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Day 1 London – Amsterdam
Greetings from our Tour Director as we drive to Dover. Admire the White
Cliffs on our Channel crossing to Calais in France. We drive through
Belgium en route to lively Amsterdam, where we our introduced to the
city with a canal cruise in a glass-topped boat. Tonight enjoy a welcome
drink with your fellow passengers. (D)
 Day
2 Amsterdam – Cologne – Rhine Cruise – Rhineland
A morning visit to a diamond-polishing factory before an orientation
shows us the Mint Tower and Dam Square. Next we head into Germany, past
Arnhem, stopping at Cologne to see its gothic Cathedral. Then we travel
via Bonn to Boppard for our Rhine cruise past castles and vineyards
to St. Goar. Finally, on to our hotel in Rhineland. (BB D)
Day 3 Rhineland – Heidelberg
– Strasbourg – Engelberg (2)
First we drive to Heidelberg Castle, before arriving in medieval Strasbourg.
Here an orientation tour shows us the Cathedral. Then we enjoy a scenic
drive through Alsace vineyards to the Swiss border at Basel and the
resort of Engelberg for two nights. (BB D)
Day 4 Lucerne Excursion
We drive to nearby Lucerne where orientation of this medieval town includes
a visit to the Lion Monument, built in memory of Louis XVI's Swiss Guard
and the Chapel Bridge. Later, there's time perhaps to scale a Swiss
mountain by cable car and shop for delicious chocolates! (BB D)
Day 5 Engelberg – Liechtenstein
– Innsbruck
Today we pass the Walensee to Liechtenstein, stopping in the capital
– Vaduz – of this small principality. Then we cross the border
into Austria and follow the Arlberg route into the Tyrol and Innsbruck.
An orientation highlights the legacy of the one-time Hapsburg rulers.
(BB D)
Day 6 Innsbruck – Venice (Mestre)
(2)
Today we drive to the 620 foot-high Europa Bridge and Brenner Pass into
Italy. Next, we travel through the foothills of the Dolomites to magical
Venice. Tonight after dinner, why not enjoy a gondola serenade? (BB
D)
Day 7 Venice sightseeing and at
leisure
We discover this Byzantine city on an included canal cruise by private
motor launch to St. Mark's Square. We'll view the Bridge of Sighs and
the Doges' Palace before visiting a glass-blowing factory. Then free
time to shop or perhaps cruise to Burano for a fresh seafood lunch.
(BB D)
Day 8 Venice (Mestre) – Rome
(2)
Today we leave the plains of the Veneto and drive into the Apennine
hills past Bologna, into Tuscany and Umbria. Soon we are in the Latium
en route to Rome, the 'Eternal City'. Tonight, why not experience a
little of 'La Dolce Vita'? (BB)
Day 9 Rome sightseeing and at leisure
Today's sightseeing with a local guide includes a visit to St. Peter's
Basilica where we see Michelangelo's Pieta, spectacular views of the
Colosseum, a stop at the Forum, plus a photo-stop at the Circus Maximus
where the chariot race in 'Ben Hur' is said to have taken place. Then
perhaps visit the Sistine Chapel or relax over a long and lazy lunch!
(BB)
Day 10 Rome – Isle of Capri
– Sorrento
An early start through the vineyards of Frascati and into the province
of Campania. We reach Naples and embark on our cruise to the Isle of
Capri. Here we ascend to Capri town by funicular and stop at the Piazzetta
before free time. We also visit some of the gardens and view the Faraglioni
Rocks. Then we take our ferry to Sorrento – a clifftop summer resort
for the night. (BB D)
Day 11 Sorrento – Pompeii –
Assisi
Off to Pompeii where we visit the excavations with a local guide. Then
past the Abbey of Monte Cassino we reach the hills of the Umbria and
Assisi, St. Francis' town. We dine at our hotel. (BB D)
Day 12 Assisi – Florence
A morning orientation shows us the Basilica of St. Francis with its
frescoes by Giotto. Next we're off to Florence via the lake of Trasimeno.
On arrival sightseeing on foot with a local guide features the Duomo,
Piazza Signoria and a visit to the Basilica of Santa Croce. See how
leather is embossed with gold, with time to shop for leather and gold.
We also make a stop at Piazzale Michelangelo, for breathtaking views
of this Renaissance city. (BB)
Day 13 Florence – Pisa –
Nice (2) – Monte Carlo Excursion
Our first stop is at Pisa to see its Leaning Tower. Then we will pass
the quarries of Carrara and drive along the Motorway of Flowers via
Genoa, Columbus' birthplace, to jet-set Nice. Later, we sample the high
life on a visit to the Principality of Monaco where we see the Monte
Carlo Casino before we enjoy dinner in a French restaurant. (BB) (HD)
Day 14 Nice – Côte d'Azur
Excursion
We start the day with a drive along sparkling shores to fashionable
Cannes. We continue into the hills, stopping at the medieval town of
St. Paul de Vence. Then we visit a local perfumery before returning
to Nice. (BB)
Day 15 Nice – Avignon –
Lyon
Today along the coastline through Provence to Avignon. Here orientation
includes the Papal Palace and St. Benezet Bridge. Then we head to Lyon,
ancient capital of Gaul. (BB D)
Day 16 Lyon – Beaune –
Paris (2)
We drive along the Rhône Valley on our way to charming Beaune.
From here we travel through the wine-producing Burgundy region to Paris
for two nights. (BB)
Day 17 Paris sightseeing and at
leisure
Today's guided sightseeing tour features a drive along the Champs Elysées
from the Place de la Concorde to the Arc de Triomphe, the ascent of
the Eiffel Tower to the second level by elevator and a scenic Seine
cruise featuring such highlights as Notre Dame Cathedral with its flying
buttresses and the ornate Alexander III bridge. This evening, why not
celebrate with your fellow travelling companions and take in an exciting
Parisian cabaret? (BB)
Day 18 Paris – London
It's 'au revoir' to Paris as we cross Northern France via the Canadian
War Memorial at Vimy Ridge. We continue past the remains of German World
War II bunkers en route to Calais. Here we board our ferry to Dover
and continue by coach back to London. (BB)
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