This vacation is perfect for the traveler who wishes to delve into Europe’s past. Your trip begins in London, and the gradual introduction to historic Europe via Cologne, Venice, and Assisi is the perfect preparation for Pompeii and ancient Rome. From London to Brussels, travel on the high-speed Eurostar train. Enjoy a romantic Rhine cruise and stay in picture-book Lucerne, Switzerland. Two nights in the Bay of Naples allow visits to Pompeii and the popular Isle of Capri. In Nice, a visit to the artists’ town of St. Paul de Vence is included. All major cities have a sightseeing tour, including Globus highlights like the second floor of the Eiffel Tower in Paris and inside visits to famous cathedrals, like St. Paul’s Cathedral in London and St. Peter’s in Rome. Also, tour the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Sistine Chapel in Rome. In Florence, visit the Academy of Fine Arts to admire Michelangelo’s David. This European vacation—visiting eight European countries—will leave you with beautiful memories!

Day 1 (Sat.)
Board your overnight transatlantic flight.

Day 2 Arrival in London, England (Sun.)
Uniformed Hosts are available to help you make the most of your stay.

Day 3London (Mon.)
Sightseeing with a Local Guide includes all the famous landmarks: the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben beside the River Thames, Westminster Abbey, and Buckingham Palace. Highlights are a visit to ST. PAUL’S CATHEDRAL and the ceremonial pageantry of the Changing of the Guard, if held. (B)

Day 4 London–Brussels, Belgium (Tue.)
Meet your Tour Director and traveling companions and transfer to the station to board the EUROSTAR TRAIN to Brussels, capital of Belgium. Enjoy a walk to the GRAND’ PLACE and famous Manneken Pis. Tonight, enjoy a welcome dinner at your hotel. (B,D)

Day 5 Brussels–Cologne, Germany–Rhineland (Wed.)
Enter Germany and stop in Cologne to visit the gothic CATHEDRAL. Then, enjoy a romantic RHINE CRUISE before continuing to your hotel in the Rhineland. (B,D)

Day 6 Rhineland–Heidelberg–Lucerne, Switzerland (Thu.)
Stop in Heidelberg, to take pictures of the red-walled castle, in the BLACK FOREST, and at the Swiss RHINE FALLS, before arriving in Lucerne. (B,D)

Day 7 Lucerne (Fri.)
Admire Thorwaldsen’s LION MONUMENT and walk through the walled Old Town, then cross the famous covered CHAPEL BRIDGE to the Jesuit Church. You may want to join an optional excursion to the top of a mountain! (B)

Day 8 Lucerne–Liechtenstein–Innsbruck, Austria (Sat.)
Morning break in Liechtenstein. In Innsbruck, Austria’s Olympic winter sports resort, stroll through quaint medieval lanes to Emperor Maximilian’s GOLDEN ROOF. (B,D)

Day 9 Innsbruck–Venice, Italy (Sun.)
Drive across spectacular Brenner Pass to Italy. Enter Venice in style by PRIVATE BOAT to ST. MARK’S SQUARE. Admire the byzantine Basilica, the Clock Tower, lavish Doges’ Palace and the Bridge of Sighs. Watch skilled GLASSBLOWERS fashion their delicate objects, then time to explore or to join an optional gondola ride. (B,D)

Day 10 Venice–Ravenna–Assisi (Mon.)
Along the Adriatic coast to Ravenna to visit the 6th-century BASILICA OF ST. APOLLINARIS IN CLASSE. Continue to Assisi and visit the 13th-century BASILICA OF ST. FRANCIS, built above the saint’s grave. (B,D)

Day 11 Assisi–Sorrento (Tue.)
South past Naples to Sorrento. Time to explore this charming resort on your own. (B)

Day 12 Sorrento. Excursion to Capri (Wed.)
Speed across the bay by JETFOIL to the Isle of Capri. Ride the FUNICULAR to Capri village for a guided visit of this pretty town. Free time to explore the little shops on the Piazzetta. Then, return to Sorrento. (B)

Day 13 Sorrento–Pompeii–Rome (Thu.)
Today, a guided walking tour of POMPEII, the Roman city both destroyed and preserved by an eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. See patrician homes and commercial districts strikingly recalling day-to-day life when Rome was at the apex of her power. Afterwards, head north to the “Eternal City.” (B)

Day 14 Rome (Fri.)
Sightseeing with a Local Guide starts with a visit to the VATICAN MUSEUMS and SISTINE CHAPEL, world famous for Michelangelo’s ceiling paintings. Continue to monumental ST. PETER’S SQUARE and BASILICA. Cross the Tiber and visit the COLOSSEUM and the ROMAN FORUM. (B)

Day 15 Rome–Florence (Sat.)
Drive to Florence and enjoy a walking tour with a Local Guide. Visit the ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS with Michelangelo’s celebrated David, the magnificent CATHEDRAL, Giotto’s Bell Tower, the Baptistry’s heavy bronze “Gate of Paradise,” and sculpture-studded SIGNORIA SQUARE. Time to shop for Florentine leather goods and gold jewelery. (B,D)

Day 16 Florence–Pisa–Nice, France (Sun.)
Focus on Pisa this morning for pictures of its Leaning Tower. Next, drive along Italian and French Riviera resorts towards the Principality of Monaco. Follow the panoramic Moyenne Corniche and stop at one of the famous PERFUME FACTORIES. (B)

Day 17 Nice. Excursion to St. Paul de Vence (Mon.)
This morning, enjoy a visit to the hilltop town of St. Paul de Vence. Afternoon at leisure. An optional outing is available tonight to Monte Carlo. (B)

Day 18 Nice–Avignon–Lyon (Tue.)
Along the Côte d’Azur and past Cannes to Van Gogh’s beloved Provence. In Avignon, an important spiritual center in the Middle Ages and the residence of several Popes and antipopes, walk through the narrow streets of this picturesque town. Take pictures of the gothic papal palace and the bridge of the popular song before proceeding to Lyon, the country’s second-largest city. (B,D)

Day 19 Lyon–Paris (Wed.)
Follow the valley of the River Saône into Burgundy, where road signs read like the wine list of an expensive restaurant on your way to Paris, the traditional climax of a European vacation. Afternoon at leisure to explore the world capital of chic and style at your own pace: shop for perfume and fancy fashion accessories, or join an optional excursion to the famous Louvre Museum. (B)

Day 20 Paris (Thu.)
Morning sightseeing with a Local Guide includes the most famous sights: the Opéra, Louvre, Notre Dame Cathedral, Arc de Triomphe, and Champs-Elysées. For a bird’s-eye view, take the elevator to the second floor of Paris’ most famous landmark: the EIFFEL TOWER. An optional excursion to the lavish baroque Palace of Versailles is available, and tonight, a lively cabaret show might just be the ticket! (B)

Day 21 (Fri.)
Your homebound flight from Paris arrives the same day. (B)

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INCLUDED FEATURES

London: Guided sightseeing, visit St. Paul’s Cathedral, see the Changing of the Guard, if held
London-Brussels: By Eurostar train
Brussels: Visit Grand’Place; welcome dinner
Cologne: Visit the cathedral Rhine Cruise
Heidelberg: Take pictures of the castleBlack Forest & Rhine Falls
Lucerne: Walking tour including the Lion Monument and the Chapel Bridge
Vaduz: Visit the capital of Liechtenstein
Innsbruck: Walk through the Old Town to the Golden Roof
Venice: Private boat ride; visit St. Mark’s Square; glassblowers’ demonstration
Ravenna: Visit the Basilica of St. Apollinaris in Classe
Assisi: Visit St. Francis’ Basilica Sorrento-Capri: By jetfoil
Capri: Guided visit of Capri village, including a funicular ride
Pompeii: Guided walking tour including headsets
Rome: Guided sightseeing including headsets, visit the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Square and Basilica, the Colosseum and Roman Forum
Florence: Guided walking tour including headsets, visit Michelangelo’s David, the cathedral, and Signoria Square
Pisa: Take pictures of the Leaning Tower
Nice: Visit a perfume factory; excursion to St. Paul de Vence
Avignon: Walk to the Palace of the Popes
Paris: Guided sightseeing, ascend the Eiffel Tower

Note:

    * In the rare event that the Eurostar train is unavailable, alternative services will be provided

INSIDE VISITS

Inside visits and special features are shown in the description, including admission charges when applicable.

MEALS

Buffet breakfast daily (B), including 2 full English breakfasts; 8 three-course dinners (D), including a welcome dinner in Brussels

SUPERIOR HOTELS

London Hilton London Metropole (SF), Brussels Bedford (F), Rhineland Libertas Walkershof (F) at Reilingen, Lucerne Grand Hotel Europe (F), Innsbruck Maximilian (F), Venice Plaza (F) at Mestre, Assisi San Francesco, Sorrento La Residenza (F), Rome NH Villa Carpegna (F), Florence Holiday Inn (F), Nice Boscolo Park (F), Lyon Mercure Grand Saxe Lafayette (F), Paris Mercure Porte de Versailles Expo (F)

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