10. A coach tour of Europe
1) You are going to read the itinerary of a European coach tour. Before you read, look at the map of Europe and discuss the best order in which to visit:
London, Amsterdam, Paris, Beaune, Lausanne, Lugano, Innsbruck, Lake Maggiore, Venice, Florence, Rome. The tour starts from London.
How long do you think it will take?
2) Read the itinerary quickly and see if you guessed the order and time correctly. Europe's highlights
Day 1
London — Channel Crossing — Amsterdam
You can join your tour by travelling on our complimentary feeder services from London. You will travel to the Channel port for your short ferry crossing and join your tour on the continent where you will be met by your Cosmos escort. From here your coach sets off to Amsterdam for overnight at Hotel Inntel at Zaandam or Grand Amstelveen****.
Day 2
Amsterdam — The Rhineland
A
morning
to enjoy Holland's busy metropolis. After your included
visit to a famous diamond factory it's time for optionalmorning
sightseeing; visit the Rijksmuseum with its collection of
Dutch masters, then a drive with a local guide pointing out the city
highlights, finally a canal cruise to see Amsterdam at water
level, in the afternoon travel southwards to the Rhineland area
for overnight at Hotel Kripp** at Coblenz.
Day3
The Rhineland — Innsbruck
A choice today of the included scenic drive along the shores of the Rhine or, even more thrilling, the optional Rhine cruise with vistas of the Lorelei Rock, hill-top castles, half-timbered wine villages, and terraced vineyards. In the afternoon drive along the comfortable autobahn to Austria. Overnight at Hotel Dollinger***.
Day 4
Innsbruck — Venice area
A morning to enjoy the sights of the Tyrol's capital city. Your included orientation drive will show you the Maria Theresien Strasse and the legendary Golden Roof. In the afternoon use the fast and comfortable motorway to reach the Venice area for overnight at the Colombo*** at Marghera.
Day 5
Venice — Florence area
It's really more like a marvellous film-set than a real live city, with its criss-crossing canals, gondolas and water buses, arched bridges, palaces, and little quiet piazzas. The included tour starts with a boat ride and is followed by highlights such as a visit to St Mark's Basilica and a chance to watch Venetian glass-blowers fashion their delicate objects as they did centuries ago. This afternoon journey across the Apennines into the gentle hilly countryside of Tuscany. Overnight in the Florence area at Hotel Delta at Calenzano**** or Europa*** in Signa.
Day 6
Florence area — Rome
Your orientation drive will make a stop in Piazzale Michelangelo to enjoy one of the best views of the city stretching across the river Arno. Later visit one of Florence's leather shops and then time to wander on your own. In the afternoon travel south on the autostrada. Pass the sunlit valleys of Chianti country and
savour
the timeless landscape of rounded hills, mellow medieval
towns, and silvery olive groves broken by columns of dark cypress.
Reach Rome well in time to enjoy your first evening in this
great capital city. Overnights at Pineta Palace**** or American
Palace***.
Day 7
Rome
The Eternal City and hub of the ancient civilized world is a sightseer's dream. Your included sightseeing takes in Piazza Ven-ezia, the Monument to the Unknown Soldier, a view of the Roman Forum, and the Colosseum. Then, by way of the Circus Maximus, you reach the top of the Gianicolo hill to enjoy a full view of Rome and its seven hills.
Day 8
Rome — Lugano
Take the "Highway of the Sun" and motor northwards all day. Through more of Tuscany and into the flat and fertile plains of the Po Valley. Glimpses of the pre-Alps will make you aware that you're not far from Lake Lugano. Overnight in Lugano which will be an introduction to tomorrow's grand alpine scenery. Hotel Beha or Post Simplon***.
Day 9
Lugano — Lake Maggiore — Lausanne
A stupendous drive today going at first to Stresa on Lake Maggiore for a short stop before climbing to the summit of the Simplon Pass to enjoy a quite spectacular view of the surrounding alpine peaks. More mountain scenery as you motor through the Rhone Valley by way of Sion and Martigny to the shores of Lake Geneva. Overnight in Lausanne, the lively capital of Canton Vaud, at the Hotel City or Alpha***.
Day 10
Lausanne — Paris
Vistas of famous vineyards on the way to Beaune. Visit the medieval Burgundian town, known the world over for its wine production. Later via the fast and comfortable autoroute to Paris. Tonight maybe an optional cabaret show. Hotel Latitudes Paris Seine***.
Day 11
Paris
A full day in which to explore the city that's known throughout the world for its fashions, art and museums, delicious food, and joie de vivre. Optional sightseeing with a local expert starts with an inside visit to Notre Dame cathedral. Then many of the best-known Parisian sights: La Sorbonne, Boulevard St. Germain, the Eiffel Tower, Opera, Champs Elysees, and Rue de Rivoli. In the afternoon you have the option of visiting Versailles.
Day 12
Paris — Included visit to Disneyland Paris.
39 years of Disney magic, imagination, and expertise have gone into making this self-contained world of fun and fantasy by far the greatest and most dazzling amusement centre in Europe. Once inside Disneyland Paris you can look forward to exhilarating non-stop fun and entertainment on a vast scale. Following the magic kingdom's tradition, all rides are included in your entrance ticket so you can have unlimited access to the Theme park's facilities and enjoy them to your heart's content.
Day 13
Paris — Channel Crossing — UK
Leave Paris and travel north to the Channel port where your tour ends. After the short Channel crossing join the appropriate feeder service to London.