This 12-day trip is one of our most popular in Europe. It starts with two nights in Rome and ends with two nights in London with stops in major cities like Florence, Venice, Lucerne, and Paris. All “must-see” features such as St. Peter’s, the Sistine Chapel, the Colosseum, Michelangelo’s David, St. Mark’s in Venice, the second floor of the Eiffel Tower in Paris, and St. Paul’s in London are included, with a Local Guide in each city. From Italy cross the border into subtropical Lugano in Switzerland, then drive straight through the Alps via the ten-mile St. Gotthard Tunnel and William Tell country to picture-book Lucerne, where you have a relaxing two-night stay before going to Paris. After two nights in Paris, board the Eurostar train for a smooth ride to London. This is a wonderful vacation any time if you want to see the most popular cities of Europe.

Itinerary

Day 1
Board your overnight transatlantic flight.

Day 2 Arrival in Rome, Italy
Time to rest or start exploring the Eternal City. At 6 p.m. meet your Tour Director and traveling companions and leave the hotel for a special welcome dinner with wine at one of Rome’s lively restaurants. (D)

Day 3 Rome
Sightseeing with your Local Guide starts with a visit to the VATICAN MUSEUMS and SISTINE CHAPEL, world famous for Michelangelo’s ceiling paintings and The Last Judgement. Continue to monumental ST. PETER’S SQUARE and BASILICA. Cross the Tiber and visit the COLOSSEUM and the ROMAN FORUM, where Roman Legions marched in triumph. Then time for independent activities and exciting optional excursion possibilities. (BB)

Day 4 Rome–Florence
An easy morning drive north to Florence, cradle of the Renaissance. Follow your Local Guide to 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. Later, take a moment to check out the enticing shops with Florentine leather goods and gold jewelry. (BB,D)

Day 5 Florence–Venice
Drive across the Apennine Hills and through the plains of the mighty River Po to Venice. Enter the city 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 Bridge of Sighs. Watch skilled GLASSBLOWERS fashion their delicate objects, then time to explore or to join an optional gondola ride. (BB,D)

Day 6 Venice–Lugano, Switzerland–Lucerne
Through the Lombardian plains, past Milan and Lake Como to the Swiss Alps. Stop in flowerfestooned Lugano, then continue north over 6,935-foot-high St. Gotthard Pass and through William Tell country to the captivating charm of Lucerne. Why not sign up for a folklore party with yodeling and alphorn blowing for a first-hand impression of Alpine merrymaking? (BB)

Day 7 Lucerne
Admire Thorwaldsen’s LION MONUMENT and the ornate patrician houses lining the cobbled streets of the Old Town, then cross the famous covered CHAPEL BRIDGE to the Jesuit Church. Afterwards, shop for Swiss watches and choose from our optional activities: climb a mountain by cable car or take a cruise on the fjord-like lake. (BB,D)

Day 8 Lucerne–Paris, France
Today cross the border into France and enjoy a fast ride on the modern highway skirting the vineyards of Burgundy and Fontainebleau Forest. Tonight you are in Paris, the traditional climax of every European tour. (BB)

Day 9 Paris
Discover the world capital of chic and style with a Local Guide and admire its most famous sights: the Opéra, Arc de Triomphe, Champs-Elysées, Notre Dame Cathedral, and more. 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. Tonight, a lively cabaret show might just be the ticket. (BB)

Day 10 Paris–London, England
Board the EUROSTAR TRAIN for a smooth ride to London arriving in the late afternoon. Why not take in a West End show tonight? (BB)

Day 11 London
Sightseeing with a Local Guide includes all the famous landmarks: Knightsbridge with Harrods, the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben beside the River Thames, Westminster Abbey, Whitehall’s mounted horseguards and the Prime Minister’s Downing Street, and Buckingham Palace. Highlights are a visit to ST. PAUL’S CATHEDRAL and the ceremonial pageantry of the Changing of the Guard, if held. Afternoon at leisure. You may wish to sign up for an optional excursion to the Tower of London with its fabulous Crown Jewels or an evening cruise on the River Thames. (FB)

Day 12
Your homebound flight arrives the same day. (FB)

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