Itinerary

Day 1Fri. BOARD YOUR OVERNIGHT TRANSATLANTIC FLIGHT

Day 2Sat. ARRIVE IN LONDON, ENGLAND

Big Ben, the bell of the clock tower

Check into your hotel. In the afternoon you may want to start exploring the lively British capital. Uniformed Hosts are available to help you make the most of your stay.

Day 3Sun. LONDON

The London Eye, also known as the Millennium Wheel

A full day to savor our rich program of optional activities: take a panoramic tour of London’s landmarks, visit the Tower of London

Tower of London

, or choose an excursion to Windsor Castle. Tonight, maybe a leisurely cruise on the River Thames

Tower Bridge in London

? (Breakfast)

Day 4Mon. LONDON–BRUSSELS

View the magnificent Gothic and Baroque architecture on the Grand Place in Brussels

, BELGIUM

Leave London in the early morning and head through the lush English countryside to the Channel port, where you board your ferry for the Continent. Here, meet your Tour Director and board your luxury coach for the drive to Brussels. (Breakfast)

Day 5Tue. BRUSSELS–LUXEMBOURG

Enjoy the beautiful views of Luxembourg

–TRIER

Visit the Porta Nigra in Trier, the oldest city in Germany

, GERMANY–FRANKFURT AREA

Drive south this morning into the Duchy of Luxembourg. Cross the German border and make a stop in ancient Trier before continuing through the splendid scenery of the Moselle Valley. A choice this afternoon of the included scenic drive along the shores of the Rhine or, even more thrilling, the optional Rhine cruise

The beautiful Rhine Valley

with vistas of the Lorelei rock, hilltop castles, half-timbered wine villages, and terraced vineyards. Just a few more miles by coach to the overnight in the Frankfurt area. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 6Wed. FRANKFURT AREA–NUREMBERG–MUNICH

"Munich, Germany's Secret Capital"

–SALZBURG

The Hohensalzburg Fortress is the largest fully preserved fortress in Europe

, AUSTRIA

A church on an Austrian mountaintop

Journey through the heart of Germany on the highway to reach Nuremberg, at one time Germany’s most beautiful city and much later famed for the war criminal trials that took place in 1945. Stop for a short visit. Drive south this afternoon through Bavaria, past Munich, across the German-Austrian border, and head towards Salzburg for an overnight. (Breakfast)

Day 7Thu. SALZBURG AREA–VIENNA

The Vienna City Hall

A morning to enjoy some optional sightseeing in Salzburg, Mozart’s hometown. In the afternoon, journey through the Salzkammergut Lakelands of Sound of Music fame, past Mondsee to follow the Danube almost all the way to Vienna. (Breakfast)

Day 8Fri. VIENNA

Start the morning with an included sightseeing tour featuring the State Opera, Parliament, and the Town Hall. Stop for a stroll in Heroes’ Square to view the Hofburg. Finally, an inside visit of St. Stephen’s Cathedral

View the Romanesque and Gothic architecture of St. Stephen’s Cathedral

. Complete the day by joining the optional excursion to Schönbrunn Palace. (Breakfast)

Day 9Sat. VIENNA–LAKE BALATON, HUNGARY–BUDAPEST

The Széchenyi Chain Bridge spanning the River Danube in Budapest

East today into Hungary through the historic city of Györ. Next, the vast stretch of Lake Balaton unfolds as you drive through some of its summer resorts. Reach Budapest by way of Martonvasar, where Beethoven wrote his Appassionata. Tonight an optional cruise on the Danube to enjoy the fascinating city illuminations. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 10Sun. BUDAPEST

Buda Castle dominates the twin cities of Buda and Pest, separated by the broad ribbon of the Danube. Heroes’ Square typifies the modern capital, while along the riverbank you find the old inns and wine cellars. Included sightseeing takes in the Parliament building, Margaret Island, Fishermen’s Bastion, the Royal Castle, and Matthias Coronation Church. (Breakfast)

Day 11Mon. BUDAPEST–BRATISLAVA, SLOVAKIA–PRAGUE

Czech capital of Prague

, CZECH REPUBLIC

Start the day by traveling into Slovakia. Once across the border, have a break in Bratislava, its capital. Drive north to cross yet another border into the Czech Republic. The highway will take you through Bohemia, an enchanted land of castles, spas, and picket-fenced villages. Evening arrival in Prague. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 12Tue. PRAGUE

The wealth of gothic and baroque architecture here perhaps inspired Dvorak and Smetana, both Prague composers. Included sightseeing features landmarks such as the Jewish Quarter, Wenceslas Square, Charles Bridge, and the Old Town Square with the Astronomical Clock

The historic Astronomical Clock in Prague has been operating for over six centuries

. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 13Wed. PRAGUE–DRESDEN

Dresden, Germany, situated along the River Elbe

, GERMANY–BERLIN

The Brandenburg Gate in Berlin serves as a symbol of peace and reunification of the city

Discover more of Bohemia as you journey towards the German frontier. Next, the mountains and fortresses of the Erzgebirge range. Today’s highlight is a stop in Dresden, a magnificently restored city after its almost total destruction in World War II. In the afternoon, travel north across the River Elbe to reach Berlin for two overnights. Maybe join the optional dinner outing. (Breakfast)

Day 14Thu. BERLIN

Included sightseeing focuses on the Reichstag, Brandenburg Gate

The Brandenburg Gate is a former city gate and a main symbol of Berlin

, and the Europa Center. Reunited Berlin has regained not only its territorial integrity but also the status of a German capital. Afternoon at leisure or join an optional excursion. (Breakfast)

Day 15Fri. BERLIN–HAMELIN–RHINELAND

Germany’s amazing landscapes along the Rhine river

Back on the Autobahn this morning past Brunswick on the way to Hamelin. Stop and hear the story of the Pied Piper. Next, the grand scenery of the Teutoburger Forest and into the Ruhr, then farther west to the Rhineland for an overnight. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 16Sat. RHINELAND–LONDON, ENGLAND

A comfortable drive this morning to the Channel port for your ferry crossing from the Continent to England. Through Kent, return to London for an evening arrival. (Breakfast)

Day 17Sun. YOUR HOMEBOUND FLIGHT ARRIVES THE SAME DAY. (Breakfast)