Day 1 - LONDON – AMSTERDAM
After a warm welcome from your Tour Director this morning, drive to the famous white cliffs of Dover to cross the English Channel by ferry. Disembark at Calais and follow the coast into Belgium past the port of Antwerp. After entering the Netherlands, see the first of the windmills on your way to Amsterdam. Tonight, enjoy a Welcome Reception with drink and a light meal, followed by time to relax and explore.
Hotel: Mövenpick City Centre
Meals: Welcome Reception
Day 2 - AMSTERDAM SIGHTSEEING
Take an orientation tour past the Mint Tower, floating Flower Market and Royal Palace in Dam Square. Then board a special canal cruiser to glide under low bridges, past the magnificent gabled mansions of the 17th century merchants. After a demonstration of diamonds being cut and polished, the afternoon is at leisure. Perhaps enjoy an excursion to the picturesque village of Volendam.
Meals: Buffet Breakfast
Day 3 - AMSTERDAM – RHINE GORGE – RHINELAND
Pass Arnhem, renowned for its ‘Bridge Too Far’, before crossing the German border bound for the Romantic Rhine. Take time to explore the lovely little village of Boppard, nestled on the largest loop of the Rhine, before embarking on your scenic cruise. Drift past steep leafy vineyards, medieval hill top castles and hear the legend of the Loreley Rock. Rejoin your coach and head for Ladenburg on the Bertha Benz Memorial Route.
Hotel: Leonardo
Meals: Buffet Breakfast / Dinner
Day 4 - RHINELAND – INNSBRUCK
Follow the Neckar river to nearby Heidelberg, known for its castle and baroque style Old Town. Skirt the northern Black Forest and head for the rolling Bavarian Alps. Stop beneath the renowned royal castles of Hohenschwangau and King Ludwig’s fairy-tale Neuschwanstein. Once over the Austrian border continue to Innsbruck, capital of the Tyrol. Tour the architectural jewels of the city, seeing the Imperial Palace, delightful Golden Roof and the 14th century houses of the old town.
Hotel: Hilton
Meals: Buffet Breakfast
Day 5 - INNSBRUCK – VERONA – VENICE
Leave Innsbruck and travel across the impressive Europa Bridge, and cross the Brenner Pass into Italy. Follow the Adige River through spectacular scenery down to the great plain. Visit fascinating Verona, with its first century Roman Arena, maze of elegant squares and, of course, Juliet’s balcony. Now on to glorious Venice, ‘Queen of the Adriatic’.
Hotel: Bellini
Meals: Buffet Breakfast / Dinner
Day 6 - VENICE SIGHTSEEING
Relax on a private launch as it cruises past the island of San Giorgio before alighting at St Mark’s Square. Stroll along the water’s edge to see the Bridge of Sighs which connects the Doges’ Palace with the prisons. It was from here that Casanova made his daring escape! See St Mark’s Basilica and bell tower before watching one of the few remaining craftsmen hand-blow Venetian glass. A visit to Venice would be incomplete without a gondola serenade. Glide along the atmospheric canals exploring the intimate and hidden parts of this unique city while musicians set the mood with traditional songs. Now enjoy free time for your own pursuits.
Meals: Buffet Breakfast
Day 7 - VENICE – LUCERNE
Travel through some of the richest farmland in Europe as you cross northern Italy. Glimpse the beautiful Italian Lake District as you continue into the heart of the Swiss Alps, through St. Gotthard then alongside towering mountains and past rushing torrents, down to scenic Lake Lucerne.
Hotel: Astoria
Meals: Buffet Breakfast
Day 8 - LUCERNE SIGHTSEEING
Walk with your Tour Director to visit the emotive Lion Monument. Then spend time shopping in the traffic-free Old Town, or stroll across the Chapel Bridge to the ornate Jesuit Church. Later, embark on a highlight excursion by cog-wheel train and cable-car to the summit of one of Switzerland’s most famous mountains, Mount Pilatus. Admire the views over the snow-capped Jungfrau and Eiger peaks before returning to Lucerne. This evening, get together with your friends and choose from our selection of restaurants for your dining pleasure.
Meals: Buffet Breakfast / Dine Around
Day 9 - LUCERNE – PARIS
Drive to Basel before crossing the Rhine to enter France. Travel through the wine-growing Burgundy region to Paris, the vibrant heart of French life. This evening enjoy good food, wine and company at an end-of-tour Celebration Dinner in a typical Parisian bistro.
Hotel: Le Méridien Etoile
Meals: Buffet Breakfast / Celebration Dinner
Day 10 - PARIS SIGHTSEEING
Sightseeing with a local guide takes you by Notre Dame Cathedral with its famous tale of Quasimodo. Then visit perhaps the best known art collection in the world. Your guide leads you through the galleries of the Louvre to see the Venus de Milo, Winged Victory, Mona Lisa and many more priceless works amassed over the ages by the Kings of France. Drive now from the Place de la Concorde, down the Champs Élysées to the Arc de Triomphe. Ascend to the viewing platforms of the Eiffel Tower for panoramic vistas over the city. The afternoon is at leisure to enjoy at our own pace.
Meals: Buffet Breakfast
Day 11 - PARIS – LONDON
Cross the World War One battlefields of the Somme to arrive at the port of Calais for your return Channel crossing to England. After a short drive through the pretty Kent countryside, the tour ends in London.
Meals: Buffet Breakfast