The Best Of Europe

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Detailed Trip Description

This classic tour of Western Europe includes the must-see cities and sights and is a Cosmos favorite. Begin in London with time to see the major landmarks, then ferry across the Channel and board a motorcoach for Amsterdam. Travel along the banks of the legendary Rhine River to Germany and stop in Heidelberg before crossing into Switzerland. In Lucerne, marvel at the medieval wooden bridge and famous Lion Monument. Drive through the St. Gotthard Tunnel to the shores of Lake Lugano, then continue to Verona and see Juliet's balcony. In Venice, enjoy a canal boat ride to St. Mark's Square and see landmarks like the Bridge of Sighs, Doges' Palace, and the Basilica. Deeper into Italy, visit Assisi and St. Francis' Basilica, then head for Rome. Among the highlights of the “Eternal City" are a visit to the Colosseum and the Roman Forum. South to the archaeological site of Pompeii, destroyed in 79 A.D. by the volcanic eruption of Mount Vesuvius. Enjoy two overnights in Sorrento, a boat trip to the glamorous island of Capri, time in Tuscany and Florence, and a stop in Pisa to see the Leaning Tower. Finally, cross into France for a taste of the Provence, continue to the alpine town of Grenoble for an overnight, and stop in Burgundy's Beaune on the way to Paris, the “City of Light."


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Trip Itinerary

Day 1 - On the Plane

 
FLIGHT TO LONDON.
Commercial Flights

Board Your Overnight Transatlantic Flight.

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Day 2 - London, United Kingdom

 
ARRIVAL IN LONDON, ENGLAND.
Hotels

Check into your hotel. 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.

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Day 3 - London, United Kingdom

 
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 Cruises

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

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Day 4 - London, United Kingdom

 
LONDON-AMSTERDAM AREA, HOLLAND.
Sightseeing

Leave London in the early morning and head through the lush English countryside to the Channel port, where you embark on your ferry for the Continent.

Buses

Meet your Tour Director and board your luxury coach for the drive to the Amsterdam area. (B)

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Day 5 - Amsterdam, Netherlands

 
AMSTERDAM AREA-THE RHINELAND, GERMANY.
Sightseeing

A morning to enjoy Amsterdam, delightful city of a thousand bridges. Your included excursion will take in a visit to a diamond factory, city sightseeing, and a canal cruise. This will give you lasting knowledge of Holland’s largest and most well-known city. Later, travel southward into Germany along the banks of the legendary Rhine. Admire the pretty villages, the castles perched high above the river, and the numerous terraced vineyards. Overnight in this area. (B,D)

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Day 6 - Lucerne, Switzerland

 
THE RHINELAND-HEIDELBERG-LAKE LUCERNE, SWITZERLAND.
Sightseeing

Take the optional Rhine River cruise this morning and enjoy splendid scenery including the Lorelei Rock. Next, drive into Germany’s oldest university town, Heidelberg, nicely located at the confluence of the Rivers Necker and Rhine, for a short visit.

Hotels

In the afternoon, travel by way of the autobahn into Switzerland for an overnight around Lake Lucerne. (B,D)

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Day 7 - Lucerne, Switzerland

 
Sightseeing

One of Switzerland’s finest cities, nestled amid its snow-capped Alps, surrounded by its lake, and embellished by the clear mountain waters of the River Reuss. Your visit takes in the impressive city walls, a covered wooden bridge, ornate patrician houses lining cobblestone streets, and the Lion Monument—a masterful stone sculpture in honor of the heroic Swiss Guard of Louis XVI.

Sea Cruises

A grand selection of optional activities completes the day: a cruise on the fjord-like lake; a cable car ride to the 10,000-foot summit of Mount Titlis; and, of course, there is time to shop for that very Swiss watch. (B)

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Day 8 - Venice, Italy

 
LAKE LUCERNE-LUGANO-VERONA, ITALY-VENICE AREA.
Sightseeing

More wonderful Alpine scenery as you drive into the mountain ranges that surround the massive St. Gotthard. Once through its great tunnel, you’ll start your scenic descent into the warmer and sunnier ambiance of the Canton Ticino. Stop in beautiful Lugano and take a stroll along the lakeside promenade. In the afternoon, cross into Italy and drive across the Po Valley to Verona, medieval setting of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. See Juliet’s house and balcony and stroll around the picturesque market square.

Hotels

Tonight you are in the Venice area. (B)

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Day 9 - Venice, Italy

 
Sightseeing

Venice is more like a marvelous film set than a real live city, with its criss-crossing canals, gondolas and water buses, arched bridges, palaces, and quiet little piazzas. 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 fashion their delicate objects as they did centuries ago. Don’t miss out on the optional gondola trip, gliding along the picturesque canals with a local troubadour to serenade you. (B,D)

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Day 10 - Rome, Italy

 
VENICE AREA-ASSISI-ROME.
Sightseeing

An interesting drive southward, cutting across the Po Delta, then crossing the rolling Apennines. Stop in Assisi, where St. Francis was born in 1182. Visit the world-famous Basilica with its beautiful frescos by Giotto, then head for Rome. (B)

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Day 11 - Rome, Italy

 
Sightseeing

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

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Day 12 - Rome, Italy

 
ROME-POMPEII-NEAPOLITAN RIVIERA.
Sightseeing

South all the way today, with the volcano Vesuvius in the distance. First, a stop in 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. Just a few more miles for two overnights on the Neapolitan Riviera. (B)

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Day 13 - Capri, Italy

 
NEAPOLITAN RIVIERA. EXCURSION TO CAPRI.
Sightseeing

Cross the blue sea to Capri. This legendary island, surrounded by rose-tinted rocks, has incredibly beautiful coves of translucent blues and greens. The town, with its pretty piazza, maze of streets, fashionable boutiques, and smart restaurants, is a mecca for the jet set. An optional tour takes you around the island with its steep roads and panoramic views. (B,D)

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Day 14 - Florence, Italy

 
NEAPOLITAN RIVIERA-FLORENCE AREA.
Sightseeing

An early start this morning for the journey north to Florence. Vistas of undulating hills, austere rows of cypress trees, terraced vineyards, olive groves, and rural villages form the backdrop of your journey through beautiful Tuscany. Arrive in the afternoon in Florence in time to enjoy its magnificent architectural and artistic treasures; included sightseeing will take in most of the highlights. (B,D)

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Day 15 - Florence, Italy

 
FLORENCE AREA-PISA-FRENCH RIVIERA, FRANCE.
Sightseeing

Stop in Pisa to see the Leaning Tower in the Square of Miracles. Bypassing the great port of Genoa, you drive northwest, getting glimpses of the Italian and French Rivieras.

Hotels

The drive continues to descend to the shores of the Côte d’Azur for an overnight in this charming region. (B)

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Day 16 - Grenoble, France

 
FRENCH RIVIERA-ROUTE NAPOLEON-GRENOBLE.
Sightseeing

A great itinerary today! Start the day with a visit to a typical Provence perfume workshop in Grasse, then follow in the footsteps of Napoleon as he escaped from exile in Elbe. Once he landed on the shores of the Côte d’Azur, he made his way to Paris via Grasse. Stop here for a visit to one of the famous perfume workshops before continuing via Digne and Gap to Grenoble. This has since been known as the Route Napoleon and was made into a highway in 1932.

Hotels

Overnight in Grenoble, now an alpine sports mecca and site of Olympic games. (B,D)

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Day 17 - Paris, France

 
GRENOBLE-BEAUNE-PARIS.
Wine

Enjoy the very heart of the Burgundy wine growing region, making a stop in lovely Beaune, surrounded by some of the world’s finest vineyards. Time to see the famous Hotel Dieu Hospital.

Hotels

Continue northwards directly to Paris for two overnights. (B)

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Day 18 - Paris, France

 
Sightseeing

One full day to explore the city that’s known throughout the world for its fashions, art and museums, delicious food, and joie de vivre. 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. Optional

excursions are also available to the Palace and Gardens of Versailles and, to celebrate the success of your tour, a French farewell dinner might be just the ticket. (B)

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Day 19 - Paris, France

 
Fly back home.
Airport Transfers

Your homebound flight arrives the same day. (B)

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