Tripology

An Exciting Interview with Arthur Frommer

European Masterpiece

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Detailed Trip Description

This truly comprehensive and exciting vacation takes in the best of Western and Central Europe. Start in London and cross the Channel by ferry to join your motorcoach heading for Paris. Among the highlights: visit Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, French Chateaux Country, Plaza Catalunya in Barcelona, the glamorous French Riviera, Pisa's Leaning Tower and Square of Miracles, Florence's renaissance Duomo, the Colosseum in Rome, and the Pompeii archaeological site. Then, enjoy an overnight ferry crossing to Greece and a visit to Athens' Acropolis and Olympia. Return to Italy by ferry for romantic Venice with St. Mark's Basilica and Square, Vienna's imperial city centre, the majestic Swiss Alps, and Germany's Rhineland. The vacation ends in remarkable Amsterdam with its intriguing canals.

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Trip Itinerary

Day 1 - On the Plane

 
Overnight Transatlantic Flight.
Commercial Flight

Board Your Overnight Transatlantic Flight.


Day 2 - London

 
ARRIVAL IN LONDON, ENGLAND.
Hotel

Check into your hotel.

Sightseeing

In the afternoon you may want to start exploring the lively British capital. Uniformed Hosts are available to help you make the most of your stay.


Day 3 - London

 
Sightseeing

A full day to savor our rich program of optional activities: take a panoramic tour of London’s landmarks, visit the Tower of London, or choose an excursion to Windsor Castle.

River, Barge or Yacht Cruise

Tonight maybe a leisurely cruise on the River Thames? (B)


Day 4 - London

 
LONDON-PARIS, FRANCE.
Sightseeing

Leave London in the early morning and head through the lush English countryside to the Channel port, where you board your ferry for the Continent. Here you’ll be met by your Tour Director and luxury coach.

Nightlife

Drive through the French countryside, arriving in Paris in time to enjoy an optional cabaret show. (B)


Day 6 - Bordeaux

 
PARIS-CHÂTEAUX COUNTRY-BORDEAUX.
Sightseeing

Start the day by motoring south to Blois and then parallel to the River Loire past the castles of Chaumont and Amboise for a short stop in Tours. Take the comfortable Autoroute L’Aquitaine as far as Poitiers, beautifully situated on a rocky plateau. South again to Saintes, then the Grand Champagne wine-growing area. Another 60 miles and you’ll be in Bordeaux on the banks of the Garonne. (B,D)


Day 5 - Paris

 
Sightseeing

Included sightseeing with a local expert of many of the best-known Parisian sights: La Sorbonne, Arc de Triomphe, Opéra, Madeleine, the Eiffel Tower, the Pyramid near the Louvre, the Invalides, and Champs Elysées. (B)


Day 7 - Bordeaux

 
BORDEAUX-BARCELONA, SPAIN.
Sightseeing

From the vineyards of the Gironde and the Garonne travel eastwards, bypassing Toulouse to Carcassone in the foothills of the Pyrenées. Stop and admire what is perhaps the best-preserved medieval fortified town in Europe. Later, reach the Spanish border and motor through Catalonia. Once across the River Ter, you’ll soon be in Barcelona. (B)


Day 8 - Barcelona

 
Sightseeing

This morning’s sightseeing with a Local Guide includes a drive around Monjuich to see the Olympic Stadium and a panoramic view of the port and city. The drive continues to the city center to Plaza Catalunya and Paseo de Gracia to admire the greatness and eccentricity of Gaudi’s architectural masterpieces in the Houses Batllo and Mila and the Sagrada Familia (entrance fees not included). (B,D)


Day 9 - Barcelona

 
BARCELONA-FRENCH RIVIERA, FRANCE.
Sightseeing

Retrace your drive to the French border, then into the vine-covered region of the Herault for a stop in Avignon to see its world-famous bridge.

Hotel

Later, motor westwards across the Rhône towards the Mediterranean shores for an overnight on the French Riviera. (B)


Day 10 - Florence

 
FRENCH RIVIERA-EZE-FLORENCE AREA, ITALY
Sightseeing

Today along the high coastal road to visit a perfume workshop in Eze. The day is highlighted by the drive along the French and Italian Rivieras and into hilly Tuscany for a visit to Pisa to see the Leaning Tower and the Square of Miracles.

Hotel

Overnight in the Florence area. (B,D)


Day 11 - Rome

 
FLORENCE AREA-ROME.
Sightseeing

Don’t miss the included walking tour with a Local Guide featuring most of the city highlights. In the afternoon travel south on the autostrada through the sunlit valleys of Chianti country to Rome. (B)


Day 12 - Rome

 
The "Eternal City"
Sightseeing

The "Eternal City"—a city steeped in history, vibrantly alive and exciting and absolutely unique! Includes sightseeing with a Local Guide starting in St. Peter’s Square, followed by a visit to the Roman Forum and the mighty Colosseum. (B)


Day 13 - Sorrento

 
ROME-VESUVIUS-POMPEII-SORRENTO.
Sightseeing

South all the way today, with the volcano Vesuvius in the distance. Then to Pompeii, where time stopped in 79 A.D. when the Vesuvius eruption totally destroyed it. On the included visit you can see the luxurious villas, temples, theater, and forum.

Hotel

Just a few more miles to Sorrento for an overnight. (B)


Day 14 - Sorrento

 
Optional excursion
Sightseeing

An optional excursion today to the legendary Island of Capri. The island is surrounded by a rocky coastline, where the crashing sea has formed awe-inspiring caves. The town with its pretty piazza, maze of streets, fashionable boutiques, and smart restaurants is a Mecca for the jet set. Return to Sorrento. (B,D)


Day 15 - Sorrento

 
SORRENTO-BARI-IONIAN SEA CROSSING.
Ferry

An easy drive across the rugged Apennine Hills to the Port of Bari to embark on the overnight ferry to Greece. The modern ferries offer all comforts including boutique, duty-free shop, two restaurants, three bars, discotheque, casino, and swimming pool. (B)


Day 16 - Patras

 
PATRAS, GREECE-OLYMPIA.
Ocean Cruise

Enjoy some daylight cruising towards the Greek coast before reaching Patras.

Hotel

Then drive to Olympia for an overnight in the Peloponnese. (B,D)


Day 17 - Athens

 
OLYMPIA-ATHENS.
Sightseeing

This morning join the optional sightseeing tour and learn more about the history of the original Olympic Games, when athletes competed each other to honor the King of Deities. Then motor into the mountains of Arcadia by way of Tripolis and over the Corinth Canal to Athens. Time later for an evening in the lively Plaka area. (B)


Day 18 - Athens

 
Shopping

Explore the shops and museums or take a trip to the coast to swim.

Sightseeing

In the afternoon take the optional excursion to romantic Cape Sounion. (B)


Day 19 - Athens

 
ATHENS-PATRAS-IONIAN SEA CROSSING-ANCONA, ITALY.
Sightseeing

Take advantage of the included morning sightseeing. It features the highlights of this ancient capital, with visits to the Acropolis, Temple of Olympian Zeus and the Arch of Hadrian.

Ferry

Leave Athens for the journey to Patras to embark on the ferry for the crossing to Ancona. Departure for Ancona is 7 p.m. (B)


Day 20 - Ancona

 
ANCONA, ITALY-SAN MARINO.
Sightseeing

Disembark in Ancona in the late morning. Then proceed towards San Marino, one of the world’s smallest and most ancient states, perched on Monte Titano, for an overnight. (B,D)


Day 21 - Venice

 
SAN MARINO-VENICE AREA.
Sightseeing

Follow your Tour Director through the main gate and up to Government House in the very heart of this tiny ancient Republic. Later this morning travel along the Adriatic coastline through the Po Delta towards the Venice area. (B)


Day 22 - Venice

 
Sightseeing

The included tour starts with a boat ride and is followed by a visit to St. Mark’s Basilica and a chance to watch Venetian glassblowers.

Optional gondola trip
Sightseeing

Don’t miss the optional gondola trip. (B,D)


Day 23 - Venice

 
VENICE AREA-VIENNA, AUSTRIA.
Sightseeing

Today leave the flat and fertile plains of Venetia. Journey by way of Tarvisio Pass into the grand mountain and lakeland scenery of Austria for a stop in Velden on Lake Wörth. Then travel northwards through the Styrian landscape to Vienna. (B)


Day 24 - Vienna

 
Sightseeing

There’s so much to see on your included sightseeing tour: the State Opera, Parliament, and the Town Hall. Stop for a stroll in Heroes’ Square to view the Hofburg and finally take a short walk for an inside visit of St. Stephen’s Cathedral. (B)


Day 25 - Innsbruck

 
VIENNA-INNSBRUCK.
Sightseeing

Westwards, almost parallel with the Danube, to Mozart’s Salzburg. Time for a stroll down the charming Getreidegasse, the town’s elegant main shopping street. The last leg of today’s drive takes you into the very heart of the Tyrol to its capital, Innsbruck. (B,D)


Day 26 - Innsbruck

 
INNSBRUCK-LAKE LUCERNE, SWITZERLAND.
Sightseeing

Time this morning to get acquainted with Innsbruck. The orientation tour includes the famous Golden Roof. Later, drive through the valleys and villages of the mountainous Tyrol to the Arlberg tunnel descending into Switzerland. Stop briefly in Vaduz, Liechtenstein’s capital, before heading for Lake Lucerne. (B)


Day 27 - Lucerne

 
Sightseeing

One of Switzerland’s finest cities. Sightseeing takes in the impressive city walls, a wooden bridge, ornate patrician houses lining cobblestone streets, and the Lion Monument. A grand selection of optional activities completes the day: a cruise on the fjord-like lake or a cable car ride to the 10,000-foot summit of Mount Titlis. (B,D)


Day 28 - Germany

 
LAKE LUCERNE-RHINELAND, GERMANY.
Sightseeing

More of Switzerland and its quaint little villages, farms, and chalets before crossing into Germany to use its autobahn on the journey northwards to the shores of the Rhine.

River, Barge or Yacht Cruise

Today’s highlight is the included Rhine cruise past the legendary Lorelei Rock, hilltop castles, terraced vineyards, and half-timbered villages.

Hotel

Overnight in the Rhineland. (B,D)


Day 29 - Amsterdam

 
RHINELAND-AMSTERDAM AREA, HOLLAND.
Sightseeing

North today at first through the industrial Ruhr and then into the green, canal criss-crossed countryside of Holland to the Amsterdam area. Watch the cutting and polishing of precious stones at a famous diamond center.

River, Barge or Yacht Cruise

Sightseeing includes a drive with a Local Guide, and finally a canal cruise to see the town from water level. (B)


Day 30 - On the Plane

 
Fly back home.
Commercial Flight

Your homebound flight from Amsterdam arrives the same day. (B)


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