HEART OF EUROPE® Grand Tour

Refer to the “Arrival instructions” for directions on where and when to meet your Tour Manager. Board your deluxe motor coach for a pleasant drive through the neatly-groomed Dutch Lowlands. Much of this area is below sea level with a landscape shaped by canals, dikes and windmills. Your two-night stay in the Netherlands will introduce you to Dutch “gezelligheid,” a friendly, cozy feeling which you will experience in the days ahead. This evening, enjoy the “Welcome to Europe” dinner at your hotel in the region of Holland.

Travel among the rural and urban landscapes which highlight the distinctive characteristics of the Netherlands. The day includes a panoramic tour of Amsterdam aboard a glass-topped boat as well as a visit to a charming Dutch village. Stroll through the picturesque streets, lined with medieval buildings and friendly cafés before returning to your Holland hotel for an included dinner.

Cross the border into Belgium, and head for the port city of Antwerp, known for it's convivial atmosphere. Explore Antwerp’s central market square with its irresistible chocolate shops and cozy outdoor cafés serving delicious Belgian Waffles. The next stop, at the Netherlands American Cemetery in Margraten, is an emotional experience reflecting on the sacrifices of WWII. 8,301 U.S. serviceman are buried here. To locate a specific grave, visit www.abmc.gov/Netherlands. Tonight's hotel is located beyond the next border, in Germany's Rhine-Ruhr Region.

Take the Autobahn (Expressway) through Germany to the Rhine River Valley. From Boppard, embark on a scenic up-stream boat ride past medieval fortresses, quaint villages and hillside vineyards. Continue by motor coach to Heidelberg. Situated on the Neckar River and dominated by its red sandstone castle ruins, this renowned university town is considered by many to embody the spirit of Germany. Join a walking tour of the Old Town before proceeding to your hotel in nearby Schriesheim, for dinner.

Your route this morning takes you to the northern section of the “Romantic Road,” introducing unspoiled countryside, ancient castles and storybook villages. Spend a few hours in Rothenburg, a beautifully preserved medieval town surrounded by its original town walls. The cobblestone streets are lined with historic inns and charming store fronts, including the famous “Käthe Wohlfahrt’s Weihnachtsdorf,” a sprawling, year-round Christmas shop. Walk along the city walls for a bird’s-eye view of the town and the surrounding landscapes. This afternoon, transfer to your hotel in the scenic and festive state of Bavaria.

The drive into Munich reveals many of the Bavarian capital’s interesting landmarks. Walk through the Marienplatz (main square) with its unique Glockenspiel (clock tower). For a taste of Oktoberfest anytime, visit the famous Hofbräuhaus. In the afternoon, cross the border into Austria and follow the Inn River to the imperial city of Innsbruck, two-time host of the Winter Olympics. The Old Town owes much of its architectural beauty to Maximilian I, ruler of the Holy Roman Empire from 1493 to 1519. A short distance from Innsbruck lies the Tyrolean Village where you will spend the next two nights in a chalet-style hotel.

Enjoy a relaxing day in the Austrian Alps, return to Innsbruck using public transportation, or join the optional Bavarian Palace excursion. For dinner, try a local restaurant, or consider the optional Tyrolean Show & Dinner excursion for an evening of authentic Austrian food, folklore, music and dancing.

Enter Italy via the Europa Brücke (Bridge), a remarkable feat of mountain highway engineering. Descend from the reddish hue of the Dolomite Mountains to the turquoise waters of Lake Garda. In some places, the rocky cliffs rise straight up from the water. Lake Garda's sheltered location gives its coastline a subtropical climate rich in vegetation, including oleander bushes, olive groves and grape vines. Sample a gelato (Italian ice cream) while strolling along the lakeside. From here, it's a short drive to Verona, made famous by Shakespeare's “Romeo and Juliet.” Experience an authentic Italian meal during an independent dinner before transferring to your hotel.

The day is devoted to romantic Venice, famous for its canals, bridges, gondolas and magnificent St. Mark’s Cathedral. Enjoy a boat ride on the Grand Canal to St. Mark’s Square. A guided walking tour ends with a visit to a glass-blowing workshop, where skilled artisans craft anything from delicate figurines to multi-colored chandeliers. If you have your heart set on gliding through the canals, the cost is about €45 per person based on up to six people sharing a gondola. Dine at a pizzeria or join the Tour Manager for an optional Venice Dinner excursion. After a memorable day, return to your Verona area hotel.

The picturesque countryside is painted with rolling golden hills, olive groves and sleepy towns as you travel south on the Italian Autostrada del Sol (Highway of the Sun). Make a stop at a charming provincial village before continuing to Rome. La Citta Eterna (The Eternal City) is a contrast of overflowing ancient history in a vibrantly modern metropolis. Dinner will be served upon arrival at your Rome hotel.

See the Arch of Constantine, the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, and other ancient sights on a guided motor coach tour through Rome. An included walking tour takes you to the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon and the Piazza Navona. For the remainder of the day, choose to pursue personal interests or join the optional Vatican Museums Sistine Chapel excursion. Return to the hotel for an included dinner.

Return to the heart of Rome for further exploration of this formidable city. Sip a cappuccino while admiring the ancient architecture, visit the market vendors, or join the optional Colosseum excursion. In the afternoon, head north into Tuscany for a two-night stay in the spa resort town of Montecatini-Terme, with its pastel-tinted buildings on palm-lined streets.

Today starts with a visit to the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Afterwards, see the rich architecture and art of Florence, including the bronze baptistery doors by Ghiberti, Giotto’s Bell Tower, and countless sculptures. After a guided walking tour, shop for leather goods and jewelry on the Ponte Vecchio Bridge. Experience local foods during dinner at a Tuscan farm before returning to your hotel.

Cross the border from the Italian to the Swiss lake districts, on the way to subtropical Lake Lugano. Often referred to as the ”Rio de Janeiro of the Old Continent,” this is the perfect spot for a lunch break. Take the 11-mile-long St. Gotthard Tunnel to your hotel in a cozy village surrounded by the Swiss Alps.

A morning drive through William Tell country uncovers the impressive sight of Lake Lucerne, framed by the soaring mountain peaks of Rigi and Pilatus. Stop in the village of Stans for the optional Swiss Mountain excursion by funicular and cable car. This afternoon, explore Lucerne with its Old Town Wall and famous Lion Monument. This shopper’s paradise is known for music boxes, watches and chocolates. Before returning to your hotel for dinner, consider the optional Swiss Lake Boat Ride excursion.

Follow the Swiss Autobahn past Basel, where Switzerland, Germany and France meet, and where the Rhine River becomes navigable. As you cross the border into France, the mountains give way to hill-top villages and rustic vineyards. By mid-afternoon, arrive in the well-preserved medieval town of Beaune, center of Burgundy wine country. Dinner is independent this evening, providing the opportunity to visit a wine cellar and to sample the regional cuisine.

The vineyards of Burgundy give way to a bustling cityscape, and around lunch time, you will arrive in the center of Paris. Begin your sightseeing in the Montmartre district, where Paris looks as it does in old paintings, and artists still display their works. The uphill walk to Sacré-Cœur Basilica rewards you with expansive views over La Ville Lumière (City of Light). Montmartre boasts many excellent restaurants and characteristic sidewalk cafés for an independent dinner before transferring to your hotel.

Spend the entire day getting acquainted with Paris. Your Tour Manager will direct you to popular sights such as Champs-Élysées, Arc de Triomphe, Louvre Museum (open daily except Tuesdays), Opera (Palais Garnier), as well as the famous Galeries Lafayette department store. The optional Seine River Cruise excursion provides photo-worthy views of Notre Dame Cathedral, Eiffel Tower, and other landmarks along the river. Dine independently at a restaurant of your choice or join your Tour Manager on the optional Paris Evening excursion, including dinner at a characteristic French bistro.

After breakfast, take a three-hour journey on the high-speed Eurostar train under the English Channel to London. A local guide will welcome you with a tour of the city. See famous sights such as the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, Hyde Park, Trafalgar Square, Westminster Abbey, the Royal Parks and Buckingham Palace. After your introduction to London, transfer to the hotel for check-in, followed by a “Farewell Dinner.”

Pursue your individual interests during a full day in London. Purchase a hop-on/hop-off day pass (available for a fee) with access to over 90 stops! Shop at the famous Harrods department store or view the spectacular collection of paintings at the National Gallery. There is also an optional Tower of London excursion. If you wish to see the Changing of the Guard, check with the hotel concierge as performances are limited to select times and dates and may be conditional on weather. Tonight, choose from the endless array of independent dining and entertainment opportunities, or join your Tour Manager for an optional London Dinner; Theatre excursion.

Transfer to the London airport for your return flight home.