BEST OF EUROPE 17 NIGHTS / 18 DAYS

DAY 1 ARRIVE IN LONDON, ENGLAND
Check into your hotel. In the afternoon, you may want to start exploring the lively British capital. Uniformed hosts and the CosmosGO app are available to help you make the most of your stay.

DAY 2 LONDON
A full day to savor a variety of optional activities: take a panoramic tour of London’s landmarks, visit the Tower of London, or choose an excursion to Windsor Castle. Tonight, we recommend our optional Taste of London excursion with dinner, followed by a guided illumination cruise on the Thames River.

DAY 3 LONDON–BRUSSELS–AMSTERDAM AREA, HOLLAND
Transfer to the railway station and board the Eurostar train to Brussels with your Tour Director. Take a seat on your luxury motorcoach for the drive to the Amsterdam area.
Today’s Distance: 323 mi/ 520 km

DAY 4 AMSTERDAM AREA–WIESBADEN, GERMANY
Today, enjoy sightseeing in Amsterdam with a Local Guide pointing out the city highlights, followed by an included canal cruise to see the city from water level, then stop to watch the cutting and polishing of precious stones at a diamond center. This afternoon, continue your journey to Wiesbaden.
Today’s Distance: 258 mi/ 415 km

DAY 5 WIESBADEN–HEIDELBERG–LUCERNE AREA, SWITZERLAND
Drive through the picturesque Rhineland and enjoy splendid scenery as you skirt the Rhine river. Next, drive into Germany’s oldest university town, Heidelberg, nicely located at the confluence of the Neckar and Rhine Rivers, for a short visit. Continue to the Lucerne area.
Today’s Distance: 270 mi/ 435 km

DAY 6 LUCERNE AREA
Lucerne is nestled amid its snowcapped Alps, surrounded by its lake, and graced by the clear mountain waters of the Reuss River. Your orientation includes the Lion monument, erected in memory of the 800 Swiss Guards who defended Louis XVI and his wife; and the wooden Chapel bridge. A grand selection of optional activities completes the day: a spectacular ride on the “cabrio” cable-car to the summit of Mount Stanserhorn; a cruise on the fjord-like lake; and, of course, time to shop for an authentic Swiss watch

DAY 7 LUCERNE AREA–VERONA, ITALY–VENICE AREA
More wonderful alpine scenery as you drive into the mountain ranges that surround the massive St. Gotthard Pass. Continue to the warmer and sunnier ambiance of Canton Ticino, then cross into Italy and drive across the Po Valley to Verona, medieval setting of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. Stroll around the picturesque market square (Piazza delle Erbe) and the cobblestone streets. Tonight, overnight in the Venice area.
Today’s Distance: 367 mi/ 590 km

DAY 8 VENICE AREA
Venice is more like a marvelous film set than a real-life city, with its crisscrossing canals, gondolas and water buses, arched bridges, palaces, and busy little piazzas (plazas). Your included orientation starts with a boat ride to St. Mark’s Square and is followed by free time to soak up the city’s unique atmosphere and a chance to visit a glassblowing workshop. Don’t miss out on the optional gondola trip, gliding along the picturesque canals with a local troubadour to serenade you.

DAY 9 VENICE AREA–ASSISI–ROME
An interesting drive southward, crossing the rolling Apennines. Stop in medieval Assisi, where St. Francis was born in 1182, and visit the world-famous St. Francis Basilica with its beautiful frescoes by Giotto. Then, head for Rome.
Today’s Distance: 345 mi/ 555 km

DAY 10 ROME
The “Eternal City” is steeped in history, vibrantly alive and exciting, and absolutely unique! Start the included introduction to Rome’s landmarks from St. Peter’s Square with a Local Guide. Enjoy a drive along the iconic landmarks of the city: the Tiber River, the Caius Cestius Pyramid, the Aurelian Walls and the Caracalla Baths. Complete the experience with a walk back in time from the Circus Maximus to the Arch of Constantine and to the fascinating Colosseum, symbol of the Roman Empire

DAY 11 ROME–POMPEII–SORRENTO AREA
This morning you have an opportunity to visit the treasures of the Vatican Museum and the Sistine Chapel on our optional excursion. Later, travel south all the way today, with the Vesuvius volcano in the distance. Visit Pompeii, where time stopped in 79 AD when the Vesuvius eruption totally buried it. On your included visit to the archaeological site, see the luxurious villas, temples, theater, and forum. Just a few more miles to reach the lively Sorrento area.
Today’s Distance: 205 mi/ 330 km

DAY 12 SORRENTO AREA. EXCURSION TO CAPRI
Cross the blue sea for a full-day excursion to the legendary island of Capri. Surrounded by rose-tinted rocks, Capri has incredibly beautiful coves of translucent blues and greens. The town, with its pretty piazzetta, maze of streets, fashionable boutiques, and cozy restaurants, is a mecca for the jet set. An optional tour takes you around the island with its steep roads and panoramic views.

DAY 13 SORRENTO AREA–FLORENCE
An early journey north to Florence. Vistas of rolling hills, austere rows of cypress trees, terraced vineyards, olive groves, and rural villages form the backdrop of your journey through beautiful Tuscany. Arrive in Florence in the afternoon in time to enjoy its magnificent architectural and artistic treasures; the included walking tour with a Local Guide shows the highlights.
Today’s Distance: 320 mi/ 515 km

DAY 14 FLORENCE–PISA–ÈZE, FRANCE–FRENCH RIVIERA
Stop in Pisa, where you hop on a mini train to reach the Square of Miracles to see the famous Leaning Tower. Bypassing the great port of Genoa, drive northwest for glimpses of the Italian and French Rivieras. Visit a typical Provence perfume workshop in Èze and later reach the shores of the charming Côte d’Azur.
Today’s Distance: 273 mi/ 440 km

DAY 15 FRENCH RIVIERA–SAINT-ANDRÉ-LES-ALPES–ROUTE NAPOLEON–GRENOBLE
Taking the Route Napoleon, follow in the footsteps of the French leader as he escaped from exile in Elba. Stop for some crispy fresh air in Saint André Les Alpes before reaching Grenoble—an alpine sports mecca and site of the 1968 Winter Olympic Games.
Today’s Distance: 277 mi/ 445 km

DAY 16 GRENOBLE–BEAUNE–PARIS
Enjoy the very heart of the Burgundy wine-growing region, making a stop in lovely Beaune, surrounded by some of the world’s finest vineyards. Continue northward to the exciting city of Paris, capital of France.
Today’s Distance: 385 mi/ 620 km

DAY 17 PARIS
Paris is a world-class city with more familiar landmarks than almost any other city in the world. This morning, see the main sights during the included city tour with a Local Guide. In the afternoon, a chance to feel like a French aristocrat as you join the optional walking tour through the immense Palace of Versailles. This evening, why not join an optional dinner?

DAY 18 PARIS
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.