This popular Europe trip starts with two nights in Rome, where you will enjoy a special welcome dinner with wine at a lively Roman restaurant, and ends with two nights in London. You will also stop in major cities like Florence, Venice, Lucerne, and Paris. All “must-see” features—such as St. Peter’s, the Sistine Chapel, the Colosseum in Rome, Michelangelo’s David in Florence, St. Mark’s in Venice, the second floor of the Eiffel Tower in Paris, and St. Paul’s in London—are included and experienced in the company of a knowledgeable Local Guide in each city. Special dining highlights are a Tuscan dinner with the traditional Tagliata Fiorentina in Florence and a pasta party in Venice. From Italy, cross the border to subtropical Lugano in Switzerland, then drive straight through the Alps via St. Gotthard and William Tell country to picture-book Lucerne, where you have a relaxing two-night stay. Admire the Lion Monument during your walking tour and savor a Swiss chocolate surprise. Enjoy a two-night-stay in Paris and ascend to the second floor of the Eiffel Tower. Board the Eurostar train for a smooth ride to London, where guided sightseeing and two overnights make for the perfect finale to your vacation.
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Day 1
Time to rest or start exploring the “Eternal City.” At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and traveling companions and leave the hotel for a special welcome dinner with wine at one of Rome’s lively restaurants. (D)
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Day 2
Sightseeing with your Local Guide starts with a visit to the VATICAN MUSEUMS and SISTINE CHAPEL, world famous for Michelangelo’s ceiling paintings and The Last Judgement. Continue to monumental ST. PETER’S SQUARE and BASILICA. Cross the Tiber and visit the COLOSSEUM and the ROMAN FORUM, where Roman legions marched in triumph. Then, time for independent activities and exciting optional excursion possibilities. (B)
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Day 3
An easy morning drive north to Florence, “Cradle of the Renaissance.” Enjoy a walking tour with a Local Guide and visit the ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS with Michelangelo’s celebrated David. Admire the magnificent cathedral, Giotto’s Bell Tower, and the Baptistry’s heavy bronze “Gate of Paradise.” Also visit sculpture-studded SIGNORIA SQUARE. Later, take a moment to check out the enticing shops with Florentine leather goods and gold jewelry. (B,D)
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Day 4
Drive across the Apennine Hills and through the plains of the mighty River Po to Venice. Enter the city in style by PRIVATE BOAT to ST. MARK’S SQUARE. Admire the byzantine basilica, the Clock Tower, lavish Doges’ Palace and the Bridge of Sighs. Watch skilled GLASSBLOWERS fashion their delicate objects, then time to explore or to join an optional gondola ride. (B,D)
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Day 5
Through the Lombardian plains, past Milan and Lake Como to the Swiss Alps. Stop in the subtropical town of Lugano, then, admire the towering majesty of the Swiss Alps and St. Gotthard on the way to picture-book Lucerne. Why not sign up for a folklore party with yodeling and alphorn blowing for a first-hand impression of Alpine merrymaking? (B)
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Day 6
Admire Thorwaldsen’s LION MONUMENT and the ornate patrician houses lining the cobblestone streets of the Old Town. Then, cross the famous covered CHAPEL BRIDGE to the Jesuit Church. Afterwards, shop for Swiss watches and choose from our optional activities: climb a mountain by cable car or take a cruise on the fjord-like lake. (B,D)
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Day 7
Cross the border into France and enjoy a fast ride on the modern highway, skirting the vineyards of Burgundy and Fontainebleau Forest. Tonight, you are in Paris, the traditional climax of every European tour. (B)
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Day 8
Discover the world capital of chic and style with a Local Guide and admire its most famous sights: the Opéra, Arc de Triomphe, Champs-Elysées, Notre Dame Cathedral, and more. For a bird’s-eye view, take the elevator to the second floor of Paris’ most famous landmark: the EIFFEL TOWER. An optional excursion to the lavish baroque Palace of Versailles is available. Tonight, a lively cabaret show might just be the ticket. (B)
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Day 9
Board the EUROSTAR TRAIN for a smooth ride to London, arriving in the afternoon. Meet your local host, who will assist you during your stay in London. Why not take in a West End show tonight? (B)
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Day 10
Morning sightseeing with a Local Guide includes all the famous landmarks: the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben beside the River Thames, Westminster Abbey, Whitehall’s mounted horseguards and the Prime Minister’s Downing Street, Piccadilly Circus, and Buckingham Palace. Highlights are a visit to ST. PAUL’S CATHEDRAL and the ceremonial pageantry of the Changing of the Guard, if held. Afternoon at leisure. Optional excursions are available to the Tower of London and to Windsor Castle. Tonight, maybe a leisurely cruise on the River Thames? (B)
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Day 11
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
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ROMEWelcome dinner with wine at a local restaurant; guided sightseeing, visit the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Square and Basilica, the Colosseum and Roman ForumFLORENCE Guided walking tour, visit Michelangelo’s David and Signoria Square; [LF] dinner with wine at a local restaurantVENICE Private boat ride; visit St. Mark’s Square; glassblower demonstration; [LF] pasta party with wine at a local restaurantLUGANO Visit the subtropical townLUCERNE Walking tour including the Lion Monument and the Chapel Bridge; [LF] Swiss chocolate surprisePARIS Guided sightseeing, ascend the Eiffel TowerPARIS–LONDON By high-speed Eurostar trainLONDONGuided sightseeing, visit St. Paul’s Cathedral and see the Changing of the Guard, if heldHeadsets throughout the tour
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ROME Starhotels Michelangelo (SF)FLORENCE Hilton Garden Inn (F)VENICE Ambasciatori (F) at Mestre or Delfino (F) at MestreLUCERNE Astoria (F)PARIS Mercure Paris Centre Tour Eiffel (F) or Pullman Paris Bercy (SF)LONDON The Grosvenor Victoria (SF) or Hilton London Metropole (SF)
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Full buffet breakfast daily (B); 4 three-course dinners (D), including special dinners with wine in Rome, Florence, and Venice
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NOTE:- In the rare event that the Eurostar train is unavailable, alternative services will be provided.
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Prices based on double room occupancy.Single room supplement: $666.Triple room reduction per person: $22.Extra nights per person in Rome:in single room $208, in twin $150, in triple $128.Extra nights per person in London:January-April: in single room $167, in twin $94, in triple $89.May-October: in single room $270, in twin $167, in triple $160.November-April, 2014.: in single room $184, in twin $104, in triple $98.2014 departures are subject to itinerary and price modification. Details will be available in September 2013.
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Essential Europe
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Motorcoach with free Wi-Fi; private boat ride in Venice; high-speed Eurostar train
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This popular Europe trip starts with two nights in Rome, where you will enjoy a special welcome dinner with wine at a lively Roman restaurant, and ends with two nights in London. You will also stop in major cities like Florence, Venice, Lucerne, and Paris. All “must-see” features—such as St. Peter’s, the Sistine Chapel, the Colosseum in Rome, Michelangelo’s David in Florence, St. Mark’s in Venice, the second floor of the Eiffel Tower in Paris, and St. Paul’s in London—are included and experienced in the company of a knowledgeable Local Guide in each city. Special dining highlights are a Tuscan dinner with the traditional Tagliata Fiorentina in Florence and a pasta party in Venice. From Italy, cross the border to subtropical Lugano in Switzerland, then drive straight through the Alps via St. Gotthard and William Tell country to picture-book Lucerne, where you have a relaxing two-night stay. Admire the Lion Monument during your walking tour and savor a Swiss chocolate surprise. Enjoy a two-night-stay in Paris and ascend to the second floor of the Eiffel Tower. Board the Eurostar train for a smooth ride to London, where guided sightseeing and two overnights make for the perfect finale to your vacation.
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