Heart of Europe® Grand

DAY 01 – Overnight Flight

DAY 02 – Holland
Arrive at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport and transfer through the neatly groomed Dutch Lowlands to your hotel in the Rotterdam area. Hotel NH, Capelle aan den Ijssel, Holland or similar (D)

DAY 03 – Holland
Visit picturesque Delft in the morning and vibrant Amsterdam in the afternoon.  Hotel NH, Capelle aan den Ijssel, Holland or similar (B, D)

DAY 04 – Belgium & Holland
Travel south to Belgium and make a stop in its historic port city of Antwerp. Continue to Margraten for a visit to the American Military Cemetery.  You will spend the night in Maastricht, situated at the conjunction of Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany. Novotel or Hotel NH, Maastricht, Holland or similar (B, D)

DAY 05 – Germany
Travel through Germany’s Rhine River Valley to Boppard, where you will enjoy a pleasure boat cruise past hillside vineyards and castles. Continue by bus to Heidelberg for a walking tour of the Old Town before transferring to your hotel in neighboring Schriesheim. Hotel Scheid, Schriesheim, Germany or similar (B, D)

DAY 06 – Germany
The medieval, walled town of Rothenburg enchants you with cobblestone streets, half-timbered houses, and a fairytale Christmas Shop.  Follow the scenic ‘Romantic Road’ to your hotel. Park Hotel Schmid, Adelsried or Hotel Schempp, Bobingen, Germany or similar (B, D)

DAY 07 – Germany & Austria
Visit the Bavarian capital of Munich. After lunch continue across the German-Austrian border to the Imperial City of Innsbruck. A short distance from Innsbruck lies your Tyrolean village hotel. Parkhotel Matrei or Hotel Stolz, Matrei am Brenner, Austria or similar (B, D)

DAY 08 – Austria
Relax amongst the pristine Alps, explore Innsbruck, or take the optional ‘Bavarian Palace’ excursion to Linderhof Palace. Later, consider the optional ‘Tyrolean Show & Dinner’. Parkhotel Matrei or Hotel Stolz, Matrei am Brenner, Austria or similar (B)

DAY 09 – Italy
Cross the spectacular Brenner Pass through the Dolomites. Stop along the shores of subtropical Lake Garda and visit Verona of Romeo & Juliet fame.  Hotel Leon D’Oro, Verona or Montresor Tower Hotel, Bussolengo, Italy or similar (B)

DAY 10 – Italy
By boat, travel to the magnificent city of Venice. Enjoy a guided walking tour, glass blowing demonstration, and independent sightseeing. Optional ‘Venice Dinner.’ Hotel Leon D’Oro, Verona or Montresor Tower Hotel, Bussolengo, Italy or similar (B)

DAY 11 – Italy
Cross through the rolling hills, lush olive groves, and romantic villages of central Italy on your journey to Rome. Holiday Inn Eur Parco dei Medici, Rome, Italy or similar (B, D)

DAY 12 – Italy
The entire day is devoted to the wonders of Rome. After a city bus tour, plan the day to your liking or consider the optional ‘Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel’ excursion. Tonight, join the optional ‘Rome Dinner.’ Holiday Inn Eur Parco dei Medici, Rome, Italy or similar (B)

DAY 13 – Italy
Return to Rome for further exploration. Enjoy free time or consider the optional ‘Colosseum’ excursion for an interior guided tour. Depart through Tuscany for the spa town of Montecatini-Terme. Hotel DaVinci, Hotel Boston or Grand Hotel Panoramic, Montecatini-Terme, Italy or similar (B, D)

DAY 14 – Italy
A short drive brings you to the Leaning Tower of Pisa and then on to Florence for an afternoon of sightseeing. Hotel DaVinci, Hotel Boston or Grand Hotel Panoramic, Montecatini-Terme, Italy or similar (B, D)

DAY 15 – Switzerland
Make a lunch stop in lovely Lugano, Switzerland, the ‘Rio of the Old Continent.’ Continue through William Tell country to your hotel in the Swiss Alps. Hotel Bellevue, Seelisburg, Switzerland or similar (B, D)

DAY 16 – Switzerland
Stop in Stans this morning with the optional ‘Swiss Mountain’ cogwheel and cable car ride. The afternoon is devoted to sightseeing in picturesque Lucerne. Also consider the optional ‘Swiss Lake Boat Ride’ excursion.  Hotel Bellevue, Seelisburg, Switzerland or similar (B, D)

DAY 17 – France
Cross the border into the southern Alsace region of France.  Afternoon sightseeing in the medieval village of Beaune, center of the Burgundy Wine Region.  Hotel Henry II or Ibis Beaune Centre, Beaune, France or similar (B)

DAY 18 – France
Travel to Paris this morning to spend the afternoon and evening in the ‘City of Light’. Optional ‘Paris Evening’ excursion. Mercure Montmartre, Paris, France or similar (B)

DAY 19 – France
A full free day to continue your exploration of Paris and to join the optional ‘Seine River Cruise’ excursion. Tonight, consider the optional ‘Paris Dinner & Cabaret Show’ excursion. Mercure Montmartre, Paris, France or similar (B)

DAY 20 – England
The high speed Eurostar train takes you under the English Channel and into London in less than three hours. Upon arrival, a motor coach and local guide await to take you on a city sightseeing tour.  Copthorne Tara, London, England or similar (B, D) 

DAY 21 – England
London is the feature today.  Spend the day exploring the city independently or join the optional ‘Tower of London’ excursion. Tonight, consider the ‘London Dinner & Theatre’ excursion. Copthorne Tara, London, England or similar (B) 

DAY 22 – Return flight to U.S.A. (B)