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FOCUS
ON ITALY & PARIS - 2010
17
days incl. air, or 16 days from London to Paris (CO-4870)Return to Italy
Vacations & Tours
 Return to
France, Spain, Portugal and Morocco Vacations & Tours Vacation
Overview
Cover
Europe from top to bottom on this exciting multi-country vacation
adventure. Begin your European trip in London with time to explore the
city. Then cross the Channel by ferry and board a motorcoach bound for
Brussels. A comfortable ride on the German Autobahn takes you south into
Bavaria with an overnight stop in lovely Ulm on the banks of the Danube.
Drive south into Austria to Innsbruck, host of the 1964 and 1976 Winter
Olympics. Cross through Tyrolean Austria over the Brenner Pass to reach
the magical Italian city of Venice, with its canals and St. Mark’s
Square. Your orientation tour in Venice includes a boat ride. Visit
Assisi to admire Giotto’s frescoes in St. Francis’ Basilica, then
continue to Rome, where you encounter iconic landmarks like the Colosseum
and the Roman Forum. Your sightseeing tour in Rome also includes St.
Peter’s Square. On to Montecassino and to Pompeii to see ruins of the
city destroyed by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. On your tour
with a Local Guide, see Pompeii’s luxurious villas, temples, theater, and
forum. Spend two nights in Sorrento, then sail to the island of Capri, a
mecca for the jet set with its pretty piazza, maze of streets,
fashionable boutiques, and smart restaurants. On the way to Florence,
stop in beautiful Orvieto to see its distinctive cathedral and beautiful
surrounding countryside. Spend two nights in renaissance Florence and see
the city’s many highlights—like Piazza Signoria and the Duomo—on the
included walking tour. Have your cameras ready at the Leaning Tower of
Pisa, and visit the Piazza Maggiore in Bologna before crossing into
Switzerland to beautiful Lake Lugano for an overnight.
On
your way to Lucerne, see truly magnificent Alpine scenery as you travel
into the very heart of the Swiss Alps. One of Switzerland’s finest
cities, Lucerne is nestled amid its 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 Stanserhorn, a cruise on the
fjord-like lake, and of course, time to shop for a Swiss watch. Then
travel past some of France’s vineyards to Paris, where you spend two
nights. In Paris, enjoy a guided sightseeing tour and plenty of leisure
time to discover the “City of Light” on your own. How about celebrating
the end of your marvelous European trip—including England, Belgium,
Germany, Austria, Italy, Switzerland, and France—with a farewell dinner
in Paris before returning to London via the ferry? An unforgettable
European vacation!
Itinerary
Day
1 Thu. BOARD YOUR OVERNIGHT TRANSATLANTIC FLIGHT
Day
2 Fri. ARRIVAL IN LONDON, ENGLAND
Check
into your hotel. Then, enjoy an afternoon in the lively British capital.
Uniformed Hosts are available to help you make the most of your time.
Day
3 Sat. LONDON-BRUSSELS, BELGIUM
Leave
London in the early morning and head through the lush English countryside
to the Channel port, where you embark on your ferry for the Continent.
Here, meet your Tour Director and board your luxury coach for the drive
to Brussels. (B)
Day
4 Sun. BRUSSELS-RHINELAND, GERMANY-ULM
A
comfortable journey using the German Autobahn traveling south into the
Rhineland, then past Stuttgart into Bavaria with its woods, farms, and
pretty villages. Next, to Ulm, a lovely city located on the banks of the
Danube, famed for its cathedral with the world’s highest spire and also
as the birthplace of Albert Einstein. (B,D)
Day
5 Mon. ULM-INN SBRUCK, AUSTRIA-VENICE AREA, ITALY
Drive
south this morning into Austria by way of Fern Pass into the Tyrol and on
to its capital, Innsbruck. Continue by way of the Europa Bridge into
Italy and make a stop in the lovely winter sports resort of Cortina in
the Dolomites. Descend into the valley of the Trentino and the Venetian
plain; then, travel eastwards to the Venice area for an overnight. (B,D)
Day
6 Tue. VENICE
Venice
is more like a marvelous film set than a real live city, with its
criss-crossing canals, gondolas and water buses, arched bridges, palaces,
and quiet little piazzas. The included orientation starts with a
boat ride and is followed by some time at leisure to enjoy this unique
city, and a chance to watch Venetian glassblowers fashion their delicate
objects as they did centuries ago. Don’t miss the optional gondola trip,
gliding along the picturesque canals with a local troubadour to serenade
you. (B)
Day
7 Wed. VENICE AREA-ASSISI-ROME
An
interesting drive southward, cutting across the Po Delta, then through
the gentle Umbrian hills to Assisi, where St. Francis was born in 1182.
Visit the world-famous Basilica with its beautiful frescoes by Giotto,
then head for Rome. (B)
Day
8 Thu. 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
9 Fri. ROME-MONTE CASSINO-POMPEII-SORRENTO
Deeper
into the south today, making a first stop in Monte Cassino to view the
monastery and abbey perched high above the valley. The monastery was the
motherhouse of the Benedictines, founded in 529 and destroyed four times
over the past centuries. The last time it was laid to ruin was in 1944
during the great Battle of Monte Cassino. Next is another great sight.
Time stopped for the rich, aristocratic town of Pompeii with the terrible
eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD. You can see the luxurious villas, temples,
theater, and forum (entrance fees and Local Guide are included). Just a
few more miles to Sorrento, where you'll stay for the next two nights.
(B)
Day
10 Sat. SORRENTO. BOAT TRIP TO CAPRI
Visit
this legendary island, surrounded by 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. An optional island tour is available. (B,D)
Day
11 Sun. SORRENTO-ORVIETO-FLORENCE AREA
This
morning, retrace part of the route, bypassing Rome for a stop in Orvieto
to visit its black basalt and yellow limestone cathedral, an excellent
example of Italian Gothic architecture. Next, enjoy the extraordinary
beauty of the Tuscan countryside. Overnight in the Florence area. (B,D)
Day
12 Mon. FLORENCE. EXCURSION TO PISA Pisa
This
Renaissance gem and city of the Medicis will keep you enthralled for the
entire day. Traffic is banned in part of the historic center so visitors
can wander at leisure and admire the city’s timeless beauty in relative
peace and quiet. Don’t miss the included walking tour with a Local Guide,
which features most of the city highlights. You will see the Piazza Santa
Croce; the beautiful Piazza Signoria; the Palazzo Vecchio and its courtyard;
the Loggia dei Lanzi; and, to top it off, the Piazza del Duomo and its
cathedral with the Giotto Campanile, and the magnificent East Door of the
Baptistry known as the “Gate of Paradise.” In the afternoon, take
advantage of an included excursion to Pisa and enjoy the sights of the
“Square of Miracles” with its Leaning Tower. (B)
Day
13 Tue. FLORENCE AREA-BOLOGNA-LUGANO, SWITZERLAND
This
morning, drive just 50 miles (80 km) northeast to Bologna, the capital of
the Emilia-Romagna region. Stop awhile to see the twin “leaning towers”
and the lovely Piazza Maggiore. Journey northwards across the mighty
River Po, through the Lombardy plains and into Switzerland for an
overnight in charming Lugano. (B,D)
Day
14 Wed. LUGANO-LUCERNE AREA
Some
truly magnificent Alpine scenery this morning as you travel into the very
heart of the Swiss Alps. Once through the St. Gotthard Tunnel you start
your descent to Lucerne, perhaps rightly considered the most
Swiss-looking city in the whole confederation. This afternoon’s visit
takes in the impressive city walls, a covered wooden bridge, ornate
patrician houses lining cobblestone streets, and the Lion Monument, a
masterful stone sculpture in honor of the heroic Swiss Guard of Louis
XVI. A grand selection of optional activities completes the day: a cruise
on the fjord-like lake; a funicular and cable car ride to the 6,227-foot
summit of the Stanserhorn; and, of course, there is time to shop for that
very Swiss watch. Return to your overnight hotel in the Lucerne area.
(B,D)
Day
15 Thu. LUCERNE AREA-PARIS, FRANCE Paris, France
Enjoy
vistas of green pastures and attractive chalets with rustic timbering and
luxuriant flowers. Then into France on the comfortable highway past some
of its most famous vineyards to Paris. Arrive in time to enjoy the
optional cabaret show. (B)
Day
16 Fri. PARIS
One
full day to explore the city that’s known throughout the world for its
fashions, art and museums, delicious food, and joie de vivre.
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.Optional excursions are also available. Maybe celebrate the
success of your tour with a French farewell dinner. (B)
Day
17 Sat. YOUR HOMEBOUND FLIGHT FROM PARIS ARRIVES THE SAME DAY
(B)
AIRPORT
TRANSFERS
Airport transfers
may be included when you make your international flights arrangements.
Dates
and Prices
|
Departure
Details
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Departure
Date
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Tour
Start Date
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Return
Date
|
Land/Cruise
Price Only
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Status
|
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3/26/2010
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3/27/2010
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4/11/2010
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$2,019.00
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Sold Out
|
|
Popular
Departure
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4/15/2010
|
4/16/2010
|
5/1/2010
|
$2,019.00
|
Available
|
|
4/29/2010
|
4/30/2010
|
5/15/2010
|
$2,059.00
|
Available
|
|
5/13/2010
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5/14/2010
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5/29/2010
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$2,059.00
|
Available
|
|
Popular
Departure
|
5/27/2010
|
5/28/2010
|
6/12/2010
|
$2,129.00
|
Available
|
|
Popular
Departure
|
6/10/2010
|
6/11/2010
|
6/26/2010
|
$2,129.00
|
Available
|
|
6/24/2010
|
6/25/2010
|
7/10/2010
|
$2,129.00
|
Available
|
|
Popular
Departure
|
7/8/2010
|
7/9/2010
|
7/24/2010
|
$2,129.00
|
Available
|
|
7/22/2010
|
7/23/2010
|
8/7/2010
|
$2,129.00
|
Available
|
|
8/5/2010
|
8/6/2010
|
8/21/2010
|
$2,129.00
|
Available
|
|
8/19/2010
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8/20/2010
|
9/4/2010
|
$2,129.00
|
Available
|
|
9/2/2010
|
9/3/2010
|
9/18/2010
|
$2,129.00
|
Available
|
|
Popular
Departure
|
9/16/2010
|
9/17/2010
|
10/2/2010
|
$2,059.00
|
Available
|
|
9/30/2010
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10/1/2010
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10/16/2010
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$2,059.00
|
Available
|
|
10/14/2010
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10/15/2010
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10/30/2010
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$1,999.00
|
Available
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Popular Departure - due to itinerary and
time of year, this departure historically sells out quickly. Early
booking is encouraged.
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