European Whirl plus Oberammergau 2010

Day 1- Depart USA
Overnight flight to London.

Day 2- Arrive London (2 nights)
Welcome to London!

Day 3 - London sightseeing & at leisure
Enjoy the many major sights that are included in our morning sightseeing tour, with free time afterwards to explore on your own. (Buffet breakfast)

Day 4 - London – Amsterdam
Greetings from our Tour Director as we drive to Dover before our Channel crossing to Calais in France. Then into Belgium and across Flanders fields to Holland. Soon we arrive in Amsterdam, where we see Dam Square, the Mint Tower and enjoy a canal cruise in a glass-topped boat. This evening, we enjoy a Welcome Drink with our Tour Director. (Continental breakfast)

Day 5 - Amsterdam orientation – Rhine Cruise – Rhineland
We drive into Germany and to Cologne, dominated by its fine gothic cathedral. Then via Bonn we drive to Boppard where we embark on a scenic Rhine cruise. We pass vineyards and castles before reaching St. Goar, where we see the Lorelei Rock and rejoin our coach. (Buffet breakfast / Dinner)

Day 6 - Rhineland – Oberammergau
We drive to Oberammergau where after lunch we take our seats for the Passion Play. (Buffet breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)

Day 7 - Oberammergau – Innsbruck – Venice
We enjoy a scenic drive across the Brenner Pass into Italy. Spectacular scenery continues as we travel along the Adige valley. On arrival in Venice we embark on an included canal cruise to St. Mark’s Square, viewing the Bridge of Sighs and the Doge’s Palace. After a visit to a traditional glass-blowing factory, time at leisure. We’ll enjoy dinner at our hotel this evening. (Buffet breakfast / Dinner)

Day 8 - Venice – Rome (2 nights)
We drive across the Veneto plain, cross the Apennines and continue into the region of Lazio to Rome. (Buffet breakfast)

Day 9 - Rome sightseeing & at leisure
Our guided tour features a visit to St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican City where we see Michelangelo’s moving masterpiece, the Pieta. Then we cross the River Tiber to ancient Rome where we overlook the Forum, see the Colosseum and the Circus Maximus. The rest of your day is free to explore this ‘Eternal City’! (Buffet breakfast)

Day 10 - Rome – Florence
Today we head north into Tuscany to Florence where a guided walking tour shows us the cathedral, baptistery, Signoria Square and a visit to the Santa Croce Basilica. Time now for our Tour Director to reveal a Hidden Treasure! Then free time to sightsee further or to shop. Tonight we enjoy a Highlight Dinner of local specialities in a Florentine trattoria. (Buffet breakfast / Highlight Dinner)

Day 11 - Florence – Lugano – Lucerne (2 nights)
Today we pass by Milan, through the area of the Italian Lakes to the Swiss border and the lakeside resort of Lugano. This balmy, palm-tree-lined lake resort in the Italian-speaking Ticino canton is home to the rich and famous and has a wonderful year-round climate. Time to explore the traffic-free shopping area and perhaps stop for a cappuccino in a lakeside café before a drive along the Gotthard highway into the heart of German-speaking Switzerland and the lakeside town of Lucerne. (Buffet breakfast / Dinner)

Day 12 -Lucerne orientation and at leisure
This morning our orientation tour shows us the poignant Lion Monument, which commemorates the heroism of the Swiss Guards during the period of the French Revolution, and we have time to walk along the wooden Chapel Bridge across the rushing River Reuss to the Jesuit Church. Then maybe take an exhilarating mountain excursion and still have time to shop for Swiss watches and delicious chocolate! (Buffet breakfast / Dinner)

Day 13 - Lucerne – Paris (2 nights)
Travelling through picturesque scenery we head towards Basel and the French border. Entering France we pass vestiges of the Maginot Line at Belfort as we travel into Burgundy resplendent with vineyards, castles and picturesque villages. Finally we arrive in the capital city, Paris, where tonight you may well wish to enjoy a tour of the illuminations which really provide a wonderful introduction to this beautiful city. (Buffet breakfast)

Day 14- Paris sightseeing & at leisure
Our guided sightseeing tour features a drive along the Champs Élysées from the Place de la Concorde to the Arc de Triomphe. Then we will see spectacular monuments such as Notre Dame Cathedral and also ascend the Eiffel Tower to the second level by elevator for stunning views over the city. Then free time to perhaps take an excursion to the Palace at Versailles. Later, tonight we will get together for a Farewell Dinner in a local bistro – a great way to end our tour of Europe! (Buffet breakfast / Farewell Dinner)

Day 15 - Paris – USA
Time to bid farewell to our Tour Director and new-found friends. (Buffet breakfast)

• Amsterdam: Enjoy a canal cruise. See Dam Square and the Mint Tower.
• Rhine: Enjoy a leisurely river cruise, passing castles and vineyards.
• Heidelberg: View the red sandstone castle.
• Oberammergau: See the remarkable and awe inspiring Passion Play.
• Innsbruck: See the Golden Roof in the old town square.
• Rome: Visit St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican, seeing Michelangelo’s Pieta.
• Florence: Guided walking tour. Visit the Santa Croce Basilica.
• Lugano: Visit the elegant resort.
• Lucerne: See the Lion Monument and Chapel Bridge.
• Dover: See the White Cliffs.
• Paris Sightseeing includes views of the Champs Élysées, Arc de Triomphe and Notre Dame Cathedral plus ascent to the second level of the Eiffel Tower.
• Venice: Private canal cruise. Visit a Murano-crystal workshop.
• London: Sightseeing tour.

The quaint European village of Oberammergau is world famous for the spectacular Passion Play performed by its residents just once every decade. Keeping a pledge made nearly 400 years ago, this reenactment of the crucifixion of Christ preserves the health and well-being of its residents to this day.

• Tickets to the Oberammergau Passion Play, with an approximate running time of 7 hours and a meal at intermission
• 1 buffet breakfast and 1 continental breakfast in London.
• 11 hot buffet breakfasts.
• 5 three-course dinners.
• Local highlight restaurant dinner with wine in Florence.
• Farewell Dinner with wine in Paris.
• Lunch in Oberammergau.
• All hotel service charges and tips, baggage handling fees and local taxes included.
• Touring by luxury air-conditioned coach with reclining seats and a washroom onboard.
• The services of one of Trafalgar's top professional multi-lingual Tour Directors.
• The services of a Trafalgar Representative at your London hotel.
• A qualified local city guide in Rome, Florence and Paris.
• Cross-channel ferry.
• Airport transfers are provided on Day 15
• You'll stay in twin-bedded rooms with private facilities.
• A stylish wallet, tour documents and map book journal.

London: Holiday Inn Regents Park
Amsterdam: Novotel City
Rhineland: Mercure Am Rathaus
Venice: Antony Palace
Rome: Palazzo Carpegna
Florence: Mediterraneo
Lucerne: Grand Europe
Paris: Holiday Inn La Villette

For terms and conditions of this Oberammergau Tour, please click here.

* The prices shown are U.S. dollars per person, based on double occupancy, and subject to availability. Prices quoted for land arrangements are subject to increase without notice. Once we have received your deposit, land prices are guaranteed. Whenever air-inclusive tour prices are displayed, these prices do not include government taxes and fees, which are additional. Air prices are subject to increase and are guaranteed only from the time that full payment is received. Air-inclusive prices include air from a major U.S. gateway; air from other U.S. airports is available at an additional cost. Sorry, we are unable to offer air from countries other than the U.S. However, for those international customers who are able to arrange their own transportation to the tour origination city, we are able to offer the land portion of the package or tour, at the price quoted.