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European Grandeur

An epic adventure covering all points of the European compass. From Amsterdam in the north to Rome in the south, Vienna in the east and Madrid in the west.

27 days, Priced from A$7199

Premium Escorted, Departs from & returns to London

Tour code E915

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Itinerary

Day 1 – LONDON – PARIS

Cross the English Channel to Calais, then visit the Canadian Memorial at the former Vimy Ridge battlefield. Continue to Paris where, you enjoy a Welcome Drink on arrival.

Hotel: Concorde Opera

Day 2 – PARIS SIGHTSEEING

Enjoy a guided tour of the Palace of Versailles. Return to central Paris for a sightseeing tour with a local guide, which includes and ascent of the Eiffel Tower. The afternoon is at leisure. (BB)

Day 3 – PARIS – BORDEAUX

Visit the magnificent Château of Chenonceau in the Loire Valley. Continue through the famous vineyards to Bordeaux au Lac.

Hotel: Pullman Aquitania (BB,D)

Day 4 – BORDEAUX – LOURDES

Drive to the market town of Lourdes – a pilgrimage place of world renown. Visit the miraculous Grotto and drink the spring waters. Tonight you are invited to carry a candle and join the pilgrims in a procession to the Rosary Basilica.

Hotel: De La Grotte (BB,D)

Day 5 – LOURDES – MADRID

Cross the Pyrenees and Sierras into the heart of Spain and continue to the capital, Madrid.

Hotel: NH Nacional (BB)

Day 6 – MADRID SIGHTSEEING

A local guide introduces you to all the main sights of Madrid, the highlight being a visit to the elegant apartments of the Royal Palace. The afternoon is at leisure. (BB)

Day 7 – MADRID – BARCELONA

Drive via the Castilian plain and Morata Pass to the vibrant port of Barcelona.

Hotel: Melia (BB)

Day 8 – BARCELONA SIGHTSEEING

On a guided tour, see the port, Gothic Quarter, the extraordinary architecture of Gaudi’s Sagrada Familia and not forgetting Las Ramblas, with its colourful flower stalls and markets.(BB)

Day 9 – BARCELONA – MONACO

Re-enter France and follow the coast across the sunbaked Provençal plains to the glorious Cote d’Azur. Stay in elegant Monaco, the playground of the rich and famous.

Hotel: Fairmont Monte Carlo. (BB)

Day 10 – MONACO

Get to know the village of St Paul de Vence, revel in its pleasures and experience its art and lifestyle. After taking in the views, visit a French perfumery and return to Monaco for time at leisure. (BB)

Day 11 – MONACO – PISA – FLORENCE

Depart for Italy and drive along the Italian Riviera to see the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Stay in Florence, treasure house of the Renaissance.

Hotel: NH Firenze (BB,D)

Day 12 – FLORENCE SIGHTSEEING

Enjoy the fine view over Florence from Piazzale Michelangelo, before a local guide shows you the highlights of the city. Visit the open air gallery of Signoria Square, and see the Duomo and Baptistery with its ‘Gates of Paradise’ Later, there is time to shop. (BB)

Day 13 – FLORENCE – SIENA – ROME

Hear an informative talk about Chianti wine as you make your way to Siena. Walk through the cobbled streets to the cathedral and visit the piazza. Continue to Rome.

Hotel: Cicerone (BB)

Day 14 – ROME SIGHTSEEING

With a local guide, visit the Sistine Chapel and the Vatican Museums. Continue into St Peter’s Basilica, then cross the Tiber to visit the mighty Colosseum and see the Roman Forum. (BB)

Day 15 – ROME – CAPRI – SORRENTO

Down to the Bay of Naples to cross over to the enchanting Isle of Capri. Your guide takes you on the funicular to Capri Town to browse among the shops before seeing the art of ‘intarsio’ wood laying in the cliff top town of Sorrento.

Hotel: La Pace (BB,D)

Day 16 – SORRENTO – POMPEII – ASSISI

Visit the ill fated Roman town of Pompeii with your local guide. Continue northwards to Assisi, the town of St. Francis.

Hotel: Giotto (BB,D)

Day 17 – ASSISI – VENICE

Visit St Francis Basilica. Cross the Apennines to the fertile Po Valley. Continue to the chic Venice Lido.

Hotel: Le Boulevard (BB,D)

Day 18 – VENICE SIGHTSEEING

Take a private launch to St Mark’s Square to see the Bridge of Sighs, Doges’ Palace and the ornate St Mark’s Basilica. Watch Venetian glass being blown and then enjoy a Highlight gondola ride through the canals. The rest of the day is at leisure. (BB)

Day 19 – VENICE – VIENNA

The Carnic Alps herald the Austrian Lake District. Then a scenic drive across Styria gives way to the Vienna Woods, Danube Plains and stately Vienna. Tonight’s Dine-Around evening offers you a selection of restaurants to choose from.

Hotel: Hilton Vienna Plaza (BB,DA)

Day 20 – VIENNA SIGHTSEEING

Sightseeing with a local guide includes a visit to magnificent Schönbrunn Palace. Continue around the ring road and concludes with an introduction to Viennese café culture. (BB)

Day 21 – VIENNA – SALZBURG – MUNICH

Drive to Salzburg where local guide shows you Mozart’s Birthplace, the Cathedral and Mirabell Gardens. Continue to fun loving Munich.

Hotel: Westin Grand Arabellapark (BB)

Day 22 – MUNICH – LIECHTENSTEIN – LUCERNE

See the Marienplatz with its charming Glockenspiel. Drive through lush dairy pastures en route to Liechtenstein. Stop in the capital of Vaduz dominated by its castle. Then enjoy a beautiful drive to lovely lake-side Lucerne in Switzerland.

Hotel: Post Hotel Weggis

Day 23 – LUCERNE SIGHTSEEING

Sightseeing includes the Chapel Bridge and emotive Lion Monument before ascending nearby Mount Pilatus by cog-wheel railway and cable-car for views over the Swiss Alps. (BB,D)

Day 24 – LUCERNE – RHINELAND

See the thundering Rhine Falls before crossing into Germany and travelling through the legendary Black Forest en route to the Rhineland.

Hotel: Hilton Mainz (BB,D)

Day 25 – RHINELAND – BOPPARD – AMSTERDAM

Take a scenic cruise along the Rhine. In Boppard, time to explore this quaint wine village, before heading north to your hotel in lively Amsterdam.

Hotel: Mövenpick City Centre (BB,D)

Day 26 – AMSTERDAM SIGHTSEEING

Cross Dam Square and pass the Royal Palace to see diamonds being cut and polished. This afternoon, choose between an afternoon at leisure to visit the Rijksmuseum or the Anne Frank House, or join us on an included drive through typical Dutch countryside. (BB)

Day 27 – AMSTERDAM – LONDON

Cross Belgium to Calais in France for your return voyage to Dover. The tour ends a short time later in London. (BB)

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Tour Dates & Total Prices 2012

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Early Payment Discount on Early Bookings

Insight’s most popular tours fill very quickly. Don’t be disappointed, book early! You’ll be assured of the tours you want, and the earlier you pay, the more you SAVE! Here’s how …

* Pay in full 10 months prior to your tour departure date and SAVE UP TO 7.5%

* Pay in full 6 months prior to your tour departure date and SAVE UP TO 5%

Tours must be paid in full for this discount to apply. This discount only applies to tours that feature the “Early Payment Discount” in the price panel. Check the itinerary pages now to see how much you can SAVE.

Extra Tour Discount – ON YOUR 2ND TOUR

Book two Insight vacations, and you will receive a reduction of 5% off the cheaper of the two tours. Take three tours and save on two! Ask your Travel Agent for suggestions!

Exceptions 1, 2 & 3. All tours must be booked at the same time to qualify.

Young Traveller Savings – 5-17 Year-olds

Insight offers you the opportunity of sharing your happy holiday memories with your children or grandchildren.

This discount applies only to tours featuring the “Young Traveller Discount” in the price panel. Check the itinerary pages now to see how much you can SAVE!

Young Travellers must be under the age of 18 years old on the tour departure date and accompanied by an adult, sharing a twin room (limit of one Young Traveller Discount per room). Children under 5 years old are not accepted on any escorted tour. This discount cannot be combined with our Small Group or Milestone Celebrations Discount.