CHELSEA FLOWER SHOW Springtime in the Alps Tour Paris to London
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CHELSEA FLOWER SHOW Springtime In The Alps Tour Paris to London LIMITED SEATS 18 DAYS DEPARTING 11 MAY 2016 BOOK NOW insightvacations.com Dolomites, Italy DAY 1: WED 11 MAY 2016 DAY 4: SAT 14 MAY 2016 largest and most famous island, renowned for Arrive Paris Dijon – Swiss Alps its incredible palace and stunning Botanical Millenium Hotel Paris Opera Romantik Hotel Schweizerhof Gardens. There is a guided tour of this Welcome to Paris, one of the world’s most Travel across the border into Switzerland privately owned palace with free time to exciting cities! Airport transfers depart from to Montreux for a lunch stop before we admire the gardens. (B) Charles De Gaulle Airport for the tour hotel, visit Chillon Castle, set on a rocky inlet, at 8.30, 11.00 & 13.30. The rest of the day is immortalised by Byron’s "Prisoner of Chillon". DAY 8: Wed 18 MAY 2016 at leisure to relax or begin to explore Paris on As we ascend into the Swiss Alps, marvel at Italian Lakes – The Dolomites your own. This evening join your Tour Director the Wetterhorn peaks as you travel along Four Points by Sheraton Bolzano for a Welcome Drink and tour debriefing. Grindelwald Valley, where you can look up Drive to the town of Verona, legendary home from almost anywhere and be rewarded with of Romeo and Juliet. Admire the well preserved DAY 2: THU 12 MAY 2016 dramatic glacial views. We stay in the village of Roman Arena and Juliet’s Balcony. Continue Paris & Monet’s Garden Grindelwald for the next two nights. (B) through the colourful peaks and the sheer Millenium Hotel Paris Opera valleys of the Italian Alps, some of the most After breakfast this morning we travel to DAY 5: SUN 15 MAY 2016 Swiss Alps – Jungfrau Excursion spectacular scenery that Europe has to offer. Giverny to visit the charming house and Our destination is the stunning Bolzano. (B,D) gardens, the former home of the greatest Romantik Hotel Schweizerhof impressionist painter, Claude Monet, and A day to explore the beautiful Alps! See the inspiration for his famous lily paintings. This "Valley of Waterfalls", and the Staubbach Falls afternoon is at leisure in this romantic city. plunge 300 metres. Consider taking There is plenty of time to stroll by the Seine, a cog-wheel train ride to the summit of the visit the impressionist paintings of the Museé Jungfrau Mountain. (B) d’Orsay, or enjoy a pleasant hour or two watching the passers-by from a Parisian café. DAY 6: MON 16 MAY 2016 This evening we enjoy our dinner in true French Swiss Alps – Italian Lakes style, with dinner up the Eiffel Tower. (B,HD) Grand Hotel Dino Another day through spectacular scenery as DAY 3: FRI 13 MAY 2016 we travel south through some of the most Paris – Dijon splendid Alpine countryside and down into Mercure Dijon Clemenceau Italy and to the Italian Lakes District to our This morning we travel to the majestic lakeside hotel. (B,D) Versailles. The Château de Versailles, which has been on UNESCO’s World Heritage List DAY 7: TUE 17 MAY 2016 for 30 years, is one of the most beautiful Italian Lakes achievements of 18th-century French art. Grand Hotel Dino We also visit the extensive gardens which in The Italian Lakes District is a fairyland of Louis XIV’s view were just as important as vivid blue waters at the foot of dramatic the Chateau itself. We then continue into mountains, a favourite haunt for artists and Burgundy where we visit a local winery and travellers. A full day set aside to relax and taste the local nectar before settling in to our enjoy the fantastic sights this lake land area Rothenburg, Germany hotel in Dijon. (B,D) has to offer. Take a cruise to Isola Bella, the DAY 9: THU 19 MAY 2016 guided tour, you’ll visit the stylish shops of The Dolomites – Munich Stokstraat and the cobblestone streets of the Pullman Munich Jeker neighbourhood. You’ll also pass by the After breakfast, head into Austria and onto red tower of St John’s Church and the ancient Innsbruck, set in a valley surrounded by Basilica of St Servatius. This evening is at leisure snow-capped mountains. See the lovely to explore the Old Town for dinner with its Golden Roof of the Emperor Maximilian and close proximity to our hotel. (B) the Royal Palace. Then head for the Bavarian DAY 13: MON 23 MAY 2016 capital of Munich for the next two nights. Maastricht – Brussels On arrival our orientation tour shows us the Olympic Stadium, university, Victory Arch and Sheraton Brussels the Marienplatz. (B,D) After breakfast we depart Maastricht and head to Brussels. An orientation tour takes DAY 10: FRI 20 MAY 2016 in the contrasts of Brussels. Take a leisurely Neuschwanstein Excursion stroll around the Grand Place, voted the most Pullman Munich beautiful square in Europe and make a cheeky We are treated to more spectacular scenery visit to Manneken Pis statue. The rest of the day today. Our excursion takes us into the is at leisure to explore. (B) heart of Bavaria to the fairytale castle of DAY 14: TUE 24 MAY 2016 Neuschwanstein, perched on a spectacular Brussels Sightseeing Alpine mountainside. This was King Ludwig II’s favourite castle. Visit the exuberantly decorated Sheraton Brussels apartments, including the Throne Room. Via This morning, visit Botanic Gardens Meise on the Alpine Road we head back to Munich. (B) the outskirts of Brussels, considered a centre for excellence for research of tropical and European DAY 11: SAT 21 MAY 2016 botany. See the tropical plants growing in the Munich – Rothenburg Plant Palace, the largest greenhouse in Belgium Hotel Tilman Riemenschneider and stroll through the historic 92 hectare park. Our journey takes us along the "Romantic Then it’s time to try one of Belgium’s favourites. Innsbruck, Austria Road", meandering through river valleys and See a chocolate master at work and enjoy a rolling countryside. As the route unfolds it taste of the finished product. Tonight, continue evokes life in the great medieval cities. With your journey of the tastes of Belgium with DAY 16: THU 26 MAY 2016 the baroque character of old episcopal courts a meal of typical Belgium specialties with drinks Royal Tunbridge Wells – London featured in Imperial towns, it reveals aspects of in historic surroundings. (B,HD) the past that could only belong to Germany. Thistle Marble Arch We tour Rothenburg, the most well preserved DAY 15: WED 25 MAY 2016 RHS Garden Wisley was gifted to the Royal Brussels – Royal Tunbridge Wells town on the "Romantic Road" where we Horticultural Society in 1903 and since then it plunge into the 16th Century, walking through The Spa Hotel has evolved into a world class garden. Explore the narrow cobbled streets lined with high Cross to Calais for the channel crossing to the beautiful Bowes-Lyon Rose Garden, the gabled houses, to the market square dominated Dover, where we are met by our coach and picturesque orchard and the huge cathedral by its Renaissance town hall. The afternoon is at travel to Sissinghurst, one of the best known like glass house with its world class tropical leisure to explore on your own before enjoying and admired gardens in the world where plant collection. Continue to London, the rest dinner in an Old Town local restaurant. (B,HD) the horticulture is unparalleled. Explore the of the day and evening at your leisure. (B) amazing series of linked garden spaces and DAY 12: SUN 22 MAY 2016 walk through to the new Kitchen Gardens. Rothenburg – Maastricht DAY 17: FRI 27 MAY 2016 Climb the tower for a fabulous view. Then to Chelsea Flower Show Crowne Plaza Maastricht our luxury spa hotel in the picturesque Kent We travel into the Netherlands to the pretty countryside. Its glorious past as a playground Thistle Marble Arch town of Maastricht, where the European Union of royalty in the 18th and 19th centuries A transfer in the morning takes you to the was created in 1993, located on the Dutch – reflects in its treasure trove of stately homes, famous Chelsea Flower Show! The Chelsea Belgian border. Maastricht is among the oldest formal gardens and castles, as well as local Flower Show will bring together the very best continually settled cities in Holland. On your craft and history. (B,D) show gardens, flowers and gardening from around the world. You will be able to see England magnificent floral displays, model gardens, LONDON English garden tools and a host of garden l Holland e Dover n ROYAL TUNBRIDGE WELLS n structures and artifacts. There will be extensive ha Sissinghurst C BRUSSELS displays of show gardens, courtyard gardens, Germany sh gli Calais MAASTRICHT En city and roof gardens with areas to learn about Belgium plants and growing flowers. This afternoon Czech a transferRepublic back to your hotel is provided. This ROTHENBURG evening we dine on a spectacular Thames PARIS R River Dinner Cruise, a perfect way to complete Giverny o m a nti Versailles c R o a our memorable holiday! (B,HD) d Slovakia MUNICH B a DAY 18: Sat 28 MAY 2016 v DIJON Neuschwanstein a r France i a Depart London Switzerland n A Innsbruck l p Hungary s s Austria e After breakfast bid your Tour Director farewell Montreux SWISS ALPS t i Chillon Castle m lo CORTINA and transfer to the airport to meet your o D Jungfrau BOLZANO ongoing flight. (BB) Verona ITALIAN LAKES Italy Meal Key: (B) = Breakfast (D) = Hotel Dinner (HD) = Highlight Dinner A p e n n i n e M t s Spain 18 Day Tour Price: $7395 per person twin share Versailles, France Single Supplement: $2700 per person INCLUDED SIGNATURE EVENTS = Experiences, = Dining PASSENGER CONDITIONS: Tips & Taxes & Porterage: Insight hotels include all service charges, taxes and porterage.