Transportation
Scheduled transatlantic flights and airport transfers in London and Paris if Cosmos issues the air tickets. Round-trip transportation between London and the Channel ports; on the Continent, private first-class air-conditioned motorcoach. Cross-Channel ferry; canal transfer boat in Venice
Guides
Host service in London. Local Guides for city sightseeing in Amsterdam, Florence, Paris. Professional Tour Director while touring
Hotels
London
Kensington Close (ST),
Amsterdam Area
NH Airport (F) at Schipol,
Rhineland
Zum Anker (ST) at Andernach,
Munich
Tryp (F),
Venice Area
Poppi (F) at Mira,
Florence
Area Europa (ST) at Signa,
Lake Lucerne
Pilatusblick (ST) at Kriens,
Paris
Campanile Porte d’apos Italie (ST),
London
Novotel London West (F)
Meals
Buffet breakfasts (B); 5 dinners (D); 1 lunch (L)
Day 1:BOARD YOUR OVERNIGHT TRANSATLANTIC FLIGHT.
Day 2:ARRIVE IN
LONDON, ENGLAND. Check into your hotel. 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 board your ferry for the Continent. Here you meet your Tour Director and join your luxury coach for the drive to the Amsterdam area. (B)
Day 5:AMSTERDAM AREA–RHINELAND, GERMANY. A morning to enjoy Holland’s busy metropolis. After an interesting visit to a famous diamond center, it’s time for sightseeing with a Local Guide pointing out the city highlights. Finally, a canal cruise to see Amsterdam from water level. In the afternoon, travel southwards to reach the Rhineland for an overnight. (B,D)
Day 6:RHINELAND–ROMANTIC ROAD–MUNICH. Start the day with a scenic drive along the shores of the Rhine or opt for a Rhine cruise. Admire the pretty villages, the castles perched high above the river, and the numerous terraced vineyards. Next, a drive along the Romantic Road, through towns and villages protected by medieval towergates and battlements, with squares of half-timbered houses and richly decorated fountains. A fine example of this architecture is the center of Rothenburg, where you stop awhile. Overnight in Munich. (B)
Day 7:MUNICH–OBERAMMERGAU. Travel to Oberammergau, the Passion Play village in the Bavarian Alps. The afternoon and evening are devoted to the Passion Play.(B,L,D)
Day 8:OBERAMMERGAU–INNSBRUCK, AUSTRIA–VENICE AREA, ITALY. (B,D)
Day 9:VENICE–FLORENCE AREA.The included orientation tour starts with a boat ride and is followed by a chance to watch Venetian glassblowers fashion their delicate objects as they did centuries ago. Then, southwards into the hilly Tuscan countryside to reach the Florence area for two overnights. (B)
Day 10:FLORENCE AREA. This Renaissance gem and city of the Medicis will keep you enthralled all 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 11:FLORENCE AREA–LUGANO, SWITZERLAND–LAKE LUCERNE. Across the Lombardy plains this morning to Canton Ticino’s subtropical resort of Lugano. Here you take a break to stroll along the lakeside promenade before your motorcoach climbs towards the St. Gotthard Tunnel. Emerge on the German-speaking side of Switzerland, then descend into the gentle landscape around Lake Lucerne. (B,D)
Day 12:LAKE LUCERNE–PARIS, FRANCE. This morning, visit the Lion Monument and the wooden bridge before joining an optional boat trip. Then, vistas of green pastures and attractive chalets with rustic timbering and luxuriant flowers. Enter France via the comfortable highway, past some of its most famous vineyards, to Paris. Arrive in time to enjoy an optional cabaret show. (B)
Day 13:PARIS. Included sightseeing with a local expert of many of the best-known Parisian sights: La Sorbonne, Arc de Triomphe, Opéra, Madeleine, the Eiffel Tower, the Pyramid near the Louvre, the Invalides, and Champs Elysées. Optional excursions are also available to visit some of the highlights and, to celebrate the success of your tour, a French farewell dinner might be just the ticket. (B)
Day 14:Sun. YOUR HOMEBOUND FLIGHT ARRIVES THE SAME DAY. (B)