Itinerary

Day 1:
(Sat.) Board your overnight transatlantic flight.

Day 2:
Arrival in Rome, Italy. (Sun.) Time to rest or start exploring the Eternal City. At 6 p.m. meet your Tour Director and traveling companions and leave the hotel for a special welcome dinner with wine at one of Rome’s lively restaurants. (D)

Day 3:
Rome. (Mon.) Sightseeing with your Local Guide this morning concentrates on ancient Rome: visit the COLOSSEUM, where gladiators fought, and explore the ROMAN FORUM, where Roman Legions marched in triumph. Balance of the day is free for independent activities and exciting optional excursion possibilities. (BB)

Day 4:
Rome–Florence. (Tue.) This morning is dedicated to religious Rome: follow your Local Guide into the VATICAN MUSEUMS and SISTINE CHAPEL and admire Michelangelo’s work. Next, enter ST. PETER’S BASILICA and SQUARE. In the afternoon enjoy a comfortable drive into Tuscany and arrive in the late afternoon in Florence, cradle of the Renaissance. Evening at leisure. (BB)

Day 5:
Florence–Venice. (Wed.) Sightseeing with a Local Guide starts with a visit to the ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS with Michelangelo’s celebrated David and the magnificent CATHEDRAL. Admire Giotto’s Bell Tower, the Baptistry’s heavy bronze “Gate of Paradise,” and sculpture-studded SIGNORIA SQUARE. Time to explore the many gold and leather shops, then leave for Venice, a powerful magnet for romantics and art lovers. Tonight is your chance to sample Venetian fare. (BB)

Day 6:
Venice. (Thu.) Enter in style by PRIVATE BOAT to meet your Local Guide and visit ST. MARK’S SQUARE, the byzantine BASILICA, lavish DOGES’ PALACE and the BRIDGE OF SIGHS. Also watch skilled GLASSBLOWERS fashion their delicate objects in an age-old traditional manner. Balance of the day is free to wander through the narrow streets or to have a cappuccino at a sidewalk café. Exciting optional outings are available. (BB,D)

Day 7:
Venice–Vienna, Austria. (Fri.) Leave Italy and enter the loveliest part of Austria where Carinthian lakes and resorts, stately Styrian crossroad towns, and scenic Semmering Pass provide the ever changing Alpine backdrop of today’s journey to Vienna, once the center of the mighty Habsburg Empire. (BB)

Day 8:
Vienna. (Sat.) Sightseeing with a Local Guide features vistas of the Prater Park with its giant Ferris wheel, and the United Nations City on the banks of the Danube River. Then drive along Ring Boulevard, pass the State Opera House, the Jewish quarter, and stop at the Hofburg Palace, winter residence of the Austrian Imperial family. Marvel at the impressive courtyards and famous Heldenplatz and visit awesome ST. STEPHEN’S CATHEDRAL. Optional excursions to Schönbrunn Palace as well as to one of Vienna’s many concert halls are available. (BB)

Day 9:
Vienna–Budapest, Hungary. (Sun.) Drive through the Hungarian plains to Budapest, Eastern Europe’s most cosmopolitan city. Afternoon sightseeing with a Local Guide includes elegant Andrassy Avenue, the Thermal Baths, and the world’s second-largest Jewish Synagogue. From the lacy lookout towers of Fishermen’s Bastion enjoy a panoramic view of the sprawling city. Then visit the 13thcentury MATTHIAS CORONATION CHURCH and Heroes’ Square. (BB,D)

Day 10:
Budapest–Bratislava, Slovakia–Prague, Czech Republic. (Mon.) Time this morning for an optional visit to the Parliament before a leisurely departure for Bratislava, the economic and political center of Slovakia. Next, enter Moravia, where Napoleon established his headquarters during the Battle of Austerlitz, and arrive in Prague, the “Golden City.” (BB,D)

Day 11:
Prague. (Tue.) Sightseeing with a Local Guide reveals why Prague is considered one of Europe’s most attractive capitals. See 1,000-year-old HRADCANY CASTLE, ST. VITUS CATHEDRAL, the Old Town, the Jewish ghetto, and the ASTRONOMICAL CLOCK, once the envy of all Europe. Afternoon at leisure. This evening why not join an optional dinner outing? (BB)

Day 12:
Prague–Dresden, Germany–Berlin. (Wed.) Stop in Dresden, the former capital of Saxony. Badly damaged by Allied bombing in February 1945, the city has since been restored to its former baroque splendor. You’ll love the architecture of the Zwinger Palace and Semper Opera! In the afternoon continue to Berlin, the once-divided metropolis. (BB)

Day 13:
Berlin. (Thu.) Morning sightseeing with a Local Guide features the Ku’damm, the restored Reichstag, monumental Brandenburg Gate, Charlottenburg Palace, the 210-foot Victory Column in the vast Tiergarten Park, and a visit to the KAISER WILHELM MEMORIAL CHURCH. Drive along Unter Den Linden Boulevard, and pass the German State Opera House and Checkpoint Charlie. This evening enjoy a farewell dinner to celebrate the success of your vacation. (BB,D)

Day 14:
(Fri.) Your homebound flight arrives the same day. (BB)

Dates & Prices

ROME
Welcome dinner at a local restaurant; guided sightseeing including headsets, visit the Colosseum, Roman Forum, Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica and Square

FLORENCE
Guided sightseeing including headsets, visit Michelangelo’s David, the cathedral, and Signoria Square

VENICE
Private boat-ride; guided sightseeing including headsets, visit St. Mark’s Basilica and Square, Doges’ Palace and the Bridge of Sighs; glassblowers’ demonstration

VIENNA
Guided sightseeing, visit St. Stephen’s Cathedral

BUDAPEST
Guided sightseeing, picture stop at Fishermen’s Bastion; visit Matthias Coronation Church

BRATISLAVA
Afternoon stop

PRAGUE
Guided sightseeing, Astronomical Clock, visit Hradcany Castle and St. Vitus Cathedral

DRESDEN
Orientation

BERLIN
Guided sightseeing, visit Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church; farewell dinner

NOTE
Please check visa requirements with your local consulate(s); responsibility for obtaining visas rests with the traveler.
 

Itinerary

Day 1:
(Fri.) Board your overnight transatlantic flight.

Day 2:
Arrival in Paris, France. (Sat.) The day is free to rest or to start exploring the splendid French capital. At 6 p.m. meet your Tour Director and traveling companions for a special welcome dinner with wine at one of Paris’ fine restaurants. (D)

Day 3:
Paris. (Sun.) Sightseeing with a Local Guide features Arc de Triomphe, Opéra, Madeleine, Louvre, Notre Dame Cathedral, and Champs-Elysées. For a panoramic view take the elevator to the second floor of the EIFFEL TOWER. Afternoon at leisure. An optional afternoon excursion to the Palace of Versailles is available. Tonight a lively cabaret show might just be the ticket. (BB)

Day 4:
Paris–Lucerne, Switzerland. (Mon.) A comfortable ride skirting Fontainebleau Forest and through the vineyards of Burgundy to the Swiss border. Enjoy vistas of the Alps as you arrive in picture-book Lucerne. (BB,D)

Day 5:
Lucerne–Como, Italy. (Tue.) Admire Thorwaldsen’s LION MONUMENT and walk through the Old Town, then cross the famous covered CHAPEL BRIDGE to the Jesuit Church. Why not join an optional excursion to the top of the mountain? In the afternoon, continue on the St. Gotthard highway via Lake Lugano to the Italian border and arrive in Como, beautifully situated on the lake, for your overnight stay. (BB,D)

Day 6:
Como–Pisa–Florence. (Wed.) Past Italy’s commercial capital of Milan reach Pisa where you stop for pictures of its amazing Leaning Tower. Arrive in Florence, cradle of Renaissance art and architecture. Time to explore the many gold and leather shops, then enjoy dinner with Tuscan specialties at a local restaurant. (BB,D)

Day 7:
Florence–Rome. (Thu.) Visit Michelangelo’s celebrated David in the ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS and the magnificent CATHEDRAL with a Local Guide, admire Giotto’s Bell Tower, the Baptistry’s heavy bronze “Gate of Paradise,” and sculpture-studded SIGNORIA SQUARE. Time to shop for Florentine leather goods and gold jewelry. Early afternoon departure for a fast and easy ride on the Highway of the Sun to the Eternal City. (BB)

Day 8:
Rome. (Fri.) Sightseeing with your Local Guide starts with a visit to the VATICAN MUSEUMS and SISTINE CHAPEL, world famous for Michelangelo’s ceiling paintings. Continue to monumental ST. PETER’S SQUARE and BASILICA. Cross the Tiber and visit the COLOSSEUM and the ROMAN FORUM, where Roman Legions marched in triumph. Then time for independent activities and exciting optional excursion possibilities. (BB)

Day 9:
Rome–Assisi–Venice. (Sat.) Morning break in peaceful Assisi. Visit the massive 13th-century BASILICA OF ST. FRANCIS built above the saint’s grave. Next, drive across the Apennine Mountains and through the flat Po area to the Adriatic coast and enter Venice in style by PRIVATE BOAT. (BB)

Day 10:
Venice. (Sun.) Highlights of your walking tour with a Local Guide are ST. MARK’S SQUARE and its basilica, lavish DOGES’ PALACE and the BRIDGE OF SIGHS. Also watch skilled GLASSBLOWERS fashion their delicate objects. Exciting optional activities are available. (BB)

Day 11:
Venice–Innsbruck, Austria–Munich, Germany. (Mon.) Leave Italy on the spectacular Brenner Pass which leads through the barrier of the Tyrolean Alps to Austria. In Innsbruck enjoy a pleasant stroll through quaint medieval lanes to Emperor Maximilian’s GOLDEN ROOF before continuing through the Bavarian Alps to Munich, Germany''s “secret capital.” Your orientation tour features the most famous landmarks: Olympic Stadium, 1,000-foot-high Television Tower, and the 17th-century Nymphenburg Palace. How about a stein of beer at the famous Hofbräuhaus tonight? (BB,D)

Day 12:
Munich–Rothenburg–Rhineland. (Tue.) Drive through the Swabian Jura to Rothenburg for an orientation of this walled town. Enjoy free time before continuing to the Rhineland. (BB,D)

Day 13:
Rhineland–Amsterdam, Holland. (Wed.) This morning''s highlight is a romantic RHINE CRUISE past castle-crested hills, terraced vineyards, and the Lorelei cliff. Then continue to Cologne and visit the awesome twin-spired gothic CATHEDRAL before traveling through the Dutch region best known as the locale of A Bridge Too Far on the way to Amsterdam, capital of Holland. (BB,D)

Day 14:
Amsterdam. (Thu.) A Local Guide shows you the 700-year-old city, and the highlight is a CANAL CRUISE past patrician mansions, gabled façades, and humpback bridges. Time to visit a major DIAMOND CENTER or one of Amsterdam''s famous museums. The afternoon is at leisure, and an optional excursion to Volendam can be arranged. (BB)

Day 15:
(Fri.) Your homebound flight from Amsterdam arrives the same day. (BB)

Dates & Prices

PARIS
Welcome dinner at a local restaurant; guided sightseeing, ascend the Eiffel Tower

LUCERNE
Walking tour including the Lion Monument and the Chapel Bridge

PISA
Picture stop at the Leaning Tower

FLORENCE
Dinner at a local restaurant; guided sightseeing including headsets, visit Michelangelo’s David, the cathedral, and Signoria Square

ROME
Guided sightseeing including headsets, visit the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Square and Basilica, the Colosseum and Roman Forum

ASSISI
Visit St. Francis’ Basilica

VENICE
Private boat ride; guided sightseeing including headsets, visit St. Mark’s Square, Doges'' Palace and the Bridge of Sighs; glassblowers’ demonstration

INNSBRUCK
Orientation including the Golden Roof

MUNICH
Orientation

ROTHENBURG
Orientation of the walled town

RHINE CRUISE

COLOGNE
Visit the cathedral

AMSTERDAM
Guided sightseeing, canal cruise; visit a major diamond center
 

Itinerary

Day 1:
(Sat.) Board your overnight transatlantic flight.

Day 2:
Arrival in London, England. (Sun.) Uniformed Globus Hosts are available to help you make the most of your stay.

Day 3:
London. (Mon.) Sightseeing with a Local Guide includes all the famous landmarks: Knightsbridge with Harrods, the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, 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 free for an optional excursion to the Tower of London. An evening cruise on the River Thames might also be fun. (FB)

Day 4:
London–Paris, France. (Tue.) Meet your Tour Director and traveling companions and transfer to the railway station to board the EUROSTAR TRAIN to Paris, the splendid capital of a beautiful country. Tonight join your Tour Director for a toast to happy touring. (FB)

Day 5:
Paris. (Wed.) Discover the world capital of chic and style with a Local Guide and admire its most famous sights: Arc de Triomphe, Opéra, Madeleine, Louvre, and Champs- Elysées. For a panoramic view take the elevator to the second floor of the EIFFEL TOWER. An optional excursion to the baroque Palace of Versailles is available. Tonight a lively cabaret show might be just the ticket. (BB)

Day 6:
Paris–Montreux, Switzerland. (Thu.) Enjoy a comfortable drive past Fontainebleau Forest and the vineyards of Burgundy. Turn east towards the Swiss Alps and arrive in Montreux, beautifully situated at Lake Geneva, and take a picture of the Festival Hall. (BB,D)

Day 7:
Montreux–Chillon–Zermatt. (Fri.) This morning’s highlight is a guided visit to CHILLON CASTLE. Then continue through the vineyards and apricot groves of the lower Rhône Valley to Täsch, where you board a MOUNTAIN TRAIN to climb the last few miles up to Zermatt, a picturesque cluster of rustic chalets beneath the Matterhorn. (BB,D)

Day 8:
At Leisure in Zermatt. (Sat.) Full day at leisure to explore the town on your own, or to join an exciting optional ride on Europe’s highest rackrailway to 10,272-foot Gornergrat for a closer view of the Matterhorn. Tonight is your chance to try out local specialties. (BB)

Day 9:
Zermatt–Lake Maggiore, Italy. (Sun.) A spectacular drive across the lofty Simplon Pass to Lake Maggiore. Upon arrival stop in the elegant town of Stresa to explore its little streets before checking into your lakeside hotel. (BB,D)

Day 10:
Lake Maggiore–Venice. (Mon.) In the morning an optional excursion is available to the enchanting Isola Bella. Then a fast drive past Milan to Venice, a glittering maze of islands, canals, and bridges. Enter in style by PRIVATE BOAT. (BB)

Day 11:
Venice. (Tue.) Follow your Local Guide to ST. MARK’S SQUARE and the byzantine BASILICA, lavish DOGES’ PALACE and the BRIDGE OF SIGHS. Also watch skilled GLASSBLOWERS fashion their delicate objects in an age-old traditional manner. Then enjoy Venice at your own pace or join an optional gondola ride. (BB)

Day 12:
Venice–Florence. (Wed.) Through the Apennine Hills to Tuscany. In Florence, follow your Local Guide to visit the ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS with Michelangelo''s celebrated David, the magnificent CATHEDRAL, Giotto’s Bell Tower, the Baptistry’s heavy bronze “Gate of Paradise,” and sculpture-studded SIGNORIA SQUARE. Time to shop for Florentine leather goods and gold jewelry. (BB,D)

Day 13:
Florence–Rome. (Thu.) Morning drive to the Eternal City. Upon arrival meet your Local Guide and visit the COLOSSEUM and the ROMAN FORUM, where Roman Legions marched in triumph. (BB)

Day 14:
Rome. (Fri.) Early morning guided visit to the VATICAN MUSEUMS and SISTINE CHAPEL, world famous for Michelangelo’s ceiling paintings and The Last Judgement. Continue to monumental ST. PETER’S SQUARE and BASILICA. Afternoon and evening at leisure. Tonight, why not join an optional farewell dinner with local specialties and wine at one of Rome’s fine restaurants? (BB)

Day 15:
(Sat.) Your homebound flight arrives the same day. (BB)

Dates & Prices

LONDON
Guided sightseeing, visit St. Paul’s Cathedral and see the Changing of the Guard, if held

LONDON-PARIS
By Eurostar train

PARIS
Welcome drink; guided sightseeing, ascend the Eiffel Tower

MONTREUX
Picture stop at the Festival Hall

CHILLON
Guided visit of the castle

TÄSCH-ZERMATT-TÄSCH
Mountain train

VENICE
Private boat ride; guided sightseeing including headsets, visit St. Mark’s Square and Basilica, Doges’ Palace and the Bridge of Sighs; glassblowers’ demonstration

FLORENCE
Guided sightseeing including headsets, visit Michelangelo’s David, the cathedral, and Signoria Square

ROME
Guided sightseeing including headsets, visit the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Square and Basilica, the Colosseum and Roman Forum