Region: Europe Type: Scheduled Tours Length: 12 Days Tap Rating: TAP Exceptional
12-day tour featuring the highlights of Paris, Beaune, Lucerne, the Swiss Alps, Verona, Venice, Pisa, Florence, Tuscany, and Rome. Your journey from cosmopolitan Paris to classical Rome will reveal the romantic wine region of Burgundy, the stunning lakes of Switzerland, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Renaissance architecture of Florence, the rolling hills of Tuscany, and the enchanting floating city of Venice. Feel the soul of Paris at Montmartre with its Sacré-Cœur Basilica, take the world’s only open-top cable car (optional excursion) into the breathtaking Swiss Alps, immerse yourself in the history, art, and architecture of Da Vinci’s Florence, and savor a vineyard dinner in the heart of Tuscany. Pose at the iconic Leaning Tower of Pisa and catch your breath at the first glimpse of the Colosseum in Rome. Highest Elevation: 3,855 feet in the St. Gotthard Tunnel. Some tours take the pass in nice weather and this is 6,919 feet. Hotels in Switzerland are as high as 2,900 feet. Walking Expectations: “Active” – An average of 3 1/2 miles per day often encountering uneven surfaces, steps and inclines.
ITI
Today begins your Paris, Tuscany & Rome adventure. The Image Tours “Departure Instructions” will provide guidance for airport check-in. Relax on your transatlantic flight with the assurance that Image Tours has taken care of all the details.
Refer to the “Arrival Instructions” for directions on where and when to meet your Tour Manager. A deluxe motor coach will take you to your hotel. The afternoon is yours to relax or to jump-start your visual and culinary exploration in the “City of Light.” We suggest a visit to Montmartre, with its impressive Sacré-Coeur Basilica. An independent dinner allows you the choice of a light crêpe or a leisurely Parisian meal.
The entire day focuses on Paris. Your Tour Manager will point out the main sights, such as the Champs-Élysées, Arc de Triomphe, Louvre Museum (open daily except Tuesdays), Opera (Palais Garnier) and Galeries Lafayette department store. A great way to begin your sightseeing is by joining the optional Seine River Cruise excursion for views of Notre Dame Cathedral, Eiffel Tower, and other incredible landmarks along the river. Tonight, join your fellow tour members for a “Welcome to Europe” dinner at a festive Paris bistro.
( Breakfast Dinner )Start your day with a journey through the Burgundy wine region on the way to the historic walled city of Beaune. After checking in at your hotel, spend some time exploring the landmarks of this intriguing town, one of France’s major wine centers with roots in pre-Roman times. An independent dinner presents the opportunity to visit a wine cellar and to sample the regional cuisine.
( Breakfast )After a mid-morning stop in the charming town of Besançon, enter Switzerland at the Rhine River port of Basel. Spend the next two nights in a scenic village surrounded by the unsurpassed splendor of the Swiss Alps.
( Breakfast Dinner )Feast your eyes on the impressive views of Lake Lucerne, framed by the 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 Lion Monument. Before returning to your hotel for dinner, consider joining the optional Swiss Lake Boat Ride excursion.
( Breakfast Dinner )Travel through the Swiss mountains via the 11-mile-long Gotthard Tunnel on the way to subtropical Lake Lugano, often referred to as the “Rio de Janeiro of the Old Continent.” After an independent lunch, cross the border into Italy. By late afternoon, arrive in the spa resort town of Montecatini-Terme, with its pastel-tinted buildings on palm-lined streets.
( Breakfast )Today begins with a visit to the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Continue on to Florence to see its rich Renaissance art and architecture, 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. Enjoy a typical Tuscan dinner at a local farm before returning to your hotel.
( Breakfast Dinner )Take in your final impressions of Tuscany as you travel past rolling hills and olive groves to the beautiful town of Siena. Explore on your own, or take the optional Siena Duomo excursion. After an independent lunch, head for the “Eternal City” of Rome. Dinner will be provided upon arrival at your Rome area hotel.
( Breakfast Dinner )A guided morning tour features popular Roman sights, such as the Arch of Constantine, the Pantheon, the Trevi Fountain and the Piazza Navona. For the rest of the day, explore your personal interests or join the optional Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel excursion. Tonight, enjoy a “Farewell Dinner” with fellow tour members at your hotel.
( Breakfast Dinner )Transfer to the historic area of Rome near the Colosseum for another full day of discovery. This afternoon, your Tour Manager will offer the optional Colosseum excursion for a guided interior tour of this colossal structure as well as the neighboring Roman Forum. Savor your final meal of the tour during an independent dinner or join the optional Rome Dinner excursion.
( Breakfast )Transfer to Rome Fiumicino Airport for your return flight home.
( Breakfast )Tour Highlights:
- Paris
- Burgundy Wine Region
- The Swiss Alps
- Da Vinci's Florence
- Tuscany Region
- The Leaning Tower of Pisa & Siena's Duomo
- Rome's Colosseum