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!