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WONDERS
OF EUROPE - 2010
15
days incl. air, or 14 days from London to Paris (CO-5120)
Return to Italy
Vacations & Tours  Return to
France, Spain, Portugal and Morocco Vacations & Tours Vacation
Overview
From
London to Rome via Belgium, Luxemburg, Switzerland, Liechtenstein,
Austria, Italy, and France, discover Europe’s many highlights on this
memorable vacation. Begin your trip in London with a full day to tour and
explore the city on your own. Then cross the Channel by ferry and
continue by motorcoach to Brussels, Belgium. Head south through Luxemburg
and the vineyards of Alsace to the charming Swiss town of Lucerne. In
Lucerne, one of Switzerland’s finest cities nestled amid its snow-capped
Alps, take advantage of the walking orientation tour. Enjoy a short stop
in the tiny Principality of Liechtenstein before entering Austria and
arriving in the Tyrolean capital of Innsbruck.
Through
alpine scenery, cross the border to the Italian Dolomites en route to
Venice, where you enjoy a canal boat ride to St. Mark’s Square. Also in
Venice, tour the Basilica with a Local Guide. Travel deeper into Italy,
visiting the hillside town of Assisi, famous for the St. Francis Basilica
with frescoes by Giotto. Travel to Rome, Italy’s capital, and encounter
the best of Rome with a guided sightseeing tour that features the
Colosseum and the Roman Forum. On your tour in Florence, a Local Guide
provides insight into the city’s Renaissance roots, including Santa
Croce, Piazza Signoria, Palazzo Vecchio, and the Duomo with the campanile
designed by Giotto. Another “must-see” in Italy is the Leaning Tower of
Pisa before crossing into France and reaching Nice and the glamorous
French Riviera. Enjoy all the amenities of the French Riviera, rightly
known as one of Europe’s most scenic regions, before heading to Lyon.
Spend the night in Lyon before heading through famous vineyards on the
way to Beaune, famous for its Burgundy wines. Your trip ends in Paris,
where you experience the joie de vivre. An included sightseeing tour of
Paris includes the best-known Paris sights: the Eiffel Tower, Arc de
Triomphe, the Champs-Elysées, and more. What a perfect way to end your
fabulous European vacation, a once-in-a-lifetime vacation including eight
European countries.
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-BRUSSELS, BELGIUM
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,
your Tour Director and luxury coach meet you and you’re off across
Belgium to Brussels. (B)
Day
5 BRUSSELS-LUXEMBOURG-LUCERN, SWITZERLAND
Enjoy
ever-changing scenery on your southbound drive: see the Duchy of
Luxembourg; then through fertile French farmlands southwards, bypassing
Strasbourg to the vineyards of Alsace on the way to the Swiss border near
Basel. Finally, pass the foothills of the Alps as you approach Lake
Lucern. (B)
Day
6 LUCERNE-INN SBRUCK AREA, AUSTRIA
This
morning, take advantage of the Lucerne walking orientation and maybe join
the optional excursion to the Stanserhorn. Later, head for Vaduz, in the
tiny but very wealthy Principality of Liechtenstein. To the east lie the
picture-perfect villages of Austria’s Voralberg, and once you’re through
the Arlberg Tunnel, the scenic splendor of the Inn Valley. Overnight in
the Innsbruck area with time for a walk in the city center. (B,D)
Day
7 INNSBRUCK AREA-VENICE AREA, ITALY
Early
morning departure via the Austrian and Italian Tyrol to the unique
floating city of Venice. This afternoon’s orientation includes a boat
ride and is followed by a chance to watch Venetian glassblowers fashion
their delicate objects as they did centuries ago. Don’t miss out on the
optional gondola trip, gliding along the picturesque canals with a local
troubadour to serenade you. (B,D)
Day
8 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
9 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
10 ROME-FLORENCE AREA
An
easy drive this morning on the Highway of the Sun to Florence. This
Renaissance gem and city of the Medicis will keep you enthralled for a
whole 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 out on the included walking tour with a Local
Guide that 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 all, 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.” (B)
Day
11 FLORENCE AREA-PISA-FRENCH RIVIERA, FRANCE
Stop
in Pisa to see the Leaning Tower and the Square of Miracles. Bypassing
the great port of Genoa, head northwest, getting glimpses of the Italian
and French Rivieras. Visit one of the famous Provencal perfume workshops
before reaching your overnight destination on the lovely French Riviera.
(B)
Day
12 FRENCH RIVIERA-LYON AREA
Take the opportunity today to enjoy all
the amenities of the French Riviera, rightly known as one of Europe’s
most scenic regions. In the afternoon, your coach takes the inland road,
crossing sun-drenched Provence into the vineyards of the Rhône Valley.
Overnight in the Lyon Area. (B,D)
Day
13 LYON AREA-BEAUNE-PARIS
Vistas
of famous vineyards on the way to Beaune, famous for wines such as
Chambertin and Nuits St. Georges. Its Hotel-Dieu is one of the oldest
hospitals in Europe. Head for the final excitement of Paris, the most
sparkling city in the world. Time to enjoy an optional cabaret show. (B)
Day
14 PARIS
One
full day to explore the city that’s known throughout the world for its
fashion, 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 to the Palace and Gardens
of Versailles and, to celebrate the success of your tour, a French
farewell dinner might be just the ticket. (B)
Day
15 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
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Departure
Details
|
Departure
Date
|
Tour
Start Date
|
Return
Date
|
Land/Cruise
Price Only
|
Status
|
|
Popular
Departure
|
1/22/2010
|
1/23/2010
|
2/5/2010
|
$1,729.00
|
Available
|
|
Popular
Departure
|
2/5/2010
|
2/6/2010
|
2/19/2010
|
$1,729.00
|
Available
|
|
Popular
Departure
|
2/26/2010
|
2/27/2010
|
3/12/2010
|
$1,799.00
|
Available
|
|
3/5/2010
|
3/6/2010
|
3/19/2010
|
$1,799.00
|
Sold Out
|
|
3/12/2010
|
3/13/2010
|
3/26/2010
|
$1,799.00
|
Sold Out
|
|
3/19/2010
|
3/20/2010
|
4/2/2010
|
$1,799.00
|
Sold Out
|
|
3/27/2010
|
3/28/2010
|
4/10/2010
|
$1,859.00
|
Available
|
|
4/2/2010
|
4/3/2010
|
4/16/2010
|
$1,859.00
|
Sold Out
|
|
Popular
Departure
|
4/9/2010
|
4/10/2010
|
4/23/2010
|
$1,859.00
|
Available
|
|
Popular
Departure
|
4/16/2010
|
4/17/2010
|
4/30/2010
|
$1,859.00
|
Available
|
|
4/23/2010
|
4/24/2010
|
5/7/2010
|
$1,959.00
|
Available
|
|
4/30/2010
|
5/1/2010
|
5/14/2010
|
$1,959.00
|
Available
|
|
5/7/2010
|
5/8/2010
|
5/21/2010
|
$1,959.00
|
Available
|
|
5/12/2010
|
5/13/2010
|
5/26/2010
|
$1,959.00
|
Available
|
|
5/14/2010
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5/15/2010
|
5/28/2010
|
$1,959.00
|
Available
|
|
5/19/2010
|
5/20/2010
|
6/2/2010
|
$1,959.00
|
Sold Out
|
|
Popular
Departure
|
5/21/2010
|
5/22/2010
|
6/4/2010
|
$1,959.00
|
Available
|
|
5/26/2010
|
5/27/2010
|
6/9/2010
|
$1,959.00
|
Available
|
|
5/28/2010
|
5/29/2010
|
6/11/2010
|
$1,959.00
|
Available
|
|
6/2/2010
|
6/3/2010
|
6/16/2010
|
$1,959.00
|
Available
|
|
6/4/2010
|
6/5/2010
|
6/18/2010
|
$1,959.00
|
Available
|
|
Popular
Departure
|
6/9/2010
|
6/10/2010
|
6/23/2010
|
$1,959.00
|
Available
|
|
6/11/2010
|
6/12/2010
|
6/25/2010
|
$1,959.00
|
Available
|
|
6/16/2010
|
6/17/2010
|
6/30/2010
|
$1,959.00
|
Available
|
|
6/18/2010
|
6/19/2010
|
7/2/2010
|
$1,959.00
|
Sold Out
|
|
Popular
Departure
|
6/23/2010
|
6/24/2010
|
7/7/2010
|
$1,959.00
|
Available
|
|
6/25/2010
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6/26/2010
|
7/9/2010
|
$1,959.00
|
Available
|
|
6/30/2010
|
7/1/2010
|
7/14/2010
|
$1,959.00
|
Available
|
|
7/2/2010
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7/3/2010
|
7/16/2010
|
$1,959.00
|
Available
|
|
7/7/2010
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7/8/2010
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7/21/2010
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$1,959.00
|
Available
|
Popular Departure - due to itinerary and
time of year, this departure historically sells out quickly. Early
booking is encouraged.
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