Itinerary at a Glance
Day 1: Flight to Europe
Follow the 'Departure Instructions' in your Final Documents for easy check-in procedures.
Day 2: Meet Your Tour
Amsterdam Schiphol Airport - Lelystad
Your 'Arrival Instructions' will direct you where and when to meet your tour manager upon arrival at the airport. Board the
deluxe motor coach for a pleasant drive through the neatly groomed Dutch lowlands to your hotel in Lelystad. This evening,
enjoy the 'Welcome to Europe/Get Acquainted' dinner.
Day 3: THE NETHERLANDS
Country Stay in Lelystad
Enjoy a day of leisure, affording you the opportunity to catch up from your overseas flight and to acclimate to your new
surroundings. You may wish to use Holland's efficient bus and railway network to visit a myriad of interesting places less
than an hour away. Another choice is to take the full-day optional 'Grand Holland' excursion. Return to your Lelystad hotel
for dinner.
Day 4: BELGIUM
Antwerp - Margraten American Military Cemetery - Heerlen
Enter the Belgian province of Flanders and spend some time in its capital, Antwerp, known for its convivial atmosphere and
outdoor cafes. For many Americans, the next stop at the Margraten American Military Cemetery is an emotional experience.
For information regarding the location of specific graves, check the website. From here, it is just a short ride to your
cozy hotel in Heerlen, where piano music enhances the evening meal.
Day 5: GERMANY
Rhine River Cruise - Heidelberg - Mannheim
In Boppard, a Rhine steamer awaits for an upstream cruise on this romantic river. Continue to lovely Heidelberg with its
red sandstone castle. Your home-away-from-home tonight is in the neighboring city of Mannheim with dinner served at the
hotel.
Day 6: GERMANY
Rothenburg - Romantic Road - Augsburg
By sleepy little villages, majestic fortresses, and timeless castles, travel eastward this morning to the enchanting,
walled city of Rothenburg. During your free time, walk along the intact city walls, explore the magical Christmas Shop or
visit the Medieval Criminal Museum. End the day with a nice dinner and musical entertainment in Augsburg, the largest city
on Germany's Romantic Road.
Day 7: GERMANY - AUSTRIA
Munich - Innsbruck - Seefeld
On your way into Munich, see the Nymphenburg Palace and other famous sights. You will have time to watch the magical
'Glockenspiel' performance in Munich's town square, stroll the 'pedestrians-only' zone, and partake in an independent lunch
at the Hofbräuhaus. By 4:00 pm, you will reach Innsbruck and its famous Golden Roof. In the nearby village of Seefeld, your
chalet-style hotel will host an authentic Austrian dinner.
Day 8: AUSTRIA
Seefeld
Whether you spend your day relaxing amidst the marvelous scenery, exploring nearby Innsbruck, or taking the optional
'Bavarian Castle' excursion, you will be captivated by majestic mountains, green valleys, rushing rivers, and lovely
chalets with their flower-laden balconies. For your independent eveing meal, dine at a village restaurant, relax over
dinner at your hotel, or join the optional 'Tyrolean Dinner' excursion.
Day 9: ITALY
Dolomite Mountains - Lake Garda - Bussolengo near Verona
Take the scenic route of the Brenner Pass, which features the spectacular 'Europabrücke' (Europe Bridge), rising 627 feet
above the valley, and the magnificent Dolomite Mountains of northern Italy. Stop in one of the attractive cities along the
route. In the afternoon, descend to Italy's largest lake, the stunningly beautiful Lake Garda. An extended stop affords
ample opportunity to stroll along the lakefront and browse the quaint markets. Today's final destination is the town of
Bussolengo, near Verona. Dinner at your hotel appropriately begins with a pasta dish.
DAY 10: ITALY
Verona - Venice
After visiting Verona, best known for the bittersweet love story of Romeo and Juliet, continue to the one-of-a-kind city of
Venice. Take a motor boat to St. Marks Square for a guided walking tour that ends with a glass blowing demonstration. If
you have your heart set on gliding through the canals of Venice by gondola, the cost is about $45 per person based on six
people per gondola. Dinner will be on your own, or you may meet your tour manager for the optional 'Venice Dinner'. At the
end of the day, boat and bus will transfer you to your hotel in Venice-Mestre.
DAY 11: ITALY
Venice - Florence - Montecatini
Take the Italian Autostrada south, making a brief stop along the way before reaching Florence. Start your free time on the
Ponte Vecchio, a gathering point for Florentines and visitors alike. Marvel at the architectural masterpieces on the nearby
Piazza del Duomo. After a fulfilling afternoon of sightseeing in Florence, the spa town of Montecatini welcomes you with
pastel-tinted hotels on palm-lined streets. Stay at the hotel or walk to a nearby restaurant for your independent dinner.
DAY 12: ITALY
Rome - Pomezia
Arrive in Rome around 1:00 p.m. The tour manager will offer a half-day optional excursion to the 'Vatican Museums & Sistine
Chapel'. Your hotel this evening is in Pomezia, about 45 minutes outside the city.
Day 13: ITALY
Rome - Pomezia
It's off to Rome for a full day of exploration. During the city sightseeing tour, see the Trajan and Roman Forums, the Arch
of Constantine, the Appian Way, and the Colosseum. Choose from over 2000 restaurants in Rome for your independent dinner,
or join the tour manager for the 'Rome Dinner' optional excursion.
DAY 14: ITALY
Tyrrhenian Coast - Pisa - Parma
Follow the Tyrrhenian Coast past pine forests, sandy beaches, seaside cliffs, and olive groves. In the afternoon, the
Leaning Tower of Pisa appears before your eyes. It began leaning shortly after construction commenced in 1174. Continue
north, leaving the coast at La Spezia and driving inland to Parma, where you will have dinner and spend the night.
Day 15: SWITZERLAND
Lake Lugano - Gotthard Pass - Lake Lucerne Region
Head north towards the unsurpassed splendor of the Italian and Swiss lake districts. Often referred to as the 'Rio de
Janeiro of the Old Continent', Lugano is an ideal spot for a lunch break. Traveling through William Tell country, the
serene beauty of the Swiss Alps comes alive. Spend the night in one of the cozy villages in the Lake Lucerne Region.
Venture out for dinner on your own, or join the 'Swiss Lake Boat Ride & Dinner' optional excursion.
Day 16: SWITZERLAND
Stans - Lucerne - Lake Lucerne Region
Today, concentrate on the Lake Lucerne area. First, stop in the old village of Stans, at the foot of the mountains. Bring
your camera if you decide to take the optional 'Swiss Mountain' excursion. Tour the city of Lucerne with its Old City Wall
and famous Lion Monument. The rest of the day is yours to explore or simply relax in this glorious setting. Before or after
dinner at your Lake Lucerne Region hotel, the tour manager may organize an optional 'Natur Pur' covered wagon trek.
Day 17: FRANCE
Alsace Region - Kaysersberg - St. Dizier
Follow the Swiss Autobahn to Basel where you cross the border into the northeastern part of France. This region, known as
the 'Alsace', is famous for its wine, beautiful forests, and attractive resorts. Your lunch stop will be in Kaysersberg,
said to be the prettiest village on the wine road. Your stay in St. Dizier will give you an impression of how the average
French citizen lives outside the cosmopolitan city of Paris. During dinner at the hotel, enjoy musical entertainment and a
glass of champagne as a fitting way to toast the highlights of these past two weeks.
Day 18: FRANCE
Champagne Region - Paris
Travel through the Champagne-Ardennes area where vineyards, which produce the famed 'champagne', are interspersed between
rustic towns. After a coffee stop proceed to Paris. Arrival at the Place de la Concorde will be at approximately 12:00 noon.
You will have the option of sightseeing on your own, or joining your tour manager on an optional 'Seine River Cruise & The
Eiffel Tower' excursion. At 4:30 pm, the motor coach will gather all tour participants for the transfer to the hotel. For
your independent dinner, venture out on your own or join the 'Paris Evening' optional excursion.
Day 19: FRANCE
Paris
A full free day to continue discovering this world city. Walk along the classy Champs Elysées, visit the Louvre, or go up to
Montmartre where Paris looks like it does in old paintings, and street artists still display their works. The tour manager
will offer a morning optional excursion to 'Versailles'. If your visit to Paris is incomplete without seeing a nightclub
show, expect high prices but lots of fun on the optional 'La Nouvelle Eve Dinner Show' excursion.
DAY 20: ENGLAND
London
After breakfast, the high-speed Eurostar train takes you under the English Channel and into London in just a couple of
hours. Upon arrival, a motor coach and local guide await to introduce you to London's popular sights. Dinners in London are
independent to enable you to try different restaurants. You may want to attend a play or musical. Until 6:30 p.m. the
half-price ticket booth on Leicester Square offers same-day tickets for a wide variety of shows.
DAY 21: ENGLAND
London
Spend the day doing what you like. The ideal way to get around in London is to purchase a double decker hop-on/hop-off day
pass (approximately 20 GBP), giving you access to popular sights at over 90 stops! If you wish to see the Changing of the
Guard, hop off at Buckingham Palace before 11:30 a.m. (subject to weather and special events). Stop at the famous Harrods
department store or Madame Tussauds with its life-like wax figures. The tour manager will offer an optional excursion
including the 'Tower of London & Thames Cruise'. In the evening London offers many dining and sightseeing activities. If
you wish to go out tonight, ask the hotel concierge for assistance.
DAY 22: Return home
Daytime Flight across the Atlantic, back to the U.S.A.
