Your Itinerary
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European Heritage End Amsterdam Your itinerary Start Location Visited Location Plane End Location Cruise Train Over night Ferry Day 1 construction. Continue across the Tiber River to Ancient Rome and imagine a time London – Paris (2 Nights) when soldiers and senators created a city that became the centre of the world. Its foundations still stand today as a testament to its former might and you'll have an Leave London behind and travel through the Kent countryside to Dover where all that opportunity to view its iconic ancient sites before spending time on your own separates you from France is a short ferry ride to Calais. It's just a hop from there to exploring or join an Optional Experience through the city's piazzas. Paris, the 'City of Lights'. Don't hold back and dive right into its history, culture and culinary delights, from the iconic Eiffel Tower to croquemonsieurs, lazing on the Included Meals - Breakfast banks of the Seine, museums and monuments. This evening, the glittering French Day 14 capital lights up and you'll see it in all its glory if you choose to join an Optional Experience, including a cruise on the Seine and a scenic drive stopping at all the Rome – Venice (2 Nights) best photo spots. We cross the dramatic Apennine Mountains, bound for the charismatic calle of Venice, once a maritime powerhouse and republic whose influences can be seen Novotel Pont de Sèvres Hotel - across the Eastern Mediterranean. The Winged Lion of Venice remains an enduring Day 2 symbol of the city and one you'll see repeatedly as you explore the city. You'll arrive Paris sightseeing and free time just in time for an optional Gondola and Grand Canal cruise grand palazzi, churches and ornate bridges lining your journey. This evening, enjoy dinner at your Enjoy a sightseeing tour with your Travel Director. Views will include the Champs hotel. Élysées, Arc de Triomphe and the Eiffel Tower. Then, discover the city at your leisure. There's time to shop for artwork and savour some local specialties before a Hotel - Villa Fiorita real highlight this evening an optional dinner and cabaret performance. Included Meals - Breakfast, Dinner Included Meals - Breakfast Day 15 Day 3 Venice orientation and free time Paris – Bordeaux (1 Night) The talents of master craftsmen are the star of the show this morning as we visit Journey to the Loire Valley and view the enchanting fairytale Château d'Amboise their glassblowing workshop to see them craft the most exquisite works of art. We where Leonardo da Vinci is said to be buried. Next up, head to the wine capital of take to the waters of the canal next and cruise by private launch to St. Mark's Bordeaux, whose stunning Garonne riverfront and Age of Enlightenment history and Square, the gateway to the city. Admire the ornate Doge's Palace, the Basilica of architecture have made it one of France's most visited cities. St. Mark and the Bridge of Sighs, whose bittersweet views once elicited sighs from prisoners who were unlikely to see their beloved city ever again. There's time on your Hotel - Ibis Centre Meriadeck own for a final exploration of the city or to join an Optional Experience to the vibrant rainbowcoloured façades of Burano Island, which beckon to resident fishermen Breakfast, Dinner Included Meals - seeking a safe beacon for their return journey home through the lagoon's thick fog. Day 4 Bordeaux – Biarritz – Pamplona (1 Night) Included Meals - Breakfast Day 16 The beach is on the agenda today, so get your hat and sunglasses ready for a trip to the glamorous seaside town of Biarritz. From the gentle waves of the Atlantic, to the Venice – Vienna (2 Nights) running of the bulls, your next stop is the Spanish city of Pamplona, the capital of We leave Italy behind, bound for the Austrian capital where art, architecture and the old Kingdom of Navarre. Join a Local Specialist on an Optional Experience and above all music hit all the right notes for an inspiring evening in the former home of see the city's ancient city walls and Plaza del Castillo, the heart of the city where the Habsburgs. In a city where music literally surrounds you, famous composers markets, tournaments and even bullfighting has taken place. A special treat will see like Mozart and Strauss rose to musical fame. Today, this 'City of Music' can carry you savour tapas and sangria at Hemingway's favourite watering hole. more than a tune as you'll come to discover if you join an optional concert of Viennese classical music including some of the most acclaimed works of Strauss Hotel - Abba Reina de Navarra and Mozart. Breakfast Included Meals - Hotel - Novum Prinz Eugen Day 5 Pamplona – Madrid Sightseeing (2 Nights) Included Meals - Breakfast Day 17 Your journey continues further into Spain. Arriving in Madrid, you'll encounter a graceful capital that was spruced up several centuries ago thanks to King Charles III. Vienna sightseeing and free time Head onto the streets to watch this footballmad metropolis come to life. Your Local A free morning could see you discover why the streets of Vienna are paved with Specialist will share all the secrets behind some of the city's most iconic sights. culture or consider an optional guided visit to Schönbrunn Palace, the former Head up the Gran Vía, slicing through the heart of Madrid, and see summer residence of the Habsburgs, whose lasting legacy can be seen across their the Cibeles Fountain and Paseo de la Castellana. Admire the Royal Palace and dynastic capital. Your Local Specialist will reveal all the sights of this imperial city Retiro Park, originally created as a retreat for the Royal Family. Later, enjoy dinner later today. View the Parliament, the Vienna Opera House, the Hofburg and City Hall at your hotel. before enjoying some time on your own. You'll need no excuse to embrace the locals' love of the good life as you indulge in the city's kafee culture with a heavenly Hotel - Occidental Este slice of Sachertorte to tame your chocaholic tendencies. This evening, the melodies of a musical Vienna are the order of the day as you join an optional dinner followed Breakfast, Dinner Included Meals - by a concert of Strauss and Mozart masterpieces. Day 6 Madrid free time Included Meals - Breakfast Day 18 The legacy of 'Madrid's Best Mayor' can be seen on the city's streets. You'll have a full free day to uncover his many gifts or consider joining an Optional Experience to Vienna – Salzburg – Innsbruck (1 Night) Toledo, the ‘City of Three Cultures'. Explore the influences of Christians, Muslims Continue to Salzburg, whose rich musical heritage is only part of its enduring and Jews when you join a Local Specialist for a captivating walking tour. Then return appeal. Take a stroll through the Mirabell Gardens, where the von Trapp children to Madrid for a second chance to discover the city's vibrant nightlife, with an optional once sang 'DoReMi' in 'The Sound of Music'. Then there's time to embark on your dinner and discover an old and new Madrid. own exploration of this historic city. Wander through the Baroquefilled Old Town to the spiritual heart of Salzburg, the Cathedral where Mozart was baptised, then see Breakfast, Dinner Included Meals - his nearby birthplace on Getreidegasse, which has been turned into a museum Day 7 documenting his life. The scenery through the Austrian Alps defies imagination and Madrid – Barcelona Sightseeing (2 Nights) you'll arrive in Innsbruck in time to explore the city on your own. Admire the fascinating crystal installations and browse for precious gifts and souvenirs at the Journey through the hills of Aragon and Catalonia to the sunkissed shores of Swarovski Crystal Worlds Store. Wander through the Old Town and see the Hofburg Barcelona. See street performers, artists and shoppers line the lively La Rambla, Palace and the Golden Roof, gilded in the 16th century by Emperor Maximilian to admire the fanciful façades of Spanish Art Nouveau architect Antoni Gaudí mark his wedding. and stroll through the shadowy lanes of the Gothic quarter. Your Local Specialist will reveal some of the city's key highlights this afternoon including Gaudí's ornate La Hotel - Bon Alpina Sagrada Família and the Plaça de Catalunya. Included Meals - Breakfast, Dinner Hotel - Campanile Sud Cornella Day 19 Included Meals - Breakfast, Dinner Innsbruck – Liechtenstein – Lucerne Region (2 Day 8 Nights) Barcelona free time Cross the Austrian border to Liechtenstein for a brief stop in its tiny capital, Vaduz. Earn your bragging rights by visiting one of the world's smallest countries before This is your chance to get fully acquainted with Barcelona. Head to the Gothic continuing into Switzerland. Head to its heart, the Lucerne Region where you very Quarter or seek out more of the Art Nouveau works of Gaudí. Consider joining an own 'Grand Tour' of Europe will see you savouring the Swiss countryside should you Optional Experience to Montserrat with its hidden monastery, home to the revered choose to join an Optional Experience which includes a visit to a rural community La Moreneta. A special flamenco Optional Experience this evening could see you and a horse and carriage ride. mesmerised by the intoxicating sights of colourful twirling skirts and the clapping sounds of castanets. Hotel - Krone Sarnen Included Meals - Breakfast Included Meals - Breakfast, Dinner Day 9 Day 20 Barcelona – French Riviera (2 Nights) Lucerne orientation and free time Say adios to the Costa Dourada as you venture across Spain and Provence before Embark on an orientation tour of Lucerne with your Travel Director, exploring the Old arriving in the glamorous French Riviera.