Touring Europe… on Mozilla Firefox. (-_-”)

I just can’t wait to go for my grad trip!!!!!!!!!!!!! Though I might consider postponing it to a later time….say maybe after I start working. But then, it won’t be called a grad trip….. hmmmm… Anyway, one of my main concerns is that I don’t have friends going with me. I would hardly think travelling alone fun. It’s free and easy, but kinda scary. Thing is, I don’t really wanna follow a tour group. I wanna do my own exploring without having to rush here and there. I want to take my time and enjoy my trip. No fancy hotels, but decent bed & breakfasts or backpackers hostels. This will probably involve alot of planning… which I don’t have the time for now. I’ve been surfing about looking for travel itineraries online to get an idea of where to go and how much it’ll cost…… my uncle! Haha.

I’ve prioritized and my itinerary must include these 3 countries: France, Italy and Spain. I think these places will be the ones where I can see the most things on a limited budget… (see? I’m being nice) If given a choice, this itinerary below which I found online would be the perfect one for me… but… hah! This is the greedy me talking

Vacation Overview
For those who travel to Europe once in a lifetime and wish to see the maximum, from London to Vienna to Rome to Madrid and Paris, this is THE vacation to explore the European continent. Visit many of the famous cities and sights in Europe with two-night stays in London, Lucerne, Vienna, Venice, Rome, Nice, Barcelona, Madrid, and Paris. Then there’s the high-speed Eurostar train ride from London to Brussels, a canal cruise in Amsterdam, a Rhine cruise, the Black Forest, the Rhine Falls, Liechtenstein, Innsbruck, a walking tour with a Local Guide in Salzburg, a private boat transfer in Venice, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, St. Paul de Vence, Arles, Burgos, Bilbao with a visit to the Guggenheim Museum, Biarritz, and Bordeaux. From Bordeaux, take the high-speed “TGV” train to Paris.

Sightseeing tours in all major cities include the major sights, as well as highlight features such as the Doges’ Palace in Venice, the Colosseum and Sistine Chapel in Rome, Michelangelo’s David in Florence, the Prado Museum in Madrid, and a ride up to the second floor of the Eiffel Tower in Paris. On this tour, you see all the European continental coasts: the English Channel, the North Sea coast, the Italian and French Rivieras, and the Bay of Biscay. This vacation across ten European countries will leave you with memories and stories to last a lifetime!

This tour is also available as Tour KML with a 1-day extention to London (from Paris) by Eurostar Train. Overnight at the first-class hotel Novotel London West.

Day 1 (Thu.) Board your overnight transatlantic flight.

Day 2 Arrival in London, England (Fri.) Uniformed Globus Hosts are available to help you make the most of your stay.

Day 3 London (Sat.) Sightseeing with a Local Guide includes all the famous landmarks: Knightsbridge with Harrods, the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben beside the River Thames, Westminster Abbey, Whitehall’s mounted horseguards and Buckingham Palace. Highlights are a visit to ST. PAUL’S CATHEDRAL and the ceremonial pageantry of the Changing of the Guard, if held. Afternoon at leisure. (FB)

Day 4 London–Brussels, Belgium (Sun.) Meet your Tour Director and travel companions and transfer to the railway station to board the EUROSTAR TRAIN to Brussels, proud capital of Belgium and the European Union. Your orientation drive focuses on GRAND’ PLACE with its baroque guild houses, Gothic Town Hall, and famous Manneken Pis. Tonight enjoy a welcome dinner at your hotel. (FB,D)

Day 5 Brussels–Amsterdam, Holland (Mon.) Past Antwerp and into the Netherlands. In Amsterdam visit a major DIAMOND CENTER to appreciate how a rough mineral is transformed into a sparkling jewel. Next, enjoy a CANAL CRUISE, the best way to see the 700-year-old capital. Afternoon free. An optional excursion to the quaint fishing village of Volendam can be arranged. (BB,D)

Day 6 Amsterdam–Heidelberg, Germany–Rhineland (Tue.) A passing glance at the Dutch region best known as the locale of A Bridge Too Far on the way to Germany. During your break in Cologne, visit the awesome twin-spired gothic CATHEDRAL. Then the afternoon’s highlight is a romantic RHINE CRUISE past castle-crested cliffs, terraced vineyards, and trim, half-timbered towns. Next stop is Heidelberg, famous for its red-walled castle. (BB,D)

Day 7 Rhineland–Lucerne, Switzerland (Wed.) A scenic day! Morning stop in the lush valleys and pine-clad hills of the BLACK FOREST, renowned for its cuckoo clocks. On the Swiss border take your pictures of the thundering RHINE FALLS, then continue to picture-book Lucerne. (BB,D)

Day 8 Lucerne (Thu.) Admire Thorwaldsen’s LION MONUMENT on your walking tour of the Old Town and cross the famous covered CHAPEL BRIDGE to the Jesuit Church. Afterwards, shop for Swiss watches and choose from our optional activities: climb a mountain by cable car or take a cruise on the fjord-like lake. Why not sign up for a folklore party with yodeling and alphorn blowing for a first-hand impression of Alpine merrymaking? (BB)

Day 9 Lucerne–Liechtenstein–Innsbruck–Salzburg, Austria (Fri.) In the morning, stop for a short break in Vaduz, capital of the the pocket-sized Principality of Liechtenstein on your way to Innsbruck, Austria’s Olympic resort in the Tyrolean mountains. Enjoy a pleasant walk through its quaint medieval lanes to Emperor Maximilian’s GOLDEN ROOF. In the afternoon take the scenic route to Salzburg. (BB,D)

Day 10 Salzburg–Vienna (Sat.) Enjoy a walking tour with your Local Guide through the historic center to admire exquisite MIRABELL GARDENS, the Great Festival Hall, ST. PETER’S CHURCHYARD, the monumental Domplatz, and take pictures of Mozart’s birthplace. Then travel past the Sound of Music country to the Danube Valley and Vienna. (BB)

Day 11 Vienna (Sun.) Sightseeing with a Local Guide features vistas of Prater Park with its Ferris wheel and the United Nations City on the Danube. Pass the State Opera House, the Jewish quarter, and stop at the Hofburg Palace, winter residence of the Imperial family. Marvel at the impressive courtyards and famous Heldenplatz, and visit awesome ST. STEPHEN’S CATHEDRAL. A special visit to the STRAUSS HOUSE is included and an optional excursion to Schönbrunn Palace is available. (BB)

Day 12 Vienna–Venice, Italy (Mon.) Scenic Semmering Pass, stately Styrian crossroad towns, and Carinthian lakes and resorts provide the everchanging Alpine backdrop to today’s journey through the loveliest parts of Austria to the northern tip of the Adriatic Sea. Tonight is your chance to sample Venetian fare. (BB)

Day 13 Venice (Tue.) Enter in style by PRIVATE BOAT to meet your Local Guide. Highlights of your walking tour are ST. MARK’S SQUARE and the byzantine BASILICA, lavish DOGES’ PALACE and the BRIDGE OF SIGHS. Also watch skilled GLASSBLOWERS fashion their delicate objects. Later, enjoy Venice at your own pace or join an optional gondola ride. (BB,D)

Day 14 Venice–Rome (Wed.) A scenic drive through the fertile northern plains and across the wooded Apennine Hills. A scenic drive through the wine and olive-clad Tuscan hills, home of Chianti, brings you to the “Eternal City.” (BB)

Day 15 Rome (Thu.) Sightseeing with your Local Guide starts with a visit to the VATICAN MUSEUMS and SISTINE CHAPEL, world famous for Michelangelo’s ceiling paintings and The Last Judgement. Continue to monumental ST. PETER’S SQUARE and BASILICA. Cross the Tiber and visit the COLOSSEUM and the ROMAN FORUM, where Roman legions marched in triumph. Then time for independent activities and exciting optional excursion possibilities. (BB)

Day 16 Rome–Florence–Tuscany** (Fri.) Drive to Florence, “Cradle of the Renaissance.” Enjoy a walking tour with your Local Guide to Michelangelo’s celebrated David in the ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS, the magnificent CATHEDRAL, Giotto’s Bell Tower, the Baptistry’s heavy bronze “Gate of Paradise,” and sculpture-studded SIGNORIA SQUARE. Also check out the shops with Florentine leather goods and gold jewelry. (**Departures 0113-0406 and 1116-0405 overnight in Florence instead of Tuscany). (BB,D)

Day 17 Tuscany**–Pisa–Nice, France (Sat.) Focus on Pisa this morning for pictures of its amazing Leaning Tower. Then a scenic drive past a string of Italian and French Riviera resorts towards the Principality of Monaco. Follow the panoramic Moyenne Corniche and stop at one of the famous PERFUME FACTORIES before arriving in Nice. (**Departures 1206 to 1220 overnight in Florence instead of Tuscany). (BB)

Day 18 Nice. Excursion to St. Paul de Vence (Sun.) This morning visit the picturesque hilltop town of St. Paul de Vence. Then a lazy afternoon to dabble in the blue Mediterranean or stroll along the elegant Promenade des Anglais. Tonight, an optional excursion is available to Monte Carlo. (BB)

Day 19 Nice–Arles–Barcelona, Spain (Mon.) This morning, follow in Van Gogh’s footsteps on your way to Arles, where he painted more than 300 canvases. Walk to the famous Roman Amphitheater and enjoy time to stroll around and browse through the shops. Next, continue through the endless vineyards of the Languedoc-Roussillon, stretching most of the way to the Spanish border. Overnight in Barcelona, the proud capital of Catalonia. (BB,D)

Day 20 Barcelona (Tue.) Sightseeing with a Local Guide features the Columbus Monument, elegant tree-lined Ramblas and Plaza de Cataluna, historic buildings along Paseo de Gracia, the Church of the Holy Family, a panoramic view of the city and harbor from Montjuïc Hill, and a visit to the Cathedral of SANTA EULALIA. Afternoon at leisure. (BB)

Day 21 Barcelona–Madrid (Wed.) Rustic Catalonian and Aragonian landscapes on your journey to the fertile Ebro Valley. In the afternoon wind your way through three sierras to Madrid on the plateau of Castile. (BB)

Day 22 Madrid (Thu.) The capital of Spain since 1561, Madrid today is a strikingly modern city, the showcase of a country resolutely turned towards the future. Sightseeing with a Local Guide features the Puerta del Sol, Plaza de España with its monument to Cervantes, the Parliament, Cibeles Fountain, elegant Calle Alcala, and Paseo de Castellana. Then the highlight: a visit to the palatial PRADO MUSEUM with its priceless art treasures. Afternoon at leisure. Tonight your Tour Director will suggest a typical Spanish dinner. (BB)

Day 23 Madrid–Burgos–Bilbao (Fri.) North to Burgos for a short visit, then continue to Bilbao for a guided visit to the famous GUGGENHEIM MUSEUM. (BB,D)

Day 24 Bilbao–Biarritz, France–Bordeaux (Sat.) Back into France. Visit Biarritz, an ancient fishing village turned trendy seaside resort. Skirt the sandy dunes and swamps of the Landes region in Gascony on the way to Bordeaux. An orientation tour on arrival acquaints you with this historic port. (BB,D)

Day 25 Bordeaux–Paris (Sun.) This morning the high-speed “TGV” TRAIN whisks you to Paris. Afternoon at leisure to explore the world capital of chic and style at your own pace: shop for perfume and fancy fashion accessories, or join an optional excursion to the lavish baroque Palace of Versailles. (BB)

Day 26 Paris (Mon.) Morning sightseeing with a Local Guide includes the most famous sights: the Opéra, Louvre, Notre Dame Cathedral, Arc de Triomphe, and Champs-Elysées. For a bird’s-eye view, take the elevator to the second floor of Paris most famous landmark: the EIFFEL TOWER. An optional excursion to the famous Louvre Museum is available, and tonight, a lively cabaret show might just be the ticket! (BB)

Day 27 (Tue.) Your homebound flight from Paris arrives the same day. (BB)

*NOTE: If you need a visa for France, please secure a multiple-entry visa

INCLUDED FEATURES:

London: Guided sightseeing, visit St. Paul’s Cathedral, see the Changing of the Guard, if held London-Brussels: By Eurostar train Brussels: Visit Grand’Place; welcome dinner Amsterdam: Canal cruise; visit a major diamond center Cologne: Visit the cathedral Rhine Cruise Heidelberg: Take pictures of the castle Black Forest Rhine Falls Lucerne: Walking tour including the Lion Monument and the Chapel Bridge Vaduz: Visit the capital of Liechtenstein Innsbruck: Walk through the Old Town to the Golden Roof Salzburg: Guided walking tour, visit Mirabell Gardens and St. Peter’s Churchyard Vienna: Guided sightseeing, visit the Strauss House Venice: Private boat ride; guided walking tour including headsets, visit St. Mark’s Square & Basilica, Doges’ Palace and the Bridge of Sighs; glassblowers’ demonstration Rome: Guided sightseeing including headsets, visit the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Square and Basilica, the Colosseum and Roman Forum Florence: Guided walking tour including headsets, visit Michelangelo’s David, the cathedral, and Signoria Square Pisa: Take pictures of the Leaning Tower Nice: Visit a perfume factory; excursion to St. Paul de Vence Arles: Walk to the Roman Amphitheater Barcelona: Guided sightseeing, visit the cathedral Madrid: Guided sightseeing, visit the Prado Museum Burgos: Visit Bilbao: Guided visit to the Guggenheim Museum Biarritz: Visit the seaside resort Bordeaux: Orientation drive Bordeaux-Paris: By “TGV” train (first-class) Paris: Guided sightseeing, ascend the Eiffel Tower Paris-London: By Eurostar train (tour KML)

Scheduled transatlantic flights and airport transfers if Globus issues the tickets. Host service in London; professional tour director while touring

Hotels listed below or equivalent. Twin-bedded rooms with private bath or shower, hotel taxes, service charges, tips for baggage handling

Meals: Buffet breakfast daily (BB), including 2 full English breakfasts in London (FB); 10 three-course dinners (D), including a welcome dinner in Brussels

Private deluxe motorcoach. On the Continent: air-conditioning, extra leg room, and emergency washroom

Inside visits as shown in UPPERCASE in the tour description, including admission charges where applicable

Globus travel bag and travel documents

QUALITY HOTELS:
London Hilton London Metropole (SF), Brussels Holiday Inn City Centre (F), Amsterdam Holiday Inn (F), Rhineland Holiday Inn (F) at Heidelberg, Lucerne Grand Hotel Europe (F), Salzburg Crowne Plaza The Pitter (SF), Vienna Arcotel Wimberger (F), Venice Plaza (F) at Mestre, Rome Holiday Inn Rome West (F), Tuscany Settentrionale Esplanade (F) at Montecatini or Grand Hotel Mediterraneo (F) at Florence, Nice NH Nice (F), Barcelona Rivoli Ramblas (F), Madrid A.Gaudi (F), Bilbao Barcelo Avenida & Spa (F), Bordeaux Mercure Château Chartrons (F), Paris Pullman Paris Rive Gauche (F)

(T – Tourist-Class, ST – Superior Tourist-Class, F – First-Class, SF – Superior First Class)