Coach Tour – European Splendor – 10N/11D

European Splendor:
11days Tour (Trafalgar)

This full path through Europe, with a focus on Italy, covers all the essentials – Rome, Pisa, Florence, Venice and Paris – as well as taking you off track Siena’s hidden history.
You’ll enjoy Insider moments like…strolling with a local who knows Florence’s cobbled streets inside-out, and points out their favourite places as they unveil the story of the Medici family, who found fame and fortune here.

Day 1 : ARRIVE ROME (2 NIGHTS)
Welcome to Rome, the Eternal City. Relax after your journey. In the evening enjoy an orientation drive where you see some of the major sites before enjoying a Welcome Reception with your fellow travellers and Travel Director.
Meal(s)
Welcome Reception
Hotel : VOI Cicerone / Aran Mantegna

Day 2 : ROME SIGHTSEEING AND FREE TIME
Your sightseeing tour with a Local Specialist includes a visit to St. Peter’s Basilica. Here you will see the Pietà sculpture, one of Michelangelo’s masterpieces. View the ancient sites in Rome including the mighty Colosseum and Circus Maximus. Later spend time exploring on your own. Please note: Due to religious celebrations throughout the Holy Year of Mercy the Rome included sightseeing may be modified.
Meal(s)
Buffet Breakfast

Day 3 : ROME – SIENA – FLORENCE (2 NIGHTS)
Drive north into Tuscany. Explore Siena, a beautiful medieval town with ancient cobbled streets. View the Piazza del Campo, where the Palio horse race is held each year, and the cathedral. Shop for souvenirs including attractive pottery. At Pisa view the Leaning Tower. Later arrive in Florence, birthplace of the Renaissance, where you stay for the next two nights. This evening enjoy a Regional Meal at a Florentine trattoria.
Meal(s)
Buffet Breakfast
Regional Meal
Hotel : Cosmopolitan Concept

Day 4 : FLORENCE SIGHTSEEING AND FREE TIME
Your Local Specialist provides excellent historical commentary during your guided walking tour, which includes views of the marble Duomo and a visit to Piazza della Signoria. View the Ponte Vecchio bridge, a spectacular feat of engineering dating from the Middle Ages. Admire panoramic views of the city from Piazzale Michelangelo. Spend free time exploring museums or shop for high quality leather and gold.
Meal(s)
Buffet Breakfast

Day 5 : FLORENCE – PISA – VENICE (2 NIGHTS)
Start your day with a visit to Pisa where you will view the Leaning Tower. Cross the Apennine hills and the flat plains of the Veneto region to Venice, a Byzantine city constructed in a lagoon, with an incredibly rich cultural and artistic heritage. This evening you might like to take a gondola ride along enchanting canals – it’s the perfect introduction to this magical city. Dine tonight at your hotel.
Meal(s)
Buffet Breakfast
Dinner with wine
Hotel
NH Laguna Palace

Day 6 : VENICE ORIENTATION AND FREE TIME
Venice is a magnificent city. Cruise by private launch to St. Mark’s Square with commentary from your Travel Director. View the Palladian Churches of the Redeemer and St. George, the Doge’s Palace and the Bridge of Sighs. Admire the Basilica and the Campanile. Enjoy a Cultural Insight into the Venetian tradition of glass making on Giudecca Island. Enjoy free time or take an Optional Experience cruise across the lagoon to the island of Burano where you will enjoy a delicious traditional meal.
Meal(s)
Buffet Breakfast

Day 7 : VENICE – VERONA – LUCERNE (2 NIGHTS)
West across the Veneto plains view the Roman arena and Juliet’s balcony in Verona, the setting of Shakespeare’s most famous play. Pass the commercial centre Milan, and journey north to the Italian and Swiss Lake Districts via Como and Lugano. Marvel at the picturesque alpine scenery along the St. Gotthard route into central Switzerland, arriving later in Lucerne.
Meal(s)
Buffet Breakfast
Hotel : Grand Europe Authentic Accommodation

Day 8 : LUCERNE ORIENTATION AND FREE TIME
Visit the poignant Lion Monument, commemorating the heroism of the Swiss Guards during the French Revolution. See the wooden Chapel Bridge on your orientation of Lucerne. The rest of the day is yours to explore. Don’t miss the opportunity to take an exciting Optional Experience to one of the surrounding mountains with breathtaking views. Later there is time to shop for Swiss souvenirs including watches and chocolate.
Meal(s)
Buffet Breakfast
Dinner

Day 9 : LUCERNE – PARIS (2 NIGHTS)
Cross the French border past Belfort and the remains of the Maginot Line. Enjoy the scenery as you travel through the heart of the Burgundy wine producing region on the way to Paris. This evening consider going to one of the city’s most famous cabaret shows.
Meal(s)
Buffet Breakfast
Hotel : Pullman La Defense

Day 10 : PARIS SIGHTSEEING AND FREE TIME
Admire the city sights with your Local Specialist during your morning guided tour. Drive along the Champs Élysées and see the Place de la Concorde. Enjoy panoramic views of the beautiful Paris skyline from the second level of the Eiffel Tower. This evening celebrate the end of your European adventure with your Travel Director and fellow travellers at a Farewell Dinner.
Meal(s)
Buffet Breakfast
Farewell Dinner

Day 11 : PARIS – LONDON
Travel north through France past the First World War battlefields to Calais. Cross the Channel to Dover and see the famous White Cliffs. Say goodbye to your companions and Travel Director in London at the end of a memorable holiday.
Meal(s)
Buffet Breakfast

INCLUSIONS:

Sightseeing Highlights:
City tour of Rome, Florence and Paris
Orientation of Siena, Pisa, Venice and Lucerne
Visit St. Peter’s in Rome and the Eiffel Tower in Paris
View the ancient sites of Rome, Piazza del Campo in Siena, Juliet’s Balcony in Verona, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Lion Monument in Lucerne, spectacular Alpine scenery of Switzerland, the Chapel Bridge in Lucerne and the White Cliffs of Dover
See the Colosseum in Rome, Vineyards of Burgundy and the Somme Battlefields in France
Dining
10 hot buffet breakfasts.
5 dinners.

Travel Highlights:
Ferry across the Channel from Calais to Dover
Luxury air-conditioned coach with WiFi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
Hand-picked 4 and 5 star accommodation
Hand-picked Insider Experiences
Optional Experiences and free time
All porterage and restaurant gratuities
Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras
An expert Travel Director and separate Driver
All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
VIP entry to many sights
Audio Headsets for flexible sightseeing
The services of a Trafalgar Local Host if you stay at Trafalgar’s recommended London hotel.
Drop-off if you stay at the Trafalgar recommended London hotel, booked through Trafalgar, or at the London Reception Centre
London airport shuttle service available. Conditions apply
Airport Transfers

European Splendor:
11days Tour (Trafalgar)

This full path through Europe, with a focus on Italy, covers all the essentials – Rome, Pisa, Florence, Venice and Paris – as well as taking you off track Siena’s hidden history.
You’ll enjoy Insider moments like…strolling with a local who knows Florence’s cobbled streets inside-out, and points out their favourite places as they unveil the story of the Medici family, who found fame and fortune here.

Day 1 : ARRIVE ROME (2 NIGHTS)
Welcome to Rome, the Eternal City. Relax after your journey. In the evening enjoy an orientation drive where you see some of the major sites before enjoying a Welcome Reception with your fellow travellers and Travel Director.
Meal(s)
Welcome Reception
Hotel : VOI Cicerone / Aran Mantegna

Day 2 : ROME SIGHTSEEING AND FREE TIME
Your sightseeing tour with a Local Specialist includes a visit to St. Peter’s Basilica. Here you will see the Pietà sculpture, one of Michelangelo’s masterpieces. View the ancient sites in Rome including the mighty Colosseum and Circus Maximus. Later spend time exploring on your own. Please note: Due to religious celebrations throughout the Holy Year of Mercy the Rome included sightseeing may be modified.
Meal(s)
Buffet Breakfast

Day 3 : ROME – SIENA – FLORENCE (2 NIGHTS)
Drive north into Tuscany. Explore Siena, a beautiful medieval town with ancient cobbled streets. View the Piazza del Campo, where the Palio horse race is held each year, and the cathedral. Shop for souvenirs including attractive pottery. At Pisa view the Leaning Tower. Later arrive in Florence, birthplace of the Renaissance, where you stay for the next two nights. This evening enjoy a Regional Meal at a Florentine trattoria.
Meal(s)
Buffet Breakfast
Regional Meal
Hotel : Cosmopolitan Concept

Day 4 : FLORENCE SIGHTSEEING AND FREE TIME
Your Local Specialist provides excellent historical commentary during your guided walking tour, which includes views of the marble Duomo and a visit to Piazza della Signoria. View the Ponte Vecchio bridge, a spectacular feat of engineering dating from the Middle Ages. Admire panoramic views of the city from Piazzale Michelangelo. Spend free time exploring museums or shop for high quality leather and gold.
Meal(s)
Buffet Breakfast

Day 5 : FLORENCE – PISA – VENICE (2 NIGHTS)
Start your day with a visit to Pisa where you will view the Leaning Tower. Cross the Apennine hills and the flat plains of the Veneto region to Venice, a Byzantine city constructed in a lagoon, with an incredibly rich cultural and artistic heritage. This evening you might like to take a gondola ride along enchanting canals – it’s the perfect introduction to this magical city. Dine tonight at your hotel.
Meal(s)
Buffet Breakfast
Dinner with wine
Hotel
NH Laguna Palace

Day 6 : VENICE ORIENTATION AND FREE TIME
Venice is a magnificent city. Cruise by private launch to St. Mark’s Square with commentary from your Travel Director. View the Palladian Churches of the Redeemer and St. George, the Doge’s Palace and the Bridge of Sighs. Admire the Basilica and the Campanile. Enjoy a Cultural Insight into the Venetian tradition of glass making on Giudecca Island. Enjoy free time or take an Optional Experience cruise across the lagoon to the island of Burano where you will enjoy a delicious traditional meal.
Meal(s)
Buffet Breakfast

Day 7 : VENICE – VERONA – LUCERNE (2 NIGHTS)
West across the Veneto plains view the Roman arena and Juliet’s balcony in Verona, the setting of Shakespeare’s most famous play. Pass the commercial centre Milan, and journey north to the Italian and Swiss Lake Districts via Como and Lugano. Marvel at the picturesque alpine scenery along the St. Gotthard route into central Switzerland, arriving later in Lucerne.
Meal(s)
Buffet Breakfast
Hotel : Grand Europe Authentic Accommodation

Day 8 : LUCERNE ORIENTATION AND FREE TIME
Visit the poignant Lion Monument, commemorating the heroism of the Swiss Guards during the French Revolution. See the wooden Chapel Bridge on your orientation of Lucerne. The rest of the day is yours to explore. Don’t miss the opportunity to take an exciting Optional Experience to one of the surrounding mountains with breathtaking views. Later there is time to shop for Swiss souvenirs including watches and chocolate.
Meal(s)
Buffet Breakfast
Dinner

Day 9 : LUCERNE – PARIS (2 NIGHTS)
Cross the French border past Belfort and the remains of the Maginot Line. Enjoy the scenery as you travel through the heart of the Burgundy wine producing region on the way to Paris. This evening consider going to one of the city’s most famous cabaret shows.
Meal(s)
Buffet Breakfast
Hotel : Pullman La Defense

Day 10 : PARIS SIGHTSEEING AND FREE TIME
Admire the city sights with your Local Specialist during your morning guided tour. Drive along the Champs Élysées and see the Place de la Concorde. Enjoy panoramic views of the beautiful Paris skyline from the second level of the Eiffel Tower. This evening celebrate the end of your European adventure with your Travel Director and fellow travellers at a Farewell Dinner.
Meal(s)
Buffet Breakfast
Farewell Dinner

Day 11 : PARIS – LONDON
Travel north through France past the First World War battlefields to Calais. Cross the Channel to Dover and see the famous White Cliffs. Say goodbye to your companions and Travel Director in London at the end of a memorable holiday.
Meal(s)
Buffet Breakfast

INCLUSIONS:

Sightseeing Highlights:
City tour of Rome, Florence and Paris
Orientation of Siena, Pisa, Venice and Lucerne
Visit St. Peter’s in Rome and the Eiffel Tower in Paris
View the ancient sites of Rome, Piazza del Campo in Siena, Juliet’s Balcony in Verona, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Lion Monument in Lucerne, spectacular Alpine scenery of Switzerland, the Chapel Bridge in Lucerne and the White Cliffs of Dover
See the Colosseum in Rome, Vineyards of Burgundy and the Somme Battlefields in France
Dining
10 hot buffet breakfasts.
5 dinners.

Travel Highlights:
Ferry across the Channel from Calais to Dover
Luxury air-conditioned coach with WiFi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
Hand-picked 4 and 5 star accommodation
Hand-picked Insider Experiences
Optional Experiences and free time
All porterage and restaurant gratuities
Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras
An expert Travel Director and separate Driver
All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
VIP entry to many sights
Audio Headsets for flexible sightseeing
The services of a Trafalgar Local Host if you stay at Trafalgar’s recommended London hotel.
Drop-off if you stay at the Trafalgar recommended London hotel, booked through Trafalgar, or at the London Reception Centre
London airport shuttle service available. Conditions apply
Airport Transfers