Day 1 Lucerne - Milan - Venice (432 km)
Day 2 Venice - Rome (393 km)
Day 3 Rome - Vatican City - Arezzo (184 km)
Day 4 Arezzo-Florence-Pisa-Genoa (268 km)
Day 5 Genoa - Monaco - Grasse - Nice - Cannes - Avignon (588 km)
Day 6 Avignon - Paris (577 km)
Day 7 Paris - Lucerne (486 km)
Day 1:
Lucerne - Milan - Venice (432 km)
Head south from Lucerne through spectacular Switzerland and into northern Italy, where your first stop will be Milan, fashion capital of the world. Your orientation tour will introduce you to the city's iconic sights, including the vast Gothic cathedral (Duomo). You'll also see the planet's oldest shopping mall, the 19thcentury Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, where you can wander among the boutique shops and have lunch in one of the refined cafes. After enjoying the many delights of Milan, you'll head to another vintage
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Milan, ITALY
This city in the northernmost part of Italy is a global center for fashion and design. Its artistic history dates back hundreds and hundreds of years; places like Santa Maria delle Grazie are decorated with Leonardo da Vinci's work.
Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II
The Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is one of the world's oldest shopping malls, dating back to 1877. This dramatic building features exclusive, upscale stores as well as some of the oldest shops and restaurants in the city.
Duomo
Milan's cathedral is the largest in all of Italy and the fifth largest in the world. The groundbreaking occurred in 1386; however, construction was not completed until 1965. Visitors can access the rooftops, which provide amazing views of the city.
Admission (Optional): Adult €15; Child (0-6 yrs) Free; Duomo Pass A reduced €8; Duomo Pass A
Day 2:
Venice - Rome (393 km)
Breakfast: Included (Hotel Breakfast)|Lunch: Excluded|Dinner: Excluded
After breakfast, we will take a tour of Venice, IT by way of its famous canal system. Begin with a waterbus ride to San Marco Island, we will stop at the Piazza San Marco, home of Saint Mark's Basilica, and then see the Bridge of Sighs. Afterwards you'll have a chance to see some traditional Venetian craftwork at close quarters with a demonstration by Murano glassblowers. Of course, the ultimate Venice activity is to take a gondola ride through the Grand Canal, and for most people this optional excursion is a must. We will spend the night in the Rome, IT area.
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Venice, ITALY
This city off the coast of northeast Italy is famous the world over for its many canals. It is actually a chain of 118 islands linked together by bridges and waterways. Venice is world-renown for its art and beauty.
Bridge of Sighs
This gorgeous white-limestone bridge in Venice gets its name from an almost ironically bleak place: In the 1800s, the windows looking out from the enclosed bridge's interior were the last views of sublime Venice convicts would see before their imprisonment.
Grand Canal
Venice's Grand Canal is the major canal in the city's expansive system. It takes an S-shaped path through the length of the city, and is used for public transportation as well as tourism; Gondola rides for visitors are popular.
Gondola Ride
The canals of Venice are what make this city iconic. Gondolas are special boats designed to navigate these channels. No visit to Venice is complete without a romantic ride down the canals on a gondola.
Tour Fee (Optional): Adult €40; Child €40
Piazza San Marco
The Piazza San Marco is the largest and primary public area in Venice. The structures surrounding it date back more than one thousand years, although the vast majority are from Renaissance times. It has been called "the drawing room of Europe."
Saint Mark's Basilica
The Basilica Cattedrale Patriarcale di San Marco is the most famous church in Venice and is known for its unique and ornate Italo-Byzantine architecture that includes five hemispherical domes and fine patterns. It was built in the 11th century AD.
Day 3:
Rome - Vatican City - Arezzo (184 km)
Breakfast: Included (Hotel Breakfast)|Lunch: Excluded|Dinner: Excluded
In the morning we will visit Vatican City, VA, home of the Roman-Catholic papacy and the smallest sovereign state in the world. There, we will visit St. Peter's Basilica. Alternatively, you can choose to add on the optional Sistine Chapel tour to view Michelangelo's famous painted ceiling. Next you'll see the famous Trevi Fountain. After lunch, we will tour spectacular Rome, IT. An optional guided tour of the Coliseum, is highly recommended. We'll also get up close to the nearby Arch of Constantine and spend some further free time enjoying Rome, sampling the rich and creamy delights of "gelato" Italian ice cream before journey to Arezzo or nearby city for the night.
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Vatican City, ITALY
This small country, surrounded by the larger city of Rome, is the center of the Catholic Church and home of the Pope. Famous sights are St. Peter's Square and the Basilica, as well as the Vatican Museum.
St. Peter's Basilica
Perhaps the most famous church in the world and the center of Roman Catholicism, this ornate basilica in the small sovereign state of Vatican City has been a place of pilgrimage for nearly two thousand years.
Sistine Chapel
In 1508, Michelangelo, the famous Renaissance artist, came to Rome to pain the ceiling of this chapel in the Apostolic Palace, the residency of the Pope. The resulting mural has come to be regarded as a sublime masterpiece.
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Rome, ITALY
The history of this amazing city spans more than two and a half thousand years. It is one of the most historic places on the planet Earth, and it's artistic and cultural contributions have colored global development.
Arch of Constantine
This triumphal arch in Rome has been standing for nearly 2,000 years. It commemorates the victory of Constantine I at the Battle of Milvian Bridge. It was built with brick and marble, and the detailing is incredibly intricate.
Colosseum
This nearly 2000-year-old structure is one of the most famous buildings in the entire world and all of human history. At its height, it could hold up to 80,000 people, and was usually used for gladiatorial contests, executions, and drama productions.
Admission (Optional): Adult €35; including ticket and skip the queue
Trevi Fountain
Perhaps the most famous fountain in the world, this baroque masterpiece from the 18th century is best known for the myth that tossing coins in brings good luck. People from all over the world come to throw money into the fountain.
Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels and the Martyrs
A basilica and titular church built inside the ruined frigidarium of the Roman Baths of Diocletian in the Piazza della Repubblica. It was constructed in the 16th century following an original design by Michelangelo Buonarroti. Other architects and artists added to the church over the following centuries.
TYO
A Japanese department store group, founded in 1673, headquartered in Tokyo. It has many branches in Japan, mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Europe and the United States.
Day 4:
Arezzo-Florence-Pisa-Genoa (268 km)
Breakfast: Included (Hotel Breakfast)|Lunch: Excluded|Dinner: Excluded
Today, we will tour Florence, IT. Begin the day by taking in a wonderful panoramic overview of the city from Piazzale Michelangelo. Next, we can see a demonstration of the traditional craft of leatherworking at close quarters in a local workshop. From here enjoy a guided walk around Florence's many highlights, including the Ponte Vecchio over the Arno, the Piazza del Duomo and Campanile Tower. Pass the Uffizi Gallery. We will have some free time in Florence before we leave for Pisa, IT to see the Leaning Tower. We will head to Genoa nearby city for the night.
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Florence, ITALY
Historic Florence, Italy is considered to be one of the most gorgeous cities in the world. Its long tradition of art and culture can be seen on nearly every doorstep. Millions of people travel here each year.
Piazzale Michelangelo
The Piazzale Michelangelo is located at the top of a hill, making it perhaps the best vantage point to take in a full panoramic view of this marvelous city. A restaurant at the top provides visitors with a good meal.
Piazza del Duomo
The "Cathedral Square" in the heart of Florence is one of the most-visited places on the planet. It is home to an impressive list of breathtaking buildings emblematic of Italian art and culture, including the Florence Cathedral and Baptistery.
Ponte Veccio
The Ponte Veccio is a Medieval stone bridge over the Arno River in Florence. The bridge is lined by shops, something that was typical at the time of its construction in 1345; they are mostly artists and souvenir vendors.
Uffizi Gallery
The Uffizi Gallery is an art museum in Florence, Italy that is among the oldest in the world. It is located in a Medieval palace and houses works by da Vinci, Raphael, Caravaggio, Titian, Botticelli, and many more.
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Pisa, ITALY
This Tuscan town on the Tyrrhenian Sea in northern Italy is most famous for its Leaning Tower. However, there are many more works of art and architecture to see, and time spent in Pisa will not be easily forgotten!
Leaning Tower of Pisa
The world-famous tower built during the Middle Ages is a testament to both human ingenuity and fallibility. The tower tilted because the soil on one side was softer than on the other, and it could not support the tower's weight.
Admission (Optional): Adult €15
Day 5:
Genoa - Monaco - Grasse - Nice - Cannes - Avignon (588 km)
Breakfast: Included (Hotel Breakfast)|Lunch: Excluded|Dinner: Excluded
Today we will journey to Monaco. A walking tour takes you to the grand Prince's Palace of Monaco before continuing on to view the 1920s Courthouse, the Cliffside Oceanographic Museum, and the Cathedral.
Then travel a little further to visit the famous Fragonard Perfume Factory. Next it's Nice, where you'll stop for lunch to sample some excellent local cuisine and warm-hearted hospitality. Then head to Cannes, FR to take some pictures at the Palais des Festivals. We will spend the night in nearby Avignon.
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Monaco City, Monaco
Located on a headland that extends into the Mediterranean Sea, Monaco is nicknamed The Rock. It has a Mediterranean climate, with an average temperature of 10℃ in January, 24℃ in August and 16℃ in the year.
Prince's Palace of Monaco
The official residence of the Prince of Monaco, a position currently held by Albert II, this palace was originally built in 1191 as a fortress for the ruling Genoese nobles.
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Grasse, FRANCE
Grasse is a town on the French Riviera in France. It is famous for its perfume industry. In addition, it has a former Roman Catholic cathedral named Grasse Cathedral with many paintings.
Fragonard Perfume Factory
The Parfumerie Fragonard in southeastern France is one of the oldest factories of its kind in the area, dating back to the 18th century. Visitors can join a guided tour that explore the perfume-making process and history of Grasse.
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Cannes, FRANCE
It is a city located on the French Riviera. It is a commune of France located in the Alpes-Maritimes department, and host city of the annual Cannes Film Festival, Midem, and Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. The city is known for its association with the rich and famous, its luxury hotels and restaurants, and for several conferences.
Palais des Festivals et des Congres
This building on the southern coast of France plays host to the world-famous Cannes Film Festival each year, one of the most prestigious film festivals on the planet. The building has more than 10,000 feet of space and 18 auditoriums.
Day 6:
Avignon - Paris (577 km)
Breakfast: Included (Hotel Breakfast)|Lunch: Excluded|Dinner: Excluded
Our day will be spent on route from Avignon to Paris. We will arrive in Paris in the early evening.
Day 7:
Paris - Lucerne (486 km)
Breakfast: Included (Hotel Breakfast)|Lunch: Excluded|Dinner: Excluded
Today we will board a luxury coach in Paris and enjoy a scenic drive through the French countryside en route to the mountains of Switzerland. Passing through Basel, located at the point where the Swiss, French, and German borders meet, we will eventually reach the lakeside city of Lucerne. Here, we will see the city's famous landmarks, including the Chapel Bridge, the Water Tower, and some examples of wonderfully preserved Baroque and Gothic architecture. Afterwards, we will have some free time to shop and take pictures before the tour comes to a close. Please see "Departure and Return" for more detailed information regarding pickup and drop-off times and locations.
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Lucerne, SWITZERLAND
This Swiss city on gorgeous Lake Lucerne is popular with tourists due to its amazing views of the lake, Mount Pilatus, and Mount Rigi of the Swiss Alps. Some of the buildings in Lucerne date back hundreds of years.
Chapel Bridge
This covered bridge that crosses the Reuss River in Lucerne is one of Switzerland's main tourist attractions. The interior of the bridge contains several paintings which were completed in the 17th century.
IMPORTANT! Itinerary and End City Variations:
We constantly strives to improve tour itineraries and features. If such
improvements can be made, or unforeseen circumstances beyond our control make changes necessary - we reserve the right to vary the end cities to substitute hotels. At certain peak periods duplicate departures may operate, and sometimes in reverse order in which case hotels may vary from those stated on the itinerary pages.
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