europe (Eastbound) 17 Days from Paris to Budapest Jewels of Central Europe (Westbound) 19 Days from Budapest to Paris
Grand France (Southbound) 16 Days from Paris to Côte d'Azur Grand France (Northbound) 16 Days from Côte d'Azur to Paris	Magnificent Europe (Eastbound) 15 Days from Amsterdam to Budapest Magnificent Europe (Westbound) 15 Days from Budapest to Amsterdam