Focus on Italy & Paris

Itinerary
Optional Excursions
Gallery
Practical Information
Prices & Dates

Your Itinerary

DAY 1: UK - Brussels.

Join your tour by travelling on our free coach service from London to Calais, where you will be met by your tour director before continuing to Brussels for one night. Alternatively travel direct to Brussels on Eurostar.

DAY 2: Brussels - Ulm area.

Travel south into the Rhineland then past Stuttgart into Bavaria, with its woods, farms and pretty villages. Break the journey with an optional cruise on the River Rhine, gliding past the famous Lorelei Rock. (B, D)

DAY 3: Ulm area - Tyrol - Innsbruck - Venice area.

This morning, travel through Fern Pass and grand alpine landscapes to the Tyrolean capital, Innsbruck. Next, journey into Italy by way of the Brenner Pass and drive through stunning Dolomites scenery before descending to the Veneto plains and into the Venice area for two nights. (B, D)

DAY 4: Venice area.

Today begins with an included canal boat ride and a chance to watch Venetian glass blowers fashion their delicate objects, just as they did centuries ago, at a typical glass blowing factory. Later explore this fascinating city at leisure or why not join the optional gondola experience to glide along the picturesque canals accompanied by a Troubadour serenade? (B)

DAY 5: Venice area - Assisi - Rome.

Drive across the Po Plain and cross the Apennines en route to historic Assisi, the birthplace of the mystical St Francis, where you can marvel at the magnificent Basilica and its medieval frescoes. Later, continue to Rome, one of the world's greatest cities. (B)

DAY 6: Rome.

Known as the 'Eternal City', Rome is a city steeped in history, vibrantly alive and absolutely unique. Today's included sightseeing trip with a local guide starts in St Peter's Square, followed by a visit to the Roman Forum and the mighty Colosseum. (B)

DAY 7: Rome - Montecassino - Pompeii - Sorrento.

Head to Montecassino for a visit to its spectacular abbey, perched high on a peak overlooking a valley, before heading to Pompeii, an incredible ancient city preserved for centuries under lava ashes from the volcano. Enjoy an included site tour with a local guide, before continuing to the Bay of Naples for two nights in Sorrento. (B)

DAY 8: Sorrento and Capri.

Cruise across the bay to the lovely island of Capri today, an isle dotted with rose-tinted rocks and beautiful coves of translucent blue-green waters. To really admire the island's unique beauty, join the optional island tour. (B, D)

DAY 9: Sorrento - Orvieto - Florence.

This morning retrace part of the route by-passing Rome, for a stop in Orvieto in Umbria to visit its black basalt and yellow limestone cathedral. Next enjoy the quite extraordinary beauty of the Tuscan countryside as you drive to the beautiful city of Florence. (B)

DAY 10: Florence.

A Renaissance gem and city of the Medicis, Florence is an enthralling place. Traffic is partly banned in the historic centre so visitors can wander at leisure and admire its timeless beauty. Enjoy the included sightseeing walk with a local guide before this afternoon's included excursion to Pisa, to admire the legendary Leaning Tower and the Square of Miracles. (B, D)

DAY 11: Florence - Bologna - Lugano.

Leave Florence today for Bologna to see the Garisenda and Asinelli Towers and the lovely Piazza Maggiore. Continue to Switzerland's subtropical resort of Lugano for one night. (B)

DAY 12: Lugano - Lake Lucerne.

This morning, drive up to and through the St Gotthard tunnel and descend to the breathtaking beauty of Lake Lucerne. Todays visit of Lucerne takes in the covered wooden bridge and Lion Monument - a masterful stone sculpture in honour of the heroic Swiss guard of Louis XVI. Later, why not join the optional excursion by funicular and cable car to the 6,227 feet summit of Mount Stanserhorn? (B, D)

DAY 13: Lake Lucerne - Paris.

Travel through green pastures laden with picturesque chalets of rustic timbering and luxuriant flowers into France, and continue amidst some of the country's most famous vineyards to Paris for two nights. (B)

DAY 14: Paris.

Paris is a fascinating city famed for its chic culture, high fashion, art and gastronomy. Today's included sightseeing with a local guide takes in many of the best-known Parisian sights: La Sorbonne, Boulevard St Germain, Eiffel Tower, Opéra, Champs Elysées and Rue de Rivoli to name just a few. (B)

DAY 15: Paris - UK.

Say farewell to Paris and head to the Channel port where your tour ends. After a short Channel crossing, join your coach service to London. Alternatively travel back to the station to join the Eurostar service to the UK. (B)

Accommodation on Tour

Brussels: Catalonia Forum (3*); Ulm area: Tulip Inn at Gunzburg (3*); Venice area: Holiday Inn Marghera (4*); Rome: Residenza Parco Tirreno (4*); Sorrento: Ascot (3*); Florence: Meridiana (3*) or Grifone (4*); Lugano: Ibis Styles or Acquarello (3*); Lake Lucerne area: Pilatusblick at Kriens or Hirschen at Fluelen (3*); Paris: Ibis at Issy Les Moulineaux (3*).

The Campanile and Ducal Palace, Venice
Brussels, Grand Palace
Mannekin Pis, Brussels
Grand Place, Brussels
Driving amongst the Dolomites provides incredible views
Stunning alpine scenery surrounding the Dolomites
The Grand Canal, Venice
The Rialto Bridge, Venice
Assisi
St Francis Basilica, Assisi
Colosseum, Rome
Colosseum interior, Rome
St Peter's Basilica, The Vatican, Rome
Benedictine Abbey at Montecassino
Benedictine Abbey at Montecassino
Pompeii with Vesuvius in the background
Enjoy a visit to historical Pompeii
Beautiful Sorrento and the Bay of Naples on the Neapolitan Riviera
Enoy a day trip to the legendary island of Capri
Capri Town
Orvieto
The beautiful skyline of Florence
Ponte Vecchio, Florence
Leaning Tower & Square Of Miracles, Pisa
Lake Lugano
Lake Lucerne
Lake Lucerne
Chapel Bridge, Lake Lucerne
Notre Dame, Paris
Eiffel Tower, Paris
Sacre Coeur, Paris
L'Arc de Triomphe, Paris

Optional Excursions

To help you plan and make the most of your holiday, below is a list of optional excursions available to you.

EVENING CITY SIGHTSEEING

See the main sights of this city which has something for all tastes and interests. Visit the beautiful Grand Place with its 17th century guild houses. End the evening with a visit to a typical Brussels historical café to enjoy a glass of old fashioned Belgian beer.

€25 (Euro)

LORELEI AND ITS CASTLES

Discover the mystical magic of the Rhine river with its historic villages, beautiful castles and of course the legendary Lorelei Rock.

€25 (Euro)

BY NIGHT AND CAFFE FLORIAN

Enjoy a motorboat ride along the impressive Giudecca Canal with a commentary of the most important sights. A leisurely walk to St. Mark's Square, past famous buildings, small bridges and inner canals will take you to the historical Caffe Florian with its orchestra playing Italian and international old favourites. You will be served two items of your choice - long drink, glass of wine, ice cream or Venetian cookies.

€48 (Euro)

GONDOLA SERENADE

This is one of the highlights of any European holiday - a gondola ride through centuries-old canals, under famous arched bridges, and past lavish palaces and quaint piazzas.

€40 (Euro)

DISCOVER THE VENETIAN LAGOON

By private boat cross the lagoon to the picturesque fishing island of Burano with its gaily painted houses. See lace makers at work; then there's time to explore this unforgettable island on your own before returning to Venice.

€33 (Euro)

VENETIAN DINNER

Enjoy a leisurely walk to St. Mark's Square, passing famous buildings, small bridges and inner canals before arriving at a typical Venetian restaurant for dinner.

€55 (Euro)

TREASURES OF ROME BN & DINNER

An evening tour including some of the city's fountains and majestic squares. Finish the evening with a meal in a typical Roman restaurant with wine and music included.

€55 (Euro)

VATICAN MUS.& SISTINE CHAPEL

A tour around the Vatican museums to admire the beautiful tapestry gallery and the Sistine Chapel with masterpieces by Botticelli and Signorelli. See the "Genesis" and Michelangelo's "Last Judgement".

€55 (Euro)

CASTELLI ROMANI WITH DINNER

Drive through the ancient villages in the Alban Hills, a landscape of rare beauty, myths, legends and history. Take pictures of the Pope's summer residence, Castel Gandolfo. Then to Frascati where one of the famous local white wines is included with your dinner in a tavern.

€50 (Euro)

SORRENTO FLAVOURS

Enjoy an evening out dining in a typical restaurant, with a mixed starter, pizza and pasta, dessert, wine, mineral water and coffee or tea or the famous Sorrento lemon liquor "Limoncello".

€28 (Euro)

SORRENTO MUSICAL

Enjoy an evening of Neapolitan songs and dances presented on stage with a continuous change of scenery. The show takes its cue from the «tarantella», a typical dance of the southern regions. Included is free flowing wine or spumante or soft drinks

€28 (Euro)

CAPRI ISLAND TOUR

This romantic island, one of the jewels of the Mediterranean, has always inspired artists and poets. Once the "In" place for Roman emperors, today it is a rendezvous for the jet set. Take a chair lift to Monte Solaro for a breathtaking view of the entire Bay of Naples.

€55 (Euro)

CHARMING POSITANO

Don't miss the opportunity to visit this charming village on the Amalfi Coast, which a famous author once said "It is a dream place that isn't quite real when you are there and becomes beckoningly real after you have gone". See the enchanting beach, stop and look at the lovely small shops displaying beautiful clothes and ceramics, smell the wonderful aromas from the pastry shops or make an inside visit to the local parish church with its green and yellow majolica dome visible from just about anywhere in Positano.

€28 (Euro)

TUSCAN FLAVOURS

A lovely typical meal in the Tuscan countryside.The restaurant is situated in front of the Charterhouse of Florence and the historical residence enjoys an enchanting and privileged panoramic position.

€52 (Euro)

LAKE CRUISE & DINNER

Join a boat trip on the Gulf of Lugano, passing Campione d'Italia, an Italian enclave. Then proceed to a typical Ticinese "grotto" restaurant on the lake side .

€60 (Euro)

SCENIC LAKE CRUISE

An hour's guided cruise on the most beautiful lake in Switzerland gives you an introduction to this lovely city from a completely different aspect. With its many bays, it offers superb panoramas of the surrounding landscape. The area is rich in historical associations, particularly the William Tell legend.

€25 (Euro)

MOUNT STANSERHORN

A trip up the Stanserhorn mountain for breathtaking views is an experience not to be missed. The Mt. Stanserhorn Railway is a combination of an old-time funicular, which has romantic 100-year-old carriages with fringed curtains. Part of the ascent is by the new "global first" cable car ( a doubledecker cable car with an open top).

€57 (Euro)

SWISS FOLKLORE EVENING

Contrary to belief, not all Swiss can yodel or blow the alp horn, but those you will meet at your after-dinner folklore party are real experts. They entertrain you with merry melodies and traditional dances, while you sample cheese fondue and a drink of your choice.

€55 (Euro)

CABARET SHOW

A trip to Paris is not complete without a visit to a typical cabaret show. A glass of champagne is served during the show.

€70 (Euro)

VERSAILLES-SUN KING'S PALACE

Historic Versailles is the beautiful, restored palace of Louis XIV, the Sun King. After the guided tour of the palace, you can stroll in the magnificent terraced gardens with their fountains and statues. The Palace of Versailles is open every day except Mondays and bank holidays.On these days, you will be offered alternative sights.

€60 (Euro)

FAREWELL DINNER & ORIENTATION

The evening consists of a memorable four-course dinner with an aperitif and wine. After dinner you will enjoy a breathtaking orientation drive of the city.

€58 (Euro)

Please note that optional excursions and prices are subject to change.

The Campanile and Ducal Palace, Venice