DAY 1: London - Channel Crossing - Brussels.
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 our representative and transferred by touring coach to Brussels for an overnight stay.

DAY 2: Brussels - Trier - The Rhineland - Frankfurt area.
Drive south this morning into the Duchy of Luxembourg. Cross the German border and make a stop in ancient Trier before continuing through the splendid scenery of the Moselle Valley. A choice this afternoon of the included scenic drive along the shores of the Rhine or an optional Rhine cruise with vistas of the Lorelei Rock, hilltop castles, half-timbered wine villages, and terraced vineyards. Just a few more miles by coach to the Frankfurt area for an overnight stay. (B, D)

DAY 3: Frankfurt area - Nuremberg - Salzburg area.
Journey through the heart of Germany to Nuremberg, at one time Germany's most beautiful city and much later famed for the war crime trials which took place in 1945. Drive south this afternoon past Munich and across the German/Austrian border into the Salzburg area for an overnight stay. (B, D)

DAY 4: Salzburg area - Vienna.
A morning to enjoy some optional sightseeing in Salzburg, Mozart's hometown. In the afternoon journey through the Salzkammergut Lakelands of 'Sound of Music' fame, past Mondsee to follow the Danube almost all the way to Vienna for two nights. Reserve some energy for tonight's optional wine village dinner. (B)

DAY 5: Vienna. Included sightseeing.
Start the morning with an included sightseeing tour of Vienna, with local guide. You will see the State Opera, Hofburg, Parliament and the Town Hall and take a short walk for an inside visit of St. Stephen's Cathedral. In the afternoon take the optional trip to visit the Palace of Schönbrunn, one of the Hapsburg summer residences. (B)

DAY 6: Vienna - Lake Balaton - Budapest.
East today into Hungary through the historic city of Györ. Next the vast stretch of Lake Balaton unfolds as you drive through some of its summer resorts. Reach Budapest bypassing Martonvasar, where Beethoven wrote his Appassionata. Enjoy two nights in one of Eastern Europe's liveliest capitals and an optional cruise tonight on the Danube to admire the fascinating city illuminations. (B, D)

DAY 7: Budapest. Included sightseeing.
Buda Castle dominates the twin cities of Buda and Pest, linked by the broad ribbon of the Danube. Heroes' Square typifies the modern capital, while along the riverbank, as well as river boats, you will find old inns and wine cellars. The included sightseeing tour with local guide takes in Parliament, Margaret Island, Fisherman's Bastion and Matthias Coronation Church. (B)

DAY 8: Budapest - Bratislava - Prague.
Start the day by travelling into Slovakia. Once across the border stop in Bratislava, its capital, then drive north into the Czech Republic. The highway will take you through Bohemia, an enchanted land of castles, spas and picket-fenced villages. Evening arrival in Prague for two nights. (B, D)

DAY 9: Prague. Included sightseeing.
The wealth of Gothic and Baroque architecture perhaps inspired the Czech composers of Dvorak and Smetana. The included sightseeing with local guide will take in the National Theatre and the old Town Hall with the Astronomical Clock. (B, D)

DAY 10: Prague - Dresden - Berlin.
More of Bohemia as you journey towards the German frontier. Next the mountains and fortresses of the Erzgebirge range. Today's highlight is a stop in Dresden, a magnificently restored city after its almost total destruction in World War II. In the afternoon travel north across the River Elbe to reach Berlin for two nights. (B)

DAY 11: Berlin. Included sightseeing.
No longer divided but every bit as fascinating. Once the city of contrasts with its West and East side separating two different worlds, Berlin, since the wall came down, has developed into a harmonious blend of old and new, preserving its old massive buildings, such as the State Opera House and the Brandenburg Gate, its neoclassic style boulevards such as the Kurfurstendamm and the "Unter den Linden", as well as creating brand new buildings in the most daring up to date architectural styles. It is now once again Germany's capital and one of the most lively and interesting cities of Europe from a cultural point of view. See it all on the included sightseeing tour with local guide. Also take a stroll down the Kurfurstendamm described by novelist T. Wolfe as the 'longest coffee shop in Europe'. In the afternoon there's an optional visit to Berlin's most important museums. (B)

DAY 12: Berlin - Hamelin - Rhineland.
Drive past Brunswick for a stop in Hamelin to hear the story of the Pied Piper. Next the lovely scenery of the Teutoburger Forest and then head west to the Rhineland for an overnight stay. (B, D)

DAY 13: Rhineland - Channel Crossing - London.
Drive to the Channel port where your tour ends. After the short Channel crossing join the coach service back to London. (B)