European Jewels

10 days from London to London (4601)

Itinerary

Day 1 London–Amsterdam Area, Holland

Leave London in the early morning and head through the lush English countryside to the Channel port, where you board your ferry for the Continent. Here you meet your Tour Director and join your luxury coach for the drive to the Amsterdam area.

Day 2 Amsterdam Area–Rhineland, Germany

Today, enjoy sightseeing in Amsterdam with a Local Guide pointing out the city highlights. Later, a canal cruise to see the town from water level, then watch the cutting and polishing of precious stones at a diamond center. In the afternoon, travel southwards to reach the Rhineland for an overnight. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 3 Rhineland–Romantic Road–Rothenburg–Munich

Start the day with a scenic drive along the shores of the Rhine or opt for a Rhine cruise. Admire the pretty villages, the castles perched high above the river, and the numerous terraced vineyards. Next, a drive along the Romantic Road, through towns and villages protected by medieval towergates and battlements, with squares of half-timbered houses and richly decorated fountains. A fine example of this architecture is the center of Rothenburg, where you stop awhile. Overnight in Munich. (Breakfast)

Day 4 Munich–Innsbruck, Austria–Venice Area, Italy

Travel from Munich to Austria for a stop in the capital of the Tyrol, Innsbruck. In the afternoon, drive over Brenner Pass into the Dolomites to admire this unique natural world wonder before the descent into the Piave Valley to the Venice area. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 5 Venice–Florence Area

The included orientation tour starts with a boat ride and is followed by a chance to watch Venetian glassblowers fashion their delicate objects as they did centuries ago. Then, southwards into the hilly Tuscan countryside to reach the Florence area for two overnights. (Breakfast)

Day 6 Florence Area

This Renaissance gem and city of the Medicis will keep you enthralled all 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; 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 of Paradise.” Later, join the optional excursion to see the leaning tower of Pisa. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 7 Florence Area–Lugano, Switzerland–Lake Lucerne

Across the Lombardy plains this morning to Canton Ticino’s subtropical resort of Lugano. Here you take a break to stroll along the lakeside promenade before your motorcoach climbs towards the St. Gotthard Tunnel. Emerge on the German-speaking side of Switzerland, then descend into the gentle landscape around Lake Lucerne. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 8 Lake Lucerne–Paris, France

This morning, visit the Lion Monument and the wooden bridge before joining an optional boat trip. Then, vistas of green pastures and attractive chalets with rustic timbering and luxuriant flowers. Enter France via the comfortable highway, past some of its most famous vineyards, to Paris. Arrive in time to enjoy an optional cabaret show. (Breakfast)

Day 9 Paris

Included sightseeing with a local expert shows off 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. Optional excursions are also available to visit some of the highlights and, to celebrate the success of your tour, a French farewell dinner might be just the ticket. (Breakfast)

Day 10 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, where your holiday ends. (Breakfast)

Vacation Highlights

INCLUDED FEATURES

Headsets throughout the tour

Visits to Rothenburg, Innsbruck, Venice, Lugano, Lucerne

SCENIC HIGHLIGHTS Rhineland, Romantic Road, Italian Dolomites

INSIDE VISITS Inside visits and special features are shown in the description, including admission charges when applicable.

GUIDES Host service in London. Local Guides for city sightseeing in Amsterdam, Florence, Paris. Professional Tour Director while touring

MEALS All Buffet breakfasts; 4 dinners

HOTELS – (F) First-Class (ST) Superior Tourist-Class (T) Tourist Class

AMSTERDAM AREA NH Airport (F) at Schiphol, RHINELAND Zum Anker (ST) at Andernach or Ramada (F) at Bruehl, MUNICH Tryp (F), VENICE AREA Poppi (F) at Mira, FLORENCE AREA Europa (ST) at Signa, LAKE LUCERNE Hirschen (ST) at Flüelen or Pilatusblick (ST) at Kriens, PARIS Kyriad Prestige (ST) at Porte de St. Cloud

TRANSPORTATION

Round-trip transportation between London and the Channel ports; on the Continent, private first-class air-conditioned motorcoach. Cross-Channel ferry; canal transfer boat in Venice

 

Price and Dates:

Departure Details	Tour Start Date	Return Date	Land/Cruise Price
Popular Departure	20-Apr-2012	29-Apr-2012	US$1615 per person
Popular Departure	27-Apr-2012	06-May-2012	US$1615  per person

 
Please note that mandatory prepaid gratuities for Tour Director and Driver are applicable and are included in the invoice at the time of the booking. Please contact your local travel agent to check the exact amounts. The amount varies for each vacation

Pre payment of gratuities to Tour Director and Driver per person are  $99nett  and are included at time of booking.

Note:

Mandatory TIPS to Driver / Guide – USD 10 PP/day
Arival transfer @ London – 25 USD PP
Additional night stay at London – USD 80 PP on twin share.

If the pax is not using the London part they will get a discount of 24 USD per way. The additional night / transfer rates are below;

Additional Night @ Amsterdam – USD 85 PP on twin share
Additional Night @ Paris – USD 100 PP on twin share
Arival transfer @ Amsterdam  – 44 USD PP
Arival transfer @ Paris – 65 USD PP
Note: Passport copies are mandatory for processing your booking.