Itinerary for: European Splendour 2010 (ESPLA)
- Rome
- Siena
- Florence
- Ravenna
- Venice
- Verona
- Lucerne
- Savigny-Les-Beaune
- Paris
- Dover
- London
Day 1:
Welcome to Rome! After check-in, time to relax. Tonight, enjoy a Welcome Drink with your Tour Director and fellow travellers.
Hotel: Aran Mantegna
Day 2:
Our sightseeing tour with a local expert includes a visit to St. Peter’s Basilica where we see the moving Pieta, one of the masterpieces of Michelangelo. We also overlook the Forum, the mighty Colosseum and Circus Maximus, where the chariot racing took place in ancient Rome, before time at leisure. (Buffet breakfast)
Day 3:
This morning we drive northwards through the Chianti wine-producing region to the beautiful medieval town of Siena and take a stroll through the cobbled streets to the spacious Campo Square where the colourful Palio horse race takes place every year. There is time to walk up to the black and white
striped cathedral or to shop for attractive ceramic pottery before leaving for the great Renaissance city of Florence, where we enjoy a Highlight Dinner tonight. (Buffet breakfast / Highlight dinner)
Hotel: Grand Mediterraneo
Day 4:
Our guided walking tour today features the marble cathedral, Signoria Square and a visit to Santa Croce church where many great Italians, including Michelangelo, are buried. Later, we enjoy the classic panoramic view over the city from Piazzale Michelangelo before free time when we have the chance to visit the museums or shop for high quality leather and gold. (Buffet breakfast)
Day 5:
We enjoy a scenic drive over the forested Apennines via Forli to Ravenna. We stop to visit the Basilica of Saint Apollinaris in Classe with its stunning colourful Byzantine mosaics. Then we continue along the Strada Romea through a section of the Po Delta and past ‘fisherman’s Venice,’ the town of Chioggia, to the waterbound city of Venice, built on over 200 islands in the lagoon. (Buffet breakfast / Dinner)
Hotel: B4 Venezia - Mestre
Day 6:
Savour the sights and sounds of this Byzantine city on canals as we enjoy an included cruise to St. Mark’s Square, seeing the Palladian Churches of the Redeemer and St. George as well as the Doge’s Palace, the Bridge of Sighs and part of the Grand Canal. We stroll across St. Mark’s Square, with time to admire the Basilica and its campanile, to visit one of the oldest Murano glass
workshops on the island. Here we will witness a demonstration of glass–blowing by one of the few remaining craftsmen able to create beautiful objects out of molten crystal. Today our Tour Director shares one of the many Hidden Treasures of Venice with us all and there is still time to cruise across the lagoon to discover the colourful island of Burano and enjoy a delicious seafood lunch. (Buffet breakfast)
Day 7:
Today we drive westwards across the Veneto plains and stop in Shakespeare’s Verona to see the Roman arena and Juliet’s balcony. We continue past the commercial centre of Milan and head north to the Italian and Swiss Lake Districts via Como and Lugano. Then we take the scenic alpine St. Gotthard route into central Switzerland and to picturesque lakeside Lucerne. (Buffet breakfast / Dinner)
Hotel: Schiller
Day 8:
This morning our orientation tour shows us the poignant Lion Monument which commemorates the heroism of the Swiss guards during the French Revolution, and the wooden Chapel Bridge. Then there is free time to take an exhilarating mountain excursion or shop for Swiss watches and chocolate! (Buffet breakfast / Dinner)
Day 9:
This morning after breakfast, we head to the French border past Belfort and the remains of the Maginot Line. From here our journey continues into the wineproducing region of Burgundy to view the Savigny-Lès-Beaune vineyards before we arrive in lively Paris. Your evening is free to do as you please so why not enjoy one of Paris’ great cabaret shows? (Buffet breakfast)
Hotel: Pullman Rive Gauche
Day 10:
This morning our guided sightseeing tour includes a drive along the Champs Élysées, views of Notre Dame on the Île de la Cité and the ascent of the Eiffel Tower to the second level for incredible views of the city. Tonight, at the end of our European tour, we enjoy a special celebratory Farewell Dinner
with our Tour Director and fellow travellers. (Buffet breakfast / Farewell dinner)
Day 11:
We travel north through France, passing World War I battlefields, to reach the English Channel where we take the ferry to the port of Dover with its famous White Cliffs and then, finally, we drive up to London as our tour comes to an end. Time to bid farewell to our Tour Director and our new-found friends. (Buffet breakfast)
Free airport transfers:
Transfers on Day 1 at Rome Fiumicino Airport will operate at 09.30, 12.30 and 15.30. Passengers arriving later should make their own way to the first hotel.
FLOT12 - FLORENCE. Florentine Dinner with entertainment
Sample the flavours of medieval Florence, during an evening of good food and music at a distinctive historic venue. (Subject to availability).
66 (€)
FLOT01 - FLORENCE. Jewels of the Renaissance
A guided tour of the Accademia allows us to appreciate the most controversial sculpture in Italy, Michelangelo’s David. Our visit will be enhanced by the effective use of our excellent audio system.
34 (€)
FLOT03 - FLORENCE. Lunch or Dinner, Wine & Music in the Chianti Hills
Take a scenic drive through the beautiful Tuscan countryside to a delightful regional restaurant set among the pines and cypress trees. Here a feast of gastronomic specialities awaits, accompanied by song and music.
57 (€)
FLOT06 - FLORENCE. Pisa & the Arno Valley
A half day excursion along the picturesque Arno Valley, through the land of Leonardo near Empoli, to ancient Pisa. Time to visit the Square of Miracles with its famous Cathedral, Baptistry and Leaning Tower within the imposing city walls.
39 (€)
LCRT15 - LUCERNE. Folklore Show with Drinks
Join in the fun of a lively folklore show with typical Swiss entertainment. Drinks are provided as we enjoy, amongst other things, the yodelling, flagthrowing, Alpine horn blowing and fine musicianship of the band.
43 (€)
LCRT17 - LUCERNE. Mount Pilatus & Lake Cruise
A series of cable cars will take us gradually up through the fields and forests to the summit of Lucerne's most well known mountain. Here you have time to explore, admire the many sweeping views, and breathe in the fresh mountain air. Then we board the cog-wheel train to the base of the mountain. (On certain departures the ascent and descent will be by cable car only). On our return trip we enjoy a scenic lake cruise. (On certain departures this optional may be operated in reverse, with the cruise first.)
76 (€)
PART09 - PARIS. Dinner and Cabaret
(Should tickets to the Moulin Rouge be unavailable, you will be offered an alternative as below) Dinner with wines included at one of the most prestigious cabaret shows in town! Enjoy an evening of exciting acts, stunning tableaux and wonderful entertainment - including, of course, the world famous Can-Can. A night in Paris that you will never forget!
113 (€)
PART24 - PARIS. Moulin Rouge Cabaret and Dinner
An unforgettable evening of French entertainment at Paris’ most famous Cabaret, ‘Le Moulin Rouge’. Dinner, wine and Champagne will be included.
145 (€)
PART02 - PARIS. Seine Cruise & Paris by Night
Paris at night is a city transformed. Enjoy this superb 'city of light' as we take a leisurely cruise on one of the popular river boats under the bridges of Paris, admiring the wonderful buildings which adorn the banks of the River Seine. Afterwards, as we drive through this amazing city, we shall stop at some vantage points for you to capture these fascinating sights on camera.
32 (€)
PART13 - PARIS. The Louvre and Montmartre
We start with a conducted tour, enhanced by our excellent audio system, of one of the finest Art galleries in the world – the Louvre. A chance to admire the Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo amongst the many thousands of exhibits in this former Royal Palace. Later we take a funicular ride up to the artists' quarter of Montmartre.
45 (€)
PART07 - PARIS. Versailles - The Palace and Gardens
We leave the bustle of the city for the splendour and magnificence of Versailles. Created by the “Sun King” Louis XIV, the palace became the envy of every other European ruler. Our guide takes us through the State apartments, including the famous Hall of Mirrors. All of this enhanced with the use of our excellent audio system. Afterwards, take a stroll through the meticulous tree-lined gardens.
59 (€)
ROMT41 - ROME. Introduction to Rome by Night & Piazza Navona.
Cameras at the ready for the many magnificent sights awaiting us as we 'do as the Romans do' and take an evening 'Passegiata', or evening stroll. We will discover the many hidden delights that Rome has to offer. These can only be truly appreciated by wandering slowly through the labyrinth of narrow streets and beautiful squares which have developed over many centuries, creating an amazing legacy for us today, like Piazza Navona, with its lively cafes. Later we will ascend the 'Capitol Hill', just one of the features of this remarkable evening.
32 (€)
ROMT05 - ROME. Roman dinner with live musical entertainment
An evening of great entertainment and fun. A delicious Italian meal, including wine and soft drinks, is served while you are treated to a wonderful musical show, in a unique setting.
57 (€)
ROMT22 - ROME. Roman Highlights with the Colosseum
An extension to the included sightseeing tour which allows us to admire the artistic masterpieces collected and commissioned by the Popes and displayed in the Vatican Museums. See the famous Tapestry Gallery and Gallery of Maps then finally wonder at the masterpieces in the Sistine Chapel. Take your time - Michelangelo spent 11 years in the preparation of the vault and altar wall! Our visit will be enhanced by the effective use of our excellent audio system. Later we will enjoy an interior visit of the Colosseum, scene of many gladiatorial combats.
69 (€)
VCET86 - VENICE Magical Venice
A scintillating introduction to this magical city! First we cruise along the Grand Canal by private water taxis admiring the elegant Palazzos. We see the Rialto Bridge and then reach the ‘most beautiful outdoor drawing room in the world’ - St. Mark’s Square, where we will enjoy an included drink. Then enjoy a romantic gondola journey along canals full of character and colour, while musicians and singers entertain. See the magnificent and elegant palaces, witnesses of the past splendours of the ‘Serenissima’. (Without the drink, Euros 60)
69 (€)
VCET02 - VENICE. Lagoon Cruise with Lunch or Dinner
A half day off the beaten track! We are taken by private boat to the nearby islands in the lagoon of Venice. See the island of Murano and the Hermitage of San Francesco del Deserto. Lunch or dinner is taken at the island of the ‘fisherman’ - Burano - a photographer’s paradise. Drinks are also included.
65 (€)
VCET08 - VENICE. Venice Past & Present
Accompanied by a local expert we are taken into the magnificent Doges’ Palace – home to the rulers of the Venetian republic for hundreds of years. We are shown the main highlights of the palace and its elegant courtyards, witnesses to the Serene Republic's glorious past. This will be followed by a guided tour through the winding streets and across medieval bridges, so that you can experience and appreciate what life is like for citizens of Venice in the present.
34 (€)
LCRT14 - LUCERNE. Swiss Heritage
A chance to meet the Swiss, as local farmers take us on a delightful countryside tour in horse drawn carriages. Enjoy stunning scenery as we trot around a typical rural community, en route to a working farm where local drinks and snacks will be served at a 17th century barn.
45 (€)
Child Prices: Apply to children under the age of 16.