The perfect vacation for those who wish to see traditional Europe, this getaway offers much more than just the basics. All major cities have sightseeing, including a canal cruise in Amsterdam, and visits to St. Paul’s in London, St. Peter’s, the Sistine Chapel, the Colosseum, and Roman Forum in Rome. Ride the high-speed Eurostar train between London and Brussels, and a high-speed TGV train from Lyon to Paris. Other highlight features are: dinner at Amsterdam’s lively Haesje Claes restaurant to try out traditional Dutch dishes, a romantic Rhine cruise, a private boat transfer, a special dinner at a local restaurant in Venice, wine tasting with light lunch in Florence, an orientation drive through Old Lyon with views of the murals, scenic drives through the Black Forest, the Swiss and Tyrolean Alps, Brenner Pass, and more. An overnight stay at the Côte d’Azur gives you the opportunity to visit Monte Carlo. In Paris, visit the second floor of the Eiffel Tower during your sightseeing tour.
Itinerary:
Day #1 Arrive in London, England. Welcome to London! Uniformed Globus Hosts are available to help you make the most of your stay.
Day #2 London. Morning guided sightseeing includes all the famous landmarks: the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben beside the River Thames, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, and more. Highlights are a visit to ST. PAUL’S CATHEDRAL (except on Sundays) and the ceremonial pageantry of the Changing of the Guard, if held. (B)
Day #3 London–Brussels, Belgium–Amsterdam, Holland. Meet your Tour Director and traveling companions, and transfer to the railway station to board the high-speed EUROSTAR TRAIN to Brussels, Belgium. From here, a comfortable drive will bring you to Amsterdam, Holland. [LF] Tonight, join the locals during a welcome dinner with wine or beer at the lively Haesje Claes restaurant. (B,D)
Day #4 Amsterdam. A Local Guide shows you the 700-year-old capital, including Dam Square with the Royal Palace, and the Rijksmuseum. The highlight is a CANAL CRUISE to see the patrician mansions and gabled façades. Next, visit a major DIAMOND CENTER. You may wish to join an optional excursion to visit a cheese farm, a clog maker, a working windmill, and have dinner in the pretty fishing village of Volendam. (B)
Day #5 Amsterdam–Rhineland, Germany. On the way to Germany, pass the Dutch region best known as the locale of A Bridge Too Far. Highlight of the day is a romantic RHINE CRUISE past castle-crested cliffs, terraced vineyards, and half-timbered towns. (B,D)
Day #6 Rhineland–Lucerne, Switzerland. Stop in the lush valleys and pine-clad hills of the BLACK FOREST, renowned for its cuckoo clocks. Hear about the art of WOODCARVING from a local woodcarver, Adolf Herr. On the Swiss border, admire the thundering RHINE FALLS, then continue to picture-book Lucerne. Tonight is your chance to enjoy an optional Swiss Folklore Party. (B)
Day #7 Lucerne–Liechtenstein–Innsbruck, Austria. Admire Thorwaldsen’s LION MONUMENT, walk through the Old Town, and cross the famous covered CHAPEL BRIDGE to the Jesuit Church. Time to shop for Swiss watches or climb lofty Mount Pilatus. On your way to Austria, stop in the Principality of Liechtenstein, then drive through Austria’s most famous ski area. In Innsbruck, walk through the Old Town and take pictures of Emperor Maximilian’s GOLDEN ROOF. (B,D)
Day #8 Innsbruck–Venice, Italy. Across spectacular Brenner Pass to Italy. Enter Venice in style by PRIVATE BOAT to ST. MARK’S SQUARE and admire the Byzantine basilica, lavish Doges’ Palace with its Bridge of Sighs, and watch skilled GLASSBLOWERS fashion their delicate objects. You may wish to join an optional gondola ride, and later, a special dinner with wine awaits you at one of Venice’s lively restaurants. (B,D)
Day #9 Venice–Rome. A scenic drive across the Apennine Hills and through vine- and olive-clad Tuscany brings you to the “Eternal City.” (B)
Day #10 Rome. Morning guided sightseeing features visits to the VATICAN MUSEUMS and SISTINE CHAPEL, ST. PETER’S SQUARE and BASILICA, the COLOSSEUM and the ROMAN FORUM, where Roman legions marched in triumph. To make the most of your stay, join our optional Roman Highlights excursion and see the Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, and the sites and squares of medieval Rome made famous in the movie Angels and Demons. (B)
Day #11 Rome–Florence–Tuscany. Arrive in Florence, “Cradle of the Renaissance.” You may wish to shop for gold and leather for which the city is famous. Today’s highlight is a [LF] WINE TASTING, accompanied by a light lunch with bruschetta and local specialties, in one of Florence’s attractive restaurant. Then, follow your Local Guide for a pleasant walk to admire the magnificent cathedral, Giotto’s Bell Tower, the Baptistry’s heavy bronze “Gate of Paradise,” and sculpture-studded SIGNORIA SQUARE. Take pictures of the Ponte Vecchio before continuing to the peaceful spa resort of Montecatini for your overnight stay. (B,L,D)
Day #12 Tuscany–Pisa–Nice, France. Marvel at the amazing Leaning Tower in Pisa, then enjoy spectacular views of the Italian and French Rivieras on your way to Nice. Tonight, an optional outing is available to famous Monte Carlo. (B)
Day #13 Nice–Lyon. In the late morning, leave the Côte d’Azur and drive through the Provence region to Lyon, France’s capital during Roman days. Enjoy an orientation drive through the OLD TOWN, beautifully situated between the Rhône and Saône Rivers. Catch a glimpse of the city fortifications, the cathedral on Fourvière Hill, and the MURALES, examples of trompe l’oeil, started by a group of students in the ‘70s with the aim to bring art to ordinary people, not confined to galleries or museums. (B,D)
Day #14 Lyon–Paris. Board the high-speed TGV TRAIN, which will whisk you in two hours to Paris. Optional excursions are available to the magnificent Louvre Museum, and tonight to try out local dishes at one of Paris’ fine restaurants, followed by an illumination drive to explore the “City of Light.” (B)
Day #15 Paris. Discover the world capital of chic and style with a Local Guide and admire its most famous sights: the Opéra, Arc de Triomphe, Champs-Elysées, and more. For a bird’s-eye view, take the elevator up to the second floor of Paris’ most famous landmark: the EIFFEL TOWER. To make the most of your stay, join an optional excursion to the lavish baroque Palace of Versailles, and tonight, a lively cabaret dinner show may be the best way to say, “Au revoir, Paris.” (B)
Day #16 Paris. Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
Hotels:
LONDON Park Plaza Westminster Bridge (SF)
AMSTERDAM Novotel Amsterdam City (F)
RHINELAND Renaissance (SF) at Karlsruhe
LUCERNE Grand Hotel Europe (F)
INNSBRUCK Maximilian Stadthaus Penz (F)
VENICE Ambasciatori (F) at Mestre
ROME Crowne Plaza St. Peter’s (SF)
TUSCANY Francia e Quirinale (F) at Montecatini or Grand Hotel Mediterraneo (F) at Florence
NICE NH Nice (F)
LYON Golden Tulip Millénaire (F)
PARIS Marriott Paris Rive Gauche (SF) or Radisson Blu Boulogne (SF)