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SCENIC
EUROPE & BERNINA EXPRESS - 2010
12
days incl. air, or 11 days from London to Paris (CO-4550)
Return to Italy
Vacations & Tours  Return to
France, Spain, Portugal and Morocco Vacations & Tours Vacation
Overview
This
memorable European vacation starts in London and travels to Brussels for
an overnight. Continue to Germany’s scenic Rhineland and Würzburg, as
well as the Romantic Road and charming medieval Rothenburg. Next up: the
beautiful landscapes of Bavaria and a visit to King Ludwig’s fairy-tale
Neuschwanstein Castle, one of Germany’s most famous castles. Head to
Innsbruck, Austria, host to the 1964 and 1976 Winter Olympics. Then enjoy
a magnificent drive through the Austria and Swiss Alpine scenery on your
way to St. Moritz, Switzerland. In St. Moritz, take in the sight of the
great mountain peaks and the blue water lake. Cross the Alps on an
included panoramic Alpine train ride on the Bernina Express, which leaves
from St. Moritz and crosses the Bernina mountain range into the Italian
Valtellina—a breathtaking, unforgettable experience!
Enjoy
a change of scenery as you continue to subtropical Lake Lugano on the
border between Switzerland and Italy. Then enjoy more Alpine scenery as
you travel back over the mountains to the shores of Lake Lucerne. In
Lucerne, one of Switzerland’s finest cities nestled amid its snow-capped
Alps, see the impressive city walls, Europe’s oldest wooden bridge, ornate
patrician houses, and the Lion Monument—a masterful stone sculpture in
honor of heroic Swiss Guard of Louis XVI. Optional activities in Lucerne
include a funicular and cable car ride to the 6,227-foot summit of the
Stanserhorn, a cruise on the fjord-like lake, and of course, time to shop
for a Swiss watch. On to Interlaken, a postcard-perfect town lying
beneath the Jungfrau and between two sparkling lakes. Other stops in
Switzerland include Gruyère in the Swiss Alps and Geneva, Switzerland’s
most international city. Drive through France’s famous vineyards on the
way to Beaune. Your European vacation concludes with two overnights in
Paris, the inimitable “City of Light.” Your included sightseeing tour in
Paris includes the famous Paris’ landmarks: La Sorbonne, Arc de Triomphe,
Champs-Elysées, Eiffel Tower, and more. An optional tour to Versailles or
a French farewell dinner might be the perfect way to end your fabulous
European vacation. A trip of a lifetime!
Itinerary
Day
1 Thu. BOARD YOUR OVERNIGHT TRANSATLANTIC FLIGHT
Day
2 Fri. ARRIVAL IN LONDON, ENGLAND
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.
Day
3 Sat. LONDON-BRUSSELS, BELGIUM
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
your Tour Director and comfortable coach wait to take you to Brussels.
(B)
Day
4 Sun. BRUSSELS-THE RHINELAND, GERMANY-WÜRZBURG
Start
the day by traveling south into Germany to reach the shores of the mighty
Rhine to enjoy a scenic drive. Even better, opt for a Rhine cruise.
Admire the pretty villages, the castles perched high above the river, and
the numerous terraced vineyards. Next, to Würzburg on the banks of the
River Main and famous for its baroque architecture. Overnight in
Würzburg, one of Bavaria's many famous cities. (B,D)
Day
5 Mon. WÜRZBURG-ROMANTIC ROAD--ROTHENBURG-NEUSCHWANSTEIN
CASTLE-INNSBRUCK, AUSTRIA
Drive
along the Romantic Road, through villages protected by medieval tower
gates and with squares of half-timbered houses and richly decorated
fountains. Stop awhile to visit the picturesque town of Rothenburg.
Travel into southern Bavaria for an included visit to the legendary
Castle of Neuschwanstein. Just a few more miles into Austria for an
overnight in Innsbruck. (B,D)
Day
6 Tue. INNSBRUCK-ST. MORITZ, SWITZERLAND
A
magnificent drive this morning through Austrian and Swiss grand Alpine
scenery. South into Switzerland’s lower Engadine Valley and past the
Swiss National Park to the world-famous resort of St. Moritz. Plenty of
time to enjoy the sight of the great mountain peaks and the blue water
lake just below the town. Take a stroll and let it all sink in. (B)
Day
7 Wed. ST. MORITZ-BERNINA EXPRESS TRAIN TO ITALY-LUGANO, SWITZERLAND
Enjoy
the highlight of the whole tour and a wonderful way of crossing the Alps.
One of Europe’s most spectacular train rides begins in St. Moritz and
takes you across lofty Bernina Pass via the Swiss Poschiavo area to
Tirano in the Italian Valtellina. Here, rejoin your coach for the journey
to the shores of Lake Como and then Lugano, where you’ll overnight. (B)
Day
8 Thu. LUGANO-LAKE LUCERN Lake Lucerne
Another
lovely journey today through the valleys of the Canton Ticino, through
the Gotthard Tunnel, and into more magnificent Alpine scenery as you
descend to the shores of Lake Lucerne. This afternoon, visit 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. A grand selection of optional activities
completes the day: a funicular and cable car ride to the 6,227-foot
summit of the Stanserhorn, a cruise on the fjord-like lake, and, of
course, time to shop for that very Swiss watch. (B,D)
Day
9 Fri. LAKE LUCERNE-INTERLAKEN-GRUYÈRE-GENEVA AREA
A
day packed with a variety of scenery and places to visit. First to
Interlaken, a vacationer’s dream. It’s all picture postcard perfect,
lying beneath the towering Jungfrau and between two sparkling lakes.
Motor along the shores of Lake Thun, then on to the small but lovely
village of Gruyère with only a few more miles before reaching
Switzerland’s most international city, Geneva, for an orientation drive
and overnight in this area. (B,D)
Day
10 Sat. GENEVA AREA-BEAUNE, FRANCE-PARIS
Vistas
of famous vineyards on the way to Beaune. Visit the medieval Burgundian
town, known the world over for its wine production. Later, via the fast
and comfortable autoroute to Paris. Tonight, maybe an optional cabaret
show? (B)
Day
11 Sun. PARIS
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)
Day
12 Mon. YOUR HOMEBOUND FLIGHT FROM PARIS ARRIVES THE SAME DAY
(B)
AIRPORT
TRANSFERS
Airport transfers
may be included when you make your international flights arrangements.
Dates
and Prices
|
Departure
Details
|
Departure
Date
|
Tour
Start Date
|
Return
Date
|
Land/Cruise
Price Only
|
Status
|
|
Popular
Departure
|
4/8/2010
|
4/9/2010
|
4/19/2010
|
$1,409.00
|
Available
|
|
4/15/2010
|
4/16/2010
|
4/26/2010
|
$1,409.00
|
Available
|
|
4/22/2010
|
4/23/2010
|
5/3/2010
|
$1,409.00
|
Sold Out
|
|
4/29/2010
|
4/30/2010
|
5/10/2010
|
$1,449.00
|
Available
|
|
Popular
Departure
|
5/6/2010
|
5/7/2010
|
5/17/2010
|
$1,449.00
|
Available
|
|
5/13/2010
|
5/14/2010
|
5/24/2010
|
$1,449.00
|
Available
|
|
5/20/2010
|
5/21/2010
|
5/31/2010
|
$1,449.00
|
Available
|
|
5/27/2010
|
5/28/2010
|
6/7/2010
|
$1,499.00
|
Sold Out
|
|
Popular
Departure
|
6/3/2010
|
6/4/2010
|
6/14/2010
|
$1,499.00
|
Available
|
|
6/10/2010
|
6/11/2010
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6/21/2010
|
$1,499.00
|
Available
|
|
6/17/2010
|
6/18/2010
|
6/28/2010
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$1,499.00
|
Sold Out
|
|
6/24/2010
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6/25/2010
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7/5/2010
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$1,499.00
|
Available
|
|
7/1/2010
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7/2/2010
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7/12/2010
|
$1,499.00
|
Available
|
|
7/8/2010
|
7/9/2010
|
7/19/2010
|
$1,499.00
|
Available
|
|
Popular
Departure
|
7/15/2010
|
7/16/2010
|
7/26/2010
|
$1,499.00
|
Available
|
|
7/22/2010
|
7/23/2010
|
8/2/2010
|
$1,499.00
|
Available
|
|
7/29/2010
|
7/30/2010
|
8/9/2010
|
$1,499.00
|
Sold Out
|
|
8/5/2010
|
8/6/2010
|
8/16/2010
|
$1,499.00
|
Available
|
|
8/12/2010
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8/13/2010
|
8/23/2010
|
$1,499.00
|
Available
|
|
8/19/2010
|
8/20/2010
|
8/30/2010
|
$1,499.00
|
Available
|
|
Popular
Departure
|
8/26/2010
|
8/27/2010
|
9/6/2010
|
$1,499.00
|
Available
|
|
9/2/2010
|
9/3/2010
|
9/13/2010
|
$1,499.00
|
Available
|
|
9/9/2010
|
9/10/2010
|
9/20/2010
|
$1,449.00
|
Available
|
|
9/16/2010
|
9/17/2010
|
9/27/2010
|
$1,449.00
|
Available
|
|
9/23/2010
|
9/24/2010
|
10/4/2010
|
$1,449.00
|
Available
|
|
9/30/2010
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10/1/2010
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10/11/2010
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$1,399.00
|
Available
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Popular Departure - due to itinerary and
time of year, this departure historically sells out quickly. Early
booking is encouraged.
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