Day 1 : London – Paris
Your journey to the continent begins today. Join your Travel Director and fellow travellers, travelling south through the pretty Kent countryside to Dover. Board your ferry to Calais and leave the chalky White Cliffs behind. Arriving in Paris, you’ll have time to explore the 'City of Lights' on your own. The French capital glows bright both day and night, but consider an Optional Experience on the Seine at this evening to make your introduction even more special.
Accommodation : Mercure La Défense, Hampton by Hilton Clichy
Day 2 : Paris sightseeing and free time
Put the joy in joie de vivre when you embark on a full day to delve into the highlights of Paris. Your sightseeing tour conducted by your Travel Director will take you past the Champs-Élysées, the Arc de Triomphe and the 'Iron Lady' herself, the Eiffel Tower. Relish the afternoon to do as you please. That could mean channelling your inner Parisian and sitting in a leafy park with a baguette and some cheese and wine. Consider an optional tour with a Local Specialist to explore the cobbled streets of Montmartre. Tonight, colourful Can-Can girls will entice you with their remarkable outfits should you choose to join an Optional Experience cabaret show.
Accommodation : Mercure La Défense, Hampton by Hilton Clichy
Day 3 : Paris – Lucerne Region
Au revoir Paris. The Burgundy wine region and beyond beckons. Head through vineyards and valleys as you journey to Lucerne where a brief orientation will see you view the 14th-century Chapel Bridge spanning the Reuss River. Visit the poignant Lion Monument, hewn from rock to honour the brave Swiss Guards who died defending King Louis XVI during the French Revolution. Maybe spend some time shopping for Swiss souvenirs, or take a stroll across the photogenic Chapel Bridge before heading to your hotel.
Accommodation : Ibis Kriens
Day 4 : Lucerne Region – Venice (Oriago)
With your head in the clouds, you’ll journey via the scenic St. Gotthard Pass into Italy. On your journey south, the soul-stirring landscapes of the Italian lakes stretch ahead as you venture to Venice, the 'Queen of the Adriatic'. The Winged Lion of St. Mark stands guard over the city. There’s no better way to see the sights than gliding gracefully through its canals on a gondola – an Optional Experience that captures the essence of Venice like none other.
Accommodation : LH Sirio Venice
Day 5 : Venice orientation – Florence
Your love affair with Venice continues this morning as you cruise by private launch to St. Mark’s Square and view the city’s iconic sights, including St. Mark’s Basilica, the Doge's Palace and Piazza San Marco. Stand in the centre of the square and capture the historic panorama which Napoleon once called 'the drawing room of Europe'. The exquisite art of glassblowing for which Venice is justifiably famous follows next. You’ll see master craftsmen engaged in the centuries-old craft at a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. Consider an opportunity to visit the colourful fisherman’s island of Burano for an optional meal with drinks or spend the afternoon exploring Venice on your own before heading to Florence.
Accommodation : Starhotels Vespucci
Day 6 : Florence – Rome
No expense was spared to exalt the glory of Florence through art and architecture and you’ll see first-hand how this city paved?its?way to a modern age. Explore the treasures left behind by the Medici dynasty and famous artists like Da Vinci and Michelangelo during an orientation tour which includes a visit to Santa Croce Square, where some of the most famous sons of the Renaissance are buried. Enjoy time to shop for souvenirs or the city’s famous gold and leathercraft before departing for Rome, the 'Eternal City'.
Accommodation : Ergife Palace
Day 7 : Rome sightseeing and free time
There’s no better way to see Rome than to dive right in, which is what you’ll do when you meet your Local Specialist for a sightseeing tour that begins in Vatican City. The dome of St. Peter’s Basilica looms over the expansive St. Peter’s Square – the impressive backdrop for time spent learning about the world’s smallest country. See Michelangelo’s mournful Pietà up close. Continue to Ancient Rome, followed by time to explore on your own or perhaps join a light-hearted evening revealing all the flavours that would make any Italian mamma proud.
Accommodation : Ergife Palace
Day 8 : Depart Rome
Say arrivederci to your newfound friends as the curtain closes on an epic journey from London to Rome.