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20 Days ~ England ~
Belgium ~ Holland ~ Germany ~ Czech Republic ~ Slovakia ~ Hungary ~ Austria
~ Italy ~ Switzerland ~ France
Tour Pace
This is a leisurely paced
tour with two night stays in the eight key cities, allowing ample time for
sightseeing & individual exploration. The travelling days have been well
planned with plenty of stops both for refreshment & photo opportunities.
DAY 1 – SUN –
LONDON – BRUSSELS
After driving to Dover
and taking the ferry to France, make your way to medieval Bruges in Belgium,
where you can stroll along cobbled streets and beside peaceful canals. Then
it’s on to Brussels to marvel at the gilded buildings in the Grand Place
and to see the Mannekin Pis statue. As evening falls, enjoy a Welcome Drink.
Hotel: Marriott/Sofitel Toison d’Or
DAY 2 – MON –
BRUSSELS – AMSTERDAM
Drive to Amsterdam and
pass Dam Square and the Mint tower en route to a demonstration of diamond
cutting. Visit the fishing village of Volendam and learn how clogs and
cheese are made before returning to Amsterdam. Hotel: Eden Rembrandt Sq.(Buffet breakfast)
DAY 3 – TUE –
AMSTERDAM – WüRZBURG
Head into Germany to see
Cologne’s soaring Gothic cathedral. Continue via Bonn to the scenic Rhine
Gorge to join your Highlight cruise. Glide past vineyards and medieval
castles to see the Loreley Rock before continuing on to Würzburg with its
Baroque Residenz palace, Marienberg fortress and statue-lined bridge.
Hotel: Maritim / Wittelsbacher Hoh. (Buffet breakfast, dinner)
DAY 4 – WED –
WüRZBURG – PRAGUE
Stop in Nuremberg to see
the massive town ramparts before continuing east to the Czech border. Pass
Pilsen, known for its beer, to reach the ‘golden city’ of Prague. Hotel:
Diplomat/Crowne Plaza. (Buffet breakfast, dinner)
DAY 5 – THU –
PRAGUE SIGHTSEEING
A local guide introduces
the 1,000-year-old Prague Castle and St Vitus’ Cathedral before descending
to the Old Town Square, with its Astronomical Clock. Later, there is time to
shop for fine Bohemian crystal. (Buffet breakfast)
DAY 6 – FRI –
PRAGUE – BUDAPEST
Drive through the
province of Moravia into Slovakia and stop in its capital, Bratislava. After
free time to explore, cross into Hungary and follow the River Danube to
Budapest. Hotel: Hilton West End.
(Buffet breakfast)
DAY 7 – SAT –
BUDAPEST SIGHTSEEING
With a Budapest guide,
see the murals in Matthias Church beside the Fisherman’s Bastion, which
affords a grand view over the Danube and the Parliament. See the Royal
Palace of Buda, then cross over to Pest to visit Heroes’ Square. Spend the
afternoon at leisure. (Buffet breakfast, dinner)
DAY 8 – SUN –
BUDAPEST – VIENNA
Heading out of Budapest,
survey the bridges over the Danube from the lofty citadel atop Gellert Hill.
Continue on through peaceful Austrian farmland to Vienna. Hotel: Hilton
Plaza/Vienna Hilton (Buffet
breakfast)
DAY 9 – MON –
VIENNA SIGHTSEEING
A Premium Highlight visit
takes you inside the fabulous Schönbrunn Palace. On a guided city tour, see
the Parliament, Winter Palace and Opera House along the Ring Road. Spend the
afternoon at leisure. (Buffet breakfast)
DAY 10 – TUE –
VIENNA – VENICE
Cross over the Semmering
Pass and across the border into Italy. Arrive at your hotel on Venice’s
fashionable Lido. Hotel: Hungaria Palace. (Buffet breakfast, dinner)
DAY 11 – WED –
VENICE SIGHTSEEING
Cruise by private launch
to St Mark’s Square to see the Doges’ Palace, Bridge of Sighs and St Mark’s
Basilica, followed by a Venetian glass-blowing demonstration. Enjoy a
fascinating Highlight gondola ride along the canals. The afternoon is at
leisure. (Buffet breakfast)
DAY 12 – THU –
VENICE – ROME
Head south into the
Apennine Mountains and on to the eternal city of Rome. Visit the Spanish
Steps before enjoying our Highlight Dinner, with pasta, vino and music.
Hotel: Sheraton.. (Buffet
breakfast, Specialty Highlight Dinner)
DAY 13 – FRI –
ROME SIGHTSEEING
Join a local guide to
visit the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, with its vivid depiction of
the Creation. Visit St Peter’s Basilica before entering the Colosseum and
seeing the Forum. The afternoon is at leisure. (Buffet breakfast)
DAY 14 – SAT –
ROME – FLORENCE
Head north into Tuscany,
driving to Piazzale Michelangelo for views over Florence. After a
leather-work demonstration, spend the afternoon exploring this beautiful
city. Hotel: Hilton Metropole/Sheraton. (Buffet breakfast, dinner)
DAY 15 – SUN –
FLORENCE SIGHTSEEING
A local guide takes you
to Santa Croce Basilica to see the tombs of Galileo and Michelangelo, and
then walk to the Cathedral to see the ‘Gates of Paradise’ on the
Baptistery, finishing at Signoria Square. (Buffet breakfast)
DAY 16 – MON –
FLORENCE – LUCERNE
Head north through the
scenic Italian Lake District, glimpsing Lake Como as you cross into
Switzerland. Enjoy magnificent mountain scenery as you travel on to
lake-side Lucerne. Hotel: Astoria .(Buffet breakfast)
DAY 17 – TUE –
LUCERNE SIGHTSEEING
In Lucerne, see the
emotive Lion Monument, the Chapel Bridge and the Jesuit Church. Then you are
treated to an exhilarating trip by cog-wheel train and cable-car to the
summit of Mount Pilatus to take in stunning snow-capped views of the Alps. (Buffet
dinner)
DAY 18 – WED –
LUCERNE – PARIS
Leave Switzerland and
skirt the Jura Mountains into the Burgundy wine region before continuing on
to Paris. Hotel: Sofitel Bercy. (Buffet
breakfast)
DAY 19 – THU –
PARIS SIGHTSEEING
Join
a local guide to see the famous Notre Dame Cathedral before driving along
the Champs Élysées to the Arc de Triomphe. Ascend the Eiffel Tower for
views over the city, conclude the tour with a visit to Napoleon’s Tomb in
the Église du Dôme. The evening is yours to enjoy.. (Buffet
breakfast)
DAY 20 – FRI –
PARIS – LONDON
We cross the battlefields
of WWI en route to Calais, for our voyage back to Dover. A short drive
brings us back to London, where our tour comes to an end. (Buffet breakfast)
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