European Whirl - Winter 2016/2017

1. ARRIVE LONDON Relax after your journey or spend time exploring this exciting city. Hotel Cumberland 2. LONDON SIGHTSEEING AND FREE TIME See a host of sights including Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament and Buckingham Palace during your morning guided sightseeing tour with a Local Specialist. Finishing in central London, you have the rest of the day to discover the city's delights. Meal(s) Full Breakfast 3. LONDON – EUROSTAR™ – BRUSSELS – AMSTERDAM This morning meet your Travel Director before travelling to London's St. Pancras International to board the Eurostar™ for a high-speed train journey to Brussels. Continue by luxury coach to Amsterdam. Enjoy an orientation of the historic city centre before joining your fellow travellers and Travel Director for a Welcome Reception dinner cruise. Meal(s) Welcome Reception Hotel Mercure City 4. AMSTERDAM – RHINE CRUISE – HEIDELBERG – RHINELAND Cross the border into Germany, enjoy picturesque scenery all the way to Boppard, where an included cruise takes you past vine-clad hills and crumbling medieval castles to St. Goar. Later enjoy views of the red sandstone castle towering above Heidelberg. Meal(s) Buffet Breakfast Dinner Hotel Achat Premium Walldorf/Reilingen 5. RHINELAND – MUNICH – INNSBRUCK Crossing the Swabian Alps arrive in Munich, the capital of Bavaria, for an orientation drive including the Olympic Stadium and City Hall. View the Glockenspiel on Marienplatz. A short drive through splendid scenery and across the Austrian border brings you to Innsbruck. Admire the architecture of the Old Town including the Emperor Maximilian's famous Golden Roof. You might consider experiencing traditional Tyrolean entertainment this evening. Meal(s) Buffet Breakfast Hotel Grauer Bär 6. INNSBRUCK – VENICE Drive along the Brenner Pass into Italy and across the Dolomite Mountains. Arrive in the enchanting city of Venice. Cruise by private launch to St. Mark's Square, viewing the Bridge of Sighs and the Doge's Palace along the way. Visit a traditional glassblowing workshop for a Cultural Insight demonstration, then spend the afternoon exploring the sights of your choice. Meal(s) Buffet Breakfast Hotel Novotel Venezia Castellana 7. VENICE – ROME (2 NIGHTS) South across the Veneto plain you pass by Bologna and over the dramatic Apennine Mountains, continuing into the Lazio region to Rome, the Eternal City. Meal(s) Buffet Breakfast Hotel Executive Style 8. ROME SIGHTSEEING AND FREE TIME Today's sightseeing includes a visit to St. Peter's Basilica − the most significant Christian church in the world − to view Michelangelo's Renaissance masterpiece, the Pietà. In ancient Rome see sites including the Colosseum with your Local Specialist. Spend the rest of the day exploring or perhaps take an Optional Experience to see the Sistine Chapel inside the Vatican Museums. Meal(s) Buffet Breakfast 9. ROME – FLORENCE SIGHTSEEING From Rome travel north into Tuscany, through rolling countryside and along the valley of the River Arno to Florence, the birthplace of the Renaissance. Discover the city's rich artistic and medieval history with your Local Specialist. Visit the Piazza della Signoria with its impressive sculptures and stunning palazzi. Marvel at the baptistery and the multimarble Duomo, with its dome designed by Brunelleschi. Dine tonight at a local restaurant. Meal(s) Buffet Breakfast Dinner with wine Hotel Executive Style/ Crowne Plaza St. Peter's 10. FLORENCE – GOTTHARD DRIVE – LUCERNE (2 NIGHTS) Drive via picturesque Italian Lakes and across the Alps into Switzerland. Spend the next two nights in the beautiful lakeside town of Lucerne. Meal(s) Buffet Breakfast Dinner Hotel Astoria 11. LUCERNE ORIENTATION AND FREE TIME View the poignant Lion Monument during your morning orientation. Walk along the 14th century covered Chapel Bridge, crossing the River Reuss. Don't miss the opportunity to take an exciting Optional Experience to one of the surrounding mountains with breathtaking views. Later there is time to shop for Swiss souvenirs including watches and chocolates. Meal(s) Buffet Breakfast 12. LUCERNE – PARIS (2 NIGHTS) Pass Basel and cross the border into France this morning. In every direction, vineyards and picturesque villages provide a memorable backdrop for your journey. Consider an Optional Experience this evening to a famous Parisian Cabaret. Meal(s) Buffet Breakfast Hotel Renaissance La Defense 13. PARIS SIGHTSEEING AND FREE TIME See all the iconic sights during your morning sightseeing tour with a Local Specialist. View the Champs Élysées, Place de la Concorde and the Arc de Triomphe. Ascend to the second level of the Eiffel Tower for a breathtaking view of the city. Spend the rest of the day exploring the sights that interest you. This evening celebrate with your Travel Director and travelling companions at a Farewell Dinner in a local bistro. Meal(s) Buffet Breakfast Farewell Dinner 14. DEPART PARIS Today bid farewell to your fellow travellers and Travel Director at the end of your holiday. An airport transfer is available. Conditions apply. Meal(s) Buffet Breakfast