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EUROPEAN
MASTERPIECE - 2010
30
days incl. air, or 29 days from London to Amsterdam (CO-5270)Return to Italy
Vacations & Tours
 Return to
France, Spain, Portugal and Morocco Vacations & Tours Vacation
Overview
This
truly comprehensive and exciting vacation takes in the best of Western
and Central Europe. Start your trip in London with time to explore this
city and take an optional sightseeing tour of London’s landmarks. Cross
the Channel by ferry to join your motorcoach heading for Paris, where you
enjoy two nights and a sightseeing tour including Paris’ famous sights.
On the way to Spain, enjoy Bordeaux, famous for its vineyards. In
Barcelona, Spain, enjoy a sightseeing tour before heading back to France
and the French Riviera, rightly known as one of Europe’s most scenic
regions. In Italy, stop in Pisa to admire its Leaning Tower, and enjoy a
walking tour of Florence’s highlights. Your sightseeing tour in Rome
includes St. Peter’s Square, the Roman Forum and the mighty Colosseum. On
your way to Sorrento for two nights, stop at Pompeii, where time stopped
in 79 AD with the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius.
Take
an overnight ferry to Greece and arrive in Patras before heading to
Olympia. In Athens, Greece’s ancient capital, your sightseeing tour
includes a visit to the fascinating Acropolis. Return to Italy by ferry
and stop in San Marino, the oldest state in the world. A boat ride and
orientation tour, including St. Mark’s Basilica and Square, awaits you in
Venice.
Leave
Italy and arrive in Vienna, Austria’s capital. A sightseeing tour of
Vienna includes the Opera, Parliament, and the Town Hall. In Innsbruck,
host of the 1964 and 1976 Winter Olympics, your orientation tour includes
Innsbruck’s most famous attraction, the Golden Roof—the 3-story balcony
on the central square capped with 2,738 gold plated copper tiles and
constructed for Emperor Maximilian I. From Innsbruck, cross into
Switzerland and stop in the tiny Principality of Liechtenstein. Arrive in
medieval lakeside Lucerne, one of Switzerland’s finest cities, for two
overnights. In Lucerne, nestled amid Switzerland’s snow-capped Alps, see
the impressive city walls, Europe’s oldest wooden bridge, ornate
patrician houses, and the Lion Monument—a masterful stone sculpture in
honor of heroic Swiss Guard of Louis XVI. Optional activities in Lucerne
include a funicular and cable car ride to the summit of Mount Titlis, a
cruise on the fjord-like lake, and of course, time to shop for a Swiss
watch.
You
see more of Switzerland and its quaint little villages, farms, and
chalets before crossing into Germany and enjoying the Rhine cruise past
the legendary Lorelei rock, hilltop castles, terraced vineyards, and
half-timbered villages. This European vacation ends in remarkable
Amsterdam with its intriguing canals. The sightseeing tour in Amsterdam
includes an orientation drive and canal cruise to see the town from water
level. On this European Masterpiece vacation, you have a wonderful mix of
beautiful scenery, historic cities, free time on your own, and included
sightseeing tours of some of Europe’s most exciting and popular cities.
This is a once-in-a-lifetime European vacation!
Itinerary
Day
1 BOARD YOUR OVERNIGHT TRANSATLANTIC FLIGHT
Day
2 ARRIVAL IN LONDON, ENGLAND
Check
into your hotel. In the afternoon you may want to start exploring the
lively British capital. Uniformed Hosts are available to help you make
the most of your stay.
Day
3 LONDON
A
full day to savor our rich program of optional activities: take a
panoramic tour of London’s landmarks, visit the Tower of London, or
choose an excursion to Windsor Castle. Tonight, maybe a leisurely cruise
on the River Thames? (B)
Day
4 LONDON-PARIS, FRANCE> Paris, France
Leave London in the early morning and head
through the lush English countryside to the Channel port, where you board
your ferry for the Continent. Here you’ll be met by your Tour Director
and luxury coach. Drive through the French countryside, arriving in Paris
in time to enjoy an optional cabaret show. (B)
Day
5 PARIS
Included sightseeing with a local expert of
many of the best-known Parisian sights: La Sorbonne, Arc de Triomphe,
Opéra, Madeleine, the Eiffel Tower, the Pyramid near the Louvre, the
Invalides, and Champs Elysées. (B)
Day
6 PARIS-CHÂTEAUX COUNTRY-BORDEAUX
Start the day by motoring south to Blois and
then parallel to the River Loire past the castles of Chaumont and Amboise
for a short stop in Tours. Take the comfortable Autoroute L’Aquitaine as
far as Poitiers, beautifully situated on a rocky plateau. South again to
Saintes, then the Grand Champagne wine-growing area. Another 60 miles and
you’ll be in Bordeaux on the banks of the Garonne. (B,D)
Day
7 BORDEAUX-BARCELONA, SPAIN
From the vineyards of the Gironde and the
Garonne, travel eastwards, bypassing Toulouse to Carcassone in the
foothills of the Pyrenées. Stop and admire what is perhaps the
best-preserved medieval fortified town in Europe. Later, reach the
Spanish border and motor through Catalonia. Once across the River Ter,
you’ll soon be in Barcelona. (B)
Day
8 BARCELONA
This morning’s sightseeing with a Local Guide
includes a drive around Montjuic to see the Olympic Stadium and a
panoramic view of the port and city. The drive continues to the city
center to Plaza Catalunya and Paseo 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,D)
Day
9 BARCELONA-FRENCH RIVIERA, FRANCE
Retrace your drive to the French border, then
into the vine-covered region of the Herault for a stop in Arles. Later,
motor westwards across the Rhône towards the Mediterranean shores for an
overnight on the French Riviera. (B)
Day
10 FRENCH RIVIERA-EZE-FLORENCE AREA, ITALY
Today along the high coastal road to visit a
perfume workshop in Eze. The day is highlighted by the drive along the French
and Italian Rivieras and into hilly Tuscany for a visit to Pisa to see
the Leaning Tower and the Square of Miracles. Overnight in the Florence
area. (B,D)
Day
11 FLORENCE AREA-ROME > Rome
Don’t miss the included walking tour with a
Local Guide, featuring most of the city highlights. In the afternoon,
travel south on the autostrada Del Sole through the sunlit valleys of
Chianti country to Rome. (B)
Day
12 ROME
The "Eternal City"—a city steeped in
history, vibrantly alive, and exciting and absolutely unique! Included
sightseeing with a Local Guide starts in St. Peter’s Square, followed by
a visit to the Roman Forum and the mighty Colosseum. (B)
Day
13 ROME-VESUVIUS-POMPEII-SORRENTO
South all the way today, with the volcano
Vesuvius in the distance. Then to Pompeii, where time stopped in 79 AD,
when the Vesuvius eruption totally destroyed it. On the included visit
you can see the luxurious villas, temples, theater, and forum. Just a few
more miles to Sorrento for an overnight. (B)
Day
14 SORRENTO
An optional excursion today to the legendary
island of Capri. The island is surrounded by a rocky coastline, where the
crashing sea has formed awe-inspiring caves. The town with its pretty piazza,
maze of streets, fashionable boutiques, and smart restaurants is a mecca
for the jet set. Return to Sorrento. (B,D)
Day
15 SORRENTO-BARI-IONIAN SEA CROSSING
An easy drive across the rugged Apennine Hills
to the Port of Bari for embarkation on the overnight ferry to Greece. The
modern ferries offer all comforts, including boutique, duty-free shop,
two restaurants, three bars, discotheque, casino, and swimming pool. (B)
Day
16 PATRAS, GREECE-OLYMPIA Olympia
Enjoy some daylight cruising towards the Greek
coast before reaching Patras. Then, drive to Olympia for an overnight in
the Peloponnese. (B,D)
Day
17 OLYMPIA-ATHENS
This morning, join the optional sightseeing
tour and learn more about the history of the original Olympic Games, when
athletes competed with each other to honor the King of Deities. Then,
motor into the mountains of Arcadia by way of Tripolis and over the
Corinth Canal to Athens. Time later for an evening in the lively Plaka
area. (B)
Day
18 ATHENS
Today, take advantage of one of the optional
excursions or explore the shops and museums. (B)
Day
19 ATHENS-PATRAS-IONIAN SEA CROSSING-ANCONA, ITALY
Take advantage of the included morning
sightseeing, which features the highlights of this ancient capital, with
a visit to the fascinating Acropolis. Leave Athens for the journey to
Patras for embarkation on the ferry for the crossing to Ancona. Departure
for Ancona is in the early evening. (B)
Day
20 ANCONA, ITALY-SAN MARINO
Disembark in Ancona in the late morning. Then,
proceed north for an overnight in San Marino, one of the world’s smallest
and most ancient states, perched on Monte Titano. (B,D)
Day
21 SAN MARINO-VENICE AREA
Follow your Tour Director through the main
gate and up to Government House in the very heart of this tiny ancient
republic. Later this morning, travel along the Adriatic coastline through
the Po Delta towards the Venice area. (B)
Day
22 VENICE
The included orientation starts with a boat
ride and is followed by some time at leisure to absorb the atmosphere of
this unique city, and a chance to watch Venetian glassblowers. Don’t miss
the optional gondola trip. (B,D)
Day
23 VENICE AREA-VIENNA, AUSTRIA
Today, leave the flat and fertile plains of
Venetia and journey by way of Tarvisio Pass into the grand mountain and
lakeland scenery of Austria for a stop in Velden on Lake Wörth.
Northwards through the Styrian landscape to Vienna. (B)
Day
24 VIENNA
There’s so much to see on your included
sightseeing tour: the State Opera, Parliament, and the Town Hall. Stop
for a stroll in Heroes’ Square to view the Hofburg and finally take a
short walk for an inside visit of Strauss' House. (B)
Day
25 VIENNA-INN SBRUCK
Westwards, almost parallel with the Danube, to
Mozart’s Salzburg. Time for a stroll down the charming Getreidegasse, the
town’s elegant main shopping street. The last leg of today’s drive takes
you into the very heart of the Tyrol to its capital, Innsbruck. (B,D)
Day
26 INNSBRUCK-LUCERNE AREA, SWITZERLAND
Time this morning to get acquainted with
Innsbruck. The orientation tour includes the famous Golden Roof. Later,
drive through the valleys and villages of the mountainous Tyrol to the
Arlberg tunnel descending into Switzerland. Stop briefly in Vaduz,
Liechtenstein’s capital, before heading for the Lucerne Area. (B)
Day
27 LUCERNE
One of Switzerland’s finest cities.
Sightseeing takes in the impressive city walls, a wooden bridge, ornate
patrician houses lining cobblestone streets, and the Lion Monument. A
grand selection of optional activities completes the day: a cruise on the
fjord-like lake or a cable car ride to the 10,000-foot summit of Mount
Titlis. (B)
Day
28 LUCERNE AREA-RHINELAND, GERMANY
More of Switzerland and its quaint little
villages, farms, and chalets before crossing into Germany to use its
Autobahn on the journey northwards to the shores of the Rhine. Today’s
highlight is the included Rhine cruise past the legendary Lorelei rock,
hilltop castles, terraced vineyards, and half-timbered villages.
Overnight in the Rhineland. (B,D)
Day
29 RHINELAND-AMSTERDAM AREA, HOLLAND
North today at first through the industrial
Ruhr and then into the green, canal criss-crossed countryside of Holland
to the Amsterdam area. Watch the cutting and polishing of precious stones
at a famous diamond center. Sightseeing includes an orientation drive
with a Local Guide and, finally, a canal cruise to see the town from
water level. (B)
Day
30 YOUR HOMEBOUND FLIGHT FROM AMSTERDAM ARRIVES THE SAME DAY
(B)
AIRPORT
TRANSFERS
Airport transfers
may be included when you make your international flights arrangements.
Dates
and Prices
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Departure
Details
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Departure
Date
|
Tour
Start Date
|
Return
Date
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Land/Cruise
Price Only
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Status
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2/26/2010
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2/27/2010
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3/27/2010
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$3,669.00
|
Sold Out
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|
Popular
Departure
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3/5/2010
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3/6/2010
|
4/3/2010
|
$3,669.00
|
Available
|
|
3/12/2010
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3/13/2010
|
4/10/2010
|
$3,669.00
|
Sold Out
|
|
3/19/2010
|
3/20/2010
|
4/17/2010
|
$3,669.00
|
Sold Out
|
|
3/26/2010
|
3/27/2010
|
4/24/2010
|
$3,739.00
|
Sold Out
|
|
Popular
Departure
|
4/2/2010
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4/3/2010
|
5/1/2010
|
$3,739.00
|
Available
|
|
Popular
Departure
|
4/9/2010
|
4/10/2010
|
5/8/2010
|
$3,739.00
|
Available
|
|
Popular
Departure
|
4/13/2010
|
4/14/2010
|
5/12/2010
|
$3,739.00
|
Available
|
|
Popular
Departure
|
4/16/2010
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4/17/2010
|
5/15/2010
|
$3,739.00
|
Available
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4/20/2010
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4/21/2010
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5/19/2010
|
$3,739.00
|
Available
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|
Popular
Departure
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4/23/2010
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4/24/2010
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5/22/2010
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$3,849.00
|
Available
|
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4/27/2010
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4/28/2010
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5/26/2010
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$3,849.00
|
Available
|
|
4/30/2010
|
5/1/2010
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5/29/2010
|
$3,849.00
|
Available
|
|
5/4/2010
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5/5/2010
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6/2/2010
|
$3,849.00
|
Available
|
|
Popular
Departure
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5/7/2010
|
5/8/2010
|
6/5/2010
|
$3,849.00
|
Available
|
|
5/11/2010
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5/12/2010
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6/9/2010
|
$3,849.00
|
Available
|
|
Popular
Departure
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5/14/2010
|
5/15/2010
|
6/12/2010
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$3,849.00
|
Available
|
|
Popular
Departure
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5/18/2010
|
5/19/2010
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6/16/2010
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$3,849.00
|
Available
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5/21/2010
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5/22/2010
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6/19/2010
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$3,849.00
|
Available
|
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5/25/2010
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5/26/2010
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6/23/2010
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$3,849.00
|
Sold Out
|
|
Popular
Departure
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5/28/2010
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5/29/2010
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6/26/2010
|
$3,849.00
|
Available
|
|
6/1/2010
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6/2/2010
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6/30/2010
|
$3,849.00
|
Available
|
|
Popular
Departure
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6/4/2010
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6/5/2010
|
7/3/2010
|
$3,849.00
|
Available
|
|
Popular
Departure
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6/8/2010
|
6/9/2010
|
7/7/2010
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$3,849.00
|
Available
|
|
6/11/2010
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6/12/2010
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7/10/2010
|
$3,849.00
|
Available
|
|
6/15/2010
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6/16/2010
|
7/14/2010
|
$3,849.00
|
Available
|
|
Popular
Departure
|
6/18/2010
|
6/19/2010
|
7/17/2010
|
$3,849.00
|
Available
|
|
6/22/2010
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6/23/2010
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7/21/2010
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$3,849.00
|
Available
|
|
Popular
Departure
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6/25/2010
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6/26/2010
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7/24/2010
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$3,849.00
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Available
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6/29/2010
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6/30/2010
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7/28/2010
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$3,849.00
|
Available
|
Popular
Departure - due to itinerary and time of year, this departure
historically sells out quickly. Early booking is encouraged.
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