Essential Europe (HF) - 2013 / 2014

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11 days from Rome to London


Essential Europe
Visit the great Colosseum in Rome
Visit the great Colosseum in Rome
Venice is world-famous for its canals
The iconic Chapel Bridge in Lucerne is the oldest wooden bridge in Europe
The Roman Forum
Pageantry of the Changing of the Guard
Piazza San Marco in Venice, Italy
Visit Paris’s famed Eiffel Tower
Buckingham Palace in London
Roman Forum

Optional Excursions

Roman Highlights
Enjoy a guided stroll through the historical center of Rome. Your Tour Director will propose a tailor-made itinerary featuring some of the city's authentic jewels. For instance: Trastevere and its Basilica of Santa Maria, or the baroque district with Campo de' Fiori, the Pantheon, San Luigi dei Francesi, famed Piazza Navona, Via dei Condotti, Piazza del Popolo with its church of Santa Maria del Popolo, and displays of Caravaggio paintings.
Approximate value: €38 EUR per person


Roman Highlights & Dinner
A guided stroll through the historical center of Rome. Your Tour Director will propose a tailor-made itinerary featuring some of the city's authentic jewels. For instance, Trastevere and its Basilica of Santa Maria, the baroque district, Campo de' Fiori, the Pantheon, San Luigi dei Francesi, famous Piazza Navona, Via dei Condotti, and Piazza del Popolo with its church of Santa Maria del Popolo and displays of Caravaggio paintings. After your walk, relax and enjoy a 4-course dinner, including drinks, at a popular Roman restaurant.
Approximate value: €65 EUR per person


Gondola Serenade
Enjoy a ride in a traditional gondola, gliding through centuries-old canals, under famous arched bridges, past lavish palaces and quaint piazzas. These long, narrow, flat-bottomed boats with a high prow and stern were designed specifically for the Venetian canals and made in unique shipyards called Squero. Black is the obligatory color, due to a law passed to reduce how the rich and noble over-decorated their personal craft. The comb at the front of the gondola is made of iron and serves not only to balance the boat, but is also the symbol of gondolas and Venice. The six comb teeth represent the six Venetian districts-i sestieri.
Approximate value: €38 EUR per person


Mount Pilatus
Journey almost 7,000 feet (2,132m) up - via the world's steepest cogwheel railway (with an inclination of 48 degrees), the silent aerial tramway and the panoramic gondola for spectacular views over central Switzerland. The Mount Pilatus mountain range was first inhabited by Celtic herdsmen and later became well-known to travelers worldwide when completion of the Gotthard Route made the area more accessible. The rugged cliffs above Lucerne have been cloaked in myth and legend since the middle Ages when it was believed a dragon with healing powers and spirits inhabited the rocky crevices. It has also been said the restless ghost of a Roman governor once found lasting peace in Lake Pilatus and for a long time it was forbidden to climb the mountain should they disturb Pontius Pilate. See why composer Richard Wagner, Queen Victoria (on horseback), King Don Carlos of Spain, Antarctic explorer Lincoln Ellsworth, Vladimir Lenin, leader of the Russian Revolution, and others who have reached the top, have been awed by the imposing Alpine panorama.
Approximate value: €58 EUR per person


One Hour Cruise on Lake Lucerne
Board your private motorboat for an enchanting and relaxing one-hour cruise on glassy Lake Lucerne, also known as the Vierwaldstattersee (Lake of the Four Forest Cantons). Marvel at the spectacular mountain scenery and admire fjords, bays, and rolling meadows.
Approximate value: €31 EUR per person


Dinner and Show at Moulin Rouge
Enjoy an unforgettable evening at the world-renowned Moulin Rouge, home of the French Can Can for more than a century. Dinner with half a bottle of wine is served during the show and a glass of champagne completes your evening in style.
Approximate value: €164 EUR per person


Dinner Party and Illumination Drive
A perfect introduction to Paris! After a full-course dinner with choices of typical French dishes, drinks included, your tour director will show you the "City of Light."
Approximate value: €66 EUR per person


Excursion to Montmartre
Leaving from Pigalle take a little train for an enjoyable ride up to Montmartre, the most artistic and picturesque district in Paris, with its impressive landmark white-domed Basilica of Sacre-Coeur built in the late 19th century in Byzantine style. Admire the surprising view over the rooftops of Paris and walk around Montmartre's narrow streets to discover unexpected jewels like Saint Peter's Church - one of the most ancient in Paris, the Lapin Agile - the oldest of Montmartre's cabarets, the Bateau Lavoir - where Picasso created cubism, and the grocery store featured in the movie "Amelie". Soak up the atmosphere of Place du Tertre and watch the portrait artists in action or even sit for one of them yourself before returning to Pigalle by funicular.
Approximate value: €29 EUR per person


Excursion to the Palace of Versailles
Travel out of Paris to the lavish 17th-century baroque Palace of Versailles, built by the Sun King, Louis XIV, with its magnificent State Apartments, Hall of Mirrors, and Royal Chapel. Your Local Guide will bring its history to life during your visit, then time at leisure to stroll through parts of the elegant 250-acre gardens. Louis XIII originally purchased Versailles and its surrounding land to serve as his hunting lodge. Later, his son, Louis XIV, decided to make it his seat of government, and in 1682, he installed his impressive court and numerous noble visitors in sumptuous surroundings, a symbol of absolute monarchy. NOTE: This excursion is not available on Mondays and public holidays.
Approximate value: €61 EUR per person


Seine Cruise and Montmartre
Discover more of beautiful Paris with a cruise on the River Seine and a visit to the artistic and picturesque district of Montmartre, famous for the white-domed Basilica of the Sacre Coeur. Enjoy free time to stroll around Place du Tertre and to watch bohemian street artists at work.
Approximate value: €37 EUR per person