Italian Splendours Tour 11 Day

London, Black Forest, Rhine Falls, Interlaken, Mount Titlis, Lucerne, Milan, Venice, Florence, Rome, Pisa, Monte Carlo, Nice, Lyon, Paris

DAY 1: London

Today, check in (transfer not included), at your Heathrow Airport / Wembley area hotel. Early afternoon, you will meet your Tour Manager and depart for a half-day sightseeing tour of London. First, we visit Madame Tussauds, where you can marvel at Amitabh Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai, Shahrukh Khan, and many others. Continuing on with our tour we see the main sights: Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Houses of Parliament, Tower Bridge. Later marvel at the Swaminarayan Temple. Late evening return to your hotel.

DAY 2: London – Dover - Ferry – Calais – Brussels - Mannheim / Frankfurt area

This morning, at the check-in point, you will meet your Tour Manager and join the coach for a leisurely drive from London to Dover port, to board the ferry for the short channel crossing to Calais. Upon arrival, we proceed through Belgium. We first visit the city of Brussels, where on our orientation tour we see the Grand Place and the Mannekin Pis statue. Late evening we reach our overnight stop and check into our hotel. (Breakfast, Dinner)

DAY 3: Mannheim / Frankfurt area – Black Forest – Rhine Falls - Switzerland

Joining the Autobahn we enter into the enchanting Black Forest region, where you will marvel at the timeless serenity and unparalleled scenery around you. Our first stop is at scenic Lake Titisee where you have time to shop for cuckoo clocks. Continuing our drive, we pass through small idyllic villages before crossing the Swiss border. We stop at Schaffhausen to visit the majestic Rhine Falls. Later we check into our hotel for a two nights stay. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

DAY 4: Switzerland: Interlaken – Mount Titlis – Lucerne

Today we first drive to the town of Interlaken, the scene of many “Bollywood” films. Continuing our journey, we drive through the Swiss alpine region and the winding mountain roads to the valley of Engelberg, where we start our ascent to board the world’s first revolving cable car, reaching the peak of 10,000 feet and the highest viewpoint in central Switzerland (weather permitting). Visit the Glacier Grotto or enjoy a breathtaking panorama from the sun terrace. Late afternoon, we begin our descent, passing the glaciers and thawing ice, which create majestic waterfalls. Later we visit the town of Lucerne, to see the Chapel Bridge and the Lion Monument. This evening, join the additional excursion - Lake Lucerne Cruise and Swiss Folklore Show. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

DAY 5: Switzerland – Milan – Padova / Venice area

Early morning we depart for Italy. This morning either join the additional excursion for the scenic train ride through the Swiss alpine region to Lucerne, or board your coach as we drive north through the Gotthard tunnel. Driving south through the Gotthard tunnel, we pass spectacular scenery around the lake regions of Lugano and Como. Crossing the Italian border, we continue on the Autostrada, to Milan, the cultural and economic hub of Italy, where you have free time to explore the historic centre of the city. Arrive at our hotel late evening and check in. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

DAY 6: Padova / Venice area – Venice – Florence - Arezzo

Depart this morning for Venice, the city of unparalleled beauty and romantic gondolas. Our tour starts with a boat ride to St. Mark’s Square – the most elegant square in the world, to see the Bridge of Sighs, the Doges Palace and Basilica di San Marco. Here we also have a chance to watch the Venetian glass blowers at work and maybe buy a souvenir for the family. Early afternoon we depart across the Appennines and countryside of Tuscany to visit Florence. On arrival in the city of the Medicis, we proceed to Piazzale Michelangelo, to enjoy one of the best views of this renaissance city across the River Arno. Later you have free time to explore the historic center of the city, where traffic is banned, admiring its timeless beauty. Continue onto Arezzo area and check into our hotel for a two nights stay. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

DAY 7: Arezzo – Rome – Arezzo

Passing sunlit valleys of the Chianti wine country and ancient fortresses perched high on the hills, we reach the ‘Eternal City’. On arrival, we meet our expert local guide who will show us the splendours of the Vatican Museums, including the Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica, a renaissance masterpiece. Later, we take in other ancient sights – Piazza Venezia, the Roman Forum and the spectacular Trevi Fountain, where you may make a wish. Afternoon is at leisure, or join the additional excursion to visit the Colosseum the largest amphitheatre ever built in the Roman Empire and one of the greatest works of Roman architecture and engineering. Later we visit the Time Elevator, a unique experience, with the projection on three wide panoramic screens, a 3D film journey through the history of the Eternal City. Late evening return to our hotel. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

DAY 8: Arezzo – Pisa – San Remo area

Today we depart for Pisa, where we visit the Field of Miracles. Here you can marvel at the marble Cathedral in the Pisan Romanesque style, the Baptistery, and one of the wonders of the world, the legendary Leaning Tower. Continuing our journey, we drive past spectacular scenery along the Ligurian Sea and arrive at the Italian Riviera region, and early evening we check into our hotel. The evening is at leisure. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

DAY 9: San Remo area – Monte Carlo – Nice - Lyon

This morning, we visit Monte Carlo in the Principality of Monaco, where you have time to enjoy the majestic views. Continuing along the French Riviera, we visit Nice, where on our panoramic tour we see the main sights, including the Flower Market and the Promenade des Anglais. Proceeding, we drive through the Provence of Cezanne and Van Gogh onto the Lyon area where we check into our hotel for an overnight stay. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

DAY 10: Lyon – Paris

Today enjoy a brief panoramic tour of Lyon, and see the city’s main sights. Later we depart and we drive past the Cote d’or vineyards and Burgundy wine country. Continue onto Paris, one of the most exciting and popular cities of Europe, renowned for its fashion, perfumes, and of course the most talked about French wines. This evening you may either rest in your hotel or join the additional excursion - Paris by Night Tour. On our tour we will see the main sights illuminated, later enjoy a spectacular cruise on the River Seine - admire the spectacular facades from your covered boat. Finally join us for an exciting optional Lido cabaret show. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

DAY 11: Paris – Calais - Ferry – Dover – London