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Day 1:
Travel to London
The Essential Europe begins with an overnight flight to “Merry Old England.” [In-flight
Meals]
Day 2:
London
Explore London on your own this afternoon. Attend our welcome orientation
and London Pub Crawl and dinner. (In-flight meals, D)
Day 3:
London
Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, and Piccadilly Circus: these familiar names become
familiar places on our morning tour. The afternoon is yours to explore on your
own. Take in the city’s monuments or visit the National Gallery or Westminster
Abbey. In the evening, perhaps attend play at London’s West End.
[B]
Day 4:
London * English Channel* Paris
Travel to southeast England, we board our ferry and pass the White Cliffs of
Dover while crossing the English Channel. Motor through northern France and arrive
in Paris, “City of Lights”. We’ll dine together at our French
Bistro Dinner. [B,D]
Day 5 & 6:
Paris
Optional Moulin Rouge Cabaret Excursion
Optional Excursion To Versailles
Our local historian shows us unforgettable Parisian landmarks including the hunchback “Quasimodo’s” Notre
Dame Cathedral, the Place de la Concorde, where the guillotine once stood, and
the Eiffel Tower. Free time in the afternoon – with your two-day museum
pass, visit Mona Lisa at the Louvre Museum, the Picasso Museum and more. Optional
Cabaret Show tonight at the famous Moulin Rouge Cabaret. Enjoy the next day exploring
Montemartre, Sacre Couer or more museums... or join the optional group journey
to Versailles, the splendid palace of the “Sun King”, Louis XIV.
Be held spellbound by the magnificent Royal Chapel, the intriguing Hall of Mirrors,
the gorgeous gardens and fantastic fountains. Don't miss the Eiffel Tower's awesome
light show! [B,B]
Day 7:
Paris * Brussels * Amsterdam
Motor to Belgium and Brussels, and see the Grand’ Place, a perfect medieval
square and the statue of naughty Mennekin-Pis. Indulge in Belgium waffles or
chocolate! Continue to Holland where we enjoy our Dutch-Indonesian “Rice
Table” dinner before a boat cruise on the canals of Amsterdam. [B,D]
Day 8:
Dutch Countryside
Go biking through beautiful countryside, 13th-century Dutch fishing villages
and along the IJssel Lake beaches today. See wooden shoes being carved and sample
Edam cheese at a cheese farm. Returning to Amsterdam, there is time on your own
to explore the Van Gogh or Rijksmuseum, or visit Anne Frank’s house. [B]
Day 9:
Cologne* Rhine River Cruise* Heidelberg
Cross the German border into Cologne, famous for the world’s largest Gothic
cathedral. Embark on a cruise along the fabled Rhine River, passing ancient castles,
and the legendary Lorelei Rock. Continue to Heidelberg, the City of the Student
Prince and climb to the ruins of the Castle of the Palatine Elector for a bird’s-eye
view of the city and the Neckar River; later we’ll dine on traditional
German fare. [B,D]
Day 10:
Black Forest* Rhine Falls* Swiss Alps
Journey south into the mysterious Black Forest. Stop deep in the forest, with
free time to enjoy lunch or try some delicious Black Forest Cake. The Rhine Falls,
Europe’s largest waterfalls, come into view as we cross the Swiss border.
Our route through Zurich, enroute to Brunnen, brings us to William Tell Country
and the world-famous resort areas surrounding Lucerne. [B]
Day 11:
Lucerne Area
Optional Mt. Pilatus Excursion
Roam the picturesque old town of Lucerne this morning. In the afternoon consider
taking the optional group excursion up on one of the highest mountains in central
Switzerland to enjoy panoramic Alpine views. Our Swiss Folklore and party dinner
is tonight. Enjoy Swiss fondue and the music and dance presented by the local
children in the village of Illgau. [B,D]
Day 12:
Lucerne * Liechtenstein * Munich
Drive through the tiny Principality of Liechtenstein, then on to the fun-filled
Oktoberfest city of Munich. You have time to explore Munich on your own and to
check out the oom-pah-pah bands at the famous Hofbräuhaus, one of Munich’s
oldest breweries located in the old town. [B, D]
Day 13:
Salzburg * Austrian Lake District: Zell Am See
Travel to Salzburg, Mozart’s birthplace and home to the famous movie "The
Sound of Music". With our local historian, discover the countless architectural
and historical highlights of this enchanting baroque city. Explore the narrow
streets lined with colorful wrought iron signs and shops before we continue our
journey to Europe’s largest alpine sports region. Be our pampered guest
for two nights of fitness and fun while staying at the shores of the Zeller Lake
beneath snow-capped Austrian mountains. [B]
Day 14-15:
Zell Am See:
Optional WhiteWater Rafting and Surfing
Two days at our leisure; go for a hike in the mountains or a swim in the lake;
join the fun and excitement of whitewater rafting or experience beginning surfing
on the lake. [B,D], [B,D], [B]
Day 16:
Zell Am See * Venice
Optional Gondola Ride
The picturesque landscape of the Austrian Lake District brings us to sunny Italy’s
Venice--”Sinking City in the Sea.” Walk to St. Mark’s Square,
stop at a Murano glass-blowing workshop and watch famous Venetian glass being
made. Ride to the top of the Campanile or visit the impressive Palazzo Ducale
or the gold-gilded Doges Palace. Stroll by the local fish and produce market
in the Rialto district. Join the optional group gondola ride and gliding through
the intricate maze of canals beneath arched bridges passing 12th and 18th-century
marble palaces. [B]
Day 17:
Venice * Florence
Through the fertile Po Valley we approach Florence, Golden City of the Renaissance
and birthplace of Michelangelo. Florence Art Tour including the Gates of Paradise,
the marble Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral and Giotto’s bell tower. Afterwards
embark on your own exploration to visit the Galleria della Accademia, other museums,
the Palazzo Pitti, San Croce Chapel or the Medeci Chapel, [B]
Day 18:
Florence
On your own this morning, with your included museum ticket, explore one of the
world’s foremost art museums, the Uffizi Galleries. In the afternoon we
travel to Castello di Verrazzano in the historic land of Chianti Classico. Visit
the centuries-old wine cellars and sample their world famous wines and olive
oils. Afterwards we head to Greve in Chianti – one of the areas most
picturesque towns. After free time in town we enjoy dinner at one of the finest
restaurants in Tuscany. Let “La Cucina Toscana” stimulate your senses. [B,]
[Dinner for those who purchase the optional excursion]
Day 19:
Florence * Rome
Travel past Chianti vineyards along the Highway of the Sun to the Eternal City
of Rome. After check-in, enjoy our city tour, which takes us to the Colosseum,
where gladiators were thrown to the lions, the historical ruins of Caesar’s
Forum and the Trevi Fountain. Stop to toss three coins in Trevi Fountain, see
the Pantheon and sample the famous ‘gelati’ ice cream at Piazza Navona.
[B]
Day 20:
Rome * Vatican City
The day is yours to explore Rome. Visit world’s smallest state. Visit St.
Peter’s Basilica housing Michelangelo’s magnificent “Pieta” and
the Vatican Museums to see the Sistine Chapel. We follow the Via Appia to dinner
tonight at our mouth-watering Roman Banquet complete with Italian specialties.
On the way back drive by the illuminated monuments hailing from over 20 centuries
ago. [B,D]
Day 21:
Rome * Sorrento Peninsula
Motor through sunny olive groves lining the way south to the Sorrento peninsula.
Perched on the cliffs above the blue gulf of Naples, this is where Ulysses resisted
the call of the Sirens in Homer’s “Odyssey.” [B]
Day 22:
Pompeii * Overnight Ship To Greece
Travel to Pompeii, the city buried in 79 A.D. by 20 feet of ashes and lava after
Mt. Vesuvius’ volcanic eruption. Afterwards we cross the Italian ‘boot’ and
board our overnight ship to Greece. [B]
Day 23-25:
Greek Island Center
Cruising through aquamarine waters, our ship docks at Patras. Motor along the
Corinthian Sea across the Peloponnese to Galatas and the island Poros. Relax
with two days of living like a Greek god - swim, sunbathe, or take part
in optional activities such as waterskiing, wakeboarding, parasailing, banana-boating
or tubing. Farewell Toga Party on the last night. [B,D], [B, D], [B]
Day 27:
Athens
In the morning we board our hydrofoil to Athens. See the 2,400-year-old Parthenon,
the Temple of Olympian Zeus and Constitution Square. In the late afternoon, wander
the paths of Plato, Socrates and Sophocles or bargain at the markets of Monastiraki.
Tonight, enjoy our Farewell Dinner with traditional bouzouki music and dancing
at a typical taverna in the Plaka District - Athen’s oldest neighborhood
at the foot of the Acropolis. [B,D]
Day 28:
Travel Home
Reluctantly we say farewell to Europe and new-found friends. Jet back home with
thoughts of planning the next European Adventure! [B, In-flight Meals
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