Highlights of Europe

Depart from London by Eurostar for Brussels
Meet your Tour Director and transfer to London’s St. Pancras Station to board the high-speed Eurostar. Your two hour rail
journey takes you via the historic Channel Tunnel to Brussels. Alternatively, join at the Brussels Hotel. (For reduction, see
date chart). This afternoon, stroll through the beautiful Grand Place, with its gilded buildings and see the cheeky Mannekin
Pis. Later, join your Tour Director for a Welcome Reception and an opportunity to mingle and get to know each other over a
warm evening of dinner and wine.(Welcome Dinner / Full Breakfast)

Glide past the Castles of the Rhine Valley to Heidelberg
Travel into Germany to view the spires of Cologne Cathedral before continuing along the Rhine, via Bonn, to Boppard. Join a
cruise, passing medieval hilltop castles and steep leafy vineyards to the village of St. Goar, near the legendary Loreley Rock.
Continue on to Heidelberg to see the clifftop castle. Dining among friends and good hospitality is part of the local culture so
why not hit the old town tonight for a hearty German feast(Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)

To Rothenburg and along the Romantic Road to Munich
Stop in medieval Rothenburg-ob-der-Tauber, still surrounded by its old walls and watch towers, frozen in time since the 16th
Century. Continue along the Romantic Road to the Bavarian capital of Munich. See the Olympic Stadium, Ludwigstrasse,
Marienplatz and soaring Town Hall. Stroll through Munich’s open-air food market, the Viktualienmarkt, with its beer garden.
Meet a local market stallholder and sample some of his delicious produce. Tonight, maybe sample a stein of beer in a local
beer hall-(Buffet Breakfast)

A short drive leads over the Austrian border to Salzburg, the city of Mozart and the ‘Sound of Music’ and 2015 marks the
50th anniversary of the iconic musical. Sightseeing with a local expert shows you the formal gardens of Mirabell Palace which
includes the fountains and statues where the “Do, Re, Mi” scene in the film were created and later you’ll cross Residence
Square with its fountain where Maria sings “I have confidence” was filmed. You’ll also witness the imposing fortress, cathedral
and Mozart’s birthplace on the lively Getreidegasse.(Buffet Breakfast)

Enjoy a leisurely morning in Salzburg to shop for local marzipan specialties or seek out locations from the Sound of Music.
Then stunning scenery surrounds you on the drive down through the Tauern Mountains to the Carinthian Lake District. Cross
the Italian border and descend to the romantic city of Venice. Your prestigious hotel occupies an old convent building in the
greenest part of the city centre.(Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)

Waking up to the sights and sounds of Venice is a thrill for even the most experienced traveller! A morning boat transfer
brings you to Giudecca Island to witness the age-old skills of glassblowers and gondola builders. Then cruise by Palladio’s
San Giorgio Maggiore to St. Mark’s Square. Alight to see Lord Byron’s Bridge of Sighs which connects the Doges’ Palace
to the prisons. In the square, the bell tower comes into view, plus the beautiful mosaics of St. Mark’s Basilica and the Clock
Tower Moors, who have been striking the hour for over 500 years. No visit to Venice would be complete without a gondola
serenade. Glide along the atmospheric canals exploring the intimate and hidden parts of this unique city while musicians set
the mood with traditional songs. The rest of the day is free to shop in the small arcades.(Buffet Breakfast)

On to the Eternal City of Rome
Head south over the Apennine Mountains and follow the ‘Highway of the Sun’ to the ‘eternal city’ of Rome.(Buffet Breakfast)

During your two night stay, join a local expert for a private tour of the priceless art of the Vatican Museums and the frescoes of
the Sistine Chapel. Your VIP visit includes fast-track entry and behind-the-scenes access to the Bramante Staircase, a part of
the Vatican usually closed to the public. Then explore St. Peter’s Basilica, one of the largest churches in the world. Now cross
the River Tiber to see the largest amphitheatre of the Roman Empire, the Colosseum and look out over the Roman Forum.
The afternoon is free to explore.(Buffet Breakfast)

Drive to the Chianti Hills and the city of Florence. A local expert accompanies you to the Duomo, where the Gates of Paradise
adorn the Baptistery. Continue to Signoria Square, the political heart of the city, lined with fountains and statues it acts as a
virtual open-air gallery of Renaissance Masterpieces. Take the time to gaze at Neptune and David. In the area around Santa
Croce Basilica, view a demonstration of traditional leather-work. Afterwards, there is time to shop!(Buffet Breakfast)

Journey through the Alps and on to Lucerne
Journey north past the Italian Lake District to the Swiss border and enjoy Alpine scenery all the way to Lucerne. On arrival,
see what Mark Twain described as “the saddest and most moving piece of rock in the world”, the emotive Lion Monument.
(Buffet Breakfast

Lucerne’s Lions & Dragons
This morning, embark upon a thrilling cable car ride with incredible views, to the summit of Mount Pilatus. Back in Lucerne,
there is free time to stroll across the Chapel Bridge to the ornate Jesuit Church and spend time shopping in the traffic-free Old
Town. Perhaps hire a bicycle and enjoy a pleasant ride besides the many lakes. This evening, get together with your friends
and choose from a selection of authentic local restaurants for your dining pleasure.(Buffet Breakfast / Dine Around)

Drive to Basel before crossing the Rhine to enter France. Travel through the lush wine-growing Burgundy region to Paris, the
vibrant ‘Ville-Lumière’ (City of Light). Tonight, enjoy a ‘Diner de Célébration’ served with wine in a Parisian bistro, oozing at
the seams with French ambience.(Buffet Breakfast / Celebration Dinner)

Paris, the ‘City of Light’
This morning, sightseeing with a local expert takes you by Notre Dame Cathedral, the imposing façades of the Louvre and
along the banks of the Seine with its many romantic bridges. See the obelisk in the centre of the Place de la Concorde and
drive along the Champs Elysées to the Arc de Triomphe. Next, venture into the ‘Metro de Paris’ to admire its art nouveau
inspired architecture and enjoy a short journey through the Paris metropolitan area aboard its rapid transit system. Now survey
the city from the heights of the Eiffel Tower, built for the World’s Exhibition of 1889. The afternoon is at leisure for shopping
or your own pursuits.(Buffet Breakfast)

Au revoir Paris
Transfers arrive Charles de Gaulle Airport at 08:00 & 10:00 hours.(Buffet Breakfast)