The Netherlands Germany France Switzerland
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Great Gator Escapes The Netherlands ◆ Germany ◆ France ◆ Switzerland cruising aboard the Exclusively Chartered DDeluxeeluxe M.S. AMMADEUSADEUS SIILVERLVER IIII featuring the GLLACIERACIER EXXPRESSPRESS June 15 to 25, 2017 Dear Gator Traveler: Join us on this Great Journey through Europe, the trip of a lifetime and an opportunity to retrace the traditional 17th-, 18th- and 19th-century “Grand Tour.” Travel through four countries and the western heart of the Continent on this carefully planned, unique University of Florida itinerary. Cruise the spectacular UNESCO World Heritage-designated Rhine Valley, passing the lush vineyards of its Rheingau wine region on the river’s bank, and through Holland’s picturesque waterways, surrounded by polder land reclaimed from the North Sea. Experience three of the world’s great railway journeys and visit four important UNESCO World Heritage sites. In Zermatt, marvel at the iconic Matterhorn as you travel aboard the Gornergrat Bahn, the country’s oldest cog railway. Then, cross the mountainous backbone of Switzerland aboard the celebrated, ingeniously engineered Glacier Express railway, and spend two nights in lovely Lucerne in the Five-Star HOTEL SCHWEIZERHOF LUZERN, where glorious Alpine panoramas surround you. From Lucerne, journey overland through the verdant, picturesque countryside of Switzerland to Basel. Stop in the medieval gem of Berne and in scenic Interlaken in the foothills of the magnifi cent Bernese Oberland Alps. The exclusively chartered, deluxe M.S. AMADEUS SILVER II, launched in 2015, provides our elegant accommodations en route from Basel to Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Port calls along the way include the lovely Alsatian city of Strasbourg, France, a fusion of both French and German cultures, and Rüdesheim, Koblenz, Cologne, and Mannheim for Heidelberg, Germany. This extraordinary Great Journey through Europe travel program is an excellent value with all excursions and deluxe accommodations included. Early Booking Savings are available only through November 16, 2016, so book now as space is limited and this popular University of Florida program sells out quickly! Sincerely,Sincerely,y TimothyTimothy L.L WalshWalsh Assistant Vice President University of Florida Alumni Association U.S./Geneva, Enjoy lunch in Andermatt before transferring Switzerland/Zermatt to Lucerne for check-in at the lakeside Five-Star Day 1 and Day 2 HOTEL SCHWEIZERHOF LUZERN. The remainder of Depart the U.S. for Geneva. the afternoon and evening is at leisure. On arrival, enjoy a scenic Lucerne Rhineland transfer to the Alpine resort of Coat of Arms Day 5 Zermatt, located beneath the A long-favored destination of travelers, dramatic pinnacle of the iconic Matterhorn. Lucerne is set against the backdrop of its Check into the chalet-style HOTEL ALEX. deep blue lake and the rugged grandeur of This evening, dine in the hotel’s handsome, Mounts Pilatus and Rigi. Begin your morning traditional Swiss restaurant. walking tour in the Weinmarkt (wine market), Zermatt surrounded by historic burghers’ houses. Day 3 See the Hofkirche (Court Church), one of Today, travel aboard the famous the fi nest examples of German Renaissance Gornergrat Bahn, the highest cog railway architecture, and the Lion Monument, in Europe. Ascend through pine and dedicated to the Swiss Guards who gave larch forests and cross meadows their lives defending Louis XVI during the ablaze with wildfl owers to the French Revolution. Walk across Lucerne’s 10,000-foot-high Gornergrat. From the most famous landmark, the delightful, th observatory atop Gornergrat, delight in the 14 -century wooden Chapel Bridge, sweeping vistas of Europe’s most breathtaking which spans the Reuss River and is th Alpine scenery—the serrated profi les of the adorned with 17 -century paintings. Matterhorn, the Liskamm and Dufourspitze Ascend Mount Pilatus by panoramic mountains and vast Gorner Glacier. Return to gondola to its 7000-foot summit for a Zermatt at your leisure, with the option to magnifi cent 360-degree view of central stop en route at Riffelberg for the panoramic Switzerland’s mountains, forests and lakes. view of impressive Monte Rosa and the Enjoy lunch in a summit restaurant majestic Matterhorn. followed by free time. Board the This evening, join your travel Pilatus Railway, the world’s steepest companions for the Welcome Reception and cogwheel railway, and descend more than dinner in the hotel. 5300 feet in less than three miles on return to the shores of picturesque Zermatt/Andermatt/Lucerne Lake Lucerne, where you will embark upon Day 4 a scenic cruise. Relax during a scenic morning transfer from Zermatt to Andermatt aboard the Lucerne/Interlaken/ fabled Glacier Express, “the world’s slowest Berne/Basel fast train.” Travel through the heart of the Alps, Day 6 where the natural beauty of the mountains Early this morning, continue your journey rivals the skill and ingenuity of the engineers through one of the most stunning areas of who created this impressive rail route. Switzerland, the spectacular Bernese Oberland, Cover photo: View the unforgettable peaks of the iconic Matterhorn from the top of the highest cog railway in Europe, the world-renowned Gornergrat Bahn. Photo this page: Medieval castles and bucolic terraced vineyards capture the romance of Germany’s legendary UNESCO World Heritage-designated Rhine Valley. THE NETHERLANDS NNorthorth SSeaea AMMSTERDAMSTERDAM R hi ne R GERMANY iv er COOLOGNELOGNE KOOBLENZBLENZ RÜÜDESHEIMDESHEIM RRhinehine RRheingauheingau FRANCE VValleyalley MAANNHEIMNNHEIM HEEIDELBERGIDELBERG STTRASBOURGRASBOURG BAASELSEL INNTERLAKENTERLAKEN BEERNERNE LUUCERNECERNE ANNDERMATTDERMATT GEENEVANEVA TÄÄSCHSCH EERMATTRMATT UNESCO Z World Heritage Site MMatterhornatterhorn Cruise Itinerary SWITZERLAND Air Routing Half-timbered houses in Strasbourg’s Land Routing ITALY Train Routing Petite-France quarter refl ect the city’s dual French and German character. traveling from the snow-crowned heights Strasbourg, France of the Alps to subtropical lowlands. Day 7 Admire the impressive natural treasures of The lively Alsatian city of Strasbourg soaring, snowcapped mountain peaks; green, fuses Old and New Europe. The Old City, rolling hills; crystal-clear glacial lakes and a UNESCO World Heritage site, is a densely wooded forests. treasure trove of medieval houses, and Stop in the charming resort town of the charming Ponts-Couverts—covered Interlaken, located between Lake Thun and bridges fl anked by watchtowers at Lake Brienz. Here, you will fi nd the perfect each end—span its picturesque canals. vantage point for viewing the towering It was in Strasbourg that John Calvin Jungfrau, an imposing summit in the fi rst established a reformed parish. Bernese Alps known as the “Top of Europe.” See remnants of the Reformation in the Transfer across the rolling Swiss beautiful Protestant and Catholic Church countryside to Berne, Switzerland’s of St-Pierre-le-Vieux; and see the graceful historic capital. Visit the city’s Old Town, sandstone Catholic Cathedral of Notre Dame, a UNESCO World Heritage site and a Romanesque-Gothic masterpiece that, beautifully preserved medieval gem noted according to the poet Goethe, rises “like a for its arcaded sidewalks. Then, enjoy most sublime, wide-arching tree of God.” lunch in a historic, 18th-century High In the Petite-France district, the historic Baroque-style granary converted into a miller, tanner and fi shermen’s quarter along traditional Bernese restaurant. the Ill River, the fairy-tale appearance of In Basel, embark the ship and attend the a past era lives on, while nearby, member Captain’s Welcome Reception and dinner nations of the European Union engage in the this evening. daily discourse of the European Parliament. Visit Berne’s Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Mannheim for Heidelberg site featuring the medieval Zytglogge, the 13th-century tower with an ornate 15th-century astrological clock. Day 8 This morning, transfer from Mannheim to Heidelberg, where luminaries such as Goethe and Schumann once came to experience the intellectual atmosphere of Heidelberg University, the oldest in Germany, founded in 1386. To many on the “Grand Tour” of Europe, fashionable in the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, Heidelberg epitomized Germany, nestled in the densely wooded valley of the Neckar River and alive with the spirit of German Romanticism. On the walking tour, see how Heidelberg has preserved its authentic Renaissance-Baroque character, including the eight remaining arches of the famous Alte Brücke (Old Bridge) that span the Neckar River. Visit the stately ruins of imposing Heidelberg Castle, a magnifi cent, 13th-century edifi ce perched above the river that embodies Heidelberg’s medieval past. Cruise tranquil Lake Lucerne at the foot of Mount Pilatus and enjoy picturesque views of its fjord-like landscape and the four surrounding cantons of Lucerne, Schwyz, Unterwalden and Uri. Reboard the ship and cruise through the Founded as a Roman military outpost pastoral Rheingau, Germany’s most famous in 38 B.C., Cologne has fl ourished as wine-growing region, known particularly the Rhineland’s foremost mercantile and for its Riesling. religious center from the time of Charlemagne to present day, and is the Rüdesheim/Koblenz birthplace of the original world-famous Day 9 Eau de Cologne perfume. Explore the Dock in the medieval town of Altstadt (Old Town) and visit the historic Rüdesheim, the heart of Germany’s Kölner Dom (Cologne Cathedral), a wine country. Enjoy a tour aboard UNESCO World Heritage site and the the unique Winzerexpress mini-train, fi nest example of High Gothic architecture traveling through bucolic countryside in Germany. Its construction began vineyards en route to a private tasting of in 1248 and lasted for six centuries— German wines. among its artistic treasures are the Cruise through the spectacular Milan Madonna and the Shrine of the UNESCO World Heritage-designated Three Holy Kings. Rhine River Valley, legendary for its Enjoy a leisurely afternoon cruising scenery and riverside architectural treasures. along the picturesque Rhine River. Be on deck for a front-row view of the This evening, attend the Captain’s steep, terraced vineyards rising on the slopes Farewell Reception and Dinner.