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European
Treasures (London/London)
17
Nights /18 Days |
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Day
1 Tue
LONDON-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 for the Continent. Meet your tour director and board
your luxury coach for the drive to the Amsterdam area. (B).
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Day
2 Wed
AMSTERDAM
This morning 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 finally a canal
cruise to see the town at water level. (B).
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Day
3 Thu
AMSTERDAM AREA-THE RHINELAND, GERMANY-BLACK FOREST
A choice today of the included scenic drive along the shores
of the Rhine or, even more thrilling, the optional Rhine cruise
with vistas of the Lorelei Rock, hilltop castles, half-timbered
wine villages, and terraced vineyards. Spend the night in the
Black Forest. (B,D).
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Day
4 Fri
BLACK FOREST-TITISEE-LAKE LUCERNE SWITZERLAND
An early start this morning through parts of the scenic Black
Forest for a stop in lovely Titisee, famous for its cuckoo clocks.
Stop awhile at the Rhine Falls near Schaffhausen before heading
through the green meadows and picturesque wooded valleys of
Switzerland to Lake Lucerne for overnight. (B).
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Day
5 Sat
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 sightseeing 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, there is time
to shop for that very Swiss watch. (B,D).
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Day
6 Sun
LAKE LUCERNE-LINDAU, GERMANY-NEUSCHWANSTEIN CASTLE-FERN PASS,
AUSTRIA-INNSBRUCK
From the shores of Lake Lucerne to those of the even bigger
Lake Bodensee for a short stop in the charming Bavarian City
of Lindau. Next to one of the world's best known castles, Neuschwanstein.
Enjoy every moment of your included visit. In the afternoon
journey through the charming Fern Pass into the Inn Valley for
an overrnight in Innsbruck. (B,D).
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Day
7 Mon
INNSBRUCK-ITALIAN DOLOMITES, ITALY-VENICE AREA
Start the day by seeing the famous Golden Roof. South over Brenner
Pass and into Italy's spectacular mountain scenery. Ahead is
the elegant winter sports center of Cortina d'Ampezzo beneath
the jagged peaks of the Dolomites. Evening arrival in Venice
area. (B).
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Day
8 Tue
VENICE
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
glass blowers. Don't miss out on the optional gondola trip.
(B,D).
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Day
9 Wed
VENICE AREA-ROME
South the whole day, with a stop in Assisi to visit the Basilica
of St. Francis. In the afternoon cut across the Apennine Mountains
to Rome. (B).
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Day
10 Thu
ROME
Included sightseeing with local guide starts in St. Peter's
Square, followed by a visit to the Roman Forum and the mighty
Colosseum. (B).
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Day
11 Fri
ROME-FLORENCE AREA
Another morning in Rome to do as you please. Maybe some shopping
or revisit what by now has become your favorite haunt. In the
afternoon an easy drive on the Highway of the Sun to the Florence
area. End the day by joining the optional Tuscan dinner in a
typical restaurant. (B).
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Day
12 Sat
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,D).
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Day
13 Sun
FLORENCE AREA-ITALIAN & FRENCH RIVIERAS, FRANCE
Leave early this morning, stopping in the Square of Miracles
in Pisa to admire the Leaning Tower. Later drive past Genoa
along the Italian and French Rivieras before reaching your overnight
on the French Riviera. (B).
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Day
14 Mon
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).
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Day
15 Tue
FRENCH RIVIERA-ARLES-AVIGNON-LYON
Take the inland road across sun-drenched Provence and landscapes
made famous the world over by the painter Van Gogh. Stop in
the ancient town of Arles to visit the amphitheater. Head for
Avignon, famous for its bridge and massive walls, and on to
Lyon. (B,D).
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Day
16 Wed
LYON-BEAUNE-PARIS
Focus on the neat vineyards and fields of Burgundy, and take
a break in ancient Beaune. Then on the fast and comfortable
highway to Paris, arriving in time to enjoy the optional cabaret
show. (B).
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Day
17 Thu
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...(Itinerary
and sights maybe altered due to newly enforced traffic and parking
regulations). Optional excursions are also available. And to
celebrate the success of your tour, a French farewell dinner
might be just the ticket. (B).
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Day
18 Fri
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).
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