Itinerary

Day 1:
Thu. BOARD YOUR OVERNIGHT TRANSATLANTIC FLIGHT.

Day 2:
Fri. ARRIVAL IN LONDON, ENGLAND. Check into your hotel. In the afternoon you may want to start exploring the lively British capital. Uniformed Hosts are available to help you make the most of your stay.

Day 3:
Sat. LONDON-BRUSSELS, BELGIUM. Leave London in the early morning and head through the lush English countryside to the Channel port, where you board your ferry for the Continent. Here your Tour Director and comfortable coach wait to take you to Brussels. (B)

Day 4:
Sun. BRUSSELS-THE RHINELAND, GERMANY-WÜRZBURG. Start the day by traveling south into Germany to reach the shores of the mighty Rhine to enjoy a scenic drive. Even better, opt for a Rhine cruise. Admire the pretty villages, the castles perched high above the river, and the numerous terraced vineyards. Next, to Würzburg on the banks of the River Main and famous for its baroque architecture. Overnight in Würzburg, one of Bavaria''s many famous cities. (B,D)

Day 5:
Mon. WÜRZBURG-ROMANTIC ROAD-ROTHENBURG-NEUSCHWANSTEIN CASTLE-INNSBRUCK, AUSTRIA. Drive along the Romantic Road, through villages protected by medieval tower gates and with squares of half-timbered houses and richly decorated fountains. Stop awhile to visit the picturesque town of Rothenburg. Travel into southern Bavaria for an included visit to the legendary Castle of Neuschwanstein. Just a few more miles into Austria for an overnight in Innsbruck. (B,D)

Day 6:
Tue. INNSBRUCK-ST. MORITZ, SWITZERLAND. A magnificent drive this morning through Austrian and Swiss grand Alpine scenery. South into Switzerland’s lower Engadine Valley and past the Swiss National Park to the world-famous resort of St. Moritz. Plenty of time to enjoy the sight of the great mountain peaks and the blue water lake just below the town. Take a stroll and let it all sink in. (B)

Day 7:
Wed. ST. MORITZ-BERNINA EXPRESS TRAIN TO ITALY-LUGANO, SWITZERLAND. Enjoy the highlight of the whole tour and a wonderful way of crossing the Alps. One of Europe’s most spectacular train rides begins in St. Moritz and takes you across lofty Bernina Pass via the Swiss Poschiavo area to Tirano in the Italian Valtellina. Here rejoin your coach for the journey to the shores of Lake Como and then Lugano, where you’ll overnight. (B)

Day 8:
Thu. LUGANO-LAKE LUCERNE. Another lovely journey today through the valleys of the Canton Ticino, through the Gotthard Tunnel, and into more magnificent Alpine scenery as you descend to the shores of Lake Lucerne. This afternoon, visit one of Switzerland’s finest cities, nestled amid its snow-capped 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. A grand selection of optional activities completes the day: a funicular and cable car ride to the 6,227-foot summit of the Stanserhorn, a cruise on the fjord-like lake, and, of course, time to shop for that very Swiss watch. (B,D)

Day 9:
Fri. LAKE LUCERNE-INTERLAKEN-GRUYÈRE-GENEVA AREA. A day packed with a variety of scenery and places to visit. First to Interlaken, a vacationer’s dream. It’s all picture postcard perfect, lying beneath the towering Jungfrau and between two sparkling lakes. Motor along the shores of Lake Thun, then on to the small but lovely village of Gruyère with only a few more miles before reaching Switzerland’s most international city, Geneva. Overnight in this area. (B,D)

Day 10:
Sat. GENEVA AREA-BEAUNE, FRANCE-PARIS. Vistas of famous vineyards on the way to Beaune. Visit the medieval Burgundian town, known the world over for its wine production. Later, via the fast and comfortable autoroute to Paris. Tonight maybe an optional cabaret show? (B)

Day 11:
Sun. PARIS. One full day to explore the city that’s known throughout the world for its fashions, art and museums, delicious food and joie de vivre. Included sightseeing with a local expert of many of the best-known Parisian sights: La Sorbonne, Arc de Triomphe, Opéra, Madeleine, the Eiffel Tower, the Pyramid near the Louvre, the Invalides, and Champs Elysées. Optional excursions are also available to the Palace and Gardens of Versailles and, to celebrate the success of your tour, a French farewell dinner might be just the ticket. (B)

Day 12:
Mon. YOUR HOMEBOUND FLIGHT FROM PARIS ARRIVES THE SAME DAY. (B)

Dates & Prices

Visits to Würzburg, Rothenburg, Neuschwanstein Castle*, St. Moritz, Lucerne, Interlaken, Gruyére Village, Geneva, Beaune

*entrance fee included
 

Itinerary

Day 1:
Sat. BOARD YOUR OVERNIGHT TRANSATLANTIC FLIGHT.

Day 2:
Sun. ARRIVAL IN 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.

Day 3:
Mon. ROME. Included sightseeing with a Local Guide starts in St. Peter’s Square, followed by a visit to the Roman Forum and the mighty Colosseum. (B)

Day 4:
Tue. 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 the Florence area. (B)

Day 5:
Wed. 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 to Paradise.” In the afternoon drive north across the River Po into the Plains of Venetia for two overnights in the Venice area. (B)

Day 6:
Thu. VENICE. 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 included tour starts with a boat ride and is followed by a visit to St. Mark’s Basilica and a chance to watch Venetian glassblowers fashion their delicate objects as they did centuries ago. Don’t miss out on the optional gondola trip, gliding along the picturesque canals with a local troubadour to serenade you. (B,D)

Day 7:
Fri. 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,D)

Day 8:
Sat. INNSBRUCK-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)

Day 9:
Sun. LUCERNE. One of Switzerland’s finest cities nestled amid its snow-capped 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. A grand selection of optional activities completes the day: a cable car ride to the 10,000-foot summit of Mount Titlis; a cruise on the fjord-like lake; and, of course, time to shop for that very Swiss watch. (B,D)

Day 10:
Mon. LUCERNE-PARIS, FRANCE. Vistas of green pastures and attractive chalets with rustic timbering and luxuriant flowers. Then into France on the fast and comfortable highway past some of its most famous vineyards to Paris. Arrive in time to enjoy the optional cabaret show. (B)

Day 11:
Tue. 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 expert of many of the best-known Parisian sights: La Sorbonne, Arc de Triomphe, Opéra, Madeleine, the Eiffel Tower, the Pyramid near the Louvre, the Invalides, and Champs Elysées. Optional excursions are also available to the Palace and Gardens of Versailles and, to celebrate the success of your tour, a French farewell dinner might be just the ticket. (B)

Day 12:
Wed. 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 return to London for an evening arrival. (B)

Day 13:
Thu. YOUR HOMEBOUND FLIGHT ARRIVES THE SAME DAY. (B)

Dates & Prices

Visits to Pisa, Cortina D’Ampezzo, Innsbruck, Vaduz, Lucerne
 

Itinerary

Day 1:
Tue. BOARD YOUR OVERNIGHT TRANSATLANTIC FLIGHT.

Day 2:
Wed. ARRIVAL IN LONDON, ENGLAND. Check into your hotel. In the afternoon you may want to start exploring the lively British capital. Uniformed Hosts are available to help you make the most of your stay.

Day 3:
Thu. LONDON. A full day to savor our rich program of optional activities: take a panoramic tour of London’s landmarks, visit the Tower of London, or choose an excursion to Windsor Castle. Tonight maybe a leisurely cruise on the River Thames? (B)

Day 4:
Fri. LONDON-PARIS, FRANCE. Leave London in the early morning and head through the lush English countryside to the Channel port, where you board your ferry for the Continent. Here you’ll be met by your Tour Director and luxury coach. Drive through the French countryside by way of the fast autoroute, arriving in Paris in time to enjoy your first evening here. (B)

Day 5:
Sat. PARIS. One full day to explore the city that’s known throughout the world for its fashions, art and museums, delicious food, and joie de vivre. Included sightseeing with a local expert of many of the best-known Parisian sights: La Sorbonne, Arc de Triomphe, Opéra, Madeleine, the Eiffel Tower, the Pyramid near the Louvre, the Invalides, and Champs Elysées. Optional excursions are also available to the Palace and Gardens of Versailles. This evening why not join an optional welcome dinner. (B)

Day 6:
Sun. PARIS-LAKE LUCERNE, SWITZERLAND. Fascinating, ever-changing scenery today. Views of Fontainebleau Forest, the wine-growing area of Burgundy, then prosperous farms and tidy half-timbered villages as you head through the Alpine heart of Switzerland to picture-book Lake Lucerne. (B,D)

Day 7:
Mon. LUCERNE. Enjoy one of Switzerland’s finest cities, nestled amid its snow-capped Alps, surrounded by its lake, and embellished by the clear mountain waters of the River Reuss. Your sightseeing focuses on 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. A grand selection of optional activities completes the day: a cable car ride to the 10,000-foot summit of Mount Titlis, a cruise on the fjord-like lake, a typical Swiss folklore evening, and, of course, time to shop for that very Swiss watch. (B)

Day 8:
Tue. LAKE LUCERNE-LUGANO-VENICE AREA, ITALY. More wonderful Alpine scenery as you drive into the mountain ranges that surround the massive St. Gotthard. Once through its great tunnel, you’ll start your scenic descent into the warmer and sunnier ambiance of the Canton Ticino. Stop in beautiful Lugano and take a stroll along the lakeside promenade. In the afternoon, cross into Italy and drive through the Lombardy plains on to Verona for a stop to see Juliet’s balcony. Overnight in the Venice area. (B)

Day 9:
Wed. VENICE. Venice is more like a marvelous film set than a real live city, with criss-crossing canals, gondolas and water buses, arched bridges, palaces, and little quiet piazzas. The included tour starts with a boat ride and is followed by a visit to St. Mark’s Basilica and a chance to watch Venetian glassblowers fashion their delicate objects as they did centuries ago. Don’t miss out on the optional gondola trip, gliding along the picturesque canals with a local troubadour to serenade you. (B,D)

Day 10:
Thu. VENICE AREA-FLORENCE AREA. Start the day by journeying south across the Apennines into the gentle and hilly countryside of Tuscany, to Florence for an included walking tour with a Local Guide. (B,D)

Day 11:
Fri. FLORENCE AREA-PISA-ROME. Traffic is banned in part of the historic center so visitors can wander at leisure and admire this Renaissance gem and city of the Medicis. Later, stop in Pisa to see the famed Square of Miracles and view the Leaning Tower. Then journey south to Rome. Tonight an optional evening drive through the city, a floodlit spectacular of shimmering fountains, magnificent churches and piazzas, followed by dinner. (B)

Day 12:
Sat. ROME. Included sightseeing with a Local Guide starts in St. Peter’s Square, followed by a visit to the Roman Forum and the mighty Colosseum. (B)

Day 13:
Sun. YOUR HOMEBOUND FLIGHT ARRIVES THE SAME DAY. (B)

Dates & Prices

Visits to Lucerne, Lugano, Verona, Pisa
 

Itinerary

Day 1:
BOARD YOUR OVERNIGHT TRANSATLANTIC FLIGHT.

Day 2:
ARRIVAL IN LONDON, ENGLAND. Check into your hotel. In the afternoon you may want to start exploring the lively British capital. Uniformed Hosts are available to help you make the most of your stay.

Day 3:
LONDON. A full day to savor our rich program of optional activities: take a panoramic tour of London’s landmarks, visit the Tower of London, or choose an excursion to Windsor Castle. Tonight maybe a leisurely cruise on the River Thames? (B)

Day 4:
LONDON-BRUSSELS, BELGIUM. Leave London in the early morning and head through the lush English countryside to the Channel port, where you board your ferry for the Continent. Here your Tour Director and luxury coach meet you and you’re off across Belgium to Brussels. (B)

Day 5:
BRUSSELS-LUXEMBOURG-LUCERNE, SWITZERLAND. Enjoy ever-changing scenery on your southbound drive: see the Duchy of Luxembourg; then through fertile French farmlands southwards, bypassing Strasbourg to the vineyards of Alsace on the way to the Swiss border near Basel. Finally, pass the foothills of the Alps as you approach Lake Lucerne. (B,D)

Day 6:
LUCERNE-INNSBRUCK AREA, AUSTRIA. This morning take advantage of the Lucerne walking orientation and maybe join the optional excursion to Mount Titlis. Later, head for the tiny but very wealthy Principality of Liechtenstein. To the east lie the picture-perfect villages of Austria’s Voralberg, and once you’re through the Arlberg Tunnel, the scenic splendor of the Inn Valley. Overnight in the Innsbruck area with time to see its Golden Roof. (B,D)

Day 7:
INNSBRUCK AREA-VENICE AREA, ITALY. Early morning departure via the Austrian and Italian Tyrol to the unique floating city of Venice. This afternoon’s sightseeing includes a boat ride followed by a visit to St. Mark’s Basilica and a chance to watch Venetian glassblowers fashion their delicate objects as they did centuries ago. Don’t miss out on the optional gondola trip, gliding along the picturesque canals with a local troubadour to serenade you. (B,D)

Day 8:
VENICE AREA-ASSISI-ROME. An interesting drive southward, cutting across the Po Delta, then through the gentle Umbrian hills to Assisi, where St. Francis was born in 1182. Visit the world-famous Basilica with its beautiful frescos by Giotto, then head for Rome. (B)

Day 9:
ROME. The "Eternal City"—a city steeped in history, vibrantly alive and exciting and absolutely unique! Included sightseeing with a Local Guide starts in St. Peter’s Square, followed by a visit to the Roman Forum and the mighty Colosseum. (B)

Day 10:
ROME-FLORENCE AREA. An easy drive this morning on the Highway of the Sun to Florence. This Renaissance gem and city of the Medicis will keep you enthralled for a whole day. 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 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 to Paradise.” (B)

Day 11:
FLORENCE AREA-PISA-FRENCH RIVIERA, FRANCE. Stop in Pisa to see the Leaning Tower and the Square of Miracles. Bypassing the great port of Genoa, you drive northwest, getting glimpses of the Italian and French Rivieras. Visit one of the famous Provencal perfume workshops before reaching your overnight destination on the lovely French Riviera. (B)

Day 12:
FRENCH RIVIERA-LYON. Take the opportunity today to enjoy all the amenities of the French Riviera, rightly known as one of Europe’s loveliest regions. In the afternoon, your coach takes the inland road, crossing sun-drenched Provence into the vineyards of the Rhône Valley. Overnight in Lyon. (B,D)

Day 13:
LYON-BEAUNE-PARIS. Drive through the neat vineyards and fields of Burgundy to visit Beaune, famous for wines such as Chambertin and Nuits St. Georges. Its Hotel-Dieu is one of the oldest hospitals in Europe. Head for the final excitement of Paris, the most sparkling city in the world. Time to enjoy an optional cabaret show. (B)

Day 14:
PARIS. One full day to explore the city that’s known throughout the world for its fashions, art and museums, delicious food, and joie de vivre. Included sightseeing with a local expert of many of the best-known Parisian sights: La Sorbonne, Arc de Triomphe, Opéra, Madeleine, the Eiffel Tower, the Pyramid near the Louvre, the Invalides, and Champs Elysées. Optional excursions are also available to the Palace and Gardens of Versailles and, to celebrate the success of your tour, a French farewell dinner might be just the ticket. (B)

Day 15:
YOUR HOMEBOUND FLIGHT FROM PARIS ARRIVES THE SAME DAY. (B)

Dates & Prices