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2009: THE GRAND EUROPEAN (5210)
24 days incl. air, or 23 days from London to Paris
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 This extensive vacation stretches through Central Europe from London to Rome, then along the Mediterranean to Spain and France to reach Paris. It is a harmonious combination of cities, history, culture, and landscapes that make the Old Continent such an attractive area to discover. Start your trip in London, making the most of the UK's capital, then cross the Channel by ferry to join your motorcoach bound for Amsterdam. In Amsterdam, enjoy a guided tour and a canal cruise. Follow the banks of the castle-dotted Rhine and visit romantic Heidelberg, Germany's oldest university town. Then on to Switzerland for two overnights by the shores of Lake Lucerne with impressive alpine landscapes. One of Switzerland's finest cities, Lucerne is nestled amid its snow-capped Alps, surrounded by its lake, and embellished by the clear mountain waters of the River Reuss. Stop in sub-tropical Lugano and continue south into Italy, visiting Verona to see Juliet's house and balcony. Next up is the unique floating city of Venice with its St. Mark's Square and Basilica and other historic buildings. Experience more Italian masterpieces in Assisi, where St. Francis was born, on your way to Rome. Your sightseeing tour in Rome includes the Roman Forum and Colosseum. Marvel at the Leaning Tower in Pisa before arriving in Florence, "Cradle of the Renaissance," with its incredible architecture and works of art. Your guided walking tour in Florence features the city highlights. Head northwest to the mild climate of the French Riviera, rightly known as one of Europe's most scenic regions. Experience an optional excursion to Monte Carlo, visit Avignon, and overnight in Carcassonne, a splendid example of a medieval fortified city. In Spain, spend two nights each in Barcelona and Madrid and get to know the cities on the included guided sightseeing tours. North into Castille, stop in El Cid's Burgos, then to Basque Country for an overnight in Bilbao before returning to the jewels of France: Bordeaux, Poitiers, Chateaux Country, Orleans, and Paris. The dazzling French capital, Paris, is the ideal conclusion to this exciting European vacation. In Paris, your sightseeing tour includes Arc de Triomphe, Opera, Champs-Elysees, and more. This trip to seven European countries will leave you with plenty of vacation memories and photos. An unforgettable vacation!
HOTELS
London Thistle Euston (ST), Amsterdam Area Dorint (F) at Schiphol, Rhineland Euro Park (ST) at Bad Hennef, Lake Lucerne Pilatusblick (ST) at Kriens, Venice Area Poppi (ST) at Mira, Rome Villa Maria Regina (ST), Florence Area Europa (ST) at Signa, French Riviera Holiday Inn (ST) at Cannes Le Cannet or Apogia (ST) at Nice, Carcassonne Des 3 Couronnes (ST), Barcelona Catalonia Aragon (ST), Madrid Catalonia Centro (F), Bilbao Novotel Barakaldo (F), Poitiers Ibis Centre (ST), Paris Campanile Porte d'Italie (ST)
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| Call (781) 837-1111 for more information or to book today! Mention code 7467459 | | 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-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 | AMSTERDAM AREA-THE RHINELAND, GERMANY | A morning to enjoy Holland's busy metropolis. After your visit to a famous diamond center, it's time for morning sightseeing with a Local Guide pointing out the city highlights. Finally, a canal cruise to see Amsterdam from water level. In the afternoon, travel southward to the Rhineland area for an overnight. (B,D) | | Day 6 | THE RHINELAND-HEIDELBERG-LUCERNE AREA, 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 in the Lucerne Area. (B,D) | | Day 7 | 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 or a cable car ride to the 10,000-foot summit of Mount Titlis. (B) | | Day 8 | LUCERNE AREA-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 | 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 at leisure 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 | VENICE AREA-ASSISI-ROME | An interesting drive southward, cutting across the Po Delta, then through the gentle Umbrian hills to 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 | 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 | ROME-PISA-FLORENCE AREA | Vistas of undulating hills, rows of cypress trees, terraced vineyards, olive groves, and rural villages form the backdrop of your journey through beautiful Tuscany. Take a break in Pisa to see the Square of Miracles and the amazing Leaning Tower, then on to the Florence area. (B) | | Day 13 | Florence | This Renaissance gem and city of the Medicis will keep you enthralled for a whole day. Traffic is banned in part of the historic center so visitors can wander at leisure and admire the city's timeless beauty in relative peace and quiet. Don't miss out on the included walking tour with a Local Guide that features most of the city highlights. You will see the Piazza Santa Croce; the beautiful Piazza Signoria; the Palazzo Vecchio and its courtyard; the Loggia dei Lanzi; and, to top it all, the Piazza del Duomo and its cathedral with the Giotto Campanile, and the magnificent East Door of the Baptistry known as the "Gate of Paradise." (B,D) | | Day 14 | FLORENCE AREA-ITALIAN & FRENCH RIVIERAS, FRANCE | An early start this morning for the journey northwest with views of the Italian Riviera. Continue to France, for a visit to a perfume workshop in Eze, before traveling along the celebrated Cote d'Azur. An optional Monte Carlo by Night excursion with dinner is available. (B) | | Day 15 | FRENCH RIVIERA-AVIGNON-CARCASSONNE | Today's journey will take you through some of France's loveliest scenery, sun-drenched landscapes right out of Van Gogh's paintings, on the way through Provence. Stop for a visit in historic Avignon. Continue westwards to the impressive walled city of Carcassonne for an overnight. (B,D) | | Day 16 | CARCASSONNE-BARCELONA, SPAIN | Enjoy a visit of this almost untouched piece of medieval fortified architecture, still standing in all its walled glory with drawbridges, towers, battlements, watch turrets, ramparts, and even arrow-slits to repel the enemy. Later, drive by way of Perpignan across the border into Spain, skirting the Costa Brava to arrive in Barcelona for two overnights. (B) | | Day 17 | 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 fee not included). (B) | | Day 18 | BARCELONA-MADRID | See more of Catalonia as you drive northwest via Saragossa through the very heart of new Castille for two overnights in Spain's capital, Madrid. (B) | | Day 19 | Madrid | Not only because it's the capital of Spain, but also because it is situated 2,180 feet above sea level, the Spaniards say Madrid is the nearest thing to heaven. Enjoy the main highlights on the included sightseeing excursion. The optional trip to Toledo is most rewarding, too. The splendid setting is like a great open-air museum of Spanish history and art. (B) | | Day 20 | MADRID-BURGOS-BILBAO | Climb Somosierra Pass, the boundary between Old and New Castille, to the walled city of Aranda de Duero, before stopping in Burgos. On through Basque Country to Bilbao, now famous for four living architects: Norman Foster, Santiago Calatrava, Cesar Pelli, and Frank Gehry. (B,D) | | Day 21 | BILBAO-BORDEAUX, FRANCE-POITIERS | A change of scenery as you travel into France across Gascoigne for an orientation drive of Bordeaux, the wine capital of France. Travel farther north by way of the Cognac area to Poitiers of Black Prince fame for an overnight. (B,D) | | Day 22 | POITIERS-CHATEAUX COUNTRY-ORLEANS-PARIS | The autoroute L'Aquitaine will take you directly to Tours and along the Loire passing the castles of Amboise and Chaumont. Stop in Orleans before reaching Paris in time to enjoy an optional French dinner. (B) | | Day 23 | 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, Opera, Madeleine, the Eiffel Tower, the Pyramid near the Louvre, the Invalides, and Champs Elysees. Optional excursions are also available to the Palace and Gardens of Versailles and, to celebrate the success of your tour, enjoy a cabaret show. (B) | | Day 24 | YOUR HOMEBOUND FLIGHT FROM PARIS ARRIVES THE SAME DAY | (B) |
| | US$ Price Details
Single room supplement: $1160No triple room reduction.
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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