23 Days ~ England ~ Belgium ~ Holland ~ Germany ~ Czech Republic
Slovakia ~ Hungary ~ Austria ~ Italy ~ Switzerland ~ France

Tour Pace
This is a well paced tour with two-night stays in the eight key cities, allowing ample time for sightseeing and exploration. The travelling days have been well planned with plenty of stops both for refreshment and photo opportunities.

DAY 1 – DEPART USA
Overnight flight to London.

DAY 2 – ARRIVE LONDON
Welcome to London! On arrival you are transferred to your London tour hotel.
Hotel: Park Plaza Victoria.

DAY 3 – LONDON SIGHTSEEING
Your half day sightseeing tour shows you Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament. The afternoon is at leisure to explore or shop. (B)

DAY 4 – LONDON – BRUSSELS
After driving to Dover and taking the ferry to France, make your way to medieval Bruges in Belgium, where you can stroll along cobbled streets and beside peaceful canals. Then it’s on to Brussels to marvel at the gilded buildings in the Grand Place and to see the Mannekin Pis statue. Later, enjoy a Welcome Drink.
Hotel: Marriott/Sofitel Toison d’Or. (CB)

DAY 5 – BRUSSELS – AMSTERDAM
Drive to Amsterdam and pass Dam Square and the Mint tower en route to a demonstration of diamond cutting. Visit the fishing village of Volendam and learn how clogs and cheese are made before returning to Amsterdam.
Hotel: Moevenpick City Centre. (BB)

DAY 6 – AMSTERDAM – WüRZBURG
Head into Germany to see Cologne’s soaring Gothic cathedral. Continue via Bonn to the scenic Rhine Gorge to join your Highlight cruise. Glide past vineyards and medieval castles to see the Loreley Rock before continuing on to Würzburg with its Baroque Residenz palace, Marienberg fortress and statue-lined bridge.
Hotel: Maritim. (BB,D)

DAY 7 – WüRZBURG – PRAGUE
Stop in Nuremberg to see the charming blend of stone and timbered dwellings and the massive town ramparts before continuing east to the Czech border. Pass Pilsen, known for its beer, to reach the ‘golden city’ of Prague.
Hotel: Diplomat. (BB,D)

DAY 8 – PRAGUE SIGHTSEEING
A local guide introduces the 1,000-year-old Prague Castle and St Vitus’ Cathedral before descending to the Old Town Square, with its Astronomical Clock. Later, there is time to shop for fine Bohemian crystal. (BB)

DAY 9 – PRAGUE – BUDAPEST
Drive through the wine-producing area of South Moravia into Slovakia and stop in its fortified capital, Bratislava. After free time to explore, cross into Hungary and follow the River Danube to Budapest.
Hotel: Hilton West End. (BB)

DAY 10 – BUDAPEST SIGHTSEEING
With a Budapest guide, see the murals in Matthias Church beside the Fisherman’s Bastion, which affords a grand view over the Danube and the Parliament. See the Royal Palace of Buda, then cross over to Pest to visit Heroes’ Square. The afternoon is free. (BB,D)

DAY 11 – BUDAPEST – VIENNA
Heading out of Budapest, survey the bridges over the Danube from the lofty citadel atop Gellert Hill. Continue through peaceful farmland, dotted with orchards and vineyards to the austrian border and Vienna.
Hotel: Hilton Plaza/NH Danube City. (BB)

DAY 12 – VIENNA SIGHTSEEING
A Premium Highlight visit takes you inside the fabulous Schönbrunn Palace. On a guided city tour, see the Parliament, Winter Palace and Opera House along the Ring Road. Spend the afternoon at leisure. (BB)

DAY 13 – VIENNA – VENICE
Cross over the Semmering Pass and across the border into Italy. Arrive at your hotel on Venice’s fashionable Lido.
Hotel: Hungaria Palace. (BB,D)

DAY 14 – VENICE SIGHTSEEING
Cruise by private launch to St Mark’s Square to see the Doges’ Palace, Bridge of Sighs and St Mark’s Basilica, followed by a Venetian glass-blowing demonstration. Enjoy a fascinating Highlight gondola ride along the canals. The afternoon is at leisure. (BB)

DAY 15 – VENICE – ROME
Head south into the Apennine Mountains and follow the course of the Tiber to the Eternal City of Rome. As night falls, join your fellow passengers for a Dine-Around evening of local cuisine offered from a selection of restaurants.
Hotel: Sheraton. (BB,DA)

DAY 16 – ROME SIGHTSEEING
Join a local guide to visit the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, complete with a Tour of St Peter’s Basilica to see Michelangelo's the Pieta. Now cross the Tiber to visit the Colosseum and see the Forum. The afternoon is at leisure. (BB)

DAY 17 – ROME – FLORENCE
Head north into the peaceful landscapes of Tuscany, driving to Piazzale Michelangelo for views over Florence. After a leather-work demonstration, spend the afternoon exploring this beautiful city.
Hotel: Palazzo Ricasoli. (BB,D)

DAY 18 – FLORENCE SIGHTSEEING
A local guide takes you to Santa Croce Basilica to see the tombs of Galileo and Michelangelo. Continue to the lofty Cathedral where Giotto's 14C Campanile is said to be the most beautiful bell-tower in the world. See the 'Gates of Paradise' on the Baptistry and visit Signoria Square with its open-air gallery of Renaissance sculpture. (BB)

DAY 19 – FLORENCE – LUCERNE
Head north through the scenic Italian Lake District, glimpsing Lake Como as you cross into Switzerland. Enjoy magnificent mountain scenery as you travel on to lake-side Lucerne.
Hotel: Flora Hotel. (BB)

DAY 20 – LUCERNE SIGHTSEEING
In Lucerne, see the emotive Lion Monument before strolling along the Chapel Bridge to the richly ornate Jesuit Church. Embark on a Premium Highlight excursion to the summit of one of Switzerland’s most famous mountains, Mount Pilatus. Admire the views over the snow-capped Jungfrau and Eiger peaks before returning to Lucerne. (BB,D)

DAY 21 – LUCERNE – PARIS
Leave Switzerland and skirt the Jura Mountains into the Burgundy wine region before continuing on to Paris.
Hotel: Sofitel Bercy/Pullman Paris Porte de Sevres. (BB)

DAY 22 – PARIS SIGHTSEEING
A comprehensive guided sightseeing tour shows you the Champs Élysées, Arc de Triomphe, Garnier’s Opera, Notre Dame Cathedral and the Louvre. A Premium Highlight sees you ascend by elevator to the viewing platforms of the Eiffel Tower before visiting the gilded Dôme Church to see the tomb of the Emperor Napoleon. The evening is at leisure. (BB)

DAY 23 – RETURN TO USA
Your tour ends with a transfer to the airport. (BB)