Best
of Europe
Tour #23
March
26 - April 9, 2011
•
ENGLAND • BELGIUM • HOLLAND • GERMANY • AUSTRIA • ITALY • SWITZERLAND
• FRANCE
If
you have never been to Europe, or would like to see more of it, then
this is the tour for you. Just imagine, you will be able to travel through
seven countries visiting the most exciting cities in all of Europe.
The tour takes 15 days and includes a tour escort who travels with you
for the entire trip. This is the most comprehensive tour available for
the price and is the best time of the year to travel as it is less crowded.
Mar. 26 Depending on your
departure city, everyone will fly overnight on various flights to LONDON,
ENGLAND. After your airplane has reached a cruising altitude, dinner
will be served followed by a movie and a few hours of rest as you cross
the Atlantic Ocean to begin one of our most popular tours that you will
long remember.
Mar.
27
Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel for the first two
nights in London. Balance of this day will be free to start exploring
the exciting city of London, one of the most visited cities in the world.
Mar.
28
Today you will see the highlights of LONDON, including the Tower Bridge,
Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, Trafalgar Square and much more. Balance
of day free to visit the British Museum, Tower of London or you can
take the underground to the Watchtower Branch Office.
Mar.
29
To begin your tour of seven countries, you will board our motorcoach
for a scenic drive to the English Channel. Here you will admire the
white cliffs of Dover as you cross the channel by boat to France. Continue
through BELGIUM, known for its chocolates and then to HOLLAND, a country
filled with windmills. Overnight in Amsterdam. (See Awake, 10/8/03,
p. 20)
Mar.
30
Today you are off to GERMANY and through the medieval city of Boppard.
The highlight will be a cruise on the romantic Rhine River passing ancient
castles, vineyards and villages. Tonight, enjoy a typical German dinner
at your hotel in Mannheim.
Mar.
31
More beautiful countryside as you travel to Heidelberg through the hills
to Munich. Upon arrival you will tour the fun city of Munich including
the Town Hall on the Marienplatz and to see the famous glockenspiel
noted for its music each hour. You will then continue to the country
of AUSTRIA and to your hotel in the alpine city of Innsbruck.
Apr. 1 Tour of Innsbruck
followed by a spectacular scenic drive through the Dolomite Mountains
and Brenner Pass into ITALY and the romantic city of Venice. Enjoy the
unique sights and sounds as you board a private motor launch for a cruise
on the Canal to St. Mark’s Square to see the Bridge of Sighs, Doge’s
Palace and a glass-blowing factory. Built on 114 islands, Venice is
one of the most beautiful cities in the world as no cars are allowed.
Instead, gondolas and motor boats are used as taxis for transportation
with over 150 canals used as streets. (See Awake 5/07, p. 23 and 5/22/04,
p. 16) Tonight a delicious pasta dinner is included at your hotel. You
cannot help falling in love with Venice.
Apr. 2 Another scenic
drive across the Apennine Mountains and through the vine and olive filled
Tuscan hills, home of the popular Chianti wines. You will then arrive
in Rome, the “Eternal City” where you will stay for two nights.
Apr.
3
Today you will visit St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican City where
you will see Michelangelo’s masterpiece, the Pieta. Next, cross the
River Tiber to ancient Rome to see the magnificent Colosseum, sight
of gladiatorial fights and Circus Maximus, where the “Ben Hur” chariots-style
races were once held. (See Awake, 4/8/91, p. 24 and 7/08/01, p. 14)
Enjoy shopping and a cup of cappuccino or a pizza by the famous Spanish
steps or at the Trevi Fountain. (Awake 8/07, p. 15)
Apr.
4
Another exciting day as we drive through the beautiful rolling hills
of Tuscany and then descend into the valley of the River Arno to the
renaissance city of Florence. Since no cars are allowed in the center
of the city, there will be a walking tour to see the highlights of Florence
including Giotto’s Bell-Tower, the Piazza Signoria and the resting place
of Michelangelo as well as many other great artists and scientists,
where you will find great buys on leather, gloves, handbags, scarves
and ties. Dinner is included.
Apr.
5
This morning you will pass the city of Milan into the Italian lakes
areas and then cross the border into SWITZERLAND. Traveling on the Alpine
highway is something special with views of Swiss chalets and the stunning
Alps. Arrive Lucerne, one of the prettiest cities in Europe where you
will stay for two nights. The scenery here is simply incredible as the
town is surrounded by a lake and mountains. Tonight, enjoy a Swiss dinner
at the hotel.
Apr.
6
See the highlights of this lovely resort city on the banks of Lake Lucerne.
There will be time to shop for Swiss watches and chocolates or you may
want to take an optional cable car ride to the top of one of the mountain
peaks. Another special dinner is included tonight.
Apr.
7
More picturesque scenery as you head toward FRANCE passing French vineyards
and villages where some of the world’s most precious wines are produced.
Arrive Paris, the “City of Lights,” your home for the last two exciting
nights in Europe.
Apr.
8
See the Arc de Triomphe, Champs-Elysees, Opera House, Notre Dame and
the River Seine. Another highlight is that we have included tickets
to take the elevator to the second level of the Eiffel Tower for a spectacular
view. The afternoon is free to visit the Louvre or one of the many other
museums. Tonight you will enjoy a Parisian “Farewell Dinner.”
Apr.
9
Today everyone will be transferred to the airport for the return flight
home. Touring with friends from other parts of the country is something
you will not forget as you have now seen the Best of Europe! |