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Day 1 : Hometown - London (Britain)
Our Golden Highlights tour in Europe begins as we board our comfortable flight to London, the capital of Britain.
Day 2 : London (L)
Upon arrival in London, we first travel to CHINATOWN for a Cantonese style dim sum lunch. Our panoramic city tour includes the Big Ben Clock, Westminster Abbey, Parliament building, Tower Bridge, St. Paul¡¯s Cathedral, Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus and Buckingham Palace (photo stop). A special visit to the British Museum, which houses an unrivaled collection of archeological and cultural artifacts from all parts of the world (Note: No compensation will be given if the Museum is closed)
Hotel: Holiday Inn M4 or Park Inn Heathrow London or similar class hotel.
Day 3 : London - Rome (Italy) (B/D)
Depart London for Rome, a fabled city that is both ancient and modern. Our city tour visits Vatican to see the incomparable St. Peter¡¯s Basilica, which was built on the ruins of old Saint Peter¡¯s Basilica and which was also the site of St. Peter¡¯s tomb. In front of St. Peter¡¯s is Bernini¡¯s awe-inspiring St. Peter¡¯s Square. We then continue our panoramic city tour, which includes Piazza Venezia, Independence Monument, Roman Forum, Constantine¡¯s Arch, Colosseum. We end our tour at the spectacular Trevi Fountain, where you may want to throw a coin into to the fountain to ensure your return to Rome.
Hotel: Holiday Inn Fiano or similar class hotel.
Day 4 : Rome - Pisa - Florence (B/D)
This morning we travel north to Pisa to see the Leaning Tower of Pisa. After tilting at close to 15 feet and still standing, it is one of the Seven Wonders of the World. We then drive to Florence, the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance and the cultural and artistic heart of Italy. It is world-renowned for its museums and renaissance architecture. Our walking tour takes in the Duomo (Santa Maria del Fiore), Ghiberti¡¯s ¡°Gates of Paradise¡± (Baptistery), Giotto¡¯s Campanile, the birth house of the poet Dante, Piazza della Signoria, Palazzo Vecchio, and Piazza Santa Croce. Florence is famous for its handcrafted, naturally dyed leather goods and fabulous gold jewelries. After our city tour, there is time to shop to your heart¡¯s contend for fantastic leather jackets, handbags and gold jewelries. Tonight, enjoyed an Italian dinner with some of the most famous Italian dishes.
Hotel: Starhotel Vespucci or similar class hotel.
Day 5 : Florence - Venice (B/D)
This morning, we travel to Venice, a city of unsurpassed beauty. Situated in the middle of the Venetian Lagoon, the city is made up of 118 islands, 150 canals and 400 bridges. We visit Piazza San Marco, Basilica St. Marco, Doge¡¯s Palace, Bridge of Sighs and the Campanile. For a close-up view of some of the most stunning Venetian palaces and the magnificent Grand Canal, we recommend a leisurely and smooth gondola ride (optional). If time and circumstance allow, we will visit a well-known Venetian glass factory for a live demonstration of the art of glassblowing. Tonight, enjoyed an Italian dinner with some of the most famous Italian dishes.
Hotel: Sheraton Padova or similar class hotel.
Day 6 : Venice - Milan (B/D)
Milan, the second largest city in Italy, is one of the foremost industrial, commercial, and design centers in Europe. Our orientation city tour takes in the Cathedral of Milan (Duomo), which took almost 6 centuries to complete and is famous for its stained glass windows and numerous masterly carved stone statues representing biblical characters. Nearby is one of the earliest shopping malls in Europe, the late 19C Galleria Victor Emmanuelle II; and La Scala, the leading opera house in the world.
Hotel: Holiday Inn or Crown Plaza Milan Linate or similar class hotel.
Day 7 : Milan - Lucerne (Switzerland) (B/D)
Today we travel north to Switzerland, a country famous for its enchanting landscapes of snow-capped mountain peaks, pristine lakes and charming villages. In the late morning, we arrive at the foothills of Mount Titlis. A spectacular, three-stage cable car ride (fare not included) to the peak (the highest in north central Switzerland) provides gorgeous, unforgettable views of snowy mountain peaks, crystal clear alpine lakes and idyllic emerald meadows. The Swiss restaurant at the summit is famous for it delicious and silky white sausages and creamy Swiss barley soup. We then drive to Lucerne, one of most beautiful and popular cities in Switzerland. Upon arrival, there is time to shop for beautiful Swiss watches and souvenirs.
Hotel: Astoria Hotel or similar class hotel.
Day 8 : Lucerne - Paris (France) (B/D)
Today, an unforgettable journey through a beautiful rural France of charming villages, green rolling hills, ancient vineyards, grazing cows, and fertile fields, all reminiscent of a bygone, more idyllic time. In the late afternoon, we arrive in Paris, a magnificent, magical city of unrivaled cultural and architectural treasures and world-class museums. This evening, why not join a Paris night tour and experience the city, known at the ¡°city of lights¡±, at its most enchanting. Tonight, enjoyed a special French dinner featuring Escargot.
Hotel: Holiday Inn Versailles Bougival or similar class hotel.
Day 9 : Paris (B/L)
The highlight today is a guided tour of Louvre Museum (licensed guide and entrance fee included), which is world famous for the scope and richness of its collections. During the tour, we will see some of the best-known art masterpieces in the world, such as Da Vinci's 'Mona Lisa', the Greek statues of Venus de Milo and Victory of Samothrace. This afternoon is free to pursue your own interests: more sightseeing/shopping on your own or joining an optional tour to the most famous palace in Europe, the glorious Versailles Palace.
Hotel: Holiday Inn Versailles Bougival or similar
Day 10: Paris - Brussels (Belgium) (B)
Our morning city tour visits Notre Dame Cathedral, Triumphal Arch, Place de la Concord, Eiffel Tower, and Champs-Élys¨¦es, etc. Before leaving Paris, we make a quick stop at a well-known tax-free store for a last chance to stock up on top brand French perfumes and cosmetics. We then travel to capital of Belgium, Brussels, a lively and cosmopolitan city where the headquarters of the European Union and NATO are located. We first make a photo stop at Atomium, a fantastic structure made of nine gigantic steel spheres. Our city visit stops at the splendid Grand Place, famed for its renaissance style guild houses and the flamboyant Gothic city hall; we then visit the playful Manneken Pis Statue, one of the most popular sights in Brussels.
Hotel: Holiday Inn or Crowne Plaza Brussels Airport or similar class hotel.
Day 11: Brussels - Amsterdam (Holland) (B/D)
A scenic drive takes us to Amsterdam, the capital of The kingdom of the Netherlands. We first visit Zanse Schans, also known as Windmill Village. With its traditional wooden houses, windmills and canals, this colorful open-air museum takes us back to the Holland of 16C and 17C. We attend a live demonstration to see how the famous Dutch wooden shoes are made and then go for a tasting of delicious, locally made cheese. After lunch, an included canal cruise provides an in-depth introduction to the history and architecture of this fascinating city. Amsterdam is one of the most important diamond processing centers in the world; we take the opportunity to visit a well-known diamond factory. Established in 1840, this master diamond cutter re-cut a crown diamond for Queen Victoria and also made into the Guinness World Record Book. After Dinner, we take a walking tour of the city¡¯s infamous red light district (photography not allowed).
Hotel: Schiphol A4 or similar class hotel.
Day 12: Amsterdam - London - Hometown (B)
An early morning flight to London for connection with your homebound flight. If you plan to extend your stay in London or join the optional tour, please contact your travel agents for more information. The return date on your ticket is valid for 30 days.
By Virgin Atlantic Airlines
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