DAY 1: London - Channel Crossing - Brussels.
Join your tour by travelling on our free coach service from London to the Channel for your crossing to the Continent. Here you will be met by our representative and transferred by coach to Brussels for one night.
DAY 2: Brussels - Trier - Frankfurt area.
This morning, drive to the Duchy of Luxembourg before crossing the German border for a stop in ancient Trier. Later, continue through the splendid scenery of the Moselle Valley where this afternoon, you can either take a scenic drive along the shores of the Rhine or alternatively, relax aboard an optional Rhine cruise for views of the Lorelei Rock, hilltop castles, half-timbered wine villages, and terraced vineyards. Continue by coach to the Frankfurt area for one night. (B, D)
DAY 3: Frankfurt area - Nuremberg - Salzburg.
Journey through the heart of Germany to the historic city of Nuremberg, famed for the war crime trials which took place in 1945 and home to Gothic churches, ancient ramparts and elegant patrician houses. Later, continue past Munich and across the Austrian border into Salzburg, for one night. (B)
DAY 4: Salzburg - Vienna.
After a morning at leisure, journey through the Salzkammergut Lakelands made famous in the 'Sound of Music' and pass Mondsee to follow the Danube almost all the way to Vienna, for two nights. Tonight, enjoy an optional wine village dinner. (B)
DAY 5: Vienna.
Start the morning with an included sightseeing tour of Vienna, with a local guide. You will see the State Opera, Hofburg, Parliament and the Town Hall and take a short walk for an inside visit of St Stephen's Cathedral. In the afternoon why not take the optional trip to visit Schönbrunn Palace, one of the Habsburg summer residences? (B)
DAY 6: Vienna - Lake Balaton - Budapest.
Journey into Hungary by way of Györ and head to the vast shores of Lake Balaton for a drive amidst some of its lakeside, summer resorts. Continue to Budapest, where Beethoven wrote his Appassionata, and enjoy two nights in this lively capital as well as an optional evening Danube cruise tonight. (B, D)
DAY 7: Budapest.
Buda Castle dominates the twin cities of Buda and Pest, linked by the broad ribbon of the Danube. Heroes' Square typifies the modern capital, while along the riverbank, you will find old inns and wine cellars. The included sightseeing tour with a local guide takes in Parliament, Margaret Island, Fisherman's Bastion and Matthias Church. (B)
DAY 8: Budapest - Bratislava - Prague.
Drive across the border to Slovakia for a visit to its capital city, Bratislava, before continuing on towards the Czech Republic. Travel through Bohemia, an enchanting land of castles, spas and picket-fenced villages, before reaching the magnificent city of Prague, where you will stay for two nights. (B, D)
DAY 9: Prague.
The wealth of Gothic and Baroque architecture perhaps inspired the Czech composers of Dvorak and Smetana. The included sightseeing with a local guide will take in the National Theatre and the old Town Hall's famous Astronomical Clock. (B, D)
DAY 10: Prague - Dresden - Berlin.
Enjoy more of Bohemia as you journey towards the German frontier. Today's highlight is a stop in Dresden, a magnificently restored city after its almost total destruction in World War II. This afternoon, head north and across the River Elbe to Berlin, for two nights. (B)
DAY 11: Berlin.
Since the wall dividing the distinctly different east and west sides came down, Berlin has developed into a harmonious blend of old and new, preserving its old heritage buildings, such as the State Opera House and the Brandenburg Gate, its neoclassical style boulevards, such as the Kurfurstendamm and the Unter den Linden, as well as creating brand new buildings in the most modern architectural styles. Germany's capital is now culturally one of the most fascinating, lively and interesting cities in Europe. See the highlights on the included guided sightseeing tour. This afternoon you are free to explore at leisure or alternatively, join the optional excursion. (B)
DAY 12: Berlin - Hamelin - Rhineland.
Drive past Brunswick for a stop in Hamelin to hear the story of the Pied Piper. Next, enjoy the lovely scenery of the Teutoburger Forest en route to the Rhineland for one night. (B, D)
DAY 13: Rhineland - Channel Crossing - London.
Drive to the Channel port where your tour ends. After the short Channel crossing join the coach service back to London. (B)