[vc_row][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/4″][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_btn title=”7 DAYS EUROPE HOLIDAY ITALY, SWITZERLAND & FRANCE” style=”flat” color=”warning” align=”center”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/4″][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_separator css=”.vc_custom_1531854687550{border-bottom-width: 2px !important;padding-bottom: 2px !important;}”][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner]

[/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator][vc_separator css=”.vc_custom_1531854720885{margin-top: 2px !important;border-top-width: 2px !important;padding-top: 2px !important;padding-bottom: 2px !important;}”][vc_column_text]Day 1: Paris – Lucerne

Summary of The Day: We will depart for Switzerland in the morning, first passing through Basel – situated at the intersection of France, Germany and Switzerland – before arriving in Lucerne, where we will stay the night.

Hotel:

Hotel Arcade / Holiday Inn Express Affoltern am Albis or similar

Visiting Attractions

Day 2: Lucerne – Milan – Venice

Summary of The Day: After breakfast, we’ll head south to the design and couture-conscious city of Milan. On our tour of the city you will see Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, the oldest shopping arcade in the world; the legendary opera house La Scala; the storied Sforza Castle; and the ostentatious Gothic of Milan Cathedral.

Hotel:

Michelangelo Hotel / Hotel Albatros or similar

Visiting Attractions

• Milan
• Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II
• Sforza Castle
• Milan Cathedral

Day 3: Venice – Rome

Summary of The Day: After breakfast, we’ll take you through this fascinating city of ornate palaces, lyrical waterways, captivating churches and impressive architecture. In San Marco Square you’ll see the Basilica di San Marco, one of the best examples of Byzantine architecture, and the Bridge of Sighs connecting the old prison to the interrogation rooms in Doge’s Palace.

Afterwards, you’ll get a chance to see some traditional Venetian craftswork at a demonstration by Murano glassblowers. An optional gondola ride on the Grand Canal will put the finishing touch on a glorious day in Venice. Accommodations in the evening will either be in Rome or a neighboring city.

Hotel:

Idea Hotel Roma Z3 / Hotel Cristoforo Colombo or similar

Visiting Attractions

• Venice
• Grand Canal

Day 4: Rome – Vatican City – Arezzo

Summary of The Day: After breakfast we’ll head directly to St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican, originally built by Constantine the Great in 324 AD, then reconstructed between 1506 and 1615 under the direction of several famous architects including Bramante, Raphael and Michelangelo. You may also join the optional Sistine Chapel tour to view Michelangelo’s famous frescoes.

Next you’ll see the famous Trevi Fountain, the lavish Baroque showpiece where people flock to throw coins into the water – an action which is said to ensure that you’ll return to the city again one day. After lunch, take a step even further back in time as you visit Italy’s unrivaled Roman relics. An optional guided tour of the Colosseum, built in AD 72, comes highly recommended. History comes to life as you imagine yourself witnessing gladiatorial combat inside the spectacular amphitheatre. You may also choose to walk at your leisure around the outside to admire the facade of this ancient wonder.

After the Colosseum, get up close to the nearby Arch of Constantine, which dates back to the fourth century AD, then spend some further free time enjoying Rome, sampling the rich and creamy delights of gelato.

After some free time you can either visit Basilique Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri (Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels and the Martyrs) near Piazza della Repubblica, or head directly to the nearby Mitsukoshi Department store for some serious shopping.

Hotel:

Arezzo Park Hotel / Etrusco Arezzo Hotel or similar

Visiting Attractions

• Vatican City
• Rome
• Colosseum
• Spanish Steps

Day 5: Florence – Pisa – Genoa

Summary of The Day: On this day you will be introduced to the sights and sounds of Florence, the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance. We’ll head up to the Piazzale Michelangelo for a panoramic view of Florence, then to a local workshop to see how Florence’s fine leather goods are made.

Afterwards, we’ll set out on foot to the Ponte Vecchio over the Arno River, the Duomo, Giotto’s Bell Tower and the Uffizi, which houses one of the finest art collections in the world. At Pisa, our last stop of the day, you will be free to wander; be sure to have your camera ready when you enter the Square of Miracles and the iconic Leaning Tower of Pisa, Pisa Cathedral and Baptistery come into full view.

We finish our evening by continuing on to Genoa or a city nearby for an overnight stay.

Hotel:

Idea Plus Hotel Savona / Grand Hotel des Anglais or similar

Visiting Attractions

• Pisa
• Florence
• Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore
• Leaning Tower of Pisa
• Pisa Cathedral
• Pisa Baptistery
• Genoa

Day 6: Genoa – Monaco – Nice – Cannes – Avignon

Summary of The Day: A breathtaking drive along one of the most sublime stretches of Mediterranean coastline awaits as we say goodbye to Italy and hello to Monaco.

Our walking tour will take us first to the Prince’s Palace of Monaco, then on to the Courthouse, the Oceanographic Museum and Saint Nicholas Cathedral, the resting place of Grace Kelly. We’ll then travel to the Fragonard Perfume Factory to learn about the perfume-making process. At the end of the guided tour you will be able to purchase one of the fragrances for yourself. Next we’ll visit Nice for a sampling of the scrumptious local cuisine.

We’ll stop over in Cannes to see the Palais des Festivals et des Congres, host of the city’s annual international film festival, and then make our way to Avignon Nord to check in to our hotel.

Hotel:

Hotel Campanile Bollene / Kyriad d’Orange or similar

Visiting Attractions

• Cannes
• Nice
• Monaco
• Prince’s Palace of Monaco
• Fragonard Perfume Factory, Grasse
• Palais des Festivals

Day 7: Avignon – Paris

Summary of The Day: Take a well-earned rest today as you sit back and enjoy the rustic charm of the French countryside on our journey north to Paris, the Green Line terminus.

Visa requirement

• _{Passport and passport photo}
• hotel voucher / air tickets
• bank statements
• yellow fever certificate

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