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THE
BEST OF EUROPE - 2010
19
days incl. air, or 18 days from London to Paris (CO-5160)
Return to Italy
Vacations & Tours  Return to
France, Spain, Portugal and Morocco Vacations & Tours Vacation
Overview
This
classic tour of Western Europe includes the must-see cities and sights
and is a Cosmos favorite. After all, it is the “Best of Europe” tour.
Begin your vacation in London with time to see the major landmarks or
take an optional tour. Then ferry across the Channel and board a
motorcoach for Amsterdam. In Amsterdam, your tour includes the city’s
sights, a diamond factory, and a canal cruise. Travel along the banks of
the legendary Rhine River to Germany and stop in Heidelberg, one of
Germany’s oldest university towns, before crossing into Switzerland. In
Lucerne, one of Switzerland’s finest cities, 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 to see
Juliet’s balcony. In Venice, enjoy a canal boat ride to St. Mark’s Square
and see Venice’s landmarks like the Bridge of Sighs, Doges’ Palace, and
the Basilica. Deeper into Italy, visit Assisi, where St. Francis was born
in 1182, and St. Francis’ Basilica. Then head for Rome. Among the
highlights of the “Eternal City” sightseeing tour are a visit to the
Colosseum and the Roman Forum. South to the archaeological site of
Pompeii, destroyed in 79 AD by the volcanic eruption of Mount Vesuvius.
On your tour of Pompeii, see the luxurious villas, temples, theater, and
forum.
Enjoy
two overnights in the Neapolitan Riviera and a boat trip to the glamorous
island of Capri. An optional tour of Capri takes you around the island
with its steep roads and panoramic views. Travel to Tuscany and Florence,
where you see most of Florence’s highlights on your guided walking tour.
Stop in Pisa to see the Leaning Tower before heading to the French
Riviera and then Grenoble, an alpine sports mecca and host of the 1968
Olympic Games. Finally, stop in Burgundy’s Beaune, surrounded by some of
the world’s finest vineyards, on the way to Paris, the “City of Light.”
Your trip ends in Paris with a sightseeing tour including the Arc de
Triomphe, Opéra, Champs-Elysées, and more. This “Best of Europe” tour is
a once-in-a-lifetime vacation experience!
Itinerary
Day
1 Wed. BOARD YOUR OVERNIGHT TRANSATLANTIC FLIGHT
Day
2 Thu. 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 Fri. LONDON
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. Tonight, maybe a leisurely cruise
on the River Thames? (B)
Day
4 Sat. LONDON-AMSTERDAM AREA, HOLLAND
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.
Meet your Tour Director and board your luxury coach for the drive to the
Amsterdam area. (B)
Day
5 Sun. AMSTERDAM AREA-THE RHINELAND, GERMANY
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 best-known and largest city. This afternoon, continue your
journey to the scenic Rhineland for an overnight. (B,D)
Day
6 Mon. THE RHINELAND-HEIDELBERG-LAKE LUCERNE, SWITZERLAND
Drive
through the scenic Rhineland this morning or alternatively take the
optional Rhine River cruise 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 Neckar and Rhine, for a
short visit. In the afternoon, travel by way of the Autobahn into
Switzerland for an overnight around Lake Lucerne. (B,D)
Day
7 Tue. LUCERNE
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 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)
Day
8 Wed. LAKE LUCERNE-LUGANO-VERONA, ITALY-VENICE AREA
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. Then, 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. Tonight you are in the Venice area. (B,D)
Day
9 Thu. VENICE
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 orientation starts with a
boat ride and is followed by some time to soak up the city's unique
athmosphere 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)
Day
10 Fri. VENICE AREA-ASSISI-ROMERome
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 frescoes by
Giotto, then head for Rome. (B)
Day
11 Sat. ROME
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)
Day
12 Sun. ROME-POMPEII- NEAPOLITAN RIVIERA
South
all the way today, with the volcano Vesuvius in the distance. First, a
stop in Pompeii, where time stopped in 79 AD 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)
Day
13 Mon. NEAPOLITAN RIVIERA. EXCURSION TO CAPRI
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)
Day
14 Tue. NEAPOLITAN RIVIERA-FLORENCE AREA
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; the included
walking sightseeing will take in most of the highlights. (B,D)
Day
15 Wed. FLORENCE AREA-PISA-FRENCH RIVIERA, FRANCE
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. The drive continues to descend to the shores of the
Côte d’Azur for an overnight in this charming region. (B)
Day
16 Thu. FRENCH RIVIERA-ROUTE NAPOLEON-GRENOBLE
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. Continue via Digne and Gap
to Grenoble on the Route Napoleon. Overnight in Grenoble, now an alpine
sports mecca and site of the 1968 Olympic games. (B,D)
Day
17 Fri. GRENOBLE-BEAUNE-PARIS
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. Continue northwards directly to
Paris for two overnights. (B)
Day
18 Sat. 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
19 Sun. 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
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Departure
Details
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Departure
Date
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Tour
Start Date
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Return
Date
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Land/Cruise
Price Only
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Status
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|
Popular
Departure
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2/24/2010
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2/25/2010
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3/14/2010
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$2,119.00
|
Available
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3/3/2010
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3/4/2010
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3/21/2010
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$2,508.00
|
Sold Out
|
|
Popular
Departure
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3/10/2010
|
3/11/2010
|
3/28/2010
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$2,199.00
|
Available
|
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3/17/2010
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3/18/2010
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4/4/2010
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$2,199.00
|
Sold Out
|
|
Popular
Departure
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3/24/2010
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3/25/2010
|
4/11/2010
|
$2,199.00
|
Available
|
|
Popular
Departure
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3/31/2010
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4/1/2010
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4/18/2010
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$2,289.00
|
Available
|
|
Popular
Departure
|
4/7/2010
|
4/8/2010
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4/25/2010
|
$2,289.00
|
Available
|
|
Popular
Departure
|
4/14/2010
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4/15/2010
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5/2/2010
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$2,289.00
|
Available
|
|
Popular
Departure
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4/21/2010
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4/22/2010
|
5/9/2010
|
$2,399.00
|
Available
|
|
Popular
Departure
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4/28/2010
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4/29/2010
|
5/16/2010
|
$2,399.00
|
Available
|
|
Popular
Departure
|
5/5/2010
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5/6/2010
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5/23/2010
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$2,399.00
|
Available
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|
Popular
Departure
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5/12/2010
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5/13/2010
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5/30/2010
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$2,399.00
|
Available
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Popular
Departure
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5/19/2010
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5/20/2010
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6/6/2010
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$2,399.00
|
Available
|
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Popular
Departure
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5/26/2010
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5/27/2010
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6/13/2010
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$2,419.00
|
Available
|
|
Popular
Departure
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6/2/2010
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6/3/2010
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6/20/2010
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$2,419.00
|
Available
|
|
Popular
Departure
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6/9/2010
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6/10/2010
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6/27/2010
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$2,419.00
|
Available
|
|
Popular
Departure
|
6/16/2010
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6/17/2010
|
7/4/2010
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$2,419.00
|
Available
|
|
Popular
Departure
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6/23/2010
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6/24/2010
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7/11/2010
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$2,419.00
|
Available
|
|
Popular
Departure
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6/30/2010
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7/1/2010
|
7/18/2010
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$2,419.00
|
Available
|
|
Popular
Departure
|
7/7/2010
|
7/8/2010
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7/25/2010
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$2,419.00
|
Available
|
|
Popular
Departure
|
7/14/2010
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7/15/2010
|
8/1/2010
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$2,419.00
|
Available
|
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7/21/2010
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7/22/2010
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8/8/2010
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$2,369.00
|
Available
|
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7/28/2010
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7/29/2010
|
8/15/2010
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$2,369.00
|
Available
|
|
Popular
Departure
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8/4/2010
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8/5/2010
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8/22/2010
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$2,369.00
|
Available
|
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8/11/2010
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8/12/2010
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8/29/2010
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$2,369.00
|
Available
|
|
Popular
Departure
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8/18/2010
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8/19/2010
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9/5/2010
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$2,369.00
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Available
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8/25/2010
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8/26/2010
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9/12/2010
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$2,419.00
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Available
|
|
Popular
Departure
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9/1/2010
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9/2/2010
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9/19/2010
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$2,419.00
|
Available
|
Popular Departure - due to itinerary and
time of year, this departure historically sells out quickly. Early
booking is encouraged.
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