DAY 1: London - Channel crossing - Amsterdam area.
Join your tour by travelling on our free coach service from London for your Channel crossing to the Continent. Here you will be met by your tour director and touring coach to continue to the Amsterdam area for overnight.

DAY 2: Amsterdam area (included sightseeing) - Rhineland.
A morning to enjoy Holland's bustling metropolis. After your visit to a diamond cutting centre, it's time for your included sightseeing: a drive with local guide pointing out the city's highlights and finally a canal cruise. Continue to the Rhineland for overnight. (B, D)

DAY 3: Rhineland - Heidelberg - Lake Lucerne.
Today you may like to join the optional cruise along the Rhine past the Lorelei Rock. Then continue to Germany's oldest university town - Heidelberg. Head to the shores of lovely Lake Lucerne for two nights. (B, D)

DAY 4: Lucerne.
Lucerne enjoys a delightful lakeside location, nestling amid snow-capped Alps. The town visit takes in the city's trademarks - the Lion Monument and wooden bridge. Enjoy a spectacular view of the Alps on the optional cable car trip to the summit of Mount Titlis - a breathtaking sight. (B)

DAY 5: Lake Lucerne - Lugano - Verona - Venice area.
More breathtaking scenery today as you head south through Alpine scenery to the subtropical climes of the Ticino region. Stop in beautiful Lugano and then cross into Italy. Next on to Verona to see the legendary balcony of Juliet before heading to the Venice area for two nights. (B, D)

DAY 6: Venice.
Enjoy your included canal boat ride today followed by an orientation of this romantic city and a typical Venetian glass blowing demonstration. (B)

DAY 7: Venice area - Assisi - Rome.
Drive southward via the Po Delta, skirting the Adriatic coast before stopping in Assisi, St Francis' birthplace. Visit the splendid Basilica that bears his name. Later to Rome for two nights in this great capital. (B)

DAY 8: Rome. Included sightseeing.
The 'Eternal City' - a city steeped in history, vibrantly alive, exciting and absolutely unique! Included sightseeing with local guide starts in St Peter's Square, followed by a visit to the Roman Forum and the mighty Colosseum. (B)

DAY 9: Rome - Pisa - Florence area.
Northward to Pisa to see the fascinating Leaning Tower before heading to the great Renaissance city of Florence. Spend two nights in the Florence area. (B)

DAY 10: Florence. Included sightseeing.
This wonderful city will keep you enthralled for the whole day. All traffic is banned in the historic centre so visitors can wander at leisure and admire this city's timeless beauty. Enjoy the included sightseeing walking tour with local guide and visit one of Florence's bargain leather shops. (B, D)

DAY 11: Florence area - French Riviera.
Journey past the great port of Genoa to the glamorous French Riviera. Enjoy a relaxing afternoon in this lovely area. (B)

DAY 12: French Riviera - Avignon - Carcassonne.
A leisurely drive this morning to Avignon. Immaculately preserved, Avignon is enclosed by medieval walls and boasts a host of fascinating sights including the famous Papal Palace. Continue to Carcassonne for overnight. (B, D)

DAY 13: Carcassonne - Barcelona.
Time this morning to become better acquainted with impressive Carcassonne, one of the best examples of a medieval fortified town. Then through endless vineyards, past picturesque fishing ports of the Languedoc-Roussillon region to Spain and Barcelona for two nights. (B)

DAY 14: Barcelona. Included sightseeing.
This morning's sightseeing with local guide will include a drive around Montjuic to see the Olympic Stadium and a great panoramic view of the port and city. The drive continues to the city center to Plaza Catalunya and Paseo de Gracia to admire the greatness and eccentricity of Gaudi's architectural masterpieces in the Houses Batllo and Mila and the Sagrada Familia (entrance fees not included). (B)

DAY 15: Barcelona - Madrid.
See more of Catalonia as you drive northwest via Zaragoza through the very heart of Spain to reach Madrid for two nights. (B)

DAY 16: Madrid. Included sightseeing.
Just one day to discover Madrid and it's certainly worth making the most of it by taking advantage of the included city sightseeing with a local guide. (B)

DAY 17: Madrid - Burgos - Bilbao.
Start the day by climbing the Somosierra Pass before stopping in Burgos. Then through Basque country to Bilbao where you will stay overnight. (B, D)

DAY 18: Bilbao - Bordeaux - Poitiers.
Across the flat plains of the Landes to Bordeaux, the wine capital of France, for an orientation. Then on to historic Poitiers, for overnight. (B, D)

DAY 19: Poitiers - Orléans - Paris.
Head north and enjoy a scenic drive along the shores of the river Loire dotted with some of France's most famous castles. Stop in Orléans to see the statue of Joan of Arc before reaching Paris in time to enjoy the optional cabaret show. Enjoy two nights in this fascinating city. (B)

DAY 20: Paris. Included sightseeing.
Enjoy this exciting and beautiful city. Sightseeing with a local guide in Paris includes many of the best-known Parisian sights: La Sorbonne, Boulevard St Germain, Eiffel Tower, Opéra, Champs Elysées and the Rue de Rivoli. (B)

DAY 21: Paris - Channel crossing - London.
Travel northward to the Channel port where your tour ends. After the short Channel crossing join our coach service to London with special memories of a wonderful holiday in Europe. (B)