European Spotlight 11 Day tour from $2429 an Insight Vacations luxury tourclick to enlarge mapTour Highlights Hotels Excellent selection of both modern & traditional hotels, ranging from the contemporary design & facilities of the Innsbruck Hilton & Paris Sofitel Forum Rive Gauche, to the more traditional Sant Elena on the historic island of Venice with views across the stunning Venetian Lagoon. Fellow Passengers This tour appeals to the first time visitor to Europe as it gives a comprehensive introduction to the highlights of Northern & Central Europe. But also appealing to those returning for the second time around whose first visit was in the 'Sixties', with far less comfortable surroundings! Highlights The two night stays in four key cities really make a difference – time to explore & really get the feel of the place! Contrasts are superb on this tour, ranging from the low lands of Holland to the alpine splendours of Innsbruck, & from the picturesque setting of Lucerne to the glittering night-time atmosphere of Paris! Excursions & Sights - Visit an Amsterdam Diamond Factory and see Dam Square & the Mint Tower
- See Cologne Cathedral
- Relax on a scenic Rhine Cruise to the Loreley Rock
- See the castle of Neuschwanstein
- Scenic drive across the Fern Pass
- See the Golden Roof in Innsbruck's Old Town & visit the Wilten Basilica Cross the Europa Bridge, highest in Europe, and the Brenner Pass
- Visit Verona to see the ancient Roman Arena and Juliet's Balcony
- Cruise, with commentary, to St Mark's Square in Venice
- Watch Venetian glass-blowing Travel through the St Gotthard tunnel
- See Lucerne's Lion Monument &Â Chapel Bridge
- See Notre Dame & drive along the Champs Elysees to the Arc de Triomphe in Paris
Guided City Tours In depth sightseeing tours in Paris & Salzburg Orientation tours in Amsterdam, Cologne, Innsbruck, Venice, Verona & Lucerne Insight's First Class Services - Escorted by a professional Tour Director
- Luxury air-conditioned coach with onboard toilet
- First Class hotels with all service charges, taxes and porterage
- Free Airport transfers when booking our London hotel (ask for details)
Quality Dining Highlight Dinner on a floating restaurant in Amsterdam Harbour 10 enhanced or buffet breakfasts and 5 three course table d'hote dinners, or buffets, plus tea or coffee
Tour Itinerary Tour Pace This tour slows down considerably after the first two days in Amsterdam and the Rhineland. It then runs at a leisurely pace with two night stays in the key cities of Innsbruck, Venice, Lucerne and Paris, with time to relax or participate in optional excursions organised by your Tour Director. DAY 1SUN - LONDON - AMSTERDAM We meet our Tour Director this morning and drive to the famous white cliffs of Dover to cross the English Channel. We disembark at Calais and follow the coast into Belgium. We enter the Netherlands and see the first of the windmills en route to Amsterdam. We pass the Mint Tower and Royal Palace in Dam Square on our way to watch diamonds being cut and polished. Tonight, we enjoy a Welcome Drink with our Tour Director before boarding a special sightseeing boat. We cruise past mansions and under low bridges to alight in the harbour for a highlight dinner aboard a floating restaurant. Hotel: Golden Tulip Inntel Centre. (HD) DAY 2 MON - AMSTERDAM - RHINELAND This morning we pass Arnhem, renowned for its 'Bridge Too Far', then we continue over the border to Cologne. This city was badly damaged in the war, but its Gothic Cathedral survived. After some time to marvel at the soaring spires, we continue through the former capital of Bonn to the scenic Rhine Gorge. We board our cruiser at Boppard and glide past leafy vineyards and imposing castles. We hear the legend of the Loreley Rock before rejoining our coach at St Goarshausen, and continuing to our hotel. Hotel: Ramada Treff Wiesbaden. (BB,D) DAY 3 TUE - RHINELAND - INNSBRUCK We skirt the northern Black Forest this morning and pass Ulm, with the world's highest church spire. Stopping at the base of the Bavarian Alps, we see above us the Royal Castles, including King Ludwig's fabulous fairytale castle of Neuschwanstein. Now we cross the Austrian border and over the spectacular Fern Pass to arrive in Innsbruck, capitol of the Tyrol. We tour the architectural jewels of the city, seeing the Imperial Palace, delightful Golden Roof and the 14th century houses of the old town, before dinner at our hotel. Hotel: Hilton. (BB,D) DAY 4 WED -SALZBURG EXCURSION We drive out to visit Innsbruck's superb Wilten Basilica - its interior richly decorated with cherubs and angels. Then we follow the Inn Valley to Salzburg where our guided tour will introduce us to Mozart's home city. From the formal gardens of the Mirabell Palace we can photograph the city skyline crowned by the castle heights. We then cross the river to the Getreidegasse, where we see Mozart's Birthplace and stroll through the old town's narrow lanes to the cathedral and Residenz fountain. We return to Innsbruck later this afternoon. Tonight why not join a lively Folklore Party? (BB) DAY 5 THU - INNSBRUCK - VENICE This morning we leave Innsbruck and travel across the enormous Europa Bridge (the highest in Europe), then cross the Brenner Pass into Italy. We follow the Adige River, through spectacular scenery, down to the great plain. Now we visit fascinating Verona, with its Roman Arena, maze of elegant squares and of course Juliet's balcony, before passing Padua on our way to our hotel, in the unique city of Venice. Hotel: Sant Elena. (BB,D) DAY 6 FRI - VENICE SIGHTSEEING Today is totally devoted to romantic Venice! Relax as our private launch takes us past the island of San Giorgio to alight at St Mark's Square. We stroll along the water's edge to see the Bridge of Sighs that connects the Doges' Palace with the prisons. We also see St Mark's Basilica and belltower, before watching one of the few remaining craftsmen hand-blow Venetian glass. Our tour concludes with a gondola ride through the canals. This afternoon, don't miss the chance to try the delicious seafood, freshly caught in the lagoon! (BB) DAY 7 SAT - VENICE - LUCERNE We travel through some of the richest farmland in Europe today as we cross northern Italy. Now a glimpse of the beautiful Italian Lake District as we enter Switzerland. We continue into the heart of the Swiss Alps, then alongside towering mountains to scenic Lake Lucerne. Tonight you may wish to experience a fondue party and folklore evening? Hotel: Astoria. (BB) DAY 8 SUN - LUCERNE SIGHTSEEING Our exciting day begins with a visit to the Lion Monument, carved into a cliff to commemorate the Swiss Guards who lost their lives during the French Revolution. Then time to stroll along the Chapel Bridge to the richly ornate Jesuit Church. Later we embark on a Premium Highlight excursion by cog-wheel train and cable car to the summit of one of Switzerland's most famous mountains - Mount Pilatus. Admire the views over the snow-capped Jungfrau and Eiger peaks before returning to Lucerne. The rest of the day is at leisure to relax or shop! (BB,D) DAY 9 MON - LUCERNE - PARIS First to Basel, before crossing the Rhine to France. We travel across the fertile fields of Burgundy to the city of Paris, vibrant heart of French life. This is a city which glitters by night, so perhaps take an illuminations tour tonight? Hotel: Sofitel Forum Rive Gauche. (BB) DAY 10 TUE - PARIS SIGHTSEEING Our comprehensive guided sightseeing tour includes sights such as the Champs Elysees, Arc de Triomphe, Garnier's Opera, Notre Dame Cathedral and the Louvre. Then a Premium Highlight as we ascend by elevator to the viewing platforms of the Eiffel Tower. We also visit the gilded Dôme Church to see the imposing tomb of the Emperor Napoleon. Later there is time for sightseeing at our own pace! Perhaps admire the impressionist paintings in the Musee d'Orsay. Or, if you prefer, relax at a sidewalk cafe. (BB) DAY 11 WED - PARIS - LONDON We cross the battlefields of WWI en route to Calais, for our voyage back to Dover. A short drive brings us back to London, where our tour comes to an end. (BB)
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