DAY 1: London - Channel crossing - Amsterdam area.
Join your tour by travelling on our free coach service from
London for your Channel crossing to the Continent. Here you will be met
by your tour director and touring coach to continue to the Amsterdam
area for one night.
DAY 2: Amsterdam area (included sightseeing) - Rhineland.
A morning to enjoy Holland's bustling metropolis. Begin with a
canal cruise followed by a visit to a diamond cutting centre, then a
drive with local guide pointing out the city's highlights. Continue to
the Rhineland for one night. (B, D)
DAY 3: Rhineland - Heidelberg - Lake Lucerne.
Today you may like to join the optional cruise along the Rhine
past the Lorelei Rock. Then continue to Germany's oldest university town
- Heidelberg. Head to the shores of lovely Lake Lucerne for two nights.
(B, D)
DAY 4: Lake Lucerne.
Lucerne enjoys a delightful lakeside location, nestling amid
snow-capped Alps. The town visit takes in the city's trademarks - the
Lion Monument and wooden bridge. Enjoy a spectacular view of the Alps on
the optional cable car trip to the summit of Mount Titlis - a
breathtaking sight. (B)
DAY 5: Lake Lucerne - Lugano - Verona - Venice area.
More breathtaking scenery today as you head south through Alpine
scenery to the subtropical climes of the Ticino region. Stop in
beautiful Lugano and then cross into Italy. Next on to Verona to see the
legendary balcony of Juliet before heading to the Venice area for two
nights. (B)
DAY 6: Venice area.
Enjoy your included canal boat ride today followed by an
orientation of this romantic city and a typical Venetian glass blowing
demonstration. (B, D)
DAY 7: Venice area - Assisi - Rome.
Drive southward via the Po Delta, skirting the Adriatic coast
before stopping in Assisi, St Francis' birthplace. Visit the splendid
Basilica that bears his name. Later to Rome for two nights in this great
capital. (B)
DAY 8: Rome. Included sightseeing.
The 'Eternal City' - a city steeped in history, vibrantly alive,
exciting and absolutely unique! Included sightseeing with local guide
starts in St Peter's Square, followed by a visit to the Roman Forum and
the mighty Colosseum. (B)
DAY 9: Rome - Pisa - Florence.
Northward to Pisa to see the fascinating Leaning Tower before
heading to the great Renaissance city of Florence. Spend two nights in
the Florence area. (B)
DAY 10: Florence. Included sightseeing.
This wonderful city will keep you enthralled for the whole day.
All traffic is banned in the historic centre so visitors can wander at
leisure and admire this city's timeless beauty. Enjoy the included
sightseeing walking tour with local guide and visit one of Florence's
bargain leather shops. (B, D)
DAY 11: Florence area - French Riviera.
Journey past the great port of Genoa to the glamorous French Riviera. Enjoy a relaxing afternoon in this lovely area. (B)
DAY 12: French Riviera - Avignon - Carcassonne.
A leisurely drive this morning to Avignon. Immaculately
preserved, Avignon is enclosed by medieval walls and boasts a host of
fascinating sights including the famous Papal Palace. Continue to
Carcassonne for one night. (B, D)
DAY 13: Carcassonne - Barcelona.
Time this morning to become better acquainted with impressive
Carcassonne, one of the best examples of a medieval fortified town. Then
through endless vineyards, past picturesque fishing ports of the
Languedoc-Roussillon region to Spain and Barcelona for two nights. (B)
DAY 14: Barcelona. Included sightseeing.
This morning's sightseeing with local guide will include a drive
around Montjuic to see the Olympic Stadium and a great panoramic view of
the port and city. The drive continues to the city center to Plaza
Catalunya and Passeig de Gracia to admire the greatness and eccentricity
of Gaudi's architectural masterpieces in the Houses Batllo and Mila and
the Sagrada Familia (entrance fees not included). (B)
DAY 15: Barcelona - Madrid.
See more of Catalonia as you drive northwest via Zaragoza through the very heart of Spain to reach Madrid for two nights. (B)
DAY 16: Madrid. Included sightseeing.
Just one day to discover Madrid and it's certainly worth making
the most of it by taking advantage of the included city sightseeing with
a local guide. (B)
DAY 17: Madrid - Burgos - Bilbao.
Start the day by driving up to and through the Somosierra Pass
before stopping in Burgos. Then through Basque country to Bilbao for one
night. (B, D)
DAY 18: Bilbao - Bordeaux - Poitiers.
Across the flat plains of the Landes to Bordeaux, the wine
capital of France, for an orientation. Then on to historic Poitiers, for
one night. (B, D)
DAY 19: Poitiers - Orléans - Paris.
Head north and enjoy a scenic drive along the shores of the river
Loire dotted with some of France's most famous castles. Stop in Orléans
to see the statue of Joan of Arc before reaching Paris in time to enjoy
the optional cabaret show. Enjoy two nights in this fascinating city.
(B)
DAY 20: Paris. Included sightseeing.
Enjoy this exciting and beautiful city. Sightseeing with a local
guide in Paris includes many of the best-known Parisian sights: La
Sorbonne, Boulevard St Germain, Eiffel Tower, Opéra, Champs Elysées and
the Rue de Rivoli. (B)
DAY 21: Tour ends in Paris
Your holiday ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
Accommodation on Tour - typical hotels used or similar
Amsterdam area: Crown Plaza at Hoofdoorp (4*) or Tulip Inn City West (3*); Rhineland: Ramada Bruehl or Arthotel at Aachen (3*); Lake Lucerne: Hirschen at Fluelen (3*); Venice area: Holiday Inn at Marghera (4*); Rome: Villa Maria Regina or Fleming (4*); Florence area: Holiday Inn (4*) or Europa at Signa (3*); French Riviera: Holiday Inn Le Cannet or Quality at Menton or All Seasons Nice (3*); Carcassonne: Des 3 Couronnes (3*); Barcelona: Catalonia Aragon (3*); Madrid: Rafaeles Hotel Venta or Praga (4*); Bilbao: Novotel Barakaldo (4*); Poitiers: Ibis Centre (2*); Paris: Campanile Porte Italie (2*) or Courtyard at Neuilly (3*).