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2009: EUROPEAN MASTERPIECE (5275)
31 days incl. air, or 30 days from London to London
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 This truly comprehensive and exciting vacation takes in the best of Western and Central Europe. Start your trip in London with time to explore this city and take an optional sightseeing tour of London's landmarks. Cross the Channel by ferry to join your motorcoach heading for Paris, where you enjoy two nights and a sightseeing tour including Paris' famous sights. On the way to Spain, enjoy Bordeaux, famous for its vineyards. In Barcelona, Spain, enjoy a sightseeing tour before heading back to France and the French Riviera, rightly known as one of Europe's most scenic regions. In Italy, stop in Pisa to admire its Leaning Tower, and enjoy a walking tour of Florence's highlights. Your sightseeing tour in Rome includes St. Peter's Square, the Roman Forum and the mighty Colosseum. On your way to Sorrento for two nights, stop at Pompeii, where time stopped in 79 AD with the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius. Take an overnight ferry to Greece and arrive in Patras before heading to Olympia. In Athens, Greece's ancient capital, your sightseeing tour includes a visit to the fascinating Acropolis. Return to Italy by ferry and stop in San Marino, the oldest state in the world. A boat ride and orientation tour, including St. Mark's Basilica and Square, awaits you in Venice. Leave Italy and arrive in Vienna, Austria's capital. A sightseeing tour of Vienna includes the Opera, Parliament, and the Town Hall. In Innsbruck, host of the 1964 and 1976 Winter Olympics, your orientation tour includes Innsbruck's most famous attraction, the Golden Roof-the 3-story balcony on the central square capped with 2,738 gold plated copper tiles and constructed for Emperor Maximilian I. From Innsbruck, cross into Switzerland and stop in the tiny Principality of Liechtenstein. Arrive in medieval lakeside Lucerne, one of Switzerland's finest cities, for two overnights. In Lucerne, nestled amid Switzerland's 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 summit of Mount Titlis, a cruise on the fjord-like lake, and of course, time to shop for a Swiss watch.You see more of Switzerland and its quaint little villages, farms, and chalets before crossing into Germany and enjoying the Rhine cruise past the legendary Lorelei rock, hilltop castles, terraced vineyards, and half-timbered villages. This European vacation continues in remarkable Amsterdam with its intriguing canals. The sightseeing tour in Amsterdam includes an orientation drive and canal cruise to see the town from water level. Finally, return to London via the Channel ferry. On this European Masterpiece vacation, you have a wonderful mix of beautiful scenery, historic cities, free time on your own, and included sightseeing tours of some of Europe's most exciting and popular cities. This is a once-in-a-lifetime European vacation!
HOTELS
London Novotel St. Pancras (F), Paris Quality Porte d'Orleans (ST) or Novotel Defense (F), Bordeaux Mercure Meriadeck (ST), Barcelona Catalonia Atenas (ST) or Catalonia Aragon (ST), French Riviera Park Inn (F) at Nice or Holiday Inn Garden Court (ST) at Cannes Le Cannet, Florence Area Europa (ST) at Signa or Ibis (ST) at Sesto Fiorentino, Rome Princess (F) or Residence Parco Tirreno (F), Sorrento Rivage (ST) or Central Park (ST) at Massalubrense, Olympia Olympia Palace (F), Athens Acropolis Select (F), San Marino Titano (ST), Venice Area Albatros (F) at Mestre, Vienna Kavalier (ST) or Novotel West (ST), Innsbruck Dollinger (ST) or Rumerhof (ST) at Rum, Lake Lucerne Schiller (F) at Lucerne or Landhaus (ST) at Emmenbrucke, Rhineland Zum Anker (ST) at Andernach or Holiday Inn (F) at Cologne-Bonn Airport or Ramada (F) at Bruehl, Amsterdam Area NH (F) at Schiphol or Tulip Inn Amsterdam West (ST), London Thistle Euston (ST)
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| Call (818) 552-7700 for more information or to book today! Mention code 7467482 | | Cosmos | | | | Day | Destination | Description | | Day 1 | Board your overnight transatlantic flight | | | Day 2 | London | 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 | 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 | LONDON-PARIS, FRANCE | 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 you'll be met by your Tour Director and luxury coach. Drive through the French countryside, arriving in Paris in time to enjoy an optional cabaret show. (B) | | Day 5 | Paris | Included sightseeing with a local expert of many of the best-known Parisian sights: La Sorbonne, Arc de Triomphe, Opera, Madeleine, the Eiffel Tower, the Pyramid near the Louvre, the Invalides, and Champs Elysees. (B) | | Day 6 | PARIS-CHATEAUX COUNTRY-BORDEAUX | Start the day by motoring south to Blois and then parallel to the River Loire past the castles of Chaumont and Amboise for a short stop in Tours. Take the comfortable Autoroute L'Aquitaine as far as Poitiers, beautifully situated on a rocky plateau. South again to Saintes, then the Grand Champagne wine-growing area. Another 60 miles and you'll be in Bordeaux on the banks of the Garonne. (B,D) | | Day 7 | BORDEAUX-BARCELONA, SPAIN | From the vineyards of the Gironde and the Garonne, travel eastwards, bypassing Toulouse to Carcassone in the foothills of the Pyrenees. Stop and admire what is perhaps the best-preserved medieval fortified town in Europe. Later, reach the Spanish border and motor through Catalonia. Once across the River Ter, you'll soon be in Barcelona. (B) | | Day 8 | Barcelona | This morning's sightseeing with a Local Guide includes a drive around Montjuic to see the Olympic Stadium and a panoramic view of the port and city. The drive continues to the city center to Plaza Catalunya and Paseo de Gracia to admire the greatness and eccentricity of Gaudi's architectural masterpieces in the Houses Batllo and Mila and the Sagrada Familia (entrance fees not included). (B,D) | | Day 9 | BARCELONA-FRENCH RIVIERA, FRANCE | Retrace your drive to the French border, then into the vine-covered region of the Herault for a stop in Arles. Later, motor westwards across the Rhone towards the Mediterranean shores for an overnight on the French Riviera. (B) | | Day 10 | FRENCH RIVIERA-EZE-FLORENCE AREA, ITALY | Today along the high coastal road to visit a perfume workshop in Eze. The day is highlighted by the drive along the French and Italian Rivieras and into hilly Tuscany for a visit to Pisa to see the Leaning Tower and the Square of Miracles. Overnight in the Florence area. (B,D) | | Day 11 | FLORENCE AREA-ROME | Don't miss the included walking tour with a Local Guide, featuring most of the city highlights. In the afternoon, travel south on the autostrada Del Sole through the sunlit valleys of Chianti country to Rome. (B) | | Day 12 | 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 13 | ROME-VESUVIUS-POMPEII-SORRENTO | South all the way today, with the volcano Vesuvius in the distance. Then to 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 to Sorrento for an overnight. (B) | | Day 14 | Sorrento | An optional excursion today to the legendary island of Capri. The island is surrounded by a rocky coastline, where the crashing sea has formed awe-inspiring caves. The town with its pretty piazza, maze of streets, fashionable boutiques, and smart restaurants is a mecca for the jet set. Return to Sorrento. (B,D) | | Day 15 | SORRENTO-BARI-IONIAN SEA CROSSING | An easy drive across the rugged Apennine Hills to the Port of Bari for embarkation on the overnight ferry to Greece. The modern ferries offer all comforts, including boutique, duty-free shop, two restaurants, three bars, discotheque, casino, and swimming pool. (B) | | Day 16 | PATRAS, GREECE-OLYMPIA | Enjoy some daylight cruising towards the Greek coast before reaching Patras. Then, drive to Olympia for an overnight in the Peloponnese. (B,D) | | Day 17 | OLYMPIA-ATHENS | This morning, join the optional sightseeing tour and learn more about the history of the original Olympic Games, when athletes competed with each other to honor the King of Deities. Then, motor into the mountains of Arcadia by way of Tripolis and over the Corinth Canal to Athens. Time later for an evening in the lively Plaka area. (B) | | Day 18 | Athens | Today, take advantage of one of the optional excursions or explore the shops and museums. (B) | | Day 19 | ATHENS-PATRAS-IONIAN SEA CROSSING-ANCONA, ITALY | Take advantage of the included morning sightseeing, which features the highlights of this ancient capital, with a visit to the fascinating Acropolis. Leave Athens for the journey to Patras for embarkation on the ferry for the crossing to Ancona. Departure for Ancona is in the early evening. (B) | | Day 20 | ANCONA, ITALY-SAN MARINO | Disembark in Ancona in the late morning. Then, proceed north for an overnight in San Marino, one of the world's smallest and most ancient states, perched on Monte Titano. (B,D) | | Day 21 | SAN MARINO-VENICE AREA | Follow your Tour Director through the main gate and up to Government House in the very heart of this tiny ancient republic. Later this morning, travel along the Adriatic coastline through the Po Delta towards the Venice area. (B) | | Day 22 | Venice | The included orientation starts with a boat ride and is followed by some time at leisure to absorb the atmosphere of this unique city, and a chance to watch Venetian glassblowers. Don't miss the optional gondola trip. (B,D) | | Day 23 | VENICE AREA-VIENNA, AUSTRIA | Today, leave the flat and fertile plains of Venetia and journey by way of Tarvisio Pass into the grand mountain and lakeland scenery of Austria for a stop in Velden on Lake Worth. Northwards through the Styrian landscape to Vienna. (B) | | Day 24 | Vienna | There's so much to see on your included sightseeing tour: the State Opera, Parliament, and the Town Hall. Stop for a stroll in Heroes' Square to view the Hofburg and finally take a short walk for an inside visit of Strauss' House. (B) | | Day 25 | VIENNA-INNSBRUCK | Westwards, almost parallel with the Danube, to Mozart's Salzburg. Time for a stroll down the charming Getreidegasse, the town's elegant main shopping street. The last leg of today's drive takes you into the very heart of the Tyrol to its capital, Innsbruck. (B,D) | | Day 26 | INNSBRUCK-LUCERNE AREA, SWITZERLAND | Time this morning to get acquainted with Innsbruck. The orientation tour includes the famous Golden Roof. Later, drive through the valleys and villages of the mountainous Tyrol to the Arlberg tunnel descending into Switzerland. Stop briefly in Vaduz, Liechtenstein's capital, before heading for the Lucerne Area. (B) | | Day 27 | Lucerne | One of Switzerland's finest cities. Sightseeing takes in the impressive city walls, a wooden bridge, ornate patrician houses lining cobblestone streets, and the Lion Monument. A grand selection of optional activities completes the day: a cruise on the fjord-like lake or a cable car ride to the 10,000-foot summit of Mount Titlis. (B) | | Day 28 | LUCERNE AREA-RHINELAND, GERMANY | More of Switzerland and its quaint little villages, farms, and chalets before crossing into Germany to use its Autobahn on the journey northwards to the shores of the Rhine. Today's highlight is the included Rhine cruise past the legendary Lorelei rock, hilltop castles, terraced vineyards, and half-timbered villages. Overnight in the Rhineland. (B,D) | | Day 29 | RHINELAND-AMSTERDAM AREA, HOLLAND | North today at first through the industrial Ruhr and then into the green, canal criss-crossed countryside of Holland to the Amsterdam area. Watch the cutting and polishing of precious stones at a famous diamond center. Sightseeing includes an orientation drive with a Local Guide and, finally, a canal cruise to see the town from water level. (B) | | Day 30 | AMSTERDAM-LONDON, ENGLAND | Relax and let the countryside whiz by on the road to the French coast, where you board your Channel ferry. Through Kent, return to London for an evening arrival. (B) | | Day 31 | YOUR HOMEBOUND FLIGHT FROM LONDON ARRIVES THE SAME DAY | (B) |
| | US$ Price Details
Single room supplement:$1440No triple room reduction.No single accommodation available on board the SuperFast Ferry Bari-Patras and Patras-Ancona. Singles will be asked to share.2010 departures are subject to itinerary and price modification. Details will be available in Oct. 2009.
Our Volume Buying Power Saves You Money!
-We may be able to provide you with flight arrangements from your gateway city.
-Additional accommodations before or after your tour may be available at our low prices.
Additional Information:
-Departure/arrival taxes and fares from other cities will be advised at the time of booking.
-2008, 2009 & 2010 vacation itineraries and prices are subject to change.
Guaranteed Air-Inclusive Price:
Air-inclusive prices do not include a September 11th fee up to $10, passenger facility charges of up to $18, Federal domestic flight segment fees of up to $3.50 per segment and U.S. and International arrival and departure and other government imposed fees of up to $300 depending on your itinerary. Please see the Applicable Airfare Taxes and Fee link above for more information.
Air booked in conjunction with a land vacation is considered an air-inclusive vacation. Air can only be booked by Globus in conjunction with a land package and is only available for passengers traveling from the United States. For vacation departures in 2008, your final air-inclusive vacation price is guaranteed when your air schedule had been confirmed and your entire vacation package has been paid in full. For vacation departures in 2009, an additional $250 non-refundable deposit (total $500 non-refundable) is required for air booked in conjunction with any land vacation and your final air-inclusive vacation price is guaranteed when your flight information is confirmed and Globus has received your full land and air deposit.
Not Included in the Vacation Price:
Federal inspection fees for the Federal U.S. Customs and Immigrations; International Air Transportation tax; agricultural tax; other per person taxes imposed by government entities; airport taxes and fees including the September 11th Security fee up to $10 per person, Passenger facility charges up to $18 per person, Federal domestic flight segment fees up to $3.50 per segment and U.S. and International arrival and departure, and other government imposed fees up to $300 per person; port taxes; passports; visas and vaccinations; tips to your Tour or Cruise Director, Local Host, driver, Local Guides, and/or ships' crew; gratuities on ferries, trains, and cruise ships; laundry; telephone; minibar; alcohol, beverages, and food outside of the contracted Globus menu as presented at a hotel or restaurant (these extra items will be billed to you before leaving the hotel, ship, or restaurant); optional excursions; airport transfers on non-qualifying flights; porterage at airports and train stations; Travel Protection premiums; all airline imposed baggage fees (including internal flights); and all other items of a personal nature. |
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