The Best of Europe with London (51652027)

Day 1:
ARRIVE IN LONDON, ENGLAND Check into your hotel. In the afternoon, you may want to start exploring the lively British capital. Uniformed hosts and the CosmosGO app are available to help you make the most of your stay.



Day 2:
LONDON London 's calling with a free day to explore on your own or join in the brilliant fun of an optional excursion. Rise and shine this morning for an optional guided excursion to see the sights of Parliament, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace and more, crowned by a visit to St. Paul 's Cathedral. This afternoon, consider an optional visit to Windsor Castle or the Tower of London - home of the Crown Jewels. This evening, a traditional dining experience followed by a guided nighttime cruise along the Thames River delivers some of the capital's most beautiful, illuminated sights. (B)



Day 3:
LONDON-BRUSSELS-AMSTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS Transfer to the railway station and board the Eurostar train to Brussels with your Tour Director. Take a seat on your luxury motorcoach for the drive to the Amsterdam area.
Today 's Distance by coach: 127 mi/ 203 km (B)



Day 4:
AMSTERDAM-WIESBADEN, GERMANY Today, enjoy an included canal cruise to see the city from water level with a Local Guide, then stop at a diamond center to watch the cutting and polishing of precious stones. This afternoon, continue your journey to Wiesbaden.
Today 's Distance: 258 mi/ 415 km (B)



Day 5:
WIESBADEN-HEIDELBERG-LUCERNE AREA, SWITZERLAND Drive through the picturesque Rhineland and enjoy splendid scenery as you skirt the Rhine River. Visit Heidelberg, Germany 's oldest university town, located near the confluence of the Neckar and Rhine Rivers, then continue to Switzerland.
Today 's Distance: 289 mi/ 465 km (B)



Day 6:
LUCERNE Lucerne is nestled amid snowcapped Alps, surrounded by a lake, and graced by the clear mountain waters of the Reuss River. Your orientation includes the wooden Chapel bridge and the Lion monument, erected in memory of the 800 Swiss Guards who defended Louis XVI and his wife. A choice of optional activities completes the day. (B)



Day 7:
LUCERNE AREA-VENICE AREA, ITALY More wonderful alpine scenery as you drive into the mountain ranges that surround the massive St. Gotthard Pass. Continue to the warmer and sunnier ambiance of Canton Ticino, then cross into Italy and drive across the Po Valley to Venice—romantically nestled in the heart of a picturesque lagoon.
Today 's Distance: 339 mi/ 545 km (B)



Day 8:
VENICE AREA Venice is more like a marvelous film set than a real-life city, with its crisscrossing canals, gondolas and water buses, arched bridges, palaces, and busy little piazzas (squares). Your included orientation starts with a boat ride to St. Mark 's Square and is followed by free time to soak up the city 's unique atmosphere and a chance to visit a glassblowing workshop. Discover the Venice lagoon on a relaxing optional boat trip, with time to explore colorful streets of Burano, the island known for hand-made lace. (B,D)



Day 9:
VENICE AREA-ASSISI-ROME An interesting drive southward, crossing the rolling Apennines. Stop in medieval Assisi, where St. Francis was born in 1182, and visit the world-famous St. Francis Basilicas with the beautiful frescoes by Giotto. Then, head for Rome.
Today 's Distance: 376 mi/ 605 km (B)



Day 10:
ROME The “Eternal City” is steeped in history, vibrantly alive and exciting, and absolutely unique! Start the included introduction to Rome 's landmarks from St. Peter 's Square with a Local Guide. Enjoy a drive along the iconic landmarks of the city: the Tiber River, the Caius Cestius Pyramid, the Aurelian Walls, and the Caracalla Baths. Complete the experience with a walk back in time from the Circus Maximus to the Arch of Constantine and the fascinating Colosseum, symbol of the Roman Empire. * (B)

* For operational reasons, changes to the Rome program cannot be excluded.



Day 11:
ROME-POMPEII-SORRENTO COAST Travel south all the way, with the Vesuvius volcano in the distance. Visit Pompeii, where time stopped in 79 AD when the Vesuvius eruption buried the city. On your guided visit to the archaeological site, see the remains of luxurious villas, temples, theater, and forum. From here, it 's just a few more miles to reach the lively Sorrento area.
Today 's Distance: 186 mi/ 300 km (B)



Day 12:
SORRENTO COAST. EXCURSION TO CAPRI Cross the blue sea for a full-day excursion to the legendary island of Capri. Surrounded by rose-tinted rocks, Capri has incredibly beautiful coves with translucent blue and green water. The town, with its pretty piazzetta, maze of streets, fashionable boutiques, and cozy restaurants, is a mecca for the jet set. Ah, Capri! There's more than meets the eye on this stunning island. Join your Local Guide who shares the best sights and stories on an optional tour. (B,D)



Day 13:
SORRENTO COAST-FLORENCE An early journey north to Florence. Vistas of rolling hills, austere rows of cypress trees, terraced vineyards, olive groves, and rural villages form the backdrop of your journey through beautiful Tuscany. Arrive in Florence in the afternoon in time to enjoy its magnificent architectural and artistic treasures; discover all the highlights on the included walking tour with a Local Guide.
Today 's Distance: 317 mi/ 510 km (B)



Day 14:
FLORENCE-PISA-ÈZE, FRANCE-FRENCH RIVIERA Stop in Pisa and hop on a mini train to reach the Square of Miracles to see the famous Leaning Tower. Bypassing the great port of Genoa, drive northwest for glimpses of the Italian and French Rivieras. Visit a typical perfume workshop in Èze and later reach the shores of the charming Côte d 'Azur. Tonight, roll the dice and rub elbows with the high rollers of Monte Carlo on an optional “Monte Carlo by Night” excursion to experience the glitz and glamour of Monaco.
Today 's Distance: 273 mi/ 440 km (B)



Day 15:
FRENCH RIVIERA-AVIGNON-GRENOBLE Leave the French Riviera and travel through the Provence, stopping in Avignon, a hidden treasure featuring an outstanding Christian heritage, and on the more frivolous side, some first-class wines. Overnight in Grenoble—an alpine sports mecca and site of the 1968 Winter Olympic Games.
Today 's Distance: 296 mi/ 476 km (B,D)



Day 16:
GRENOBLE-BEAUNE-PARIS Enjoy the very heart of the Burgundy wine-growing region, making a stop in lovely Beaune, surrounded by some of the world 's finest vineyards. Continue northward to the exciting city of Paris, capital of France.
Today 's Distance: 376 mi/ 605 km (B)



Day 17:
PARIS Paris is a world-class romantic city with many familiar landmarks. Free time this morning. This afternoon, see the main sights during the included Seine cruise. (B)



Day 18:
PARIS-LONDON, ENGLAND Relax on your Eurostar train journey back to London.
Today 's Distance by train: 212 mi/ 342 km (B)



Day 19:
LONDON Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)