Essentials Inclusions

Superior Touring

• Arrival & departure transfers between the airport & your Insight London hotel (see savings page).
• Comfortable Moderate First Class & First Class hotels specially selected for each departure.
• Luxury, air-conditioned touring coachwith 49 reclining seats.
• Hotel service charges, taxes & porterage.
• Insight Traveller document wallet, map book journal and information pack.
• Cross channel transportation by modern ferry.

Professional Service

• Experienced services of a professional multi-lingual Tour Director.
• Qualified local city guides on major city sightseeing tours.
• Helpful staff on hand at our London Service Centre to assist you with sightseeing, theatre tickets etc.

More Included Meals

• 16 Breakfasts (B) 6 three course evening meals (D)

Highlights & Sightseeing

• Guided tours of London, Vienna, Rome and Paris;
• Orientation tours of Amsterdam, Cologne, Heidelberg, Innsbruck, Venice and Lucerne

England

• See the sights of London including Big Ben

Holland

• See Dam Square & the Royal Palace, Amsterdam
• Visit a diamond-polishing factory

Germany

• View Cologne Cathedral
• Relax on a Rhine cruise
• See the Loreley Rock
• Visit Heidelberg & view the Castle
• Bavarian Alpine drive
• See King Ludwig’s castle of Neuschwanstein

Austria

• See the Golden Roof Imperial Palace & Wilten Basilica, Innsbruck
• Scenic drive through the Salzkammergut region
• See the ‘Sound of Music’ wedding scene church, Mondsee
• In Vienna see the Hofburg, St. Charles’ Church, City Hall & Statue of Strauss
• Drive through Carinthia’s Lake District

Italy

• Cruise to St. Mark’s Square by private launch & see the Bridge of Sighs & Basilica
• Demonstration of Venetian glass-blowing
• See the Forum & Colosseum, Rome
• Visit St. Peter’s Basilica, see Pieta, Vatican
• Panoramic view of Florence
• Italian Lake District drive

Switzerland

• See the Lion Monument & Chapel Bridge, Lucerne
• Spectacular Alpine drive

France

• See the Arc de Triomphe, Eiffel Tower & the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris

VISITING ENGLAND, BELGIUM, HOLLAND, GERMANY, AUSTRIA, ITALY, VATICAN CITY, SWITZERLAND AND FRANCE

Day 1 – Depart USA
Overnight flight to London.

Day 2 – Arrive London
Welcome to London! On arrival you are transfered to your London tour hotel.
Hotel: Holiday Inn Kings Cross/Bloomsbury.

Day 3 – London Sightseeing
Your half day London sightseeing tour shows you all the major sights. Afternoon at leisure. (B)

Day 4 – London – Amsterdam
A warm welcome from your Tour Director awaits you! Leave London and cross picturesque Kentish farmlands en route to the port of Dover where you board your ferry bound for Calais. Make your way across Belgium’s Flanders Fields en route to Amsterdam complete with canals, bridges and gabled buildings. Reach Dam Square and view the Royal Palace, before seeing sparkling stones transformed during a visit to a diamond polishing factory.
Hotel: Tulip Inn Riverside. (B)

Day 5 – Amsterdam – Rhineland
This morning it's southwards via Arnhem, scene of the great battle of 1944, and on to Cologne in Germany. See the 13th century Gothic Cathedral, with its twin spires over 500 feet high. Continue via Bonn to join your Rhine cruise along the most romantic stretch of the river. Pass the Pfalz Castle and legendary Loreley Rock en route to Weinheim situated on the famous Bergstrasse.
Hotel: NH Weinheim. (B,D)

Day 6 – Rhineland – Innsbruck
Drive to the city of the ‘Student Prince’, Heidelberg. See the medieval castle which overlooks the town before continuing south to the wooded Bavarian Alps. Stop to see King Ludwig’s fairytale castle of Neuschwanstein, then cross the Austrian frontier to reach Innsbruck. Sightseeing includes the Wilten Basilica and the Old Town, where you see the splendid Golden Roof and Imperial Palace.
Hotel: Alpin Park. (B,D)

Day 7 – Innsbruck – Vienna
Follow the scenic Inn Valley, then pass Mozart‘s Salzburg to reach the lakes and mountains of the Salzkammergut. The hills are alive as you see ‘The Sound of Music’ wedding scene church at Mondsee Lake. Continue across the farmlands of eastern Austria and beneath the Benedictine monastery of Melk. Then descend to the Danube Basin and the elegant capital city of Vienna.
Hotel: Bosei. (B)

Day 8 – Vienna Sightseeing
A guided tour of Imperial Vienna shows you the Hofburg, beautiful St Charles’ Church and the statue of Strauss in the Stadtpark; along the ‘Ring’, see the Parliament and glorious City Hall. Why not spend the afernoon visiting the impressive Schonbrunn Palace or indulging in a little shopping in elegant Karntner Street. (B)

Day 9 – Vienna – Venice
Travel southwards through Styria's forested mountains into the Carinthian Lake District. Pass Europe's warmest lake, the Worthersee, to cross into Italy near Tarvisio. Then follow mountain valleys to the Veneto Plain and continue to your hotel.
Hotel: Park Hotel Bolognese. (B,D)

Day 10 – Venice Sightseeing
Cruise by private launch to St Mark’s Square. See gondolas bobbing beneath the Bridge of Sighs. Then turn the corner where the ornate Basilica of St Mark is revealed. A master craftsman demonstrates Venetian glass-blowing before some time at leisure. (B,D)

Day 11 – Venice – Rome
Head south passing the commercial centre of Bologna. Ascend the Appenines and follow the Autostrada del Sole through Tuscany and Umbria. The course of the Tiber leads you to the ‘Eternal City’ of Rome.
Hotel: Cristoforo Colombo. (B)

Day 12 – Rome Sightseeing
Your city tour with an expert guide begins with the Vatican City. Visit St Peter’s Basilica and Michelangelo’s ‘Pieta’, before perhaps joining an optional visit to the Vatican Museum to see the Sistine Chapel. Your local guide unfurls the history at the Imperial Roman Forum, before seeing the Colosseum. (B)

Day 13 – Rome – Florence
Head north to Tuscany and Renaissance Florence – city of art and culture. Enjoy views of Florence from Piazzale Michelangelo and find the entire city at your feet. After a demonstration of Florentine leatherwork, the city’s treasures are yours to discover.
Hotel: West Florence. (B,D)

Day 14 – Florence – Lucerne
We leave Tuscany this morning and cross through the Appenines to the great northern plain of Italy. We travel westwards passing by Milan, Italy’s industrial nerve centre, and head north towards the beautiful Italian Lake district and the Swiss border where we catch a glimpse of Lake Como. Then on to the Swiss lakeside resort of Lucerne.
Hotel: Landhaus Giswil. (B)

Day 15 – Lucerne Sightseeing
This morning admire the Lion Monument, carved into a limestone cliff. Stroll along the Chapel Bridge before relaxing, shopping or perhaps taking a cable-car to the top of a nearby mountain. (B,D)

Day 16 – Lucerne – Paris
Cross the Rhine at Basel and enter into France. Journey via the vineyards of Burgundy to arrive in the French capital in the late afternoon. Tonight, why not soak up the atmosphere of an illuminated Paris tour?
Hotel: Mercure La Defense 5. (B)

Day 17 – Paris Sightseeing
A local guide shows you the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Champs Elysees, Notre Dame Cathedral and the Place de la Concorde. There is free time to visit the Mona Lisa in the Louvre or to enjoy dinner in a typical Parisian bistro. (B)

Day 18 – Return to USA
Your memorable tour ends after breakfast with a transfer to the airport. (B)

Essentials Inclusions

Superior Touring

• Arrival & departure transfers between the airport & your Insight London hotel (see savings page).
• Comfortable Moderate First Class & First Class hotels specially selected for each departure.
• Luxury air-conditioned touring coach
• with 49 reclining seats.
• Hotel service charges, taxes & porterage.
• Insight Traveller document wallet, map book journal and information pack.
• Cross channel transportation by modern ferry.

Professional Service

• Experienced services of a professional multi-lingual Tour Director.
• Qualified local city guides on major city sightseeing tours.
• Helpful staff on hand at our London Service Centre to assist you with sightseeing, theatre tickets etc.

More Included Meals

• 18 Breakfasts (B) 10 three course evening meals (D)

Highlights & Sightseeing

• Guided tours of London, Rome and Paris;
• Orientation tours of Amsterdam, Cologne, Heidelberg, Lucerne, Verona, Venice and Nice

England

• See the sights of London including Big Ben

Holland

• See Amsterdam’s Dam Square and Mint Tower
• Watch diamond cutting

Germany

• View Cologne Cathedral
• Relax on a Rhine cruise
• See the legendary Loreley Rock
• Views of Heidelberg Castle
• Drive through the Black Forest & see Lake Titisee

Switzerland

• See the spectacular Rhine Falls
• View Lucerne’s Lion Monument
• See the Chapel Bridge

Italy

• Scenic Alpine Drive down to the Italian Lakes
• See the Roman arena & Juliet’s balcony in Verona
• Cruise to St. Mark’s Square by private launch, see the Bridge of Sighs & Doges’ Palace
• Demonstration of Venetian glass-blowing
• Vatican City, visit St. Peter’s Basilica
• In Rome see the Forum & Colosseum
• Leatherwork demonstration Florence
• See the Leaning Tower of Pisa

Monaco

• See the Royal Palace & Cathedral in the Old Town

France

• See the Papal Palace & St. Benezet Bridge, Avignon
• In Paris see the Notre Dame Cathedral, drive from the Place de la Concorde down the Champs Élyseés to the Arc de Triomphe & see the Eiffel Tower

VISITING ENGLAND, BELGIUM, HOLLAND, GERMANY, SWITZERLAND, ITALY, VATICAN CITY, MONACO AND FRANCE

Day 1 – Depart USA
Overnight flight to London.

Day 2 – Arrive London
Welcome to London! On arrival you are transfered to your London tour hotel.
Hotel: Holiday Inn Kings Cross/Bloomsbury.

Day 3 – London Sightseeing
Your half day London sightseeing tour shows you all the major sights. Afternoon at leisure. (B)

Day 4 – London – Amsterdam
Meet your Tour Director and head for the White Cliffs of Dover and your ferry to Calais. Cross Belgium’s Flanders Fields to Holland’s lively Amsterdam. Pass canals and tall gabled houses to see the Royal Palace in Dam Square and sparkling stones transformed during a visit to a diamond-polishing factory.
Hotel: Tulip Inn Riverside. (B)

Day 5 – Amsterdam – Rhineland
Cross the German border and stop in Cologne to view the Gothic cathedral. Pass Beethoven’s home town of Bonn and continue to the village of Boppard to join a Rhine cruise past castles, vineyards and villages. Rejoin the coach and see the legendary Loreley Rock before reaching your hotel in Weinheim.
Hotel: NH Weinheim. (B,D)

Day 6 – Rhineland – Lake Lucerne
Visit Heidelberg to view the ruined castle before travelling into the Black Forest, past Lake Titisee and pine-covered hill sides dotted with geranium-decked farmhouses. Cross the Swiss border to see the Rhine Falls at Schaffhausen before finishing the day at Lake Lucerne.
Hotel: Postillon (Buochs). (B,D)

Day 7 – Lucerne Sightseeing
On a tour of Lucerne, visit the Lion Monument and see the renowned Chapel Bridge. There’s time set aside to shop for Swiss chocolate or to take a cable-car excursion up a nearby mountain for breathtaking views of the Alps. (B,D)

Day 8 – Lake Lucerne – Venice
Enjoy magnificent Alpine scenery as you cross the Italian border, and travel through the Italian Lake District. At Verona, home of the legendary Romeo and Juliet, stop to see the elegant squares, the Roman Arena and Capulet House with its famous balcony. The autostrada then brings you to glorious Venice, 'Queen of the Adriatic'.
Hotel: Elite. (B,D)

Day 9 – Venice sightseeing
Drive to the Venetian Lagoon where a private launch takes you to St Mark’s Square to see the Basilica of St Mark, Doges’ Palace, Bridge of Sighs and the prison in which Casanova was incarcerated (but from which he later escaped). A demonstration of Venetian glass-blowing follows, as does an afternoon at leisure. Why not explore the islands of the beautiful lagoon and try a local seafood lunch? (B,D)

Day 10 – Venice – Rome
Cross the Appenine Mountains and follow the Autostrada del Sole past Etruscan hill towns to Rome, a city founded on seven hills above the river Tiber. Spend the evening discovering Rome’s hidden piazzas and fountains.
Hotel: Cristoforo Colombo. (B)

Day 11 – Rome Sightseeing
An expert guide takes you to the Vatican City to visit the St Peter’s Basilica and admire Michelangelo’s ‘Pieta’, as well as the splendid dome. There is also time for an optional to visit the Vatican Museum to see the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. Hear your local guide at the Imperial Roman Forum before moving on to the magnificent Colosseum. (B)

Day 12 – Rome – Sorrento
Leave the 'Eternal City', and head past the Abbey of Monte Cassino to the Bay of Naples. An optional guided tour of Pompeii is possible, revealing the daily life of ancient Roman civilisation. Then continue along the magnificent coastline to the clifftop resort of Sorrento. Hotel: Holiday Inn. (B,D)

Day 13 – Sorrento
You are free to relax at the hotel and enjoy the warm southern sunshine or you may wish to take an optional excursion to the magical island of Capri with its beautiful coastal caves. (B,D)

Day 14 – Sorrento – Tuscany
By-pass Naples and Rome as you travel north to Florence - centre of art and culture, heart of the Italian Renaissance. After a demonstration of Florentine leatherwork, the afternoon is yours to relax and enjoy.
Hotel: Tuscany Inn. (B,D)

Day 15 – Tuscany – Cannes
Stop at the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa, set in the Field of Miracles. Later, follow the Italian and French riviera coasts past Genoa to Monaco before settling for the night in sophisticated Cannes - famous for the Film Festival. Hotel: Amarante. (B,D)

Day 16 – Cannes at leisure
Spend a day on the French Riviera and enjoy a taste of the jet-set life! Relax, swim browse the shops or maybe join an optional excursion to St Paul de Vence? (B)

Day 17 – Cannes – Lyon
Drive through the region of Provence to Avignon. See the "Pont d'Avignon", immortalised in song, and walk through the narrow streets to see the Popes Palace. This afternoon follow the Rhone Valley north to Lyon, built at the junction of two of France's great rivers.
Hotel: Mercure Lyon Sud Vienne. (B,D)

Day 18 – Lyon – Paris
Drive along the Rhone Valley past charming Beaune and through the wine-producing Burgundy region to the glittering French capital – your base for two nights.
Hotel: Mercure la Defense 5. (B)

Day 19 – Paris Sightseeing
Tour the city with a local guide, seeing the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Cathedral of Notre Dame, the Opera and Place de la Concorde. Spend the afternoon at leisure: shop for souvenirs, visit the Mona Lisa in the Louvre, plan a farewell dinner in a typical Parisian restaurant or join the fun at a cabaret. (B)

Day 20 – Return to USA
Your memorable tour ends after breakfast with a transfer to the airport. (B)

Essentials Inclusions

Superior Touring

• Arrival & departure transfers between the airport & your Insight London hotel (see savings page).
• Comfortable Moderate First Class & First Class hotels specially selected for each departure.
• Luxury air-conditioned touring coach with 49 reclining seats.
• Hotel service charges, taxes & porterage.
• Insight Traveller document wallet, map book journal and information pack.
• Cross channel transportation by modern ferry.

Professional Service

• Experienced services of a professional multi-lingual Tour Director.
• Qualified local city guides on major city sightseeing tours.
• Helpful staff on hand at our London Service Centre to assist you with sightseeing, theatre tickets etc.

More Included Meals

• 22 Breakfasts (B)12 three course evening meals (D)

Highlights & Sightseeing

• Guided tours of London, Rome, Barcelona, Madrid and Paris;
• Orientation tours of Amsterdam, Cologne, Heidelberg, Lucerne, Verona, Venice, Siena, Assisi, Nice, Lourdes and Bordeaux

England

• See the sights of London including Big Ben

Holland

• See Amsterdam’s Dam Square and Mint Tower
• Watch diamond cutting

Germany

• View Cologne Cathedral
• Relax on a Rhine cruise
• See the legendary Loreley Rock
• Views of Heidelberg Castle
• Drive through the Black Forest & see Lake Titisee

Switzerland

• See the spectacular Rhine Falls
• View Lucerne’s Lion Monument
• See the Chapel Bridge

Italy

• Drive through the Italian Lake District
• See the Roman Arena and Juliet’s balcony in Verona
• Cruise to St. Mark’s Square by private launch, see the Bridge of Sighs & Doges’ Palace
• Demonstration of Venetian glass-blowing
• Highlights & Sightseeing
• Drive along the Brenta Canal
• Visit the vast Campo Square in Siena
• See St Francis’ Basilica in Assisi
• See St Mary of the Angels Basilica
• Vatican City, visit St. Peter’s Basilica
• In Rome see the Forum and Colosseum
• Leatherwork demonstration Florence
• See the Leaning Tower of Pisa

Spain

• See Barcelona’s Sagrada Familia
• Visit the Gothic Quarter, see the Cathedraland Columbus Monument, Barcelona
• Drive through the Jalon Valley
• See Puerta del Sol, Cibeles Fountain & the Royal Palace, Madrid

France

• French Riviera drive, with views of Monaco
• Visit a French perfume factory
• Visit the Grotto & underground Basilica, Lourdes
• Scenic Loire Valley drive
• See Amboise & Blois Castles
• In Paris see the Notre Dame Cathedral, Arc de Triomphe & Eiffel Tower

VISITING ENGLAND, BELGIUM, HOLLAND, GERMANY, SWITZERLAND, ITALY, VATICAN CITY, FRANCE AND SPAIN

Day 1 – Depart USA
Overnight flight to London.

Day 2 – Arrive London
Welcome to London! On arrival you are transfered to your London tour hotel.
Hotel: Holiday Inn Kings Cross/Bloomsbury.

Day 3 – London Sightseeing
Your half day London sightseeing tour shows you all the major sights. Afternoon at leisure. (B)

Day 4 – London – Amsterdam
Meet your Tour Director and head south to board your ferry to Calais. Cross Belgium’s Flanders Fields to Holland’s lively Amsterdam. See the Royal Palace in Dam Square and visit a diamond-cutting and polishing factory.
Hotel: Tulip Inn Riverside. (B)

Day 5 – Amsterdam – Rhineland
Drive to Cologne to view the Gothic cathedral before embarking on a Rhine cruise: sail past castles, vineyards and villages. Rejoin the coach to your hotel.
Hotel: Ramada Micador. (B,D)

Day 6 – Rhineland – Lake Lucerne
Visit Heidelberg and view the ruined castle before driving through the Black Forest, en route to the Swiss border. See the Rhine Falls at Schaffhausen before arriving at Lake Lucerne.
Hotel: Postillon (Buochs). (B,D)

Day 7 – Lucerne Sightseeing
On a tour of Lucerne, visit the Lion Monument and see the Chapel Bridge. There’s time to shop or perhaps take an excursion by cable-car up a nearby mountain for breathtaking views of the Alps. (B,D)

Day 8 – Lake Lucerne – Venice
Enjoy glorious Alpine scenery as you make your way to the Italian border and enter the Italian Lake District. At Verona, legendary home of Romeo and Juliet, see the well-preserved Roman Arena and Juliet's Balcony, before continuing to your hotel in the Veneto region.
Hotel: Relais Villa Fiorita (Monastier) (B,D)

Day 9 – Venice Sightseeing
Cruise by private launch to St Mark’s Square and Basilica, and see the Bridge of Sighs and Doges’ Palace before enjoying a demonstration of Venetian glass-blowing. Time at leisure before returning across the causeway to your hotel. (B,D)

Day 10 – Venice – Assisi
Drive along the Brenta canal this morning lined with classical villas by Palladio. Now ascend into the Appenine Mountains and soon arrive in Siena, a medieval town, second only to Florence in beauty amongst the Tuscan cities. Its cobbled streets lead to the city square where the annual horse race takes place. Stay tonight in the picturesque hillside town of Assisi, home of St. Francis.
Hotel: II Castello. (B,D)

Day 11 – Assisi – Rome
Time to see the huge cathedral this morning, built in the 13th century, after St. Francis' death. In the valley lies the famous Church of St Mary of the Angels built around the saint’s original Porziuncola chapel. Your journey continues to the ‘Eternal City’ of Rome.
Hotel: Cristoforo Colombo. (B)

Day 12 – Rome Sightseeing
Your guided tour begins with a visit to the Vatican City and St Peter’s Basilica, with its moving ‘Pieta’ by Michelangelo and its splendid dome, both highlights. There is also an optional excursion to the Vatican Museums to see the Sistine Chapel. Afterwards, admire the Imperial Forum and the Colosseum, with time reserved for you to explore Rome on your own. (B)

Day 13 – Rome – Tuscany
Travel north to Renaissance Florence, the artistic hub of Italy. Enjoy views over the city from Piazzale Michelangelo and watch a demonstration of leatherwork. Spend the afternoon in Florence before continuing on to your hotel in the Tuscan hills near Montecatini.
Hotel: Tuscany Inn. (B,D)

Day 14 – Tuscany – French Riviera
After seeing the Leaning Tower of Pisa, travel along the spectacular Italian Riviera coast. Cross the French border and pass elegant Monaco. Pause to visit a French perfumery before continuing to your hotel. In the evening, be tempted by a flutter at the Monte Carlo casino.
Hotel: Novotel Centre. (B,D)

Day 15 – French Riviera
Spend a day on the French Riviera. Consider an optional excursion to St Paul de Vence, relax, swim or indulge yourself with a spot of shopping. Spend the evening enjoying local specialities over an optional dinner. (B)

Day 16 – French Riviera – Barcelona
Travel across the Camargue, famous for its wild horses, bulls and flamingos, to Catalonia’s Barcelona.
Hotel: Abba Garden. (B,D)

Day 17 – Barcelona Sightseeing
On a tour of the city, see Gaudi’s famous Sagrada Familia, the gothic cathedral and Christopher Columbus’ Monument in the historic port. The afternoon is yours: consider visiting the Pueblo Espanol with its replicas of regional Spanish villages. (B)

Day 18 – Barcelona – Madrid
Cross the River Ebro in Aragon and ascend the Morata Pass to the plains of Old Castille. Arrive in the Spanish capital, Madrid, a city virtually created from scratch by Philip II in the 16th century.
Hotel: Abba Madrid. (B,D)

Day 19 – Madrid Sightseeing
With your local guide, see the Royal Palace, Puerta del Sol, the celebrated Cibeles Fountain and the Gran Via. Spend the afternoon shopping for local goods or perhaps exploring nearby Toledo. (B)

Day 20 – Madrid – Lourdes
Cross the soaring Pyrenees into France’s famous pilgrimage centre of Lourdes, where you can visit the Grotto and join the moving candlelight procession.
Hotel: Sainte Rose. (B,D)

Day 21 – Lourdes – Bordeaux
Spend the morning exploring this mountain-ringed town before continuing north to the world-famous vineyards of Bordeaux.
Hotel: Mercure Meriadeck Centre. (B,D)

Day 22 – Bordeaux – Paris
Travel across the Dordogne River to the Loire Valley and follow the lovely river Loire, pausing to view the Chateau of Amboise, where Leonardo da Vinci is buried, and also the castle at Blois. Journey on to Paris, where you can tour the fabulous night-time illuminations.
Hotel: Mercure Porte D’Orleans. (B)

Day 23 – Paris Sightseeing
In this city of romance, join your local guide to see the Champs Elysees, Arc de Triomphe, Notre Dame Cathedral and the Eiffel Tower. Consider visiting Montmartre or the Louvre, or spend the night enjoying a typical Parisian cabaret. (B)

Day 24 – Return to USA
Your memorable tour ends after breakfast with a transfer to the airport. (B)