European Explorer: Discover with Riviera Tours

Tour Highlights

No of days:  8 Nights/  9 Days                      

Overview of the trip:

• Day 1: London - Calais - Brussels
• Day 2: Drubba - Black Forest – Innsbruck
• Day 3: Innsbruck - Lake Garda – Venice
• Day 4: Venice - Rome
• Day 5: Rome - Vatican City
• Day 6: Rome - Florence
• Day 7: Pisa - Geneva
• Day 8: Geneva – Paris
• Day 9: Paris - Calais - London

 Glimpses of the tour:

Belgium

• Atomium Structure photo stop

Germany

• Black Forest drive through the scenic region
• Cuckoo Clock demonstration & shop

Austria

• Innsbruck City Tour
• Swarovski Crystal Museum with entrance

Italy

• Venice Boat ride to St. Marks Square, Gondola Ride with entrance & Murano Glass Showroom
• Rome City Tour with local guide, Colosseum photo stop, visit the Pantheon, Roman Forum, Time Elevator with entrance
• Florence City Tour with local guide, Statue of David at Piazza Michelangelo, Ponte Vecchio, view the Piazza Della
• Signoria, Basilica of Santa Croce (from outside) and The Duomo
• Pisa view the Leaning Tower (from outside) & The Duomo
• Sirmione View of Lake Garda

Vatican

• St Peters Basilica & Square

Switzerland

• Geneva City Tour view Flower Clock, UN Building, Jet d’Eau

France

• Eiffel Tower (3rd floor) with entrance
• River Seine Boat Cruise with entrance
• Paris Orientation Tour

Day Wise Itinerary

Day 1
London - Calais - Brussels

This morning cross the English Channel by ferry or Eurotunnel. Visit the capital city of Belgium for a photo stop at the most iconic structure of Brussels, The Atomium. Later enjoy an Indian dinner.
D

Day 2
Drubba - Black Forest - Innsbruck

Travel to the Black Forest region in South Germany. On arrival, enjoy a demonstration on how the cuckoo clocks are made and have an opportunity to purchase them along with other souvenirs. Later proceed to Austria to see the famous Swarovski Crystal Museum, before driving to Innsbruck, offering a combination of culture, history and nature. On arrival, take an orientation tour, covering the Golden roof (a symbol of the city) and the Triumphal Arch, before checking into the hotel. Swarovski Museum is closed due to renovation and will re-open on May 1, 2015. Departures that arrive before May 1 will visit the Swarovski flagship store in Innsbruck.
B, L, D

Day 3
Innsbruck - Lake Garda - Venice

Depart for an excursion to Sirmione; one of the most popular sights on Lake Garda, with thousands of visitors flooding in each day to view the picturesque peninsula. Later depart to the hotel near Venice.
B, D

Day 4
Venice - Rome

Depart for Venice; the most romantic city in Italy with its distinctive architecture and famous gondola rides. Begin with a boat ride to St Mark's Square, one of the most elegant squares in the world. See the famous Bridge of Sighs and the Basilica di San Marco. Visit the Murano Glass Showroom to see a live demonstration and an opportunity to purchase beautiful Murano glass items. Finally enjoy a romantic gondola ride while enjoying the ambience of Venice. In the afternoon depart for the hotel near Rome.
B, D

Day 5
Rome - Vatican City

On arrival in Rome, be greeted by a local professional guide. The tour starts with a photo stop at the Colosseum which is surrounded by other sights such as the Arch of Constantine. Visit the Time Elevator; a multi sensorial and dynamic cinema experience stimulating a travel into time, taking viewers through the History of Rome. View the Roman Forums, where ancient civilisation developed. Visit the Vatican City, home to the Pope and the Roman Catholic Church to see St. Peters Basilica. Visit the Pantheon which was built in 126AD and boasts the world's largest unreinforced concrete dome. (As coaches are restricted to enter many parts of Rome, much of the tour is done on foot).
B, L, D

Day 6
Rome - Florence

Depart for Florence. On arrival, be greeted by your local professional guide. The tour of this renaissance city starts by viewing the impressive architecture of some of the finest historic buildings in Italy, such as the Basilica of Santa Croce, the final resting place of Michelangelo, statue of David, famous Ponte Vecchio Bridge on the Arno River and The Piazelle Michelangelo, for the most outstanding views of Florence.
B, L, D

Day 7
Pisa - Geneva

Depart for Pisa. On arrival, you will have time to marvel at the most fascinating landmarks like the breathtaking Duomo (cathedral) built almost 1,000 years ago and the cathedral's bell tower - better known as the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Have some free time to buy souvenirs for friends and family. In the afternoon, continue your journey to cross the Italian/Swiss border and arrive in Geneva; here have a short city tour covering photo stops at the United Nations Building, The Flower Clock; the symbol of Geneva, and the Jet d'Eau (weather permitting).

Note: City tour of Geneva may be covered on day eight
B, D

Day 8
Geneva - Paris

Depart early for Paris (approx. drive time will be six hours). On arrival enjoy a cruise along the River Seine. The cruise is perfectly designed to discover and admire the rich architecture such as the Eiffel Tower, Musee d'Orsay, Notre Dame Cathedral and more. Later, have a short orientation tour to admire the amazing architecture of Paris.

Note: River Seine cruise may be covered on day nine
B, D

Day 9
Paris - Calais - London

This morning, check out of the hotel and proceed to visit the top floor of the Eiffel Tower. Later you embark on an orientation tour of Paris where you will drive through and see some of the most famous sights such as the Champs-Elysees street, Arc De Triomphe, Louvre museum, Concorde Square and many more historical monuments. In the early afternoon you depart for Calais for Channel crossing to UK. Upon arrival, you proceed towards your final destination. Your tour ends here and bid farewell to all friends you have made on the tour.

Note: On occasions, due to large events, traffic and availability of reservations, it may be necessary to change the above itinerary. However all aspects of the itinerary will be covered
B, L

B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner

Tour Inclusions

• Return transportation by deluxe AC coach from your selected pick up point
• Return channel crossing via Eurotunnel or Ferry
• 8 nights accommodation in a 3/4* hotel with breakfast
• 6 Indian dinners, 2 Continental dinners & 4 vegetarian lunches
• Entrances and sightseeing as mentioned in Tour Highlights
• All tips and service charges
• Premium service of a Riviera Tours’Tour Manager

Price

Price per person based on 2/3 adults sharing a room Child 2-11 year must share a room with 2/3 adults infants 0-23 months price is £225 for a seat in coach only Max occupancy per room is 3 persons (excluding infants). £325 reduction will apply for 2nd child without bed

Departure in Mar & Oct - Dec lunch will not be provided on days 2.Prices for these have been adjusted accordingly.

Additional Excursions

Hotel

• 1 night at Holiday Inn Strasbourg or similar
• 1 night at Stay Inn or similar
• 1 night at Crowne Plaza Padova or similar
• 2 nights at Mercure Roma West or similar
• 1 night at Hotel Wallart or similar
• 1 night at Business Park Hotel or similar
• 1 night at Novotel Massy or similar

Photo Gallery