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 2012: EUROPEAN MASTERPIECE (5270)
29 days from London to Amsterdam, or 30 days incl. travel
This comprehensive vacation takes in the best of Western, Central, and Southern Europe. Start in London and cross the English Channel by Eurostar train bound for Paris (except where specified). Among the highlights: see the Champs Elysees in Paris, French Chateaux Country, Plaza Catalunya in Barcelona, the glamorous French Riviera, Pisa's Leaning Tower, Renaissance Florence's Duomo, the Colosseum in Rome, and the Pompeii archaeological site. Enjoy an overnight ferry crossing to Greece and a visit to Athens' Acropolis and Olympia. Return to Italy by ferry, first to the oldest state in the world, San Marino, then to romantic Venice with St. Mark's Basilica and Square. Enjoy Vienna's imperial city center, the majestic Swiss Alps, and Germany's Rhineland. The vacation ends amidst the remarkable canals of Amsterdam. Note:- December 12 Departure - Christmas lunch in Rome
HOTELSLONDON Kensington Close (ST), PARIS Quality Porte d'Orleans (F) or Forest Hill (ST) at La Villette, BORDEAUX Mercure Meriadeck (ST), BARCELONA Catalonia Atenas (ST) or Confortel Auditori (ST), FRENCH RIVIERA Park Inn (F) at Nice or Quality (F) at Menton or All Seasons (ST) at Nice, FLORENCE Ambasciatori (F) or Diplomat (ST) or Grifone (ST), ROME Princess (F) or Fleming (F), SORRENTO Central Park (ST) at Massa Lubrense, OLYMPIA Olympia Palace (F), ATHENS Acropolis Select (F) or Golden Age (F), SAN MARINO Titano (ST), VENICE AREA Holiday Inn (F) at Marghera or Poppi (F) at Mira, VIENNA Austria Trend Bosei (F) or Ramada Encore (F), INNSBRUCK Dollinger (ST) or Rumerhof (F) at Rum, LUCERNE NH Lucerne (F) or Pilatusblick (ST) at Kriens, RHINELAND Holiday Inn (F) at Cologne-Bonn Airport or Ramada (F) at Bruehl or Holiday Inn Stadtwald (F) at Cologne or Zum Anker (ST) at Andernach, AMSTERDAM AREA NH Airport (F) at Schiphol |
| Call (888) 324-4657 for more information or to book today! Mention code 10576935 | | Cosmos | | Offer valid through 3/31/2012 | | | | Day | Destination | Description | | Day 1 | London | Check into your hotel. In the afternoon you may want to start exploring the lively British capital. Uniformed hosts are available to help you make the most of your stay. | | Day 2 | London | Enjoy free time for independent activities: take a panoramic tour of London's famous landmarks, consider Madame Tussauds or a ride on the London Eye. Your local host will be on hand to assist. (B) | | Day 3 | London-Paris | Transfer to the railway station and board the Eurostar train to Paris. Here you'll be met by your Tour Director and fellow travelers. (B) | | Day 4 | Paris | Included sightseeing with a local expert shows off many of the best-known Parisian sights: La Sorbonne, Arc de Triomphe, Opera, Madeleine, the Eiffel Tower, the Pyramid near the Louvre, the Invalides, and Champs Elysees. (B) | | Day 5 | Paris-Chateaux Country-Tours-Bordeaux | Start the day by motoring south to Blois and then parallel to the River Loire past the castles of Chaumont and Amboise for a short stop in Tours. Take the comfortable Autoroute L'Aquitaine as far as Poitiers, beautifully situated on a rocky plateau. South again to Saintes, then the Grand Champagne wine-growing area. Another 60 miles and you'll be in Bordeaux on the banks of the Garonne. (B,D) | | Day 6 | Bordeaux-Carcassonne-Barcelona | From the vineyards of the Gironde and the Garonne, travel eastwards, bypassing Toulouse to Carcassonne in the foothills of the Pyrenees. Stop and admire what is perhaps the best-preserved medieval fortified town in Europe. Later, reach the Spanish border and motor through Catalonia. Once across the River Ter, you'll soon be in Barcelona. (B,D) | | Day 7 | Barcelona | This morning's sightseeing with a Local Guide includes a drive around Montjuic to see the Olympic Stadium and a 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 8 | Barcelona-Arles, France-French Riviera | Retrace your drive to the French border, then into the vine-covered region of the Herault for a stop in Arles. Later, motor westwards across the Rhone towards the Mediterranean shores for an overnight on the French Riviera. (B) | | Day 9 | French Riviera-Eze-Pisa, Italy-Florence | Today, travel along the high coastal road to visit a perfume workshop in Eze. The day is highlighted by the drive along the French and Italian Rivieras and into hilly Tuscany for a visit to Pisa to see the Leaning Tower and the Square of Miracles. Don't miss the included walking tour of Florence with a Local Guide, featuring most of the city highlights. (B,D) | | Day 10 | Florence-Sorrento | Leave Florence this morning, and travel south on the Autostrada del Sole through the sunlit valleys of Chianti country south to Sorrento. (B,D) | | Day 11 | Sorrento | An optional excursion today to the legendary island of Capri. The island is surrounded by a rocky coastline, where the crashing sea has formed awe-inspiring caves. The town, with its pretty piazzetta, maze of streets, fashionable boutiques, and smart restaurants, is a mecca for the jet set. Return to Sorrento. (B) | | Day 12 | Sorrento-Pompeii-Rome | Today, travel north, with the Vesuvius volcano in the distance. Then to Pompeii, where time stopped in 79 AD, when the Vesuvius eruption totally destroyed it. On the included visit you can see the remains of luxurious villas, temples, theater, and forum. Later, head towards Rome for an overnight. (B) | | Day 13 | Rome | The 'Eternal City,' Rome is a city steeped in history, vibrantly alive and exciting, and absolutely unique! Included sightseeing with a Local Guide starts in St. Peter's Square, followed by a visit to the Roman Forum and the mighty Colosseum. (B) | | Day 14 | Rome-Overnight Ferry Crossing to Patras | Drive across the rugged Apennine Hills towards the coast for embarkation on the overnight ferry to Greece. The modern ferries offer all comforts, including boutique, duty-free shop, two restaurants, three bars, discotheque, casino, and swimming pool. (B) | | Day 15 | Patras-Olympia | Enjoy some daylight cruising towards the Greek coast before reaching Patras. Then, drive to Olympia for an overnight in the Peloponnese. (B,D) | | Day 16 | Olympia-Tripolis-Athens | This morning, join the optional sightseeing tour and learn more about the history of the original Olympic Games, when athletes competed with each other to honor the king of deities. Then, motor into the mountains of Arcadia by way of Tripolis and over the Corinth Canal to Athens. Time later for an evening in the lively Plaka area. (B) | | Day 17 | Athens | Today, take advantage of the included morning sightseeing, which features the highlights of this ancient capital and a visit to the fascinating Acropolis. Later, enjoy one of the optional excursions or explore the shops and museums. (B) | | Day 18 | Athens-Patras-Overnight Ferry Crossing to Italy | Leave Athens and journey to Patras for embarkation on the ferry for the Ionian Sea crossing back to Italy. Departure is in the early evening. (B) | | Day 19 | San Marino | Disembark in the late morning. Then, proceed north for an overnight in San Marino, one of the world's smallest and most ancient states, perched on Monte Titano. (B,D) | | Day 20 | San Marino-Venice | Take a short walk through the main gate and up to Government House in the very heart of this tiny ancient republic. Later this morning, travel along the Adriatic coastline through the Po Delta towards the Venice area. (B) | | Day 21 | Venice | The included orientation starts with a boat ride and is followed by some time at leisure to absorb the atmosphere of this unique city, and a chance to watch Venetian glassblowers. Don't miss the optional gondola trip. (B,D) | | Day 22 | Vienna | Today, leave the flat and fertile plains of Venetia and journey by way of Tarvisio Pass into the grand mountain and lakeland scenery of Austria for a stop in Velden on Lake Worth. Northwards through the Styrian landscape to Vienna. (B) | | Day 23 | Vienna | There's so much to see on your included sightseeing tour: the State Opera, Parliament, and the Town Hall. Stop for a stroll in Heroes' Square to view the Hofburg. (B) | | Day 24 | Innsbruck | Westwards, almost parallel with the Danube, to Mozart's Salzburg. Time for a stroll down the charming Getreidegasse, the town's elegant main shopping street. The last leg of today's drive takes you into the very heart of the Tyrol to its capital, Innsbruck. (B,D) | | Day 25 | Lucerne | Time this morning to get acquainted with Innsbruck. The orientation tour includes the famous Golden Roof. Later, drive through the valleys and villages of the mountainous Tyrol to the Arlberg tunnel, descending into Switzerland. Stop briefly in Vaduz, Liechtenstein's capital, before heading for Lucerne. (B) | | Day 26 | Lucerne | Sightseeing in one of Switzerland's finest cities takes in the impressive city walls, a wooden bridge, ornate patrician houses lining cobblestone streets, and the Lion Monument. A selection of optional activities completes the day: a cruise on the fjord-like lake or an excursion to the top of one of the most beautiful mountains. (B,D) | | Day 27 | Rhineland | More of Switzerland and its quaint little villages, farms, and chalets before crossing into Germany to use its Autobahn on the journey northwards to the shores of the Rhine. Today's highlight is the included Rhine cruise past the legendary Lorelei rock, hilltop castles, terraced vineyards, and half-timbered villages. Overnight in the Rhineland. (B,D) | | Day 28 | Amsterdam | North today, first through the industrial Ruhr and then into the green, canal criss-crossed countryside of Holland to the Amsterdam area. Enjoy a canal cruise to see the town from water level, then watch the cutting and polishing of precious stones at a famous diamond center. Later, sightseeing includes an orientation drive with a Local Guide. (B) | | Day 29 | Amsterdam | Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B) |
| | US$ Price Details
Dates and prices do not include international air travel. When planning your trip, allow one extra day before tour date for travel between the USA and Europe.Prices based on double room occupancy.Single room supplement: $1610No triple room reduction.No single accommodation on board the ferry Italy-Greece and Greece-Italy. Singles will be asked to share.2013 departures are subject to itinerary and price modification. Details will be available in Oct. 2012.Notes:- June 19-August 14 Departures - no singles, guaranteed shares, or triples.
- December 12 Departure - Christmas lunch in Rome
- July 17, July 20, July 24, July 27, August 3 & August 10 Departures - cross channel by ferry instead of Eurostar train.
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Additional Information:
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-Vacation departures, itineraries and prices are subject to change.
Guaranteed air-inclusive prices:
Air is only available to passengers traveling from the United States and only available when booked in conjunction with a land vacation. An additional $250 non-refundable deposit is required for air booked in conjunction with any land vacation (i.e., air-inclusive vacation.) However, once your airfare is confirmed and Avalon Waterways has received your full air and land deposit, your air-inclusive vacation price is guaranteed.
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While booking your vacation air-inclusive gives you various advantages, you can also choose the land-only option. But remember, airlines' special fares generally apply to very brief periods. (Our low air-inclusive fares apply throughout the year.) Plus, to get these 'deals' you often are required to pay full fare at the time of booking.
Taxes & fees
Taxes and fees are subject to change and are not guaranteed until full land and air deposit are received.
Applicable Taxes and Fees (Airfare & Charges Not Included in the Price)
Air-Inclusive Vacations
Air-inclusive prices provided online include a September 11th fee up to $10, passenger facility charges of up to $18, Federal domestic flight segment fees of up to $3.50 per segment and U.S. and International arrival and departure and other government imposed fees between $200-$375 depending on your itinerary. The total airfare price, the base airfare price, and the applicable government taxes and fees are broken-out line-by-line and shown while booking online and on the invoice after your travel is booked.
Not Included In Your Vacation Price (Air-Inclusive, Land-Only or Cruise-Only)
Federal inspection fees for the Federal U.S. Customs and Immigrations; International Air Transportation tax; agricultural tax; other per person taxes imposed by government entities: port taxes; passports; visas and vaccinations; tips to your Tour or Cruise Director, Local Host, driver, Local Guides, and/or ships' crew; gratuities on ferries, trains, and cruise ships; laundry; telephone; minibar; alcohol, beverages, and food outside of the contracted menu as presented at a hotel or restaurant (these extra items will be billed to you before leaving the hotel, ship, or restaurant); additional excursions and activities not listed as 'included' in the itinerary; airport transfers on non-qualifying flights; porterage at airports and train stations; Travel Protection premiums; excess baggage fees; and all other items of a personal nature. |
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