European Heritage
Topic: European ToursSample Itinerary
DAY 1 - DEPARTURE
Check in at the airport for the transatlantic flight to Europe!
DAY 2 - VOLENDAM, MAKKUM, KOUDUM
Welcome to Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport. Following customs formalities meet your tour manager and transfer to the waiting motorcoach for the drive to the charming fishing village of Volendam. Continuing northward, travel via the Enclosure Dike to Makkum. After time for lunch, you'll visit the Tichelaar Royal Pottery and Tile Factory. Then continue on to Koudum for hotel check-in. After tonight's dinner and providing you're up to it, an excursion will be made to the nearby town of Hindeloopen.
DAY 3 - SNEEK, LEMMER, UTRECHT, DE BILT
This morning travel to Sneek to see the Waterpoort, the 16th-century City Hall and to visit the Frisian Nautical Museum. After this stop, you'll travel southward to Lemmer where a lunch stop is scheduled. This afternoon you'll travel through the Flevoland Polders to Utrecht. While here you'll enjoy a walking tour of the city, which will include views of the canals, the Old Cathedral, the Dom Tower, its universities and its shopping areas. Time permitting, you'll also visit the National Museum. Overnight accommodations will be in the nearby town of De Bilt.
DAY 4 - AALSMEER, AMSTERDAM, HAARLEM
This morning you're off to Aalsmeer to visit the famous Flower Auction. Afterward, transfer into Amsterdam for a canal boat cruise and a visit the Rijks museum. Your tour concludes with a visit to the Anne Frank House. The remainder of the afternoon will be free for shopping. Later you'll reboard the coach for the drive to Haarlem.
DAY 5 - DELFT, THE HAGUE, SCHEVENINGEN, HAARLEM
This morning you'll walk to the Grote Markt, to visit the St. Bavokerk and the Corrie ten Boom House. After the tour, reboard the coach for the drive to Delft. Upon arrival you'll visit the Nieuwekerk and the Oude Kerk and have some time at leisure. Your next drive takes you to the elegant city of The Hague for views of the Parliament and Binnenhof, Palace Noordeinde, and the Peace Palace. Then it's on to the seaside resort of Scheveningen, where you'll stop for a stroll along the promenade. Later return to Haarlem for the overnight.
DAY 6 - KINDERDIJK, DELTA EXPO, MIDDELBURG, BRUGGE
You'll travel to Kinderdijk this morning, to see a number of working windmills in a lovely pastoral setting. Then drive into the province of Zeeland to tour the Delta Exposition. Next continue on to Middelburg for views of the beautiful Town Hall and the Abbey. Your final drive of the day takes you into Belgium and on to the charming city of Brugge for the overnight accommodations.
DAY 7 - GHENT, BRUSSELS
The focus of our attention this morning is the medieval city of Ghent. During the sightseeing tour, you will see the old gabled houses along the Graslei and the lovely medieval castle Gravensteen. You'll also stop at St. Bavo's Cathedral. Next travel to Brussels where you'll have a panoramic drive through the city with views of the Cathedral of St. Gudule, and a stroll on the Grand Place. Then transfer to the hotel for check in.
DAY 8 - BRUSSELS, WATERLOO, NOYON, PARIS
After breakfast, you will travel south-ward to Waterloo making a stop to take a picture of the Butte du Lion. Then continue southward into France and on to Paris. Upon arrival you'll check in at the hotel for a two-night stay.
DAY 9 - PARIS
Your day begins with a get-acquainted tour of Paris. You'll start at the Trocadero Gardens; then travel past the Arch de Triomphe and down the Champs Élysées to the Place de la Concorde with the Obelisk of Luxor. Next, travel to Place Vendôme and the Opera. Via Palais Royal, travel to the Ile de la Cité and the magnificent Cathedral of Notre Dame. During the tour of the interior, you'll see the famous Rose Windows, the beautiful 14th-century Virgin and Child, and the Chancel. This afternoon you'll visit the Louvre Museum. Next an excursion to Montmartre is planned. Later return to the hotel for the overnight.
DAY 10 - REIMS, BASTOGNE, LUXEMBOURG
Say
au revoir to Paris as you set off through Champagne, the celebrated wine-growing region. You'll pass vineyard-covered hills on your way to Reims, where you'll make a stop for a tour of its superb Gothic cathedral. From here the routing takes you back into Belgium to Bastogne. After a brief visit you will reboard the motorcoach and travel into Luxembourg. Upon arrival, you'll check in at the hotel.
DAY 11 - BOPPARD, RHINE CRUISE, LADENBURG
This morning's drive takes you into Germany and on to Boppard, your departure point for a cruise on the loveliest stretch of the Rhine River. After docking in Bacharach, you will continue to Ladenburg for the overnight.
DAY 12 - HEIDELBERG, LUCERNE, FURIGEN
Today you'll transfer to nearby Heidelberg to visit Heidelberg Castle. During your city tour, you'll see the Knights' Mansion, the Church of the Holy Spirit, and the Marktplatz. You'll then have free time for a bit of shopping before lunch. This afternoon's drive takes you along the foothills of the Black Forest and on to Basel, the gateway to Switzerland. After border formalities, continue to Fürigen for a two-night stay.
DAY 13 - INTERLAKEN, GRINDELWALD, FURIGEN
You're off on a most exciting excursion today. The first stop is in Interlaken. Then it's on to Grindelwald. While here you will have the opportunity to ascend to the Jungfraujoch by cog-wheel train. If you wish, you can go just halfway up to the Kleine Scheidegg. There are also many other optional excursions available, including cable car rides to one of the other mountain peaks. In the late afternoon, reboard the coach for the return drive to Fürigen.
DAY 14 - LUCERNE, ALTDORF, EINSIEDELN, SPREITENBACH
Your morning begins with a walking tour of Lucerne, which will spotlight the Lion Monument, and the two covered wooden bridges that have become a landmark of Lucerne. You'll also have some time to shop for Swiss watches, embroideries, and delicious chocolates! From here, the drive takes you to Altdorf to see the William Tell Monument. Next visit Einsiedeln, to see the beautiful church and monastery buildings. Afterwards you'll travel to Zurich for a short visit and then on to Spreitenbach, your home for the night.
DAY 15 - DEPARTURE
Transfer to the Zurich Airport for the return flights to the U.S.
