A European Adventure

Experience the historical and magical moments on a tour of Europe. This exciting tour travels through Europe with stops in Amsterdam, Heidelberg, Munich, Switzerland and grand Paris.

Itinerary

Day 1
Departure from the USA. Overnight flight bound for Holland–the land of tulips, cheese and windmills.
Transatlantic Flight Meals Included.

Day 2
Morning flight arrival in Amsterdam, the “Venice of the North,” a city of canals and bridges, carillon-crowned churches and lots of old world charm. On arrival, we’ll enjoy city panoramas on a canal boat ride with commentary on the history and architecture of this capital city of the Netherlands. And we’ll visit the Anne Franke House, a museum dedicated to the young diarist who hid from Nazi persecution in the back attic room here with her family and others for more than two years. We check in at our Amsterdam hotel, where we stay for two nights. Tonight, enjoy our welcome dinner at the hotel.
Included Meal: Day 2 – Dinner

Day 3
Our day excursion begins with a drive to the town of Delft. Here we visit the world renowned Royal Delft Pottery factory to see skilled craftsmen at work creating the famous blue and white porcelain pieces. Next enjoy an orientation drive of Den Haag (The Hague), seat of the Dutch Government and the International Court of Justice … and some 150 other international legal organizations. This afternoon is a trip highlight, our visit to Keukenhof, the “Garden of Europe” and the world’s largest flower garden, where some 7 million bulbs are planted annually. Our visit is during tulip time, when the tulips should be at their prettiest. Enjoy group dinner tonight.
Included Meals: Day 3 – Breakfast, Dinner

Days 4 and 5
Today we travel to Heidelberg, one of Germany’s most beautiful cities and home to one of the oldest universities in Europe. We are in the Heidelberg area for two nights. On day 5 our local guide will take us on a delightful sightseeing tour of Heidelberg. This medieval Old Town is everything you have imagined–narrow cobblestone streets flanked with interesting architecture, market squares edged with sidewalk cafes, mountain forests in the distance threaded with trails and a romantic castle standing tall over all. We visit Heidelberg castle, which includes a wonderful pharmacy museum, the world’s largest wine barrel and spectacular views over the town. Continue to Ruedesheim for a Rhine Cruise to St. Goar, passing the Lorelei Rock and other landmarks.
Included Meals: Day 4 – Breakfast, Dinner;
Day 5 – Breakfast

Day 6
Sleepy little villages, majestic fortresses and timeless castles enhance the scenery before and after the morning stop. We continue traveling the “Romantic Road” to Rothenberg.  It is Europe’s best preserved Medieval City, and the old town charm of Rothenberg is like something from the world of the Brothers Grimm. This ancient city is surrounded by towers, ramparts and walls, so get your camera ready for our walking tour. The rest of the afternoon is yours to explore. We stay in the German Bavarian capital, Munich, for 2 nights.
Included Meals: Day 6 – Breakfast, Dinner

Day 7
This morning enjoy guided panoramic sightseeing of Munich with views of the Marienplatz Glockenspiel, Frauenkirche, the Hofbrauhaus and the English Gardens. We will visit Nymphenburg Palace. This afternoon, we make a sobering visit to the former concentration camp memorial of Dachau, a “symbol” camp of Nazi oppression from 1933 to 1945. We have dinner on own in Munich.
Included Meal: Day  7 – Breakfast

Day 8
A short distance will take us to the magical castle of “Mad” King Ludwig, and the inspiration for Disneyland Castle–Neuschwanstein. You’ll recognize the site, as this is one of the most photographed landmarks of Germany. A horse carriage ride will take us up to the Castle, and back down after we’ve had a look-see inside. Next, we coach into Switzerland and the charming lakeside town of Lucerne nestled in the snow-capped Alps. We stay in the area for two nights.
Included Meals: Day 8 – Breakfast, Dinner

Day 9
One of Switzerland’s finest cities, Lucerne is nestled amid snow-capped Alps, surrounded by its lake and embellished by the clear mountain waters of the River Reuss. After a leisurely walking tour of Lucerne to see the Lion Monument, covered bridge and more; the afternoon is free, so you may join an optional Swiss Mountain excursion to Mt. Pilatus. Tonight we will enjoy a traditional cheese fondue dinner.
Included Meals: Day 9 – Breakfast, Dinner

Day 10
Today we skirt the Black Forest and into the small German villages in the Baden area.  Imagine Hansel and Gretel hiding among the Tatum Baums as we travel to Offenburg across the Rhine from Strasbourg. Are your ancestors from the Baden area of Germany? Offenburg is a small city in Baden where we can visit a wide variety of shops in the pedestrian downtown area along with visiting rural farm areas. Tonight we dine in Strasbourg.
Included Meals: Day 10 – Breakfast, Dinner

Day 11
Just a few kilometers down the road might be the village your family came from. We will go to Gutach, and then visit some of  these nearby small villages and truly experience the flavor of everyday life in a rural community. We may even meet long, lost relatives! Tonight we dine in the quaint, medieval village of Gengenbach.
Included Meals: Day 11 – Breakfast, Dinner

Day 12
As we drive through the Rheim in northern France we stop in Mumms-Champagne country and  visit one of the largest producers of Champagne.  Then a pleasant drive to Paris, the City of Light! We overnight in Paris two nights.
Included Meal: Day 12 – Breakfast

Day 13
Our panoramic guided sightseeing tour of Paris includes outside views of L’Arc de Triomphe, Notre Dame and a photo stop at the Eiffel Tower. We’ll visit the Rodin Sculpture Garden and see the well-known statue, “The Thinker.” Later, our tour manager will lead us to the Louvre Museum, where we’re provided with headsets for a self-guided visit. This evening will be our farewell dinner together, followed by a cruise to enjoy views of the flying buttresses of Notre Dame Cathedral and other great monuments on our Seine River Cruise for the last time.
Included Meals: Day 13 – Breakfast, Dinner

Day 14
“Au revoir, Paris!” Our European Adventure ends today as we are transferred to the airport for our homeward flight.
Included Meal: Day 14 – Breakfast

Passport Required.

A $250 deposit per person is required. Special payment and cancellation policies apply. Inquire at time of booking.

General Air Policy:
The base fare is guaranteed, but taxes and fuel surcharges are obtained upon ticketing 30 days prior to departure.