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Europe

Classic Tour of Europe - 15 days

Highlights

London, Netherlands, Paris, Brussels, Paris, Amsterdam, Cologne, Rhine Valley, Rhine Valley, Innsbruck, Venice, Florence, Rome, Milan, Switzerland, Pisa, Channel Crossings

Itinerary

Day 1    London
Today, check in at your Heathrow Airport / Wembley area hotel on your own. Early afternoon, you will meet your Tour Manager and depart for a half-day sightseeing tour of London. First, we visit Madame Tussauds, where you can marvel at Amitabh Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai, and many others. Continuing on with our tour we see the main sights: Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Houses of Parliament and Tower Bridge. Later marvel at the Swaminarayan Temple. Late evening return to your hotel.

Day 2    London – Dover - Ferry – Calais - Amsterdam Sightseeing
Early morning, board your coach for a leisurely drive from London to Dover port, to board the ferry for the short channel crossing to Calais. Upon arrival, proceed through Belgium to Amsterdam. En route you will see countryside and also the iconic windmills of Holland. Visit a cheese and clog making farm, and learn more about the process from the experts. Later enjoy a canal cruise in Amsterdam, one of the best ways to explore the city. (B, D)

Day 3    The Netherlands - Rhine Cruise - Mannheim / Frankfurt area
Today we proceed east across The Netherlands and into Germany. We drive into the Rhine valley, where we board a cruise ship for an unforgettable trip along the River Rhine, which traverses through four countries. Admire the majestic views, mountain top fairy tale castles and fortresses from a bygone era. Late evening check into our hotel for an overnight stay. (B, L, D)

Day 4    Mannheim / Frankfurt area – Innsbruck
Depart this morning for Austria. Our journey takes us through the spectacular region of the Bavarian Alps, arriving at Wattens, where we visit the famous Swarovski Crystal Worlds Shop displaying a unique selection of Swarovski products. We then proceed to Innsbruck, the capital of the Tyrol region. Enjoy this charming town of green domes and red roofs - see the Hofburg and the Goldenes Dachl. Late evening check into our hotel. (B, L, D)

Day 5   Innsbruck- Venice / Mestre area
This morning we enjoy spectacular scenery as we drive across Europabrucke, one of Europe’s highest bridges, winding our way through the Brenner pass to cross the Italian border. We leave behind the mountains for sunny Italy, to visit Venice, the city of unparalleled beauty and romantic gondolas. Our tour starts with a boat ride to St. Mark’s Square – the most elegant square in the world, to see the Bridge of Sighs, the Doges Palace and the Basilica di San Marco. Here we also have a chance to watch the Venetian glass blowers at work and maybe buy a souvenir for the family. Later we check into our hotel. (B, L, D)

Day 6    Mestre area – Florence - Arezzo
Today we depart for Florence. Watch the amazing scenery change as we cross the Appennines and the gentle hilly countryside of Tuscany to reach Florence. On arrival in the city of the Medicis, we will visit Piazzale Michelangelo to enjoy one of the best views of this renaissance city across the River Arno. Later you have free time to wander around this city, where traffic is banned from the historic centre, admiring its timeless beauty. Later we check into our hotel for a two-nights stay. (B, L, D)

Day 7    Arezzo – Rome – Arezzo
Passing sunlit valleys of the Chianti wine country and ancient fortresses perched high on the hills, we reach the ‘Eternal City’. On arrival, we meet our expert local guide who will show us the splendours of the Vatican Museums, including the Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica, a renaissance masterpiece. In the afternoon, we take in other ancient sights - the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, which was the political centre of the Roman Empire, and the spectacular Trevi Fountain, where you may make a wish. Late evening return to our hotel. (B, L, D)

Day 8    Arezzo – Pisa – Zurich area
Joining the Autostrada, we first visit Pisa where you can marvel at one of the wonders of the world, the legendary Leaning Tower and also the Square of Miracles. Continuing our journey north, we enter into Switzerland. Late evening check into our hotel for a three-nights stay. (B, L, D)

Day 9   Switzerland: Interlaken – Jungfraujoch
We first drive to the town of Interlaken, the scene of many “Bollywood” films. From there a short drive brings us to Lauterbrunnen, where we board the train for the scenic journey to Jungfraujoch – Top of Europe, the highest railway station in Europe at 3,454 metres (weather permitting). Visit the Ice Palace with ice sculptures or enjoy the panoramic views from the Sphinx Terrace. Early evening we begin our descent and return to our hotel. (B, L, D)

Day 10    Switzerland: Mount Titlis - Lucerne
Driving through the Swiss alpine region and the winding mountain roads to the valley of Engelberg, we start our ascent to board the world’s first revolving cable car, reaching the peak of 10,000 feet and the highest viewpoint in central Switzerland (weather permitting). Visit the Glacier Grotto or enjoy a breathtaking panorama from the sun terrace. In the afternoon, we begin our descent, passing the glaciers and thawing ice, which create majestic waterfalls. Later we visit the town of Lucerne, to see the Chapel Bridge and the Lion Monument. Late evening return to our hotel. (B, L, D)

Day 11    Zurich area - Paris
Early morning we leave the Swiss Alps behind us. Once into France, we join the super fast highways, driving past vineyards and mustard fields. Continue onto Paris, one of the most exciting and popular cities of Europe, renowned for it’s fashion, perfumes, and of course the most talked about French wines. Early evening we check into our hotel, later we proceed for dinner. (B, L, D)

Day 12    Paris
Today we visit the top floor of the Eiffel Tower to witness a spectacular panoramic view of the city. Later enjoy a cruise on the River Seine - admire the spectacular facades from the boat. This afternoon, on our orientation tour of Paris, we will be introduced to the main sights of this beautiful city: Arc de Triomphe, Champs Elysees, Place de la Concorde, and the Opera. Next we visit a French perfumery for some shopping. Finally join us for an exciting (optional) Lido cabaret show. (B, L, D)

Day 13    Paris – Calais - Ferry – Dover – London
Today after breakfast, we depart and journey north for Calais to board the ferry for the return channel crossing. On arrival at Dover port, we board our local coach and arrive London, where the tour ends, and its time to say farewell to all the friends you have made on tour. (B)