Itinerary

Day 1Sun. BOARD YOUR OVERNIGHT TRANSATLANTIC FLIGHT

Day 2Mon. ARRIVAL IN LONDON, ENGLAND

Big Ben, the bell of the clock tower

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 3Tue. LONDON

The London Eye, also known as the Millennium Wheel

A full day to savor our rich program of optional activities: take a panoramic tour of London’s landmarks, visit the Tower of London

Tower of London

, or choose an excursion to Windsor Castle. Tonight, maybe a leisurely cruise on the River Thames

Tower Bridge in London

? (B)

Day 4Wed. LONDON-AMSTERDAM

Enjoy the lovely canals of Amsterdam

AREA, HOLLAND

Leave London in the early morning and head through the lush English countryside to the Channel port, where you embark on your ferry to the Continent. Meet your Tour Director and board your luxury motorcoach for the drive to the Amsterdam area. (B,D)

Day 5Thu. AMSTERDAM

Today, watch the cutting and polishing of precious stones at a diamond center in Amsterdam. Then, sightseeing with a Local Guide pointing out the city highlights and a canal cruise to see this unique city from water level. (B)

Day 6Fri. AMSTERDAM AREA-HANNOVER, GERMANY-BERLIN

The Brandenburg Gate in Berlin serves as a symbol of peace and reunification of the city

Leave the Amsterdam area and head east, passing Enschede and Osnabrück. Stop in Hannover, capital of Lower Saxony. Walk along the streets of the Old Town and admire its beautiful half-timbered houses before continuing to Germany’s capital city, Berlin. (B)

Day 7Sat. BERLIN

No longer divided but every bit as fascinating, Berlin was once the city of contrasts with the wall separating two different worlds. Today the city has developed into a harmonious blend of new and old, preserving its historical buildings and impressive boulevards as it creates brand new buildings in the most daring architectural style. See all of this on the included city sightseeing with a Local Guide. In the afternoon there is an optional excursion to historic Potsdam

Potsdam – Sanssouci

to visit Sanssouci Park, a marvel of landscape gardening and architectural wonders, and to Cecilienhof Palace. (B)

Day 8Sun. BERLIN-PRAGUE

Czech capital of Prague

, CZECH REPUBLIC

Cross the River Elbe this morning and on to Dresden

Dresden, Germany, situated along the River Elbe

for an orientation of the magnificently restored city after its almost total destruction in World War II. Next, on to the mountains and fortresses of the Erzgebirge range before entering the Czech Republic and Bohemia on the way to its beautiful capital, Prague. (B,D)

Day 9Mon. PRAGUE

The wealth of gothic and baroque architecture here must have truly inspired Prague composers Dvorak and Smetana. Included sightseeing with a Local Guide features landmarks such as the National Theater, Belvedere, Charles Bridge, and the Old Town Hall with its magnificent Astronomical Clock

The historic Astronomical Clock in Prague has been operating for over six centuries

. (B)

Day 10Tue. PRAGUE-VIENNA

The Vienna City Hall

, AUSTRIA

A church on an Austrian mountaintop

Today, drive from Bohemia into Moravia and continue southwest before crossing into Austria. Arrive in Vienna in the early afternoon in time for the optional excursion to the jewel of the former Habsburg Empire—breathtaking Schönbrunn Palace with its ornate imperial rooms and its fabulous gardens. Reserve some energy for this evening’s optional excursion. (B)

Day 11Wed. VIENNA

Included sightseeing with a Local Guide this morning starts with a tour featuring the State Opera, Parliament, and the Town Hall. Stop for a stroll in Heroes’ Square to view the Hofburg Palace, winter residence of the Habsburgs. Finally, an inside visit of St. Stephen’s Cathedral

View the Romanesque and Gothic architecture of St. Stephen’s Cathedral

. This afternoon, free time to absorb the splendors of this magnificent city. Indulge in a slice of Sachertorte, take a ride in a Fiaker, or just a stroll through the Kärntnerstrasse with its boutiques and coffee shops. This evening, music lovers won’t want to miss taking in a concert in the “mecca” of classical music. (B)

Day 12Thu. VIENNA-LJUBLJANA, SLOVENIA

South this morning to Semming Pass, then on through the beautiful Styrian countryside before continuing to Klagenfurt. Skirt Lake Wörth and after Villach through the Karawanken Tunnel, enter Slovenia and head towards stunning Lake Bled

Visit the gorgeous Lake Bled in Slovenia

for a stop. Next, an overnight in Ljubljana, a city rich in culture and history. (B,D)

Day 13Fri. LJUBLJANA-VENICE

Venice is considered one of the most beautiful cities in the world

AREA, ITALY

Continue southwest today, skirting the Adriatic shores, passing the port of Trieste, and on to incomparable Venice. Venice is more like a marvelous film set than a real city, with criss-crossing canals, gondolas and water buses, arched bridges, palaces, and quiet little piazzas. Upon arrival, enjoy the included orientation which 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 14Sat. VENICE AREA-ROME

Saint Peter's Square in Rome

An interesting drive south, cutting across the Po Delta, passing Ravenna, and through the gentle Umbrian hills to Assisi

Assisi is a town in the province of Perugia, Italy

, where St. Francis was born in 1182. Visit the medieval town and world-famous basilica with its beautiful frescoes by Giotto, then head for the “Eternal City” of Rome. (B)

Day 15Sun. ROME

A city steeped in history, vibrantly alive, exciting, and absolutely unique. Included sightseeing with a Local Guide starts in St. Peter’s Square

St. Peter’s Square

and is followed by a visit to the Roman Forum

Roman Forum

and the mighty Colosseum

Visit the great Colosseum in Rome

, scene of gladiatorial encounters. This afternoon, enjoy one of our popular optional excursions. (B)

Day 16Mon. ROME-FLORENCE

Visit stunning Florence and the Ponte Vecchio

This morning, join the optional excursion to the Vatican

View of St Peter's Basilica from the square

, an independent state since 1929 and, of course, residence of the Pope. See the Vatican Museums

The statue of Laocoön and His Sons can be seen at the Vatican Museums

and admire Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel

The Sistine Chapel is world famous for Michelangelo’s ceiling paintings

. In the late afternoon, head north to Florence. On the included walking tour of the charming Old Town with a Local Guide, discover most of the city highlights: the Piazza Santa Croce, beautiful Piazza Signoria, Palazzo Vecchio and its courtyard, and the Piazza del Duomo with its cathedral, the Gate of Paradise

Gate of Paradise in Florence

, and the Giotto Campanile. (B,D)

Day 17Tue. FLORENCE-FRENCH RIVIERA

Take in the beautiful sites of the French Riviera

Travel west today through Tuscany

See the vineyard covered hillsides of Tuscany

, stopping first in Pisa

Leaning Tower of Pisa

’s Square of Miracles to admire the amazing Leaning Tower. Next, head north past Genoa along the Italian Riviera, then cross the border to reach your hotel for two nights on the French Riviera. (B,D)

Day 18Wed. FRENCH RIVIERA

A whole day to enjoy all the amenities of the French Riviera, and a good opportunity to take advantage of the optional excursions. (B)

Day 19Thu. FRENCH RIVIERA-LYON AREA

Take the inland road across sun-drenched Provence

See the seemingly never ending lavender fields in Provence

and landscapes made famous by Van Gogh. Stop for a short visit in elegant Arles, still brimming with Roman heritage. Later, head for Avignon

Avignon Palace of Popes

on the River Rhône, famous for its Roman bridge, massive city walls, and the “Palais des Papes,” former residence of the popes. Continue north to Lyon, Frances’ second-largest city. (B,D)

Day 20Fri. LYON AREA-BEAUNE-PARIS

Focus on the picturesque vineyards and fields of Burgundy, and take a break in ancient Beaune. Then, travel on the comfortable highway to Paris, arriving in time to enjoy the spectacular optional cabaret show. (B)

Day 21Sat. PARIS

A full day to enjoy the city that’s known throughout the world for its fashion, art and museums, delicious food, and joie de vivre. Included sightseeing with a Local Guide shows you the best-known sights: La Sorbonne, Arc de Triomphe

The Arc de Triomphe standing in the center of the Place Charles de Gaulle

, Opéra, Madeleine, the Eiffel Tower

The Eiffel Tower in Paris

, the Pyramid at the Louvre

Louvre

, Les Invalides, and the fabulous Champs-Elysées. Optional excursions are also available to enrich your experience in the “City of Light.” To celebrate the success of your tour, don’t miss the French farewell dinner party tonight. (B)

Day 22Sun. YOUR HOMEBOUND FLIGHT FROM PARIS ARRIVES THE SAME DAY

(B)