18 Days Europe tour package

Transcription

1 18 Days Europe tour package SWITZERLAND ITALY THE VATICAN CITY FRENCH RIVIERA GERMANY CZECH REPUBLIC SLOVAKIA HUNGARY AUSTRIA SWITZERLAND Package included: 15 nights Accommodation in a comfortable three-star hotel, twin room with private facilities. Daily continental breakfast (for all other meals, we offer assistance with reservations and directions to local restaurants/cafés). The services of an experienced tour manager. Sightseeing and orientation tours included in the itinerary - expertly planned to maximise your time and to visit iconic and must-see sites in each city. Daily transportation on modern air-conditioned coaches. 18 days Travel insurance cover* *For all travelers under 70 years old, existing medical conditions not covered Package excluded: Optional activities, city taxes, single room supplement (AU 900) Tipping collected in Europe Euro 5 per person per day Departure: Every Thursday from Melbourne/Sydney/Adelaide/Brisbane/Perth Flight*: Emirates/Qatar airways/air China/China Southern airlines/malaysia airlines/singapore airlines/finnair/thai airways and more *subject to availability High Season Surcharge: $400 per person high season surcharge will apply on Australia public holidays/school holidays/long weekends, subject to availability Optional add-on: At a cost of AU 300 per person to stay behind to explore Europe more

2 Itinerary Day 1:Thursday Flight heading to tour start country - Paris Day 2: Friday PARIS Welcome to Europe! Our friendly staff will warmly greet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel. Here you can rest up for the upcoming tour days ahead or you can explore the city at your own leisure. Free airport transfer between 7:00am to 10:00pm. Day 3: Saturday PARIS LUCERNE Say good-bye to Paris as your journey will start through the French countryside to mountainous Switzerland. You will meet Basel, which is located at the point where the Swiss, French and German borders meet, travel along the Swiss Alps then arrive the lakeside city of Lucerne. Get your camera to capture the famous landmarks, including Chapel Bridge, the Water Tower, Baroque and Gothic architecture, followed by leisure time to shop or take pictures. (B) Day 4: Sunday ZURICH RHEIN FALLS TITISEE FRANKFURT After breakfast, your adventure will be started in Zurich, a city with a reputation as a leading global financial centre. You will be stopped by the impressive Lake Zurich, the Europe s biggest waterfall-rhine Falls. Next you ll travel to Germany and the Black Forest, the ancient fir-covered mountain range which is famous for its creepy folklore and mythical tales. Take a break at one if the many lakeside cafes, enjoy the appetising Black Forest Cherry Gateaux. What is next? Souvenirs time! Cuckoo clocks are very famous in Titisee as its origin. Here is an ideal place to opt a few souvenirs from the local shops, as well as to watch a demonstration of how the remarkable mechanisms work. Tonight you will be staying overnight in Frankfurt. (B) Day5: Monday FRANKFURT PRAGUE After boarding the luxury coach in Frankfurt, relax and enjoy a scenic ride through the classic German countryside towards the Czech Republic. Prague is a beautiful city, boasting elaborate baroque, gothic, art nouveau and cubist architecture. You will arrive in the evening, ready to discover this charming capital city with its fairy-tale architecture, the following morning. (B) Day 6: Tuesday PRAGUE BRATISLAVA Step the Royal Route with a spectacular walk, following the traditional coronation path of the kings and queens of old Bohemia. You ll start from the top of Castle Hill in the Hradcany district, famous for its views over the redroofed old city, and then tour Prague Castle. The castle has been the historic seat of Bohemia royalty since the 9th century, as well as home to the nation s presidents in recent times. Next you will head off around the imposing gothic St. Vitus Cathedral and the Old Royal Palace, and along Golden Lane, an antique thoroughfare lined with full of traditional buildings. Later you will promenade across the iconic Charles Bridge, which arches gracefully over the Vltava, and on through the winding alleys to the Old Town Square, where you can see the City Hall and one of Prague s most well-known sights, the Astronomical Clock. After lunch in the square, you ll continue the trip from Prague to the Slovakian capital, Bratislava home to another glorious Old Town. Experience the rich history and grandeur of the heart of traditional Bratislava, taking a short walking tour around the Town Hall, St. Martin s Cathedral and the Slovak National Theatre. (B)

3 Day 7: Wednesday BRATISLAVA BUDAPEST After breakfast, start the trip from Budapast the capital city of Hungary, is known as the Pearl of the Danube, and is essentially two different cities joined together: Buda on the west of the river, Pest on the east, each with its own distinct characteristics. One of the best ways of seeing this unique location is by taking a river cruise, which many people choose to do. Take a break and lunch at Buda Palace, and then have a chance to look at the exhibitions in the Budapest History Museum and Hungarian National Gallery, or do a spot of souvenir shopping. Besides you ll explore both sides of the city on a cultural and historic tour. Highlights on the Buda side of the Danube include the towered terrace of Fisherman s Bastion, the medieval Matthias Church and a walk up to the summit of Gellért Hill for panoramic views. While over in Pest the sights include the expansive Heroes Square and Hungary's dramatic riverside Parliament Building. In the evening, you can choose to have an optional dinner in the heart of Budapest, where you can sample traditional dishes such as goose liver, goulash, duck leg and local wine, come with Hungarian folkdance and music. This is the best way your day 7 round off. (B) Day 8: Thursday BUDAPEST VIENNA Moving on to another of Europe s grand capitals, Vienna, where you ll get to explore the Austrian city s brilliant palaces, eye catching churches and prestigious art museums. Discover the Schönbrunn Palace, the Rococo-style summer residence of the Habsburg dynasty, rulers of Europe and the Church for many decades. Take a break and lunch in the refined site; you will then riding past many grand, famous buildings, they are the City Hall, the Austrian Parliament, Hofburg Palace and Heroes Square. Your journey will past the statue of one of Austria s most famous sons, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. You will have leisure time for shopping before the visit of the key Vienna building Wiener Staatsoper (opera house). In the evening, dinner in the heart of the city or visit St. Stephen's Cathedral, following by taking a promenade in Stadtpark, is known for its range of sculptures, including the well-known gilded bronze statue of Johann Strauss II. Today will be completed by optional Viennese waltz concert, which will allow you the unforgettable experience of hearing the music of Mozart and Strauss in the place where it was created. (B) Day 9: Friday VIENNA SALZBURG MUNICH Time to say good-bye to Vienna, start a new page in Salzburg. It s on the list of UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, is characterized by plentiful baroque buildings, and is one of the most picturesque places in Europe. Salzburg is also well-known for its musical heritage, being both the Mozart s birthplace, and also connected with hit musical The Sound of Music. You ll get the chance to see from the outside the house where Mozart was born, explore the city further at your own time and also have lunch in Salzburg, before heading across the German border to Munich in the afternoon the next eye-catching trip is coming. (B) Day 10: Saturday MUNICH MT. TITLIS LUCERNE ZURICH You'll leave the big cities behind on Saturday morning and head for one of the world's most famous mountain ranges - the Swiss Alps. The first stop is Engelberg the stunning Swiss resort. From here you can pick to board a cable car that takes you to the summit of the impressive Mount Titlis. Reach the top of the year through snowcovered Mt. Titlis is by the world s first revolving cable car the Titlis Rotair, that delivers amazing views of the valleys, glaciers, lakes and forests below, and 360 vistas of the surrounding mountains. At the summit the sun terrace is the perfect place to capture and appreciate the breathtaking panoramas. You will explore the core of a glacier through the 150- metre ice cavern. March across Europe's highest suspension bridge for more phenomenal views from Mt. Titlis. Visit the lakeside after the hill top trip. Lucerne is a picturesque place of bridges and towers located in what many people believe to be the "true" Switzerland picture-postcard Mountains, lakes, cowbells, Alpine villages and meadows full of edelweiss flowers. Here you will have time to ramble through the delighting streets, and watch the well-known

4 Lion Monument, which Mark Twain was described as the most mournful and moving piece of stone in the world. Enjoy the shopping time for Swiss watches and fine chocolates as you will be heading and stay in Zurich tonight. (B) Day 11: Sunday LUCERNE MILAN VERONA VENICE After breakfast, you ll be drive toward south until reach the first stop - the world s fashion capital-milan. You will visit the historical sites, vast Gothic cathedral (Duomo) and La Scala opera house, meanwhile you will see the planet s oldest shopping mall, the 19th-century Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, where you can wander among the boutique shops and take lunch in one of the refined cafes. Most of the fine architectures are located in Italy. Verona, a city has been awarded World Heritage Site status by UNESCO because of its urban structure and architecture. Red-roofed buildings, Roman arena, which stages outdoor opera performances and music concerts to packed audiences throughout the summer. You ll also visit the residence of Verona s most famous characters: Romeo and Juliet. Inside the house is a small museum and in the courtyard is a bronze sculpture of Juliet people rub her right breast for luck. After this iconic scene, you ll head to another vintage Italian city: Venice after free time break. (B) Day 12: Monday VENICE ROME This morning is to explore a magical city, Venice. Start with a vaporetto (waterbus ride) to San Marco Island, a memorable crossing of the lagoon that brings you a real taste of the charm as you approach the dreamy spires and distinctive waterside buildings. You ll be led around some of Venice s best-known locations on the island, Piazzo with the Basilica di San Marco, a stunning piece of Byzantine architecture. You ll also visit the legendary Bridge of Sighs, it connects the old prison to the interrogation rooms in the Doge s Palace. Afterwards you ll have a chance to see some traditional Venetian craftwork which has specialized in fancy glasswares for centuries with a demonstration by Murano glassblowers; their exquisite creations make excellent souvenirs. Of course, the ultimate Venice activity is to ride through the warren of waterways on a gondola-flat-bottomed Venetian rowing boat, and for most people this optional excursion is a must. Step aboard, relax and enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime experience. If you re hungry after an activity-packed morning you can choose to fill up with an optional delicious homemade Italian spaghetti meal, before enjoying more free time in this sublime city. Arrive Rome in the evening. (B) Day 13: Tuesday ROME VATICAN FLORENCE Start your day 20 at the heart of the Italian capital - The Vatican City. Here you ll marvel at St Peter s Basilica, as a work of architecture, it is regarded as the greatest building of its age. St. Peter's is one of the four churches of Rome that hold the rank of Major Basilica, home to Pope Francis and arguably the most significant site in Christianity. The delicately classic Basilica has been present here for almost 1,700 years and contains a bewildering collection of paintings, frescoes and design crafted by some of humanity s most famous artists, which you can explore. You can opt an optional Sistine Chapel tour to view Michelangelo s famous painted ceiling. Then you ll see the famous Trevi Fountain, is the largest Baroque fountain in the city and one of the most famous fountains in the world. After lunch, take a step even further back in time as you visit Italy s unrivalled Roman relics. This afternoon you will have leisure to explore more. After the Coliseum, you will back to fourth century AD at Arch of Constantine. Before heading to Florence in the evening, you can enjoy Rome s culture or tasting the rich and creamy delights of gelato Italian ice cream. (B)

5 Day 14: Wednesday FLORENCE PISA GENOA Kick start the morning in Florence, the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance and home to some fabulous architecture and fine art. You will be ready at the Piazzale Michelangelo (Michelangelo Square), is a famous square with a magnificent panoramic view of Florence. Capture the red roofs, Arno river and ancient city walls out towards the surrounding countryside. Then you will watch a demonstration of the traditional craft of leather working at close quarters in a local workshop, why not get some souvenirs here. From now, you will be surrounding by the highlights of Florence as walking tour will let you step in the Ponte Vecchio over the Arno, the Piazza del Duomo and Campanile Tower. You ll also pass the Uffizi Gallery, which contains one of the most notable art collections in Florence. Take a break, enjoy the atmosphere or drop by the streetside cafes after. After replenish the energy, your next destination is Pisa. Feel free, but be sure to have your camera ready to get a shot of the iconic Leaning Tower, the famous bell tower in the Square of Miracles, which also contains the centuries-old cathedral and baptistry. (B) Day 15: Thursday GENOA Monte-Carlo NICE CANNES AVIGNON The coach is ready for the Mediterranean coastline route. We are almost Monaco. It is a sovereign city-state and microstate, located on the French Riviera in Western Europe. It contains some big attractions and high rollers: look out for the famous Monte-Carlo casino as you cruise into town. Soak up the refined atmosphere by a walking sightseeing tour at the grand Prince s Palace, viewing the 1920s Courthouse, the cliffside Oceanographic Museum, and the cathedral, where Grace Kelly is buried. We then visit the famous Fragonard Perfume Factory and you ll be taken on a fascinating guided tour around this working factory. Following by Nice where you ll stop for lunch break to enjoy the local cuisine. You will be transferred to Cannes, where many a movie star has enjoyed the sweet smell of success. Don t miss the snapshot point Palais des Festival, home to the city s annual international film festival. Lastly your day will round off in Avignon. (B) Day 16: Friday AVIGNON PARIS You might start missing home, but be sure fill up your memorable experience by enjoying great views of the changing rural charms of the French countryside as coach drives you toward north back to Paris, where the tour finishes. (B) Day 17:Saturday PARIS (B) After breakfast, it is time to say goodbye. You will be transferred to the airport to catch your flight home or the connecting flight for your next trip. (B) Day 18: Sunday Arrive home with full of joyful memories of tour

6 OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES PRICE LIST SWITZERLAND ITALY THE VATICAN CITY FRENCH RIVIERA Coliseum tickets (Rome) 12 Coliseum tickets with audio guide (Rome) Sistine Chapel Tour with Audio Guide also includes The Vatican and St. Peters (Rome) 50 Gondola ride in Venice (based on 6 people per Gondola) 30 Italian Home Made Spaghetti Lunch (Venice) 20 ITALY AND MONTE CARLO CITY TAXES AND FEES (TOTAL Price 45)MUST BE PAID PRIOR TO ENTERING THE CITY Venice City entrance + Boat trip + Overnight City tax 15 Florence City entrance + Overnight City tax 10 Rome City entrance + Overnight City tax 10 Pisa City entrance 5 Monte Carlo City entrance 5 CZECH REPUBLIC VIENNA HUNGARY - AUSTRIA Budapest Danube River Cruise 15 Schönbrunn Palace Fisherman s Bastion 2.50 Matthias Church 3.50 Golden Lane (entrance to Palace, Cathedral and Golden Lane) 13 Viennese Waltz Concert + Transfer 50 (starting from) Mount Titlis Cable Car 80 Hungary Folklore Show + Dinner 50 Capital of Liechtenstein Vaduz 10 Pork Knuckle Menu with Beer 20 Wiener Ribs Menu 20 CZECH REPUBLIC & VIENNA CITY TAXES (TOTAL PRICE 10) MUST BE PAID PRIOR TO ENTERING THE CITIES: Czech Republic City entrance tax 5 Vienna City entrance tax 5

7