Tour Details - Traditional Europe 2012

A warm welcome from your Travel Director! Board the Eurostar at London’s St. Pancras International for a high-speed train journey to Brussels. Journey on to Amsterdam by luxury coach. See the Mint Tower and Dam Square during your orientation. This evening, enjoy a Welcome Reception and Dinner with your Travel Director and companions on an included canal cruise in a glass-topped boat. It’s a memorable start to your European adventure!(Welcome Reception)

Cross into Germany and stop to visit Cologne Cathedral. Embark on a wonderful Rhine cruise from Boppard, past magical castles and steep vineyards to St. Goar, site of the Lorelei Rock. Arrive later at your Rhineland hotel where you dine tonight.(Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)

View the impressive Heidelberg Castle overlooking the scenic River Neckar. Enjoy an orientation of Strasbourg, which has a rich Roman and medieval heritage. Through the Alsace vineyards and across the Swiss border at Basel to Engelberg, your journey is spectacular!(Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)

See the Lion Monument in Lucerne, built to commemorate the Swiss Guards who died defending Louis XVI, and the famous wooden Chapel Bridge. Spend free time shopping for delicious chocolates before returning to Engelberg!(Buffet Breakfast)

Admire splendid Alpine scenery as you pass the Walensee en route to the Principality of Liechtenstein, stopping in the capital, Vaduz. Cross the border into Austria and follow the Arlberg route through the Tyrol to Innsbruck. View the famous Golden Roof during your orientation of this beautiful town.(Buffet Breakfast)

Cross the 620-foot high Europa Bridge, follow the Brenner Pass into Italy through the foothills of the Dolomite Mountains to the magical city of Venice. This evening, consider taking a gondola ride along the city’s romantic network of canals while listening to Italian melodies!(Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)

Cruise by private launch to St. Mark’s Square and hear the unique history of this beautiful Byzantine city. View the famous Bridge of Sighs and the ornate Doge's Palace. Visit a Murano glass-blowing workshop and witness a demonstration of this ancient art. Spend the afternoon exploring on your own. You might like to take a cruise around the lagoon or shop for souvenirs in the ‘calle’.(Buffet Breakfast)

From Venice, across the Veneto and over the Apennine hills, through Tuscany and Umbria arrive in Rome, the Eternal City. Tonight, why not experience 'la dolce vita' at a pavement café?(Buffet Breakfast)

Discover the treasures of St. Peter’s Basilica including Michelangelo's Pietà with your expert Local Guide. Cross the Tiber to see the Forum, of daily life in ancient Rome. See the mighty Colosseum and enjoy views of the Circus Maximus, former site of chariot racing. Perhaps visit the Sistine Chapel in your free time or shop for the latest fashions on the Via del Corso.(Buffet Breakfast)

Enjoy a scenic drive through the vineyards of Frascati into the Campania region. Cruise to the Isle of Capri from Naples by ferry. A funicular railway brings you to Capri town, where you discover the sights during your walking orientation. Sail to the clifftop summer resort of Sorrento for the night.(Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)

Your expert Local Guide takes you on a walking tour of the excavations at Pompeii. View the restored Abbey of Monte Cassino, perched high on a rocky hill. Arrive later in Assisi, the town of St. Francis in the Umbrian hills.(Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)

Visit St. Francis’ Basilica featuring spectacular frescoes by Giotto during your morning orientation. Later in Florence, birthplace of the Renaissance, your expert Local Guide shows you the sights including views of the Duomo, Piazza Signoria and Ponte Vecchio bridge. Shop for high quality leather goods and 18-carat gold. Appreciate breathtaking panoramic views of the city from Piazzale Michelangelo.(Buffet Breakfast)

Admire the Leaning Tower of Pisa, one of the oldest structures in the Square of Miracles. Pass the marble quarries at Carrara and drive along the 'Motorway of Flowers' towards France. Visit Monaco and see the famous Monte Carlo Casino. Join your companions this evening for a Highlight Dinner in a French restaurant.(Buffet Breakfast / Highlight Dinner)

Explore St. Paul de Vence, one of the oldest medieval towns in the French Riviera which attracts many artists. Visit a historic perfumery nearby before returning to Nice.(Buffet Breakfast)

See the papal city of Avignon on the River Rhône. Admire the broken bridge − the famous Pont d’Avignon − and the magnificent Papal Palace. Enjoy an orientation tour of Lyon, including the Fourvière Hill and Place Bellecour.(Buffet Breakfast)

Cross the beautiful Rhône Valley. Visit the charming village of Beaune, the wine capital of Burgundy and one of the key wine s of France. This evening in Paris, consider a trip to one of the city's most famous cabaret shows.(Buffet Breakfast)

Your sightseeing with an expert Local Guide includes the Champs Élysées, Place de la Concorde and the Arc Triomphe. Admire the skyline from the second level of the Eiffel Tower with an included visit. Celebrate with your companions and Travel Director this evening at a Farewell Dinner.(Buffet Breakfast / Farewell Dinner)

Say ‘au revoir’ to Paris as you travel to Calais. Board your ferry to Dover. See the famous White Cliffs before returning to London at the end of this memorable holiday.(Buffet Breakfast)