European Highlights Tour

Year Round Departure Available for Groups
     

Day 1: Departure
We board an overnight flight from Pittsburgh to Paris, France.

Day 2: Welcome to Europe
We will arrive at Paris' Charles de Gaulle Airport. After luggage claim and passport/customs clearance, we will be met by both our tour director and tour driver, who will be with us throughout our travels. We will then take a 2 hour panoramic tour of Paris that includes Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, the cathedral Notre-Dame and other famous Paris attractions. Dinner and overnight in Paris.

Day 3: Normandy
This morning, we depart to the D-Day landing beaches. In Arromanches on the British 'Gold' Beach, we will see remnants of the Churchill Mulberry Harbor. We will then visit the Normandy American Military Cemetery. We then continue to Pointe Du Hoc. It is here that the US Army Rangers stormed cliffs with collapsible ladders and grappling hooks to get onto Omaha Beach. Ste-Mere-Eglise, site of the 82nd Airborne's inadvertent 'drop zone', is next on our itinerary. We will see the church steeple where Private John Steele (played by Red Buttons in the film The Longest Day) got 'hung up.' The townsfolk keep an effigy of him hanging there to this day! We will also view the stained glass windows that pay tribute to the American Liberator of Normandy. Afterwards, we continue to Utah Beach to see the site of the 4th Infantry Division's landing. Just behind the dunes, we can have a last walk on the now-peaceful beach. Then we will continue to our hotel in Bayeux. Dinner and overnight in Bayeux.

Day 4: Compiegne - Reims
We begin our day by traveling from Bayeux to Compiegne . We will see the Rethondes clearing, where the armistice was signed. Next we will go to Reims, the champagne capital of France. We will view the beautiful Reims Cathedral and taste the local champagne before going to our hotel. Dinner and overnight in Reims.

Day 5: Bastogne - Koblenz
Today we will go to Belgium through the beautiful Ardennes region that has long since re-grown after the devastation of WWII. We will visit the Bastogne Historical Center and American Memorial. We will see the account of the Battle of Bastogne in multi-vision, the authentic uniforms, weapons and material of the belligerents and a remarkable film, made for the 50th anniversary of the Battle. Next we transfer to Germany. Tonight we stay in Koblenz on the banks of the River Rhine. Dinner and overnight in Koblenz.

Day 6: Rhine cruise
Following breakfast, we will take a leisurely cruise along the beautiful Rhine on the most romantic part of the river. We will disembark in Rudesheim village, set in a valley of lush vineyards. After lunch, we continue to the city of Nurnberg. Dinner and overnight in Nurnberg.

Day 7: Nurnberg - Munich
Today we visit the Nurnberg, the site of the International Military Tribunal, at which the major German war criminals were tried. Following these trials, nine of them were hanged. We will also see the sites where Adolf Hitler addressed the mass rallies of the Nazi Regime during the 1930's and WWII years. Afterwards, we will travel through the heart of the Bavarian Plain to the provincial capital, Munich. This evening, we enjoy dinner at the famous Hofbrauhaus. Overnight in Munich.

Day 8: Berchtesgaden - Innsbruck
We have another great day planned for today as we travel to the Eagle's Nest, Hitler's private residence during the 1930's and WWII years. Later we depart to Innsbruck for an orientation tour of the Olympic city set on the banks of the Inn (green river). We will stop at the Olympic Ski Jump Stadium of the 1964 and 1976 winter games. Dinner and overnight in Innsbruck.

Day 9: Luzern
We begin our day by traveling from Innsbruck to Luzern in Switzerland. Our afternoon is spent taking a guided tour of Luzern old town. Dinner this evening is part of the Swiss Folklore Show. Our dinner will include treats like Swiss cheese fondue and special menu 'Zurich Style' dessert. Our hotel is only a short stroll from the Casino Luzern, where the atmospheric Swiss Chalet styled venue hosts a superb show highlighting the traditional features of Switzerland. Dinner and overnight in Luzern.

Day 10: Depart Switzerland for Home
After breakfast, we depart for Zurich Airport to catch our return flight back to the United States.

Price: $1917.00 per person, double occupancy
Single Supplement: $191.00

Price Includes: 8 nights accommodations, breakfast and dinner daily, sightseeing and entrances as listed, escorted, deluxe motorcoach transportation, baggage handling, taxes, and meal gratuities.

Not Included: Air taxes estimated at $72.00, gratuities to guide and driver.