27 day European Grandeur tour with Insight Vacations

Inclusions

• 26 nights in first class hotels
• 26 buffet breakfasts, 8 three-course table d'hote dinners, or buffets plus tea or coffee
• Travel by luxury 40-seat coach with more legroom
• Escorted by professional tour director
• Included sightseeing & premium highlights
• Airport transfer service on the first and last day of your tour

Itinerary  

Day 1    London – Paris
Cross the English Channel to Calais, then visit the Canadian Memorial at Vimy Ridge. Continue to Paris for a Welcome Reception with drink and a light meal. Hotel: Le Méridien Etoile.

Day 2    Paris sightseeing
Enjoy a guided tour of the Louvre Museum. Then see Notre Dame Cathedral, the Place de la Concorde, Arc de Triomphe and ascend the Eiffel Tower. The afternoon is at leisure.

Day 3    Paris – Loire Valley – Bordeaux
Visit the magnificent Château of Chenonceau in the Loire Valley. Continue through the famous vineyards to Bordeaux au Lac. Hotel: Pullman Aquitania.

Day 4    Bordeaux – Lourdes
Witness some of Bordeaux’s 18C character on your guided city tour. Then drive to Lourdes to visit the Grotto and drink the spring waters. Join the pilgrims in a procession tonight. Hotel: De La Grotte.

Day 5    Lourdes – Madrid
Cross the Pyrenees and Sierras into the heart of Spain and continue to the capital, Madrid. Hotel: NH Nacional.

Day 6    Madrid sightseeing
A local guide introduces you to all the main sights of Madrid, the highlight being a tour of the magnificent Prado Museum housing works of Velázquez and Goya. The afternoon is at leisure.

Day 7    Madrid – Zaragoza – Barcelona
Cross the Castilian plain for a short stop in Zaragoza. Continue to the vibrant port of Barcelona. Hotel: Melia.

Day 8    Barcelona sightseeing
On a guided tour, walk around the Gothic Quarter, see the extraordinary architecture of the Passeig de Gràcia and visit Gaudi’s incredible Sagrada Familia.

Day 9    Barcelona – Monaco
Re-enter France and follow the coast across the Provençal plains to the Cote d’Azur and chic Monaco. Hotel: Fairmont Monte Carlo.

Day 10    Eexcursion to Eze
Visit the medieval village of Eze, miraculously perched high on a rock and surrounded by ancient walls. After taking in the views, visit a French perfumery then return to Monaco for time at leisure.

Day 11    Monaco – Pisa – Florence
Depart for Italy and drive along the Italian Riviera to see the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Stay in Florence.

Day 12    Florence sightseeing
Enjoy views over Florence from Piazzale Michelangelo then a guide shows you Signoria Square, the Duomo and Baptistery.

Day 13    Florence – Orvieto – Rome
Travel through the Chianti hills on your way to hill top Orvieto, perched on a 900 foot high plateau. See the Cathedral before continuing to Rome.Hotel: Grand Hotel Beverly Hills.

Day 14    Rome sightseeing
With a local guide, visit the Sistine Chapel and the Vatican Museums. Continue into St Peter’s Basilica, then cross the Tiber to visit the mighty Colosseum and see the Roman Forum.

Day 15    Rome – Capri – Sorrento
Down to the Bay of Naples to cross over to the Isle of Capri. Ride up to Capri Town for a guided tour and free time. Seeing the art of ‘intarsio’ wood laying in cliff top Sorrento. Hotel: Corallo.

Day 16    Sorrento – Pompeii – Assisi
Visit the ill fated Roman town of Pompeii with your local guide. Continue north to St. Francis’s town of Assisi. Hotel: Giotto.

Day 17    Assisi – Venice
Visit St Francis Basilica. Cross the Apennines to the Po Valley and on to the beautiful canals of Venice.

Day 18    Venice sightseeing
Take a private launch to St Mark’s Square. See the Bridge of Sighs, Doges’ Palace and St Mark’s Basilica. Watch Venetian glass being blown and then enjoy a gondola serenade through the canals.

Day 19    Venice – Vienna
The Carnic Alps herald the Austrian Lake District. Then a scenic drive across the Styrian Alps to Vienna. Hotel: Hilton Vienna Plaza.

Day 20    Vienna sightseeing
Sightseeing with a local guide includes a visit to magnificent Schönbrunn Palace. Continue around the ring road seeing the Parliament, Imperial Palace and Opera House.

Day 21    Vienna – Salzburg – Munich
Drive to Salzburg where a local guide shows you Mozart’s birthplace, the Cathedral and Mirabell Gardens. In fun loving Munich tonight’s Dine-Around evening offers you a selection of restaurants to choose from. Hotel: Westin Grand Arabellapark.

Day 22    Munich – Vaduz – Lake Lucerne
See the Marienplatz with its Glockenspiel. Drive to Vaduz in Liechtenstein to see the castle. Then enjoy a beautiful drive to lovely Lake Lucerne in Switzerland. Hotel: Post Hotel Weggis.

Day 23    Lucerne sightseeing
Sightseeing includes the Chapel Bridge and emotive Lion Monument before ascending nearby Mount Pilatus by cog-wheel railway and cable-car for views over the Swiss Alps.

Day 24    Lake Lucerne – Rhineland
See the thundering Rhine Falls before crossing into Germany and travelling through the legendary Black Forest en route to the Rhineland.

Day 25    Rhineland – Boppard – Amsterdam
Take a scenic cruise along the Rhine. In Boppard, time to explore this quaint wine village, before heading north to your hotel in lively Amsterdam. Hotel: Mövenpick City Centre.

Day 26    Amsterdam sightseeing
Cross Dam Square and pass the Royal Palace to see diamonds being cut and polished. Then join an included drive through typical Dutch countryside.

Day 27    Amsterdam – London
Cross Belgium to Calais in France for your return voyage to Dover. The tour ends a short time later in London.

Departure dates and Prices*

 ^These departures start in Paris and end in Amsterdam.

*Terms and Conditions

• Prices current as at 9 May 2012
• Prices are person in AUD$ based in twin share
• Prices are subject to change (eg due to currency fluctuation)
• Offer is subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time
• Further conditions apply please Insight Vacations Europe and Britain 2012 brochure