Heart of Europe® Grand Tour

Call (305) 223-9533 for more information or to book today! Mention code 4497239

Tour Operator

Image Tours

Duration

22 Days

Escorted

Escorted - Yes

Itinerary

Day	Destination	Description
Day 1	Depart USA	Follow the 'Departure Instructions' in your Final Documents for easy check-in procedures.
Day 2	Amsterdam	Amsterdam Schiphol Airport Your 'Arrival Instructions' page in your Final Documents provides easy to follow instructions on where and when to meet your tour manager. Board the deluxe motor coach for a pleasant drive through the neatly-groomed Dutch lowlands to your hotel in Leusden. This evening, enjoy the "Welcome to Europe/Get Acquainted" dinner. (Dinner)
Day 3	Amsterdam	Country Stay in Leusden Enjoy a day of leisure to rest after your overseas flight and get acclimated to your new surroundings. You may wish to use Holland's efficient bus and railway network to visit a myriad of interesting places less than an hour away. Another choice is to take the full-day optional 'Grand Holland' excursion. In the evening, return to your hotel for dinner. (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 4	Heerlen	Antwerp - Margraten American Military Cemetery - Heerlen Enter the Belgian province of Flanders and spend some time in its capital, Antwerp, known for its convivial atmosphere and outdoor cafes. For many Americans, the next stop at the Margraten American Military Cemetery is an emotional experience. For information regarding the location of specific graves, check the website. From here, it is just a short ride to your cozy hotel in Heerlen, near the border of Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands. Tonight, at the hotel, piano music enhances the evening meal. (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 5	Mannheim	Rhine River Cruise - Heidelberg - Mannheim In Boppard, a Rhine steamer awaits for an upstream cruise on this romantic river. You will glide past enduring villages, medieval fortresses, and hillside vineyards. Continue to lovely Heidelberg with its red sandstone castle. Your home-away-from-home tonight is in the neighboring city of Mannheim with dinner served at the hotel. (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 6	Augsburg	Rothenburg - Romantic Road - Augsburg Past sleepy little villages, majestic fortresses, and timeless castles, as you travel eastward this morning to the enchanting, walled city of Rothenburg. During your free time, walk along the intact city walls, explore the magical Christmas Shop or visit the Medieval Criminal Museum. Your afternoon journey, along the Romantic Road, leads south to the Bavarian Alps. End the day with dinner at your hotel near Augsburg. (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 7	Innsbruck	Munich - Innsbruck - Tyrolean Alpine Resort Village On your way into Munich, see the Olympic Village, the Bohemian district of Schwabing, and the stately buildings which line the Ludwigstrasse. You will have time to watch the magical 'Glockenspiel' performance in Munich's town square, stroll the 'pedestrians-only' zone, and partake in an independent lunch at the Hofbrauhaus. An afternoon drive brings you to Innsbruck and its famous Golden Roof. This evening, your chalet-style hotel in a nearby Tyrolean alpine resort village will host an authentic Austrian dinner. (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 8	Innsbruck	Tyrolean Alpine Resort Village Whether you spend your day relaxing amidst the marvelous scenery, exploring nearby Innsbruck, or taking the optional 'Bavarian Castle' excursion, you will be captivated by majestic mountains, green valleys, rushing rivers, and lovely chalets with their flower-laden balconies. For your independent evening meal, dine at a village restaurant, relax over dinner at your hotel, or join the optional 'Tyrolean Dinner' excursion. (Breakfast)
Day 9	Vicenza	Dolomite Mountains - Lake Garda - Verona - Vicenza Take the scenic route of the Brenner Pass and the magnificent Dolomite Mountains of northern Italy. Stop in one of the attractive cities along the route. In the afternoon, descend to Italy's largest lake, the stunningly beautiful Lake Garda, then continue on to visit Verona, best known for the bittersweet love story of Romeo and Juliet. Your hotel this evening is in Vicenza, located in the Veneto Region. Dinner at your hotel appropriately includes a pasta dish. (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 10	Vicenza	Venice - Vicenza A short drive this morning brings you to the one-of-a-kind city of Venice. Take a motor boat to St. Mark's Square for a guided walking tour that ends with a glass blowing demonstration. If you have your heart set on gliding through the canals of Venice by gondola, the cost is about $45 per person based on six people per gondola. Dinner will be on your own, or you may meet your tour manager for the optional 'Venice Lagoon Cruise & Dinner'. At the end of the day, boat and bus will transfer you to your hotel in Vicenza. (Breakfast)
Day 11	Rome	Florence - Regello Take the Italian Autostrada south, making a brief stop along the way before reaching Florence. Start your free time on the Ponte Vecchio, a gathering point for Florentines and visitors alike. Marvel at the architectural masterpieces on the nearby Piazza del Duomo. After a fulfilling afternoon of sightseeing in Florence, transfer to your hotel in nearby Regello, a picturesque town known for its local olive oil and conveniently situated on your way to Rome. (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 12	Rome	Rome - Anguillara Sabazia (near Rome) Continue south and, by early afternoon, arrive at your charming hotel in Anguillara Sabazia, a characteristic Italian provincial setting 45 minutes north of Rome. Freshen-up before the motor coach brings you into Rome for afternoon sightseeing. The best way to become familiar with this vibrant city is on foot. Walk to Trevi Fountain discovering the architecturally beautiful churches, fountains and piazzas. Choose from over 2000 restaurants for an independent dining experience, or join the optional 'Rome Dinner' excursion. (Breakfast)
Day 13	Rome	Rome - Anguillara Sabazia (near Rome) It's back to Rome for a full day of exploration. 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 excursion to the 'Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel'. Return to your hotel for a relaxing dinner. (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 14	Pisa	Tyrrhenian Coast - Pisa Follow the Tyrrhenian Coast past pine forests, sandy beaches, seaside cliffs, and olive groves. In the afternoon, the Leaning Tower of Pisa appears before your eyes. It began leaning shortly after construction commenced in 1174. Dine and overnight at your hotel, located just outside of Pisa. (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 15	Lake Lucerne	Lake Lugano - Gotthard Pass - Lake Lucerne Region Head north towards the unsurpassed splendor of the Italian and Swiss lake districts. Often referred to as the 'Rio de Janeiro of the Old Continent', Lugano is an ideal spot for a lunch break. Traveling through William Tell country, the serene beauty of the Swiss Alps comes alive. Spend the night in one of the cozy villages in the Lake Lucerne Region. (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 16	Lake Lucerne	Stans - Lucerne - Lake Lucerne Region Today, concentrate on the Lake Lucerne area. First, stop in the old village of Stans, at the foot of the mountains. Bring your camera if you decide to take the optional 'Swiss Mountain' excursion. Tour the city of Lucerne with its Old City Wall and famous Lion Monument. The rest of the day is yours to explore or simply relax in this glorious setting. Venture out for dinner on your own, or join the 'Swiss Lake Boat Ride & Dinner' optional excursion. (Breakfast)
Day 17	Auxerre	Burgundy Region - Beaune - Auxerre Pass Basel and cross the border into France. Enjoy a drive through the scenic Franche-Comte Region, then continue to Beaune, the capital of Burgundy wine country and one of the best-preserved medieval cities in the area. Take time to enjoy an independent lunch or browse the local wine shops. You may wish to visit the Hospices Museum in the historic Hotel-Dieu. Built in the 15th century as a hospital for the destitute, the architectural splendor has been preserved and the buildings now house an impressive collection of furniture, pottery, paintings and tapestries, as well as an inventory of items used in hospitals from the Middle Ages. Your hotel this evening is in Auxerre. (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 18	Paris	Isle-of-France Region - Paris Continue through the Isle-of-France Region and arrive in Paris at approximately 11:00 a.m. You will have the option of sightseeing on your own, or joining your tour manager on an optional 'Seine River Cruise' excursion, a relaxing introduction to the major sights in Paris. Transfer to your hotel in the late afternoon. For your independent dinner, venture out on your own or join the 'Paris Evening' optional, which includes a festive dinner and musical accompaniment at a Parisian restaurant. (Breakfast)
Day 19	Paris	Paris A full free day to continue discovering this world city. Walk along the classy Champs Elysees, visit the Louvre, or go up to Montmartre where Paris looks like it does in old paintings, and street artists still display their works. Shopping enthusiasts will be thrilled with the selection of fashionable boutiques and department stores surrounding the Opera. If your visit to Paris is incomplete without seeing a nightclub show, expect high prices but lots of fun on the optional 'Paris Dinner & Cabaret Show' excursion. (Breakfast)
Day 20	London	ENGLAND London After breakfast, the high-speed Eurostar train takes you under the English Channel and into London in 3 hours. Upon arrival, a motor coach and local guide await to introduce you to London's popular sights. After the tour, transfer to your London hotel for check-in and dinner. This will be your last dinner as a group, but you will have one more exciting day in London. (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 21	London	London Spend the day doing what you like. The ideal way to get around in London is to purchase a double decker hop-on/hop-off day pass (approximately 20 GBP), giving you access to popular sights at over 90 stops! If you wish to see the Changing of the Guard, hop off at Buckingham Palace before 11:30 a.m. (subject to weather and special events). Stop at the famous Harrods department store or Madame Tussaud's with its life-like wax figures. The tour manager will offer an optional excursion including the 'Tower of London & Thames Cruise'. In the evening, London offers many independent dining and entertainment opportunities, or join your tour manager for an exciting optional 'London Dinner & Theatre' excursion (Breakfast)
Day 22	Return USA	Daytime Flight back to the U.S.A. (Breakfast)

Dates/Pricing