| Romantic European - Itinerary
|
DAY 1 – LONDON – BRUSSELS
From London’s Park Plaza Victoria, drive to Dover and take
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 cheeky Mannekin Pis statue. As evening falls, enjoy a Welcome Drink with
your Tour Director. Hotel: Marriott/Sofitel Toison d’Or. |
DAY 11 - 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. (BB) |
DAY 2 – 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: Moevenpick City Centre. (BB) |
DAY
12 - VENICE - ROME
Head south into the Apennine Mountains and follow the course
of the Tiber to the Eternal City of Rome. As night falls, join your fellow passengers for a Dine-Around
evening of local cuisine offered from a selection of restaurants. Hotel: Sheraton. (BB,DA) |
DAY
3 - AMSTERDAM - WURZBURG
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. (BB,D) |
DAY
13 - ROME SIGHTSEEING
Join a local guide to visit the Vatican Museums and Sistine
Chapel, complete with a Tour of St Peter’s Basilica to see Michelangelo's the Pieta. Now cross the
Tiber to visit the Colosseum and see the Forum. The afternoon is at leisure. (BB) |
DAY
4 - WURZBURG - PRAGUE
Stop in Nuremberg to see the charming blend of stone
and timbered dwellings and 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. (BB,D) |
DAY
14 - ROME - FLORENCE
Head north into the peaceful landscapes of Tuscany, driving
to Piazzale Michelangelo for views over Florence. After a leather-work demonstration, spend the
afternoon exploring this beautiful city. Hotel: Palazzo Ricasoli. (BB,D) |
DAY
5 - 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. (BB) |
DAY
15 - FLORENCE SIGHTSEEING
A local guide takes you to Santa Croce Basilica to
see the tombs of Galileo and Michelangelo. Continue to the lofty Cathedral where Giotto's 14C
Campanile is said to be the most beautiful bell-tower in the world. See the 'Gates of Paradise' on the
Baptistry and visit Signoria Square with its open-air gallery of Renaissance sculpture. (BB) |
DAY
6 – PRAGUE - BUDAPEST
Drive through the wine-producing area of South Moravia
into Slovakia and stop in its fortified capital, Bratislava. After free time to explore, cross into Hungary
and follow the River Danube to Budapest. Hotel: Hilton West End. (BB) |
DAY
16 - 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: Flora Hotel. (BB) |
DAY
7 - BUDAPEST SIGHTSEEING
With a Budapest guide, climb up to the old Castle District.
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. (BB,D) |
DAY
17 - 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 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
8 - BUDAPEST - VIENNA
Heading out of Budapest, survey the bridges over the
Danube from the lofty citadel atop Gellert Hill. Continue through peaceful farmland, dotted with
orchards and vineyards to the austrian border and Vienna.
Hotel: Hilton Plaza/NH Danube City. (BB) |
DAY
18 - LUCERNE - PARIS
Leave Switzerland and skirt the Jura Mountains into the Burgundy
wine region before continuing on to Paris. Hotel: Sofitel Bercy/Pullman Paris Porte de Sevres. (BB) |
DAY
9 - 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. (BB) |
DAY
19 - 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
10 – 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. (BB,D) |
DAY
20 - PARIS - LONDON
Cross the battlefields of World War One en route to Calais and
your voyage back to Dover. The tour ends after a short drive back to London. (BB) |
