Tour Duration: 12 days Tour Code: HB2012 Tour Type: Prices From: A$3029 [Tour Dates]
Tour Itinerary
Day
Description
1
ARRIVE IN AMSTERDAM, HOLLAND. The day is free to rest or to start exploring the Dutch capital. At 6 pm, meet your traveling companions and Tour Director for a welcome dinner at your hotel. (D)
2
AMSTERDAM. Your guided sightseeing tour features a CANAL CRUISE past patrician mansions and humpback bridges. Next, visit a major DIAMOND CENTRE. Later, maybe an optional excursion to Volendam? (B)
3
AMSTERDAM-COLOGNE-HEIDELBERG, GERMANY. Journey via the Dutch region best known as the locale of A Bridge Too Far to Cologne. Visit the awesome twin-spired gothic CATHEDRAL. Then, enjoy a RHINE CRUISE past castle-crested cliffs and terraced vineyards. Arrive in Heidelberg, famous for its castle. (B,D)
4
RHINELAND-ROTHENBURG-MUNICH-OBERAMMERGAU. In spectacular Rothenburg, admire the ramparts, towers, and 16th- century houses. Next is Munich. See the Olympic Stadium, 304.8 metres (1,000 feet) high Television Tower, and MARIENPLATZ with the Old and New Town Halls, before continuing to the Passion Play town of Oberammergau. (B,D)
5
OBERAMMERGAU. BAVARIAN EXCURSION. Focus on Neuschwanstein and visit KING LUDWIG'S CASTLE on its craggy outcrop high above a sparkling lake. Afternoon at leisure with the chance to join an optional excursion to nearby Linderhof Castle. (B)
6
OBERAMMERGAU-INNSBRUCK, AUSTRIA-VENICE, ITALY. Morning break in Innsbruck, capital of the Austrian Tyrol. Stroll through the Old Town to Emperor Maximilian's GOLDEN ROOF. Across spectacular Brenner Pass through the Tyrolean Alps and into Italy. Arrive in Venice, the celebrated "Pearl of the Adriatic." Tonight is your chance to sample the city's fine restaurants. (B)
7
VENICE. Enter Venice in style by PRIVATE BOAT to meet your Local Guide. Highlights of your walking tour are ST. MARK'S SQUARE and the byzantine basilica, the Clock Tower, lavish DOGES' PALACE and the BRIDGE OF SIGHS. Also watch skilled GLASSBLOWERS fashion their delicate objects in an age-old traditional manner. Then, enjoy Venice at your own pace or join an optional gondola ride. (B,D)
8
VENICE-LAKE MAGGIORE-ZERMATT, SWITZERLAND. Pass the commercial capital of Milan towards the Italian-Swiss Lake District. Arrive in elegant Stresa at Lake Maggiore. An optional boat ride to the enchanting Isola Bella can be arranged. On over lofty Simplon Pass into the Swiss Valais, an area renowned for its excellent wines and great mountain resorts. To reach the most famous of them, leave the coach behind in Tasch and board a MOUNTAIN TRAIN to climb the last few kilometres (miles) up to Zermatt, a picturesque cluster of rustic chalets beneath the Matterhorn. (B,D)
9
ZERMATT-MONTREUX. Morning at leisure. A suggestion: ride Europe's highest rack-railway to 3,131 metres (10,272-foot) Gornergrat for a breathtaking panoramic view of the Alps. Next, motor through the vineyards and apricot groves of the lower Rhone Valley and arrive at Lake Geneva in Montreux, of festival fame. (B,D)
10
MONTREUX-LAUSANNE-PARIS, FRANCE. A short drive to Lausanne, home to the International Olympic Committee, where you board the high-speed TGV TRAIN to Paris. On arrival, sightseeing with a Local Guide features the most famous sights: the Opera, Arc de Triomphe, Champs-Elysees, Notre Dame Cathedral, and more. For a bird's-eye view, take the elevator to the second floor of Paris' most famous landmark, the EIFFEL TOWER. (B)
11
AT LEISURE IN PARIS. Another day to enjoy what this extraordinary metropolis has to offer. Shop for perfume and fancy fashion accessories, or take your pick from many fine museums. Optional excursions are available to the Louvre Museum and the lavish baroque Palace of Versailles. Tonight, maybe a lively cabaret show? (B)
12
PARIS. Your holiday ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
AMSTERDAM: Welcome dinner; guided sightseeing; canal cruise; visit a major diamond centre.
COLOGNE: Visit the cathedral.
RHINE CRUISE.
HEIDELBERG: Take pictures of the castle.
ROTHENBURG: Walking tour of the walled town.
MUNICH: Orientation including Marienplatz.
NEUSCHWANSTEIN: Visit King Ludwig's Castle.
INNESBRUCK: Walk through the Old Town to the Golden Roof.
VENICE: Private boat ride; guided walking tour including headsets, visit St. Mark's Square, Doges' Palace and the Bridge of Sighs; glassblowers' demonstration.
LAKE MAGGIORE: Stop in the town of Stresa
TASCH-ZERMATT-TASCH: By mountain train
LAUSANNE-PARIS: By high-speed TGV train (first-class)
PARIS: Guided sightseeing, ascend the Eiffel Tower
Inside visits and special features are shown in UPPERCASE in the tour description, including admission charges where applicable.
MEALS: Full buffet breakfast (B); 6 three-course dinners (D), including a welcome dinner in Amsterdam.
Meals Breakfast - 11 Lunch - 0 Dinner - 5
Optional Excursions
To help plan your leisure time, as well as your pre-tour budgeting, here is a list of optional excursions that may be offered on this tour.
Availability is subject to sufficient participation, weather conditions, seasonal suitability, group interests, and general feasibility for your tour. Please note prices may be based on the previous year and are subject to change. Full terms and conditions are contained in the important travel documents.
Cost
Description
59
EUR
Name:VOLENDAM, ITS WINDMILL, CHEESE FARM AND DUTCH DINNER Location:AMSTERDAM Details:Visit a Dutch cheese farm and windmill, before enjoying a typical Dutch dinner with drinks in a local restaurant in the quaint fishing village of Volendam, where many inhabitants still wear traditional costumes.
32
EUR
Name:THE BULB FIELDS AND KEUKENHOF Location:AMSTERDAM Details:Drive past outstanding flower fields to Keukenhof Park and celebrate spring when the 32-hectare (79-acre) park will be a feast for the eyes with 7 million bulbs in bloom. Amateur and professional photographers, as well as art devotees, will also appreciate the pieces by famous Dutch and foreign artists around the park.
45
EUR
Name:COUNTRY DINNER Location:OBERAMMERGAU Details:Enjoy a traditional Bavarian dinner, including drinks, at one of the area's most famous restaurants.
33
EUR
Name:EXCURSION TO LINDERHOF CASTLE Location:OBERAMMERGAU Details:Drive through the forested valley of the Ammergau Alps to King Ludwig's LINDERHOF CASTLE, famous for its Italian-style terraced GARDENS, graced by a string of pools and cascades.
71
EUR
Name:A VENETIAN NIGHT OUT INCLUDING TRANSFER Location:VENICE Details:Travel by private water taxi along the splendid Grand Canal to a fine Venetian restaurant. Taste four mouth-watering courses of local specialties and wine or soft drinks. After dinner, time to explore romantic Venice.
69
EUR
Name:LAGOON CRUISE AND MEAL IN BURANO Location:VENICE Details:Cruise past the islands of Santa Elena, San Michele and the famous Lido to picturesque Burano island, renowned for its lace making and colourful houses. Savour a mouth-watering meal, drinks included. Free time to shop and stroll.
38
EUR
Name:GONDOLA SERENADE Location:VENICE Details:Enjoy a ride in a traditional gondola, gliding through centuries-old canals, under famous arched bridges, past lavish palaces and quaint piazzas, serenaded by live music.(gondola for 6 people)
39
EUR
Name:EXCURSION TO ISOLA BELLA Location:STRESA Details:One of the last privately owned islands open to visitors. Enjoy a boat ride and a tour of the BORROMEO PALACE, then time for the beautiful gardens and terraces.
59
EUR
Name:GORNERGRAT Location:ZERMATT Details:Experience incomparable panoramic views. In just 40 minutes by mountain railway, climb 3,088 metre (10,132 feet) for a magnificent view of Switzerland's loftiest peaks.
37
EUR
Name:SEINE CRUISE AND MONTMARTRE Location:PARIS Details:Discover more of beautiful Paris with a cruise on the Seine river and a visit to the artistic district of Montmartre, famous for the white-domed Basilica of the Sacre Coeur.
66
EUR
Name:DINNER PARTY AND ILLUMINATION DRIVE Location:PARIS Details:A perfect introduction to Paris! After a full-course dinner with choices of typical French dishes, drinks included, your tour director will show you the "City of Lights."
124
EUR
Name:DINNER AND SHOW AT LA NOUVELLE EVE Location:PARIS Details:No visit to Paris is complete without a night out at the cabaret! A whirling international dinner show (unlimited wine) at Pigalle's one and only LA NOUVELLE EVE.
61
EUR
Name:EXCURSION TO THE PALACE OF VERSAILLES Location:PARIS Details:Take a short journey out of Paris with your local guide to the lavish 17th-century baroque palace built by Sun King Louis XIV, with its magnificent STATE APARTMENTS, Hall of Mirrors, and the Royal Chapel. Time to stroll through parts of the elegant 101 hecatare (250-acre) GARDENS. Note: This excursion is not available on Mondays and public holidays.
45
EUR
Name:EXCURSION TO THE LOUVRE MUSEUM Location:PARIS Details:Let your guide bring to life the most celebrated treasures of the impressive LOUVRE MUSEUM including da Vinci's famous "Mona Lisa." Note: This excursion is not available to groups on Tuesdays, public holidays, and Sundays.
166
EUR
Name:DINNER AND SHOW AT MOULIN ROUGE Location:PARIS Details:An exciting evening at the world-renowned Parisian cabaret. Dinner with half a bottle of wine is served during the show and a glass of champagne completes your evening in style.
Optional Excursions
