Scenic Europe Preview 2012

Itinerary

Day 1
Overnight flight to London.
 
Day 2
ARRIVE LONDON (2 nights)
Welcome to London! After checking-in to your hotel, the remainder of your day is free to relax or start exploring.

Hotel: Park Plaza County Hall (SF)
 
Day 3
LONDON SIGHTSEEING AND AT LEISURE
On your first full day in London many major sights are included in your morning sightseeing tour including Buckingham Palace and Westminster Abbey. The remainder of the day is at leisure to explore this vibrant city.

Meal(s): (Buffet Breakfast)
 
Day 4
LONDON - BRUGES - BRUSSELS
A warm welcome from your Tour Director as you drive to Dover for a short sea crossing to Calais in France. Travel over the border through the Belgian countryside to medieval Bruges where you will walk along the cobbled streets beside the peaceful canals. Then on to Brussels where orientation includes the Atomium, the Royal Palaces and a walk through the Grand Place to see the Manneken Pis. Later enjoy a Welcome Drink with your Tour Director and traveling companions.

Meal(s): (Continental Breakfast)
 
Day 5
BRUSSELS - RHINE CRUISE - HEIDELBERG - RHINELAND
Your first stop today is in Cologne to see its Gothic Cathedral which is steeped in dramatic history. Then travel via Bonn, Beethoven's birthplace, to Boppard for a relaxing Rhine cruise. Disembark in St. Goar and continue by coach to enjoy views of Heidelberg Castle before arriving at your Rhineland hotel for the night.

Meal(s): (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)
 
Day 6
RHINELAND - BASEL - LUCERNE
This morning after breakfast drive via Basel into Switzerland where you will soon arrive at lakeside Lucerne. After dinner in your hotel, why not participate in the fun of an optional Swiss folklore evening complete with yodelling?

Meal(s): (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)
 
Day 7
LUCERNE - VENICE
Your orientation tour shows you the Lion Monument and the old town ramparts before a walk over the famous wooden Chapel Bridge. Later, enjoy awesome Alpine scenery as you head into Italy via Milan to magical Venice.

Meal(s): (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)
 
Day 8
VENICE - ROME (2 nights)
This morning relax and take in the sights of this city on an included canal cruise by private motor launch to St. Mark's Square, where you will view the Bridge of Sighs and the Doge’s Palace before witnessing a demonstration of the ancient art of glass-blowing. Later, cross the fertile Po Valley to Bologna and join the Autostrada del Sole across the forested Apennine Mountains to Rome, the Eternal City.

Meal(s): (Buffet Breakfast)
 
Day 9
ROME SIGHTSEEING AND AT LEISURE
After breakfast your day begins with an orientation tour with a local expert guide. Visit St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican, which includes the moving Pieta by Michelangelo and St. Peter's Square. Then cross the Tiber to overlook the Forum and the mighty Colosseum and see the Circus Maximus, scene of ‘Ben Hur’ style chariot races. Later, enjoy time at leisure to do as you please. You may decide to visit the Sistine Chapel or visit inside the Colosseum.

Meal(s): (Buffet Breakfast)
 
Day 10
ROME - FLORENCE
This morning travel through the hill towns of Umbria and the Chianti wine producing region of Tuscany to Florence, cradle of the Renaissance. On arrival enjoy a walking tour with a local expert guide. Included sights are the Cathedral, Baptistery, Signoria Square and a visit to the Santa Croce Basilica. The area around this Basilica is now the of the Italian luxury goods trade. You'll have time to shop here before dinner at the hotel this evening.

Meal(s): (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)
 
Day 11
FLORENCE - PISA - MONACO - NICE (2 nights)
Your first stop this morning is in Pisa to see its intriguing Leaning Tower. From here continue past the marble quarries of Carrara and along the Motorway of Flowers to the French border. Soon after, visit the Principality of Monaco where you will see the Monte Carlo casinos and travel on part of the Formula 1 motor racing track. Then onto Nice, capital of the spectacular French Riviera, where you will enjoy a Highlight Dinner in a local restaurant this evening.

Meal(s): (Buffet Breakfast / Highlight Dinner)
Hotel: NH Nice (SF)
 
Day 12
NICE AT LEISURE
This morning after breakfast enjoy a full day at leisure to the relaxed ambience of the Côte d'Azur. Why not lounge on the beach, enjoy a stroll along the elegant Promenade des Anglais, shop in the boutiques or visit medieval St. Paul de Vence?

Meal(s): (Buffet Breakfast)
 
Day 13
NICE - AVIGNON - TGV TRAIN - PARIS (2 nights)
After breakfast today a scenic drive takes you to Avignon, where you board the rapid and supremely comfortable TGV train. The journey will take you through Burgundy's fertile vineyards to the fascinating city of Paris, where you spend the next two nights. Tonight enjoy a Farewell Dinner with your Tour Director and new-found friends.

Meal(s): (Buffet Breakfast / Farewell Dinner)
 
Day 14
PARIS SIGHTSEEING AND AT LEISURE
Your local expert guide will take you from the Place de la Concorde along the Champs Élysées to the Arc de Triomphe. Then ascend to the second level of the Eiffel Tower by elevator for amazing views over the city. Cathedral and the Pont Alexandre III. Afterwards, there's time on your own to shop for next year's fashions, or relax and watch the world go by in one of the chic pavement cafés. This evening is your last night in Paris. Perhaps enjoy one of the world famous Parisian cabaret shows!

Meal(s): (Buffet Breakfast)
 
Day 15
This morning bid farewell to Paris as your comprehensive tour comes to an end.

Meal(s): (Buffet Breakfast)

What's Included

Sightseeing Highlights

• London: Sightseeing tour.
• Dover: See the White Cliffs.
• Brussels: Orientation includes the Grand Place, Royal Palaces, Atomium and Manneken Pis.
• Cologne: See the Gothic Cathedral.
• Rhine Valley: Cruise the Romantic Rhine.
• Heidelberg: View the impressive castle.
• Lucerne: Orientation including the Old Town and the Lion Monument.
• Venice: Canal cruise by private motor launch. See St. Mark's Square, Doge’s Palace and the Bridge of Sighs. Visit a traditional glass-blowing factory.
• Rome: Sightseeing tour includes views of the Forum, Colosseum and Circus Maximus plus visits St. Peter’s Basilica.
• Florence: Sightseeing includes Signoria Square, the Duomo plus visit to Santa Croce Basilica.
• Pisa: View the Leaning Tower in the field of Miracles.
• Monaco: See the Monte Carlo Casino and Grand Prix circuit.
• Nice: See the Bay of Angels.
• Paris: Sightseeing includes views of Arc de Triomphe and Notre Dame plus ascent of the Eiffel Tower.
• Vimy Ridge: See the Canadian War Memorial.

Dining Highlights

• 1 buffet breakfast and 1 continental breakfast in London
• 11 hot buffet breakfasts
• 2 three-course dinners
• 2 three-course dinners with local wine
• Local highlight restaurant dinner with wine on the French Riviera
• Farewell Dinner with wine in Paris
19 meals in total (see day by day Itinerary)

Travel Highlights

• First Class hotel accommodation includes twin-bedded rooms with private facilities.
• All hotel service charges and tips, baggage handling fees and local taxes included.
• Touring by luxury air-conditioned coach with reclining seats and a washroom onboard.
• The services of one of Trafalgar's top professional multi-lingual Tour Directors.
• A qualified local city guide in London, Rome, Florence and Paris.
• The services of a Trafalgar Representative if you stay at the London hotel.
• Cross-channel ferry.
• High-speed TGV train from Avignon to Paris.
• A stylish wallet, travel documents and Welcome on Tour book with map.
• For London airport shuttle, conditions apply.
• Airport transfers are provided on Day 15.