12 Days London, Amsterdam and Paris
DAY 01: DEPART USA. Overnight flight to London.
DAY 02: LONDON, ENGLAND. After your hotel check-in, you're free to explore this great city. Take advantage of the opportunities offered by Harrod's department store - a treasure trove of high-class goods. This evening meet your fellow travelers and Tour Director for a welcome dinner at the hotel.
DAY 03: LONDON. This morning, century after century will unfold before us as our qualified local guide tours us around London. The highlight will be a visit to Westminster Abbey. This afternoon you are free to enjoy this city as you wish, or maybe embark on an optional excursion to Windsor Castle. The evening is free.
DAY 04: LONDON / AMSTERDAM. Today we take the ferry from Harwich to the Hook of Holland. Rest of the day at leisure. Why not track down Anne Frank's house at Prinsengracht 263, and Rembrandt's gabled home dating from 1606? Dinner and overnight at our hotel.
DAY 05: AMSTERDAM. Today we will spend time getting to know this youthful 700-year-old city a little better. We will board a glass topped barge for a cruise through canals lined with seventeenth century buildings. We visit a local diamond factory to see how diamonds are cut. Afterward, our Tour Director points out such sights as the Van Gogh museum and the Royal Palace.
DAY 06: AMSTERDAM / BRUSSELS. The countryside we see along this morning's drive is flat and abundantly green. We begin with a visit to the Delft China Factory. Then, by way of The Hague, we wind our way to Brussels, a gourmet's Garden of Eden. Our arrival is followed by orientation sightseeing. Later we'll get together over dinner.
DAY 07: BRUSSELS (EXCURSION TO GHENT & BRUGES). Today, we enjoy an excursion to two medieval Art Cities of Flanders. First Ghent, where we will visit the Van Eyck painting Adoration of the Mystic Lamb. Then on to Bruges. A late afternoon return to Brussels leaves the evening free to dine on local specialties and perhaps take a stroll in the Grand Palace.
DAY 08: BRUSSELS / LUXEMBOURG. Today we travel by way of Bastogne, scene of the Battle of the Bulge, as we come to Luxembourg, a pleasant world of castles and turrets. Dinner and overnight at our hotel.
DAY 09: LUXEMBOURG / PARIS. From the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, we head into France's champagne country this morning. Here, we stop to sample the splendid bubbly at Reims. We'll also stop at the immense Gothic Cathedral, where the Kings of France were once consecrated. Our destination this evening is Paris, where we enjoy a gourmet restaurant dinner with wine.
DAY 10: PARIS. Visit the world famous Louvre, largest palace in the world, begun in 1200 and finished in 1870. Today it houses several museums that undoubtedly constitute the most important art collection in the world. The "big three" attractions are the Victory of Samothrace, the Venus de Milo and Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa. There is so much to see you may want to stay all day. However, if you don't stay all day, perhaps take one of the best river rides in all of Europe on the River Seine. A beautiful, romantic Paris will unfold before your eyes as you sit back and enjoy this relaxing yet educational Paris. Save this evening to view the fabulous Arc de Triomphe which is most spectacular amongst the night lights of Paris. Return to your hotel for the evening.
DAY 11: PARIS. View Paris all on your own while getting a taste of the famed Parisians. Why not visit nearby Versailles which is only about 15 miles from the city and accessible on Le Metro (the rapid transit system of Paris). Pack a traditional French lunch of fresh bread, fruit and cheese and eat on the palace grounds. This lavish palace and gardens is where the Frand Trianon and Petit Trianon and stroll to the hamlet of Marie Antoinette. When arriving back into the city walk along the Seine and see the sidewalk artists and cafes where you could stop and have a cup of expresso. Again take Le Metro to Champs Elysees. View the magnificent fountains and of course the Eiffel Tower. For your last evening in Paris treat yourself to some fine French cuisine and pastries for dessert in an out-of-the-way Parisian restaurant.
DAY 12: PARIS / USA. Travel home today with a mind full of memories of two weeks of pleasure. Flight home arrives later today.