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Europe’s Best
Italy, Austria, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, France, England
Tour 5990 – 14 days at $2,458
Itinerary
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DAY 1 – ROME, ITALY.
Check into your hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to explore this ancient capital. Tonight, meet your Tour Director and fellow travelers. (Continental Dinner)
DAY 2 – ROME.
Full day included sightseeing with a Local Guide starts in St. Peter’s Square, followed by a visit to the ROMAN FORUM and the mighty COLOSSEUM. Tour continues with a visit to the VATICAN MUSEUMS and the SISTINE CHAPEL, world famous for Michelangelo’s ceiling paintings and The Last Judgement. (B, Indian Dinner)
Day 3 – ROME–PISA–FLORENCE AREA.
Vistas of undulating hills, austere rows of cypress trees, terraced vineyards, olive groves, and rural villages form the backdrop of your journey through beautiful Tuscany. Take a break in Pisa to see the square of miracles and the amazing Leaning Tower, then on to Florence Area. (B, Continental Dinner)
DAY 4 – FLORENCE AREA–VENICE AREA.
Traffic is banned in part of the historic center, so visitors can wander at leisure and admire the city’s timeless beauty in relative peace and quiet. Don’t miss out this morning on the included walking tour with a Local Guide that features most of the city highlights. You will see the Piazza Santa Croce; the beautiful Piazza Signoria; the Palazzo Vecchio and its courtyard; the Loggia dei Lanzi; and, to top it all, the Piazza del Duomo and its cathedral with the Giotto Campanile, and the magnificent East Door of the Baptistry known as the "Gate of Paradise." In the afternoon, drive north across the River Po into the Plains of Venetia for two overnights in the Venice area. (B, Indian Dinner)
DAY 5 – VENICE AREA.
Venice is more like a marvelous film set than a real live city, with its criss–crossing canals, gondolas and water buses, arched bridges, palaces, and little quiet piazzas. The orientation tour starts with a boat ride and is followed by a chance to watch VENETIAN GLASSBLOWERS fashion their delicate objects as they did centuries ago. Included GONDOLA RIDE, gliding along the picturesque canals with a local troubadour to serenade you. (B, Continental Dinner)
DAY 6 – VENICE AREA–INNSBRUCK, AUSTRIA.
Journey northwards today from the flat farmlands of the Venetian countryside to the Dolomites surrounding Italy’s most famous winter resort, Cortina. Stop awhile to enjoy the grand scenery. Next, cross the border into Austria to reach Innsbruck for an overnight. (B, Indian Dinner)
DAY 7 – INNSBRUCK–VADUZ, LIECHTENSTEIN–LAKE LUCERNE, SWITZERLAND.
Time this morning to get acquainted with Innsbruck. The orientation tour includes the famous Golden Roof. Later, drive through the valleys and villages of the mountainous Tyrol to the Arlberg tunnel, descending into Switzerland. Stop briefly in Vaduz, Liechtenstein’s capital, before heading for Lake Lucerne. (B, Indian Dinner)
DAY 8 – LAKE LUCERNE.
One of Switzerland’s finest cities nestled amid its snowcapped Alps, surrounded by its lake, and embellished by the clear mountain waters of the River Reuss. Your visit takes in the impressive city walls, a covered Wooden Bridge, ornate patrician houses lining cobblestone streets, and the Lion Monument–a masterful stone sculpture in honor of the heroic Swiss Guard of Louis XVI. Afternoon at leisure with time to shop for that very special Swiss watch. (B, Continental Dinner)
DAY 9 – LAKE LUCERNE.
Full day tour with cable car ride to the 10,000–foot summit of MOUNT TITLIS. (B, Continental Dinner)
DAY 10 – LAKE LUCERNE–PARIS, FRANCE.
Cross the border from Switzerland to France while viewing vistas of green pastures and attractive chalets with rustic timbering and luxuriant flowers. Then into France on the highway, past some of its most famous vineyards, to Paris. Arrive in time to enjoy the optional cabaret show. (B, Indian Dinner)
DAY 11 – PARIS.
Paris holds a special place in the imagination. It’s a city of many facets and famed for its culture, beauty, sophistication, and sparkle. By sitting with a glass of wine in a bistro or sidewalk café, you can absorb the essence of the city and the individualism of its people. The center has wide boulevards and impressive buildings. Included sightseeing with a Local Guide includes an inside visit to gothic NOTRE DAME CATHEDRAL and climb to the 2nd level of EIFFEL TOWER for a view of the fascinating city. Also, see many of the best–known landmarks: La Sorbonne, Arc de Triomphe, Opéra, Madeleine, the Louvre Pyramid, the Invalides, and the Champs Elysées–"the most beautiful avenue in the world." Optional excursions are also available to the Palace and Gardens of Versailles. (B, Continental Dinner)
DAY 12 – PARIS–LONDON, ENGLAND.
Relax and let the countryside whiz by on the road north to the coast, where you board your Channel ferry. Through Kent to London for an evening arrival. (B, Indian Dinner)
Note: The Tour Director will drop the group at Calais to board the ferry. On arrival at Dover, you are transferred to your coach to travel further to London. At London, please note that there is no Tour Director. A local host will be available to help you at the Cosmos London hotel and to take care of your needs.
DAY 13 – LONDON
Morning sightseeing with a Local Guide includes all the famous landmarks: the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben beside the River Thames, Westminster Abbey, Whitehall’s mounted horseguards and the Prime Minister’s Downing Street, Piccadilly Circus, and Buckingham Palace. Highlights are a visit to ST. PAUL’S CATHEDRAL and the ceremonial pageantry of the Changing of the Guard, if held. Afternoon at leisure for optionals. You may want to visit Windsor Castle or the Tower of London with its spectacular Crown Jewels, and tonight a leisurely cruise on the River Thames might be a good way to enjoy this city. (B)
DAY 14 – DEPART LONDON.
The vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
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