| European Spotlight - Itinerary
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DAY 1 – SUN – LONDON
– AMSTERDAM
Meet your Tour Director at the Thistle Marble
Arch in London. Drive to the famous white cliffs of Dover to cross the English Channel. Disembark at
Calais and follow the coast into Belgium, entering the Netherlands and seeing your first windmills en
route to Amsterdam. Pass the Mint Tower and Royal Palace in Dam Square on your way to watch
diamonds being cut and polished. Tonight, enjoy a Welcome Drink with your Tour Director before
boarding a special sightseeing boat and cruising past mansions and under low bridges to alight in the
harbour for a Highlight Dinner aboard a floating restaurant.Hotel: Moevenpick City Centre. (HD) |
DAY 7 – SAT – VENICE
- LUCERNE
Travel through some of the richest farmland in
Europe as you cross northern Italy. Glimpse the beautiful Italian Lake District as you continue into the
heart of the Swiss Alps, past gushing streams and soaring peaks to scenic Lake Lucerne. Consider
spending the evening at a fondue party and folklore night. Hotel: Astoria. (BB) |
DAY 2 – MON – AMSTERDAM
- RHINELAND
Pass Arnhem, renowned for its ‘Bridge
Too Far’, and continue over the German border to Cologne. Despite the city being badly damaged in
World War Two, its Gothic Cathedral survived. After marvelling at its soaring spires, continue through the former West German capital of Bonn to the scenic Rhine Gorge. Board a cruiser at Boppard and
glide past vineyards and imposing castles, and hear the legend of the Loreley Rock before rejoining
the coach at St Goar to continue to the hotel. Hotel: Maritim Parkhotel. (BB,D) |
DAY
8 – SUN – LUCERNE SIGHTSEEING
Walk with your Tour Director to the emotive
Lion Monument, carved into a cliff to commemorate the Swiss Guards who lost their lives during the
French Revolution. Spend time shopping or strolling along the Chapel Bridge to the richly ornate
Jesuit Church. Embark on a Premium Highlight excursion by cog-wheel train and cable-car to the
summit of one of Switzerland’s most famous mountains, Mount Pilatus. Admire the views over the
snow-capped Jungfrau and Eiger peaks before returning to Lucerne. (BB,D) |
DAY
3 – TUE – RHINELAND - INNSBRUCK
Skirt the northern Black Forest and pass
Ulm, which has the world’s highest church spire. Stop at the base of the Bavarian Alps to see the Royal
castles, including King Ludwig’s fabulous fairytale castle of Neuschwanstein. Cross the Austrian border
and drive over the spectacular Fern Pass to arrive in Innsbruck, capital of the Tyrol. Tour the
architectural jewels of the city, seeing the Imperial Palace, delightful Golden Roof and the 14th
century houses of the old town before enjoying dinner at the hotel. Hotel: Innsbruck. (BB,D) |
DAY
9 – MON – LUCERNE - PARIS
Drive to Basel before crossing the Rhine to France. Travel
across the fertile fields of Burgundy to Paris, the vibrant heart of French life, and a city which glitters by
night. Here, you have the option of a night-time illuminations tour. Hotel: Hilton. (BB) |
DAY
4 – WED – SALZBURG EXCURSION
Drive out to visit Innsbruck’s superb Wilten
Basilica – its interior richly decorated with cherubs and angels. Follow the Inn Valley to Salzburg for
a guided tour of Mozart’s home city. From the formal gardens of the Mirabell Palace, photograph the
city skyline crowned by its castle. Cross the river to the Getreidegasse and Mozart’s birthplace, and
stroll through the Old Town’s narrow lanes to the cathedral and Residenz fountain. Return to
Innsbruck in the afternoon, after which you can opt to join a lively folklore party. (BB) |
DAY
10 – TUE – PARIS SIGHTSEEING
A comprehensive guided sightseeing tour shows
you the highlights of the city, including the Champs Élysées, Arc de Triomphe, Garnier’s Opera, Notre
Dame Cathedral and the Louvre. A Premium Highlight sees you ascend by elevator to the viewing
platforms of the Eiffel Tower before visiting the gilded Dôme Church to see the imposing tomb of the
Emperor Napoleon. There is time in the afternoon for sightseeing at your own pace. (BB) |
DAY
5 – THU – INNSBRUCK - VENICE
Leave Innsbruck and travel across the impressive
Europa Bridge, and cross the Brenner Pass into Italy. Follow the Adige River through spectacular
scenery down to the great plain. Visit fascinating Verona, with its first century Roman Arena, maze
of elegant squares and, of course, Juliet’s famous balcony. Now you pass Padua on your way to your
hotel on the fashionable Venice Lido. Hotel: Le Boulevard. (BB,D) |
DAY
11– WED – PARIS - LONDON
Cross the battlefields of World War One en route to
Calais for the return voyage back to Dover. After a short drive through the pretty Kent countryside,
the tour ends back at the Thistle Marble Arch in London. (BB) |
DAY
6 – FRI – VENICE SIGHTSEEING
Romantic Venice! Relax on a private launch as it
cruises past the island of San Giorgio to alight at St Mark’s Square. Stroll along the water’s edge to
see the Bridge of Sighs that connects the Doges’ Palace with the prisons. See St Mark’s Basilica and
belltower before watching one of the few remaining craftsmen hand-blow Venetian glass. The tour
concludes with a gondola ride through the canals. Don’t miss the chance to try the city’s delicious
seafood, freshly caught in the lagoon. (BB) |
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