Experience Europe’s major highlights on this extraordinary vacation. Begin in London then cross the English Channel and travel by motorcoach to Amsterdam for a guided sightseeing tour and canal cruise. Journey through the German Rhineland, passing castles and vineyards, then drive through the Tyrolean Alps from Innsbruck on the way to the floating city of Venice.
On to Assisi, St. Francis’ town in the Apennine hills. Spend two nights in the “Eternal City” of Rome, visiting archaeological jewels such as the Colosseum and the Roman Forum. Next up: Tuscany with a visit to Florence, the “Cradle of the Renaissance,” and a walking tour that features the Duomo and Signoria Square. On to Pisa with its famous Leaning Tower, then an overnight in fascinating Lake Como, a stop to discover the Swiss subtropical town of Lugano, and Lucerne with its medieval wooden bridge and surrounding mountains.
Stop in Interlaken before reaching Lausanne on Lake Geneva, then drink in the beauty of the French vineyards in Burgundian Beaune. Your adventure concludes in fabulous Paris with two overnights and included guided sightseeing. Then return to London by ferry.
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AMSTERDAM AREA NH Airport (F) at Schiphol or Grand (F) at Amstelveen, RHINELAND Ramada (F) at Bruehl or Zum Anker (ST) at Andernach, INNSBRUCK Dollinger (ST), VENICE AREA Smart Holiday (F) at Mestre, ROME Princess (F), MONTECATINI Plaza (F) or Biondi (F), LAKE COMO Lario (ST) at Mezzegra, LUCERNE Luzernerhof (F), LAUSANNE Novotel Bussigny (F), PARIS Mercure Defense Park (F)
ITINERARY
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.
Today, enjoy a canal cruise to see the town from water level, then watch the cutting and polishing of precious stones at a diamond center in Amsterdam. Later, sightseeing with a Local Guide points out the city highlights. In the afternoon, travel southward to the Rhineland area for an overnight. (B,D)
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. In the afternoon, ride along the Autobahn to Austria. Overnight in Innsbruck. (B,D)
Early morning departure via the Tyrolean Alps to the unique floating city of Venice. This afternoon’s orientation includes a boat ride followed by 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)
An interesting drive southward, cutting across the Po plain, then through the gentle Umbrian hills to Assisi, where St. Francis was born in 1182. Visit the world-famous basilica with its beautiful frescoes by Giotto, then head for Rome. (B)
The “Eternal City”—a city steeped in history, vibrantly alive and exciting, and absolutely unique! Included sightseeing with a Local Guide starts in St. Peter’s Square, followed by a visit to the Roman Forum and the mighty Colosseum. (B)
An easy drive on the Highway of the Sun to 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; 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.” Overnight in the spa town of Montecatini. (B,D)
Start the morning by driving to Pisa to visit the Square of Miracles and admire the Leaning Tower. Next, journey northwards through the Tuscan hills and across the Po plain to Milan to admire the majestic gothic Duomo. Then, continue to the shores of romantic Lake Como. (B,D)
Leave beautiful Lake Como to cross the border into Switzerland. Stop in Lugano, in the Italian-speaking Ticino, then continue to Lucerne, one of Switzerland’s finest cities, nested amid its Alps, surrounded by its lake, and embellished by the clean waters of the River Reuss. (B)
This morning, spend some time in this beautiful town, then drive to nearby Stans, with a chance to join the optional excursion by funicular and cable car to the summit of Mount Stanserhorn. Later, stop in Interlaken and follow the shoreline of Lake Thun. A few more miles to Lausanne, overlooking Lake Leman. (B)
Vistas of famous vineyards on the way to Beaune. Visit the medieval Burgundian town, known the world over for its wine production. Later, take the autoroute to Paris. Tonight, maybe an optional cabaret show? (B)
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 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. An optional excursion to the Palace and Gardens of Versailles is available. (B)
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)
DATES & PRICES
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OPTIONAL EXCURSIONS
The following list of optional excursions are examples only for this vacation. These optional excursions might or might not be available. Whether it’s a special dinner, a local show or a special behind-the-scenes glimpse into an historical site, optional excursions are a wonderful way to enrich your vacation even further. Plus, they give you flexibility. We include the must-see sites and experiences, and we also understand that people take interest in different activities and may want to craft a more personal vacation by hand-picking optional excursions that appeal to them.
Availability is subject to sufficient participation, weather conditions, seasonal suitability, days of operation, group interests, and general feasibility for your vacation. The approximate value listed gives you a good, general idea of what you can expect to pay but may vary once you are on your vacation. Some information provided might be in a foreign currency; you can use our online currency converter for exchange rate information.
Rhine Valley
Venice
Rome
Lucerne
Paris
Lorelei and Its Castles
Discover the mystical magic of the Rhine river with its historic villages, beautiful castles and of course the legendary Lorelei Rock.
Approximate value: €25 EUR per person
Gondola Serenade
This is one of the highlights of any European holiday – a gondola ride through centuries-old canals, under famous arched bridges, and past lavish palaces and quaint piazzas.
Approximate value: €40 EUR per person
Castelli Romani With Dinner
Drive through the ancient villages in the Alban Hills, a landscape of rare beauty, myths, legends and history. Take pictures of the Pope’s summer residence, Castel Gandolfo. Then to Frascati where one of the famous local white wines is included with your dinner in a tavern.
Approximate value: €50 EUR per person
The Catacombs
The early Christians created the Catacombs, a network of underground corridors, during centuries of persecution by the Romans. Included visit to St. Paul’s Outside the Walls.
Approximate value: €40 EUR per person
Treasures of Rome By Night & Dinner
An evening tour including some of the city’s fountains and majestic squares: Piazza Barberini, Triton Fountain, Via Veneto, Villa Borghese and Trevi Fountain. Finish the evening with a meal in a typical Roman restaurant with wine and music included.
Approximate value: €55 EUR per person
Vatican Museum & Sistine Chapel
A tour around the Vatican museums to admire the beautiful tapestry gallery and the Sistine Chapel with masterpieces by Botticelli and Signorelli. See the “Genesis” and Michelangelo’s “Last Judgment”.
Approximate value: €55 EUR per person
Dinner & Swiss Folklore
Contrary to belief, not all Swiss can yodel or blow the alp horn, but those you will see are real experts. They entertain you with merry melodies on the accordion and traditional dances while you enjoy a full 3 course dinner.
Approximate value: €65 EUR per person
Mount Stanserhorn
A trip up the Stanserhorn mountain for breathtaking views is an experience not to be missed. The Mt. Stanserhorn Railway is a combination of an old-time funicular, which has romantic 100-year-old carriages with fringed curtains, and a modern aerial cable car, which takes you to the 6,300 ft. peak in about 30 minutes.
Approximate value: €57 EUR per person
Scenic Lake Cruise
An hour’s guided cruise on the most beautiful lake in Switzerland gives you an introduction to this lovely city from a completely different aspect. With its many bays, it offers superb panoramas of the surrounding landscape. The area is rich in historical associations, particularly the William Tell legend.
Approximate value: €25 EUR per person
Cabaret Show
A trip to Paris is not complete without a visit to a typical cabaret show. A glass of champagne is served during the show.
Approximate value: €70 EUR per person
Farewell Dinner & Orientation
The evening consists of a memorable four-course dinner with an aperitif and wine. After dinner you will enjoy a breathtaking orientation drive of the city.
Approximate value: €58 EUR per person
Versailles Sun King’s Palace – Sat/Sun
Week-ends visit – Historic Versailles is the beautiful restored palace of Louis XIV, the Sun King. After the guided tour of the palace, you can stroll in the magnificent terraced gardens with their fountains and statues. The Palace of Versailles is open every day except Mondays and bank holidays. On these days, you will be offered alternative sights.
Approximate value: €65 EUR per person
TERMS & CONDITIONS
Vacation departures, itineraries and prices are subject to change.
Taxes & fees
Taxes and fees are subject to change and are not guaranteed until full land and air deposit are received.
Applicable Taxes and Fees (Airfare & Charges Not Included in the Price)
Not Included In Your Vacation Price (Land-Only or Cruise-Only)
Dates and prices do not include international air travel.
Federal inspection fees for the Federal U.S. Customs and Immigrations; International Air Transportation tax; agricultural tax; other per person taxes imposed by government entities; airport taxes and fees including the September 11th Security fee up to $10 per person, passenger facility charges up to $18 per person, Federal domestic flight segment fees up to $3.50 per segment, and U.S. and International arrival and departure and other government-imposed fees between $200 – $375 per person; port taxes; passports; visas and vaccinations; tips to your Tour or Cruise Director, Local Host, driver, Local Guides, and/or ship’s crew; gratuities on ferries, trains, and cruise ships; laundry; telephone; minibar; alcohol, beverages, and food outside of the contracted Globus menu as presented at a hotel or restaurant or onboard your vessel (these extra items will be billed to you before leaving the hotel, ship, or restaurant); optional excursions; airport transfers on non-qualifying flights; airport transfers with cruise only, porterage at airports and train stations; Trip Protection; baggage fees; and all other items of a personal nature.
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