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Itinerary
DAY 1 - Overnight Flight to Europe.
Refer to 'Preparing for your Departure'
in your Trip Documents for easy check-in
procedures. Take time to relax on
your trans-Atlantic flight with the assurance
that Image Tours has taken care of
all the details.
DAY 2 - HOLLAND . . Amsterdam
Schiphol Airport - Dutch Lowlands -
Lelystad.
Upon arrival, pass through
passport control and collect your luggage.
Refer to your 'Arrival Instructions'
page in your Trip Documents 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 the Dutch countryside is at or below
sea level and is characterized by canals,
dikes, and windmills. Continue to your
hotel in Lelystad, which is situated on
reclaimed land, known as a 'Polder'.
Your two-night stay in Holland will
introduce you to Dutch 'gezelligheid', a
kind, convivial, comfortable feeling, as
you will experience in the days ahead.
Time allowing, the tour manager may
offer a late afternoon excursion to one
of the old world villages nearby. This
evening, enjoy the 'Welcome to Europe/
Get-acquainted' dinner at the hotel with
your fellow tour members. (Dinner)
DAY 3 - HOLLAND . . Country Stay in Lelystad.
This day is all yours to
spend as you like. Communicating is
no problem, as English is widely spoken. Consider taking advantage of Holland's
efficient bus and railway network to a
myriad of interesting places, many of
them less than an hour away. Bikes are
available for rent in many cities. There's
also a full-day optional 'Grand Holland'
excursion, featuring a
kaleidoscopic overview of Holland, including
the unique countryside, a picturesque
Dutch village, and an afternoon
in Amsterdam, one of the great cities of
the world. In the evening, return to your
hotel for dinner. (Breakfast, Dinner)
DAY 4 - BELGIUM . . Antwerp & HOLLAND . . Margraten
American Military Cemetery - Heerlen.
This morning you will cross three major
rivers on your way to Belgium's 'province'
(state) of 'Flanders' and its capital,
Antwerp, known for its lively atmosphere
and cozy outdoor cafés.
Join a short orientation walk and explore
the old city center. Be sure to try
the Belgian waffles. There are also fine
lace and irresistible chocolate shops
in the area around the city's colorful
Grand Square. Next, head for the hilly
Ardennes region of eastern Belgium.
For many Americans, the stop at the
Margraten American Military Cemetery
is an emotional experience. The graves
of over 8,000 American servicemen
stand in everlasting memory to the
sacrifices of World War II. For the location
of specific graves, write to: The American
Battle Monuments Commission,
Washington, DC 20314. Your hotel
this evening is conveniently situated
at the conjunction of Belgium, the
Netherlands, and Germany. (Breakfast,
Dinner)
DAY 5 - GERMANY . . Rhine Cruise
- Heidelberg -
Schriesheim.
In Germany, some of your travel will be
on the 'Autobahn', the first state-of-the-art
superhighway system, which was
expanded by Hitler. Near Koblenz, leave
the Autobahn and wind through the
Rhine River Valley to Boppard. A pleasure
boat awaits you for an upstream
cruise on this great, romantic river.
You will glide past quaint villages, a
variety of castles, and hillside vineyards
known for producing the distinctive
Rhine wines. Near the end of your
cruise, you will pass by the Loreley Rock.
Legend has it that the bewitching chant
of a fair maiden sent boatmen crashing
into the rock. The cruise ends at
St. Goar, a characteristic wine village.
Continue to Heidelberg, situated on
the Neckar River and dominated by the
ruins of Heidelberg Castle. This historic
university town is considered by many
to embody the spirit of Germany. Your
tour manager will accompany you on a
walking tour of the 'Old Town'. Following
your visit to Heidelberg, proceed to
the neighboring village of Schriesheim,
where your hotel will serve dinner shortly
after your arrival. (Breakfast, Dinner)
DAY 6 - GERMANY . . Medieval
Rothenburg - Romantic Road -
Adelsried.
This morning, enjoy a
leisurely ride to the storybook town of
Rothenburg; a beautifully-preserved,
medieval village surrounded by the
original town walls and without a single
modern building in sight. You will feel
as if you are walking into a fairy tale
when you see the narrow cobblestone
streets, historic inns, and quaint shop fronts. During your free time, climb to
the top of the 'Rathaus' Bell Tower for a
bird's-eye view of the city, walk atop the
old city walls, check out the Medieval
Criminal Museum which exhibits tools
of punishment from more draconian
times, or stroll through the castle
gardens overlooking the River Tauber.
Delightful shopping awaits you at Käthe
Wohlfahrt's "Weihnachtsdorf" , a sprawling,
year-round Christmas shop. Your
afternoon journey leads south on the
'Romantic Road'. This area is rich in
unspoiled countryside, historic
castles, and medieval villages. Enjoy
dinner tonight at your hotel
in Adelsried. Your meal will be
enlivened by accordion music.
(Breakfast, Dinner)
DAY 7 - GERMANY . . Munich &
AUSTRIA . . Innsbruck
- Stubaital Valley.
Munich, the
elegant capital of Bavaria, lies 60
kilometers (37½ miles) east. You will
enter the city via the Olympic Village,
the Bohemian district of Schwabing,
and Karlsplatz. Step out for free time at
the 'Marienplatz' (square), a pedestrian-only
zone where historic buildings are
cleverly interspersed with modern store
fronts. The focal point of the square
is the Rathaus (Town Hall) with its
captivating Glockenspiel clock tower.
For lunch, consider the 'Hofbräuhaus', a
one-of-a-kind beer hall, which exudes
an 'Oktoberfest' atmosphere year-round.
After lunch, head south to the Austrian
border and travel along the Inn River
as it winds its way through the Alps to
the Imperial City of Innsbruck, capital of
Tyrol and two-time host of the Winter
Olympics. Bisected by the Inn River and
surrounded by mountains, Innsbruck
is a stunning setting. See the Imperial
Church, the Golden Roof, the Maria
Theresia Boulevard, and the Triumphal
Gate. Innsbruck owes its architectural
beauty to Maximilian I, who ruled 500
years ago (and became Emperor of the
Holy Roman Empire). A short distance
from Innsbruck lies the Stubaital Valley,
where you will spend the next two
nights in a chalet-style hotel. (Breakfast,
Dinner)
DAY 8 - AUSTRIA . . Alpine
Resort Village in the Stubaital Valley near Innsbruck.
The Stubaital Valley provides
the perfect location for a relaxing
day. Dotted along the valley are the
resort villages of Telfes, Fulpmes, and
Neustift, all leading to the impressive
Stubai Glacier. A scenic tram ride offers easy and direct access into Innsbruck.
Another choice for the day is the
optional 'Bavarian Palace' excursion. Try a local restaurant for your
independent dinner or join the optional 'Tyrolean Show & Dinner' for an evening of authentic Austrian
folklore, music and dancing. (Breakfast)
DAY 9 - ITALY . .
Dolomite Mountains - Lake Garda
-
Verona - Castel d'Ario.
Enter Italy via the 'Europa Bruecke
(Bridge)', a remarkable feat of mountain
highway engineering through the
alluring 'Dolomites', a mountain range
known for its reddish appearance. After
the customary morning break, you are
in for a special treat as you descend to
Italy's largest lake, beautiful Lake Garda.
In some places, the rocky shores seem
to rise straight up from the lake. Its sheltered
location gives the area a subtropical
climate, rich in vegetation, including
colorful oleander bushes, olive groves,
fruit trees, and grape vines. An extended
stop affords ample time to stroll along the lake front, browse through the
quaint markets, and enjoy an Italian ice
cream (gelato). From here, it's a short
ride to the legendary city of Verona,
made famous by Shakespeare's tragic
story of 'Romeo & Juliet'. Your hotel is
located just south of Verona, in Castel
d'Ario, providing a unique opportunity
to experience Italian village life. For
independent dinner this evening, walk
into the village center or dine at the
restaurant next to the hotel.
(Breakfast)
DAY 10 - ITALY . . Venice - Castel d'Ario.
Today features
a full day visit to the romantic
city of Venice, famous
for its canals and bridges,
colorful gondoliers, and
magnificent St. Mark's Square.
All transportation is done
exclusively over water. So, like
the Venetians, we take a boat
ride to the center. A guided walking tour follows, ending with
a visit to a glass-blowing work shop
where highly-skilled artisans craft anything
from delicate figurines to grand, multi-colored chandeliers. If you have
your heart set on gliding through the
canals, the cost is about $45 per person
based on six people per gondola. The
day provides ample time to marvel
at the architecture of the San Marco
Basilica, the Doges' Palace, and the Clock
Tower. Have dinner at a pizzeria or join
your tour manager at a characteristic
restaurant for the optional 'Venice
Dinner'. After a memorable
day of sightseeing, return to
Castel d'Ario to spend the night.
(Breakfast)
DAY 11 - ITALY . . Rome
The countryside
is characterized by golden, rolling
hills with olive groves and sleepy
villages as you travel south on the
Italian 'Autostrada del Sol' (Highway of
the Sun). In the early afternoon make a
stop in Orvieto, built atop a large chunk
of volcanic rock. A funicular quickly
shuttles you from the parking area to
the hilltop town above. Take time to
admire the Duomo, enjoy a glass of Classico wine or shop for Orvieto pottery.
Following your visit, continue to
Rome. 'La Citta Eterna' (The Eternal City)
bursts with history, while at the same
time being vibrant and modern. Dinner
is served shortly after your arrival at
your Rome area hotel. (Breakfast,
Dinner)
DAY 12 - ITALY . . Rome.
The entire day
is devoted to the wonders of Rome. This
is an energetic, modern metropolis, yet
proudly protective of its abundant historical
sites, crowned by the Colosseum
(Roman Arena) which dates back to
80 A.D. During the city sightseeing tour,
see the Trajan and Roman Forums, the
Arch of Constantine, and the Colosseum.
The afternoon is free for individual
pursuits. The tour manager will offer
an optional 'Vatican Museums & Sistine
Chapel' excursion to the
Vatican City, including the stunning
St. Peter's Basilica. Choose from over
2,000 restaurants for an independent
dining experience, or join the optional 'Rome Dinner' excursion.
(Breakfast)
Day 13 - ITALY . . Rome - Montecatini-Terme.
Return to Rome for further
exploration this morning. The best way
to see more of this marvelous city is on
foot. Sip a cappuccino at
the Spanish Steps, visit
the Pantheon or toss a coin into the Trevi fountain. Or, you
could use this morning to tour the interior
of the Colosseum. After independent
lunch, take the Autostrada north
into the Tuscany region where you
will spend two nights in the delightful
spa resort town of Montecatini-Terme.
(Breakfast, Dinner)
DAY 14 - ITALY . . Pisa - Florence -
Montecatini-Terme.
After breakfast
and a short drive, you will be standing
in front of the intriguing Leaning
Tower of Pisa. Next, travel to Florence
for a guided walking tour of the piazzas
(town squares), host to countless
sculptures and architectural masterpieces.
Spend your free time shopping
for leather goods at the markets or for
jewelry on the Ponte Vecchio Bridge,
and treat yourself to a refreshing gelato
(Italian ice cream). After a fulfilling afternoon
of sightseeing, Montecatini-Terme
welcomes you back with its pastel-tinted
buildings on palm-lined streets.
(Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 15 - SWITZERLAND . . Lake Lugano - Gotthard Pass - Lake Lucerne Region.
Travel north past
Milan towards the unsurpassed splendor
of the Italian and Swiss lake districts. As
you enter Switzerland, snow capped
peaks emerge in the distance while palm
trees greet you along the shores of Lake
Lugano. Often referred to as the 'Rio de Janeiro of the Old Continent',
Lugano, Switzerland is
the perfect spot for a lunch
break. In the afternoon, the
11-mile-long St. Gotthard
Tunnel takes you from the
Italian-speaking part of
Switzerland into the larger
German-speaking region.
Traveling through William
Tell country, you descend
upon Lake Lucerne. The
soaring peaks of Rigi,
Stanserhorn and Pilatus,
standing guard over this
vast water basin, create one
of the most imposing sights
in Europe. Spend the night
in one of the cozy villages
in the Lake Lucerne Region. (Breakfast,
Dinner)
DAY 16 - SWITZERLAND . .
Stans - Lucerne
- Lake Lucerne Region.
Today's first stop is in the old mountain
village of Stans with an option to take
a funicular up 'Mount Stanserhorn' (see 'Swiss Mountain' excursion).
Next, motor along the lake to the city
of Lucerne, where you will see the Old
Town Wall and famous Lion Monument.
The rest of the day is yours to explore
the old town, visit the Swiss Transport
Museum, relax on one of the lovely lake
shore promenades, or take the optional 'Swiss Lake Boat Ride' excursion. Lucerne is also a shopper's
paradise. You will enjoy browsing
through displays of wood-carved music
boxes, delicate Swiss lace, delicious
chocolates and Switzerland's world
famous watches. Return to your cozy
Lake District hotel, for an included Swiss
dinner. (Breakfast, Dinner)
DAY 17 - FRANCE . . Burgundy Wine Region - Beaune - Auxerre.
The church bells usher in another glorious
day. Follow the Swiss Autobahn
to Basel, strategically located where
Switzerland, Germany, and France meet,
and where the Rhine River becomes
navigable. The mountains give way
to hilltop villages and rustic vineyards.
Visit Beaune, center of Burgundy wine
country and one of the best preserved
medieval cities in this area. Take time
for independent lunch, browse the local
wine shops, or visit the intriguing 'Hospices
Museum'. Built in the 15th century
as a hospital for the destitute, the museum
houses items used in hospitals in
the Middle Ages, as well as an impressive
collection of furniture, pottery, paintings
and tapestries, and is also known
for its striking architecture. Following
the extended visit to Beaune, continue
to Auxerre, conveniently located for
minimum travel time to Paris the next
morning. (Breakfast, Dinner)
DAY 18 - FRANCE . . Paris.
By midmorning,
you will reach Paris, 'La Ville
Lumiere' (The City of Light). A brief
acclimation will bring you to the Statue
of Joan of Arc, adjacent to the Louvre
and the Place de la Concorde. Your tour
manager will tell you about the location
of the principal sights and stores, such as
Notre Dame Cathedral, Eiffel Tower, the
Opera, the famous 'Galleries Lafayette'
department store, and the even more
famous Champs Elysées. Before
beginning your free time, we suggest
joining your tour manager for the
optional 'Seine River Cruise' excursion for unsurpassed views
of some of the city's major sights. This
afternoon provides time to sightsee
on your own; visiting museums (the
Louvre Museum is open every day
except Tuesday), exploring the interior
of Notre Dame Cathedral, or shopping.
At 4:30 p.m. transfer to the hotel. If
your visit to Paris is incomplete without
experiencing a nightclub, consider the optional 'Paris Dinner & Cabaret Show' excursion. (Breakfast)
Day 19 - FRANCE . . Paris.
A full free
day to continue your exploration of
Paris. With so much to see and do, you
need to prioritize your interests, from
shopping, visiting museums, going up
to Montmartre where Paris looks like it
does in old paintings and street artists
still display their works, or any other
special interests you may have. Shopping enthusiasts will be thrilled with the
fashionable boutiques and department
stores surrounding the Opera. Spend
the entire afternoon and evening following
your personal interests in Paris, or
join your tour manager on an optional 'Paris Evening' excursion,
with dinner at a characteristic French
bistro in the heart of Paris. (Breakfast)
DAY 20 - ENGLAND . . London.
After breakfast, take the high-speed
Eurostar train under the English
Channel and into London in just three
hours. Upon arrival, a motor coach and
local guide are waiting to introduce
you to the famous landmarks such as
Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square, Tower of London,
the River Thames,
Piccadilly Circus, and
Hyde Park. After the tour,
transfer to your hotel for
check-in and dinner. (Breakfast,
Dinner)
DAY 21 - ENGLAND . . London.
Spend the day pursuing your personal
interests. The ideal way to tour London
is to purchase a double decker hop-on/
hop-off day pass (approximately £30),
giving you access to popular attractions
at over 90 stops! If you wish to see the
Changing of the Guard, check with the
hotel because performances are limited
to 11:30 a.m. on select dates posted
one month in advance and subject to
special events or weather. Stop at the
famous Harrods department store or
Madame Tussauds with its life-like wax
figures. The tour manager will offer
an optional excursion to the 'Tower of
London'. London offers
many independent dining and entertainment
opportunities, or join your
tour manager for an exciting optional 'London Dinner & Theatre' excursion. (Breakfast)
DAY 22 - Daytime Flight back to the U.S.A.
Transfer to the London airport for the return flight home. (Breakfast)
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