This tour has a leisurely pace with two-night stays in the eight key cities and overnight stays in the Rhineland, Nordlingen and Innsbruck. Travelling days are well balanced, with frequent stops and plenty of time to properly explore Europe.

Tour code E913
20 days
Priced from A$5799
Premium Escorted
Departs from & returns to London

Itinerary

20 Days ~ England ~ Belgium ~ Holland
Germany ~ Austria ~ Italy ~ France ~ Switzerland

Tour Pace
This tour has a leisurely pace
with two-night stays in the eight key cities and overnight stays in the Rhineland, Nördlingen and Innsbruck. Travelling days are well balanced, with frequent stops and plenty of time to properly explore Europe.

DAY 1 – LONDON – AMSTERDAM
Travel to Dover and cross the channel to Calais. Then it’s on through Belgium to Amsterdam to enjoy a Welcome Drink.
Hotel: Sofitel. (D)

DAY 2 – AMSTERDAM SIGHTSEEING
Cross Dam Square and pass the Royal Palace to see diamonds being cut and polished. Travel into the countryside to watch cheese and clogs being made, before visiting the fishing village of Volendam. (BB)

DAY 3 – AMSTERDAM – RHINELAND
Head to Arnhem to view the ‘Bridge Too Far’ and cross the German border to see the soaring spires of Cologne Cathedral. Join a Highlight cruise on the finest stretch of the Rhine River before reaching your hotel.
Hotel: Hilton Mainz. (BB,D)

DAY 4 – RHINELAND – NöRDLINGEN
Visit Heidelberg’s ruined castle and see the world’s largest wine vat before travelling on to the medieval walled city of Rothenburg, situated on the legendary Romantic Road. Walk with your Tour Director to admire the old houses, towers and interesting gateways dating from the 14C. Stay in nearby Nördlingen.
Hotel: NH Kloesterle. (BB,D)

DAY 5 – NöRDLINGEN – INNSBRUCK
Head south to Munich to see the Olympic Stadium, visit the Marienplatz and its glockenspiel and see the Hofbrauhaus. Cross the Bavarian Alps into Austria and continue to mountain-ringed Innsbruck. Visit the Wilten Basilica and historic Old Town, where you will see its Golden Roof and Imperial Palace.
Hotel: Innsbruck. (BB,D)

DAY 6 – INNSBRUCK – VIENNA. Make your way to Salzburg, for a guided tour. Walk through the Mirabell Gardens for fine views of the city skyline. On the other side of the Salzach see Mozart’s birthplace on the Getreidegasse and the Cathedral in the old town. After some time to explore, continue past Mondsee Lake and along the Danube Valley to the elegant city of Vienna.
Hotel: Hilton Plaza/Hilton. (BB)

DAY 7 – VIENNA SIGHTSEEING
Visit the fabulous State Apartments of Schönbrunn Palace, once Maria Theresa's summer palace. Now tour the Ring Road seeing the Winter Palace, Parliament building, Opera House and City Hall. The afternoon is at leisure. (BB)

DAY 8 – VIENNA – VENICE
Cross the Semmering Pass and continue south past enchanting lakes and wooded countryside. Travel through the Carinthian Lake District into Italy. Your hotel is located on Venice’s fashionable Lido.
Hotel: Biasutti/Quattro Fontane. (BB)

DAY 9 – VENICE SIGHTSEEING
Take a private launch to St Mark’s Square to see the Doges’ Palace, Bridge of Sighs and ornate Basilica. See a demonstration of Venetian glass-blowing before taking a highlight ride in a traditional gondola through the silent canals. The afternoon is at leisure to relax and explore; perhaps try a seafood lunch. (BB)

DAY 10 – VENICE – ROME
Cross the Apennine Mountains into the Tuscan Hills and continue along the course of the Tiber to the ‘Eternal City’ of Rome. Tonight, enjoy a selection of ambience and local cuisine offered on your Dine-Around evening.
Hotel: Sheraton. (BB,DA)

DAY 11 – ROME SIGHTSEEING
A local guide reveals Michelangelo’s ‘Pieta’ inside St Peter’s Basilica, as well as other great works of art. Cross the River Tiber to visit the massive Colosseum and we look out over the Roman Forum. Later, consider visiting the Catacombs. (BB)

DAY 12 – ROME – FLORENCE
Visit the cobbled streets of Siena to see the striped marble cathedral and vast Campo square, scene of the festive Palio horse race. Move on through the Chianti vineyards to the Renaissance city of Florence.
Hotel: Sheraton. (BB,D)

DAY 13 – FLORENCE SIGHTSEEING
With a local guide, visit the Statue of David in the Academy Gallery, and see the Cathedral, Gates of Paradise, Giotto’s Campanile, Piazza Signoria, and Santa Croce Church. After a leatherwork demonstration, there’s time at leisure. (BB)

DAY 14 – FLORENCE – NICE
Lend your support to the Leaning Tower of Pisa before following the Italian Riviera coast to France. Stop in Monaco to see its harbour, Monte Carlo Casino and drive the Grand Prix circuit before continuing to elegant Nice.
Hotel: Massena. (BB)

DAY 15 – ST PAUL DE VENCE EXCURSION
Visit the medieval town of St Paul de Vence, perched high on the hilltop before spending the afternoon at leisure exploring the French Riviera. (BB)

DAY 16 – NICE – LUCERNE
Visit a French perfumery before passing through the Italian Lake District en route to Switzerland. See stunning Swiss Alpine scenery on the way to your hotel in lovely lakeside Lucerne.
Hotel: Astoria/ Krone Sarnen/Pax Montana. (BB)

DAY 17 – LUCERNE SIGHTSEEING
Ascend Mount Pilatus by cog-wheel railway for 360 degree views of the Swiss Alps.Later, back in Lucerne, see the Lion Monument, Jesuit Church and Chapel Bridge before spending free time shopping or relaxing. (BB,D)

DAY 18 – LUCERNE – PARIS
Cross the French border at Basel and continue through the Burgundy wine region to the French capital of Paris.
Hotel: Hilton/Marriott Rive Gauche. (BB)

DAY 19 – PARIS SIGHTSEEING
With a local guide, see Notre Dame Cathedral and drive along the elegant Champs Élysées to the Arc de Triomphe. Ascend the Eiffel Tower for views over the city, before visiting Napoleon’s tomb in the Église du Dôme.(BB)

DAY 20 – PARIS – LONDON
Travel through the battlefields of World War One to Calais and your return Channel crossing to Dover. The tour ends after a short drive to London. (BB)

Prices & Dates

Notes
REF: E913. Prices are per person sharing a twin.