This comprehensive vacation takes in the best of Western, Central, and Southern Europe. Start in London and cross the English Channel by Eurostar train bound for Paris (except where specified). Among the highlights: see the Champs-Elysées in Paris, French Châteaux Country, Plaza Catalunya in Barcelona, the glamorous French Riviera, Pisa’s Leaning Tower, Renaissance Florence’s Duomo, the Colosseum in Rome, and the Pompeii archaeological site. Enjoy an overnight ferry crossing to Greece and a visit to Athens’ Acropolis and Olympia. Return to Italy by ferry, first to the oldest state in the world, San Marino, then to romantic Venice with St. Mark’s Basilica and Square. Enjoy Vienna’s imperial city center, the majestic Swiss Alps, and Germany’s Rhineland. The vacation ends amidst the remarkable canals of Amsterdam.
Itinerary:
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 are available to help you make the most of your stay.
Day #2 London. Enjoy free time for independent activities: take a panoramic tour of London’s famous landmarks, consider Madame Tussauds or a ride on the London Eye. Your local host will be on hand to assist. (B)
Day #3 London–Paris, France. Transfer to the railway station and board the Eurostar train to Paris. Here you’ll be met by your Tour Director and fellow travelers. (B)
Day #4 Paris. Included sightseeing with a local expert shows off many of the best-known Parisian sights: La Sorbonne, Arc de Triomphe, Opéra, Madeleine, the Eiffel Tower, the Pyramid near the Louvre, the Invalides, and Champs Elysées. (B)
Day #5 Paris–Châteaux Country–Tours–Bordeaux. Start the day by motoring south to Blois and then parallel to the River Loire past the castles of Chaumont and Amboise for a short stop in Tours. Take the comfortable Autoroute L’Aquitaine as far as Poitiers, beautifully situated on a rocky plateau. South again to Saintes, then the Grand Champagne wine-growing area. Another 60 miles and you’ll be in Bordeaux on the banks of the Garonne. (B,D)
Day #6 Bordeaux–Carcassonne–Barcelona, Spain. From the vineyards of the Gironde and the Garonne, travel eastwards, bypassing Toulouse to Carcassonne in the foothills of the Pyrenées. Stop and admire what is perhaps the best-preserved medieval fortified town in Europe. Later, reach the Spanish border and motor through Catalonia. Once across the River Ter, you’ll soon be in Barcelona. (B,D)
Day #7 Barcelona. This morning’s sightseeing with a Local Guide includes a drive around Montjuïc to see the Olympic Stadium and a panoramic view of the port and city. The drive continues to the city center to Plaza Catalunya and Paseo de Gracia to admire the greatness and eccentricity of Gaudi’s architectural masterpieces in the Houses Batlló and Mila and the Sagrada Familia (entrance fees not included). (B)
Day #8 Barcelona–Arles, France–French Riviera. Retrace your drive to the French border, then into the vine-covered region of the Herault for a stop in Arles. Later, motor westwards across the Rhône towards the Mediterranean shores for an overnight on the French Riviera. (B)
Day #9 French Riviera–Èze–Pisa, Italy–Florence. Today, travel along the high coastal road to visit a perfume workshop in Èze. The day is highlighted by the drive along the French and Italian Rivieras and into hilly Tuscany for a visit to Pisa to see the Leaning Tower and the Square of Miracles. (B,D)
Day #10 Florence–Sorrento. This morning, don’t miss the included walking tour of Florence with a Local Guide, featuring most of the city highlights. Leave Florence, and travel south on the Autostrada del Sole through the sunlit valleys of Chianti country to Sorrento. (B)
Day #11 Sorrento. An optional excursion today to the legendary island of Capri. The island is surrounded by a rocky coastline, where the crashing sea has formed awe-inspiring caves. The town, with its pretty piazzetta, maze of streets, fashionable boutiques, and smart restaurants, is a mecca for the jet set. Return to Sorrento. (B,D)
Day #12 Sorrento–Pompeii–Rome. Today, travel north, with the Vesuvius volcano in the distance. Then to Pompeii, where time stopped in 79 AD, when the Vesuvius eruption totally destroyed it. On the included visit you can see the remains of luxurious villas, temples, theater, and forum. Later, head towards Rome for an overnight. (B)
Day #13 Rome. The “Eternal City,” Rome is 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 #14 Rome–Overnight Ferry Crossing To Patras, Greece. Drive across the rugged Apennine Hills towards the coast for embarkation on the overnight ferry to Greece. The modern ferries offer all comforts, including boutique, duty-free shop, two restaurants, three bars, discotheque, casino, and swimming pool. (B)
Day #15 Patras–Olympia. Enjoy some daylight cruising towards the Greek coast before reaching Patras. Then, drive to Olympia for an overnight in the Peloponnese. (B,D)
Day #16 Olympia–Tripolis–Athens. This morning, join the optional sightseeing tour and learn more about the history of the original Olympic Games, when athletes competed with each other to honor the king of deities. Then, motor into the mountains of Arcadia by way of Tripolis and over the Corinth Canal to Athens. Time later for an evening in the lively Plaka area. (B)
Day #17 Athens. Today, take advantage of the included morning sightseeing, which features the highlights of this ancient capital and a visit to the fascinating Acropolis. Later, enjoy one of the optional excursions or explore the shops and museums. (B)
Day #18 Athens–Patras–Overnight Ferry Crossing to Italy. Leave Athens and journey to Patras for embarkation on the ferry for the Ionian Sea crossing back to Italy. Departure is in the early evening. (B)
Day #19 San Marino. Disembark in the late morning. Then, proceed north for an overnight in San Marino, one of the world’s smallest and most ancient states, perched on Monte Titano. (B,D)
Day #20 San Marino–Venice Area. Take a short walk through the main gate and up to Government House in the very heart of this tiny ancient republic. Later this morning, travel along the Adriatic coastline through the Po Delta towards the Venice area. (B)
Day #21 Venice Area. The included orientation starts with a boat ride and is followed by some time at leisure to absorb the atmosphere of this unique city, and a chance to watch Venetian glassblowers. Don’t miss the optional gondola trip. (B,D)
Day #22 Venice Area–Velden, Austria–Vienna. Today, leave the flat and fertile plains of Venetia and journey by way of Tarvisio Pass into the grand mountain and lakeland scenery of Austria for a stop in Velden on Lake Wörth. Northwards through the Styrian landscape to Vienna. (B)
Day #23 Vienna. There’s so much to see on your included sightseeing tour: the State Opera, Parliament, and the Town Hall. Stop for a stroll in Heroes’ Square to view the Hofburg. (B)
Day #24 Vienna–Salzburg–Innsbruck. Westwards, almost parallel with the Danube, to Mozart’s Salzburg. Time for a stroll down the charming Getreidegasse, the town’s elegant main shopping street. The last leg of today’s drive takes you into the very heart of the Tyrol to its capital, Innsbruck. (B,D)
Day #25 Innsbruck–Liechtenstein–Lucerne, Switzerland. Time this morning to get acquainted with Innsbruck. The orientation tour includes the famous Golden Roof. Later, drive through the valleys and villages of the mountainous Tyrol to the Arlberg tunnel, descending into Switzerland. Stop briefly in Vaduz, Liechtenstein’s capital, before heading for Lucerne. (B)
Day #26 Lucerne. Sightseeing in one of Switzerland’s finest cities takes in the impressive city walls, a wooden bridge, ornate patrician houses lining cobblestone streets, and the Lion Monument. A selection of optional activities completes the day: a cruise on the fjord-like lake or an excursion to the top of one of the most beautiful mountains. (B,D)
Day #27 Lucerne–Rhine Cruise–Rhineland, Germany. More of Switzerland and its quaint little villages, farms, and chalets before crossing into Germany to use its Autobahn on the journey northwards to the shores of the Rhine. Today’s highlight is the included Rhine cruise past the legendary Lorelei rock, hilltop castles, terraced vineyards, and half-timbered villages. Overnight in the Rhineland. (B,D)
Day #28 Rhineland–Amsterdam Area, Holland. North today, first through the industrial Ruhr and then into the green, canal criss-crossed countryside of Holland to the Amsterdam area. Enjoy a canal cruise to see the town from water level, then watch the cutting and polishing of precious stones at a famous diamond center. Later, sightseeing includes an orientation drive with a Local Guide. (B)
Day #29 Amsterdam. Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
Hotels:
LONDON Kensington Close (ST)
PARIS Quality Porte d'Orleans (ST) or Novotel Defense Park (F)
BORDEAUX Mercure Meriadeck (ST) or Kyriad Prestige Merignac (ST)
BARCELONA Catalonia Atenas (ST) or Catalonia Auditori (ST),
FRENCH RIVIERA Park Inn (F) at Nice or Quality (F) at Menton or All Seasons (ST) at Nice
FLORENCE Diplomat (ST) or Grifone (ST)
SORRENTO Ascot (ST) or Tirrenia (ST)
ROME Princess (F) or Fleming (F)
OLYMPIA Olympia Palace (F)
ATHENS Acropolis Select (F) or Golden Age (F)
SAN MARINO Titano (ST)
VENICE AREA Holiday Inn (F) at Marghera or Poppi (F) at Mira
VIENNA Austria Trend Bosei (F) or Ramada Encore (F)
INNSBRUCK Dollinger (ST) or Rumerhof (F) at Rum
LUCERNE Ibis Styles (ST)
RHINELAND Holiday Inn (F) at Cologne-Bonn Airport or Ramada (F) at Bruehl or Holiday Inn Stadtwald (F) at Cologne or Zum Anker (ST) at Andernach
AMSTERDAM AREA NH Airport (F) at Schiphol