The Trip

Hi everyone, below is the itinerary for my trip. I will be adding to this at least on a weekly basis throughout my trip updating you all on how it is going. Although I love my computer I doubt I will be spending much time on the computer in Europe. I will be doing things in addition to what I have below. Check back to see where I am and what I am doing. Especially on day 17 when I tell you how much I won in Monte Carlo. :)

The trip will begin on 09/07/06 and continue through 10/04/06.

Have a great 24...Al


Day 1 (Thu.) Board your overnight transatlantic flight.

Day 2 Arrival in London, England. (Fri.) Uniformed Globus hosts are available to help you make the most of your stay.

Day 3 London. (Sat.) Sightseeing with a professional Local Guide includes all the famous landmarks: Knightsbridge with Harrods, the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben beside the River Thames, Westminster Abbey, Whitehall’s mounted horseguards and the Prime Minister’s Downing Street, and Buckingham Palace. Highlights are a visit to ST. PAUL’S CATHEDRAL and the ceremonial pageantry of the Changing of the Guard, if held. Afternoon at leisure.

Day 4 London-Brussels, Belgium. (Sun.) Meet your Tour Director and travelcompanions and transfer to the railway station to board the EUROSTAR TRAIN to Brussels, proud capital of Belgium and the European Union. Your orientation drive focuses on GRAND’ PLACE with its baroque guild houses and Gothic Town Hall, and famous Manneken Pis. Tonight enjoy a welcome dinner at your hotel.

Day 5 Brussels-Amsterdam, Holland. (Mon.) Past Antwerp and into the Netherlands. In Amsterdam visit a major DIAMOND CENTER to appreciate how a rough mineral is transformed into a sparkling jewel. Then enjoy a CANAL CRUISE, the best way to see the 700-year-old capital. Afternoon free. An optional excursion to the quaint fishing village of Volendam can be arranged.

Day 6 Amsterdam-Heidelberg, Germany-Rhineland. (Tue.) A passing glance at the Dutch region best known as the locale of A Bridge Too Far on the way to Germany. During your break in Cologne, visit the awesome twin-spired GOTHIC CATHEDRAL. Then the afternoon’s highlight: a romantic RHINE CRUISE past castle-crested cliffs, terraced vineyards, and trim, half-timbered towns. Next stop is Heidelberg, famous for its red-walled castle.

Day 7 Rhineland-Lucerne, Switzerland. (Wed.) A scenic day! Morning stop in the lush valleys and pine-clad hills of the BLACK FOREST, renowned for its cuckoo clocks. On the Swiss border take your pictures of the thundering RHINE FALLS, then continue to picture-book Lucerne.

Day 8 Lucerne. (Thu.) Admire Thorwaldsen’s LION MONUMENT and the ornate patrician houses lining the cobbled streets of the walled Old Town, then cross the famous covered CHAPEL BRIDGE to the Jesuit Church. Afterwards shop for Swiss watches and choose from our optional activities: climb a mountrain by cable car, take a cruise on the fjord-like lake, sign up for a folklore party with yodeling and alphorn blowing for a first-hand impression of Alpine merrymaking.

Day 9 Lucerne-Liechtenstein-Innsbruck-Salzburg, Austria. (Fri.) Morning break in the pocket-sized principality of Liechtenstein. Next is Innsbruck, Austria’s Olympic resort in the Tyrolean mountains. Enjoy a pleasant walk through its quaint medieval lanes to Emperor Maximilian’s GOLDEN ROOF. In the afternoon take the scenic route to Salzburg.

Day 10 Salzburg-Vienna. (Sat.) Morning stroll with a Local Guide through the historic center to admire exquisite MIRABELL GARDENS, the Great Festival Hall, ST. PETER’S CHURCHYARD, the monumental Domplatz and take pictures of Mozart’s birthplace. Then travel past the Sound of Music country to the Danube Valley and Vienna.

Day 11 Vienna. (Sun.) Sightseeing with a Local Guide features vistas of Prater Park with its Ferris wheel and the United Nations City at the Danube. Pass the State Opera House, the Jewish quarter and stop at the Hofburg Palace, winter residence of the Imperial family. Marvel at the impressive courtyards and famous Heldenplatz and visit awesome ST. STEPHEN’S CATHEDRAL. Afternoon at leisure.

Day 12 Vienna-Venice, Italy. (Mon.) Scenic Semmering Pass, stately Styrian crossroad towns, Carinthian lakes and resorts provide the ever-changing Alpine backdrop to today’s journey through the loveliest parts of Austria to the northern tip of the Adriatic Sea. Tonight is your chance to sample Venetian fare.

Day 13 Venice. (Tue.) Enter in style by PRIVATE BOAT to meet your Local Guide. Highlights of your walking tour are ST. MARK’S SQUARE and the BYZANTINE BASILICA, lavish DOGES’ PALACE, and the BRIDGE OF SIGHS. Also watch skilled GLASS BLOWERS fashion their delicate objects. Later enjoy Venice at your own pace or join an optional gondola ride.

Day 14 Venice-Rome. (Wed.) A scenic drive through the fertile northern plains and across the wooded Apennine Mountains. A scenic drive through the wine-and-olive-clad Tuscan hills, home of Chianti, brings you to the Eternal City.

Day 15 Rome. (Thu.) Sightseeing with your Local Guide starts with a visit to the VATICAN MUSEUMS and SISTINE CHAPEL, world famous for Michelangelo’s ceiling paintings and The Last Judgement. Continue to monumental ST. PETER’S SQUARE and BASILICA. Cross the Tiber and visit the COLOSSEUM and the ROMAN FORUM, where Roman legions marched in triumph. Then time for independent activities and exciting optional excursion possibilities.

Day 16 Rome-Florence. (Fri.) A smooth drive brings you to Florence, cradle of the Renaissance. Follow your Local Guide to the magnificent CATHEDRAL, Giotto’s Bell Tower, the Baptistry’s heavy bronze “Gate of Paradise,” and sculpture-studded SIGNORIA SQUARE. To top it off, admire Michelangelo’s celebrated David in the ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS. Also check out the shops with Florentine leather goods and gold jewelry.

Day 17 Florence-Pisa-Nice, France. (Sat.) Focus on Pisa this morning for pictures of its amazing Leaning Tower. Then a scenic drive past a string of Italian and French Riviera resorts towards the principality of Monaco. Follow the panoramic Moyenne Corniche and stop at one of the famous PERFUME FACTORIES before arriving in Nice. Tonight, an optional excursion is available to Monte Carlo.

Day 18 Nice. Excursion to Cannes and St. Paul de Vence. (Sun.) Follow the glittering shores of the Côte d’Azur to Cannes of film festival fame. On the inland route back to Nice visit the picturesque hill town of St. Paul de Vence. Then a lazy afternoon to dabble in the blue Mediterranean or stroll along the elegant Promenade des Anglais.

Day 19 Nice-Arles-Barcelona, Spain. (Mon.) This morning follow in Van Gogh’s footsteps on your way to Arles, where he painted more than 300 canvases. Your orientation shows you the famous Roman Amphitheater. Time to stroll around and browse through the shops. Then continue through the endless vineyards of the Languedoc-Roussillon, stretching most of the way to the Spanish border. Overnight in Barcelona, the proud capital of Catalonia.

Day 20 Barcelona. (Tue.) Sightseeing with a Local Guide features the Columbus Monument, elegant tree-lined Ramblas and Plaza de Cataluna, historic buildings along Paseo de Gracia, the Church of the Holy Family, a panoramic view of the city and harbor from Monjuich Hill, and a visit to the Cathedral of SANTA EULALIA. Afternoon at leisure.

Day 21 Barcelona-Saragossa-Madrid. (Wed.) Rustic Catalonian and Aragonian landscapes on your journey to Saragossa in the fertile Ebro Valley. Stop for lunch in its magnificent Plaza del Pilar. In the afternoon wind your way through three sierras to Madrid on the plateau of Castile.
Day 22 Madrid. (Thu.) The capital of Spain since 1561, Madrid today is a strikingly modern city, the showcase of a country resolutely turned towards the future. Your Local Guide will take you to the Puerta del Sol, Plaza de España with its monument to Cervantes, the Parliament, Cibeles Fountain, elegant Calle Alcala, and Paseo de Castellana. Then the highlight: a visit to the palatial PRADO MUSEUM with its priceless art treasures. The afternoon is free for an optional excursion to Toledo. Tonight your tour director will suggest a typical Spanish dinner.

Day 23 Madrid-Segovia-Vitoria. (Fri.) A Local Guide will take you through EL ESCORIAL, the stupendous monastery built by King Philip II, and the VALLEY OF THE FALLEN with its gigantic cross commemorating the victims of the Civil War. Later admire the famous Alcazar and a still functioning Roman aqueduct in Segovia. Overnight in beautiful Vitoria.

Day 24 Vitoria-Biarritz, France-Bordeaux. (Sat.) To the Bay of Biscay and back into France. Visit Biarritz, an ancient fishing village turned trendy seaside resort. Skirt the sandy dunes and swamps of the Landes region in Gascony on the way to Bordeaux. An orientation tour on arrival acquaints you with this historic port and center of the wine trade.

Day 25 Bordeaux-Paris. (Sun.) This morning the high-speed “TGV” TRAIN whisks you to Paris. This afternoon sightseeing with a Local Guide includes the most famous sights: the Opéra, Louvre, Notre Dame Cathedral, Arc de Triomphe and Champs-Elysées. For a bird’s-eye view take the elevator to the second floor of the EIFFEL TOWER.

Day 26 At Leisure in Paris. (Mon.) Another day to enjoy what this extraordinary metropolis has to offer. Explore the world capital of chic and style at your own pace: shop for perfume and fancy fashion accessories, take your pick from many fine museums or stroll through the magnificent parks. Optional excursions are available.

Day 27 Paris-London, England. (Tue.) Board the EUROSTAR TRAIN for a smooth ride to London arriving in the late afternoon. Optional evening outings are available. Overnight at the first class hotel Novotel London West, Shortlands, London W6.

Day 28 (Wed.) Your homebound flight from London arrives the same day.