15 Days Splendid Europe (ESL15)

Tour Type: Group
Tour Guide Languages: Cantonese, English, Mandarin
Featuring: Italy, Vatican City, Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Monaco, France, Belgium, The Netherlands, United Kingdom
Guaranteed Dates: 8/20, 9/3
Hot Dates: 8/7
Departure: LAX / SFO / SEA / PDX / HOU / DFW
Summer: 9/04, 9/18, 9/25, 10/02, 10/09

Day 1 - Hometown - Rome
Depart from home city to Rome, the capital of Italy, today.

Day 2 - Rome (City Tour) - Vatican City
Rome is a city with unique blend of history, architecture and world famous monuments. Our flight arrive this magnificent city in the afternoon and a brief city tour will be arranged.  Tourist spots include the Roma Forum, St Peter’s Basilica, the Colosseum, the Trevi Fountain, etc. 
Meals: Dinner
Accomodations: Holiday Inn Rome Aurelia or similar
   
Day 3 - Rome - Florence (City Tour) - Pisa - Prato
Visit Florence after breakfast. Florence contains an exceptional artistic patrimony, glorious testimony to its secular civilization, and we should enjoy the artistic atmosphere by walking throughout the city. The Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore and Signoria Squares are two of the major spots you must visit.  If time allows we should take a panoramic view from Michelangelo Square. Afterward we shall proceed to Pisa, the birth place of the famous physicist and philosopher Galileo Galilei. Visit the Leaning Tower of Pisa upon arrival, and then proceed to Prato for overnight. Enjoy the traditional spaghetti for dinner at hotel tonight.    
Meals: Breakfast  Dinner
Accomodations: Wall Art Hotel or similar
   
Day 4 - Prato - Venice (City Tour)
Venice is one of the most important tourist destinations in the world, due to the city being one of the world\\'s greatest and most beautiful cities of art. An estimate at 2007, the city has an average of 50,000 tourists a day! We are going to visit her after breakfast.  Upon arrival we shall proceed to St. Mark\\'s Square by Water Taxi. Bridge of Signs (Ponte dei Sospiri), Doge’s Palace (Palazzo Ducale) and the Church of St. Mark are some places you should not miss. Also visit the Basilica and witness a demonstration in a glass blowing factory. You may also ride on the famous Gondola on your own cost to cruise around the waterways if the weather situation permits! Enjoy a 4–courses dinner with red wine at a local Italian restaurant inside St. Mark’s Square, completely feel the romantic atmosphere of Venice. 
Meals: Breakfast  Dinner
Accomodations: Russott Hotel or similar
   
Day 5 - Venice - Salzburg (City Tour)
After Breakfast we are crossing the Austrian border and reach Salzburg.  Salzburg was the birthplace of 18th-century composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. In the mid-20th century, the city was the setting for parts of the American musical and film The Sound of Music, which features famous landmarks in Austria. With a tourist-per-capita ratio higher than Venice or Florence, the city is among the busiest places of Europe all year round. The tour highlights include Mozart\\'s birthplace and residence, Mozart Square, the Salzburg Cathedral, etc.  You may also acquire your souvenirs at the old town.  Dinner at a Chinese restaurant tonight. 
Meals: Breakfast  Dinner
Accomodations: Austria Trend Hotel Salzburg or similar
   
Day 6 - Salzburg - Berchtesgaden - Innsbruck - Watten (Swarovski Crystal World) - Füssen
Berchtesgaden’s first historical note dates back to 1102 and it mentions the area because of its rich salt deposits. Much of Berchtesgaden\\'s wealth has been derived from its salt mines. After breakfast we are going to visit one of the salt mines on a train narrated by a local guide. Then we shall head towards Innsbruck and have lunch.  After lunch we are going to visit the famous Golden Roof - a landmark of Innsbruck which was built in 1500. It was decorated with 2657 fire-gilded copper tiles for Maximilian I, Holy Roman Emperor. The reliefs on the balcony show coats of arms, symbols and other figures in his life.  Afterward we proceed to the Swarovski Crystal World in Watten, before heading to the Romantic Road to Füssen, Germany, and enjoy a traditional German Knuckle dinner tonight. 
Meals: Breakfast  Dinner
Accomodations: Treff Hotel or similar
   
Day 7 - Füssen - Neuschwanstein - Scenic Alpenstrasse - Lucerne
After breakfast we back on to the Romantic Road and head to the Neuschwanstein Castle.  The castle was intended as a personal refuge for the reclusive Ludwig II of Bavaria, but it was opened to the paying public immediately after his death in 1886. Since then over 60 million people have visited the Castle. We have specially arranged a guided tour inside the Castle.  It is an exceptional experience that you should not miss.  (The Neuschwanstein tour may cancel if the Castle closed for holiday or any unforeseen reason, and the travel agency will not be responsible for any lost.) You may choose your favorite restaurant for lunch in the afternoon, and try the famous German sausage at your own cost.  Afterwards we shall continue our journey to Lucerne, Switzerland, through the magnificent Scenic Alpenstrasse route, driving along the route is an amazing movie-style experience. Upon arrival of Lucerne we begin our tour at the landmark of the city – the Lion Monument (Löwendenkmal) – designed by Bertel Thorvaldsen, the monument commemorates the Swiss Guards who were massacred in 1792 during the French Revolution, when revolutionaries stormed the Tuileries Palace in Paris.  Also visit the Chapel Bridge (Kapellbrucke), which was built in 1333 to help defend the city. There are so many souvenir stores around the bridge that you should not miss. Enjoy dinner at the hotel restaurant.  
Meals: Breakfast  Dinner
Accomodations: Hotel Astoria or similar
   
Day 8 - Lucerne - Mt. Titlis - Milan - Shopping
After breakfast we should go to Engelberg and board the newly constructed revolving “Rotair”, an aerial cable car that delivers awesome 360-degree panoramic views of the snow-covered valleys, glaciers, lakes, forests, and mountains! When you reach the peak you must enjoy the stunning view of the Urner Alps from the viewing patio. Enjoy lunch at your own cost at the peak restaurant, and then we are heading to one of the world’s most famous shopping city – Milan! Visit the famous Milan Cathedral upon arrival, then you may start your shopping route until 7pm. Dinner at a local Chinese restaurant. 
Meals: Breakfast  Dinner
Accomodations: Quark Hotel or similar
   
Day 9 - Milan - Monaco (City Tour) - Monte Carlo - Perfume Factory - Nice
Leaving Milan after breakfast, we head west to the world’s second smallest size country – Monaco.   Monaco is a constitutional monarchy and principality; despite Monaco being independent, its national defense is the responsibility of France. Visit the Royal Square and the fabulous Casino of Monte Carlo upon arrival, and you may try your luck at the casino on your own accord. After having lunch on your own arrangement we proceed to the famous vacation spot in South France – Nice. We shall stop by a perfume factory on the way to the Nice beaches.  Enjoy a relax walk on the beach upon arrival, and prepare for a romantic dinner serving famous French escargot at a local restaurant. 
Meals: Breakfast  Dinner
Accomodations: Park Hotel Nice or similar
   
Day 10 - Nice - TGV Train - Paris - (Shopping/Night Tour)
After breakfast we shall board the TGV – the fastest train in Europe – head towards Paris.  Enjoy lunch on the train’s dining cart at your own expense.  Upon arrival we are going to the tax-free shopping district and choose your beloved merchandises, or you may join an optional tour to visit the famous Lourve Museum. Dinner at a local Chinese restaurant, and then we sail down the River La Seine by a boat ride, and go up to the lower level of Eiffel Tower to experience the stunning night view of Paris.
Meals: Breakfast  Dinner
Accomodations: Novotel La Defence Hotel or similar
   
Day 11 - Gardens of Versailles - Paris (City Tour)
The Palace of Versailles was the de facto capital of the kingdom of France for over a century, from 1682 to 1789. It is now a wealthy suburb of Paris and remains an important administrative and judicial centre. We are going to visit the 540 sq acre gardens after breakfast. We shall then return to Paris for lunch, and then heading to the splendid Norte Dame de Paris, also known as Notre Dame Cathedral. It was one of the first Gothic cathedrals, and its construction spanned the Gothic period. Its sculptures and stained glass show the heavy influence of naturalism, unlike that of earlier Romanesque architecture. Afterward we proceed to Champs Elysses and the Arc de Triomphe before enjoying an authentic French dinner at your own expense.  You may also join an optional event to enjoy a colorful Parisian Cabaret Shows.
Meals: Breakfast  Lunch
Accomodations: Novotel La Defence Hotel or similar
   
Day 12 - Paris - Brugge (city tour) - Waterloo - Brussels (City Tour)
Leaving Paris after breakfast, we are heading the old capital city of Belgium – Brugge. The historic city centre is a prominent World Heritage Site of UNESCO. Along with a few other canal-based northern cities, such as Amsterdam, it is sometimes referred to as "The Venice of the North". Brugge has a significant economic importance thanks to its port. At one time it was the "chief commercial city" of the world. Upon arrival we begin our city tour, including the Basilica of the Holy Blood and the mediaeval Belfry Tower which holding the famous 47-bell carillon.   In the afternoon we are going to visit a famous battlefield that indicated a major defeat of Emperor Napoleon – Waterloo. The Battle of Waterloo took place in Waterloo on June 18, 1815 between the First French Empire of Napoleon Bonaparte and the Alliance of the Seventh Coalition, under the main allied commanders, the Duke of Wellington and General von Blücher. Afterward we head towards Brussels. Situated between France and the Netherlands, Belgium encompasses all the best that Europe has to offer. Admire the stunning architecture dotting the quaint cobblestone squares. A brief city tour includes the Grand Place and the famous Manneken Pis statute is included.
Meals: Breakfast  Dinner
Accomodations: Courtyard Hotel Brussels or similar
   
Day 13 - Brussels - Zaanse Schans - Amsterdem (City Tour) - Canal Cruise
After breakfast we head north to Amsterdam – the capital of the Netherlands.  First we shall stop at the Zaanse Schans to see a collection of well-preserved historic windmills and houses, also experience the making of the traditional Dutch wooden shoes and cheese, and follow by a boat ride throughout the waterways. Dutch’s diamond cutting technique is one of the best in the world; we exclusively arranged a tour of one of these diamond factories.  Enjoy a Chinese dinner in the evening.
Meals: Breakfast  Dinner
Accomodations: Courtyard Hotel Amsterdam or similar
   
Day 14 - Amsterdam - London (City Tour) - British Museum
After breakfast, we go to the airport and fly to London.  Upon arrival we start our London sightseeing tour, include the famous Trafalgar Square, the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben, the Tower Bridge, and Downing Street. We also visit the St. Paul’s Cathedral – In July 29, 1981, Prince Charles and Lady Diana were married here. British Museum is another major attraction; it nevertheless preserves its universality in its collections of artifacts representing the cultures of the world, ancient and modern. The original 1753 collection has grown to over thirteen million objects today. Dinner at a Chinese restaurant with a specially arranged Roast Duck will be served.
Meals: Breakfast  Dinner
Accomodations: Thistle Hotel London or similar
   
Day 15 - London - Home City
Enjoy a delicious breakfast in the hotel, and then we shall proceed to the airport for the homeward flight.  Wish you a pleasant trip. If you wish to stay behind at London or continuing your journey at other cities, we are able to make the arrangements for you, please let your service agent know when making reservation.
Meals: Breakfast

LAND + AIR:
Twin: $ 3499 / person
Child: $ 2979 / Person
Single Supplement: $ 999

SURCHARGE HIGH SEASON: $250 / person

SURCHARGE FUEL + TAX: $ 476 + $ 195

The above tour fares are based on US Dollar; “Fuel + Tax Surcharge” is only an estimate and will confirm upon ticket issuance.