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Heathrow Airport, United Kingdom
Welcome to England! Upon arrival, make your own way to your hotel to check in and relax for the rest of the day.
Note: Due to flight times and scheduling, you are likely to depart Australia on Day 0. Final documents will confirm travel timings.
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London, United Kingdom
After a relaxed start to the day, join your Tour Leader and group for an orientation tour of Greenwich and cruise along the River Thames. Look out for London’s most famous sights including Tower Bridge and Big Ben. Enjoy the afternoon to explore London on your own or join an optional walking tour (at your own expense) featuring the Highlights of Westminster. Meet up with your fellow travellers in the evening for a group dinner at a traditional local pub.
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Paris, France
Depart London after breakfast this morning, cross the English Channel en route to Paris, ‘The City of Lights and Love’. Enjoy a driving tour of the French capital, passing many of the city’s most treasured landmarks, including the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame and the Arc de Triomphe. After the city tour, enjoy dinner at a restaurant in the famously electric and historic Latin Quarter. Then travel back to the hotel, experiencing Paris’ world-famous metro system.
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Paris, France
Enjoy a full day in Paris today, free to explore however you choose. Follow the Seine River from neighbourhood to neighbourhood as it flows through the heart of the city. Or choose an optional river cruise (at your own expense) to float past the grandeur of the Louvre and Grand Palais, see Notre Dame Cathedral and the epic Eiffel Tower. Famous architecture and legendary landmarks are scattered throughout the compact city, along with elegant shops and sophisticated cafes. Your Tour Leader will have plenty of ideas and local knowledge, including recommendations of special places to eat and drink.
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Burgundy, France
After breakfast this morning, depart Paris and travel south to Beaune, in the beautiful Burgundy region. After time to explore the town and enjoy a local lunch and wine (not included), take the stunningly scenic drive east across France into Switzerland. Admire the alpine forests, beautiful lakes and dramatic mountains! Arrive in the Swiss Alps - home for the next two days
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Swiss Alps, Switzerland
Enjoy a full day of free time in Switzerland’s wonderful Alps. Spend your free day wandering and breathing in that crisp, fresh, Alpine air. Explore the local town, enjoy sight-seeing, souvenir shopping and don’t miss your chance to indulge in Swiss chocolate! Optionally, your tour leader can arrange a full day excursion (at your own expense) to the summit of Jungfraujoch, with its year-round snow-covered peak. The cable car journey up the mountain is a highlight, providing panoramic views of mountains, lakes and glaciers.
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Pisa, Italy
Leave the mountains after early breakfast this morning, as the coach travels south out of Switzerland and into Italy. Stop for the quintessential European photo opportunity at the Leaning Tower of Pisa! The world-famous 840-year-old bell tower is immaculately presented and one of the most popular cultural European landmarks. Next, continue onwards to the exquisite Tuscan region - famous for its rolling hills, wine, food, and medieval towns. Time for a local vino or two!
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Florence, Italy
After the short drive into Florence this morning, explore the stunning Renaissance city with your Tour Leader on an orientation tour before enjoying some free time to explore this enchanting city on your own. Then, continue through the Italian countryside to incredible Rome, the 2,300-year-old capital of Italy. Explore the heart of the city on your own before joining back up with the group for a relaxed included dinner.
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Rome, Italy
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Metropolitan City of Venice, Italy
Rome city makes way for scenery as the coach travels to Venice. See vineyards, orchards and majestic mountains pass by from your vantage point. On arrival in Venice, your tour leader will introduce the city with an orientation walk. See world-famous St Mark's Square, Grand Canal and Rialto Bridge. The evening is free, with hundreds of local restaurants and bars to discover in winding alleys and hidden piazzas. Consider exploring Venice the traditional way – from the canals. Your tour leader can arrange for gondola and water taxi rides for a canal-based perspective of the beautiful palaces, villas and bridges that comprise this very special city.
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Innsbruck, Austria
After breakfast this morning, set off from Venice for another remarkable journey through some of Europe’s finest scenery. Travel via the Brenner pass and stop in the city of Innsbruck, in the Tyrol region of Austria. An orientation tour in Munich will introduce you to the famous Karlsplatz and Marienplatz as well as provide an insight into some of the region’s rich history. Dinner tonight will be enjoyed together at a traditional German beer hall- “prost!”.
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Rhine River, Germany
Leaving Munich, head to one of the most picturesque areas of Germany along the Rhine River. Enjoy an included lunch and free time to soak up the views and shop for handcrafted souvenirs. Next up, take a stunning cruise along the Rhine River. This part of the valley is home to the most concentrated stretch of castles in Europe! Take in the views of the striking cliffs, medieval castles and historic vineyards along the riverbanks. Afterwards, sample some of the excellent wine varieties of the region with an included tasting experience.
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Amsterdam, Netherlands
On arrival into Amsterdam, get acquainted with sightseeing highlights from the water and learn more about this historic city as you cruise along the canals. The rest of the day is free to wander the streets of Amsterdam at your leisure; explore colourful neighbourhoods, sample local food & beers or visit some of the city’s world-famous museums; including the Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh Museum. Complete your Dutch adventure by joining the final included group dinner this evening in Amsterdam.
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Bruges, Belgium
Say farewell to Amsterdam and head to the medieval city of Bruges, in Belgium. Enjoy free time to stroll along cobblestone streets, admire historic buildings, stock up on Belgian chocolate or sample a Belgian waffle. After Bruges, it’s time to complete the last leg of the journey back to London. Arrive back in London towards the end of the day.
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London, United Kingdom
End of Guided Trip
Check into Stay at Grand Plaza Serviced Apartments
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London, United Kingdom
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London, United Kingdom
INCLUDES
Entry to Stonehenge
Panoramic tour of the Georgian city of Bath and Entry to the delightful Georgian Pump Room
Professional Guide
Transportation by Luxury Air-Conditioned Coach with Free Wi-Fi on board
DESCRIPTION
Windsor Castle:
Over 900 years of royal history are waiting for you in Windsor Castle, which is perched high above the River Thames just outside of London. From William the Conqueror in the 11th century, 40 successive monarchs have lived here and left their mark on what is now the largest continuously occupied castle in the world. We shall be amongst the first people to enter Windsor Castle, so you can see for yourself the splendour of St. George's chapel and the sumptuous state apartments. Windsor itself is a pretty town full of traditional shops and historic pubs. Shakespeare is said to have written his play The Merry Wives of Windsor in one of them!
Bath:
Bath, another world heritage site. Bath is a beautiful Georgian city with delightful crescents, terraces and architecture. Following our panoramic tour of the city, there will be time to visit Bath Abbey and Pulteney Bridge overlooking the river Avon cascading over the weir. And you can shop, explore or take afternoon tea in the Pump Rooms while listening to the string quartet.
Why not upgrade to visit The Roman Baths?
The Roman Baths - The Roman Baths were built nearly 2,000 years ago. Built on Britain's only natural hot water spring lies the magnificent Roman public bath complex and Roman temple. At the heart of the World Heritage Site, you can walk around the steaming pool on the Roman stone paving and admire the ancient Roman statues and architecture. (Entry to Roman Baths included if upgrade option selected)
Stonehenge:
Stonehenge is the most famous prehistoric monument in the world and is a world heritage site. Stonehenge stands alone in the vast empty plain of Salisbury. Its origins date back nearly 5,000 years and it has been home to pagan religion and spiritual worship. What was this vast collection of stones intended for? Was it an observatory of the moon, a temple to the sun, or an elaborate cemetery? Who were the people who carved these 40-ton rocks? Come and unlock the secrets for yourself and marvel at this remarkable and mysterious feat of ancient engineering and design.
Returns to London at approximately 20:30.