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Europe

Italian Splendors - 11 days

Highlights

London, Black Forest, Switzerland,Milan, Venice Rome, Florence, Pisa, Geneva, Paris, 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 – Nancy
This morning, at the check-in point, you will meet your Tour Manager and join the coach for a leisurely drive from London to Dover port, to board the ferry for the short channel crossing to Calais. Upon arrival, we join the super fast highways of France. Late evening we reach our overnight stop and check into our hotel. (B, D)

Day 3    Nancy – Black Forest – Rhine Falls - Switzerland
Depart this morning for Germany. Joining the Autobahn we enter into the enchanting Black Forest region, where you will marvel at the timeless serenity and unparalleled scenery around you. Our first stop is at scenic Lake Titisee where you have time to shop for cuckoo clocks. Continuing our drive, we pass through small idyllic villages before crossing the Swiss border. We stop at Schaffhausen to visit the majestic Rhine Falls. Later we check into our hotel for a two-nights stay. (B, L, D)

Day 4    Switzerland: Interlaken – Mount Titlis – Lucerne
Today we first drive to the town of Interlaken, the scene of many “Bollywood” films. Continuing our journey, we drive through the Swiss alpine region and the winding mountain roads to the valley of Engelberg, where 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. Late 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 5    Switzerland – Milan – Vicenza / Venice area
Early morning we depart for Italy. Driving south through the Gotthard tunnel, we pass spectacular scenery around the lake regions of Lugano and Como. Crossing the Italian border, we continue on the Autostrada, to the financial capital of Italy, Milan, where you have free time to explore the historic centre of the city. Arrive at our hotel late evening and check in. (B, L, D)

Day 6    Vicenza / Venice area – Venice – Arezzo
Depart this morning for 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 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. Late afternoon we depart across the Appennines and the gentle hilly countryside of Tuscany to reach Arezzo. On arrival, 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 – Florence – Pisa - Genova area
Joining the Autostrada, we first visit Florence. On arrival in the city of the Medicis, we proceed to Piazzale Michelangelo, to enjoy one of the best views of this renaissance city across the River Arno. Later you have free time to explore the historic center of the city, where traffic is banned, admiring its timeless beauty. We then proceed to Pisa, where you can marvel at one of the wonders of the world, the legendary Leaning Tower, and also the Square of Miracles. Arrive at our hotel late evening and check in. (B, L, D)

Day 9    Genova area – Geneva
This morning, we continue our journey north, passing the Piedmont region of Italy, where you can admire the grand scenery and old towns perched high on the hills. We enter Switzerland and proceed to Geneva, Switzerland’s truly international city and home to many international organizations. On our panoramic tour, we will see the main sights: UN buildings, English gardens, the Flower Clock and the Jet d’eau (weather permitting). Late evening we check into our hotel for an overnight stay. (B, L, D)

Day 10    Geneva – Paris
Early morning we leave Geneva and join the super fast highways of France, 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. On arrival, we proceed on our orientation tour of Paris, where we will be introduced to the main sights of this beautiful city: Arc de Triomphe, Champs Elysees, Place de la Concorde, and the Opera. Later we check into our hotel. Finally join us for an exciting optional Lido cabaret show. (B, L, D)

Day 11    Paris – Calais - Ferry – Dover – London
This morning we visit the top floor of the Eiffel Tower to witness a spectacular panoramic view of the city. Next we proceed for a cruise on the River Seine - admire the spectacular facades from the boat. Later we visit a French perfumery for some last minute shopping. Early afternoon 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 late evening, where the tour ends, and its time to say farewell to all the friends you have made on tour. (B, L)