Dargal Interline Worldwide - Interline Agency to the World

Contrasts of Europe 2010 - About this Tour

Tour Details | Departure Dates and Pricing

Details

Duration (with arrival/departure): 16
Tour Style: Train
Destinations: England, France, Italy

Itinerary

Day 1 - Depart USA Overnight flight to London.

Day 2 - Arrive London (2 nights) Check into your London hotel, with the rest of your day at leisure. Tonight, enjoy a Welcome Drink with your Tour Director and traveling companions.

Hotel: Park Plaza County Hall (2 nights)

Day 3 - London sightseeing & at leisure We enjoy a half-day sightseeing tour featuring the famous Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, the Houses of Parliament and Buckingham Palace. The rest of your day is free. Perhaps visit Camden Lock Market, walk through Kensington Gardens, visit the Natural History Museum or take a Thames cruise to the Tower of London. Don’t forget to take in some of the world famous London theater at a West End show before we leave this fashionable city! (Buffet breakfast)

Day 4 - London to Paris (3 nights) Greetings from our Tour Director en route to St. Pancras Station. Here we board the ultra-modern high-speed Eurostar train to Paris. Delight in the scenery through Kent and Northern France to glamorous Paris. On arrival we join our coach and transfer to our hotel. (Buffet breakfast)

Hotel: Novotel Tour Eiffel (3 nights)

Day 5 - Paris sightseeing & at leisure After breakfast our morning guided sightseeing tour takes us from the Place de la Concorde along the Champs Élysées to the Arc de Triomphe. Next we will ascend to the second level of the Eiffel Tower for spectacular views over the well designed city. The remainder of your day is at leisure, later maybe enjoy a cabaret show and try some onion soup in a brasserie? (Buffet breakfast)

Day 6 - Paris at leisure A full day to relax or explore this fascinating city. Your Tour Director will have already shown you one of the Hidden Treasures of Paris and will be happy to assist you to find more in this beautiful and elegant city. (Buffet breakfast)

Day 7 - Paris – Nice (2 nights) We transfer to Paris’ Gare de Lyon where we board the TGV Mediterranée, one of the French fleet’s most recent trains. Our journey takes us through the hills of Burgundy, along the Rhône Valley, past the villages of Provence and the Luberon, to the French Riviera where we admire stunning coastal scenery en route to elegant Nice. On our arrival an orientation shows us the Promenade des Anglais, the Place Massena and ‘le vieux Nice’. Then, after a Highlight Dinner of Niçoise specialties in a local restaurant, we head for Monte Carlo where we have the chance to ‘break the bank’ at one of the casinos! (Buffet breakfast / Highlight Dinner)

Hotel: Boscolo Park (2 nights)

Day 8 - Nice at leisure There’s plenty of time to enjoy this popular French resort. Maybe lie on the beach, swim in the Mediterranean or shop in the many tempting boutiques to be found in the pedestrian shopping area. Or take a stroll along the Promenade des Anglais all the way to the old town and port of Nice? Your Tour Director is on hand to advise you. (Buffet breakfast)

Day 9 - Nice – Train to Milan – Venice (3 nights) Today we are transferred to the railway station for our train to Italy. Our train takes usfrom France to the northern plain of Italy, and the commercial and fashion capital, Milan. Here we disembark from the train and take the coach onwards to the magical city of Venice for a relaxing three-night stay. (Buffet breakfast / Dinner)

Hotel: Plaza (3 nights)

Day 10 - Venice orientation & at leisure This morning we board our private launch taking us past Palladian palaces to St. Mark’s Square where we see the Bridge of Sighs, Doge’s Palace and St. Mark’s Basilica. Next we enjoy a demonstration of Murano glass-blowing in one of Venice’s oldest workshops. Then time to enjoy the delights of this romantic city. (Buffet breakfast / Dinner)

Day 11 - Venice walking tour & at leisure A full day at leisure in this unique city. For those who wish there’s a transfer from the hotel to St. Mark’s Square and back. We include a walking tour with a local guide from St. Mark’s Square to the colorful fish market close to the Rialto Bridge, enhanced by our excellent audio system. Why not join an optional excursion to see some of the islands in the lagoon and enjoy a seafood lunch? Or perhaps explore the narrow ‘calle’ and shop on the Rialto Bridge. This evening maybe relax over cocktails in the hotel bar. (Buffet breakfast)

Day 12 - Venice – Florence (2 nights) This morning we cross the street to board our train for the Renaissance city of Florence. Our train makes its way through the forested Apennine Mountains and into the region of Tuscany where the landscape so beloved of artists features terraced olive groves, vineyards and dark green cypress trees. This afternoon our local guide takes us on a walking tour of this magnificent city using our very effective audio system. We visit the Basilica of Santa Croce where we see the tombs of Galileo, Macchiavelli, Dante and Michelangelo. We also see the Piazza Signoria with many statues displayed, the multi-colored marble Duomo and Bell Tower designed by Giotto and enjoy the superb view over the city from Piazzale Michelangelo. Tonight we enjoy a Highlight Dinner of local specialties in a popular local trattoria. (Buffet breakfast / Highlight dinner)

Hotel: Boscolo Astoria (2 nights)

Day 13 - Florence at leisure Today is at leisure and your Tour Director has already told you about one of the Hidden Treasures of this unique city. So now you have time to find more or maybe shop for high quality leather and 18-carat gold. Tonight, maybe try out the local Tuscan cuisine and Chianti wine in one of the many outdoor restaurants in Florence? (Buffet breakfast)

Day 14 - Florence – Rome (2 nights) This morning we embark on our high-speed train, which takes us past the peaceful scenery of Umbria with its hilltop towns to the region of Latium, the Cradle of the Roman Civilization, and the ‘Eternal City’. On arrival at Rome’s Termini station, our local guide meets us and takes us on an in-depth sightseeing tour by coach, using our effective audio system. Highlights include a visit to St. Peter’s Basilica where we see Michelangelo’s ‘Pieta’, and views of the Forum and Circus Maximus plus a visit to the mighty Colosseum. (Buffet breakfast)

Hotel: Albergo Diana (2 nights)

Day 15 - Rome at leisure A full day at leisure to explore this incredible city. Why not take an optional excursion to the Sistine Chapel or visit the Catacombs? Then maybe windowshop along the Via Condotti or explore the streets of Trastevere. Tonight, join your Tour Director for a Farewell Dinner in a local restaurant. (Buffet breakfast / Farewell Dinner)

Day 16 - Rome – USA This morning after breakfast our vacation must come to an end. There are transfers available to Rome Fiumicino Airport, conditions apply. (Buffet breakfast)

Free airport transfers: Return transfers on the last touring day will arrive at Rome Fiumicino Airport at 07.00 and 09.30.

Whats Included

Sightseeing Highlights

London: Sightseeing featuring views of Buckingham Palace, the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey and Big Ben.
Paris: Sightseeing includes views of the Arc de Triomphe, Champs Élysées, the Place de la Concorde and the ascent of the Eiffel Tower.
Nice: Orientation includes the Promenade des Anglais, the Place Massena and 'le vieux Nice'.
Monte Carlo: Evening excursion to see the famous casinos.
Venice: Canal cruise by private motor launch. See St. Mark's Square, the Basilica, Bridge of Sighs and Doge's Palace. Visit a traditional glass-blowing factory. Guided walking tour of 'Secret Venice' to the Rialto Bridge and famous fish market.
Florence: Views of Signoria Square and the marble Duomo. Visit the Basilica of Santa Croce. View the city from Piazzale Michelangelo.
Rome: Views of the Forum and Circus Maximus plus visits to St. Peter’s Basilica and the Colosseum.

Dining Highlights

14 hot buffet breakfasts.
2 three-course dinners.
2 local highlight restaurant dinners with wine on the French Riviera and in Florence.
Farewell Dinner with wine in Rome.

19 meals in total

First Class Travel Highlights

First Class hotel accommodation includes twin-bedded rooms with private facilities, all hotel service charges and tips, hotel baggage handling fees and local taxes included.
Note: Porterage is not included at train stations.
The services of one of Trafalgar's top professional multi-lingual Tour Directors
A qualified local city guide in London, Paris, Venice, Florence and Rome.
Eurostar high-speed train journey from London to Paris.
TGV Mediterranee train journey from Paris to Nice.
High-speed train journey from Nice to Milan and Venice to Florence.
High-speed train journey from Florence to Rome.
All rail service is reserved in economy class.
Airport transfers are provided on Day 16.
Touring by luxury air-conditioned coach with reclining seats and a washroom onboard.
A stylish wallet, tour documents and a Welcome on Tour book.

Airport Transfers

London Gateways: Transfers can be expensive, particularly between the airport and your London hotel. But when you book your Trafalgar tour and take advantage of our land and air packages, we have included a FREE transfer to and from London’s airports and your Trafalgar London hotel. For passengers who have their own flight arrangements we offer you the opportunity to purchase inexpensive transfers to and from London’s Heathrow – Trafalgar has negotiated special rates for the Dot2Dot transfer from London’s Heathr
Important – Please Note: Passengers will only be entitled to transfers to and from London Airports providing the following conditions are met:
For included transfers: Your flights must be booked directly by Trafalgar no fewer than 21 days prior to departure. For chargeable transfers: Your Travel Agent provides detailed flight information to Trafalgar no fewer than 21 days prior to departure. Once transfers are booked they cannot be changed.
For London arrivals, you must stay at a London hotel booked by Trafalgar on the night of arrival and the night prior to your departure date.
Trafalgar only includes one inbound and one outbound transfer.
In the event of flight delays outside of Trafalgar’s control, the transfers will be deemed to be cancelled.
All transfers are based on group transfers. No refund is therefore available for missed transfers, or passengers not using this service.
In the event of unforeseen events (such as road or rail works, strikes or demonstrations), Trafalgar will not be responsible for delayed or cancelled transfers.
Heathrow Airport: National Express Dot2Dot will pick up and drop off in time to meet all flights to/from London’s Heathrow Airport. For guests arriving at the Dot2Dot desk after 22.00 hrs please make use of the courtesy phone to arrange your transfer to your Trafalgar hotel.
Gatwick Airport Passengers who have booked Trafalgar’s Land and Air packages arriving at London’s Gatwick Airport are provided with a Gatwick Express train voucher. The Gatwick Express train journey from Gatwick Airport to London’s Victoria Station takes 30 minutes. Guests then need to make their way from Victoria Station to their Trafalgar hotel.
Trafalgar Bonus - Passengers who book Trafalgar's Land+Air package and who arrive or depart outside of these specified times on the scheduled arrival and departure day of the tour will also be provided with a transfer.
Passengers arriving before or leaving after the scheduled tour days are not entitled to a transfer but may book and purchase one through Trafalgar providing that they also purchase the additional pre and/or post tour hotel night(s) from Trafalgar. Please ask for prices of transfers at the time of booking your extra night accommodation.
Land only passengers arriving or departing on the scheduled tour arrival or departure days but whose flights don't coincide with the listed transfer times below may also book and purchase these transfers. Flight details must be provided to Trafalgar not less than 21 days before the flight departure.
Click here to see scheduled transfer times.

Options

Child Prices: Apply to children under the age of 16.