FROM THE COLOSSEUM TO BIG BEN
12 days incl. air, or 11 days Rome/London

This 12-day trip is our most popular with families. It starts with two nights in Rome and ends with two nights in London with stops in major cities like Florence, Venice, Lucerne, and Paris. The must-see attractions such as St. Peter’s, the Sistine Chapel, the Colosseum, Michelangelo’s David, St. Mark’s in Venice, the second floor of the Eiffel Tower in Paris, and St. Paul’s in London are all included. From Italy, cross the border into subtropical Lugano, Switzerland, then drive via the ten-mile St. Gotthard Tunnel and William Tell country to Engelberg, situated in the heart of the Swiss Alps. Here, you have a relaxing two-night stay and an included excursion to Lucerne before heading to Paris. After two nights in Paris, board the Eurostar train for a speedy ride to London. This vacation is the perfect introduction to Europe, ensuring that families visit all of the major cities and see all of the popular sights.

INCLUDED FEATURES
DAY 2 - ROME (ARRIVAL)
Time to rest or start exploring the Eternal City. At 6 p.m. meet your Tour Director and traveling companions and leave the hotel for a special WELCOME DINNER in one of Rome’s lively restaurants.
DAY 3 - ROME
Sightseeing with your Local Guide starts with a visit to the VATICAN MUSEUMS and SISTINE CHAPEL, world famous for Michelangelo’s ceiling paintings and The Last Judgement. Continue to monumental ST. PETER’S SQUARE and BASILICA. Cross the Tiber and visit the COLOSSEUM and the ROMAN FORUM, where Roman Legions marched in triumph. Then time for independent activities and exciting optional excursion possibilities.
DAY 4 - FLORENCE
An easy morning drive north to Florence, cradle of the Renaissance. Follow your Local Guide to visit the ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS with Michelangelo’s celebrated David, the magnificent CATHEDRAL, Giotto’s Bell Tower, the Baptistry’s heavy bronze “Gate of Paradise,” and sculpture-studded SIGNORIA SQUARE. Later, take a moment to check out the enticing shops with Florentine leather goods and gold jewelry.
DAY 5 - VENICE
Drive across the Apennine Hills and through the plains of the mighty River Po to Venice. Enter the city in style by PRIVATE BOAT to meet your Local Guide. Highlights of your walking tour are ST. MARK’S SQUARE and the BYZANTINE BASILICA, the Clock Tower, lavish Doges’ Palace, and the Bridge of Sighs. Also watch skilled GLASSBLOWERS fashion their delicate objects. Afterward, wander at whim or join an optional gondola serenade.
DAY 6 - JOURNEY THROUGH SWITZERLAND
Travel through the Lombardian plains, past Milan and Lake Como to the Swiss Alps. Stop in flower-festooned Lugano for lunch. Continue north over 6,935-foot-high St. Gotthard Pass and through William Tell country to Engelberg in the heart of the Swiss Alps
DAY 7 - LUCERNE
Today, an excursion to Lucerne includes a walking tour to admire Thorwaldsen’s LION MONUMENT, the ornate patrician houses lining the cobbled streets of the walled Old Town, the covered CHAPEL BRIDGE, and the Jesuit Church. You may wish to join exciting optional excursions: Ride a cable car to the top of the mountain, cruise on Lake Lucerne, or enjoy a Swiss Folklore Lunch!
DAY 8 - PARIS
Cross the border into France and enjoy a fast ride on the modern highway skirting the vineyards of Burgundy and Fontainebleau Forest. Tonight you are in Paris, the belle of every European vacation.
DAY 9 - PARIS
Discover the world capital of chic and style with a Local Guide and admire its most famous sights: the Opéra, Arc de Triomphe, Champs-Elysées, Notre Dame Cathedral, and more. For a bird’s-eye view, take the elevator to the second floor of Paris’ most famous landmark, the EIFFEL TOWER. Optional excursions to the lavish baroque Palace of Versailles and to the artist area of Montmartre, followed by a Seine cruise are available.
DAY 10 - EUROSTAR TO LONDON
Board the EUROSTAR TRAIN for a fun ride to London, arriving in the late afternoon. Perhaps take in a West End show tonight.
DAY 11 - LONDON
Sightseeing with a Local Guide includes all the famous landmarks: Knightsbridge with Harrods, the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben beside the River Thames, Westminster Abbey, Whitehall’s mounted horseguards and the Prime Minister’s Downing Street, and Buckingham Palace. Highlights are a visit to ST. PAUL’S CATHEDRAL and the ceremonial pageantry of the Changing of the Guard, if held. Afternoon at leisure. You may wish to sign up for an optional excursion to the Tower of London with its fabulous Crown Jewels or an evening cruise on the River Thames.
DAY 12 - HOME
Your homebound flight arrives the same day.

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